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As a reader, your distaste for "paste and copy" AARs is greatly appreciated.

ORIGINAL: pws1225

As a reader, your distaste for "paste and copy" AARs is greatly appreciated.

MUCH appreciated! I truly detest (no offense to anyone) endless pages of Combat Report.

I had an AMBUSH that actually WORKED baby!

well well well well well?????

Combat Report
December 8, 1942

I actually had a turn pretty much filled with GOOD news. Pretty much...

North/Central Pacific
**NADA**

South Pacific
My spidey senses are tingling down in this area. I moved my Fighters around so I have a Daitai/Sentai at Horn Island, PM, and Tagula. Moved a Daitai of Vals to PM and a Daitai of Kates to Horn Isle.

Order specific recon of Cairns, Townsville, and several other bases.

My CVEs will arrive at Soerabaja tomorrow. Will refuel and replenish and move eastwards.

Sumatra
Sibolga FALLS! BANZAI!

Sibolga is hit by BB Fuso and 6 CAs and then nailed by 275 bombers. The TEN units present succumb to a Shock Attack yielding a 4-1 result. Japan loses 822 Cas and USA loses 2,977 Cas (506 Squads), 133 Guns, and 263 Vehicles. Units retreat due north along the western shore of Sumatra. 10th ID ordered back towards Tand??? and the 2nd will rest a day or two then pursue them north a little bit. Want them to get smacked another time or two!

Order over 10 Construction/Engineer/Base Force/Air Division HQ to move to Sibolga. Time to build as fast as possible! All these troops are already loaded so I will have them unloading as early as tomorrow. This development truly aids the Tand??? defense and situation.

Sabang
My little TF of 4 DD arrive and JUMP on a BB TF comprising Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, California, a CL, and 2 DDs. ZERO visibility! We launch Long Lances at 2,000 Yds baby and hit Pennsylvania, and California. The California hit scores a massive explosion and it is heavily damaged. West Virginia also got hit but by a DUD! Two Japanese DDs are sunk (Maryland landed 7 16" hit in ONE salvo on poor Nowaki!) In an important development the remaining two DDs are sunk during the day by two SBD and one Avenger attack. Will provide LRCAP next time we do this. On the BRIGHT side, two BBs are Torped.

Spot BB Washington moving down the eastern coast of Sumatra. Time to play serious team. I have sat and watched these Bombardment TF move with impunity. Not anymore. Just dropped mines at Georgetown and Tand??? and order Kates, Vals, and Bettys to Naval Attack from Taiping, Singers, and Tand???. All units are set to attack up to one hex from Sabang.

If he is headed for Georgetown and TF of 6 DD shall be wating for him. Will see if the Long Lancers can score a second time and then FINISH the target during the day...

Malaya
48th ID will arrive at the mid-point of the peninsula and destroy the two small units holding that hex and then drive on Alor Star. My Inf Brigade leaves Singers by train headed to Taiping to then move up to Alor Star. Once we take back Alor Star the 48th redeploys to Sumatra and will wreak havoc over there.

Victoria Point
My aerial ambush WORKS this day! Dan must have spewed his drink when he saw 67 Zero and 54 Kate appear over his 'milk run' bombardment TF. CA Cornwall takes 3 TTs and SINKS, CL Capetown takes 2 TTs and SINKS, a DD and DMS each take another and SINK. Let me plaintively cry out BANZAI! Good, solid work. Notice has been officially served.

Port Blair
The US CVs DISAPPEAR! They must move back towards Madras. Want my boys to repair that AF ASAP.

KB
The Kido Butai makes its move as planned and flies several small strike packages sinking an AO and an AK. BY THEMSELVES Chickenboy...

I have had an idea rolling around in my head for a while and I want to take a LOOK. The KB moves SW towards Diego Garcia. I want to recon that place. Have got a pair of Brigades that might be used in a counterattack...

Will retire towards Sumatra after this look see. Be aggressive but not crazy is the motto right now.


