The Cautionaries 1.2: Capt (J) vs Rysyonok (A), Game 1

[Rysyonok]

...

[Pkunzipper]

Good luck for the hunt to the crippled big IJN TF! It seems you guessed that it will retire to Truk, since you're leaving the retreating path to Kwajalein almost uncovered (only a bunch of SS)

[Rysyonok]

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
FROM: RADM Shafroth, TF 1046
Z21:43:10:24:22

Unable to intercept damaged enemy battleships STOP Fighting Japanese screens sank one STOP

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
FROM: RADM Ainsworth, TF 1038
Z:22:24:10:24:22

Damage analysis reveal many sixteen inch shell hits STOP Please expedite arrival Maryland STOP

[Rysyonok]

ORIGINAL: Pkunzipper

Good luck for the hunt to the crippled big IJN TF! It seems you guessed that it will retire to Truk, since you're leaving the retreating path to Kwajalein almost uncovered (only a bunch of SS)

You got it right, luck. TF 1040 coming from the north is still too far, may make contact only in 2 days. TF 1046 got delayed fighting Japanese escorts and may take 1-2 days to catch up... Sadly, IJN may escape without any additional casualties...

Current loss count from four battles east of Ponape: USN - 2BB 3DD, IJN - BC DD PC...

[Rysyonok]

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
FROM: RADM Shafroth, TF 1046
Z11:23:10:25:22

Intercepted sunk Mutsu STOP Intercepted damaged Kongo class battlecruiser STOP Continuing pursuit STOP

[Rysyonok]

(A shot taken from BB Nevada just before it opened fire)

[Rysyonok]

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
FROM: RADM Shafroth, TF 1046
Z08:56:10:26:22

Battlecruiser Kongo survivors found STOP Capsized early morning due west STOP

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
From: RADM Callaghan, TF 1040
Z16:45:10:26:22

Sunk five destroyers STOP Battleships nowhere STOP Low fuel ammo returning Johnston STOP

The outcome of Ponape campaign:
USN lost 2BB 4DD; BB California at real danger of capsizing
IJN lost BB 2BC 6DD PC

(Illustration: up-to-date list of most important ships sunk)

[Rysyonok]

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
FROM: LCDR Fenno, R-27
Z11:24:10:27:22

Sank Japanese destroyer STOP Heavy asw activity due east truk STOP Battleships sighted STOP

TO: RADM Callaghan, TF 1040; RADM Shafroth, TF 1046
FROM: LCDR Harter, Battle Fleet
Z11:46:10:27:22

Do not engage STOP Repeat do not engage reported battleships STOP Return full speed Johnston STOP

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Rysyonok

TO: Battle Fleet HQ
FROM: LCDR Fenno, R-27
Z11:24:10:27:22

Sank Japanese destroyer STOP Heavy asw activity due east truk STOP Battleships sighted STOP

TO: RADM Callaghan, TF 1040; RADM Shafroth, TF 1046
FROM: LCDR Harter, Battle Fleet
Z11:46:10:27:22

Do not engage STOP Repeat do not engage reported battleships STOP Return full speed Johnston STOP

Looks a little strange having a Lt Cdr giving orders to a pair of Rear Admirals !!! [:D][:D]

[Rysyonok]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson
Looks a little strange having a Lt Cdr giving orders to a pair of Rear Admirals !!! [:D][:D]

What can I say? He had the best admin skill rating

[Rysyonok]

IJN DD Yunagi sinks near Truk, 119th IJN ship to do so to USN's 102.

USN BB California is still at risk: 84/78/0, speed 3; 360 miles away from Mili's level 3 port.

IJN TF damaged at Ponape is spotted 180 miles east of Truk. There is still a chance for BB Tosa to sink. On its own or thanks to a sub.


(Truk Death Row)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/28/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 65,78

Japanese Ships
DD Kaede
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga

Allied Ships
SS R-27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 66,78

Allied Ships
SS R-23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
AK Mantai Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS S-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
DD Ashi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kashi

Allied Ships
SS S-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 65,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
PC Ch10
PC Ch09

Allied Ships
SS R-27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 74,73

Japanese Ships
AK Natisan Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS R-4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 65,78

Japanese Ships
DD Kaede
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Take
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS R-27

[Rysyonok]

IJN DD Ashi and AK Natisan Maru capsize in the night; unfortunately, so does USN BB California.

