Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:27 pm

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

I thought the 800kg bombs were specially developed for the PH raid and were unavailable after that.

Apparently there were also production models. This is from Wikipedia. There is a full list I saw somewhere else as well but couldn't find this evening.

In game I've seen these only on port raids, and only from the KB or a TT equipped base hosting 2E IJN bombers or TBs. It's a rare event, so hence the excitement, especially on the ship type (BB) they were designed to hit and penetrate. I read somewhere that the US thought there was a 79% chance that 6 hits from one of these would sink a BB. The IJN apparently though it would take 10-12 penetrating hits.

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:48 am

[font="Times New Roman"]21 - 22 March 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The SS Rabalo is sunk near Wewak by 3 new E. They do work well together. Our RO subs keep making good contact with amphib TFs heading to Dagua, but can't land any hits.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] Jocke spreads the love by hitting a bunch of bases throughout the islands and New Guinea. He takes out Buka, where the recent strike was launched that hit P of W. He also hit Sarmi, one of my rear bases in N NG and found Jacks there ready as the 4Es came before the sweeps. I got a good number in the air plus a fair few ops losses reported. Maybe 10 altogether combined. Then the P-38s showed up and pulled the plug on the party, shooting down 22 Jacks. The rest will back up to recover. North New Guinea is tough to defend. Very isolated bases.

Rabaul, Salamua, Wewak, and Madang were also hit.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Looks like the landing i expected just went to Chirikof Island. Preparation no doubt for the real thing. Probably also checking out what I would bring into the area.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]WEST OZ: [/font] After yesterday's poor bombardment today 5 BB showed up and did some good damage. Still, it was not as good as I'd hoped, likely due to the low moonlight (3%). About ten good planes were destroyed on the fields plus more damaged, and it was a good hit on the troops, even though that was not the goal. It does send a small message though that there is danger in the area.

Two transports were also hit in this raid, plus an SC. Just a supply run. That tells me though that supply may not be so great here yet. There are a lot of units to support here.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] The 4Es resumed hitting the troops near Lashio. The several day respite was useful though and they were well healed by the time this new round started. Now I have to thikn of a new way to stall this barrage soon.

The troops moving to Bassein did stop movement, as suspected. A new threat has emerged North of Prome, moving into this area. A fly-over shows 41 units (!!) one hex NW of Prome. What are those? I've sent in recon and I may test a bombing run to get actual units soon.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 21, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Wewak at 97,118

Japanese Ships
SS RO-104, hits 2

Allied Ships
SC-707
LCI-62
LCI-24
LCT-330
LCT-323
LCT-168
LCT-144
LCT-138
LCT-133
LCT-132
SC-706

SS RO-104 is sighted by escort
RO-104 diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CL Kiso
CL Kinu
CL Jintsu
CL Naka
CL Noshiro

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6
Port hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Furutaka
CA Furutaka firing at 7th Australian Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Biak at 90,106

Japanese Ships
E Kurahashi
E Kanju
E Aguni

Allied Ships
SS Robalo, hits 31, heavy damage The Super-Es strike. Still not sure why they're super, as the new coming before had the same DC rating or even higher.

SS Robalo launches 2 torpedoes at E Kurahashi
E Aguni fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kurahashi attacking submerged sub ....
E Aguni attacking submerged sub ....
Debris floats to surface in area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 6th Chinese Corps, at 54,51 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 44
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

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

Allied ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 11
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 5
B-24D1 Liberator x 26
B-24J Liberator x 53
B-25C Mitchell x 33
B-25D1 Mitchell x 90
B-25G Mitchell x 15
B-25H Mitchell x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 77
Airbase supply hits 32
Runway hits 112

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 27
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 49

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 75
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 9 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet
12 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet
16 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet *
14 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 22, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
BB Fuso
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
CA Chikuma
CA Maya
CL Sendai
DD Ikazuchi
DD Oboro
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
SC-708, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Anniston City, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Chatanooga City, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 3% moonlight: 9,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 23 damaged
P-38H Lightning: 4 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 16 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1A Corsair: 18 damaged
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 1 damaged
F-4 Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
F-5A Lightning: 3 damaged
F-5A Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
Catalina I: 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
CA Maya
CA Chikuma
CL Sendai
DD Yuzuki
DD Minazuki
DD Satsuki
DD Oboro
DD Ikazuchi

Allied ground losses:
628 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 44 (14 destroyed, 30 disabled)
Vehicles lost 42 (19 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Resources hits 1
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 1

BB Ise firing at Americal Infantry Division
BB Yamashiro firing at Darwin
BB Fuso firing at Darwin
BB Musashi firing at 7th Australian Division
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Yamato

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Salamaua , at 98,127

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 50 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 33
B-25H Mitchell x 11

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 11
B-24D Liberator x 4
B-25G Mitchell x 11

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Mitchell II bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Wellington Ic x 15
Wellington GR.VIII x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 14
Liberator B.VI x 15
Liberator GR.III x 15
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 18
B-24D1 Liberator x 36
B-24J Liberator x 122
B-25C Mitchell x 21

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buka , at 109,128

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 53

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 36

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 51
B-24J Liberator x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

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

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 26

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 25
P-38J Lightning x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
6 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet
5 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 19 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 99 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]51st JAAF AF Bn arrives at Tokyo
E No.12 arrives at Tokyo
MGB G-227 arrives at Hakodate

Device Mitsubishi Ha-43 advances R&D[/color][/font]

Losses: none

Ships Sunk:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]SC-708 is reported to have been sunk near Darwin on Mar 22, 1944
SS Bluegill is reported to have been sunk near Mussau Island on Feb 10, 1944
xAK Anniston City is reported to have been sunk near Darwin on Mar 22, 1944
xAK Chatanooga City is reported to have been sunk near Darwin on Mar 22, 1944
SS Robalo is reported to have been sunk near Biak on Mar 21, 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Allied icon to the NW of Prome shows 41 units! What are those! Most of his big stacks are still near Toungoo on the grey road, also showing movement. This is a LARGE group of troops. I'm sending a few recon units to have a look. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:57 am

[font="Times New Roman"]S/SW PAC[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Down here it's still a big Allied push through in semi-historical fashion. Except he still hasn't touched the Solomons. I will try to think of ways to use this against him. It's not great to leave your flank open completely. I think I could still be dangerous in that area, especially in the air.

I will begin a serious build-up of the Sorong area. This spot toward the tip of W New Guinea will hopefully be a stumbling block. The Biak area will also get more troops. Really though, at some point I'll have to decide when it's time to use the KB.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:58 am

[font="Times New Roman"]S DEI[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This will likely get more attention soon. He can't do this area halfway or we will have fun here. I assume 4Es will make their appearance soon.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Speedysteve · Post by **Speedysteve** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 6:03 pm

Great read as always invert.

Just as an FYI on Allied reinforcement schedules in some ways you're correct that they do get large reinforcement arrivals and they're on the c.15th of each month. There's comfortably upto 20+ ships a time with these....the rest of the time though they're in drips and drabs....

crsutton · Post by **crsutton** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:39 am

Drips and drabs but an average of about ten first class DDs a month in 1944. These Fletcher's come with high crew experience ratings after 1/44 and are a match for any Japanese DDs available. By the end of 44, I really had more ships than I could use.

