Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

I once named some DDs after friends and family and then I was afraid to use them. Now I usually just keep the "II" designation.

EDIT: CAs and CLs I do tend to name after cities in the States I've lived in.

Cheers,
CB

All of the names I use are memorial, people who aren't around any longer, so the ships are there to fight hard and find glory in their name! [;)]

ORIGINAL: obvert


Curious what you mean by "high-low" mixes?


I did see PaxMeatSandwhich and wondered! [:)]

High-low is a Zumwalt-era USN term for the ratio between capital ships and non-capital. The idea is old, but in the 1960s and early 70s, especially while under budget stress from Vietnam, there was a debate in the USN over mixes needed to stand up to the Soviets, especially in Reforger and deep strike ops in the Atlantic. The Rickover forces on one side seeking to have an all-nuke navy of fewer-better, and the Zumwalt "Surface Mafia" that wanted more ships, but cheaper on the low end. Zumwalt's side won. We got ships like the Knox-class (single screw frigates), Spruance (all sensors, few weapons), and Perry-class, which at least had some anti-air but were still Ford Pintos compared to what we have now in DDs.

Playing the Allies, in any era but especially late when AA is much better, my dilemma is always what to do with the cruisers. CAs primarily, but somewhat the good CL classes too. If you focus the TF on a couple of CAs and fill in with good DDs, and you meet BBs, it's bad. In long experience with the game's surface models, it seems like CAs often never get into the fight and the DDs get clocked, or only one of three CAs takes the brunt of the fight and they take a Long Lance to boot.

Earlier in the war, a CL/DD mix is OK for raiding, as the CLs can usually at least go 50-50 with IJN good DDs, but if they run into even one IJN CA there's trouble.

Of course, seeding in 2-3 fast BBs solves a lot, but the game also makes LBA 2E torpedoes such a risk that you can't do that in a lot of places. In this game with Loka I was constantly playing it "safe" by going more low-mix to protect the downside against LBA, and I would meet gorilla surface TFs loaded with cruisers. He is much more like you than me when it comes to losses. He'll lose if he thinks the trade off is worth it in VPs. I feel protective of my ships, which is why I'll never be really great at this game.

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: obvert

Curious what you mean by "high-low" mixes?

I did see PaxMeatSandwhich and wondered! [:)]

High-low is a Zumwalt-era USN term for the ratio between capital ships and non-capital. The idea is old, but in the 1960s and early 70s, especially while under budget stress from Vietnam, there was a debate in the USN over mixes needed to stand up to the Soviets, especially in Reforger and deep strike ops in the Atlantic. The Rickover forces on one side seeking to have an all-nuke navy of fewer-better, and the Zumwalt "Surface Mafia" that wanted more ships, but cheaper on the low end. Zumwalt's side won. We got ships like the Knox-class (single screw frigates), Spruance (all sensors, few weapons), and Perry-class, which at least had some anti-air but were still Ford Pintos compared to what we have now in DDs.

Playing the Allies, in any era but especially late when AA is much better, my dilemma is always what to do with the cruisers. CAs primarily, but somewhat the good CL classes too. If you focus the TF on a couple of CAs and fill in with good DDs, and you meet BBs, it's bad. In long experience with the game's surface models, it seems like CAs often never get into the fight and the DDs get clocked, or only one of three CAs takes the brunt of the fight and they take a Long Lance to boot.

Earlier in the war, a CL/DD mix is OK for raiding, as the CLs can usually at least go 50-50 with IJN good DDs, but if they run into even one IJN CA there's trouble.

Of course, seeding in 2-3 fast BBs solves a lot, but the game also makes LBA 2E torpedoes such a risk that you can't do that in a lot of places. In this game with Loka I was constantly playing it "safe" by going more low-mix to protect the downside against LBA, and I would meet gorilla surface TFs loaded with cruisers. He is much more like you than me when it comes to losses. He'll lose if he thinks the trade off is worth it in VPs. I feel protective of my ships, which is why I'll never be really great at this game.

Got it. Makes sense.

I'm a bit more protective than it might seem, but usually balance the with the strict rule that if there is good intel I must act on it. In this kind of a case I wasn't intending to seek out a surface scrap. This was supposed to be a hit and run CV strike until we ended up in the next-door hex!

Late in game the Allies can use virtually anything if there is enough of it. The cruisers, light or heavy, seem to take on IJN BBs as near equals.

The one TF I regret this time was the 3 BB 5 DD TF where Alabama was lost. I would usually have 2 more DD in that one.

I'm surprised to see the monster TFs fro Loka, since it doesn't maximise the BB gun range or the mobility and long lance strikes of the CL.

ORIGINAL: obvert

I'm surprised to see the monster TFs fro Loka, since it doesn't maximise the BB gun range or the mobility and long lance strikes of the CL.

