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

[inqistor]

Good idea with those night attacks. BETTies are massacred against Carriers anyway, so setting them on night attack, with number of Japan submarines in the area, is the best bet.
I am actually surprised by effectiveness of Japanese Pilots. Is the experience gap so great, or Andy conserves best pilots for future?

Palmyra will fall against determined attack, but considering actions so far, it can be great place to reduce carrier air strength. Offensive actions are out of question, but CAP works perfectly. Washington Island is this dot SE of Palmyra. If you could build airfield there, and also at Fanning Island, and place there some Army Fighters, there could be slaughter. Better yet, if one of those airfields could be upgraded to level 2, small unit of attack bombers can wreck invasion/bombardment fleet. Only problem is flying those planes out, once Line Islands fall.
Time could be tight, but I am guessing, Andy will not risk Carrier Battle with 2 CVs in repair, and before he gets substantial HELLCATs number, so there should be around 2 and half months for preparations.

[PzB74]

Thx Cribtop; then I'll permanently base a squadron of midgets in the Chirstmas Island chain![:)]

These Allied carrier pilots are the same that massacred my huge number of Zero's escorting a handful of Betties.
The penalty to being tied up to an in or outgoing strike group is so great that it make elite pilots look like novices.
- If Andy had swept Palmyra before the raid went in he would have murdered my LRCAP. Last turn sweepers did go in - AFTER - the strike.
Sweep and strike coordination is one of the things that deserves a closer look in my opinion.

[PzB74]

Continued attacks against Palmyra from air and sea.
Andy is also using night spotters from his warships now.
- It's mostly the Base force unit and support units that take the blows; assault value at Palmyra is only down from 222 to 217.

I'm preparing to airlift a para unit in to provide extra support.

A sub interdict shows that enemy LST and landing craft are in the vicinity so we might see a landing tomorrow.
I'm going to prep 2 crack divisions for Palmyra in case we need to recapture it later on.

Fanning Island has been built; 3 forts and 1(+50%) airfields. Been holding back on further expansions until more base force units can be provided.
Washington Island is a size 0(0) base in all aspects and as Japan I don't find it worthwhile to build such bases. Requires a lot of time, engineers and supplies.

The prospect of Fanning Island supporting 48 Tojo's is a tempting one though; I alredy got a unit with Oscar IIs at Rabaul that can transfer to Christmas and conver to Tojo's.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 20, 43

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Palmyra at 170,133

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB Warspite
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
CA Canberra
CL Nashville
CL Phoenix
CL Helena
CL St. Louis

Japanese ground losses:
555 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 84
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 3

BB Warspite firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
BB Mississippi firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB New Mexico
BB New Mexico firing at Palmyra
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Idaho
BB Idaho firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CA Canberra firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Nashville firing at Palmyra
CL Phoenix firing at Palmyra
CL Helena firing at Palmyra
CL St. Louis firing at Sasebo 6th SNLF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub - ASW Attacks

ASW attack near Palmyra at 172,129

Japanese Ships
SS I-169

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CL Adelaide
CL Sumatra
KV Timmins
KV New Westminster
KV Hollyhock
KV Auricula
KV Freesia
AMC Hector
DMS Chandler
DMS Dorsey
AP Henderson
AP Fuller
LST-448
LST-447
LST-446
LST-17
LCI-22
LCI-21
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD Edsall
DD Alden

SS I-169 is sighted by escort
DD Schley fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Chew fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Edsall fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Alden fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 6 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 6 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 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sasebo 6th SNLF, at 170,133 (Palmyra)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 16
Martlet II x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
SBD-3 Dauntless x 92
TBF-1 Avenger x 21

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

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 56th Infantry Regiment, at 170,133 (Palmyra)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Line Islands

[aprezto]

2 Divs for Palmyra. I'd say that's too much supplies wise, in fact one div is likely to be. Unless you plan to split them into 6 regiments and attack that way, which will protract things considerably. If you go too far over that max troops limitation you can see a full days supply unload being dumped into the sea.
Not sure on Palmyra's size but 'think' it's 6000 troops???
 