I just don't understand why Allied players like to grind through Burma. Not only is it slow but until he takes Rangoon, those units are effectively trapped in Burma and cannot be moved out for use elsewhere. In 3/44 the Allied player should have enough amphibious assets to send some to the Indian ocean. Instead of wasting all his divisions in Burma if he would put three divisions with some good tank brigades ashore at Pegu or Moulmein, the whole Japanese position in Burma would come down like a house of cards. It creates an almost impossible trap for the Japanese to escape from. For that reason, if I was playing the Japanese, I would evacuated Burma North of Moulmein no later than early 44.

The most important thing is that with China lost, Burma has no real strategic value for the Allies. Hell, just go around....

Speedysteve · Post by **Speedysteve** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 5:27 am

crsutton I totally agree with you. Even more so after my recent experiences against Faber. The only caveat I'd add to your thoughts (IMO) would be IF the Japanese is either very stretched on several active fronts already and/or they don't have much in the way of a defence in Burma then it should be 'ok' to plough through Burma and not have to divert shipping and air cover assets for a seaborne invasion for Burma.

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 9:03 am

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Drips and drabs but an average of about ten first class DDs a month in 1944. These Fletcher's come with high crew experience ratings after 1/44 and are a match for any Japanese DDs available. By the end of 44, I really had more ships than I could use.

I just don't understand why Allied players like to grind through Burma. Not only is it slow but until he takes Rangoon, those units are effectively trapped in Burma and cannot be moved out for use elsewhere. In 3/44 the Allied player should have enough amphibious assets to send some to the Indian ocean. Instead of wasting all his divisions in Burma if he would put three divisions with some good tank brigades ashore at Pegu or Moulmein, the whole Japanese position in Burma would come down like a house of cards. It creates an almost impossible trap for the Japanese to escape from. For that reason, if I was playing the Japanese, I would evacuated Burma North of Moulmein no later than early 44.

The most important thing is that with China lost, Burma has no real strategic value for the Allies. Hell, just go around....

Of course these are exactly the fears of any Japanese player putting assets into Burma and trying to hold a line there. If the Allies decided to commit completely of course I couldn't stop something, but that would take some time to get going as well.

Due to early CV losses I think this game is a bit different. Earlier when Jocke committed there it was one of the only theatres he could easily take on without the use of CV supported amphibious ops. He has caught up to the KB now, but still is only about even in terms of planes on ships (maybe ahead considering CVEs now). That means any place with lots of LBA, such as Burma, N Sumatra or the Andamans would be potentially costly. It would have to involve subterfuge and trying to hit someplace that is potentially just as critical and far away. The S DEI is maybe just a bit too close even.

From my side I'd like to think any amphibious op near Burma to bypass would be tough. Firstly the sub line out deep into the IO should give some early warning. I have some big infantry units now spread down the Burma and Thai coastline with 4-6 forts in each base and building. Bangkok is going to level 9 fields in days, and there are potentially 500+ strike planes within a day's range. The Andamans themselves are garrisoned well and the HQa there supports wide ranging search planes that would give fairly early warning. Rangoon is back in operation with a level 9 field and a ton of fighter support. Sabang has nearly level 7 forts, 750 AV and Medan is close to level 9 fields also. Three of the Sumatra islands have decent garrisons, more are planned and the Malay coast is having some sent now.

There is not an easy spot, but that is because it's getting to the point in 44 when a lot of units arrive for Japan to throw into the mix. He could still do something to bypass, but I would at least like to think it would cost him. A landing that is disrupted might not work so well, but of course once he decides he can do 2-3 ops at once in distant places, all of these become much more possible. Eventually it will happen, I'm just trying to push that date back as far as possible.

Speedysteve · Post by **Speedysteve** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 11:32 am

ORIGINAL: obvert
Of course these are exactly the fears of any Japanese player putting assets into Burma and trying to hold a line there. If the Allies decided to commit completely of course I couldn't stop something, but that would take some time to get going as well.

I disagree. In my game vs Faber I committed about 8,000 AV to my overland Burma invasion. He stopped that cold in the Jungles NE of Rangoon with about 3000-3500 AV. The Jungle significantly boosts AV and negates LBA ground attack casualties. It makes a defence of Burma viable IF you commit the right force level once you've identified the Allies are going for the overland route.

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:33 pm

ORIGINAL: Speedy

ORIGINAL: obvert
Of course these are exactly the fears of any Japanese player putting assets into Burma and trying to hold a line there. If the Allies decided to commit completely of course I couldn't stop something, but that would take some time to get going as well.

I disagree. In my game vs Faber I committed about 8,000 AV to my overland Burma invasion. He stopped that cold in the Jungles NE of Rangoon with about 3000-3500 AV. The Jungle significantly boosts AV and negates LBA ground attack casualties. It makes a defence of Burma viable IF you commit the right force level once you've identified the Allies are going for the overland route.

All of my comments were referring to an invasion behind Burma troops. "If the Allies decided to commit completely to an invasion behind the lines somewhere of course I couldn't stop something" completely, is probably what I should have written to be clear.

Stopping the Allies in Burma may be possible, but that is yet to be determined. Jocke is maneuvering now, and without stacking limits he could put together a fearsome stack if he decided to do so. Maybe the IJA could hold out, but we'll just have to see! [:)]

crsutton · Post by **crsutton** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 7:16 pm

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Drips and drabs but an average of about ten first class DDs a month in 1944. These Fletcher's come with high crew experience ratings after 1/44 and are a match for any Japanese DDs available. By the end of 44, I really had more ships than I could use.

I just don't understand why Allied players like to grind through Burma. Not only is it slow but until he takes Rangoon, those units are effectively trapped in Burma and cannot be moved out for use elsewhere. In 3/44 the Allied player should have enough amphibious assets to send some to the Indian ocean. Instead of wasting all his divisions in Burma if he would put three divisions with some good tank brigades ashore at Pegu or Moulmein, the whole Japanese position in Burma would come down like a house of cards. It creates an almost impossible trap for the Japanese to escape from. For that reason, if I was playing the Japanese, I would evacuated Burma North of Moulmein no later than early 44.

The most important thing is that with China lost, Burma has no real strategic value for the Allies. Hell, just go around....

Of course these are exactly the fears of any Japanese player putting assets into Burma and trying to hold a line there. If the Allies decided to commit completely of course I couldn't stop something, but that would take some time to get going as well.

Due to early CV losses I think this game is a bit different. Earlier when Jocke committed there it was one of the only theatres he could easily take on without the use of CV supported amphibious ops. He has caught up to the KB now, but still is only about even in terms of planes on ships (maybe ahead considering CVEs now). That means any place with lots of LBA, such as Burma, N Sumatra or the Andamans would be potentially costly. It would have to involve subterfuge and trying to hit someplace that is potentially just as critical and far away. The S DEI is maybe just a bit too close even.

From my side I'd like to think any amphibious op near Burma to bypass would be tough. Firstly the sub line out deep into the IO should give some early warning. I have some big infantry units now spread down the Burma and Thai coastline with 4-6 forts in each base and building. Bangkok is going to level 9 fields in days, and there are potentially 500+ strike planes within a day's range. The Andamans themselves are garrisoned well and the HQa there supports wide ranging search planes that would give fairly early warning. Rangoon is back in operation with a level 9 field and a ton of fighter support. Sabang has nearly level 7 forts, 750 AV and Medan is close to level 9 fields also. Three of the Sumatra islands have decent garrisons, more are planned and the Malay coast is having some sent now.