Just got told that I have to get to a useless Church function I forgot about. CRAP. OK. Will Post the Combat Report when I get back.

Never done this before but here is the Combat Report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 08, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,79

Japanese Ships
DMS W-5
PC Sumire
DMS W-22

Allied Ships
SS S-39

SS S-39 is located by DMS W-5
S-39 bottoming out ....
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS W-22 fails to find sub and abandons search
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Oosthaven at 46,97

Japanese Ships
xAK Bordeaux Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel

xAK Bordeaux Maru is sighted by SS Pickerel
SS Pickerel launches 2 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Oosthaven at 46,97

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #11
CM Natsushima
xAK Burma Maru
xAK Zenyo Maru
xAKL Shun Yuan
xAKL Korei Maru
TB Kari
TB Otori

Allied Ships
SS Sturgeon

SS Sturgeon is sighted by escort
TB Kari attacking submerged sub ....
TB Otori fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Kari fails to find sub and abandons search
TB Otori fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Otori fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,79

Japanese Ships
DD Tamanami
DD Akebono
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish, hits 5

SS Kingfish is sighted by escort
Kingfish bottoming out ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oboro fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akebono fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Akebono attacking submerged sub ....
DD Akebono is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 44,70, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kamikaze

Allied Ships
BB Maryland
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 5
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB California, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Helena
DD Dewey, Shell hits 2
DD Nepal

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Koga, Magatorou crosses the 'T'
DD Kamikaze engages DD Dewey at 8,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages BB Pennsylvania at 8,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Shirakumo at 8,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages BB Pennsylvania at 8,000 yards
DD Nowaki engages DD Dewey at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Kamikaze engages DD Dewey at 2,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages DD Dewey at 2,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Nowaki at 2,000 yards
DD Nowaki sunk by BB Maryland at 2,000 yards
Koga, Magatorou orders Japanese TF to disengage
DD Shirakumo engages BB California at 2,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Mutsuki at 2,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Shirakumo at 2,000 yards
CL Helena engages DD Shirakumo at 2,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages DD Dewey at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages DD Shirakumo at 9,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages DD Shirakumo at 9,000 yards
DD Shirakumo sunk by BB Maryland at 9,000 yards
DD Mutsuki engages DD Dewey at 9,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sibolga at 44,79

Japanese Ships
DD Isokaze
CA Myoko
CA Takao
DD Hagikaze
DD Urakaze
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
SS KXV

SS KXV launches 2 torpedoes at DD Isokaze
KXV bottoming out ....
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Urakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Isokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oyashio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Siberoet at 42,85

Japanese Ships
xAK Chowa Maru
xAK Kinjosan Maru
PB Nako Maru #2

Allied Ships
SS Shark

SS Shark launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Chowa Maru
PB Nako Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nako Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nako Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nako Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nako Maru #2 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,78

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
DD Isonami
DD Kishinami
DD Kisaragi
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS S-41

SS S-41 is sighted by escort
S-41 bottoming out ....
DD Kisaragi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,78

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 31
PB Yahada Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-41

SS S-41 is sighted by escort
S-41 bottoming out ....
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,78

Japanese Ships
AMC Akagi Maru
DMS W-21
APD Hasu
xAK Nichiren Maru
xAK Mansei Maru
xAK Yomei Maru
xAK Okuyo Maru
PB Takunan Maru #5
PB Showa Maru #5
PB Nichi Maru #1

Allied Ships
SS S-41, hits 2

SS S-41 is sighted by escort
S-41 bottoming out ....
PB Takunan Maru #5 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Nichi Maru #1 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Laoag at 81,71

Japanese Ships
xAK Heian Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Saiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gar

SS Gar launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Heian Maru
Gar diving deep ....
PB Saiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Saiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Saiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Saiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Saiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Sibolga at 44,79

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
CL Sakawa

Allied ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Port hits 10
Port supply hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at 129th Infantry Regiment
CL Sakawa firing at Sibolga


