PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[AmiralLaurent]

I will launch a deliberate attack first. It it fails (ie achieve 0 to 1), a shock attack will fail too. It the deliberate attack succeeds at 1 to 1 or more, do a shock attack the next day, there is no way your opponent may react before this.

Also don't know from where these Corsairs come from but your BB will be better used to blast them on the ground rather than pounding troops. Of course if their main base is Gasmata it will be difficult.

[PzB74]

Think we are in agreement Laurent!
I can't reach his 'Corsair bases' at Gasmata, Green and Buin islands without putting my ships
at risk. Also very difficult to destroy these planes as they're mostly on escort missions.

Must say that today was a very good day!

1. Surface battles at Lae and Dobadura bagged several transports + a destroyer and msw
2. Para drop over Samo was a great success. The base was captured with a 2-1 odds and 2000 enemy prisoners taken
3. A Naval Guard unit was successfully landed on the path between Kavieng and Samo leaving the Allied 'prisoners' at Kavieng completely isolated
4. The deliberate attack against Kavieng achieved a 2-1 odds: not enough to force the enemy to surrender but we're on the right path
5. An enemy para attack against Majuro was repulsed

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/28/43

Surface Combat

The surface attacks were successful! [8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Salamaua at 54,88

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CL Yura, Shell hits 1
DD Shimakaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kiji

Allied Ships
AK Eldorado, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Santa Anna, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Salamaua at 54,88

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
DD Shimakaze
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kiji

Allied Ships
DD Gridley, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Bittern
MSW Guysborough, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 54,87

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Susuzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Niizuki

Allied Ships
AK Coloradan, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Lancaster, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AK Mormaclark, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
AK Island Mail
AK Santa Monica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Kavieng, at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CL Noshiro
CA Chokai
CA Maya
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Nagato
BB Haruna

Allied ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

I was impressed over my Oscars at Kavieng today! They held their own and shot down another
Corsair!! Most of these guys are green with a core of expert pilots.

Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
Beaufort V-IX x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Taiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 22

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 31

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 17

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-38G Lightning x 8
P-47C Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/C Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 20
B-24D Liberator x 29

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-24D Liberator x 13

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
P-38G Lightning x 3
B-25J Mitchell x 35

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 27
B-17E Fortress x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/C Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 26

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
Avenger I x 10
P-38G Lightning x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Hikosan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 59,85 - this attack was against my fast transport group!

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 23
Avenger I x 5
P-38G Lightning x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CL Agano

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Avenger I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Avenger I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 10
Avenger I x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3

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

Japanese Ships
AK Tsuruha Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Green Island at 63,89

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Josiah Royce
AK Lydia M. Child, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58886 troops, 571 guns, 10 vehicles

Defending force 21616 troops, 135 guns, 133 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 [:)] Impressive..all this despite numerous air attacks!

Japanese ground losses:
1281 casualties reported - ouch...
Guns lost 35
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Samo

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3083 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2120 troops, 0 guns, 10 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) - ahh..perfect [:D]

Japanese forces CAPTURE Samo base !!!

Allied ground losses: - 2 SeaBee units and parts of an in division goes into the bag!
1990 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Majuro - looky here! US paras at Majuro. Heavily repulsed!
Recon in force?

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 907 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6310 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assaulting Kavieng

I thought long and hard about whether I should order a shock attack and decided against it. The Allied situation will not improve
and our troops suffered casualties and disruption. We will rest, bring in more supplies and another division! Then we will wipe out
another Marine Division [:D]

[Honda]

We're almost there...[;)]

[PzB74]

Massive air strikes today and more landings at Majuro today.
Just another two days and we can put another division ashore at Kavieng. Will
mount from Emirau this time under a very heavy CAP!

Need a good and rainy day and a little respite from the aerial terror before I can
launch another ground attack!

There are now 21 carriers with 933 ac aboard in Truk..if I only had something to use
them on. If I get involved with 30 Corsairs we'll loose 150 trained pilots [8|]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/29/43

One of my destroyers hit one of the hated aerial mines at Emirau! Grrr...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 28 encounters mine field at Emirau Island (60,84)

Japanese Ships
DD Natsugumo
DD Naganami
DD Hatsushima, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

Andy follows up his para attack at Majuro with a barge invasion!
Good thing I didn't order a counterattack.