Probably better to get some of those tanks out of Oz for the task??

[PzB74]

In the update I didn't have time to post yesterday Andy landed most of the 3rd Marine Div plus a tank battalion at Palmyra!
- Was pretty sure this was what he had planned; few landing casualties as the units were probably prepped 100%.

The dozen heavy bombardments prior to the landings really roughed up our units but the initial shock attack showed "lack of supplies" and only achieved a 1-2 odds without reducing the 4 forts.

Still, by landing 11000 men on a small atoll with a max limit of 6000 men Andy caused more Jap casualties than Allied.
I think what he has learned is that the only way to win is by a good ole battle of attrition. After enough attacks most Japs on Palmyra will most likely be dead or wounded before the 3rd Marine Div has shot its bolt.

So I'm observing how this works out; if a division is required to knock out 6000 entrenched men on an atoll I figured that I may as well start prepping 2 crack divisions for an eventual counter attack.

As I've mentioned before; not sure what Andy wants with Palmyra. After putting the Sara out of action and torpedoing another carrier less than a month ago Andy will have to stand and fight with the full KB to win sea and air supremacy. A full Marine Div on Palmyra will as you mention Al, tear through the supply reserves in no time even if the island is captured.

[Cribtop]

IMHO he's developing a sort of target fixation on Palmyra. He keeps going in even as his CV power has been slowly eroded. This could be a great opportunity if you play it right.

[PzB74]

Well, it looks like he's putting enough effort into taking Palmyra; but as I said - I'm wondering what Andy will do with it when he captures it.

- This is yesterday's turn;

Sent 3 destroyers in to interrupt enemy shipping; they met a superior bombardment group and 2 were lost.
No mines have been swept nor hit but the numerous enemy TFs; most of the 121 mines are still in place [&:]

Our defenders at Palmyra now suffers badly from continues sea and air bombardments.
The fact that they're forced to fire counterbattery fire during landings each day just adds to the insult.
I wish they would implemement an "counterbattery" on-off switch.

Our night naval bombers doesn't hit much; unfortunately. Some good opportunities have been provided.
No further sub successes either; just a lot of damaged subs.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 21, 43

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 170,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Karii

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 2
BB Washington
CA Portland
CA Louisville
CA Chicago
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
DD Aaron Ward
DD Laffey
DD Kalk
DD Carmick
DD Hughes

Improved night sighting under 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 96% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 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 Hatsukaze engages BB Washington at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages BB North Carolina at 11,000 yards
BB Washington engages DD Kuroshio at 11,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages CA Portland at 11,000 yards
DD Carmick engages DD Hatsukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Washington engages DD Karii at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 5,000 yards
CA San Francisco engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CA Minneapolis engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CA Chicago engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CA Louisville engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Carmick engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Aaron Ward at 5,000 yards
Takahashi, Kameshi orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Carmick at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze sunk by BB North Carolina at 3,000 yards
DD Carmick engages DD Kuroshio at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages BB Washington at 4,000 yards
DD Carmick engages DD Kuroshio at 4,000 yards
DD Kuroshio sunk by CA Chicago at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB Washington engages DD Karii at 9,000 yards
BB North Carolina engages DD Karii at 9,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Carmick at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB Washington engages DD Karii at 11,000 yards
CA Louisville engages DD Karii at 11,000 yards
CA Portland engages DD Karii at 11,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Karii at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air Combat

Night Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 15
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Radford
AP Henderson
BB Colorado

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments & Invasions

Night Naval bombardment of Palmyra at 170,133

Allied Ships
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA Chicago
CA Louisville
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 103
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Washington
BB Washington firing at Palmyra
BB North Carolina firing at Palmyra
CA San Francisco firing at Palmyra
CA Minneapolis firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Chicago firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Louisville firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Portland firing at Palmyra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Palmyra
50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
CA Devonshire
CL Concord
CL Richmond
CL Newcastle
CL Adelaide
CL Sumatra
DD Arunta
DD Alden
DD Radford
LCI-22
LCI-23
LCI-62
LCI-21

