PBEM from May 42: Mogami-san VS Capt. Ron

[Ron Saueracker]

The one action of note this turn was the appearance of an invasion force off Bali. This force had been tracked by recon for three days, and it's destination deduced as Bali after the cruiser bombardment of said base a few days ago (one in which Kitakami was lost). The darn weather was on Mogami's side in this one as today was the first day it (invasion force) was subjected to air attack. Still more APs suffer at the hands of Java's "Air Devil's"!

More pleasing sounds of ships foundering was heard repeatedly throughout the turn as more APs and escorts are added to the sunk ship list.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/10/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 13 encounters mine field at Teloekbetoeng (19,58)

Japanese Ships
PG Tatsumiya Maru, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 22,64


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
Brewster 339D x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 44th Chinese Corps, at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-32 Mary x 32

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,68


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 9
T.IVa x 11


Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Biyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Keiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PG Hong Kong Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tomozono Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Torpedo hits 1
AP Chicago Maru

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,68


Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Chicago Maru
MSW Tama Maru #2, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Biyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PG Hong Kong Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,68


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 11


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW Tomozono Maru #3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chicago Maru
MSW Tama Maru
AP Kotobuki Maru #5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 58,49

Japanese Ships
AK Showa Maru
PC Kyo Maru #7
PC Kyo Maru #6
PG Hakkai Maru
MSW Choun Maru #8
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Asahi Maru

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 encounters mine field at Bali (24,68)

TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tama Maru
PG Hong Kong Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Coastal Guns at Bali, 24,68, firing at TF 24
8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
375 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 22,64

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3625 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 16351 troops, 147 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5828 troops, 63 guns, 12 vehicles

Defending force 5565 troops, 29 guns, 1 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2262 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2381 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles

[Ron Saueracker]

The fighting withdrawl in Java continues for another day, aided by the stalwart defenders of Tjilitjap.

Same on Bali, the defenders repulse another Japanese shock attack. Ground attacks directed against the Japanese on Bali are met by Zeros and a heavy toll is exacted on the unescorted bombers.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/11/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 encounters mine field at Bali (24,68)

TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tama Maru

Coastal Guns at Bali, 24,68, firing at TF 24
7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
422 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 encounters mine field at Bali (24,68)

TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tama Maru
AP Kunimitsu Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

Coastal Guns at Bali, 24,68, firing at TF 24
9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sasebo 1st SNLF, at 24,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 22,64


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 13
Brewster 339D x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 51st Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-30 Ann x 17
Ki-32 Mary x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 42
Ki-48 Lily x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-30 Ann x 32
Ki-32 Mary x 16
Ki-21 Sally x 36
Ki-48 Lily x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-32 Mary: 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th/B Division, at 19,62


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 25
Kittyhawk I x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th/B Division, at 19,62


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 21


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Base Force, at 24,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 10 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 25,67


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
PG Hong Kong Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5043 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3785 troops, 24 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
380 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 22,64

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3678 troops, 85 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 30511 troops, 304 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5871 troops, 65 guns, 12 vehicles

Defending force 11799 troops, 29 guns, 1 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2209 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4515 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5565 troops, 29 guns, 1 vehicles

Defending force 5867 troops, 64 guns, 12 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[Ron Saueracker]

USS Saratoga, CV-3, her 2 month (self imposed) major AA refit completed, is now at sea with her Task Force. Her escorts are BB North Carolina, CAs New Orleans and Minneapolis, CLs St Louis and Helena, DDs Gwin, Grayson, Monssen, Meredith, Aaron Aard, Buchanan, Preston, Reid and Tucker. This is, in my opinion, the best make up for an Air Combat TF. Excellent AA and ASW potection and is at the maximum number of ships to avoid the diminishing returns penalty on flak (a penalty which should pertain to ASW as well, with the penalty coming for ASW capable ships exceeding four vessels).