There is not an easy spot, but that is because it's getting to the point in 44 when a lot of units arrive for Japan to throw into the mix. He could still do something to bypass, but I would at least like to think it would cost him. A landing that is disrupted might not work so well, but of course once he decides he can do 2-3 ops at once in distant places, all of these become much more possible. Eventually it will happen, I'm just trying to push that date back as far as possible.

Yes, he would have to commit to a big stick approach and keep his carriers hidden until he goes in. But if the Allied player gets ashore in numbers there is not many ways out for the Japanese troops further north. Another option is for him to hit Sabang. Even with his losses he is reaching a point where he can throw a big landing ashore somewhere and win. But a big Allied adventure in the IO take a lot of forward planning and shifting of assets to the theater way in advance. So there is a big time commitment.

At this point it looks as if every thing he has is already in N. Burma so I doubt you have much to worry about. He would have had to secretly moved a lot of US units to the theater. Not to mention amphibious ships. Having gone through one campaign, I think as the Allies I would start moving significant assets to India from the very beginning. By mid 44, you still will have plenty of assets in the Pacific.

The other thing is that the 44 Allied divisions are really very powerful. There comes a point when combined with air power they can pretty much take on any Japanese force. It really gets to be painful fighting them even in the jungle. But all of those units that he marched into Burma will be very slow to upgrade due to supply limitations.

You really have done a great job so far.

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 9:09 pm

Thanks. It's hard to tell my first time through it. Burma has been a fun grind lately, with lots of deception, intrigue and guessing of intentions. So far I've been lucky to guess closely enough quickly enough. Watching the Allied machine get going in the Pacific and swing around New Guinea certainly feels uncomfortable. Not unexpected though, even though I knew how and where he was coming.

It is nearly impossible to get everything in place in time as Japan. I realize so much should have been done ages ago. I'm catching up, but not as fast as the Allies can move in some spots.

Sabang would be tough, that territory with a division and a brigade, plus level 6 forts and lots of LBA around. Might take 4 divisions to be sure considering I could possibly still add more once it's clear he's coming, and that's assuming they all get landed. There are weak points, but they're not as good places to establish a foothold, and they are in spots where I should have good early warning.

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:46 pm

[font="Times New Roman"]23 - 24 March 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Another RO is lost near N NG. The I-172 is also given some good hits and will move back to repair. RO-67 also takes 11 hits and will limp home for some patches, hopefully.

On the 24th the Pogy sinks an unloaded xAK near Turk, and our escorts can't make contact.

Our guys drop a few stout hits on the Tuna near W NG.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] The push continues toward North New Guinea. Several Allied bases are being built up and the best of those is Hansa Bay which just went to size 8 fields. That will be the new home of at least a few 4Es I'm sure, and will put them in range of many of our rear area bases.

Hansa Bay expands airfield to size 8

At Hollandia 75+ P-47s dive in from 40k and hit the Tojos and Georges in base. Our guys hold their own, getting nearly 1:2 on the day, taking down 6-8 P-47D2. The air loss for both sides has been high lately. My pools are not topped up after the Rabaul destruction, so I'll have to keep offensive ops and defensive stands to a minimum for a while. I'm especially low in service 1-2 airframes I need for bases like these in New Guinea.

A strange set of TFs looks to be moving up the NG coastline. I see a collection of four different TFs that have the characteristics of a major invasion set-up. I wonder if he's coming for a base farther along the NG coast, or maybe Wewak or Aitape? I'm revving the engines of the KB and will launch them if he shows movement past Aitape. Two E groups are lessening the threat of the subs previously hovering around Davao, which seem to have scattered now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Nothing else has materialized up north. All quiet again.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] After the bombardments Darwin has remained empty of aircraft and still is listed at above 50% damage. Some PTs are around Gove, but that is the only Allied presence other than the numerous troops, including the Americal Division. Most of my forces are being kept as out of sight as possible until needed.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] This front is still in major flux and it is now certain that Jocke is moving his main stack back toward the Bassein Prome area. I may have to pick one soon and leave the other undefended. i want to provoke a river crossing, but I'm not sure I can defend a 250-300k troop river crossing in a clear base. Too risky. We'll wait to see how this develops.

In the air Jocke continues to pound the troops near Lashio. They are suffering some disruption now, but are still right around 500 AV. I might try a unique approach to air defense and send one unit of Franks to Lashio, set on LR CAP at 100 ft. Hopefully this setting would be missed by 40k sweeps, btu catch bombers at 6k. We'll see. If the sweeps to get to it, that's about 3 x 40 Corsairs plus 2 x 30 P-38/P-47. Maybe some Spits depending on how Jocke's feeling that day.

Burma has been the recipient of numerous supply runs lately coming into Moulmein, Tavoy and Rangoon itself. This has allowedBassein to go to level 6 forts, Rangoon to level 7 forts and Pegu to finish at level 6. Moulmein is still building at 5.6+ now. Chang Mai is about 5.2+, and the bases down the coast are at around 4+.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 23, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Aitape at 96,118

Japanese Ships
SS RO-105, hits 20, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Bullard
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Selfridge
DD O'Bannon
DD Nicholas

SS RO-105 is sighted by escort
DD Selfridge fails to find sub and abandons search

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wewak at 97,119

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 8

Allied Ships
DD Bullard
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Selfridge
DD O'Bannon
DD Nicholas

SS I-172 is sighted by escort
DD Selfridge attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Manokwari at 86,108

Japanese Ships
E Kurahashi
E Kanju
E Aguni

Allied Ships
SS Tuna, hits 4

SS Tuna launches 2 torpedoes at E Kurahashi
E Aguni fails to find sub and abandons search

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 14
Wellington Ic x 15
Wellington GR.VIII x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 14
Liberator B.VI x 3
Liberator GR.III x 6
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 38
B-24J Liberator x 131
B-25C Mitchell x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (4 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 52
B-24J Liberator x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed on ground

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

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

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 71

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 25
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 46

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 40000 feet
11 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 40000 feet
14 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 40000 feet

CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
203rd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 19 on standby, 18 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 31000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 24, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Aitape at 95,117

Japanese Ships
SS RO-67, hits 11

Allied Ships
DD Young
DD Porterfield

SS RO-67 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Young
DD Young attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Army, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 9
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington GR.VIII x 12

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Army, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 10
Liberator B.VI x 10
Liberator GR.III x 15
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 22
B-24J Liberator x 66
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 108,108

Japanese Ships
xAK Takaoka Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC Ch 48
SC Ch 24
AMC Bankok Maru
xAP Hakozaki Maru
xAK Turuga Maru
xAK Taketoyo Maru
E Nuwashima
E Shirakami
E W-24

Allied Ships
SS Pogy

SS Pogy launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Takaoka Maru
Pogy diving deep ....
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]TK Seiyo Maru arrives at Nagoya
E No.22 arrives at Tokyo
[/font]

Losses:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of xAK Takaoka Maru on Mar 24, 1944 is admitted
Loss of SS RO-105 on Mar 23, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk: none.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Interestingly the Aikoku Maru is still around after starting deep in Allied territory in the South Pacific. She is currently being utilized as an escort for tankers fro the DEI to make use of her air complement. She also has a strong captain that has so far led the valuable ships through sub infested waters numerous times as TF commander.

