Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:22 pm**

04 January 1945

Re-org time in India. The base at Asansol is up and running. The USN HQ COMAIRFMFPAC is there. All squadrons there are now under their command, and the command itself reports to XX AF. That should ease any stacking issues. I've mainly moved Spitfire and Razorback P-47 squadrons there. Torpedo carrying Beaufighters are also there, so they have a decent reach if any new convoys try to come in.

Ships at Townsville are recovering nicely.

Troops in Burma are out of the jungle now and should reach Schwebo within a few days.

Posted: **Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:22 pm**

05 January 1945

Not too much today.

A couple mega convoys restocked Cape Town. About a million and a half in fuel there and probably 300k in supply. More to ship to India. Ships haven't been able to keep up, which is a first.

As far as supporting a Port Moresby campaign, Australia's fairly well stocked in supply right now. Lots of fuel has come in and a couple large convoys from the states unloaded at Melbourne, with more enroute.

The Dutch Marinier Brigade showed up at San Francisco. Hopefully they're useful.

B-24s are hitting the troops at Ponape.

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:45 pm**

ORIGINAL: Mundy
As far as supporting a Port Moresby campaign, Australia's fairly well stocked in supply right now. Lots of fuel has come in and a couple large convoys from the states unloaded at Melbourne, with more enroute.

Port Moresby is really just a battle within a larger campaign. Do you have a campaign planned in the SWPAC?

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2016 5:57 pm**

Not fully fleshed out yet. My next choice would probably Milne Bay. After that... I could go and clear out Darwin and threaten the DEI, or I could go to Lae and secure New Guinea. I haven't reconned Lae, but my gut feeling is that KS hasn't really developed this base.

07 January 1945

Takanis Bay finally dies, eating six more torps since first getting struck. I was hopeful she'd make it back.

Sub attack near Kusaie Island at 124,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-33

Allied Ships
CVE Takanis Bay, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Takanis Bay
SS I-33 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Takanis Bay
I-33 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection

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

Sub attack near Kusaie Island at 124,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-178

Allied Ships
DD Welles

SS I-178 launches 2 torpedoes
I-178 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection

KS hits some troops I have approaching Akyab, to no effect. I'm pursuing his last remnants there.

I'm moving all the fighting troops in Asansol to Jamshedpur. I'm thinking of another push to Howrah and I have about 3,000 AV. I'm not sure if it's enough and I'm also not sure about his supply situation. Asansol's building up nice and has 60,000 in supply, which I'm happy with. I wish all my other bases would build up also.

I'll have another announcement after next turn.

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2016 8:27 pm**

08 January 1945

Mission for tomorrow: Port Moresby. The fleet will reach near the end of next turn. I've already trashed the airfield with lots of B-24s and will focus on troops next. Recon has shown a consistent 25,000 troops there. I'll be landing 7 divisions -- all Australian except for the USA 32nd Infantry. Add to that plenty of armor and artillery. This is most likely serious overkill, but I want it over quickly. It looks like everyone was only spotted this turn, so that doesn't leave KS much time to deal with it. A sub encountered one of the covering ASW groups, but was driven off with no hits.

3 more B-29 units show up in Eastern US. I have far more of these squadrons in the Pacific than I do in India at this point.

All the troops are assembled at Jamshedpur. I'll have to decide whether to plunge them in or not.

My two new carriers will reach Pearl next turn. I forgot about them and left the escorting destroyers due to meet them high and dry. They're off to San Diego and then back.

I'm deciding whether to wait the next week for all my carriers in Pearl to cover Ponape or send the 8 I already have there. The troops waiting at Tarawa are at about 60% right now. I'll probably wait and then send all of the dozen or so fleet carriers. Ponape itself has been quiet with no fighting -- only waiting.

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:17 pm**

09 January 1945

Troops are ashore. I probably lost about 500 in the process. Not too bad for having no amphib force HQ.

His bombardment:

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14829 troops, 137 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 501

Defending force 55739 troops, 980 guns, 803 vehicles, Assault Value = 2058

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
306th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
46th JNAF AF Unit
308th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Div /8
2/4th Armoured Regiment
5th Australian Division
11th Australian Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
3rd Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
37th Infantry Div /1
2nd Medium Regiment
109th Anti Tank Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

This shouldn't take too long. I'm already loading up the first of the base forces to send over. LSTs with supply are halfway there. Some rocket ships are with them, so if the fight lasts that long, they'll probably get some of that stuff. Once I take it, I'll leave two divisions and some artillery and pull everyone else back to Townsville. Milne will probably be next, along with Horn Island.

Forgot to mention. I spent about five days with B-29s at Patna seeding Calcutta with mines. If any anti-mine ships show, they'll get jumped by all the anti-ship planes I have ready.