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Sibolga at 44,79

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Hikari
CA Iwaki

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Myoko firing at 148th Infantry Regiment
CA Maya firing at 129th Infantry Regiment
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Atago
CA Atago firing at 148th Infantry Regiment
CA Takao firing at 145th Infantry Regiment
CA Hikari firing at 205th Field Artillery Battalion
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Iwaki
CA Iwaki firing at Sibolga


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sibolga at 44,79

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Takao
DD Hagikaze
DD Urakaze
DD Isokaze
DD Oyashio

Allied Ships
SS KXV, hits 2

SS KXV is sighted by escort
KXV bottoming out ....
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Urakaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Oyashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Urakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hagikaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,78

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
DD Isonami
DD Kishinami
DD Kisaragi
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
SS S-41, hits 4

SS S-41 is sighted by escort
DD Kisaragi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kisaragi fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Minegumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Minegumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tandjoengbalai at 47,79

Japanese Ships
PB Yahada Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PB Shotoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS O21

SS O21 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Yahada Maru
O21 bottoming out ....
PB Shotoku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shotoku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shotoku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shotoku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shotoku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Langsa at 46,72

Japanese Ships
SS I-25, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Gridley
BB Washington
CLAA San Juan
DD Lansdowne
DD Patterson

SS I-25 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Gridley
DD Gridley fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Patterson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Patterson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Patterson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Patterson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Patterson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Phuket at 47,68

Japanese Ships
SS RO-63

Allied Ships
DD Bailey
DMS Perry
DD Morris

SS RO-63 is sighted by escort
RO-63 diving deep ....
DD Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Langsa , at 46,74

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 9

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M3b Zero sweeping at 16000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Medan , at 46,76

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 28000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Medan , at 46,76

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 28000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Langsa , at 46,74

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 2

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M3b Zero sweeping at 16000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Phuket at 47,68

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 33
A6M5 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 54

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Morris
CL Capetown, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Bailey, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Perry, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
54 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Massive explosion on CA Cornwall


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 148th Infantry Regiment, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 148th Infantry Regiment, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 44

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 145th Infantry Regiment, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th British Brigade, at 56,48 , near Ramree Island

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking IV Indian ...
Also attacking 5th British Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Carnarvon , at 49,133

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 damaged

Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 129th Infantry Regiment, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 17
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 19
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 24

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Medan , at 46,76

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 28000 feet
2 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 28000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Medan , at 46,76

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 32000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Australian Division, at 56,47 , near Magwe

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 9 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 6th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 7th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 6th Australian Division ...
Also attacking 7th Australian Division ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 5 damaged
I-16-III: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 21

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 23rd British Brigade, at 56,48 , near Ramree Island

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 3
Ki-30 Ann x 3
Ki-32 Mary x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 7
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 3
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 5 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 5th British Brigade ...
Also attacking IV Indian ...
Also attacking 23rd British Brigade ...
Also attacking IV Indian ...
Also attacking 5th British Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 148th Infantry Regiment, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 damaged

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 205th Field Artillery Battalion ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 205th Field Artillery Battalion ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 205th Field Artillery Battalion ...
Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 52nd Chinese Corps, at 73,53 , near Nanning

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 15

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 63rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 52nd Chinese Corps ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet *



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on IV Indian , at 56,48 , near Ramree Island

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 23rd British Brigade ...
Also attacking IV Indian ...
Also attacking 23rd British Brigade ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd USMC Parachute Battalion, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 1
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 8000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Parachute Battalion ...
Also attacking 145th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Parachute Battalion ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th British Brigade, at 56,48 , near Ramree Island

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,73

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Mutsuki


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,73

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Mutsuki, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,73

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Kagoshima-2 Ku S-1 with A6M3b Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 42,73

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Padang , at 44,85

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 3000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
202 Ku S-1 with A6M3b Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 29,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
B5N2 Kate x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AO Kankakee

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 33,56

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Bundaleer, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on xAK Bundaleer


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Medan , at 46,76

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 37

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
37 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 32000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 145th Infantry Regiment, at 44,79 (Sibolga)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3b Zero x 14
B5N2 Kate x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 75th Indian Brigade, at 59,43 , near Kalemyo

