Matrix Games Forums

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/09/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1094 encounters mine field at Baker Island (94,92)

Allied Ships
DD Kane, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Humphreys, Mine hits 1
DD Schley, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Litchfield, Mine hits 1, on fire

Good thing I put up a defensive minefield at Baker. I wonder if this means he will strike here.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Baker Island at 94,92

Japanese Ships
MSW W.19, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Tenposan Maru, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Litchfield, on fire
DD Chew
DD Schley, on fire
DD Humphreys, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kane, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Amazingly enough, it seems my MSW and AK wins this naval engagement against the 5 DDs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
SB-2c x 12


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SB-2c bombing at 10000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,83

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Wildebeeste

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Amazingly enough, it seems my MSW and AK wins this naval engagement against the 5 DDs.

But four of these five DD had just hit mines eh? Probably disrupted their aim!

[:D]

A screenshot perhaps...

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund
It doesnt feel that he just cured the uber air battle...he neutered the Jap fighters. In practically every single airbattle I have had against bombers, I have came out on the losing side. My fighters manage to damage the enemy bombers in huge numbers, but they always get through and torch twice that number on the ground.

When my bombers come alone however, they are massacred. See how my Sallys/Helens fared at Lashio, and see how my Bettys fared at Darwin.

I can sympathize with your feelings, and agree that perhaps Nik got a bit carried away. But you need to remember that structurally your bombers are flying gas cans made of tissue paper (and thus their magnificent ranges)..., while his are much tougher, stronger, and better protected. And while fighter vs. fighter your manueverability may well equalize his toughness, manueverability isn't worth much against a "bomber box"---you need a steady gun platform with plenty of firepower and ability to "take it". Not exactly Japanese forte's. (excepting the Tojo)

But roughly 200 B25 and 100 B17 pounding Timor daily in May 1942?
[:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/10/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 25,63

Japanese Ships
ML Ninoshima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ma 1
ML Takashima

Allied Ships
SS O23



Super-quiet day today.

Something is up in the pacific. I have not seen a US ship for over two months. I have not seen a US plane for the past two months. The carriers are gone from Australia, there is no sign of any activity anywhere. Its too quiet.

Im starting to move aircraft from the SRA to the pacific. Im not sure whether he will attack Baker Island or Norfolk Island or if he will attack Palmyra or maybe at Marcus. But somewhere he is planning an attack.

I will reinforce Guadalcanal and Tarawa with airunits. From these two hubs they can reach most bases in one turn.

Quiet couple of days..

Today I tried a sweep at Darwin.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
Hurricane IIb x 13
Kittyhawk I x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
Hurricane IIb: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

1-1 losses. Im not sure whether I should be happy or sad here...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
Hurricane IIb x 10
Kittyhawk I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Darwin , at 36,84

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 23
Hurricane IIb x 14
Kittyhawk I x 27

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 54,47

Japanese Ships
APD APD-34
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
SS Spearfish

I have 45 fighters against 11 Hudsons. HUDSONS!! I have pilots with experience between 75-85, I come in at a height advantage and I manage to shoot down 3 Hudsons? THREE!!?

It's probably unrealistic to imagine 45 Japanese fighters flying static defense to ALL engage in combat against any strike group during the war. IMO three Hudsons downed out of 11 seems about right given the circumstances you've described.

yes, that seems correct number to me, also.

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

I have decided to launch one more offensive operation in the Burma theater. Operation Tazei ni buzei...few against many.

...

OPERATION TAZEI NI BUZEI

Upon careful consideration of the strategic situation, I have decided to abandon this operation. The benefits of gaining Ledo will not outweight the cost of the operation. Moreover, I doubt I can achieve air superiority in Burma. The offensive is abandoned. Or rather...it has been relocated to.


Northern Australia.


The reasons for this offensive are the following.

1) As the past weeks have shown, I have little or no possibility to prevent the allied bombers from operating at will in the region. This will only get worse in two months when the B-24 arrives. True I can damage alot of bombers, and true, that will certainly force the bomber wing to rest for a few days...but I can never attrit his bomber wings to force them to halt operations, and I can never keep up with the losses. A 150-bomber strike on an airbase will kill most of the aircraft on the ground, and will limit the operations on the airbase for several days. Right now he can muster one 150-bomber attack with B-25s and one 100-bomber attack with B-17s.