[Ron Saueracker]

The AA and ASW values are the highest I can achieve with the ships and weapons available to me. I don't like mixing and matching much either...no Clemson class four stackers or foreign ships in this TF. I also tend to keep ships in divisions (weird, eh?[:)]) as it keeps refits organized for start. It would be excellent if there was a feature in the game which allowed the player to actually establish these administrative formations instead of having to click on single ships...it would make the players job much easier.

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

The AA and ASW values are the highest I can achieve with the ships and weapons available to me. I don't like mixing and matching much either...no Clemson class four stackers or foreign ships in this TF. I also tend to keep ships in divisions (weird, eh?[:)]) as it keeps refits organized for start. It would be excellent if there was a feature in the game which allowed the player to actually establish these administrative formations instead of having to click on single ships...it would make the players job much easier.

Hi Ron,

just out of curiosity: Why do you use New Orleans class CA's in Air Combat TF's? After all, Pensacola class CA's have the same AA values, but New Orleans class CA's are much better armoured and thus more qualified to be used in Surface Combat TF's.

K

[Ron Saueracker]

Good point. There are only two Pensacolas and they are with a couple other CVs. Pensacolas only have two float planes whereas others have hangers so have four.

[Ron Saueracker]

Going to be a rough day for the boys at Tjilitjap tomorrow. Japanese have massed over 50,000 men there.

With all the air attacks on Changsha, coupled with Mogami's methodical style, I'd say Changsha is the next target in China.[;)]

The minefields around the DEI continue to claim victims, another AP goes down after hitting 6 of them over two days.[X(][:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/12/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 encounters mine field at Bali (24,68)

TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tama Maru

Coastal Guns at Bali, 24,68, firing at TF 24
Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 6


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 encounters mine field at Bali (24,68)

TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tama Maru
AP Kunimitsu Maru, Mine hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Coastal Guns at Bali, 24,68, firing at TF 24
Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Division, at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Blenheim I x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 22,64


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
Brewster 339D x 9


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Engineer Regiment, at 19,62


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 26
Kittyhawk I x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Engineer Regiment, at 19,62


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Base Force, at 24,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 48th Chinese Corps, at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-32 Mary x 36

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-30 Ann x 5
Ki-32 Mary x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 28
Ki-48 Lily x 11

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 89th Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 43
Ki-32 Mary x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 42
Ki-48 Lily x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
206 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 69,48

Japanese Ships
AP Miike Maru
PG Aso Maru
PC Shonan Maru #1

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 19,60

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 19786 troops, 218 guns, 5 vehicles

Defending force 93 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 3058 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 22,64

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 30505 troops, 292 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 16449 troops, 165 guns, 227 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2475 casualties reported
Guns lost 74

Allied ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 31,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3319 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 822 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 22,64

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3558 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 26463 troops, 176 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5903 troops, 63 guns, 12 vehicles

Defending force 46555 troops, 308 guns, 4 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2215 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5348 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[Tristanjohn]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

The AA and ASW values are the highest I can achieve with the ships and weapons available to me. I don't like mixing and matching much either...no Clemson class four stackers or foreign ships in this TF. I also tend to keep ships in divisions (weird, eh?[:)]) as it keeps refits organized for start. It would be excellent if there was a feature in the game which allowed the player to actually establish these administrative formations instead of having to click on single ships...it would make the players job much easier.

An equally faithful mechanic would be to incrementally increase ships's fighting efficiency over time if they stay together (how long together? don't know, maybe some Navy men can add their weight here, but I'd guess at least two weeks before their efficiency begins to slowly climb upward, to simulate training as a team), then drop the efficiency of any ships which are sent to another TG. Same same with the commanders of those ships--change a commander and the increase in efficiency of the TG at large is lost somewhat--change a commander and an individual ship's efficiency should drop.

By the way, this rule would be especially appropriate to ASW groups.

[Ron Saueracker]

The Allies continue their fighting withdrawl, with the 12 Ind Brigade and the Tjilitjap units holding off a shock attack, buying more time.