Japanese ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

BB Colorado firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Devonshire firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Concord firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Richmond firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CL Newcastle firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Adelaide firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CL Sumatra firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Arunta firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Alden firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Radford firing at Sasebo 6th SNLF
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Palmyra
TF 113 troops unloading over beach at Palmyra, 170,133

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)

13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad lost in surf during unload of 3rd Marine Div /4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Palmyra
40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
CA Devonshire
CL Concord
CL Richmond
CL Newcastle
CL Adelaide
CL Sumatra
DD Schley
DD Alden
DD Clark
DD Barton
DD Radford
LCI-21
DD Arunta
LST-17
LCI-23

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

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

BB Colorado firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Devonshire firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CL Concord firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Richmond firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CL Newcastle firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Schley firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Clark firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Barton firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
DD Alden fired at enemy troops
DD Barton fired at enemy troops
DD Radford fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Palmyra
36 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-63
LCI-22
LCI-21
DD Arunta
LCI-24

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

LCI-63 fired at enemy troops
LCI-22 fired at enemy troops
LCI-21 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 12th Engineer Regiment, at 170,133 (Palmyra)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
SBD-3 Dauntless x 91
TBF-1 Avenger x 20

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

Japanese ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 12th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 51

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x F4F-4 Wildcat sweeping at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 13
B-24D Liberator x 22
B-24D1 Liberator x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4177 troops, 53 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 200
Defending force 11849 troops, 298 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 460

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF
12th Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
57th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
762nd Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Div /12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11819 troops, 298 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 460
Defending force 5944 troops, 63 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 195

Allied adjusted assault: 35
Japanese adjusted defense: 92

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1988 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 97 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 45 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1070 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 96 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 64 (63 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Div /12

Defending units:
12th Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF
56th Infantry Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
57th JNAF AF Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Palmyra

[PzB74]

This was an intense turn!

A sub fired 6 torps against the Hornet...and missed.
Night naval bombers attacked the Lexington...and missed.

Andy picked up the shattered tank battalion and continued to shock attack with 15000 Marines on Palmyra.
This time he got a really good roll and almost captured the place with a 4-1 odds.
- Looks like Palmyra is about to fall in other words.

Our Zero's on LRCAP shot down 12 Wildcats and another 6 were reported as OPS losses.
In Burma heavy enemy air sweeps and bomber strikes hit Magwe; our high level CAP defended themselves well and in total 50 enemy and 54 friendly ac
were destroyed today including 16 on the ground. Only 9 pilots were reported KIA though.

If Palmyra falls next turn new opportunities open themselves; we will finally be able to sweep the place (poor functionality prevents us from doing so now).
This will truly be interesting.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 22, 43

Invasions & Bombardments

Invasion Support action off Palmyra
53 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Colorado
LST-446
LST-18
LST-17
DD Arunta

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

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Palmyra at 170,133

Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CA Wichita
CA Vincennes
CA Quincy
CA New Orleans
CA Northampton

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Runway hits 3
Port hits 1

CA Dorsetshire firing at 57th JNAF AF Unit
CA Wichita firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Vincennes firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA Quincy firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
CA New Orleans firing at 56th Infantry Regiment
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Northampton
CA Northampton firing at Palmyra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Palmyra
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

14 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-449
LST-18
LST-17

LST-449 fired at enemy troops
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Sub attack near Palmyra at 172,133

Japanese Ships
SS I-35, hits 5

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CA Pensacola
CA Chester
CL Columbia
CLAA Juneau
CLAA Atlanta
DD Wilson
DD Sterett
DD Stack
DD Lang

SS I-35 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Hornet
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sterett attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stack fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Lang attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air Attacks

Night Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,133
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 8

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 10

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

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Yokosuka 3rd SNLF, at 170,133 (Palmyra)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 48
SBD-3 Dauntless x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CAP engaged:
4th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
204 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 17 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes

Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1 ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 57th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 19
Kittyhawk IA x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 47
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 29000 feet *
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 29000 feet *
8 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 29000 feet *
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 29000 feet *
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 29000 feet *
10 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 29000 feet
12 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 29000 feet *
2 x Kittyhawk IA sweeping at 29000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 26
Beaufort VIII x 15
Bolingbroke IV x 12
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 17
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 9
B-17E Fortress x 7
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3452 troops, 55 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 117
Defending force 10250 troops, 295 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 357

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
57th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
3rd Marine Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10250 troops, 295 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 357
Defending force 4414 troops, 66 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Allied adjusted assault: 180
Japanese adjusted defense: 37

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1656 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 81 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1264 casualties reported
Squads: 36 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (9 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Division

Defending units:
Sasebo 6th SNLF
56th Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
57th JNAF AF Unit
----------------------------------------------------------------

Palmyra

[PzB74]

Palmyra falls this turn! Quite a strange spectacle; the 3rd Marine div only gets a modified AV of 34.
Unfortunately we are not able to take advantage of this; our defenders gets a modified AV of 1!!!! [&:]
- This is the same as an undefended base and we still had plenty supplies and combat troops left.

Well, I saved remnants of all units so they can be rebuilt.

Looks like Andy is leaving Palmyra with all his task forces.
- Is he planning to return to PH and leave 15k troops of the 3rd Marines to bask around on a max troops size 6000 men atoll?
He captured some 20k supplies there but I know the penalties to be severe.

The next few turns will be very interesting.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 23, 43

Sub Attacks

This was a weird one; a midget carrier is damaged at Pearl...in the next engagement the midget attacks a ship in a TF and instead
of returning to the mother sub it attempts to return to Christmas Island! [&:]

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-20, hits 9, heavy damage

Allied Ships
AM Caraquet

SS I-20 is sighted by escort
AM Caraquet attacking submerged sub ....
AM Caraquet fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Caraquet fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Caraquet fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Caraquet fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-31

Allied Ships
DD Laffey
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CA Portland
DD Aaron Ward
DD Hughes
DD Carmick

SSX Ha-31 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Laffey
DD Hughes fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Carmick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Carmick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Carmick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Carmick fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Carmick fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Eventful day in the Air! Andy continues to pound Magwe; dozens of sweeps and loads of bombers.
Instead of opposing this torrent we send 170 Army bombers against Chittagong. Results are not great but ok.

A last strike from Allied carriers hit Palmyra.

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 18

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

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 29000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 55
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 54

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 8 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5A Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 25
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Yokosuka 3rd SNLF, at 170,133 (Palmyra)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
SBD-3 Dauntless x 58

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 12th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 12th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1 ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking Sasebo 6th SNLF ...
Also attacking 12th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 12th Engineer Regiment ...
Also attacking 56th Infantry Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 15
Hudson IIIa x 37
Liberator II x 15
Wellington Ic x 21
Beaufort VIII x 23
Bolingbroke IV x 12
B-17E Fortress x 91
B-24D Liberator x 5
B-25C Mitchell x 18
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 128
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 29000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 30

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 3
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Palmyra (170,133)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9142 troops, 295 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 301
Defending force 2924 troops, 60 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Allied adjusted assault: 34
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 34 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Palmyra !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2632 casualties reported
Squads: 160 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 214 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 66 (66 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
229 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Division

Defending units:
56th Infantry Regiment
Sasebo 6th SNLF
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
12th Engineer Regiment
57th JNAF AF Unit
------------------------------------------------------------------

[inqistor]

There is possibility, to get at least infantry from Palmyra out, by air. That would leave all heavy equipment, but with number of Allied CATALINAs can be done quick.
Question is:
Does Allies will be able to repair airfield before burning all supplies? We probably see now whole 25-30 CORSAIRs produced from beginning of the year, and some attack planes. LRCAPing Palmyra could be good protection, against transporting Base Force. Plus flying some bombers to Line Islands, to close airfield anyway.

Getting there supply transports, without CV cover will be very risky, so any resupply attempt will arrive probably with second invasion wave for other islands, and most of combat fleet.

[Cribtop]

As you have wondered, PzB, the question is - What does Andy want to do with Palmyra?

