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Allied interdiction missions out of Malta continue to be a pain!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/23/42

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Day Air attack on 21st Panzer Div , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 3
Wellington III x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Bf-109F-4 Trop: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Panzer , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Blenheim IV bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Panzer , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 10

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Liberator II bombing at 13000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Armoured , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
SM 79 x 9
MC-200 x 17
Z-1007 Bis x 16
Ju-88A-4 x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 79 : 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Z-1007 Bis: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
Ju-88A-4: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
3 x SM 79 bombing at 9000 feet
5 x SM 79 bombing at 9000 feet
15 x Z-1007 Bis bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Armoured , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
SM 79 T x 10
Bf-110D-3 x 14
Ju-88A-4 x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 79 T: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ju-88A-4: 8 damaged


Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SM 79 T bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 15000 feet
4 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 15000 feet
7 x SM 79 T bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Armoured , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Ju-88A-4 x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ju-88A-4: 16 damaged


Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
9 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Messina at 36,116


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DE Sirio

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 38,118


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 4
Beaufort I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Barletta, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DE Pallade

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 39,117


Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DM Malocello

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malta , at 35,120

Japanese aircraft
MC-200 x 19
MC-202 x 24
Re-2001 x 18
BR 20 M x 28
Ju-88A-4 x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
BR 20 M: 3 damaged
Ju-88A-4: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 25000 feet
4 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
4 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
7 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
5 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 25000 feet
4 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
3 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
2 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 25000 feet
3 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
3 x BR 20 M bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malta , at 35,120

Japanese aircraft
CR-42 x 25
SM 84 x 6
SM 79 x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 84: 3 damaged
SM 79 : 1 destroyed, 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 84 bombing at 23000 feet
2 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
5 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 84 bombing at 23000 feet
2 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Messina at 36,116


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 8
Beaufort I x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Piave
DE Sirio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Marcelo
DE Cassiopea

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet

reduced port levels (except Tobruk) between Tripoli and Alexandria to zero
with zero SPS. Did this because even though there were a couple other ports
the Ger's couldn't use them to keep the DAK going (it all had to be unloaded
at Tunis, creating a very long supply line...hence Tobruk is a key capture
and any Axis attempt to build a port for supply dump purposes will be tough
(for shortening the supply path))

I dont know how can you say that Tunis was the supply port in 42.


One example:
http://cgsc.leavenworth.army.mil/carl/download/csipubs/toppe.pdf (12,4mb)

General Alfred Toppe´s report about war in desert. July 1942-May 1943

As a result of Rommel's advance into Egyptian territory after the capture of Tobruk (this advance was contrary to the plans of the Italian Supreme Command), the supplies deposited in the Benghasi and Tripoli areas for the front were practically useless, since the distances were too great for transportation of supplies on land and coastal shipping was prevented by the British. The German Second Air Force was compelled to transfer some of its units stationed in Sicily and southern Italy to Africa and Greece to support the Panzer Army of Africa, which was fighting desperately at El Alamein.

Just an idea but breaking the coastal road one or twice after Benghazi could be a solution. 2nd edit: Looking at map probably the problem was after Barce in the long desert road to Derna.


Also another issue is the supply of Sicily and Sardegna Isl. that werent self sustainable. Also most of supply had to be sent from Naples instead from South Italy because not good road and railway system there.

ORIGINAL: Dili


I dont know how can you say that Tunis was the supply port in 42.

Meant Tripoli.

Oh okay. Btw Tobruk was a little port compared to Benghazi. April 42 was the month in whole war that Axis sent more supplies and equipment to North Africa: 150000t. So at that time even harbours were not much damaged.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/24/42

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Day Air attack on 15th Panzer , at 45,127

The RAF tries to help Barce withstand another attack or two.

Japanese aircraft
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 7

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 3
Blenheim IV x 7
Wellington III x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Bf-109F-4 Trop: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 damaged
Wellington III: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 15th Panzer , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 5

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Liberator II bombing at 13000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Armoured , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
SM 79 x 12
MC-200 x 19
Z-1007 Bis x 6
Ju-88A-4 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 79 : 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Z-1007 Bis: 5 damaged
Ju-88A-4: 6 damaged


Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Armoured , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Ju-88A-4 x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ju-88A-4: 2 destroyed, 21 damaged


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Indian Division, at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
SM 79 T x 12
Bf-110D-3 x 14
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 18
Ju-88A-4 x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 79 T: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ju-88A-4: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SM 79 T bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Messina at 36,116

Malta being a pain again. [:)]

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 8
Beaufort I x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DE Cigno
DE Sirio, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage [:)]
DE Cassiopea
AK Timavo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Barce at 45,127

Oops - I wanted to LRCAP my battleships. Damage wasn't too bad, however.

Japanese aircraft
MC-200 x 7
Ju-87 D (Ger) x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ju-87 D (Ger): 3 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Queen Elizabeth, Bomb hits 11, on fire 4/0/18
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 2, on fire 2/0/12

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ju-87 D (Ger) bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Barce at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Z-1007 Bis x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Z-1007 Bis: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Malaya
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Z-1007 Bis bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Barce at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
BR 20 M x 4
Ju-88A-4 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ju-88A-4: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, on fire
BB Queen Elizabeth, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malta , at 35,120

Japanese aircraft
MC-200 x 16
Re-2001 x 17
BR 20 M x 20
Ju-88A-4 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
BR 20 M: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 25000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malta , at 35,120

Japanese aircraft
CR-42 x 13
SM 84 x 6
SM 79 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 84: 2 damaged
SM 79 : 8 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Messina at 36,116


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Marcelo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Barce, at 45,127

The Royal Navy also tries to help hold the line at Barce.