It's starting companion was the Hokoku Maru, which was the ship I chose to follow through the campaign. It was sunk by US CVs on Dec 18, 1941! Looks like I picked the wrong ship! [:D] I might see if I an reconstruct a bit of this one's career soon out of curiosity. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:20 pm

[font="Times New Roman"]Strategic Bombing in China Allowed! [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After our previous HR negotiated to create a safe pocket in central China for the KMT Armies, which also continued our restriction on strategic coming in China, we have decide to change that rule.

Due to the arrival of the B-29 and the ability of the Allies to hit deeply into Japanese held territory it seems silly to limit this weapon from it's intended role. The Allies did hit China with some bombing raids in Japanese held areas in the war, and definitely began to strike Hong Kong.

I've also proposed taking away our limit of no night bombing under 50% moon for the B-29 and any plane with radar. This seems fair as well, since the Allies had some specialty on the British side in night bombing and even the US Navy used Black Cat groups extensively at night. I am assuming the radar would have helped them find their way around.

We have set the date for the limits on strat bombing in China to cease as of May 1. The night bombing change can take place immediately.

Here is a copy of the post from the AAR in Aug 42 spelling out the conditions for China at that time.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2953587&mpage=23�
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Diplomatic Correspondence from the Japanese High Command: Tokyo

The Imperial Japanese Government hereby proposes a ceasefire in China effective immediately. All troops within the central plain of China surrounding the four cities of Chungking, Neikiang, Chengtu and Kienko will stand down and those outside the area will begin to withdraw board it. All air raids will cease in this area. The borders of the Chinese reserve are shown on the map below. Any industry, supply or fortifications left in these areas will pass to the Chinese government to use as they please. Chinese troops outside this area must immediately stand down and retreat inside its borders. (One small Chinese unit near Sian will be attacked until destroyed). The Cinese government may also maintain its control over the city of Kashgar.

This ceasefire will be in effect indefinitely or until Chinese troops violate the treaty by passing or attempting to pass into the Japanese Protectorate of China. No air raids will be launched so long as the Chinese army stays within these borders. The current treaty concerning strategic bombing in current and former Chinese territory will remain in effect indefinitely.

Should any Allied forces or any Chinese troops in exile march to relieve the Central Reservation and come into contact with the borders of the area or move within 40 miles of any Japanese Army forces maintaining the security of this border this treaty will become null and void. Should any Chinese forces within this border attempt to move against Japanese Army security forces on the border they will be bombarded and the treaty will be voided. Should any troops attempt to march from the city of Kashgar toward any other city in the Japanese Protectorate of China the treaty will be voided.

The Japanese Army will retain heavy garrisons throughout China and especially on the borders of the reservation as a deterrent to the influence of western colonial government forces. Air reconnaisence will be allowed to fly into and over the reservation area to ensure compliance with the treaty.

The Empire of Great Japan

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:38 pm

I just found this article about American forces in China in late 44 and the Japanese offensive at that time which took B-29 bases from Kweilin to Nanning. Interesting to note that Allied air power was indeed the factor that helped stall and prevent the IJN from continuing it's advance to Chunking and Kunming.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-ChinaO/index.html

Supply was always the problem in China. In fact the deciding factor in game seems to me the decision to use gray roads in large areas of China. Without these supply movement for the advancing Japanese (or later an advancing Chinese) army would be much more difficult.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]For an immediate defense against the advancing Japanese, Wedemeyer turned to Chennault's Fourteenth Air Force and also requested the return of two American-equipped and -trained Chinese divisions from Burma and India. But, fortunately for the hastily formed and relatively unprepared ALPHA force, the Japanese had outrun their supplies by mid-December and were forced to halt their advance to the west.

Chennault's airmen now began systematically attacking Japanese supply centers and railways to prevent a buildup of supplies to support additional Japanese offensives. More and better aircraft, including the new P-51 fighter-bombers with their great range, along with an increased flow of supplies over the Hump, allowed the Fourteenth to wage a heavy and sustained bombing attack whose cumulative effect on the Japanese was serious. The 6th Area Army, most immediately affected by the air strikes, concluded that the severe shortage of fuel and the impending collapse of rail communications might soon force them to abandon south China, an estimate of which the Americans and Chinese remained ignorant.[/font]

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 9:38 am

[font="Times New Roman"]25 - 26 March 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Subs went nuts during these two turns, especially on the 26th. Our ASW got it's licks in, but this day goes to the Allies without question.

The RO-104 is DCed and goes down near N NG on the 25th.

Near Sansapoor our ASW ships took out the SS Sterlet, probably on it's maiden patrol. Sinking sounds were heard. Also in this area the Piranha nails xAk Sanko Maru with one TT. This ship might possibly make it. The sub is hit directly once with tow near misses. A few miles onward and this TF loses brand new E-9 to the Steelhead near Sorong. The KXV is also in this area, missing the mark against a tanker TF near Satawal and also earlier in the night had missed a big supply convoy with 2 TT.

In a rare incursion to the Chinese coast the Tambor, a very experienced and annoyingly effective US sub hits xAK Tyoko Maru with one TT. This ship was hauling supplies and goes under quickly. The Tambor escapes injury, lurking in the few deep hexes near Pescadores.

In the afternoon the Skate hits xAK Kaiko Maru near Jolo, and she goes down with some of the equipment of a base force moving to Tarakan.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] An interesting maneuver is occurring off the coast of N New Guinea. A group of four TFs that look like combat ships, including cruisers, are stationed just off of Aitape. They drew the Bettys from Biak out and they lost 6 planes to LR CAP. Is this just a CAP trap or a post toward a bombardment of a distant base like Biak? I've stood down all long-distance air strikes, and sent a few groups back from Biak.

Rabaul continues to be a thorn even without any aircraft and little infantry strength. He continues to have to suppress the field and every few days sends huge waves of bombers in. This is likely keeping many of these from moving forward int other areas, which I like. I still have several TT equipped rear bases I'll use for another surprise strike soon.

Thinking about B-29s I moved most shipping out of Truk and I've got the airfield protected by nearly 100 Tojos and Georges.

Two of the infantry units moved back into Merauke Banzai attacked and were wiped out. Better than just marching them across New Guinea to starve. I'm thinking it's what the IJA would have chosen as well.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Soerabaja is protected by two George groups, and I have one more at Balikpapan. It's unlikely B-29s would base in rage of these areas soon as Darwin is not big enough or safe enough yet, and Portland Roads and Port Moresby are out of range.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] The 41 units show only 65k troops. Not heavy on AFVs or guns either. Air support, base forces and HQs? Maybe just smaller ground troop units mixed in? I'm planning a bombing run to get more intel.

The consistency of focus on the troops near Lashio by the 4E barrage is making me think this is a very important mission for Jocke. I'm considering buying out the last 1/3 of the 69th division to send over here as reserve. I've got close to enough points now. This buying is setting me behind for other brigades needed in the DEI, though.