+1

[&:][&:][&:]

The follow up turn came quickly from Loka. I think he wanted to see the end of this particular action quickly and get on with things.

The night started off with a bang! Kiso looks a goner, and as subs darted in, other targets came into range.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 1, 1944
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Submarine attack near Samah at 71,68

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pipefish

CL Kiso is sighted by SS Pipefish
Magazine explodes on CL Kiso
SS Pipefish launches 4 torpedoes

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Submarine attack near Swatow at 78,67

Japanese Ships
CL Kushida, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Runner

CL Kushida is sighted by SS Runner
SS Runner launches 4 torpedoes at CL Kushida


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Recon spotted this TF mooring up at Cam Ran Bay and we sent in the beasts.
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Night Air attack on Cam Ranh Bay , at 64,72

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Kurume Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
PB Toshi Maru #3, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
PB Kaiun Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kosin Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
TK Mirii Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Subs continued to hit pay dirt, even finding the crippled Kongo and likely ending her war.
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Sub attack near Swatow at 80,62

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatumiya Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E W-39

Allied Ships
SS Dace, hits 3

SS Dace launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Tatumiya Maru
Dace bottoming out ....
E W-39 attacking submerged sub ....
E W-39 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Swatow at 78,67

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
SS Runner

SS Runner launches 2 torpedoes at DD Shirakumo

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Sub attack near Samah at 72,67

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Arashikaru
DD Nagatakaze
DD Takatakaze
DD Karuyuki
DD Asagochi

Allied Ships
SS Truant, hits 1

SS Truant launches 6 torpedoes at BB Kongo
Truant diving deep ....

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The DDs I sent in then got in a running scrap with some IJN counterparts. The Allies eventually got the best of the actions.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Samah at 73,69, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uruyuke
DD Suruyame, Shell hits 1
DD Yamanagiri, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yamanakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Amagumo

Allied Ships
DD Brown, Shell hits 1
DD Burns, Shell hits 1
DD Converse, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Conway, Shell hits 1
DD Cowell
DD Haraden
DD Hopewell
DD Howorth

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Samah at 73,69, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Uruyuke, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Suruyame, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Yamanagiri, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yamanakaze, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Amagumo

Allied Ships
DD Brown, Shell hits 3
DD Burns, Shell hits 2
DD Converse,4, heavy fires[/color]
DD Conway, Shell hits 2
DD Cowell
DD Haraden, Shell hits 1
DD Hopewell, Shell hits 2
DD Howorth

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
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Subs continued to find targets, and Again looks to be in trouble. Some E's also found Darter ... [:(]

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ASW attack near Hong Kong at 75,65

Japanese Ships
CL Agano, Torpedo hits 1
CL Sakawa, on fire, heavy damage
DD Susukaze
DD Takakaze

Allied Ships
SS KIX

SS KIX launches 2 torpedoes at CL Agano
KIX diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Swatow at 82,64

Japanese Ships
DD Matsu

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

SS Searaven is sighted by escort
Searaven bottoming out ....
DD Matsu fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Submarine attack near Swatow at 80,66

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
SS Flier

DD Uranami is sighted by SS Flier
SS Flier launches 2 torpedoes at DD Uranami

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ASW attack near Tandjoengpinang at 50,85

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 30

Allied Ships
SS Shalimar, hits 10

SS Shalimar is sighted by escort
Shalimar bottoming out ....
SC Ch 30 attacking submerged sub ....
SC Ch 30 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Pescadores at 82,63

Japanese Ships
E Yaku
E Shinnan
E Ikuna

Allied Ships
SS Darter, hits 22, and is sunk

SS Darter is sighted by escort
Darter bottoming out ....
E Yaku fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Yaku firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hong Kong at 77,64

Japanese Ships
CL Agano, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Sakawa, on fire, heavy damage
DD Takakaze
DD Susukaze

Allied Ships
SS Silversides

SS Silversides launches 4 torpedoes at CL Agano
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Eventually air strikes began to hit the stragglers. No LR CAP seemed to be up anywhere.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 75,66

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 44
F6F-3 Hellcat x 38
F6F-5 Hellcat x 55
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 25
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 24
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 22
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 2 damaged
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Teshio, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
DD Nagatakaze, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
DD Arashikaru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Takatakaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Karuyuki, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Asagochi, Bomb hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
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A few more cruisers hit.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 77,64

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 21
Corsair II x 8
Corsair IV x 17
FM-2 Wildcat x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
F6F-5 Hellcat x 40
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 24
TBM-1C Avenger x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Takakaze
CA Takao, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Agano, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
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Chokai and Nachi!
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 76,64

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
F6F-5 Hellcat x 11
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ishikaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
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Some DDs uncomfortably close to the fleet.
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Iba at 74,69