Coastal Guns at Majuro, 83,83, firing at TF 1029
TF 1029 troops unloading over beach at Majuro, 83,83

40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LCI LCI-400, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS Perry, Shell hits 1
LCI LCI-336
LST LST-456
LST LST-454
PT PT-42
LST LST-448, Shell hits 1, on fire
APD Herbert
DE Griswold, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
799 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Majuro and Kavieng - Majuro and Kavieng - and Kavieng [8|]
13 attacks against Kavieng alone. He's got more bombers in the air here than in Europe!
How the he11 can he supply them all? Lowering supply levels in this game would be a good
way to slow down both the Japs and Allies.

Day Air attack on Majuro , at 83,83

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
P-40N Warhawk x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Majuro , at 83,83

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 2
PB4Y Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AK Tsuruha Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 9
B-24D Liberator x 25

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Tsuruha Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 34

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Tsuruha Maru, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another courageous attack by the Sallys...

Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 18
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-47C Thunderbolt x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 39

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 16
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
A-20G Havoc x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 20
B-17E Fortress x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 30
B-24D Liberator x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 29
P-40N Warhawk x 9
P-38G Lightning x 12
P-47C Thunderbolt x 13
B-25J Mitchell x 48
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 12
B-24D Liberator x 20

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/C Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 35
P-38G Lightning x 29
B-25J Mitchell x 27
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/C Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 22

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Biggest problem at Majuro...no supply!

Ground combat at Majuro

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2543 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 7006 troops, 82 guns, 0 vehicles
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5282 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5935 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

I hope we'll be there soon Honda [8D]

Preparations are proceeding well and I hope to exterminate the Allied bridgehead within
a week or so. Supplies up to 8000 after the large Tokyo Express dropped of its load. Again
the PT boats arrived too late.

Several task forces of destroyers and cruisers have arrived at Truk - most of the Combined Fleet
can be found here now. Sending out several ASW groups, several subs have been spotted in the area.

Some 300 trained Zekes, Tojos and Tonys and some 100 Bettys are being moved from China/Philippines
towards Truk.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

I tried to hunt down the Muskallunge but didn't quite succeed....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,57

Japanese Ships
PG Seisho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Shinko Maru #5
PG Magan Maru
PG Edo Maru
MSW Wa 19
MSW Wa 9
MSW Wa 5

Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,57

Japanese Ships
AK Nagara Maru, Shell hits 6 - out of torps?

Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge, hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,81

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi
DD Natsushio
DD Wakazuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Akizuki
BB Kirishima

Allied Ships
SS Harder
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1089 encounters mine field at Admiralty Islands (58,84) - sorry Andy! All ships left yesterday...only mines for dinner today [;)]

Allied Ships
PT PT-242, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-175, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

'Only' 10 attacks against Kavieng today...several small raids too. Perhaps Andy is finally running low on supplies?
Feels like a 'Lets attack the enemy until he runs out of ammo and kill him' kinda mission [:'(]

Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 9
B-24D Liberator x 29

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2082, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 30

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AG AG-2082, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 27
B-17E Fortress x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 27
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 44
P-38G Lightning x 39
B-25J Mitchell x 64
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
A-20G Havoc x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-38G Lightning x 18
P-47C Thunderbolt x 14
B-25J Mitchell x 30
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/C Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

As expected Majuro fell easily as soon as Andy brought some big guns in!

Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5265 troops, 64 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5591 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Majuro base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Another tactical success! The 18th division and parts of the 5th Kure SNLF and the 16th division
are currently unloading at Kavieng. Several ships were hit by enemy search planes but casualties were light.

Assault strength has increased to 1300 - and still plenty of troops left in the ships. Another couple of days
and we're ready to start exterminating the Allied beach head.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/43

Surface Combat

Another destroyer screen goes in...and punish the pesky PT boats [&o]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 1
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Shiranuhi, Shell hits 1
DD Hatsuharu, Shell hits 1
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 1
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 4
DD Amagiri
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
PT PT-111
PT PT-112
PT PT-114
PT PT-219, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-222, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
PT PT-239, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-243
PT PT-297
PT PT-299
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu
DD Akigumo
DD Onami
DD Fujinami
DD Shiranuhi
DD Hatsuharu
DD Ayanami
DD Sagiri
DD Amagiri
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
PT PT-111
PT PT-112, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
PT PT-114, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
PT PT-243
PT PT-297
PT PT-299, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

The Muskallunge continues her destructive mission...my asw group that was supposed
to hit it is nowhere to see!

