Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Either looking for easy prey in an area you might consider secure enough to be sending convoys with light escort or providing cover for the two isolated bases that have been outflanked and may be at risk of being reclaimed cheaply by the Allies.

It would seem overkill to cover two whizzy bases. I'm guessing the anti commerce mission.

Agree, but it does serve as a deterrent while it's there so he's killing two birds with one stone.

[Mundy]

Thanks for that, Sqz. Good to know for future reference.

23 December 1943

A little clearer picture.

There's now three enemy TFs present there, all with planes. They haven't done much, except move about three hexes to the west. I forgot to mention, I sortied out 7 subs from Colombo and they're now halfway to Addu. I was guessing it was a futile move, but they may get some action yet. If I'm lucky I can mess up another carrier. Summing up the plane counts on the tooltip shows 247 fighters, 322 bombers and 16 auxiliaries. It would probably come out to an even match against my fleet and light carriers. My Hellcats would probably trump his Zeroes. I'll sit tight for now and see what my subs do.

Three convoys safely reached Colombo. The others I diverted should be safe now.

One of my convoys to Colombo encountered one of his subs.

Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 26,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 18, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Carlson
APD Noa
AK Livingston
AK Azimech
AK Murzim
LCI-445
xAP Phoebe A. Hearst
xAP Morrison R. Waite
xAP Rangatira
xAP Mataroa
xAP Santa Barbara
xAP Maui
xAP Mariposa
xAP Monticello
DE Engstrom, Shell hits 1, on fire
DE Dionne

SS I-23 is sighted by escort
I-23 diving deep ....
DE Engstrom fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Dionne attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-23 forced to surface!
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Engstrom firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Dionne firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

I drove it to the surface and finished it with 3"/50s. One DE ate a shell in return. Those little guns make it more of an event to finish them.

Meanwhile, I had a little surprise at Baker.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 149,136, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka
CA Kako, Shell hits 2
DD Murasame
DD Ikazuchi
DD Murakumo
DD Shikinami
DD Ayanami
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
DD Aulick
DD Boyd, Shell hits 1
AV Wright

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 17% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 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...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Boyd at 11,000 yards
DD Aulick engages DD Yugiri at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Boyd at 11,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Aulick at 11,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Yugiri at 11,000 yards
DD Aulick engages DD Yugiri at 11,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Boyd at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Kako engages DD Boyd at 10,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Boyd at 10,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages AV Wright at 10,000 yards
DD Aulick engages DD Shikinami at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Yugiri at 7,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Aulick at 7,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Boyd at 7,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Aulick at 7,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Aulick at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
CA Kinugasa engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
CA Aoba engages DD Boyd at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Kako engages DD Boyd at 10,000 yards
DD Shikinami engages DD Aulick at 10,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

I should have known this would eventually happen. Fortunately, damage is minimal. The other fast transport from Pearl was only a day away. Both are now diverting to Christmas. Fortunately, Intrepid has just arrived at Pearl, and once she's in the area, I'll have her and a CVL cover the next supply run. His ships are gone, unseen, despite my Navy Liberators at Canton, so it was probably an in and out deal. I also figure it was a quickie mission on his part, since there was no bombardment either.

[Mundy]

24 December 1943

Relatively quiet.

The B-24s I set on naval attack, intended for the carriers instead, decided to go after a convoy at Calcutta. [:@] Nothing hit, of course.

His carriers are now six hexes due south of Addu, heading southeast. Maybe he's had his look and leaving. I'm wary of him deciding to hit Colombo with my ships there, but I have a ton of fighters guarding the sky, including P-47s and Spitfires.

Strike planes in Australia which I've forgotten about go after a fast transport convoy at Buna. Unescorted, of course.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 16

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 8 destroyed

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 11

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 3 destroyed
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
APD Shiokaze

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 1000 feet *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Hishu
APD Fumizuki
APD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APD Aoi
APD Shimakaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Shiokaze

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 58 minutes
253 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes

The Beaus are stood down, but B-25s are still up, with escorts ready this time. I've got SBDs with tanks which can make the 10 hexes also. P-38s and Hellcats will escort.