2) His surface forces in this theater seems to be limited. At the same time I can easily concentrate alot of firepower to this area. I have the Zuikaku-TF coming in from Singapore, and Im relocating the BBs from Rangoon. In a week I will have 5 CVs and 8 BBs here.

3) The geography of the region benefits the attacker. I can bombard his bases with capital ships without having to fear his torpedo bombers. He will have alot of B-25s and B17s in the area, but these bombers are not leathal to my BBs and CAs.


The objective of this operation is to close his four bases in northern Australia. I do not intend to invade here, just surpress the bases and kill aircraft on the ground. In short, I want to make him fear basing his bombers on the coastline.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/14/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Perth (7,100)

Allied Ships
MSW Grebe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 98 encounters mine field at Lunga (67,97)

Japanese Ships
DD Arare

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 28,66

Japanese Ships
APD APD-39
APD APD-36
APD APD-35
DD Oboro
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 28,66

Japanese Ships
APD APD-35
APD APD-39
APD APD-36
DD Oboro
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 16 encounters mine field at Tarawa (85,91)

Japanese Ships
PG Shoei Maru
DD Yukaze
TK Shinkoku Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 1

Allied Ships
MSW Pieter de Bitter, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Jan van Amstel

I sent this sub into Darwin to recon the base. The MSW sinks later in the day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 182

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 20 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
1046 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 49

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
23 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
40 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
32 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
20 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 16000 feet

As we can see, the B-25s return within a week with increased strenght. There is no point in trying a battle for attrition with the allies. If I do that, I can only lose valuable pilots and airframes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 80
P-40E Warhawk x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet


Tomorrow Im ordering a probing attack on Darwin by the Yamato squadron. I expect to meet the Prince of Wales and the Boise in surface combat in the hex.

As i said before Panzer, i completely support the Oz adventure.
At this stage Burma is a trap for you, while i think Darwin still offers you some chances of delaying his advance in the future. If you do not do something, Timor will surely be reconquested very early in this game...and the whole SRA will be threatened!

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner

As i said before Panzer, i completely support the Oz adventure.
At this stage Burma is a trap for you, while i think Darwin still offers you some chances of delaying his advance in the future. If you do not do something, Timor will surely be reconquested very early in this game...and the whole SRA will be threatened!

Yes, Im going over on the defensive completely in Burma. Im moving in lots of flakunits, and two more divisions. Im going to fortify Akyab with one division and some tanks, Mandalay with one division and some tanks, and Rangoon with one division. The divisions will then rotate to Rangoon to get som malaria-free time.

As for Australia, I have ordered a probe today with the Yamato to see what Darwin looks like. I know he has placed his subs in a continuous line from Darwin to Lauterm, therefore I moved my ships east so they will approach Darwin from the north instead of the northwest.

Im going to move the KB to a blocking position northwest of Broome. Their only job will be to prevent any allied CVs from entering the fray. I will then let my BBs bomb his bases to dust, they can rearm at Kendari and/or Soerebaja. Subs are not really a threat since I have shown that Sallys/Helens are a hundred times more efficient ASW-platforms than DDs or PCs.

you are probing with a BB ? Isn't that a bit risky to say the least ?? a BB is at the same time too valuable and too vulnerable by itself... either you recon with a light force that can slip away in the night or you recon en force with a force that can withstand everything.. but reconing with the Yamato... One pesky torp from a PT and she doesn't run away fast enough...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Perth (7,100)

Allied Ships
MSW Grebe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 29,71

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

Allied Ships
SS S-36

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Natori, Shell hits 2
DD Arashi, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 6, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2
BB Ramilles, Shell hits 1
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD O'Brien
DD Walke, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Morris
DD Stuart
DD Arunta
DD Tjerk Hiddes

A lucky torpedo hit slows Kirishima down...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Darwin at 36,84

Japanese Ships
CL Natori

Allied Ships
SS O21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1006 encounters mine field at Perth (7,100)

