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My Cv's were on their way to stop his ships/attempts at Pago Pago from Sydney when suddenly enemy CV's were spotted at the coral sea, exactly half on the way between Brisbane and Noumea. Three CV's were spotted and attacked. To say I am surprised is an understatemet and I wonder why Xargun had split off KB into 2 groups of each 3 CV's.

I was really lucky (for the first time in this game !). His strike of 40 Vals was intercepted and another strike of 7 Vals was also intercepted. luckily, they werent escorted. I dropped a few bombs on Akagi and Hiryu. but see the combat report here to see it.
I am lucky becasue a) no harm done to my CV's and his torpedo bombers did not took of. 2 IJN Cv's are now buring but the damage seem to be minor. On Akagi an Ammo storage explosion was reported from my pilots but I dont belive this and I think it is FOW and a misreport.

My torpedo bombers didnt flew either - short legged Devastators.

Xargun bombed Pago Pago again and I lost 500 men again [:(]

another bad news is that I lost 55 SBD-Dauntless bombers - my best offensive weapon against his CV's. The playnes are able to be replaced - the pilots not.

I lost 17 F4F-3 and one Kingfisher search plane. [besides a philosophical question : what kind of fish does the kingfisher fishs?] [:D]

Xargun lost 46 Vals and 11 Zeros. counting planes, he won. But I scored hits on his carries and caused minor fires where he failed to do so. He didnt even scratched the paint - yet.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/10/42

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Night Air attack on Lanchow , at 45,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Pago Pago, at 98,110 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed

155 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 9
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2
CA Takao, Shell hits 4
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
BB Ise, Shell hits 5
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 3
BB Nagato
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 3
BB Hiei, Shell hits 4
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 61


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Gull Force Battalion, at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th DAF Base Force, at 20,46

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9
Ki-51 Sonia x 26

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 95,108


Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 6


Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Kako

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 1000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air attack on TF at 59,110

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 14 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Kaga

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet


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

Day Air attack on TF at 59,110

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 14 destroyed, 4 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,110

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 12 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,113

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 40

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 50
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 39 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 95,109

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

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

Day Air attack on TF at 59,110

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 11 destroyed, 24 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire (smoke is dark so fire is 10-25)
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire (here pilots report ammo storage expl.)
CV Kaga

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,113

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 39
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 65839 troops, 767 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1332

Defending force 65098 troops, 419 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1969



Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lanchow

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 22406 troops, 255 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Defending force 6866 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 100



Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 34,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24200 troops, 279 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 501

Defending force 1338 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39



Allied ground losses:
31 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,31

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 61638 troops, 419 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1969

Defending force 65839 troops, 767 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1332


Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koepang

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2174 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Defending force 12593 troops, 157 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 330


Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Oliver, I know what is causing all those mine hits my non-MSW ships. It's a bug that has been reported by Admiral Laurent, and I can confirm it: If a MSW TF sweeps the last mine of a minefield, and this TF contains a ship that is not a MSW (PG, DD, ...), this ship will always hit a mine. So I would stop including non-MSW ships into minesweeping TFs.

ORIGINAL: VSWG

Oliver, I know what is causing all those mine hits my non-MSW ships. It's a bug that has been reported by Admiral Laurent, and I can confirm it: If a MSW TF sweeps the last mine of a minefield, and this TF contains a ship that is not a MSW (PG, DD, ...), this ship will always hit a mine. So I would stop including non-MSW ships into minesweeping TFs.

thanks mate ! [:)]

lesson learned - paid a high price though

Oliver;

You are being too modest. Despite the American plane losses that has to be considered a US victory because of the damage to 2 Jap carriers
which will be out for months.

Of course, one could say that he thwarted your operational goal of sending aid to Pago Pago.

Hello mates, Day 2 of the carrier battle of the Coral Sea happend. I decided at the dusk from Day 1 to pursue - I scored 3 bomb hits on the 3rd intact carrier left and started some fires there. Japanese bombs hitted Hornet and started fires but NO flood level at all.