Sub attack at 52,57

Japanese Ships
AK Nagara Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Rabaul is receiving lots of attention...not sure why [&:]

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
P-38G Lightning x 16
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 5
Port supply hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 43

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Port hits 5
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here comes todays surprise attack! Wanted to disrupt Andys key base with regards
to Kavieng. So the poor Oscars went out again to screen the Sallys! It worked - 18 enemy
ac destroyed on the ground.

Day Air attack on Gasmata , at 59,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 43
Ki-46-III Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14
P-38G Lightning x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 15 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-47C Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
C-47 Dakota: 4 destroyed
Avenger I: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then Andy strikes against the Admirality Islands...the base which hours before launched
the strike against Gasmata!

Day Air attack on Admiralty Islands , at 58,84

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
A-20G Havoc x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Admiralty Islands , at 58,84

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 15
F-5A Lightning x 2
B-17E Fortress x 48
B-24D Liberator x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd/A Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
Beaufort V-IX x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 47
B-17E Fortress x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 21
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 43
P-38G Lightning x 35
B-25J Mitchell x 46
PB4Y Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th Division, at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
P-40N Warhawk x 17
P-38G Lightning x 13
B-25J Mitchell x 19
PB4Y Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My small surface group at Kavieng gets all the attention and the troop transports
are left alone...

Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
SBD Dauntless x 10
Avenger I x 10
P-38G Lightning x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Oi Maru, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Chitose Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

There are already 3 SeaBee and a base force unit at Majuro!

Ground combat at Majuro

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4870 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4949 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rob Brennan UK]

Regarding the ariel mining. Seems like a massive exploit if used against bases with fighters. Could you both maybe come to some agreement over this as it seems massively gamey. even more than sending in PT's with paddles.[:D]

Speaking of which is he starting to run low on PT boats too. you seem to kill them in huge quantaties !

Good luck at Gasmata ! .. loks like a very good choice for a counterattack .. hehe another dead Marine will severely hurt future attacks. also 2 seebees must help a lot too .

Hats off to you [8D]

[PzB74]

The problem is that bases are closed and then reopened at a regular basis. Think we now are in agreement about this!
PT boats is a much bigger problem really! They're re-spawning like barges and each time I chop of a head two new ones pop out [:(]
They're a true wonder weapon indeed.

I'm afraid I will have to reduce the Allied troops at Kavieng piece by piece. While a base can be captured and the defenders forced to
surrender with a 2-1 odds it's an entirely different thing to force an invader into submission. Well, if I can destroy the units as offensive
weapons I will have achived something.

Ok September 1943 here we come...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/01/43

There must be a dozen subs between Truk and Kavieng now. Better bring out my asw groups!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,81

Japanese Ships
PC Sado
PC Oki
PC Kunashiri
APD APD-46
APD APD-39
DD Hakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Harder
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,57

Japanese Ships
AK Nagara Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Muskallunge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,81

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
PC Iki
DD Wakatake
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
SS Runner
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,81

Japanese Ships
PC Sado
PC Oki
PC Kunashiri
APD APD-46
APD APD-39
DD Hakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Harder
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,81

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
PC Iki
DD Wakatake
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
SS Runner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Today I committed a part of my newly trained air reserve over Kavieng to blunt Andy's
hammer and defend my troops and transports. It wasn't nice but in the end some 80 Allied and 140
Jap ac were destroyed today.

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88 - again Rabaul is targetted by large number of enemy bombers!

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kavieng , at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 42
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 4 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Emirau Island , at 60,84

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 30
B-24D Liberator x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st AA Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
P-39D Airacobra x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 17

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Base Force, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 87
P-40N Warhawk x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 43
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 37

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Mk 21: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
103 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/A Division, at 61,86 - this attack was turned away...

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 42
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 20
B-17E Fortress x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86 - enter the F4U....

