BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[inqistor]

I was expecting 1:1 ratio in Allied Shwebo attack. 2:1 in worst case. Since it was IIRC 17:1 Japan units were more than 8 times weaker, than expected. By comparison Allied AV strength now should be around 3-4 divisions.

If Andy do not know some magic trick, his whole army should now starve there, but to be sure, I would send fast units by Lashio toward those two bases in the north. One Tank Division should be enough to conquer them.
In the same time 2 Divisions on the road from Prome, west of river, will cut Shwebo from west, and north. Starving units should have now 70-80 fatigue, so marching 1 hex by road will take them week.
That would ensure surrender in case of succesfull attack. And if they leave Shwebo it should be possible to defeat them piecemental.

Since besieging forces are not technically in the base, they could get supply from nearby bases (someone should test that), so no reason making actual assault through river. Crossing river and entering from west will be enough.


As for Carrier battle. Since lately, I was chasing Wasp, and incidentally made some discoveries. Wasp is actually very lightly armoured. Comparable to Junyo, so striking power is one thing, and survivability the other. CVEs are not armoured at all, so one strike could be enough to eliminate them.
What is more interesting, ships use different AA guns, than land units, so 15k altitude is good for land attack, but for Carrier battle there should be no difference by setting it at 8k (well, except VALs dive), because 7k is maximum ceiling of small calibre.

[FatR]

Japanese 25mm has 7k ceiling. Bofors has 9800.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: FatR

Japanese 25mm has 7k ceiling. Bofors has 9800.

Well lets say, that it is overall very complicated problem, but I just got around 100% attacks from BETTies (I mean all units in range launching planes), with lower altitude setting, while earlier, quite a few did not launch, despite good weather. Well, I can not confirm altitude was/is the reason, as I see, that people begin discovering, that searching altitude do not change anything, so only reason, according to manual, for lower attack, is when using bombarding KATEs.

US begin war with 1.1 inch, most CVs should convert at end of 1942, but what with BBs? And, what more important, what with US transport ships? Do they ever upgrade weapons? And this is also overall, very interesting question - should Japan seek Carrier Clash, before they convert to Bofors?
If there will be VALs in attack, no reason to set it lower, than 10k with diving rules anyway, but Allied ship AA guns either reach ceiling above 15k, or below, erm... 12k? And with bombing, the lower, the better. So... 12k will be optimal?

[PzB74]

I like what you say Inquistor; Andy's situation in Burma is potentially favorable for us.
I'm still in the progress of reorganizing the Army and expanding bases but I will definetly consider some of your proposals!

Regarding altitude I like to keep my fighters a bit higher up, easier to get dived on when going lower.
If I notice that FLAK isn't eating me alive at 15k feet I lower to 10k and go down to 7-8 if possible.

For carriers I simply use the method I've found to be working well; massed raids with ac set at the same altitude.
If this altitude is 10 or 15 shouldn't matter much?

Andy tried sweeping Mandalay today; it cost him darely. The improved CAP routines in Burma makes it very difficult for him to clear all our fighters
in time for his unescorted bombers. Even his sweeping fighters at 30k feet struggle with our mixed altitude CAP. If he dives at our 15 or 20k altitude fighters our
30k altitude fighters get the drop on him. The Tojo is a match for Hurries and P-39's even when dived on.

The situation in the Marquesas is also heating up. There is now a size 2 enemy AF just south if Nuku Hiva and Wildcats and bombers attack daily.
Our Zero's are vastly superior though and enemy losses are high. Our own AF will reach size 2 in 2 days...and this despite the fact that I've been building our field
for 2 weeks longer than the Allies....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 12, 42

Surface Combat

To bother Andy...surface raiders in the Central Pacific! Not very efficient but unescorted convoys are vulnerable!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Lahaina at 198,86, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru

Allied Ships
xAK Katrina Luckenbach
xAKL Mapele
xAK Lorrain, Shell hits 2

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
Takesaki, K. crosses the 'T'
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Lorrain at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Lorrain at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Lorrain at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 19000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 48

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 42

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 24

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 40

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 23
P-39D Airacobra x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 3

No Japanese losses
No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 34600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 6
B-17D Fortress x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Recce Battalion, at 76,137 (Tennant Creek)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 23 (5 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd Recce Battalion ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd Recce Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nuku Hiva at 191,167
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Albacore I bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Albacore I bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
260th Sentai/A with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
260th Sentai/B with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nuku Hiva at 191,167
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Fubuki

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Albacore I bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
1 x Albacore I bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x Albacore I bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
752 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
284 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I welcome high level attrition in Burma at this ratio anytime!