Allied Ships
CL Edinburgh
CL Glasgow
BB Malaya
BB Queen Elizabeth, on fire
BB Warspite, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
347 casualties reported
Guns lost 15
Vehicles lost 18


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Barce

Well, looks like my efforts bought a few more days for Barce, but the end looks inevitable.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 42260 troops, 427 guns, 856 vehicles, Assault Value = 1363

Defending force 30930 troops, 506 guns, 441 vehicles, Assault Value = 767

Japanese max assault: 1354 - adjusted assault: 530

Allied max defense: 545 - adjusted defense: 390

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
1045 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Vehicles lost 17

Allied ground losses:
310 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

1/25/42

The first step of an ingenious Royal Navy plan to cause over-confidence in the Axis leadership has been successfully completed:



DD Zulu was subsequently finished off by Libyan-based Stukas. Of note, the Axis achieved surprise in the above engagement & launched a Long-Lance torpedo attack. [:@][:D]

Elsewhere, Beauforts sunk another Italian AK, Malta was bombed again and after fierce naval & aerial bombardment Barce finally fell:

Ground combat at Barce

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 40274 troops, 397 guns, 841 vehicles, Assault Value = 1256

Defending force 29426 troops, 481 guns, 428 vehicles, Assault Value = 731

Japanese max assault: 1204 - adjusted assault: 1063

Allied max defense: 420 - adjusted defense: 112

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Barce base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1067 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
271 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Vehicles lost 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

wasn't just torpedo hits (there were none scored during the "suprise torpedo attack phase") we were on the game the whole kitten kaboodal. [:D] We ain't afraid of no Brit.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/25/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Barce at 45,127

Japanese Ships
BB Conte di Cavour
BB Giulio Cesare, Shell hits 3
BB Andrea Doria, Shell hits 3
BB Caio Duilio, Shell hits 6
BB Vittorio Veneto, Shell hits 3
CA Trieste
CA Bolzano, Shell hits 1
CA Gorizia, Shell hits 1
CL Delle bande Nere
CL Garibaldi, Shell hits 2
DD Euro
DD Vincenzo Gioberti
DD Alfredo Oriani
DD Alpino
DD Ascari

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
BB Malaya, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CL Glasgow
CL Edinburgh
DD Bedouin
DD Zulu, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Barce, at 45,127

Japanese Ships
DD Ascari
DD Alpino
DD Alfredo Oriani
DD Vincenzo Gioberti
DD Euro
CL Garibaldi
CL Delle bande Nere
CA Gorizia
CA Bolzano
CA Trieste
BB Vittorio Veneto
BB Caio Duilio
BB Andrea Doria
BB Giulio Cesare
BB Conte di Cavour


Allied ground losses:
369 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Armoured , at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
Ju-88A-4 x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ju-88A-4: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged


Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
11 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Indian Division, at 45,127

Japanese aircraft
SM 79 T x 10
Bf-110D-3 x 14
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 19
Ju-88A-4 x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 79 T: 4 damaged
Ju-88A-4: 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SM 79 T bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 15000 feet
8 x Ju-88A-4 bombing at 15000 feet
3 x SM 79 T bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,122


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Ramb IV

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Messina at 36,116

Japanese aircraft
Bf-109F-4 x 1
Bf-109F-4 Trop x 4

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 4
Beaufort I x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Citta di Livorno, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Piave

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Wellington III bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,126

Japanese aircraft
MC-200 x 7
Ju-87 D (Ger) x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Zulu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ju-87 D (Ger) bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malta , at 35,120

Japanese aircraft
CR-42 x 26
SM 84 x 6
SM 79 x 15

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
SM 84: 1 damaged
SM 79 : 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses


Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 84 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
3 x SM 84 bombing at 23000 feet
2 x SM 79 bombing at 23000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Malta , at 35,120

Japanese aircraft
MC-200 x 13
MC-202 x 23
Z-1007 Bis x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Z-1007 Bis: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Z-1007 Bis bombing at 24000 feet
2 x Z-1007 Bis bombing at 24000 feet

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

That 5 BBs!!! on Italian side. I think maybe the British got low in round number after the bombardment.
Are the Italians already with Radar? if not how they got the surprise?

Btw: the Italian ship art works rather well imo.

ORIGINAL: Dili

Are the Italians already with Radar? if not how they got the surprise?

It must somehow be Nik's fault... [:D]

In truth, 2 of the 3 British BBs had significant fires burning due to the previous day's Stuka attack. I can't say I know for sure, but I suspect that was a factor. While the results suck for me, I also can't say that I thought they were unrealistic, all things considered.

Very  good point telling about fires burning, fire is well noticed at night so a surprise was not achievable by the British. With radar the British would not be suprised but damage and slow BBs  compared to Italians would mean they couldnt get the best line battle.

That still seems like way too many torpedo hits from the Italians -- how many did they ever achieve IRL? And when did the RM ever scrape together enough fuel to put 5 BB's to sea at once?