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13
F6F-5 Hellcat x 15
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 9
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Uruyuke, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Amagumo, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
DD Suruyame, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Yamanagiri, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
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After more hurt from the air Silversides hits again!!
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 76,64

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 9
TBM-1C Avenger x 6

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Nachi

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 77,64

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 11
F6F-5 Hellcat x 22
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Takakaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Susukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hong Kong at 76,64

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 44
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Ishikaze, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
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Cagayan will finally fall within a day or two.
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Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 81768 troops, 1468 guns, 2571 vehicles, Assault Value = 2396

Defending force 36805 troops, 284 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 350

Allied adjusted assault: 924

Japanese adjusted defense: 569

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3789 casualties reported
Squads: 107 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 99 destroyed, 88 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 43 disabled
Guns lost 40 (13 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (8 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
445 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 40 (2 destroyed, 38 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
2nd Marine Division
194th Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
33rd Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
1st Regiment
5th Australian Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
5th Marine Division
77th Infantry Division
30th Australian Brigade
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
XI Corps Artillery
249th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd USN Base Force
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
IX Corps Artillery
X Corps Artillery
251st Field Artillery Battalion
I Australian Corps
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
209th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV Corps Artillery
187th USAAF Base Force
181st Field Artillery Regiment
1st RAA Jungle Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
5th Amphibious Brigade
6th South Seas Det.
36th Ind.Mixed Brigade
10th Ind.Mixed Regiment
3rd Guards Division
114th Division
50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
14th Div /1
41st Ind. Engineer Regiment
82nd JAAF AF Bn
50th JNAF AF Unit
103rd Div /1
117th Division
7th Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
21th JNAF AF Unit
52nd Const Co
45th JNAF AF Unit /1
46th Const Co
12th Ind.Mixed Regiment
4th Air Div /1
10th Ind.Infantry Bde /1
32nd Special Base Force
37th JNAF AF Unit
34th Road Const Co
16th Field AF Const Bn /1
180th JAAF AF Bn /1

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Well, now I will believe Kongo is sunk!
This battle is looking like RL Leyte Gulf, where the surface combat ships of the Kaigun were decimated. Well done!

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 24, 1944[/font]

---

On the day it looks like a few more CVs go under. None were attacked during the day.

The Allied fleet will retire now to replenish and work on the next objective, which has just been pushed forward after this action. [;)]

Most of the cripples and the straggling IJN look to be near port, and I'll not risk a massive AP trap for tomorrow. The Allies will head back and a lot of subs and a few DD TFs will try to find anything still moving in the South China Sea.

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 25, 1944[/font]

---

Now that I've got my other two AARs caught up I wanted to mention this game. It's still inching forward. I'm getting very interested in the next steps, as I have a plan hatching, and it'll be put into play in mid-Jan.

Christmas Day reveals a few gifts for the Allies. Subs go crazy in the South China Sea. This turn is a tribute to Bullwinkle. Subs hit escorts, cargo haulers, a tanker and likely sink CL Teshio.

Some DDs marauding around the Indochinese coast also find pay dirt.

Loka fights back in the air and his sweepers are good. I'll stand down most of the air forces for a while until they're really needed again. Time to build some pools.

On Mindanao Cagayan finally succumbs to Allied power. These units are already prepping fro their next targets, and this signals the end of major PI ops for now, but I'll keep up appearances by taking a few more island bases as if I were still moving this direction. [;)]

In the next few turns I'll begin to reveal the more current plan as it becomes clear through action.
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 25, 1944
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Submarine attack near Hong Kong at 78,64

Japanese Ships
DD Susukaze

Allied Ships
SS Tang

DD Susukaze is sighted by SS Tang
SS Tang launches 2 torpedoes

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Submarine attack near Hong Kong at 78,63

Japanese Ships
DD Susukaze

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

DD Susukaze is sighted by SS Searaven
SS Searaven launches 4 torpedoes

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Sub attack near Hong Kong at 76,65

Japanese Ships
CL Teshio

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

CL Teshio is sighted by SS Kingfish
SS Kingfish launches 4 torpedoes at CL Teshio

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Submarine attack near Lucena at 79,79

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
E No.12

Allied Ships
SS KVII, hits 22, and is sunk

SS KVII is sighted by escort
E No.12 firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Quinhon at 66,69, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Sydney Maru, Shell hits 33, and is sunk
TK Meisan Maru, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD A. Bowden
DD Luke
DD Crowe
DD L. Nishamura

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight

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Sub attack near Iba at 74,70

Japanese Ships
SS I-160, hits 24, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Clarence Bronson
CA Indianapolis
DD Bell
DD Abbot

SS I-160 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Clarence Bronson

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Night Air attack on TF, near Iba at 74,70