[PzB74]

This turn Andy sends in numerous sweeps but no bombers against Mandalay. I put a lot of Tojo's on LRCAP over Shwebo to try to shoot down transports.
This succeeded and ca 9 transports were reported shot down. Since Andy can't sweep his own base this may be a good tactic...

In Burma we bomb Katha and perform a few sweeps. Nothing terribly efficient, but our strength in the theater is growing; larger bases, more aviation support,
more Helen bombers with good range and a vast reserve of Tojo's.

In Australia the enemy has halted at Tennant Creek and is bombed to smithers. Think there is a supply problem for Andy here.
Plan is to race back into Tennant and destroy the enemy units there with our tank regiments.

Still not sure whehter the Allied carriers near the Marquese islands have departed; they may still be lurking.
Need to send out some scouts, a bit dangerous now as there are enemy bombers south of Nuku though.

I went over ALL Jap search and ASW units and reset search arches. Spent a lot of time setting up these and it has been frustrating to have to reset them later on as we learned that the grayed out search arch is actually the area _no_ searched. Think we got some results this turn; bombers reported hits on many subs. Have enlarged and trained many smaller seaplane and bomber units.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 13, 42

Surface Combat

Raider #2 joins the action but both ships are horribly inefficient.
They managed to set a light freighter on fire and land a few shells on a bigger one but a single return shot
sets on of the raiders on fire. At the end of the last battle a 15cm shell is landed from 21k yards.
Better than nothing, but not much [;)]

At Nuku Hiva I ordered our damaged Fubuki destroyer back to Christmas Island.
Instead a CL and 1 DD are despatched to raid the enemy base. In between this 2 US destroyers shoot up our supply LSD ship
at Nuku. She later sinks. The action between our force and the 2 destroyers is indecisive...as usual. Again we hit a mine of the enemy base
and our CL has to limp back home. The 2 enemy minlayers we sank has left enough mines to bother us, especially since our DMS was sunk.

The DD Teruzuki (new Akizuki class) again engage the 2 US destroyers and land a few hits. Very good ships this!
The Akizuki herself took 2 1000lb hits from the US carriers but is still steaming confidently back to Truk.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 199,84, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru

Allied Ships
xAK Katrina Luckenbach
xAKL Mapele
xAK Lorrain, Shell hits 2

Low visibility due to Rain with 32% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 32% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Lorrain at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 199,84, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Awata Maru

Allied Ships
xAK Katrina Luckenbach
xAKL Mapele
xAK Lorrain, Shell hits 2, heavy fires

Poor visibility due to Rain with 32% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 32% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
AMC Awata Maru engages xAK Lorrain at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
AMC Awata Maru engages xAK Lorrain at 6,000 yards
AMC Awata Maru engages xAK Katrina Luckenbach at 6,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nuku Hiva at 191,167, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LSD Kumano Maru, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Wilson
DD Cassin

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Poor visibility due to Rain with 32% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 32% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
DD Cassin engages LSD Kumano Maru at 2,000 yards
DD Wilson engages LSD Kumano Maru at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Cassin engages LSD Kumano Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Wilson engages LSD Kumano Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Cassin engages LSD Kumano Maru at 3,000 yards
DD Wilson engages LSD Kumano Maru at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Cassin engages LSD Kumano Maru at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Cassin engages LSD Kumano Maru at 5,000 yards
DD Wilson engages LSD Kumano Maru at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Wilson engages LSD Kumano Maru at 6,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Nuku Hiva at 191,167, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
DD Wilson
DD Cassin

Poor visibility due to Rain with 32% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 32% moonlight: 1,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
DD Wilson engages CL Kiso at 1,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Wilson at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Wilson at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Cassin at 4,000 yards
DD Wilson engages DD Teruzuki at 4,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 262 encounters mine field at Hiva Oa (192,169)

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 199,83, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
xAK Katrina Luckenbach, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Mapele

Poor visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 14,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 14,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Katrina Luckenbach at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAKL Mapele at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Katrina Luckenbach at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Hiva Oa at 192,168, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1
DD Cassin, Shell hits 1

Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 9,000 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
Taketomi, T. crosses the 'T'
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Teruzuki at 2,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Wilson at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Cassin engages DD Teruzuki at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Cassin at 9,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Wilson at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Wilson at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Cassin at 18,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages DD Wilson at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 22,000 yards
Range increases to 26,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Eureka at 200,83, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru, on fire

Allied Ships
xAK Katrina Luckenbach, on fire
xAKL Mapele, Shell hits 1

Reduced visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Katrina Luckenbach at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Katrina Luckenbach at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
Range increases to 17,000 yards
Takesaki, K. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 21,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAKL Mapele at 21,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 107

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 26

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2

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

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 24

No Japanese losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 30
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


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

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet
29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Recce Battalion, at 76,137 (Tennant Creek)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd Recce Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I went over ALL Jap search and ASW units and reset search arches. Spent a lot of time setting up these and it has been frustrating to have to reset them later on as we learned that the grayed out search arch is actually the area _no_ searched. Think we got some results this turn; bombers reported hits on many subs. Have enlarged and trained many smaller seaplane and bomber units.