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 29,52

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M5 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AO Kankakee, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Kankakee


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 33,56

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M5 Zero x 33
D3A1 Val x 22

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Bundaleer, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Bundaleer


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

Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 22812 troops, 239 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 661

Defending force 9507 troops, 217 guns, 280 vehicles, Assault Value = 234

Japanese adjusted assault: 600

Allied adjusted defense: 142

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sibolga !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
822 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2977 casualties reported
Squads: 81 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 350 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 75 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 133 (133 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 263 (263 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 10

Assaulting units:
10th Division
2nd Division

Defending units:
129th Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
2nd USMC Parachute Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
A Det USN Port Svc
175th USAAF Base Force /4
E Det USN Port Svc
110th USA Base Force /5


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

Ground combat at 55,48 (near Ramree Island)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9641 troops, 117 guns, 160 vehicles, Assault Value = 683

Defending force 16198 troops, 126 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 468

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
4th British Brigade
19th Indian Division
6th British Brigade
2nd Recce Regiment
198th Coast AA Regiment
177 Wing
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Aviation Base Force
Eastern Army
117th RAF Base Force

Defending units:
18th Division
25th Army


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

Ground combat at 50,72 (near Singora)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3396 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Defending force 2651 troops, 13 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 101

Assaulting units:
6th RTA/B Division
4th RTA/A Division

Defending units:
762nd Tank Battalion
99th Indian Brigade

Thanks for posting the whole CR, John. Please belay that request moving forward. Congrats on the good day in the field too.

The first strike on the Kankakee used 4 B5N2, escorted by 6 A6M2. The second, 25F and 9B. Total of 31F and 13B in two attacks.

The first strike on the Bundaleer used 4 B5N2, escorted by 8 A6M2. The second, 48F and 22B. Total of 56F and 26B in two attacks.

Combined, these two ships accounted for 87F and 39B sorties. A total of 126 sorties to attack these two ships. Small mercies-no torpedoes appear to have been used, but I'm guessing that was due to range or intentional settings of naval attack with bombs?

Anyways, 126 sorties is a Shokaku-class CV on a good day (minus reasonable 'stay at home CAP', of course). So, if he had engaged you today with his carriers, he would have, in effect, taken one of your premier CVs out of the equation for the very reasonable cost of 1 xAK and 1 AO.

Players who look to the points and play the game 'as it is' would be foolish to NOT flood the area with singleton 'pickets' when anticipating or provoking a carrier battle. Expend 6 xAK/AOs to halve KB's strength? Why not? What a load of rubbish.

ETA: "The massive strikes on singleton xAKs was fixed in previous patches"? Yeah. Right.

pickets should not be fodder, but warships. MHO.

CnC Zulu
TWIT HQ

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Thanks for posting the whole CR, John. Please belay that request moving forward. Congrats on the good day in the field too.

The first strike on the Kankakee used 4 B5N2, escorted by 6 A6M2. The second, 25F and 9B. Total of 31F and 13B in two attacks.

The first strike on the Bundaleer used 4 B5N2, escorted by 8 A6M2. The second, 48F and 22B. Total of 56F and 26B in two attacks.

Combined, these two ships accounted for 87F and 39B sorties. A total of 126 sorties to attack these two ships. Small mercies-no torpedoes appear to have been used, but I'm guessing that was due to range or intentional settings of naval attack with bombs?

Anyways, 126 sorties is a Shokaku-class CV on a good day (minus reasonable 'stay at home CAP', of course). So, if he had engaged you today with his carriers, he would have, in effect, taken one of your premier CVs out of the equation for the very reasonable cost of 1 xAK and 1 AO.

Players who look to the points and play the game 'as it is' would be foolish to NOT flood the area with singleton 'pickets' when anticipating or provoking a carrier battle. Expend 6 xAK/AOs to halve KB's strength? Why not? What a load of rubbish.

ETA: "The massive strikes on singleton xAKs was fixed in previous patches"? Yeah. Right.