Posted: **Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:04 pm**

10 January 1944

Port Moresby will be a bit longer than expected.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14812 troops, 136 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 500

Defending force 61820 troops, 980 guns, 811 vehicles, Assault Value = 2090

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
306th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
106th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
308th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Division
11th Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
37th Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Australian Division
5th Australian Division
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61748 troops, 980 guns, 811 vehicles, Assault Value = 2083

Defending force 23103 troops, 170 guns, 123 vehicles, Assault Value = 497

Allied adjusted assault: 551

Japanese adjusted defense: 999

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
936 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 23 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2704 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 183 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 54 (13 destroyed, 41 disabled)
Vehicles lost 56 (16 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Assaulting units:
11th Australian Division
32nd Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
37th Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
13th Australian Brigade
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
5th Australian Division
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
46th JNAF AF Unit
306th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
308th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
50th JNAF AF Unit

I'll keep up the bombardments for awhile and keep up the bombings. No bombers hit here today... probably weather. I set the TBMs on the CVEs to hit also. Everyone's hitting troops next turn, but after that, I'll probably spread it out to airfields, so I can get supply hits.

My troops in north Burma are getting bombed now, slowing their progress to Mandalay. Bombing's been preceded by many sweeps, so putting up LRCAP may be problematic.

A day until all the troops at Jamshedpur are unpacked. Then I'll have to decide whether to march on Howrah or not. It may be a slog like Moresby, if forts are built up.

I'm still getting the air groups on the carriers straightened out at Pearl. There's no way to offload individual planes, so I thought I was stuck, but just giving it a day seemed to fix things. I should have 10 fleet carriers ready tomorrow, plus another five CVLs, so I may start to get the follow up troops for Ponape ready. Once I take that island, I can make life on Truk difficult.

Posted: **Wed Jul 27, 2016 6:31 pm**

Did you not bring a corps HQ to Port Moresby? Using HQs is really important for the Allies in amphibious invasions against well fortified targets. If you don't bring them then those battles can really drag on sometimes.

Posted: **Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:43 pm**

I thought I had, but I must have overlooked it. I have a second wave due to load up next turn. In the meantime, I'm bombing the airfield to get the supply hits going.

13 January 1945

KS LRCAPped PM this turn. Fortunately, between the escorts and the CAP from the CVEs, I was able to beat them off.

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 20
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 15
Mitchell II x 3
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-24J Liberator x 21
P-51D Mustang x 3
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 80

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 5 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 9 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Mitchell II bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 31 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
S-322 Hikotai with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 20 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes

Also attacking 35th Army ...
Also attacking 50th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 35th Army ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking 35th Army ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
Mitchell II x 16
B-24J Liberator x 3
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
F4U-1D Corsair x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x Mitchell II bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24J Liberator x 27
P-51D Mustang x 40
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking Port Moresby ...
Also attacking 46th JNAF AF Unit ...

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 13
F6F-3 Hellcat x 38

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 6
F4U-1A Corsair x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 53

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11
F4U-1A Corsair x 2
F6F-3 Hellcat x 47

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking 35th Army ...

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45

No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
F4U-1A Corsair x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 42

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 35th Army ...
Also attacking 16th Division ...

Morning Air attack on 50th JNAF AF Unit , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 48

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on 308th Ship Eng Coy , at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 12
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 40

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 16th Division ...
Also attacking 308th Ship Eng Coy ...

My amphibs will reach Townsville next turn, and I'll get more troops in quickly, not loading supply. For now, we're just bombarding each other with the edge going to me.

Troops at Tarawa are loaded and enroute to Ponape, to bolster that also. It should be only a few days.

My forces at Schwebo are getting bombed. he's sweeping first, thinking I was LRCAPping them.

Morning Air attack on 72nd British Brigade, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 44

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 41st Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 72nd British Brigade ...
Also attacking 41st Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 72nd British Brigade ...

Recon sucked at Mandalay. For turn after turn, it was showing about 3,000 troops there, but in fact an entire division with an HQ was sitting there, and they mauled one of my armored car units. I'm getting everyone else out and back to India at this point. It was worth a try, but this won't succeed.

Posted: **Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:28 pm**

Yeah, the missing HQ was an oversight. When I loaded, I sorted the troops by destination, and I had quite a stack, as I had a ton of base forces also prepped for PM, so it got lost in the shuffle. I'm also shipping some commandos with them.

Posted: **Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:36 pm**

16 January 1945

Unloading at both invasions going on. Subs tried to meddle with both.