The bombing runs today were disturbed by 49 Franks on LR CAP. I didn't get to see how the 100ft setting for CAP would do against the sweeps as none arrived today. That left a bunch of Brits defenseless and over 20 Wellingtons and Liberator II were knocked down before the main strike came in. The Franks were still around for this and took out another few B-24s, and the 4-5 left through the rest of the day damaged a bunch more. Altogether a successful mission.

Interestingly the Franks showed they were flying at 9k in spite of the lower setting. Maybe they popped up to get at the incoming planes and dive down on them at 6k. Usually the 'group set' area though shows what they were on before the incoming raid is picked up. I'll play with 1-5k settings and see if they are different.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 25, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 94,116

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 17
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.79 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire VIII (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
8th FG/36th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
8th FG/80th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 38000
Raid is overhead
58th FG/311th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 3
Mitchell II x 11
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-24D Liberator x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 47
B-24J Liberator x 58
B-25C Mitchell x 29
B-25D1 Mitchell x 92
B-25G Mitchell x 9
B-25H Mitchell x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
PV-1 Ventura x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 1 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Wellington Ic x 15
Wellington GR.VIII x 15

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator B.VI x 10
Liberator GR.III x 21
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 33
B-24J Liberator x 118
B-25C Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
235 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-24J Liberator x 4
B-25G Mitchell x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wewak at 97,118

Japanese Ships
SS RO-104, hits 24, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Charrette
DD Hale
DD Franks

SS RO-104 is sighted by escort
DD Hale fails to find sub, continues to search...

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

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4636 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 143

Defending force 11644 troops, 147 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 490

Japanese adjusted assault: 1

Allied adjusted defense: 249

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 249 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1123 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 103 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
57th Infantry Regiment
70th Infantry Brigade
5th Indpt SNLF Coy

Defending units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 26, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASW attack near Sansapor at 85,106

Japanese Ships
E Aguni
E Kanju

Allied Ships
SS Sterlet, hits 13, on fire, heavy damage

SS Sterlet launches 2 torpedoes at E Aguni
Sterlet diving deep ....
E Aguni attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sansapor at 84,107

Japanese Ships
xAK Senko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Heito Maru
E No.9

Allied Ships
SS Piranha, hits 3

SS Piranha launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Senko Maru
Piranha diving deep ....
E No.9 attacking submerged sub ....
E No.9 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sorong at 83,106

Japanese Ships
E No.9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Heito Maru
xAK Senko Maru
PB Kenkon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Steelhead

SS Steelhead launches 4 torpedoes at E No.9
Steelhead diving deep ....
PB Kenkon Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kenkon Maru attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pescadores at 83,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Tyoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Zuisyo Maru
xAK Mansei Maru
PB Wa 19

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tyoko Maru
PB Wa 19 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Wa 19 is out of ASW ammo
PB Wa 19 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Wa 19 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Satawal at 107,104

Japanese Ships
E Hiyodori
SC Ch 12
TK Akebono Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXV, hits 2

SS KXV launches 4 torpedoes at E Hiyodori
KXV diving deep ....
E Hiyodori attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Timoeka , at 86,116

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 55
B-24J Liberator x 45
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-56 Thalia: 5 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
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 44
Airbase supply hits 18
Runway hits 134

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 11
B-17E Fortress x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 21
B-25D1 Mitchell x 88
B-25G Mitchell x 9
B-25H Mitchell x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 58

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Mitchell II bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 19

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Wellington Ic x 15
Wellington GR.VIII x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Wellington Ic: 7 destroyed
Wellington GR.VIII: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington GR.VIII bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 250 lb GP Bomb
11 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
78th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 2nd Army ...
Also attacking 8th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 39th/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Army ...
Also attacking 39th/A Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Army ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 11

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 11
Liberator B.VI x 10
Liberator GR.III x 10
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 31
B-24J Liberator x 108
B-25C Mitchell x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
78th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 153 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Army, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.III x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator GR.III: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Liberator GR.III bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
78th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 210 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Jolo at 74,92

Japanese Ships
xAK Kaiko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Terushima Maru
PC Sumire

Allied Ships
SS Skate

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

SS Skate launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kaiko Maru
Skate diving deep ....
PC Sumire fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3056 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Defending force 11646 troops, 148 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 486

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 485

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2667 casualties reported
Squads: 193 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 120 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (18 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
70th Infantry Brigade
57th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry (Spec) Cavalry Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: This new division and the one at Sapporo will form the backbone of defense on Hokkaido. All bases are at 5-6 forts, so by the time anything would happen here I feel secure it would be a tough nut to crack. Both Sapporo and Ominato are level 9 airbases with HQa.

I will not build the A6M5c in spite of the armor addition. I'll wait for the last A6M8 to upgrade, but hopefully the Sam wil arrive before that plane and I won't have to use it either.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]77th Division arrives at Asahikawa
MTB G-555 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
E No.14 arrives at Tokyo

Aircraft A6M5c Zero advances R&D (8/44)[/font]

Losses: I've been lucky to lose mostly 12 knot xAK lately, not more valuable fast xAK and TK. Losing the new Es hurt, but it'll happen often I'm thinking.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of SS RO-104 on Mar 25, 1944 is admitted
Loss of xAK Kaiko Maru on Mar 26, 1944 is admitted
xAK Tyoko Maru
Loss of E No.9 on Mar 26, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]SS Thresher is reported to have been sunk near Rabaul on Jan 21, 1944
SS Sea Rover is reported to have been sunk near Port Blair on Feb 14, 1944
SS Sterlet is reported to have been sunk near Sansapor on Mar 26, 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]The J1N1 is my only hope to combat the B-29 right now. I have four groups of 18 planes. I've put them into likely areas of attack now that the B-29s are arriving soon. One group is in Rangoon, another in Saigon, one in Bangkok and the last in Singapore. One more arrives soon and will go to Medan. Day fighters are being used at night in some of these bases as well, and daylight CAP is also present. This will be interesting. I don't have much hope for night fighters agains the B-29, but I have to give it my best shot. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:46 am

[font="Times New Roman"]27 - 28 March 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My first reaction to the replay of March 28, 1944; [8D][:)][&o]

My final reaction to the replay of March 28, 1944;

[8|][&:][:@]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] During the previous turn I had noticed a lot of ships hanging around Dagua. I thought something might be up or at least that these guys were hanging out a bit far from concentrated air protection. The KB was out and ready, having moved into position for a flank speed run a few days before. I only used fast CVs and with little surface protection as a bunch of DDs are tied up in refits and my main surface fleets designated for the area have been patching up in Yokohama. (Two TFs just departed there to move back into the area, but most likely too late now to make a difference in the current situation.

In the night a small MTB TF ran to Dagua and came up big with a major amphib TF in it's sights, but it failed to hit the ships as they apparently were able to outrun the MTBs? [&:] After the MTBs got within 3k yards? I guess the visibility was 2k so maybe we didn't spot them? Too bad.