In San Diego, I now have two of those rocket blaster LCI ships, both headed to Pearl. They may get their first try at Baker.

Not much beyond that for now.

[Mundy]

Xmas, 1943

I love the Jug.

Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 44,29 , near Nagpur

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
260th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 30000.
Raid is overhead

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

Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 44,29 , near Nagpur

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
260th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 26910.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes

Oklahoma reaches Cape Town. Mine damage was 2/12, and she'll take 29 days to fix it.

KB, or whatever they were has vanished. I had audio sighting messages during the turn, but they were gone at the end. Interestingly, I have a new sighting of a light carrier group 10 hexes SW of Little Andaman, bearing westwards. It appears to be carrying forty-something each of fighters and bombers. I'm wondering if he's replacing the heavy weights with some light group for anti-commerce. If they approach by themselves, I'll club them like baby seals. In the meantime, I'll watch and wait.

[jwolf]

If they approach by themselves, I'll club them like baby seals.

There's no way it could be that easy. If he's leaving a target that good he must have something hidden behind it to back it up. If the main carrier force that was near Addu went to the SW or SSW a ways they could remain out of sight but still able to pounce quickly.

Have to admit the P47s are looking pretty good. Nice!

[Mundy]

Most likely the case. I can't see CF getting reckless like that. Everything has a reason on his end. I can dream sometimes.

I'm re-routing the Jug sweeps to Vizagapatnam to whittle down the fighters there. After that, I'm going to start pounding the forces at Cocanada. Maybe I'll see about getting paras dropped at that junction to the east of there.

[Mundy]

26 December 1943

Lots of Seabees and such have arrived at Colombo, and I'm spreading them out throughout all the bases on Ceylon.

Vizagapatnam got da sweep.

Afternoon Air attack on Vizagapatnam , at 42,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 30
Ki-84a Frank x 40

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 27 on standby, 0 scrambling)
27 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 31514.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 0 scrambling)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

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

Afternoon Air attack on Vizagapatnam , at 42,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 20
Ki-84a Frank x 31

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 6 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31514.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
21st Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 32540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes

Out east, I'm loading the USA 111th Infantry Regiment to land on Baker. I'm getting impatient to finish that deal. Two BBs will accompany the landing ships. Two CVs and two CVLs will provide support. I'm debating on whether to bring the CVEs or not. I would have liked to wait for the rocket ships, but I want to get this done with.

Looking at my airplane situation, B-29s will start trickling in by April. Bubble top Jugs will arrive in March, and in large quantities. With their 28-35 hex range, the Superforts will make things interesting in India.

My subs bag two xAKs. One appeared to be carry fuel.

All his carriers are out of sight now. Two more supply convoys are a few days from Colombo. I've currently about 80k at Colombo and over 100k at Trincomalee. I want to turn every base on that island into an armed camp. I'll probably stage the 29s from Trincomalee when they arrive.

I had two divisions of Indian troops at Karachi, and I've since put one on the train for Nagpur. I'm okay if he wants to focus his attention there.

I attack Cocanada. This won't be easy.

Ground combat at Cocanada (41,37)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 56846 troops, 891 guns, 1068 vehicles, Assault Value = 1760

Defending force 31020 troops, 297 guns, 333 vehicles, Assault Value = 915

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1137

Japanese adjusted defense: 5471

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1146 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2117 casualties reported
Squads: 80 destroyed, 166 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 56 (8 destroyed, 48 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (1 destroyed, 38 disabled)

Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
19th Indian Division
2nd Hyder Lancers Regiment
72nd British Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
14th Indian Division
7th Indian Division
Waziristan Division
2/1st Med Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Guards Division
18th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
25th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion

[Mundy]

27 December 1943

CVs sighted again, 19 hexes S of Colombo, heading west. Shows 4 CVs and about 100 each of fighters and bombers.

All the remaining assault transport I still had at Bombay and Karachi are headed to Colombo. It'll make it easier to dole out what I need. I'll eventually run a bunch of troops and ships to Madras. I'm trying to watch the stacking at this point.