[PzB74]

That's a good question Inquistor; now idea how much supplies that Marine Div is burning.
But you are right; only Catalina's can move in troops - from Johnston Island! So I'll place a sizeable LRCAP and put an end to that show soon.
Damage to Palmyra is total; 100 for everything. Will be a while before it's open for business and then Andy has to move a base force unit in.
- I'm not going to allow that with the first.

I'm not afraid of Corsair; if Andy place them on CAP they will be swept away with the wind [;)]
No ac type in AE can stand up to the massed effect of sweepers.

Think I've figured out (partly) what Andy wants with Palmyra:
1. Build it up by deploying PT boats, aviation support and fighters - bombers.
2. Wear down my forces in the region by forcing me to fight far away from home but close to PH.
3. Complete the capture of the Line Islands when Palmyra has been secured.

Well, I'm going to do my best to prevent this. Our replenishment fleets bring 150k units of fuel and the KB
will stay near Christmas Island until the situation has been stabilized.

My first priority is to get in more aviation support; airlifting from Roi Namur is also in progress.
More subs will move into the region together with surface combat units.
A CD unit will also arrive soon and Army bombers will be provided in due time.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 24, 43

Surface - ASW Action

There goes our useless mines at Palmyra that didn't hit a single ship during the entire Allied operation...
Also had some empty barges at Palmyra that were destroyed. They would have sunk by themselves without fuel so at least
they expended some enemy ammo.. [8|]

TF 127 encounters mine field at Palmyra (170,133)

Allied Ships
AM Dash
AM Conflict
AM Adroit
AM Robin
AM Kingfisher
AM Herald
AM Heed
AM Swallow
AM Starling
AM Skylark

145 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 171,134, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-1028, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1029, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1030, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1031, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1032, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1033, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1034, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-1035, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-5013, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-5014, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-5015, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-201, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Tucker
DD Downes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Palmyra at 170,133

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-46, hits 3

Allied Ships
AM Dash
AM Herald
AM Conflict
AM Adroit
AM Robin
AM Kingfisher

SSX Ha-46 is sighted by escort
AM Conflict attacking submerged sub ....
AM Conflict is out of ASW ammo
AM Adroit fails to find sub and abandons search
AM Robin fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Kingfisher attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-46 eludes ASW attack from AM Kingfisher
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Our Chittagong sweepers finally found someone home; we shot down 22 enemy fighters but lost 10 Tojo's.
Swarms of enemy bombers continues to bomb our bases in Burma. We hit Silchar in return.

Our bombers at Palmyra didn't achieve much.

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 46
Kittyhawk IA x 4
Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
Kittyhawk III x 8
P-38G Lightning x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 33
P-40K Warhawk x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 3
Liberator II x 15
Wellington Ic x 9
B-17D Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 51
B-25C Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 1 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 8

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 11

No Allied losses

Runway hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bombs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Herald

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 33

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 10
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
19 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
4 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 15000 feet *
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 171,132
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Tucker

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Palmyra

[PzB74]

A little behind with the AAR; will post the next turn in several posts as much happened!

I'm not used to suffer to badly against Allied subs but it seems like Andy has placed most of his boats in the Line Island region.
When the KB raced south last turn it passed through a belt of enemt subs.

First the USS Grenadier hit the CS Nisshin with a dud!
Then USS Pompano hit the CA Haguro with a dud!
- If this wasn't enough the USS Pompano came back and fired 2 rounds of torps at the CV Junyo!
First she missed but then 2 torps hit home.

I feared the worst but the firecrackers weren't overly effective.
10 sys and 28 flood (10 major) is what we got away with [&o]
- Junyo can stay with the slow carriers of the KB's Second Carrier Division.