I set the KB to run in to 7 hexes from Dagua at Flank. It made it into position. The only issue is that about 30-40 Allied ships are two hexes from their final position. Our first strike of Frances trying to hit the ships near the KB was annihilated by LR CAP before getting a look at what they were. When I saw the first KB strike in the morning head to Dagua and go for an Amphib TF I assumed these closer ships were DDs or small low value ships to draw attacks as a CAP trap, and that commanders chose more high value targets.

The next strike gave me the shivers as a small contingent came in and found BBs New Jersey and Iowa with several CLs and a group of DDs. It was incredibly small and poorly escorted. How can it be possible for strikes to fly 5 hexes past this pile of the second most valuable ship types in game to hit transports???[:-] The next two strikes strikes infuriated me even more. Nine Jills decided to go for LSTs 7 hexes distant as well!?! [:@] I don't have enough emoticons to express what I truly feel right now. Then 11 Judys went for more of these sinking some LSI, LCT and an SC?!? With 30-40 combat ships within 80 miles of the KB? Come on.

It continued in the same vein throughout the day.

The positive; Small strikes against the combat TFs near the KB did cripple the New Jersey with 5 TT and get a TT and a few bombs onto Iowa. They also sunk the CL Santa Fe and put a TT into CL Columbia. Damage to the massive TFs of lesser importance but still valuable transports were inconclusive, unfortunately. Only a few hit by more than one bomb and a few DDs injured.

The negative; These errant strikes against small relatively inconsequential targets left a potentially very dangerous set of surface forces within two hexes of the KB! I will set threat tolerance to 'low' and try to bug out at flank. I'll have to detach the four CAs into a SAG set to follow,( which if they get sunk in surface battles will negate most of the positives above), but protecting the CVs is of course most important. I'm sure every sub within 20 hexes will also be on the hunt, so three E TFs will run interference on the way back to Dagua and the Chitose TF wil move in parallel.

The third element of the KB, headed by the Kaga will sortie to cover in case he goes all-in and chases deep into Indian country, and it should make it to the Western tip of New Guinea shepherded by a SAG including 3 Kongo class BBs. I'll also bring in any air assets I can to provide more strikes into the area and divert all nearby subs to get in front of the retiring New Jersey if she indeed makes it through the night.

As a side note, interestingly the escort sent out with the planes going for the Amphib TFs at Dagua set itself to sweep the CAP there. I hadn't seen this before. It worked well for the strike as no Allied planes got through to the bombers in theta package.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Thankfully subs haven't yet made contact with the IJN CVs. I've got a bunch of float planes hunting and upgraded the Chitose group to Norms for longer range searching. This ship and a few DDs are out near the KB position.

The Bang was sunk in a stellar effort by E-11 near Talaud-eilanden after it failed to hit xAK Sinno Maru which is carrying troops to Manokawari.

On both days the Tambor comes up with a kill, hitting a slow CHa SC on the 27th and a 14 knot TK on the 28th, which will likely sink even though it was not loaded.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Waves f bombing again hit troops near Lashio.

I set Franks to sweep Ramree Island. Two groups came in at 31k, meeting Spits at that height, and got their a** handed to them. Not pretty. About 32 Franks lost on the day for a dozen or so P-40s and NO Spits. The last time I got even numbers. Not sure what has changed, but this wasn't good.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 27, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Talaud-eilanden at 83,97

Japanese Ships
xAK Sinno Maru
SC Ch 37
SC Ch 32
xAK Asaka Maru #3
xAK Kaimei Maru
xAK Celebes Maru
E No.11

Allied Ships
SS Bang, hits 15, heavy damage

SS Bang launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Sinno Maru
Bang diving deep ....
E No.11 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E No.11 attacking submerged sub ....
SS Bang forced to surface!
E No.11 firing on surfaced sub ....
Contact with submarine is lost

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pescadores at 83,63

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-59, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC CHa-57
PB Ichiyu Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at SC CHa-59
Tambor diving deep ....
PB Ichiyu Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 10
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 7
B-24D1 Liberator x 44
B-24J Liberator x 47
B-25C Mitchell x 22
B-25G Mitchell x 17
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 57
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 57

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
Liberator B.III x 3
Liberator B.VI x 3
Liberator GR.III x 8
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 26
B-24J Liberator x 93

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 28, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Sansapor at 84,105

Japanese Ships
E Kanju
E Aguni
E Kurahashi

Allied Ships
SS Pargo, hits 6

SS Pargo launches 2 torpedoes at E Kanju
E Aguni fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dagua at 95,119, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-544
MTB G-549
MTB G-550

Allied Ships
CL Richmond
CL St. Louis
APA Leonard Wood
APA John Penn
APA Henderson
APA President Jackson
APA President Adams
APA President Hayes
APA President Monroe
APA President Polk
APA Arthur Middleton
AKA Bellatrix
AKA Libra
AKA Fomalhaut
AKA Alcyon
AKA Thuban
AKA Virgo
AKA Almaack
AKA Aquarius
SC PC-581
SC PC-776
SC PC-781

Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 17% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 4,000 yards...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Foochow at 86,61

Japanese Ships
TK Toan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML G-213
ML G-212
ML G-209
ML G-202
ML G-201
TK Hofuku Maru
TK Shiretoko Maru
TK Tsurushima Maru
E No.5
SC Ch 20

Allied Ships
SS Tambor, hits 1

SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at TK Toan Maru
E No.5 fails to find sub, continues to search...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 95,114, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-544
MTB G-549
MTB G-550

Allied Ships
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Nicholson
DD McCalla
DD Caldwell
DD Frazier
AM Starling
AM Champion
AM Strive
AM Tumult
APA Wharton
APA Harris
APA Henry T. Allen
APA J. Franklin Bell
APA W.A. Holbrook
APA Hunter Liggett
APA American Legion
APA George F. Elliot
APA Fuller
APA William P. Biddle
APA U.S. Grant
APA Barnett
APA George Clymer
APA Sumter
APA Callaway
APA Cambria
AKA Betelgeuse
AKA Alhena
AKA Alchiba
AKA Algorab
AKA Electra
AKA Mercury
AKA Oberon
AKA Arcturus
AKA Procyon
AKA Castor

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dagua , at 95,119

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 22

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 11
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,114

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 17
P1Y1 Frances x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 9
P-38J Lightning x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 11 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 9 destroyed Yeeouch! Thi strike was not designed to hit, but I had hoped it would at least get to target at 1k. It was set here to wear down the CAP.

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,114

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 16
B6N1 Jill x 18
B6N2 Jill x 30
D4Y3 Judy x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 9
P-38J Lightning x 5
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 7 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 4 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 4 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 4 destroyed, 10 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 3 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB New Jersey, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Chauncey
DD Franks
BB Iowa, Bomb hits 1
DD Waller
DD Cotten
CL Columbia, Torpedo hits 1
CL Santa Fe
DD Hale

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
17 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 98,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LCT-142, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-144
LCI-62, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hansa Bay at 98,120

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y3 Judy x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
LCI-22, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-322, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-323
LCT-328, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC-707, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 41

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 7
P-38J Lightning x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 20 destroyed Yuck.