I hope you mean 'reset' as in no search arcs now. I went through and set up anti-arcs (start and end reversed) only to see the next day on the forum that actually the problem is more complex, and anti-arcs also don't work. For the moment I'm using no-arcs (start 000 end 000). They'll have it straightened out next patch.

[crsutton]

I am using no arcs as well. This seems to be working fine.

[Nomad]

I set all of mine to random arcs and got a lot more hits the next couple of turns.

[PzB74]

Yes, I removed the arcs altogether. Did a massive job with these and there were still dozen left.
In my other game I didn't even care to set a single arc. - Frustrating that it has taken so long to identify this bug!

Nothing much to report in the last turn; 52 Sally's went back to Comilla in India to bomb Allied heavies.
We shot down some fighters but weather was poor and only a few hits were scored. Otherwise quiet in Burma.

At Rabaul the Musashi has joined the Yamato and our heavy battle fleet is completed,
Yamato, Musashi, Nagato and Mutsu are our heavy sluggers for what it's worth.

Testing out long range bombardments in my game against Al; BB's and CA's hit Christchurch (Al's hometown [:D]) from 18k yards.
Caused 160 casualties but scored no hits on the city, airfield or port. Coastal batteries scored no hits either, so it was a safe rather meaningless spectacle that probably
disturbed someone's beauty sleep.

- Does anyone know how close you need to be to not only shoot it out with the CD guns, or was it just a fluke that 3 BBs and 4 CA's all fired on the forts?

[aprezto]

Only lost sleep!!! The town's trashed and all my chimneys fell down. It must have been fog of war. 7.1 on the richter scale apparently - vandal.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Yes, I removed the arcs altogether. Did a massive job with these and there were still dozen left.
In my other game I didn't even care to set a single arc. - Frustrating that it has taken so long to identify this bug!

Nothing much to report in the last turn; 52 Sally's went back to Comilla in India to bomb Allied heavies.
We shot down some fighters but weather was poor and only a few hits were scored. Otherwise quiet in Burma.

At Rabaul the Musashi has joined the Yamato and our heavy battle fleet is completed,
Yamato, Musashi, Nagato and Mutsu are our heavy sluggers for what it's worth.

Testing out long range bombardments in my game against Al; BB's and CA's hit Christchurch (Al's hometown [:D]) from 18k yards.
Caused 160 casualties but scored no hits on the city, airfield or port. Coastal batteries scored no hits either, so it was a safe rather meaningless spectacle that probably
disturbed someone's beauty sleep.

- Does anyone know how close you need to be to not only shoot it out with the CD guns, or was it just a fluke that 3 BBs and 4 CA's all fired on the forts?

To be honest, I (for me [:D]) "identified" this bug months ago and threw them overboard in my PBEM... I also pointed it out dozens of times in my AAR. [:D]

People should just stop to stubbornly believe what is said (even if it said by an official) when they clearly experience something is not working. Search archs is one thing.

[Djordje]

ORIGINAL: PzB

- Does anyone know how close you need to be to not only shoot it out with the CD guns, or was it just a fluke that 3 BBs and 4 CA's all fired on the forts?

There is no easy answer to this. Depending on the enemy base and guns in it there might not be safe distance at all. You could start by limiting range to just main guns of your BBs (30+), or maybe going close enough for secondary guns (18+).
There is one solution to this, which works better early in the game. You decide on the base you want to bombard, open allied turn and check CD guns there. Then you look in the tracker device list for their range...

[PzB74]

A few very eventful turns!

Our ASW ac have attacked (and reported hits) on numerous subs around the Home Islands.
The subs have scored (dud) hits on 5-6 vessels, no luck for Andy! I'm dispatching 10 hunter-killer groups that will suppor the 200+
trained ASW ac that have been concentrated on the sub gathering.