Not a good start for the day!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 25, 43

Sub Attacks

Sub attack near Johnston Island at 161,121

Japanese Ships
CS Nisshin
CA Mikuma
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

SS Grenadier launches 6 torpedoes at CS Nisshin
Grenadier diving deep ....
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Johnston Island at 164,122

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Maya
DD Hatsuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

SS Pompano launches 4 torpedoes at CA Haguro
Pompano diving deep ....
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsuzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Johnston Island at 164,122

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Torpedo hits 2
CA Mikuma
CS Nisshin
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

SS Pompano launches 6 torpedoes at CV Junyo
Pompano diving deep ....
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Teruzuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Junyo

[PzB74]

To top my annoyance the 1st Carrier Division of the KB ran into an enemy "TF".
- Hate to give away intel this way.

As you can see Andy is trying to shuttle PT boats from Johnston Island to Palmyra.
PS! I'm a bit low on destroyer escorts for the KB - had to let 2 DesRons trail behind as they couldn't manage 2 full speed turns.
They will rejoin the carriers in a couple of turns; hope we don't run into to many more subs before then. I have now switched on loads of search planes to ASW duty.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 25, 43

Surface Combat

I send our 2 remaining destroyers from Christmas Island and they tangle with 4 US destroyers.
Not a good proposition; we hit the Ralph Talbot but the Suruyame is now limping back to base. No major damage fortunately so she can be repaired at Christmas Island.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 170,134, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Karii
DD Suruyame, Shell hits 2, heavy fires

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1
DD Tucker
DD Downes

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
DD Downes engages DD Suruyame at 17,000 yards
DD Tucker engages DD Suruyame at 17,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Ralph Talbot at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Tucker at 12,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Downes at 9,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Tucker at 9,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Ralph Talbot at 9,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Tucker at 9,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Suruyame at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Suruyame at 12,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Tucker at 12,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Ralph Talbot at 12,000 yards
Oyama O. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 16,000 yards
DD Suruyame engages DD Tucker at 16,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Ralph Talbot at 16,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Ralph Talbot at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 18,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Downes at 18,000 yards
DD Karii engages DD Ralph Talbot at 18,000 yards
DD Ralph Talbot engages DD Suruyame at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 21,000 yards
Range increases to 23,000 yards
Range increases to 25,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards
Task forces break off...

[PzB74]

As the KB arrived near Palmyra there was a flux of frenzied activity.
We sank 5 minesweepers and a cargo ship loaded with fuel.
- 7!! torpedo hits were scored on 2 AM's, can you believe it...imagine how to waste the Empire's torpedoes on such junk containers!! [:-]

This turn also introduced the Judy to combat! Poor weather prevented it form scoring too many hits.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 25, 43

Air Combat

Andy hit Mandalay in Burma today; I removed an oodle of smallers strikes.
In return we shot down a handful of Spits over Chittagong and bombed Comilla.

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14

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

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 35

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 3
Liberator II x 15
Wellington Ic x 41
B-17D Fortress x 5
B-17E Fortress x 47
B-25C Mitchell x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 35
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Chignecto
AM Muritai, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Muritai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 169,130
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Motive, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Strive, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Tarifa, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D4Y1 Judy x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Daring
AM Chignecto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 169,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Token, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
AM Advent, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

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

Palmyra

[PzB74]

The KB "stepped on" PT boat formations in the middle of the ocean between Johnston and Palmyra not once, but twice today!
I know that we've probably sunk the PT boat tender but I really don't like to encounter PT boats in this fashion.

3 enemy destroyers (same as yesterday) raided Christmas Island; the brave little Karii fended them off and saved a handful of ships.
In return we torpedoed a large AMC loaded with troops.

Naval attack against TFs around Palmyra and in port hit a large number of smaller cargo ships, minesweepers etc.
Our LRCAP over Palmyra also intercepted Catalina transports, not sure if we shot any down but we will continue with our CAP.

This turn enemy carriers were observed entering Pearl Harbour; if the KB had moved east we could have engaged but with fuel in the red, 50 Judy's still in conversion training
and the Junyo damaged we did the right thing by staying close to Palmyra. Had Andy spent 2 more turns on capturing the atoll we would have seen a major carrier battle; it would actually have been
possible to sortie 2 days earlier but it disrupted with the Val to Judy conversion process at Truk, bah.