Sub attack near Ponape at 122,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-178

Allied Ships
SC PC-789
SC PC-788
SC PC-798
SC PC-790

SS I-178 launches 2 torpedoes at SC PC-789
I-178 diving deep ....
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-790 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sub attack near Ponape at 122,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-178, hits 39, and is sunk

Allied Ships
SC PC-788
SC PC-798
SC PC-790
SC PC-789

Captain of SS I-178 elects not to launch torpedoes at this target
SC PC-798 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC PC-790 attacking submerged sub ....
SC PC-798 attacking submerged sub ....
SC PC-798 is out of ASW ammo
SS I-178 forced to surface!
SC PC-798 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC PC-789 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC PC-790 firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

Submarine attack near Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
SS RO-60, hits 21, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DE Jaccard
DD Nepal
DD Worden
DD Flusser
DE Osterhaus

SS RO-60 is sighted by escort
DD Nepal attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-60 forced to surface!
DD Worden firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Osterhaus firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Nepal firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Worden firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Flusser firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

I'm happy to see my little wooden Subchasers get their licks in. One of the mousetraps got a direct hit and messed that sub up good by itself. Hedgehog hits have been rare so far.

Unloading at Ponape

Pre-Invasion action off Ponape (119,113) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

499 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Queen Elizabeth, Shell hits 21, on fire
BB Arkansas, Shell hits 57, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 6
BB Arizona
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 15, on fire
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 1
CA London, Shell hits 3
CA Shropshire
CL Newcastle
CL Newfoundland
CL Ceylon, Shell hits 5
DD Caperton
DD Callaghan
DD Bradford
DD Bennion, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
APA Sanborn
DD Mannert Abele
DD Claxton

Japanese ground losses:
1012 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 34 (3 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
176 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB Queen Elizabeth
BB Queen Elizabeth firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB Arkansas
BB Arkansas firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
BB Pennsylvania firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB Pennsylvania
BB Arizona firing at 94th/A Division
BB Oklahoma firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB Oklahoma
BB West Virginia firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at BB West Virginia
CA London firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at CA London
CA Shropshire firing at 94th/A Division
CL Newcastle firing at 94th/C Division
CL Newfoundland firing at 94th/A Division
CL Ceylon firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at CL Ceylon
DD Caperton firing at 47th Ind. Mixed Brigade
DD Callaghan firing at 94th/B Division
DD Bradford firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at DD Bradford
Ponape Naval Fortress firing at DD Bennion
DD Bennion firing at Ponape Naval Fortress
DD Caperton fired at enemy troops
DD Callaghan fired at enemy troops
DD Bradford fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

QE and Arkansas got messed up a but with sys in the 20s, with some fires. They did their damage, though. Everyone here will attack next turn. I noticed I never put an HQ on this invasion either. What's wrong with me?

A surface force built around three more BBs will park at Ponape. KS has a transport force two hexes to the NW and a fast transport group about 6-8 hexes away. They're probably just out of reach of my planes at Roi-Namur and Eniwetok. I don't think he'll mess with the battleships I currently have there. A little group of two CVEs I have there will move about 4 hexes north to hopefully get a shot at them without being caught themselves.

I attacked at Port Moresby, as I know I'd have at least a fragment of the HQ ashore.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14209 troops, 136 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

Defending force 65005 troops, 970 guns, 823 vehicles, Assault Value = 1984

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

Assaulting units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
108th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
35th Army
306th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
308th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
13th Australian Brigade
2/7 Commando Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
37th Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
32nd Infantry Division
11th Australian Division
5th Australian Division
109th Anti Tank Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
III Amphib Corps /1

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 62249 troops, 970 guns, 823 vehicles, Assault Value = 1984

Defending force 21903 troops, 170 guns, 123 vehicles, Assault Value = 435

Allied adjusted assault: 666

Japanese adjusted defense: 2043

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 6)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1093 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1889 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 175 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 38 disabled
Guns lost 29 (7 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (8 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
13th Australian Brigade
37th Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Australian Division
5th Australian Division
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
III Amphib Corps /1

Defending units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
308th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
35th Army
50th JNAF AF Unit

I'm not sure it's made a difference yet, so we'll see next turn. At this rate, I can probably just attrition him out of here.

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 5:08 pm**

17 January 1945

Last update for a week, as KS is going on vacation.