Still more Japanese shipping is hit and more go to the bottom. At this rate the Japanese could have built their own island![:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 encounters mine field at Bali (24,68)

TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


Japanese Ships
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tama Maru
AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 24 troops unloading over beach at Bali, 24,68


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Division, at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Blenheim I x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 19,62


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 20


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 22,64


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
Brewster 339D x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Base Force, at 24,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 12
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 16 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
T.IVa x 5
Martin 139 x 8
Hudson I x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Keiyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Biyo Maru, heavy damage
AP Kotobuki Maru #5, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Tama Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toroshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chicago Maru
AP Heito Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 47001 troops, 313 guns, 4 vehicles

Defending force 5827 troops, 62 guns, 12 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
703 casualties reported
Guns lost 16
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 22,64

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3582 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 35347 troops, 254 guns, 11 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


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

[Alikchi2]

Wow! That's a lot of APs and AKs going down. [X(] I bet the experience levels on your Martins and T.IVs are skyrocketing.

Did you reinforce Java with ground units, too? It seems to me that your position would have collapsed a lot earlier if you hadn't. Java only has something like 400 assault points worth of troops normally.

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

Wow! That's a lot of APs and AKs going down. [X(] I bet the experience levels on your Martins and T.IVs are skyrocketing.

Did you reinforce Java with ground units, too? It seems to me that your position would have collapsed a lot earlier if you hadn't. Java only has something like 400 assault points worth of troops normally.

The three remaining Martin squadrons are mid 70's exp average, with some pilots in the mid 80's. Same goes with the two T IVa's. Along with these groups two squadrons of Hudsons, two squadrons of B-25s, three Beaufort squadrons and a Swordfish squadron have been operating out of Java during the campaign. Wirraways and P-39s of the Phillippino squadron which was at Clark on Dec 7th (P-26s) have also been somewhat useful vs shipping.

Basically the units in Java were those Dutch ones present, some US Army Armoured, AA and Arty units evacuated from Luzon, one New Zealand Brigade shipped in from Wellington, and the exhausted remnants of the 8th Indian Brigade, the 22nd and 27th Australian and the two Commonwealth units evacuated from Singapore immediately after Johore Baru fell under the weight of 5 IJA Divisions. Palembang had the remnants of the two Malaya Brigades.

[Ron Saueracker]

The defenders on Java are a tough bunch! Sinking enemy ships on a daily basis, slowing nearly 100,000 Japanese to a crawl in a fighting withdrawl at one end and holding a route to Soerabaja open for the stragglers against overwhelming odds at the other, these boys are restoring the reputation of the Allied fighting man and boosting morale at home.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/14/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 9th Ind. Brigade, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 6


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th Ind. Brigade, at 49,33

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 5

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 22,64

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 15
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 9
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 31,36

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Hurricane II x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 31,36

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Chinese Corps, at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-32 Mary x 32

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 81st Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 42
Ki-32 Mary x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 43
Ki-48 Lily x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-32 Mary x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 26
Ki-48 Lily x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 89th Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 20
Ki-48 Lily x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bali at 24,68

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Chicago Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Biyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

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

Ground combat at 22,64

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 35293 troops, 251 guns, 11 vehicles

Defending force 15519 troops, 134 guns, 216 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1575 casualties reported
Guns lost 19
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tjilitjap

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 46530 troops, 285 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 4342 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 30 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tjilitjap base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
383 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Allied ground losses:
2260 casualties reported
Guns lost 18


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3985 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3737 troops, 18 guns, 3 vehicles


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 31,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3353 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 694 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied ground losses:
2 casualties reported

[Ron Saueracker]

The situation...