Agreed. Dan's a big fan of "pickets"...this was done in real life with combat ships.. but in this game its a very gamey tactic IMO..very.

There really just needs to be an option for any air unit whether or not it will attack merchant ships. Personally I think all this picketing is pretty BS as well. Even sending single combat ships is gamey to me. It should be part of a real task force (4+ ships).

But unless you make an HR about it theres' really no point in debating it.

Thanks for the comments guys. Appreciate the sentiment. Glad it isn't just me.

On the BRIGHT SIDE it was a pretty fair turn. Nailing that Cruiser Bombardment Force provided some positive reinforcement. Taking Sibolga is a huge step forward as well. Would love to build something called MOMENTUM!

SINABANG

What does Dan have here for troops and what size is the AF now??

What are your plans and what troops do you have prepping for this base??

OT - I'm off until 8am Wednesday. So, call....

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
SINABANG

Damn, I almost expected your CV ambush to have worked out... But still great, Cornwall and the little ones down.
I only get the impression you are throwing your DD away at a good rate here. 4 DD for a damaged old BB doesn't sound great to me. How many extra DD does Japan get in RA?

With Sinabang in your hands, you'd have a good place to base Kates and Netties. That way you could get the LOC to Diego Garcia and Colombo between two attack angles, in addition to P Blair. This would make it more risky for Dan to draw his CV to close to Sumatra to protect his life line. These lot of small TFs you saw when his CV showed up at PB operating between Sabang and his staging area might have been carrying supply forth and back -- less vulnerable than forming big convoys as long as KB is sighted close by. They'd make good targets for Netties.

In addition to Sinabang it would be good to start making a plan for threatening Sabang. I think you will soon need a serious LBA offensive to attrit that base, its port facilities, AE's, AF and so on. Do you know what fighter assets Dan stationed there? Taking into account the 4BB covering sqrn, I assume he's also protecting it well against your LBA? He might have brought a lot of AAA and base forces...

As stated many times single ship task forces in contested waters are gamey to the 10th degree. Who cares if they scatter they still siphon off carrier strike packages. If you don't have the seapower with the combination of LBA to open sea lanes and get your own air coverage then it's good sportsmanship to sit back and wait until you do or island/base hop as the Allies did during the Pacific War. Certainly there's no armchair admiral even close to their skill when it came to planning.

The more air search you have over an area , the more single ship task forces there are the worse the program processes it. Anyone who has played this game for some time knows the program doesn't do well when overwhelmed with numbers. I've witnessed in game in atleast 20 plus turns task forces operating with inpunity while netties, vals and kates do little to nothing even changing to the most aggressive commanders available you need an excellent die roll for attack. What I'm talking about here is an extreme case and I'm certain at this point not what you see here.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I'm even against single ship DD's because of how the program treats the vessels in the maneuverability department.

Off the soapbox and back to reading.[:)]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Thanks for posting the whole CR, John. Please belay that request moving forward. Congrats on the good day in the field too.

The first strike on the Kankakee used 4 B5N2, escorted by 6 A6M2. The second, 25F and 9B. Total of 31F and 13B in two attacks.

The first strike on the Bundaleer used 4 B5N2, escorted by 8 A6M2. The second, 48F and 22B. Total of 56F and 26B in two attacks.

Combined, these two ships accounted for 87F and 39B sorties. A total of 126 sorties to attack these two ships. Small mercies-no torpedoes appear to have been used, but I'm guessing that was due to range or intentional settings of naval attack with bombs?

Anyways, 126 sorties is a Shokaku-class CV on a good day (minus reasonable 'stay at home CAP', of course). So, if he had engaged you today with his carriers, he would have, in effect, taken one of your premier CVs out of the equation for the very reasonable cost of 1 xAK and 1 AO.

Players who look to the points and play the game 'as it is' would be foolish to NOT flood the area with singleton 'pickets' when anticipating or provoking a carrier battle. Expend 6 xAK/AOs to halve KB's strength? Why not? What a load of rubbish.