His light ASuW group reaches Ponape. First they deal with my two ASW TFs. The all DD one beats them off rather nicely, but the DEs don't fare as well. Finally he reaches the amphibs.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 119,113, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Inazuma
DD Shinonome, Shell hits 1
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Boyd
DD Halligan
DD John Hood
DD Jenkins

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Nakamura, Katsubej crosses the 'T'
DD Inazuma engages DD Jenkins at 12,000 yards
DD John Hood engages DD Inazuma at 12,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Halligan at 12,000 yards
DD Halligan engages DD Murakumo at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Jenkins engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
DD Amagiri engages DD Jenkins at 7,000 yards
DD Amagiri sunk by DD Halligan at 7,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD John Hood at 7,000 yards
DD Jenkins engages DD Shinonome at 7,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD John Hood at 7,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DD Jenkins at 7,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Jenkins at 7,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD John Hood at 7,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Hatsuyuki at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD John Hood at 6,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Halligan at 6,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Inazuma at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Jenkins engages DD Yugiri at 8,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD John Hood at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Jenkins at 8,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Hatsuyuki at 8,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Inazuma at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Jenkins at 10,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Yugiri at 10,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Halligan at 10,000 yards
DD Boyd engages DD Murakumo at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DD Jenkins at 13,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Boyd at 13,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Halligan at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Boyd at 13,000 yards
DD John Hood engages DD Shinonome at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 119,113, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma
DD Shinonome
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DE Wyman, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DE Day, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
DE Jobb, Shell hits 2, on fire
DE Leslie L. B. Knox, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
DE Leslie L. B. Knox engages CL Kuma at 6,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 6,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
DE Day engages DD Inazuma at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 3,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Day at 3,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Day at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 3,000 yards
Kimble, H.B. orders Allied TF to disengage
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 6,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 5,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Day at 5,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Day at 5,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Wyman at 5,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 6,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Day at 6,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 6,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
DE Jobb engages DD Yugiri at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 8,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 8,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 9,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Day at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 11,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Wyman at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 11,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 9,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 9,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 9,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Day at 9,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DE Jobb at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Day at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 10,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Jobb at 10,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DE Wyman at 10,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Day at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 8,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Day at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Wyman at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Jobb at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 10,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Wyman at 10,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Day at 10,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Wyman at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
DE Day sunk by DD Murakumo at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DE Jobb at 8,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Wyman at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Wyman at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Leslie L. B. Knox at 14,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Jobb at 14,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DE Wyman at 14,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Wyman at 14,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DE Wyman at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 119,113, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Inazuma
DD Shinonome
DD Isonami
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 1
BB Arizona, Shell hits 3
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 2
BB Arkansas
BB Queen Elizabeth
CA Shropshire
CA London
CL Ceylon
CL Newfoundland
CL Newcastle
DD Allen M. Sumner
DD Mannert Abele, Shell hits 1
DD Bennion, on fire
DD Black
DD Bradford
DD Callaghan, Shell hits 87, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Caperton
DD Charrette
DD Claxton
AP Gen. W.H.Gordon
AP Adm. W.S.Benson
AP Adm. W.L.Capps
AP Gen. R.L.Howze
APA President Polk
APA Crescent City
APA Arthur Middleton
APA George Clymer
APA Monrovia
APA Sheridan
APA John Land
APA La Grange, Shell hits 2
APA Sibley
APA Tazewell
APA Telfair
APA Oconto
APA Olmsted, heavy damage
APA Oxford
APA Pickens
APA Pondera
APA Rutland
APA Sanborn, Shell hits 4, on fire
AKA Virgo
AKA Centarus
AKA Almaack
AKA Aquarius
AKA Electra
AK Iran Victory
AK Boulder Victory
AK Australian Victory