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 42
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
Kittyhawk III x 2
P-40N Warhawk x 18
P-38G Lightning x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 22
PB4Y Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 9 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 8 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
10 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/B Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 24
B-17E Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 7 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th/C Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 37
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15
Kittyhawk III x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 36
P-38G Lightning x 27
B-25J Mitchell x 31
PB4Y Liberator x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 17 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 11 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 3 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
15 x B-25J Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
35 x P-40N Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
4 x PB4Y Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 25
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
Avenger I x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-47C Thunderbolt x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Kuroshio Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Avenger I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 19

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
SBD Dauntless x 19
Avenger I x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 3
P-47C Thunderbolt x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 23 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 4 damaged
Avenger I: 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hayate
DD Nenohi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
Avenger I x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-38G Lightning x 13
P-47C Thunderbolt x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
Avenger I: 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tachikaze, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/02/43

Surface Combat

The PT boats doesn't find anything at Maloelap but mines...

TF 1013 encounters mine field at Maloelap (82,81)

Allied Ships
PT PT-29, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I ordered the fast transport group to turn around and bombard Kavieng. I've attached two
seaplane tenders to keep the subs at bay.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho
CS Nisshin
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Natsushio
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
PT PT-168
PT PT-169
PT PT-170
PT PT-173
PT PT-241
PT PT-374
PT PT-375
PT PT-376
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho
CS Nisshin
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Natsushio
DD Arashi

Allied Ships - a single apd [&:]
APD Crosby, Shell hits 33, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CS Mizuho
CS Nisshin
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Takao
CA Ashigara
DD Akizuki, Shell hits 2
DD Teruzuki, Shell hits 3
DD Wakazuki
DD Natsushio
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
PT PT-168, Shell hits 44, and is sunk
PT PT-169, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
PT PT-170, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
PT PT-173
PT PT-241
PT PT-374
PT PT-375, Shell hits 1
PT PT-376, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More barges arrived in the afternoon...

Day Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese Ships
AG AG-104
AG AG-5051
AG AG-5052
AG AG-2063

Allied Ships
PT PT-357
PT PT-358
PT PT-359
PT PT-360
PT PT-361
PT PT-372
PT PT-373
PT PT-377
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Naval bombardment of Kavieng, at 61,86

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Takao
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

Sub attack at 61,82

Japanese Ships
MSW Ranzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
MSW Kaiyo Maru #3
MSW Tomozono Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Thresher
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 15
A-20G Havoc x 16
B-25J Mitchell x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 9 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88 - the Oscars turned 13 B-24s away! Not bad

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Emirau Island , at 60,84 - another expensive raid

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 27
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 17
B-24D Liberator x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost all of todays attacks goes in against Rabaul!

Day Air attack on 41st AA Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9
P-38G Lightning x 12
P-47C Thunderbolt x 26
B-25J Mitchell x 30

Allied aircraft losses
P-47C Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st AA Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 5
B-24D Liberator x 67

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 41st AA Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 72
B-25J Mitchell x 36
B-17E Fortress x 42
B-24D Liberator x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
167 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Coastal Gun Regiment, at 61,88

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
Avenger I x 7
P-38G Lightning x 9

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

Japanese Ships
AP Kuroshio Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kavieng at 61,86

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
SBD Dauntless x 8
Avenger I x 3
P-38G Lightning x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kyuma Maru, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Even with the 18th division in place and 4-1 odds the enemy inflicts heavy casualties.
I assume this was caused by enemy fortifications. We will attack/bombard every second
day from now on.

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83586 troops, 821 guns, 8 vehicles

Defending force 21704 troops, 130 guns, 136 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
2495 casualties reported
Guns lost 73
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

A quiet turn... Most of my fleet is in port and Kavieng got 15k supplies. Enough to
continue operations for another few days.

The next week will show how feasible it is to destroy the enemy troops at Kavieng.
Results have not been encouraging but I guess it's always hard going to begin with.
Finishing of a bridge head without air superiority never succeeded during WWII .

We do have naval superiority but unfortunately battleship guns only seem to affect engineers.
The Germans in Normandy found them extremely effective as far as I can remember!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/03/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

Several asw attacks but only a minor hit... Ordered 100 crack Bettys on 100%
asw missions 5 hexes out of Truk today. Perhaps this will chase the sharks away?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 62,80

Japanese Ships
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Kaiyo Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Narwhal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,82

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
PC Iki
DD Wakatake
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze
DD Yakaze

Allied Ships
SS Haddo, hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 61,82

Japanese Ships
PC Oki
PC Sado
PC Kunashiri
APD APD-46
APD APD-39
DD Hakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Thresher
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Night attacks with night fighters/bombers alone shows how efficient these missions
historically were...