Over the next couple of turns we will replenish, remove all enemy ships in the area and establish a strong naval presence in the Line Islands.
The question now is which tactic to use;

Situation: With the KB present and supported by LBA at Christmas and Fanning Islands we have air and sea supremacy in the region.
There are 15000 Marines of the 3rd Marine Division stuck at Palmyra and a huge enemy fleet replenishing at Pearl.
- If and when we retire our carriers Andy will be back in force and "upgrade" Palmyra, extract the Marines and replace them with base forces, engineers and a garrison.

Here we got several options and I would appreciate advice from all you Admirals out there [:)]

1. Keep KB around and build up Fanning Island and reinforce Christmas Island to enable LBA to truly threaten the enemy when he returns supported by all his carriers and capital ships.
1.1. If we chose this strategy how many fighters and bombers will we then need? Christmas Island is currently a size 5(5) airfield while Fanning Island is 1(3). Total aviation support is ca 160
but another Air Divisions with support for another 72 ac is being lifted into the area. Support for 220 LBA is not enough to face 500 enemy carrier ac. Bringing in yet another Air Division and some
aditional base forces will however bring us to 320 and then we're starting to pose a serious threat.

2. If we can discourage an enemy expedition to Palmyra we can then deal with the 3rd Marines in due time.
There are several options here as well; I'm currently prepping 2 crack divisions and 1 Amph bde for Palmyra but it will take another 90 days to get them to 100.
I truly don't want to invade Palmyra and the 3rd Marines with anything less than fully prepped invasion forces. If the Marines run out of supplies it's another matter, but how can we know if and when they do run out of supplies? If we wait 3 months before invading Palmyra it's very likely that Andy will try to occupy Fanning Island as well - unless we manage to implement scenario 1 that is.

3. A last option is to do nothing but sit back and snipe at Palmyra and the efforts made by the Allies to support their troops there.
This option is probably best combined with scenario 1. We can base the Combined Fleet at Kwajalein after replenishing at Truk; then we can be at Palmyra in 4 days.
- If I bring in more fuel and another Naval HQ to Christmas Island it will also be possible to replenish carrier sorties.

A truly interesting situation and I don't think the most important thing is to recapture Palmyra but to delay the enemy for as long as possible and in the process inflict as many casualties as possible
while taking as few as possible in return.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 26, 43

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 167,125, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Akagi
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Maya
CA Haguro
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki

Allied Ships
PT-148
PT-149
PT-150
PT-151
PT-152
PT-153
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 166,128, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Agano
CL Isuzu
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Yudachi
DD Tadeshiwa
DD Katsutade

Allied Ships
PT-148
PT-149
PT-150
PT-151
PT-152
PT-153
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Christmas Island at 174,141, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Karii, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Tucker
DD Downes, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 168,131, Range 23,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
CV Junyo
CVL Shoho
CVL Ryuho
CS Nisshin
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki

Allied Ships
PT-148
PT-149
PT-150
PT-151, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
PT-152, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-153, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions: 30,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 23,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 23,000 yards
CV Junyo , CV Kaga , CVL Ryuho ,
CVL Shoho screened from combat
- escorted by DD Teruzuki
BB Kirishima engages PT-152 at 23,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages PT-150 at 23,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages PT-150 at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CV Junyo , CV Kaga , CVL Ryuho screened from combat
- escorted by DD Teruzuki
PT-153 sunk by BB Kirishima at 15,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages PT-152 at 15,000 yards
Parish, H.F. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range closes to 14,000 yards
BB Hiei engages PT-151 at 14,000 yards
CA Mikuma engages PT-152 at 14,000 yards
DD Teruzuki engages PT-151 at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages PT-152 at 19,000 yards
PT-152 sunk by BB Hiei at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards
BB Kirishima engages PT-151 at 30,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Palmyra at 171,131

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
AMC Hector, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

AMC Hector is sighted by SS I-28
SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 8

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Astoria
CLAA Oakland
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
DD Thracian
DD Scout
DD Voyager