In Australia a fast armored spearhead races back into Tennant Creek; Andy notice the danger too late.
He place a dozen P-38's on CAP but our Zero's shoot most of them down. We then get a 2-1 odds and route the enemy.
Vehicles lost 270 (233 destroyed, 37 disabled)

BANZAI!!!!!

In the Marquesas the Allied carriers have returned; this turn they pummeled Nuku Hiva but the results were rather dissappointing for Andy.
The airfields were not closed (47 damage) and our defending Zero's caused havoc among even strongly escorted strikes.
- Looks like Andy is determined to finish this job though and another strike will accomplish just this as Nuku is running low on supplies.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 17, 42

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 3
P-38F Lightning x 5
P-38G Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 8000 feet

CAP engaged:
49th FG/9th FS with P-38G Lightning (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead
347th FG/67th FS with P-38E Lightning (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead
347th FG/68th FS with P-38F Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
752 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
284 Ku S-1 Det A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Recce Battalion, at 76,137 (Tennant Creek)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 23

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1

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

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 15 (10 destroyed, 5 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 76,137 (Tennant Creek)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 8000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Recce Battalion, at 76,137 (Tennant Creek)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 8000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 12
Martlet II x 9
F4F-4 Wildcat x 109
SBD-3 Dauntless x 67
TBF-1 Avenger x 73

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
H8K1 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 76,137 (Tennant Creek)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-18A Bolo x 9
B-25B Mitchell x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 20
B-26 Marauder x 11
B-26B Marauder x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Also attacking 48th Recon Regiment ...
Also attacking 8th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 48th Recon Regiment ...
Also attacking 10th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 8th Recon Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 8th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 10th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 48th Recon Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Tank Regiment ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nuku Hiva , at 191,167
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 14 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Tennant Creek (76,137)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5605 troops, 6 guns, 638 vehicles, Assault Value = 376
Defending force 2408 troops, 4 guns, 321 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

Japanese adjusted assault: 193
Allied adjusted defense: 92

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tennant Creek !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 36 (3 destroyed, 33 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
192 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 47 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 270 (233 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
10th Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
8th Recon Regiment
48th Recon Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
10th Light Horse Battalion
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/11th Armoured Car Battalion
2nd Recce Battalion
2nd RAAF Base Force
------------------------------------------------------------------

Tennant Creek recaptured

[PzB74]

The "Z FLAG" is hoisted again; this time we have a fixed position on the enemy and it's possible that Andy has assumed that the KB has withdrawn since he's launching ground attacks.
- We have not withdrawn but re-grouped and positioned ourselves in order to strike hard and decisively if the opportunity gives itself.

[PzB74]

Hmmmm....Andy moved his carriers 10 hexes east of Nuku!
He's obviously not feeling 100% confident at meeting the KB.

A sub torpedoed the Enterprise causing an ammo storage explosion!!! [&o]
The carrier seems to be keeping up with the herd....

So now comes the question; surprise can not be achieved anymore.
Should we pursue? Need to answer this question before ending the turn.
Decisions, decisions [;)]

Sub attack near Hiva Oa at 195,170

Japanese Ships
SS I-28, hits 3

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB North Carolina
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico

[veji1]

don't.... Too far away, with japanese dc, it would be too risky..

[PzB74]

It's tricky, isn't it [:)]

[FatR]

This time I'm in the favor of pursuit. Enterprise's speed probably dropped to around 3 hexes, so Allies cannot escape without leaving her to die. With one Allied carrier damaged pre-battle and about 35 carrier planes down, chances have shifted in your direction.

[PzB74]

I'm uncertain about this call; last turn i was certain because we relied on surprise and fighting close to Nuku.
This turn I have to move probably 8 hexes to force a battle.

The KB is at 90% fuel and I have a replenishment TF nearby and fuel at Christmas Island, so that's ok.
We will have to fight without the LBA and Andy will be ready for us this time.
- With a damaged carrier Andy will probably limp for home, if he does we can just sit back and capture the rest of the Marquesas and win a strategic victory without risking the KB.

Hm.... [:)]

[PzB74]

Since Hornet was spotted and the Enterprise torpedoed I think we can expect the following Allied CV force:
Hornet 90
Enterprise 90
Lexington 90
Saratoga 90
Wasp 70
Brith CV 40

Possibly a couple of CVE's as well.
We should count on ca 500 Allied ac against the KB's 450.
There are more enemy warships, maybe 60-70 and there is a risk our pilots wil target the escort and support ships.
We have less than 30 warships including the carriers; thus there is a bigger risk that the Allied pilots will strike against our carriers.
- The Enterprise only needs one more blow to be out of action, but she's probably still operational.