Iowa showed up at the east coast, now headed to Cape Town. Likewise, Queen Elizabeth showed up at Aden, now enroute to Colombo.

Looking at incoming units, the first two B-29 squadrons arrive at Aden in 86 and 87 days.

I pulled the Jugs off the sweeps, as they're getting worn down. A fresh squadron of P-38s will take over.

Other than that, all bombardments going on for LCUs. I did send off three CVEs to catch up with the Baker invaders. They'll provide ground support. I should be okay there, as his carriers seem to be oriented westwards. A fast moving surface group is probably something to worry about, but two BBs are with the transports. I suppose I could stage my fleet carriers a bit west of Baker to head such a thing off.

[BBfanboy]

Mundy: I would have liked to wait for the rocket ships, but I want to get this done with.

I have tried the rocket LCI(R)s in a pure bombardment role (you have to put them in an empty amphib TF to get them to bombard) and the results were meager.
Their best use seems to be suppression of the guns shooting at your troops that are landing, rather than actual destruction of enemy troops and guns. I suspect forts and terrain bonuses shield the enemy from much harm from rockets.

[Mundy]

28 December 1943

Lightnings don't fare as well as the Jugs do.

Morning Air attack on Vizagapatnam , at 42,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18
Ki-84a Frank x 33

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 32540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (8 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
30 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 31514.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Vizagapatnam , at 42,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11
Ki-84a Frank x 29

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 34540.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 21 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters between 27000 and 31514.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

His carrier group is approaching the Diego Garcia area. The tooltip shows 6 CVs and 2 CVLs, but also shows about a hundred each of fighters and bombers.

I'm stealing some troops and combat engineers from Madras to send to Cocanada.

South of Rangoon, I bag a tanker, probably hauling Burmese oil.

Sub attack near Tavoy at 52,59

Japanese Ships
TK Ojikasan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires

Allied Ships
SS Trident

TK Ojikasan Maru is sighted by SS Trident
SS Trident launches 4 torpedoes

[BBfanboy]

100F and 100B sounds like a MKB - bait for the real tiger lurking just to the south, while the bait can also interdict your convoys from CT. I still think he want to lure your carriers into the open.

[Mundy]

Probably. I'm rather tense over there right now, as I want go get all my troops moved to Madras, and I'm reluctant to do it at this point.

29 December 1943

Quiet.

CC Renown arrives at Aden. She's going to Karachi to get an escort before continuing on to Colombo. I'll use her for CV escort.

His carriers vanished again. I have one sub just south of Diego with about three more enroute.

My other invasion is still enroute to Baker. My carriers are about 7 hexes SE of there, unseen.

[Mundy]

30 December 1943

Quiet in India. No sign of his carriers for now.

Things got interesting at Baker Island. Two IJN TFs showed up in the area to the north of there. One looks like a big cruiser force and the other looks like a bunch of oilers.

My carrier group is 8 hexes to the south of them moving to intercept. He has no clue my ships are there. My chance to inflict some pain well ahead of my invaders showing up.

[Mundy]

31 December 1943

Bungling...

My carriers missed his cruisers by Baker. For some reason, "East" was burned into my head when they were heading west. They're out of sight now. I'll run my guys one turn west at flank to try and catch them.

My subs have missed their shots at three ships over the last couple days. One being a juicy xAP carrying troops to Andaman. Missed opportunities here.

At the other end of the map, a convoy popped into the scene near Diego, and was caught by KB. I had been routing my groups well to the north, but this one showed up and I didn't notice it.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Addu at 12,50

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 151
A6M8 Zero x 16
B6N2 Jill x 30
D4Y3 Judy x 83
N1K1 Rex x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 1 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK R. C. Brennan, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 1
xAK Hobart Baker, Torpedo hits 1
xAK Admiral Williams, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Charles Lummis, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Admiral Cole, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK David R. Francis, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Matthew B. Brady, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Benjamin Holt, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Jubal A. Early, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK James Gordon Bennett, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Jane Addams
xAK B. F. Irvine, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Jose Sepulveda, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK John Burke, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Admiral Nulton, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kimberly
xAK Irving M. Scott, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Billy Sunday, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Augustus Thomas, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Massive explosion on xAK Admiral Williams
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK David R. Francis
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Matthew B. Brady
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK B. F. Irvine
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Jose Sepulveda
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied xAK
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK James Gordon Bennett
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Admiral Nulton
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Charles Lummis
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Benjamin Holt