I think its a victory. 3 damaged jap CVs vs 1 allied damaged CV. Too bad that my torps didnt found any targets. japanese Kates flow missions against a surface action group I sent at the first day - this group was to intercept any tankers or damaged ships. I missed the jap CV group by one hex guessing their way - and CA chicago, CL Detroit and 2 DDs were sunk by Kate Torpedoes....well better them instead of my CVs.


and I destroyed 14 res points at Rangoon - nothing can stop the steamroller at Burma now in the air.

near Pago Pago the action stopped and the japs are heading home - this time.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/11/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 45 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 73,109


Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged

Resources hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 14th DAF Base Force, at 19,45

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 23
Ki-15 Babs x 2

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 40
TBF Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 10 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 8 destroyed, 14 damaged
TBF Avenger: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1
CV Hiryu
CV Kaga

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7
SBD Dauntless x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 61,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 95,107

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 60,108

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
D3A Val x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 33
F4F-4 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
D3A Val: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 6 destroyed, 32 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Raleigh
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hammann, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Blue, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Walke
DD Stuart

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 62,105

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
D3A Val x 4
B5N Kate x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Raleigh, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 65861 troops, 768 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1334

Defending force 65096 troops, 419 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1967



Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koepang

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12723 troops, 156 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 337

Defending force 4155 troops, 23 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Japanese max assault: 546 - adjusted assault: 296

Allied max defense: 53 - adjusted defense: 85

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
151 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 34,31

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24208 troops, 281 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 500

Defending force 1285 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,31

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 61596 troops, 419 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1967

Defending force 65861 troops, 768 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1334


Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koepang

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2103 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Defending force 12024 troops, 142 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

we are both heading home with our CV TFs. I upgraded my Devastators to Avengers - if they had been a week earlier aviable, they might have turned the tide even more towards me. Xargun captures Tjilatjap, another 9900 dutch went into captivity.

I wonder where Xarg runs his convoys. so far, I was not much lucky with my subs.

In Burma, I rule the skies. He has nothing that can stop me bombing everything in range to rubble and there is not a single res center left execpt rangoon - but I  get that job done there as well.

another quiet turn goes by, only a bit ground combat happend at China. Xargun captures Koepang - another 3000 POWs.

I checked my ship upgrades and the location of the ships - the few that slipped through are heading for port/shipyard  now for their shedueld upgrades.

I have bad luck - my sheduled bombing runs didnt started ? [&:] well another day - another chance

I did not realize Oli had post... let alone posted a bunch of Allied propaganda and lies... Lets set the record straight shall we..

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf

My Cv's were on their way to stop his ships/attempts at Pago Pago from Sydney when suddenly enemy CV's were spotted at the coral sea, exactly half on the way between Brisbane and Noumea. Three CV's were spotted and attacked. To say I am surprised is an understatemet and I wonder why Xargun had split off KB into 2 groups of each 3 CV's.

Having all 6 fleet CVs together for months after the strike on Pearl is in my book unfair and even moreso unrealistic. I had no major targets worthwhile of all 6 CVs - especially when 3 CVs are usually more than a match for 2 allied CVs.

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf
I was really lucky (for the first time in this game !). His strike of 40 Vals was intercepted and another strike of 7 Vals was also intercepted. luckily, they werent escorted. I dropped a few bombs on Akagi and Hiryu. but see the combat report here to see it.
I am lucky becasue a) no harm done to my CV's and his torpedo bombers did not took of. 2 IJN Cv's are now buring but the damage seem to be minor. On Akagi an Ammo storage explosion was reported from my pilots but I dont belive this and I think it is FOW and a misreport.

My torpedo bombers didnt flew either - short legged Devastators.

Oli's CVs cheated... They moved and were out of range and then reacted to my CVs and moved within 3 hexes. He also launched first - another allied cheat [:)] His first wave surprised the hell out of me.. I was not expecting CVs there... not at all.. His first strike got through the CAP - no surprise there - and actually hit Hiryu with a 1000 lber.. I was shocked - and worried - 1000 lbers are nothing to laugh at.. But with only 1 hit I was still in good shape.

His second wave came in next and was decimated by my CAP and everything he dropped missed... that was more like it.

His third wave (3 waves and I haven't even launched one back yet) came in and my CAP hammered him some more, but another bomb landed.. But this time it bounced off the Akagi's armor (Thats what it said) and from the low damage it must have.

My first wave launched with no escort and got mauled by his fighters.. Not a single Val made it through [:@]

The in the PM phase he launched again [:@] This time some bombers made it through and scored some hits.

My second launch (a crappy 7 Vals) was once more mauled by his cap.

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf
Xargun bombed Pago Pago again and I lost 500 men again

Pago Pago was a mistake. I didn't realize he had a 1/3 of a division plus there and my men (not in 100% shape to begin with) were demoralized and beat badly in the battle. I had no choice but to pull back or let Oli kill off a division. Lucky I pulled them back - not many losses - mostly incapacitated squads - and the division will be back in fighting shape soon.

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf
another bad news is that I lost 55 SBD-Dauntless bombers - my best offensive weapon against his CV's. The playnes are able to be replaced - the pilots not.