ETA: "The massive strikes on singleton xAKs was fixed in previous patches"? Yeah. Right.

+1

This s*** stinks!

ORIGINAL: SuluSea

As stated many times single ship task forces in contested waters are gamey to the 10th degree. Who cares if they scatter they still siphon off carrier strike packages. If you don't have the seapower with the combination of LBA to open sea lanes and get your own air coverage then it's good sportsmanship to sit back and wait until you do or island/base hop as the Allies did during the Pacific War. Certainly there's no armchair admiral even close to their skill when it came to planning.

The more air search you have over an area , the more single ship task forces there are the worse the program processes it. Anyone who has played this game for some time knows the program doesn't do well when overwhelmed with numbers. I've witnessed in game in atleast 20 plus turns task forces operating with inpunity while netties, vals and kates do little to nothing even changing to the most aggressive commanders available you need an excellent die roll for attack. What I'm talking about here is an extreme case and I'm certain at this point not what you see here.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I'm even against single ship DD's because of how the program treats the vessels in the maneuverability department.

+1

It is not fair to the other player and it messes with the engine. How many days like this before you then have to retreat and replenish losing tactical time and strategic advantage and allowing him to move damaged ships back and more support, men, supply in?

This is a game stopper for me. Single merchants near CVs not going anywhere with no purpose other than to siphon your strikes i n the name of early warning.

Bulls***!

IIRC the carrier-strike size issue on small TFs was not fixed in a patch to AE, it was either fixed in original AE or in that big improvement patch they made to original WITP.

How about posting a save game for Michael?

I would like to clarify my original statement to write that I recognize fleeing from the Phillipines, Hong Kong , Malaysia and those parts during the opening salvos as well as damaged ships from collisions or attack to be different conditions than using single ships as a tripwire during offensive operations. [:)]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I don't agree with some of your thoughts Crackaces:

1. The Japanese did have a range advantage and used it several times. It was the entire objective at the Marianas.
2. I rarely have seen any strike package (Allied or Japanese) NOT go for the closest target.
3. The additional problem here is the whole sortie and TT load topic. Had a full Daitai of Kates spotted a lone AK acting as a decoy while their MISSION was to attack the enemy's CVs, would they expend EVERY TT on that lonesome, useless target? NO!

This is why the possible tactic is so effective for an Allied OR Japanese player to use.

The 1-ship TF issue has come up in our game. My side of it is in my AAR; I don't know if Mike discussed it in his. CR also weighed in briefly on the topic after I termed using picket ships "crap." I think he took umbrage.

There are various arguments for and against using merchants as pickets. I find the historic argument about merchant crews being civilians true but unpersuasive in a no-HR game such as mine. But I still don't use them. I do use 1-ship TFs, which is a different issue than picket ships meant to draw off sorties. While it is true that the phase structure of the game prevents interim command involvement to change orders in mid-turn as search intel is received, it is also true that the other side of the issue is hamstrung by the attacking player not being able to order no attacks on picket ship merchants. The attacker can't order his pilots to attack nothing but carriers for example.

FWIW this is part of the e-mail I sent to Mike giving my own "rules" for when I use 1-ship TFs.

"My view is I use 1-ship TFs when it's tactically needed. This is a list, maybe not exhaustive, but most of the times I would do this.

1. When the supply need at the other end doesn't justify more ships. I accept the risk of sub attack, which in the code is significantly higher with a one merchant TF than a one merchant and any escort. In some cases I might do this in a forward area, especially early war, to save fuel. Same comments about risks.

2. When I have a larger TF and I need to unload at the fastest possible rate in a smaller port. I will break away one ship, put it at the pier to unload, and leave the rest out in the harbor unloading as best they can away from the pier. In some cases the pier space might be big enough for two or three 1-ship TFs to unload. I do that so the smallest can finish and be ready to undock at the start of the next turn, rather than leave two, or three, ships with a little left on-board each. Also, I may put a 1-ship TF at the pier because it's damaged or burning and I want to get the max off before it sinks.