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 12,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 214
A6M8 Zero x 46
B6N2 Jill x 211
B6N2a Jill x 12
D4Y2 Judy x 16
D4Y3 Judy x 209
N1K1 Rex x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 3 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Edward N. Westcott, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
xAK B. F. Irvine, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK George Kenny, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Brander Matthews, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK David R. Francis, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK R. C. Brennan, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK John Burke, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Hobart Baker, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Fairland, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Charles M. Russell, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK West Cape
xAK Jane Addams, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK John S. Casement
xAK Josiah Snelling, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kimberly
xAK Nathaniel Ingersoll, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
20 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
22 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
22 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
15 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 10000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B6N2a Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
24 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
24 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
17 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
19 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Hobart Baker
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK David R. Francis
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK B. F. Irvine
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Park/Fort Cargo class xAK
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Edward N. Westcott
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Josiah Snelling
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied xAK
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD O'Brien
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Jane Addams

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 12,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y2 Judy x 18

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D4Y2 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Morning Air attack on TF, near Addu at 7,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 66
A6M8 Zero x 30
B6N2 Jill x 66
D4Y3 Judy x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
AD Denebola, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Converse, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
AS Aegir, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AO Niobrara, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
22 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
22 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
13 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Converse
Niobrara dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AD Denebola

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 7,47

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16
D4Y3 Judy x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y3 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Converse, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Converse

There's more transports where those came from. While regrettable, I did get some intel out of it. All four TFs in that hex have carriers, and fighters and bombers each add up to about 500. I think I'll leave them alone. One of my sub encountered a group of AOs with subchaser escorts, and of course, attacked the SC. So KB will be able to hang around awhile.

This leaves me free to be bolder with my carriers near Baker, so hopefully I can bag those cruisers next turn. I may drop that division at Hawaii into the Marshalls, while I'm at it.

[Sangeli]

CVEs are not really the type of ships to hunt down a cruiser fleet but maybe you get lucky. Just be sure to keep them well protected with an SC TF.

EDIT:
I am really surprised how underdeveloped the Gilberts and surrounding are. You could have built up Nanumea I think and occupied Arorae and simply bypassed Baker island. And you can do it now too. Surely you have the engineers and base units...this is what they are for.

[Mundy]

No, those are two fleet carriers and two CVLs.

[Sangeli]

Oh I thought all your CVs were in the east.

Yea, you should definitely push harder in the Gilbert area. Lots of bases you can occupy and build AFs. Also to get forward patrol plane bases. All you have to do is knock out Tab's AF with a surprise carrier raid and you should be free to occupy Arorae and maybe even more.

[Mundy]

01 Jan 1944

A new year.

I didn't catch the cruisers, but I caught the oilers, which is still helpful. My CVs are returning to take up station near Baker. Troops will arrive in a day or two.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 134,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 18
F6F-3 Hellcat x 29
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 21

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
AO Erimo, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Iro, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
AO Naruto, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
E W-15, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
E W-17, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Erimo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E W-15
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E W-17


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Abemama at 134,130

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AO Naruto, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Iro, heavy fires
E W-15, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Naruto
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Iro

[Sangeli]

Nicely done! Some of those AOs are worth as much as light cruisers. And the loss of all of them is going to make it a lot more difficult for the cruisers to operate. No bases nearby to refuel.

[Mundy]

Thanks.

I'm thinking the same way. Too bad I didn't get another with my subs near Diego.

I've three CVEs with the invasion group. Another arrived at Pearl two days ago and last turn, another departed Portland.

He definitely knows my carriers are there now, as the TF itself was sighted. What he thinks I have is anyone's guess. For awhile I was wondering if he had any search going on in the Marshalls. CF had no clue until my planes hit.