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 17% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 27,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 27,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 21,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 21,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 15,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 9,000 yards
DD Callaghan collides with APA Olmsted at 119 , 113
BB Queen Elizabeth engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
BB Arkansas engages DD Shinonome at 9,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
BB Arizona engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
BB West Virginia engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Callaghan at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages APA President Polk at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages CL Kuma at 8,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages DD Murakumo at 8,000 yards
BB Arizona engages CL Kuma at 8,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Callaghan at 8,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Callaghan at 8,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Callaghan at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages APA Sanborn at 8,000 yards
CL Kuma engages APA La Grange at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
BB Arizona engages CL Kuma at 6,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Yugiri at 6,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Murakumo at 6,000 yards
BB Arizona engages CL Kuma at 6,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Callaghan at 6,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Shinonome at 6,000 yards
CL Kuma engages APA Arthur Middleton at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
BB Arkansas collides with APA Olmsted at 119 , 113
BB Queen Elizabeth engages CL Kuma at 5,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Callaghan at 5,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Murakumo at 5,000 yards
BB Arizona engages CL Kuma at 5,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages CL Kuma at 5,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Callaghan at 5,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Inazuma at 5,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CA Shropshire at 5,000 yards
CL Kuma engages APA Sanborn at 5,000 yards
CL Kuma engages APA La Grange at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Kuma engages DD Callaghan at 2,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Callaghan at 2,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages DD Murakumo at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Callaghan at 2,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages CL Kuma at 2,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Callaghan at 2,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Inazuma at 2,000 yards
CL Kuma engages AP Adm. W.L.Capps at 2,000 yards
Nakamura, Katsubej orders Japanese TF to disengage
CL Kuma engages APA Sanborn at 2,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Yugiri at 2,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CL Kuma at 2,000 yards
BB Arizona engages DD Hatsuyuki at 2,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Isonami at 2,000 yards
DD Callaghan engages DD Shinonome at 2,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Callaghan at 2,000 yards
DD Mannert Abele engages DD Yugiri at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
BB Queen Elizabeth engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
BB Arkansas engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Callaghan at 7,000 yards
DD Shinonome engages DD Mannert Abele at 7,000 yards
CA London engages CL Kuma at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
APA Sanborn , APA Rutland , APA Pondera ,
APA Pickens , APA Oxford , APA Olmsted ,
APA Oconto , APA Telfair , APA Tazewell ,
APA Sibley , APA La Grange , APA John Land ,
APA Sheridan , APA Monrovia , APA George Clymer ,
APA Arthur Middleton screened from combat
- escorted by DD Claxton , DD Charrette , DD Caperton ,
DD Callaghan , DD Bradford , DD Black ,
DD Bennion
DD Mannert Abele engages DD Yugiri at 11,000 yards
BB Pennsylvania engages DD Murakumo at 11,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages CL Kuma at 11,000 yards
BB Oklahoma engages CL Kuma at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Next we trade airstrikes on ships there. I've moved my CVE back south next to Ponape to screen them with a CAP at this point. I should have seen this coming.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 115,110

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 18
F4U-1D Corsair x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 1 damaged
Avenger II: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
APD T-5
APD T-13
APD T-14
APD T-15
APD T-4
APD T-11

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Avenger II bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 8 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA London
BB Pennsylvania
BB Queen Elizabeth, Bomb hits 3
BB Arkansas, Bomb hits 1, Kamikaze hits 1
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 1
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
9 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
7 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

My fleet carriers are a day or two away from here and will better cover things. Hancock and Ticonderoga just departed Pearl and will recombine with one of these two groups. Two Iowas are with them.

KS also snuck some mines in there. I have regular AMs enroute. A second group of DMS is at flank speed and will reach next turn to deal with this.

TF 236 encounters mine field at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Ships
DD Charrette
DD Bradford
BB Pennsylvania, Mine hits 1

2 mines cleared

On the ground things took a turn for the better this turn at Ponape and Port Moresby. Hopefully I can finish both soon. I think the big bombardment at Ponape last turn really pushed things there.

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14577 troops, 163 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 467

Defending force 29280 troops, 554 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 1064

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
47th Ind.Mixed Brigade
94th Division
Ponape Naval Fortress
3rd Base Force

Defending units:
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd Arm Amphib Battalion
6th Marine Division
77th Infantry Division
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
6th USMC Tank Battalion
2nd Arm Amphib Battalion
706th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
6th Pioneer Battalion

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

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29280 troops, 554 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 1064

Defending force 16338 troops, 175 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 460

Allied adjusted assault: 588

Japanese adjusted defense: 381

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
2087 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 157 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 28 (9 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
961 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 23 (2 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Arm Amphib Battalion
6th USMC Tank Battalion
6th Marine Division
77th Infantry Division
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd Arm Amphib Battalion
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
706th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
47th Ind.Mixed Brigade
94th Division
Ponape Naval Fortress
3rd Base Force

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13569 troops, 136 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Defending force 63895 troops, 966 guns, 819 vehicles, Assault Value = 1820

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
36th/C Div /1
308th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
306th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
108th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
2/4th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
13th Australian Brigade
32nd Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
37th Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
5th Australian Division
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
III Amphib Corps
2nd Medium Regiment
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 61362 troops, 966 guns, 817 vehicles, Assault Value = 1818

Defending force 21453 troops, 180 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 381

Allied adjusted assault: 1292

Japanese adjusted defense: 913

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1380 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 20 (4 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2102 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 132 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 49 disabled
Guns lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 47 (19 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/7 Commando Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
11th Australian Division
37th Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
13th Australian Brigade
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
5th Australian Division
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
III Amphib Corps
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

Defending units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
36th/C Div /1
106th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
35th Army
308th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 5:54 pm**

Good progress on the ground at Ponape and Port Moresby. Nicely done!

Why don't you have CVEs covering the landing at Ponape? Had there been torpedo bombers instead of dive bombers they could have done a lot of damage to your BBs.

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:11 pm**

DD Callaghan was a shell magnet taking all the abuse.

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:15 pm**

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

Good progress on the ground at Ponape and Port Moresby. Nicely done!