Natisan Maru takes with her to the bottom a whole daitai of Mitsubishi C1M1s.



Large IJN concentration is observed at Truk; subs are surrounding the island.

Majuro's airfield is completed. A wing of zeppelins is scheduled to depart tomorrow. It's time to have achieve complete air supremacy over the Marshalls.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/29/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch11
PC Ch12
PC Ch10
PC Ch09
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS S-15, hits 2 Scratches.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese Ships
SS UB-143 (O7)

Allied Ships
BB California, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
PC Ch10
PC Ch09
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS S-15

[Rysyonok]

IJN SS No. 8: 1247 (DD Buchanan)
IJN SS No. 15: 2553 (DDs Claxton, William D. Preston)
IJN SS No. 22: 615 (PC Eagle 10)
IJN SS No. 27: 615 (PC Eagle 13)
IJN SS No. 29: 4365 (PC Eagle 3, TK Montanes)
IJN SS No. 37: 3750 (AK Taurus)
IJN SS No. 39: 18000 (TK Gertrude Kellogg)
IJN SS No. 40: 3750 (AK Magallanes)
IJN SS No. 45: 9000 (AP West Point)
IJN SS No. 62: (Sunk 8/26/1922) 7500 (AK Georgian)
IJN SS U-55 (O3): 1655 (MSW Pelican, PC Eagle 11)
IJN SS U-125 (O1): (Sunk 11/17/1922) 18000 (TK Larry Doheny)
IJN SS UB-125 (O6): 32442 (BB Nebraska, DDs Lea, Taylor, TK Admiral Chase) The top ace.
USN SS H-4: 9700 (CA Tokiwa)
USN SS O-14: 5000 (AO Noshima)
USN SS O-16: 1516 (ML Kuroshima Maru)
USN SS R-4: 15000 (AKs Nankai Maru, Natisan Maru, Sinno Maru) + 13 Mitsubishi C1M1 planes.
USN SS R-5: 6150 (AP Koyo Maru, DD Matsu)
USN SS R-7: 7500 (AK Tottori Maru)
USN SS R-8: 15750 (AP Nissen Maru #2, TK Ryuei Maru)
USN SS R-9: 7500 (AK Kosei Maru)
USN SS R-10: 11710 (AO Muroto, CL Yahagi, DD Amatsukaze)
USN SS R-11: 13500 (AP Turisima Maru, TK Itsukushima Maru)
USN SS R-12: 15000 (AKs Nissyu Maru, Sansho Maru)
USN SS R-14: 23250 (AKs Ina Maru, Malacca Maru, TK Rikko Maru)
USN SS R-15: 1516 (ML Yenoshima Maru)
USN SS R-19: 12000 (TK Kaizyo Maru)
USN SS R-21: 11250 (AKs Akiura Maru, Junpo Maru)
USN SS R-22: 9345 (AK Momoha Maru, DDs Isokaze, Kagero)
USN SS R-23: 13500 (AKs Risen Maru, Toyooka Maru, AP Shofuku Maru)
USN SS R-24: 3750 (AK Kiso Maru)
USN SS R-25: 9750 (AK Morioka Maru, AP Ryoyu Maru #21)
USN SS R-26: 11250 (AKs Hankow Maru, Kanto Maru)
USN SS R-27: 450 (DD Urunami)
USN SS S-2: 9000 (TK Yamazuru Maru)
USN SS S-3: 1080 (DD Hinoki)
USN SS S-4: 11250 (APs Ceylon Maru, Daihachikyo Maru, Tacoma Maru)
USN SS S-6: 13882 (AK Nitii Maru, AP Taian Maru, MSWs Ashikazi Maru, Katoku Maru)
USN SS S-7: 14504 (APs Manzyu Maru, Taibun Maru, Tenyo Maru, PC Ch08)
USN SS S-9: 29520 (AKs Lyons Maru, Nana Maru, AP Igasa Maru, DD Hagi, TK Eiyo Maru) The american top ace.
USN SS S-14: 16250 (APs Buyo Maru, Husimi Maru, Sakido Maru, MSW Natsushima Maru)
USN SS S-15: 5520 (AP Biyo Maru, DD Ashi)
USN SS S-16: 20520 (AK Nitiai Maru, AP Anyo Maru, DD Nire, TK Yuho Maru)
USN SS S-17: 12112 (APs Chowa Maru, Kaedesan Maru, BB Mishishima, DD Hatsuyuki)
USN SS S-32: 1080 (DD Yanagi)
USN SS S-34: 3032 (MLs Katashima Maru, Ninoshima Maru)
USN SS S-35: 3750 (AK Sugiyama Maru)