3) When fleeing the first week areas such as the PI. It was every man for himself and no escorts available.

4) Any combatant can go in 1-ship TFs with no restrictions.

5) When transiting new ships, empty, to a new homeport.

In this game I have done all five of these things. I have not used 1-ship TFs as ammo sponges or the well-known "picket ship." In one case I used 1-ship TFs (three I think) as a screen for incoming combat ships, BUT each was going to a port where they would pick up something valuable (a 2-day load period) and go back to someplace which needed the valuable thing. Their route helped complicate the targeting picture, yes, but that wasn't why I did it. As it turned out it didn't matter."

Steve pointed his post that I've quoted above in this AAR to me in an email, I guess to see if I wanted to weigh in on this subject.

What he posted above was in response to an email I sent in regards to a lot of 1-ship TFs around Oosthaven that took place in our game.

My original email:
I've got a question regarding TFs. It looks like, from the picture, that you are breaking your TFs down into 1-ship TFs. My experience with this is that when you put in a bunch of 1-ship TFs it reduces the chance of air groups to attack shipping. I've always considered reducing ships to 1-ship TFs a pretty gamey move because of the negative impact on air attacks.

I have not been changing TFs to 1-ship TFs so far within this game. If you are doing this and chose not to stop please let me know so I can adjust my play style.

Steve and I traded another couple of emails on this subject but I want to be clear that in my opinion 1-ship TFs are gamey. I disagree with everything Steve wrote to justify his thoughts on 1-ship TFs. I don't think AE is designed to handle proper threat assessment of air groups against task forces. I base my opinion on experience while playing this game.

I walked in knowing we planned no house rules. I would normally not do something that I thought took advantage of the game mechanics but since Steve and I cannot come to any agreements on what is gamey or not I've decided to "adjust" my play style. Don't get me wrong - I'm not crying foul. I'm just done discussing the term "gamey" or house rules with Steve in our game.

I will be much more careful in defining gamey vs house rules with any future play-partners.

Chickenboy pointed out the number of attacks wasted against pickets in post 1247. This topic is really in regards to pickets. The discussion Steve is referring/quoting to was in regards to air groups, detection levels for air groups, and breaking task forces into 1-ship TFs. They are to me two issues within the game that are affected by the 1-ship TFs.

Personally, I'm much more in line with SuluSea's thoughts on 1-ship TFs.

ORIGINAL: janh

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
SINABANG

Damn, I almost expected your CV ambush to have worked out... But still great, Cornwall and the little ones down.
I only get the impression you are throwing your DD away at a good rate here. 4 DD for a damaged old BB doesn't sound great to me. How many extra DD does Japan get in RA?

With Sinabang in your hands, you'd have a good place to base Kates and Netties. That way you could get the LOC to Diego Garcia and Colombo between two attack angles, in addition to P Blair. This would make it more risky for Dan to draw his CV to close to Sumatra to protect his life line. These lot of small TFs you saw when his CV showed up at PB operating between Sabang and his staging area might have been carrying supply forth and back -- less vulnerable than forming big convoys as long as KB is sighted close by. They'd make good targets for Netties.

In addition to Sinabang it would be good to start making a plan for threatening Sabang. I think you will soon need a serious LBA offensive to attrit that base, its port facilities, AE's, AF and so on. Do you know what fighter assets Dan stationed there? Taking into account the 4BB covering sqrn, I assume he's also protecting it well against your LBA? He might have brought a lot of AAA and base forces...

Glad we mostly agree on the topic of pickets. Turn done and sent to Dan.

I don't like losing 4 DDs but wanted to feel things out and this I felt was the cheapest way to do so. On the bright side none of them were truly modern 1st Class DDs. Would have lost just the two but for the air attacks that day following.

It was important for me to know what OFFENSIVE is present currently. Need to get supplies to Rangoon and Pt Blair and this tells me just how much I need to be concerned. Am debating between hugging the coast of western Malaya and braving his possible warships or going around the long way covered by my CVs.