Why don't you have CVEs covering the landing at Ponape? Had there been torpedo bombers instead of dive bombers they could have done a lot of damage to your BBs.

They had gotten mauled good earlier, and those that didn't sink are at or enroute to Pearl. The two I have there should handle any more attacks. The fleet carriers will be there shortly to handle things. I was trying to get a good angle on his TFs as they were setting up, and I should have just left them at Ponape.

The ones I have at Moresby are doing well deterring anything there.

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:16 pm**

ORIGINAL: Bif1961
DD Callaghan was a shell magnet taking all the abuse.

Yeah, I was rather pleased to seem them all attack her, leaving everyone else alone. The AI does tend to dogpile on wounded ships.

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2016 11:34 am**

A couple tidbits while waiting...

CB Alaska showed up some days ago. If it goes that long, she can be useful dealing with those light Japanese ASuW groups which have been visiting Ponape.

I'm getting assault transports on a daily basis for months now. I would have killed for them back in '42.

Some old battleships, cruisers, and destroyers will reach Ponape next turn to determine any more visits by fighting ships or transports.

Posted: **Fri Aug 05, 2016 10:09 pm**

19 January 1945

Back in Action.

Sic 'em boys!

Sub attack near Truk at 113,110

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
SS Skate

SS Skate launches 4 torpedoes at CL Kuma
Skate diving deep ....
DD Murakumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Murakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Murakumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Murakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Murakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I heard sinking sounds after this... good riddance.

A sub tried to mess with my newly arrived ASuW group at Ponape. Not dead, but messed up.

ASW attack near Ponape at 121,113

Japanese Ships
SS I-175, hits 13

Allied Ships
BB California
BB Maryland
CL Caradoc
CL Pasadena
DD Ingraham
DD Cooper
DD Philip
DD Murray
DD Bell

SS I-175 is sighted by escort
DD Philip fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Murray fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bell fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Bell attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

The ground war is picking up. Last turn I was worried that things were stagnating, but this turn went better. I attacked Ponape at 1-2 last turn.

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28466 troops, 559 guns, 513 vehicles, Assault Value = 947

Defending force 13193 troops, 172 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 171

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 296

Japanese adjusted defense: 139

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1766 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 20 (6 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd Arm Amphib Battalion
6th USMC Tank Battalion
77th Infantry Division
6th Marine Division
2nd Arm Amphib Battalion
706th Tank Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
6th Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
94th Division
47th Ind. Mixed Brigade
Ponape Naval Fortress
3rd Base Force

Port Moresby's moving along nicely too. I'm guessing about three days to wrap both these invasions up.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12424 troops, 143 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 232

Defending force 64172 troops, 980 guns, 823 vehicles, Assault Value = 1559

Japanese ground losses:
253 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th Division
36th/C Div /1
46th JNAF AF Unit
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
35th Army
106th Ship Eng Coy
308th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
13th Australian Brigade
37th Infantry Division
11th Australian Division
3rd Australian Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
2/7 Commando Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
5th Australian Division
III Amphib Corps
2nd RAAF M/W Sqn
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
45th Base Group /3
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
8th RAAF Base Force /2

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 58775 troops, 957 guns, 796 vehicles, Assault Value = 1556

Defending force 19385 troops, 169 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 220

Allied adjusted assault: 712

Japanese adjusted defense: 409

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1213 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
552 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (6 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/4th Armoured Regiment
3rd Australian Division
37th Infantry Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
13th Australian Brigade
11th Australian Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
5th Australian Division
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAAF M/W Sqn
109th Anti Tank Regiment
45th Base Group /3
III Amphib Corps
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
8th RAAF Base Force /2

Defending units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
35th Army
50th JNAF AF Unit
108th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
308th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
36th/C Div /1

My battleship surface group at Ponape can go bombardment, if I want to speed things up a bit. I'll wait and see for that. My two fleet carrier groups are in the hex SE of the island. He has a cruiser group halfway between here and Truk supposedly moving this way. Maybe I'll get a shot. I don't want to desert the ships unloading yet, due to Truk's bombers. I sent the two CVEs back to Roi-Namur. Another three are enroute there from Pearl. I've also sent all the empty transports into a new group back to Pearl. Once I've taken this island, I'll worry about evacuations later, if at all

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:20 am**

20 January 1944

The cruisers make a run at Ponape.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 119,113, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 15, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Makigumo
DD Tamanami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Onami, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Asashio, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio
DD Arashio
DD Natsugumo
DD Inazuma
DD Isonami, Shell hits 2
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo
DD Tadeyame, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 4
BB Colorado, Shell hits 5
BB California, Shell hits 1
CL Pasadena
CL Caradoc
DD Cooper, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Haynsworth, Shell hits 2
DD Ingraham
DD Maddox
DD Bell, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Gatling, Shell hits 1
DD Murray, Shell hits 1
DD Philip, Shell hits 3, on fire