Japanese Ships
AP Shoto Maru, and is sunk

Allied Ships
MSW Grebe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 35,83

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, on fire
DD Hakaze, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-40

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 78
P-40E Warhawk x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,80


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 14
Swordfish x 40
Hurricane IIb x 16
Kittyhawk I x 16
T.IVa x 7
Beaufort I x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 21


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
T.IVa: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hakaze, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x Beaufort I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x T.IVa launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet

...and she meets her fate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Baker Island at 94,92


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CL Yubari

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,83

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
D3A Val x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
TK Empire Emerald

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet

I see this as a huge opportunity.

At Port Moresby and Thursday Island I can mass 200 Bettys if I should so desire. That means that it is impossible for the allies to reinforce this area from the east. It is also impossible for him to retreat this way.

I am moving in a force of 6 CVs (5 in place, one on the way), 6 BBs and 6 CAs from the west. The idea is to use Timor as a huge unsinkable CV and base fighters and bombers here. I am moving in all my 80+ exp Helens to Soerebaja. This will be a force of 150 Helens, all with 80+ exp. This force will fly into Timor from time to time and attack fields in northern Australia. At the same time, the KB will form a block to the north of Broome (outside his bomber range). The BBs will then go in and bombard the bases, from west to east. My intention is to shut down them in order. First Broome, then Derby, then Wyndham, and lastly Darwin.

Im expecting his defences to be strongest at Darwin. I will also keep the Yamato force at Lauterm, both to protect the base from bombardment, but also as a threat to Darwin.

Off this screen, about halfway between Perth and Broome, I will have a picket force of CS and CVE, both to attack transports and alert my forces of any eventual reinforcements.

Opinions?

I don't see how you can get past those 100s of bombers in Northern Oz without huge losses in ships. Any valuable ships placed in harms way are definitely at risk of being sunk. The "normal" rules of the game are suspended - fighters no longer can protect your ships - so I guess the only thing to do is to put all the big carriers and battleships in one force and take your lumps. Otherwise your transports may get sunk before they unload much.

No no no...not invade. Just destroy the bases and the ships caught in that trap.

Huge airbattles over Timor today. I shot down over 30 bombers and fighters, and lost 30 fighters on the ground. A good trade since I can afford to lose the airframes and the pilots survived.

I also spotted a suspected invasion force off Norfolk Island!!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/17/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lautem at 33,78

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
CA Chokai
DD Kisaragi
DD Nagatsuki
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1031 encounters mine field at Broome (21,85)

Allied Ships
MSW Latrobe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 58
A6M3 Zero x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 43
A-20B Boston x 35
B-17E Fortress x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed, 28 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 15 destroyed, 13 damaged
A-20B Boston: 6 destroyed, 23 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 24 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-20B Boston bombing at 11000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 11000 feet
13 x A-20B Boston bombing at 11000 feet
8 x A-20B Boston bombing at 11000 feet
20 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
2 x A-20B Boston bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 11000 feet

Huge bombing raid. I gave them a bloody nose though.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lautem , at 33,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 192

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 9 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 58 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
265 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
14 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet

And after that bomber attack, an even larger bomber strike came. He went limping home however. Today I proved that it is more effective to have two bases on LRCAP, the fighters from Dilli helped out at Lauterm. In this second battle Im pretty sure only the Dilli fighters were left to defend Lauterm.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 34,27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 78
P-40E Warhawk x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
14 x Hurricane IIb bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby Defense Brigade, at 54,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 20

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 30,83

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Wildebeeste, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet






All in all, the losses for today should be huge for the allies.
24 damaged B17s
23 damaged A20s
58 damaged B-25s
I know not all of these are really damaged, but the morale for his crews must be shattered, and he should have had at least 1/3 in losses (lost or damaged).

I wonder if this is the first counterattack coming at Norfolk. Im flying in reinforcements from Noumea, and Ive rebased about 100 Bettys to Noumea. All the subs in the area are heading to intercept the invasion fleet. Three Carriers have been dispatched from Kawajelein. The other three of the Agaki-TF need to repair sys to below 10.