[Ron Saueracker]

Basically what is amounting to routine operations in Java, Burma and China.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 45,46

Japanese Ships
PC Kyo Maru #13
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Chitose Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grunion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bangkok , at 29,40


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 7


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sasebo 1st SNLF, at 24,68


Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 22,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 14
Brewster 339D x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Brewster 339D: 9 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 56th Brigade, at 22,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 2
CW-21B Demon x 3
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
CW-21B Demon: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 5 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Base Force, at 24,68


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-30 Ann x 42
Ki-32 Mary x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 46
Ki-48 Lily x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
Ki-32 Mary: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 89th Chinese Corps, at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-32 Mary x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 29
Ki-48 Lily x 11

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 26,68


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Biyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chicago Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 27,66


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Heito Maru, heavy damage
MSW Takasago Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toroshima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4058 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3732 troops, 18 guns, 3 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported

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

Ground combat at 22,64

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3538 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 32931 troops, 193 guns, 7 vehicles


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

[Ron Saueracker]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
G3M Nell x 26
G4M1 Betty x 106

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Division, at 50,31


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 8
SB-2c x 24


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 37th Division, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
I-153c x 9
SB-2c x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 9th Ind. Brigade, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
I-153c x 3
SB-2c x 6


Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 22,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 50
Kittyhawk I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 31,36


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Hurricane II x 9


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bali

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4095 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 3765 troops, 17 guns, 3 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 31,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3420 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 706 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

[Ron Saueracker]

Mogami's Chinese based IJA LBA continues to wreak havoc with an overwhelming attack on Ichang...flattening it.

The fighting withdrawl continues successfully considering the desperate situation in Java. Mogami captures Merak and the remnats of the forces which retreated from Batavia and could not manage to march out of the hex due to disablement are captured and face an ugly ordeal in the salt mines of Ashio.

In Burma, the RAF conducts a small (2 squadrons of Blenheim Mk IVs escorted by elements of the AVG) and daring low level (1,000 ft of the wave tops) anti shipping strike on a convoy entering Bangkok harbor and score heavily. That will teach the little nippers to respect the white warrior!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/17/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 55 encounters mine field at Palembang (20,55)

Japanese Ships
AP Tamashima Maru, and is sunk
MSW Takasago Maru, and is sunk
AP Takayo Maru, and is sunk
MSW W.19
MSW W.18
MSW W.15
MSW W.11
MSW W.10
MSW W.9
MSW W.7
MSW W.6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Ichang , at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-30 Ann x 47
Ki-32 Mary x 25
Ki-21 Sally x 122
Ki-48 Lily x 52
Ki-46-II Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Ki-32 Mary: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 6 destroyed
SB-2c: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 243

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Krung Thep , at 29,39


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 92


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
484 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 44


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71


Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 34


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Amboina , at 39,73


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 46


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M Nell x 27
G4M1 Betty x 107

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 72

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sasebo 1st SNLF, at 24,68


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 2
Beaufort V-IX x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 39th Division, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
I-153c x 3
SB-2c x 6


Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 38th Division, at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 6
P-40B Tomahawk x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Division, at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 56th Brigade, at 22,64


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 47
Kittyhawk I x 10


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 29,38


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Blenheim I x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th Engineer Regiment, at 20,62


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 22
Hudson I x 22
P-40E Warhawk x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Base Force, at 24,68


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 3
Brewster 339D x 3
Kittyhawk I x 2
Beaufort V-IX x 19
P-39D Airacobra x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 5


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 31,36


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Hurricane II x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 60th Division, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 3
SB-2c x 6


Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 69th Division, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
I-153c x 12
SB-2c x 14


Allied aircraft losses
SB-2c: 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 69th Division, at 49,33


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 9
SB-2c x 12


Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 damaged
SB-2c: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bangkok at 29,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 18
P-40B Tomahawk x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Jinsan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Shonon Maru #10
MSW Wa 19, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heiwa Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AP Daifuku Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Merak

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 10051 troops, 118 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4109 troops, 20 guns, 10 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 28 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Merak base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
4716 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 31,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3480 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 699 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 22,64

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3601 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 33118 troops, 179 guns, 5 vehicles


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

[Ron Saueracker]

Turn opens with yet another example of the buggered ASW model. Cachalot is spotted, all escorts check to see if they detect sub in order to attack, one (Wakaba) does and fires 4 unguided DCs and ALL hit. This is ridiculous. I rarely see 4 aimed torpedoes score 2 hits out of four but a miss by a DC is so rare it's sad. How many examples of this and how many people have to voice their concern about the ASW model before it gets fixed? The design is way off and there is no denying it. This is getting very frustrating.