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 7
B-17E Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 4
B-24D1 Liberator x 31
B-24J Liberator x 36
B-25C Mitchell x 20
B-25G Mitchell x 14
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 15

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dagua at 95,119

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 32
A6M5b Zero x 31
A6M5c Zero x 48
B6N2 Jill x 14
D4Y3 Judy x 70

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 11
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 19
F6F-3 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 7 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 2 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed, 31 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Richmond, Bomb hits 1
DD Nicholas
DD William Porter
DD Cony
APA Arthur Middleton, Bomb hits 1, on fire
APA Leonard Wood, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Selfridge
DD Jenkins
DD Healy
DD Bache, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Aquarius, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AKA Virgo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Porterfield
DD Charles Ausburne, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Conway
CL St. Louis
DD O'Bannon

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
11 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x A6M5b Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
15 x A6M5c Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
8 x A6M5c Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
11 x A6M5c Zero sweeping at 10000 feet
6 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
13 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 5000 feet
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AKA Virgo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 97,118

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 7
B6N2 Jill x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 6 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Talbot
LST-471
LST-470
LST-468, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hollandia at 95,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 16
B6N1 Jill x 11
B6N2 Jill x 14
D4Y3 Judy x 33

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-38J Lightning x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 9 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 6 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 5 destroyed by flak
D4Y3 Judy: 12 damaged
D4Y3 Judy: 5 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB New Jersey, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Santa Fe, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Charrette
BB Iowa, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
DD Hale
DD Cotten

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 24
P-40K Warhawk x 39
P-40N5 Warhawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 49

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 21
P-40K Warhawk x 27
P-40N5 Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]MGB G-228 arrives at Sapporo
E No.24 arrives at Tokyo
LST T-112 arrives at Maizuru[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of SC CHa-59 on Mar 27, 1944 is admitted
SS Snook is reported to have been sunk near Deboyne Islands on Dec 15, 1943[/font]

Ships Sunk: Not much to show for the kinds of strikes we could have put together if we had actually been going after the most valuable and dangerous ships with all of the planes available.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of SS Cachalot incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
CL Santa Fe is reported to have been sunk near Hollandia on Mar 28, 1944
SC-707 is reported to have been sunk near Hansa Bay on Mar 28, 1944
LST-468 is reported to have been sunk near Wewak on Mar 28, 1944
LCI-22 is reported to have been sunk near Hansa Bay on Mar 28, 1944
LCI-62 is reported to have been sunk near Hansa Bay on Mar 28, 1944
LCT-142 is reported to have been sunk near Hansa Bay on Mar 28, 1944
LCT-322 is reported to have been sunk near Hansa Bay on Mar 28, 1944
LCT-328 is reported to have been sunk near Hansa Bay on Mar 28, 1944
Previous report of sinking of SS O23 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the situation. Am I about to face another Allied SAG v CV action? My heart is not ready for this! [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:53 am

I finished the turn file and wrote a brief note about my frustration with strike choices during the turn. He wrote back saying he understood, and wondered if maybe the DL of the other TFs was higher.

It seems to me the DL couldn't have been higher in other areas if 4 separate TFs are shown in the hex close to the KB, and since all strike planes were set to 10% search in addition to the float planes from the CAs and the Chitose nearby.

Doesn't the ship type govern strike choices at the highest level? If those were CVs two hexes away all strikes would have gone for them, or at least I would hope so.

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:53 pm

[font="Times New Roman"]29 March 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Ikoma comes up in the sights of the Scorpion on its way back to Babeldaob. No hits from a spread of four TT. This is one of about 15 subs in the area now. The KB made it back to Babeldaob where I'll have to send a day refueling and replenishing.

The I-181 was lost trying to get in the way of any damaged BB(s) heading home.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] Jocke took advantage of the retreat of the KB after it's dash to try a bold move to Sarmi. It was a success for the Allies, landing two infantry divisions which will take the base whenever they want it, but only just barely. The third section of the KB came within 9 hexes of the base! It couldn't get all of the way with the slower CVs, so we missed a good chance to hit these ships. Still the troops would have landed regardless. Even had the other sections of the KB braved the surface strength of the US Navy, the troops would have landed.

So now all major bases on N NG are cut off completely. So much for making a strong redoubt he'd have to assail slowly. I'm learning about the speed of Allied ops at this stage, and now I realize rear bases are perhaps more important than frontline ones. Hopefully I'm getting this now with enough time to put it into practice elsewhere. I shouldn't feel too terrible about this as I did guess right in terms of timing, and significant assets were lost by the Allies. Regardless of if the New Jersey goes down, it is likely out for a long time. Even the one TT hit on the Iowa will need to be patched up, and at least one CL went down.

Tomorrow things might still be interesting. I've decided to try for the assault ships in case they don't finish the unload at night. There are a lot of subs out here, but at least as many ASW ships cruising around as well. The third KB section will move forward into range of Sarmi and a bit down the New Guinea coastline. Then it'll be time to lick wounds and get ready for the next round.

The KB lost only 24 pilots in the previous day's battles, and about 40+ planes. Those I can easily replace.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] More ships landing stuff at Chirikof.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Nothing moving over here, which is good since everything is out of position to stop an advance now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Looks like the new troops near Prome are support and AA with some infantry mixed in. More bombings of troops near Lashio, and that's all the news.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March29, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Babeldaob at 94,104

Japanese Ships
CV Ikoma
DD Niizuki
DD Fuyuzuki
DD Shimozuki

Allied Ships
SS Scorpion

SS Scorpion launches 4 torpedoes at CV Ikoma
Scorpion diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Sarmi (91,114)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Caldwell
APA Cambria
DD Frazier

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

CL Honolulu firing at 14th Naval Guard Unit
CL Helena firing at 14th Naval Guard Unit
DD Caldwell firing at 14th Naval Guard Unit
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 Sarmi (91,114)

TF 312 troops unloading over beach at Sarmi, 91,114

Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (0 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 44 lost from landing craft during unload of 40th Infantry Div /4
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad 44 lost in surf during unload of 93rd Infantry Div /8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Sarmi (91,114)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Frazier
DD Caldwell
DD McCalla
APA Cambria

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

CL Helena firing at 14th Naval Guard Unit
DD Frazier firing at 10th JAAF Base Force
DD Caldwell firing at 10th JAAF Base Force
DD McCalla firing at 14th Naval Guard Unit
DD McCalla fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y1 Frances x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 8
P-38H Lightning x 54
P-38J Lightning x 30
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sarmi at 91,114

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N1 Jill x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 8
P-38H Lightning x 52
P-38J Lightning x 30
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F4U-1A Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 11 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 97,118

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 9 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 7 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Sims
CA Baltimore
BB Alabama
BB Massachusetts
DD Gillespie
DD Monssen, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Buchanan

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-43-IIIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment, at 54,50 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 75

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th/A Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
Liberator B.III x 3
Liberator B.VI x 10
Liberator GR.III x 5
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 22
B-24J Liberator x 90

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Manus at 99,119

Japanese Ships
SS I-181, hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD LaVallette
CL Montpelier
CL Cleveland
DD Reid
DD Frankford, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Thatcher

SS I-181 launches 6 torpedoes at DD LaVallette
I-181 diving deep ....
DD Reid fails to find sub and abandons search

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

Ground combat at Sarmi (91,114)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1468 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 21213 troops, 439 guns, 493 vehicles, Assault Value = 761

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

Assaulting units:
14th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Field AF Construction Battalion
10th JAAF Base Force

Defending units:
93rd Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Yokosuka 6th SNLF arrives at Tokyo[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of SS I-181 on Mar 29, 1944 is admitted
Loss of MGB G-221 on Mar 29, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk: none.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]In this game maybe this picture will be impossible, even if the New Jersey survives. Getting back to the West Coast might be tricky after 5 TT hits, even if she makes out of the danger zone. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

obvert · Post by **obvert** » Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:55 am

[font="Times New Roman"]30 - 31 March 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Allied forces CAPTURE Sarmi !!!
Allied forces CAPTURE Exmouth !!!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Dragonet takes one hit from E Kuji near Peleliu.