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 35% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages BB California at 12,000 yards
BB Colorado engages DD Tadeyame at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland engages DD Tadeyame at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages BB Maryland at 12,000 yards
DD Isonami engages BB Maryland at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland engages DD Inazuma at 12,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages BB Maryland at 12,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Arashio at 12,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Bell at 12,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Maddox at 12,000 yards
DD Maddox engages DD Onami at 12,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Isonami at 12,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Makigumo at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
BB California engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages BB Colorado at 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Haynsworth at 8,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Murakumo at 8,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Onami at 8,000 yards
DD Murray engages DD Tadeyame at 8,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Bell at 8,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Maddox at 8,000 yards
DD Asashio engages DD Maddox at 8,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Bell at 8,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Haynsworth at 8,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Bell at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages BB California at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages BB Colorado at 5,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Naka at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Bell at 5,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages CL Naka at 5,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Philip at 5,000 yards
DD Murray engages DD Tamanami at 5,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Tadeyame at 5,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Bell at 5,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Maddox at 5,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Ingraham at 5,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Haynsworth at 5,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Cooper at 5,000 yards
BB California engages DD Tadeyame at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages BB Maryland at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Bell at 5,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Murray at 5,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Inazuma at 5,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Murray at 5,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Bell at 5,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Bell at 5,000 yards
DD Maddox engages DD Asashio at 5,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Cooper at 5,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Tamanami at 5,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Cooper at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages CL Naka at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages BB Colorado at 8,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Murakumo at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Ingraham at 8,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Cooper at 8,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Philip at 8,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Murray at 8,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Hatsuyuki at 8,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Bell at 8,000 yards
DD Asashio engages DD Maddox at 8,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Haynsworth at 8,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Cooper at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages CL Naka at 11,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Bell at 11,000 yards
CL Naka engages CL Caradoc at 11,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Isonami at 11,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Maddox at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Gatling at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Bell at 11,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Asashio at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Tamanami at 11,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB California engages CL Naka at 13,000 yards
BB Colorado engages DD Isonami at 13,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Naka at 13,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Hatsuyuki at 13,000 yards
CL Naka engages CL Pasadena at 13,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Inazuma at 13,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Murray at 13,000 yards
DD Arashio engages DD Murray at 13,000 yards
DD Murray engages DD Oshio at 13,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Maddox at 13,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Onami at 13,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Tamanami at 13,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Cooper at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages CL Naka at 15,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CL Naka at 15,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Naka at 15,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Tadeyame at 15,000 yards
CL Naka engages CL Pasadena at 15,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Philip at 15,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Murray at 15,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Arashio at 15,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Murray at 15,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Maddox at 15,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Ingraham at 15,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Haynsworth at 15,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Cooper at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
CL Naka engages CL Pasadena at 14,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CL Naka at 14,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Naka at 14,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Hatsuyuki at 14,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Isonami at 14,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Philip at 14,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Murray at 14,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Onami at 14,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Tadeyame at 14,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Asashio at 14,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Ingraham at 14,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Tamanami at 14,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Makigumo at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CL Naka engages CL Pasadena at 11,000 yards
BB Colorado engages DD Tadeyame at 11,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Naka at 11,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages CL Naka at 11,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages CL Naka at 11,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Philip at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Murray at 11,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Gatling at 11,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Isonami at 11,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Maddox at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Bell at 11,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Maddox at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Ingraham collides with DD Philip at 119 , 113
BB Colorado engages DD Onami at 7,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Cooper at 7,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages CL Naka at 7,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Inazuma at 7,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Natsugumo at 7,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Tamanami at 7,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Oshio at 7,000 yards
DD Asashio engages DD Bell at 7,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Ingraham at 7,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Haynsworth at 7,000 yards
DD Gatling engages DD Makigumo at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
BB California engages DD Tadeyame at 9,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CL Naka at 9,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Murakumo at 9,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Hatsuyuki at 9,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages DD Isonami at 9,000 yards
DD Makigumo engages DD Philip at 9,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Bell at 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Gatling at 9,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Bell at 9,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Maddox at 9,000 yards
DD Tadeyame engages DD Ingraham at 9,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Haynsworth at 9,000 yards
DD Inazuma engages DD Cooper at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB California engages CL Naka at 11,000 yards
DD Tadeyame sunk by BB Maryland at 11,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Hatsuyuki at 11,000 yards
DD Isonami engages DD Bell at 11,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Inazuma at 11,000 yards
DD Natsugumo engages DD Philip at 11,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Gatling at 11,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
DD Asashio engages DD Bell at 11,000 yards
DD Onami engages DD Cooper at 11,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Haynsworth at 11,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Makigumo at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 119,113, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Onami, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
BB Maryland
BB Colorado
BB California
CL Pasadena
CL Caradoc
DD Cooper
DD Haynsworth
DD Ingraham
DD Maddox
DD Bell
DD Gatling