P.S. Capital ships damaged by submarines but not sunk:

6/9/1922: USN SS S-2 hits BB Fuso (Torpedo hits 1, on fire)

[Rysyonok]

Scoreboard (10/29/1922)

[Rysyonok]

IJN / USN losses:

Carriers:

None.

Dreadnoughts:

BB Mutsu (16"), BB Arizona, BB California, BB Oklahoma (14")

Battleships:

BB Hizen, BB Iwami, BB Katori (12"), BB Mishishima (10"), BB Nebraska (12"), BB Monandock (10")

Battlecruisers:

BC Kongo, Haruna (14")

Cruisers:

CA Tokiwa, CL Kiso, CL Tatsuta, CL Yahagi

Destroyers:

Forty-one / Sixty-three

Transports:

Forty-six / Five

Tankers

Seven / Three

Colliers:

Two

Submarines:

Nos. 16, 17, 43, 62, UC-99 (O5)

Minelayers:

Four / Three minelaying destroyers

Minesweepers:

Three / Five

Patrol Craft:

Two / Four

Other auxiliaries:

Fourteen gunboats, a submarine tender

[Rysyonok]

A calm day.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/30/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese Ships
SS UB-143 (O7)

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 63,79

Japanese Ships
DD Umi
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
SS R-23

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese Ships
SS UB-143 (O7)

Allied Ships
DD Henshaw
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith
DD Farquhar
DD Preble
DD Decatur
DD Truxton
DD John D. Ford
DD Bulmer
DD Upshur

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese Ships
SS UB-143 (O7), hits 5, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith
DD Farquhar
DD Preble
DD Decatur
DD Henshaw
DD Truxton
DD John D. Ford

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
DD Kaede
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri
DD Take
DD Yamakaze
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS R-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Maloelap at 82,81

Japanese Ships
SS UB-143 (O7), hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith
DD Farquhar
DD Preble
DD Decatur
DD Henshaw
DD Truxton

[Rysyonok]

A calm day.

Zeppelins from Majuro are operating smoothly, although not quite yielding the intelligence I expect from them. I have to keep reminding myself that blimps got range, but they ain't got speed...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 10/31/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 63,77

Japanese Ships
AK Kinugawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
SS R-17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS R-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
PC Ch09
PC Ch10
PC Ch03

Allied Ships
SS R-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
DD Kaede
DD Kiku
DD Tsuga
DD Kuri

Allied Ships
SS R-15

[Rysyonok]

4th Marines are departing for Ponape.

I am still debating whether to hit Kusaie, Wake, or Maloelap with the second strike, due to depart in 3-4 days.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/01/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS R-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS R-15

[Rysyonok]

The second strike will be aimed at Jaluit, carried by 3rd regiment of Hawaiian division. Sinking of BB California showed me that every hex counts, and I can't ignore this apparently unprotected level 3 port in Southern Marshalls.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/02/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS R-15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Truk at 63,78

Japanese Ships
PC Ch12
PC Ch11
DD Tsuta
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS R-15

[Rysyonok]

Calm.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 11/03/22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 83,82

Japanese Ships
SS No. 10

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith
DD Farquhar
DD Preble
DD Decatur
DD Henshaw
DD Truxton
DD John D. Ford
DD Bulmer
DD Upshur

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 83,82

Japanese Ships
SS No. 10, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Upshur
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith
DD Farquhar
DD Decatur
DD Henshaw
DD Truxton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 80,74

Japanese Ships
SS No. 13

Allied Ships
DD Tingey, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 70,78

Japanese Ships
AK Malacca Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Umi

Allied Ships
SS R-14, hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 83,82

Japanese Ships
SS No. 10

Allied Ships
DD Bulmer
DD Kane
DD Robert Smith
DD Farquhar
DD Decatur
DD Henshaw
DD Truxton