Our subs are converging around the area between Umboi Island and Hansa Bay, hunting for injured battlewagons. No sign of them yet, although air search reports BBs in TFs near here. I really want to finish off the NJ to at least give some tactical consolation of rth strategic defeat we've suffered after the Allied leapfrog to Western NG.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S/SW PAC:[/font] A good 6 MTB TF with an aggressive commander couldn't somehow track down a massive Allied convoy that was moving at least 20 knots slower than itself. The Allies detected with radar, but surely this large of a force would be seen. A bit disappointed by this, and the rest of the day after this.

The third KB element got into range, just barely, after the Allied force retreated right past our MTBs. A bunch of Jills were annihilated going for the retreating ships.

The 4Es came to Sarmi and I was ready for them, I thought. A group of Tojos and a group of Jacks were on LR CAP at 6 hexes, and although the combat report states 1 minute for all planes to reach target, none engaged. The raid was apparently 23 minutes from target when detected. Another missed opportunity to hit 4Es without sweeps or escorts wasted, and I don't know why.

Jocke begins to take out rear bases, with paras landing and taking Fergussen Island.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]NORTH PACIFIC: [/font] Still no movement, which surprises me. If he doesn't go during this spring - summer season, it'll be hard to get to the end of the Aleutians before winter comes again, let alone threaten the Kuriles.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]S DEI: [/font] Exmouth base was taken back by the Aussies at last. This strategic base will be a thorn in our side soon, I'm sure. All quiet elsewhere. I will be returning the KB to it's hidden post and hedging toward the Java-Sumatra area now that Exmouth has fallen. I haven;t seen Allied CVs in a while, and if they're not helping with the New Guinea movements, my feeling is that they're aiming to somewhere in the DEI or to the Andamans. I'll begin getting LBA sorted and into the area and making sure the KB is within a day or two at all times.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Still milk runs to hit troop smear Lashio and not much else. My bombing of his troops near Prome was intercepted by P-47s (flying at 35k, which dived remarkably quickly to hit our Oscars and Helens. Few pilots lost here, but of course airframes to replace again. Pools are too low on everything but N1K1 right now.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 30, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 92,114, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-544
MTB G-545
MTB G-548
MTB G-549
MTB G-550
MTB G-551

Allied Ships
CL Helena
CL Honolulu
DD Nicholson
DD McCalla
DD Caldwell
DD Frazier
AM Starling
AM Champion
AM Strive
AM Tumult
APA Wharton
APA Harris
APA Henry T. Allen
APA J. Franklin Bell
APA W.A. Holbrook
APA Hunter Liggett
APA American Legion
APA George F. Elliot
APA Fuller
APA William P. Biddle
APA U.S. Grant
APA Barnett
APA George Clymer
APA Sumter
APA Callaway
APA Cambria
AKA Betelgeuse
AKA Alhena
AKA Alchiba
AKA Algorab
AKA Electra
AKA Mercury
AKA Oberon
AKA Arcturus
AKA Procyon
AKA Castor

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 39% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 10,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Allied Amphibious TF evades combat

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Peleliu at 89,101

Japanese Ships
E Kiji

Allied Ships
SS Dragonet, hits 1

SS Dragonet is sighted by escort
Dragonet diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment, at 54,50 , near Prome

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 45
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 75

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
49th FG/7th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 35000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 10th JAAF Base Force, at 91,114 (Sarmi)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 79
B-24J Liberator x 104
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 21

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

CAP engaged:
S-316 Hikotai with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
203rd Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Ind.Mixed Regiment, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
Liberator B.III x 10
Liberator B.VI x 7
Liberator GR.III x 11
B-17F Fortress x 7
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 25
B-24J Liberator x 89

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
194 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wewak at 97,118

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 111 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 60
B6N1 Jill x 12
B6N2 Jill x 29

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 18
P-38H Lightning x 104
P-38J Lightning x 36
F4U-1 Corsair x 26
F4U-1A Corsair x 27
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 15 destroyed
B6N1 Jill: 7 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

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

Ground combat at Sarmi (91,114)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21305 troops, 439 guns, 493 vehicles, Assault Value = 771

Defending force 3688 troops, 24 guns, 96 vehicles, Assault Value = 68

Allied adjusted assault: 385

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Sarmi !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1580 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 86 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 81 (81 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

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

Assaulting units:
93rd Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division

Defending units:
14th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Field AF Construction Battalion
10th JAAF Base Force

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

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11107 troops, 102 guns, 253 vehicles, Assault Value = 442

Defending force 1418 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Allied adjusted assault: 211

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 30 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied forces CAPTURE Exmouth !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
552 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (10 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
5th Australian Division

Defending units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 31, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Wewak at 97,119

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 5, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Cotten

SS I-174 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Cotten
I-174 diving deep ....
DD Cotten attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd RTA Division, at 60,47 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 7
Liberator B.III x 6
Liberator B.VI x 6
Liberator GR.III x 10
B-17F Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
B-24J Liberator x 60

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator B.VI: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Liberator II bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Fergusson Island (102,132)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 206 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Defending force 143 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 5

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Fergusson Island !!!

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

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

Assaulting units:
1st Fiji Commando Battalion

Defending units:
2nd JNAF AF Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: A bunch more new air groups arrive for April 1. As usual most will go to training new pilots before becoming active combat groups. Many groups, including several Nettie groups, enlarged from 27 to 36 planes. A lot of moving things around. It would be great if there was a prior indication this stuff was going to happen. It really would be best to prepare pools for things like this!

[font="Trebuchet MS"]E No.16 arrives at Tokyo
20th Fld AA Machinecannon Company arrives at Tokyo
121 Ku T-1 Det arrives at Chiba
1081 Ku U-1 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
1081 Ku U-2 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
K-256 Hikotai arrives at Chiba
S-311 Hikotai arrives at Kendari
S-902 Hikotai arrives at Kendari
Sasebo Ku S-1 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
Sasebo Ku S-2 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
Sasebo Ku T-2 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
Sasebo Ku T-4 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
Komatsushima Ku T-1 arrives at Takamatsu
APD T-2 arrives at Kobe

Aircraft Ki-102a Randy advances R&D (9/44)
Aircraft Ki-43-IV Oscar advances R&D (3/45)[/font]

Losses:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of MTB G-543 on Mar 31, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of SS S-35 incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
Previous report of sinking of SS Trident incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the scene in S/SW Pac now. The ships all around the area of Wewak to Hansa Bay must include the New Jersey and maybe Iowa. Subs are moving in. If NJ is as bad as she looked even making the ship go to speed to evade TT attacks could help her under I would think. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase

RE: Wild Sheep Chase