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 7 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 6 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CVL Cabot
CVL Monterey
BB South Dakota

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Banzai! - Fujimatsu O. in a P1Y2 Frances is willing to die for the Emperor

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Night Air attack on Hue , at 66,64

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
E No.19, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Ginyo Maru, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Haiphong , at 68,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
ACM Banshu Maru #18, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 6000 feet
Port Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Quinhon at 65,69, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Chohakusan Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Asakaze Maru, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
xAK Nitiran Maru, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
xAK Huzikawa Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Koryu Maru, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
AD Choko Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD A. Bowden
DD Luke
DD Crowe
DD L. Nishamura

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards

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Submarine attack near Quinhon at 66,68

Japanese Ships
PB Chohakusan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Finback

PB Chohakusan Maru is sighted by SS Finback
SS Finback launches 2 torpedoes

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Submarine attack near Quinhon at 66,70

Japanese Ships
PB Fuji Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Spiteful

SS Spiteful is sighted by PB Fuji Maru #3
SS Spiteful launches 6 torpedoes

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Submarine attack near Swatow at 79,63

Japanese Ships
CL Teshio, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Spikefish

CL Teshio is sighted by SS Spikefish
SS Spikefish launches 4 torpedoes at CL Teshio

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Sub attack near Swatow at 79,63

Japanese Ships
CL Teshio, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Spot

SS Spot is sighted by CL Teshio
Massive explosion on CL Teshio
SS Spot launches 4 torpedoes at CL Teshio

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Morning Air attack on San Jose , at 78,84

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 12
P-51D Mustang x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 7 destroyed
P-51D Mustang: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x N1K2-J George sweeping at 35000 feet *

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cam Ranh Bay at 71,73

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 23
SB2C-3 Helldiver x 24

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-3 Helldiver: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Tsubaki, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-3 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Malaybalay , at 80,90

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 45,530 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-83 x 15

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-83 sweeping at 41530 feet *

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Submarine attack near Swatow at 81,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Sydney Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Spikefish

SS Spikefish is sighted by xAK Sydney Maru #2
SS Spikefish launches 2 torpedoes

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Ground combat at Kudat (69,86)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1066 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Defending force 19030 troops, 117 guns, 239 vehicles, Assault Value = 215

Japanese adjusted assault: 2

Allied adjusted defense: 409

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 204 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
774th Ind.Infantry Battalion

Defending units:
364th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st Australian Para Bn /1
51st Marine Def Bn /5
165th USA Base Force
47th Aviation Base Force
238th USN Base Force /19
36th USN SeaBees /1
544th FA Bn /1
161st USA Base Force
VII US Fighter Cmnd /1
168th USA Base Force
Southwest Pacific
17th RAAF Base Force /1
167th USA Base Force
2nd USMC Air Wing Base Force /2
237th USN Base Force /13


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Ground combat at Cagayan (79,89)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52614 troops, 967 guns, 1971 vehicles, Assault Value = 2349

Defending force 33937 troops, 273 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 302

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Allied adjusted assault: 636

Japanese adjusted defense: 255

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Cagayan !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
5380 casualties reported
Squads: 81 destroyed, 187 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 86 disabled
Engineers: 155 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 158 (131 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 67 (65 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
412 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Regiment
2nd Marine Division
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
5th Marine Division
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
4th USMC Tank Battalion
77th Infantry Division
33rd Infantry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
5th Australian Division
30th Australian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
1st Medium Regiment
223rd USN Base Force
251st Field Artillery Battalion
209th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
I Australian Corps
IX Corps Artillery
1st RAA Jungle Regiment
5th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Eighth US Army
X Corps Artillery
8th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
11th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
187th USAAF Base Force
249th Field Artillery Battalion
XI Corps Artillery
XIV Corps Artillery
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Guards Division
10th Ind.Mixed Regiment
114th Division
14th Div /1
4th Air Div /1
41st Ind. Engineer Regiment
103rd Div /1
10th Ind.Infantry Bde /1
117th Division
46th Const Co
21th JNAF AF Unit
6th South Seas Det.
5th Amphibious Bde /1
36th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Regiment
52nd Const Co
50th JNAF AF Unit
37th JNAF AF Unit
7th Ind. Field Artillery Battalion
45th JNAF AF Unit /1
16th Field AF Const Bn /1
50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
82nd JAAF AF Bn
32nd Special Base Force
34th Road Const Co
180th JAAF AF Bn /1

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Glad to see this AAR continues - very interesting near-end-game situation I hope to see play out.
Single PB and E TFs are nearly sitting ducks for Allied subs - the fact that he is using them suggests an extreme shortage of escorts. You clobbered a lot of his DD strength in the last few battles.
Kudos to Loka for fighting on after the stinging loss of so many ships recently. [&o]