I lost 17 F4F-3 and one Kingfisher search plane. [besides a philosophical question : what kind of fish does the kingfisher fishs?]

Xargun lost 46 Vals and 11 Zeros. counting planes, he won. But I scored hits on his carries and caused minor fires where he failed to do so. He didnt even scratched the paint - yet.

Oli definately won the first round.. I lost about 2/3 of my Vals and a few fighters. But I still had my major weapon - my Kates. I found out why the Kates did not launch. They were set to range 4 (like all good Kates are) but my fighters were all set to range 1 so they had no escorts and would not fly against enemy CAP... ARGH !!!

I had 2 CVs damaged and on fire - but all 3 could still conduct flight ops.. But, I had very little AA protection and decided to play it safe and pull back - giving Oli his first CV victory. I figured Oli would pursue and adjusted my CV planes and landbased fighters to cover me...

Xargun

More lies and propaganda to set straight...

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf

Hello mates, Day 2 of the carrier battle of the Coral Sea happend. I decided at the dusk from Day 1 to pursue - I scored 3 bomb hits on the 3rd intact carrier left and started some fires there. Japanese bombs hitted Hornet and started fires but NO flood level at all.

I think its a victory. 3 damaged jap CVs vs 1 allied damaged CV. Too bad that my torps didnt found any targets. japanese Kates flow missions against a surface action group I sent at the first day - this group was to intercept any tankers or damaged ships. I missed the jap CV group by one hex guessing their way - and CA chicago, CL Detroit and 2 DDs were sunk by Kate Torpedoes....well better them instead of my CVs.

What can I say... At least I hit a CV and sunk some ships [:D] I was surprised that most of his bombers attacked again on the second day after the morale (and physical) beating I gave them on the first day (50% losses can't be good for morale). He landed a few more bombs - hitting the 3rd CV and damaging it. The sys damage is higher now, but the flt damage was little to none and the fires were brought under control - I was surprised at the IJN damage control - usually it is horrible but this time they did good.

In the AM phase I did launch a weak countter-strike and it made me mad... I only launched Vals once more.. They made their way through his CAP and landed 3 hits on the Hornet. When the planes left she was burning. In the PM phase the allied CVs were hiding behind a silky white cloud... which made me madder... I saw an allied TF next to my CVs (1 hex away) and my Kates were thirsty for revenge so they launched... To my surprise they found some worthwhile targets and in the end 1 CA, 1 CL and 2 DDs were sunk with a 3rd DD heavily damaged.

In all Oli definately won this battle twofold. He damaged 3 of my CVs and stopped my mission - all by luck. My CVs are back in Truck repairing the last of the fire / flt damage and will head home to Japan and arrive just in time for their upgrades. The damage is not all that bad considering what could have happened. I expect 2-3 months in the shop for all the ships before they will be back out prowling the sealanes looking for revenge.. The down time will give me plenty of time to retrain the wiped out Val Daitais.

ORIGINAL: Oliver Heindorf
and I destroyed 14 res points at Rangoon - nothing can stop the steamroller at Burma now in the air.

Lol... I have plenty of Resources left in Burma... and even when you destroy them all I don't need them.. I currently produce 3k more resources per turn than I need...

But on a serious note... I cannot stop his heavy bombers.. The British are bombing the hell out of me in Burma and now the US B-17s are massing in PM and hitting Rabaul and any base within reach - keeping my airfields out of action.. I just hope then my upcoming new (secret) fighter will help... otherwise I have no idea what to do other than pull all my planes back out of reach and wait.

On the economic side I am doing great.. Only Soerbaja remains uncaptured - along with like 3 other bases in Java. My stockpiles of engines, tanks, men and planes continues to increase, while my men are hard at work designing the next greatest planes (yeah right). In case you are keeping score I have over 20k points and Oli has 6k... Not quite the 4:1 I need to win, but I still have 5 months. It will be close. Either way we will continue to fight until Oli gives up... (or I do) I am starting to work on my defensive line as Oli's assaults are roughly 6 months away and I need to repel his first attack at least. I am also planning more daring attacks that if successfull will at least buy me 1-3 months more time each.

The Imperial Army is still making headways despite the recent setbacks. I still have the initiative and think I will keep it the rest of the year. Oli has lost a lot of BBs (old US ones but BBs none the less) as well as 3 CVs - this should keep him from any real sort of aggressiveness for at least 6 months. The funny thing is.. Oli has 3 CVs (2 now that the Hornet is damaged) and I know right where they are... I wonder where my other 7 or so Carriers are [:D] Would be a shame to strike a heartfelt strike when he is off protecting the Aussies....

Xargun