Night Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 12

Allied aircraft losses
P-70A Havoc: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-70A Havoc bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Will Andy move on to Wotje? An atoll with 9 forts and 12k troops including a
crack army regiment.

Day Air attack on Wotje , at 82,79

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81 - or will he go for Maloelap?

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 3 damaged

Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 19th/A Division, at 82,81

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
PBY Catalina x 1
P-40N Warhawk x 33
A-20G Havoc x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 29

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 8 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
138 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

A few of my units didn't receive the 'all bombard' order and attacked...
A consolidated attack tomorrow.

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58409 troops, 541 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 21449 troops, 119 guns, 125 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
601 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------

September 1943 Intel screen

[Alikchi2]

ORIGINAL: PzB
We do have naval superiority but unfortunately battleship guns only seem to affect engineers.
The Germans in Normandy found them extremely effective as far as I can remember!

I'm sure you already know this - but the more aircraft you have reconning a base, the more effective a bombardment is [:)]

I've seen some truly scary bombardments occur when you have two or three squadrons reconning a base at once.

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: PzB


A few of my units didn't receive the 'all bombard' order and attacked...
A consolidated attack tomorrow.

If you achieve 0 to 1 odds all units will switch to automatically "defend"

If you achieve 1 to 1 odds or better, your units will stay on "deliberate/shock attack"

So your units stayed at "deliberate attack"

Then you set one of your units to "bombardment attack" and chose "set all to bombard"

Some of the units (armor units, eng. regiments, base forces) dont have any infantry guns and cant do bombardment attacks. If previously set to deliberate attack, they wont change to "Defense" if you ordered other unit "bombardment attack" and then "set all to bombard".
They will stay on deliberate attack.

So proper procedure, if you wish to change to bombardment attack and prevent base forces, eng. regiments and armors from deliberate attack, is:
1. "Defense All"
2. "Set all to bombard"

Yep, it is user friendly [;)]

[pauk]

hmm...his bombing of Rabaul makes me wonder if amphibious invasion on Kaveing is only a trick?

Can Andy invade Rabaul?

just a thought...

[PzB74]

I find it a bit difficult to recon my own bases Alikchi! The Dinah unit that is ordered to do so doesn't always fly...and we do have
very accurate info about the enemy after fighting them for a couple of weeks [;)]

That sounds like a plausible explanation Kkoovvo (where did you pick up that name!?-) Stand down all units - THEN order all to bombard <G>
Thanx! [:)]

The thought has crossed my mind Pauk but I've not seen any concentrations of enemy ships in the area.
If he wish to blunt his remaining divisions by landing them at gunpoint in Rabaul he's welcome [:D]

There are not a lot of troops at Rabaul, but with 9 forts, a coastal defense unit + an engineer AND tank regiment it will
take a lot of effort to take it. Actually I hope he does invade, cause the alternative is to bypass... While this will deny Rabaul to him I would
prefer to wear down his offensive capabilities. The Marianas is my main defensive perimeter and the more time I can buy the better armed it will be.

Great comments guys!

[kkoovvoo]

ORIGINAL: pauk

hmm...his bombing of Rabaul makes me wonder if amphibious invasion on Kaveing is only a trick?

Can Andy invade Rabaul?

just a thought...

I wouldnt be surprised if he will try to evacuate his troops - or can (and want) he bring another 60.000-80.000 men to capture such minor base?

If I were him I would leave that ugly place ASAP. It doesnt fit into Allied bypass strategy.

[Honda]

Maybe you should try to just keep the pressure on his beachhead. You aren't getting anywhere with deliberates so maybe you should bombard instead for a few days. Combine it with naval bombardment when ever you can. Then try to put in two days of air strikes (yes, I know they hurt) which might up the disruption a bit. Just don't attack with your ground troops more then once a week. Keep'em healthy and well supplied and keep him from serious resupplying efforts. In 1-3 weeks you should see some results.
I advocate agressive patience

[PzB74]

My laptop suffered a serious hard disk attack today...no sure whether I can get it back
up and running again.

I can run WitP on my old P3 laptop but this will be a painful procedure.
Going to buy a new desktop pretty soon - updates may be infrequent until then.