Ichang and Port Moresby come under massive air attack again and both remain useless.

Java still mainy Dutch but the end of the Dutch colony is near.

Remainder of Pacific is basically static and quiet.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,50

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki
DD Wakaba
DD Kamikaze
DD Uzuki
DD Kazegumo
DD Asanagi

Allied Ships
SS Cachalot, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

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

Day Air attack on Ichang , at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-30 Ann x 46
Ki-32 Mary x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 119
Ki-48 Lily x 52
Ki-46-II Dinah x 7

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
SB-2c: 15 destroyed, 19 damaged


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Airbase hits 38
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 173

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 43
LB-30 Liberator x 25


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported

Resources hits 1
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M Nell x 25
G4M1 Betty x 94

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 44


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Division, at 49,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 7
SB-2c x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 2 damaged
SB-2c: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 38th Division, at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Blenheim I x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Division, at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 9
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 56th Brigade, at 22,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 47
Kittyhawk I x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 7 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 12th NLF , at 31,36


Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Hurricane II x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

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

[Ron Saueracker]

Here is the list of Allied subs sunk to date in our stock scen 15 scenario. The Japanese have only lost 4 but I rarely see any reported or notice any RDF intercept reports on SIGINT so I must assume they remain in port or away from Allied shipping lanes predominantly...can't sink them if they are not used. The IJN losses would be more severe, guaranteed.

All the Allied subs have been lost to IJN surface attacks using DCs. Not even 1 hit from aircraft. The DCs fired are averaging slightly less than a 100% hit percentage. The Allied subs have all been in Deep open ocean hexes except for Sculpin, S-43 and the two Dutch Boats. Historically by this time the US had lost 5 subs, Sealion to air attack at Manila, S-36 to an accidental grounding, S-26 to an operational accident (collided with S-21), and only two to surface DC attack, Perch and Shark. (in our game, the USN has lost 13, all to surface ASW despite having far fewer encounters as historically was the case).

No Dutch or British subs were sunk as a result of surface ASW up to this point historically.

How can the devs be OK with this?

[mogami]

Hi, Tell them the full story Ron. When you see Japanese ships in great number you don't move your submarines out of the way but instead congregate them in the area.

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: Mogami

Hi, Tell them the full story Ron. When you see Japanese ships in great number you don't move your submarines out of the way but instead congregate them in the area.

Ahhh...like was done historically? I can't believe what you just wrote, Russ! Subs were not this vulnerable. Subs were ordered into high traffic areas and against enemy warship TFs. Let's remember to base our comments on historical fact and not the WITP interpretation of this.

Anyone hear of the "Battle of Lingayan Gulf" from Dec 21-25, 1941? What can only be described as a massive Japanese naval presence was in Lingayan Gulf unloading the majority of the Japanese Army forces which captured Luzon. The Gulf is shallow and in addition to close escorts for the transports there were ASW TFs patrolling the entrance. No less than seven USN submarines were ordered to run the ASW gauntlet and penetrate the Gulf and attack the protected transports. All survived despite being repeatedly attacked by DCs and one, S-38, actually sank a confirmed transport. This is contrary to what you are saying players should be doing and the results are also contrary to what historically was the case.

Are you saying that submarines should avoid contact? How would Taiho, Shokaku, Atago, and Maya been sunk by USN submarines at Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf if reality was the way WITP would have us believe and you would have players use their subs (avoiding contacts). How would the destruction of Wasp, Yorktown, Juneau, and the damage to North Carolina, Saratoga (twice), O'Brien etc have occurred if Japanese subs avoided contact with USN warship TFs? None of these Japanese subs were sunk after their attacks either, but I bet all would have been sunk in WITP.

C'mon, you can't defend the design here. It's just too far from the reality of the situation.