SS I-22 is sighted by escort
DD Thracian fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Scout attacking submerged sub ....
DD Voyager fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Scout attacking submerged sub ....
DD Scout attacking submerged sub ....
DD Scout cannot reach attack position over SS I-22
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
DD Scout fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Scout fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Scout attacking submerged sub ....
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
DD Scout attacking submerged sub ....
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
DD Scout is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Daring, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
AM Chignecto, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Daring
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Chignecto
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,129
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Allara, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Arkaba

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3a Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 11
D3A1 Val x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Adroit, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Swallow, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Robin, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G3M2 Nell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AM Heed, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AM Herald, Bomb hits 1
LCT-66, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Conflict, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCT-67, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-63, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-62, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Dash, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,129
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Tennessean
xAK Arkaba, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,129
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL White Wing, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Tennessean

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Palmyra

[Nemo121]

I don't think you've got 90 days to prep for the invasion. He'll reinforce and re-organise in that time.

With that said I don't think the bomber option is the best option either. Could you consider a forward fighter defence with very few bombers with the goal of attriting the enemy CV-based fighter force? That way you could create a situation where KB could intervene against much weakened CAP and that might give you an opening. I'm not convinced that 150 Zeroes is enough when combined with bombers to be decisive but perhaps 250 Zeroes backed by 30 Betties could, through sweeping Palmyra, really attrit his fighter force and give KB some opportunities?

Apart from that I think the goal is to attrit and weaken and search for opportunities. A re-invasion would be lovely but I think that that is the sort of thing you need to do within 2 or 3 weeks and not 2 or 3 months.

[PzB74]

But even if Andy re-organize within 90 days he'll have to bring out the Marines; can't sustain 15k troops on the atoll forever.
A smaller force of regiments can be defeated by numerous larger formations shuttled in and out.

The problem wit the forward fighter force is that when the Allied CV TFs are positioned ESE of Palmyra ALL our strikes will be directed against this heavily CAP'ed force.
So even with no enemy fighters at Palmyra we most likely won't be able to take advantage of this since the game doesn't allow us to speciy naval targets to given hexes - bases.
- I've experienced that 80 Zero's escorting 5 Betties loose 30 while shooting down ~10 defending Wildcats. Again; without being able to sweep sea hexes and naval targets it becomes extremely difficult to successfully attrit a carrier force.

[Nemo121]

If he sends his CV TFs ESE of Palmyra to counter that then that is the time for KB to sprint in to 8 hexes from Palmyra and launch a devastating maximum range strike on his transports, sinking many, many TFs before running out of range at maximum speed .

For every counter he makes there are opportunities it gifts you. Do that once and he'll be MUCH less quick to send his CVs ESE of Palmyra to counter your few Betties and giving you an opening you can use to cause much more damage than those few Betties would cause.


As to sweeping: I am talking of sweeping Palmyra... He MUST set CAP or LRCAP there to protect his amphibious/transport TFs and you CAN sweep those CAP/LRCAP groups with your fighters and achieve highly favourable kill ratios. Your sweepers will also act as extempore escorts for your Betties through the act of sweeping the enemy fighters from the sky. Initially he'll try to use USAAF fighters to CAP Palmyra but, eventually, you'll find Marines and USN fighter groups there if you keep sweeping - you'll also find CVs striking your home bases to suppress them ( which will allow your CAP to kill even more escorts ). It won't work in 1 or two days but over a month or so ( if you choose to play the long game ) you could kill a lot of first-class USN aviators.

[PzB74]

That is true but I've found it to be quite difficult to time the KBs appearence of Palmyra.
First of all I need to establish 3-4 picket lines between Palmyra and Pearl Harbour.

I will also have to sneak the KB back to Kwajalein without Andy noticing it; when it's in place there a cat and mouse game can begin.
Still, I don't think Andy can leave the 3rd Marines on Palmyra unattended for a very long time. I've sunk a dozen suicide transports over the last couple of turns.
Coronados and Catalinas continue to fly into Palmyra and I'm quite certain that all of this isn't done without a good reason.

I'm well tempted to start a test game, place 15k troops and 25k supplies on Palmyra and see how it all whithers on the wine [:D]