[PzB74]

Here is the latest combat report - a spectacular one as well [8D]

Seems like you were right Pauk! Andy decided to invade Rabaul instead of reinforcing Kavieng....
A large force of landing ships escorted by a light cruiser, destroyers, PT boats, sub chasers and minesweepers
entered Rabaul and took a he11uva beeting [:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/04/43

Invasion

I counted some 9 msw's sunk as well as dozens of smaller crafts like LCTs, LST, PT boats and sub chasers.
Several destroyers are heavily damaged and the light cruiser Nashville hit 4 mines and is heavily damaged.

The 5th NZ Bde, 47th SeaBees and parts of the 1st USMC /B div went ashore but almost 4000 casualties
were reported! [&o] [8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1058 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1058 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88

824 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships

MSW Cowra, Shell hits 56, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bowen, Shell hits 67, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Caraquet, Shell hits 26, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ipswitch, Shell hits 77, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wasaga, Shell hits 53, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 36, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wollongong, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Goulburn, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Skylark, Shell hits 60, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hamilton, Shell hits 30, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fox
DD DeHaven
DD Fletcher
CL Nashville, Mine hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waller
DD Sims
LCVP 542F, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Empire Pibroch, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 1058

5005 Coastal gun shots fired in defense! Mohahaha
Have you EVER seen a worse casualty list!??

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-60, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-704, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sims, Shell hits 24, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-63, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 71, on fire
LCT LCT-64, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-66
LCT LCT-135, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fox, Shell hits 19, on fire, heavy damage
DD DeHaven, Shell hits 9, on fire
AK Samuel Adams, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fletcher, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Waller, Shell hits 5, on fire
LCVP 592G, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
LCM 592A, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-981, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
LCVP 542F, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-333, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-643, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LCM 532E, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LCM 532B, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-30, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-230, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-461, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-227, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-332, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-373, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-22, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-364, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-360, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-358, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-282, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-357, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-27, Shell hits 23, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-281, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-354, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-353, Shell hits 2, on fire
LCT LCT-352, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-701, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
SC SC-642, Shell hits 23, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-325, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-179, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-178, Shell hits 25, on fire, heavy damage
LCT LCT-175, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-335, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-334, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-333, Shell hits 1
LCI LCI-221, Shell hits 36, on fire, heavy damage
LCI LCI-216, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-32, Shell hits 17, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-29, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
3602 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1058 encounters mine field at Rabaul (61,88) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

TF 1058 troops unloading over beach at Rabaul, 61,88

176 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
MSW Cowra, Shell hits 26, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Bowen, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Caraquet, Shell hits 21, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Ipswitch, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wasaga, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Deloraine, Shell hits 28, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wollongong, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Goulburn, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Skylark, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hamilton, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waller
DD Fox, on fire, heavy damage
DD Sims, on fire, heavy damage
DD DeHaven
LCVP 592P, Mine hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Coastal Guns at Rabaul, 61,88, firing at TF 1058
13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCM 592B, Shell hits 4

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Emirau Island , at 60,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you see I did order the Army bombers back to Kavieng despite of heavy losses Honda!

Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 31
Ki-21 Sally x 71
Ki-46-III Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 17 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Americal USA/B Division, at 61,86

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 35
Ki-46-III Dinah x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

A 3-1 odds today: losses are still heavy but perhaps we can crack this nut after all?
A couple of days rest, Andy got even more targets now.

Ground combat at Kavieng

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72936 troops, 731 guns, 6 vehicles

Defending force 21135 troops, 113 guns, 119 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
1645 casualties reported
Guns lost 36
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5000 troops isn't enought to capture Rabaul - but I doubt more will arrive from the sea <G>

Ground combat at Rabaul

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7794 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4950 troops, 50 guns, 2 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Arstavidios]

Oops.

I'm not sure the allies can sustain such losses. Even if your navy and air force get eventually destroyed, which is far from being done I am not sure he will have enough landforces left to take your bases.

The Americans don't have that many troops. All in all the Americans and Australians have about 40 divisions and that many brigades or regiments. They've already lost a lot of this.

[Honda]

BOOM, HEADSHOT!!!
Great job. Just tell me how!? How did you get to do so much damage after such a prolonged air campaign over Rabaul. Did you keep a good supply level? Just great...
And PzB, sending bombers on Kavieng beachhead...only one or two days before you go for a deliberate attack. Don't feed the CAP regularly[:-]
Good hunting

[Tom Hunter]

What did you have defending? That was an amazing amount of fire.