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 46% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
BB California engages CL Naka at 14,000 yards
BB California engages DD Murakumo at 14,000 yards
BB Maryland engages CL Naka at 14,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Gatling at 14,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Bell at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
BB California engages CL Naka at 13,000 yards
BB Colorado engages CL Naka at 13,000 yards
CL Naka sunk by BB Maryland at 13,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Haynsworth at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Gatling at 11,000 yards
DD Onami sunk by BB Colorado at 11,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Murakumo at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
BB California engages DD Murakumo at 10,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Gatling at 10,000 yards
BB Maryland engages DD Murakumo at 10,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Ingraham at 10,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Murakumo at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Maddox at 8,000 yards
BB Colorado engages DD Hatsuyuki at 8,000 yards
BB Maryland engages DD Murakumo at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
BB California engages DD Murakumo at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Ingraham at 11,000 yards
CL Pasadena engages DD Murakumo at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
BB California engages DD Murakumo at 14,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Cooper at 14,000 yards
DD Bell engages DD Murakumo at 14,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Hatsuyuki at 14,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 119,113, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 1
DD Murakumo

Allied Ships
BB Maryland
BB Colorado
BB California, Shell hits 1
CL Pasadena
CL Caradoc
DD Cooper, Shell hits 1
DD Haynsworth
DD Ingraham
DD Maddox
DD Bell
DD Gatling, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 46% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Lee, Willis "Ching crosses the 'T'
DD Cooper collides with CL Pasadena at 119 , 113
BB California engages DD Hatsuyuki at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Gatling at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Ingraham at 12,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Hatsuyuki at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
DD Ingraham engages DD Hatsuyuki at 11,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Ingraham at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Haynsworth at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
BB California engages DD Murakumo at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Ingraham at 13,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Gatling at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
BB California engages DD Murakumo at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Gatling at 12,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Ingraham at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Haynsworth engages DD Murakumo at 13,000 yards
BB Colorado engages DD Murakumo at 13,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Gatling at 13,000 yards
DD Maddox engages DD Hatsuyuki at 13,000 yards
DD Cooper engages DD Hatsuyuki at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Maddox engages DD Murakumo at 12,000 yards
CL Caradoc engages DD Murakumo at 12,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DD Ingraham at 12,000 yards
DD Murakumo engages DD Cooper at 12,000 yards
Japanese Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

Pretty much beat them off.

One disconcerting thing is that I got no in-turn cues about mine encounters at Ponape. Several AMs and DMSs took hits and I wasn't aware of it until I opened up Combat Reporter. The report is ambiguous as to whether they took mine hits or the coast artillery lit them up.

Either way, Ponape fell this turn. There's a lingering unit left, but they'll probably die next turn. Good news is that I already have 72,000 in supply there. All the base forces I had waiting at Roi-Namur are loading up now. Ponape is a big deal, as I can now isolate Truk and start making things difficult to everything downstream from there. Ponape's normal airfield capacity is 3, meaning I can probably get it to 5 or so. Also, KS has been taking plenty of Emily losses over the last few weeks. Something like 3 a day falling to CAP.

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28209 troops, 558 guns, 513 vehicles, Assault Value = 909

Defending force 12133 troops, 167 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Allied adjusted assault: 400

Japanese adjusted defense: 71

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ponape !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
2343 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 56 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 85 (83 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
288 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
77th Infantry Division
2nd Arm Amphib Battalion
3rd Arm Amphib Battalion
6th USMC Tank Battalion
6th Marine Division
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
706th Tank Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
94th Division
47th Ind. Mixed Brigade
Ponape Naval Fortress
3rd Base Force

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

Ponape Naval Fortress Wiped Out at Ponape by attrition!!!

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

3rd Base Force Wiped Out at Ponape by attrition!!!

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Ponape

Port Moresby doesn't have long either. I've stopped the sweeps and bombing raids now. His bombardment this turn didn't do him any favors.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11741 troops, 139 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Defending force 64609 troops, 982 guns, 832 vehicles, Assault Value = 1484

Japanese ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
36th/C Div /1
306th Ship Eng Coy
308th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
106th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
108th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
37th Infantry Division
3rd Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
32nd Infantry Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
2/6th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
5th Australian Division
8th RAAF Base Force
III Amphib Corps
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
109th Anti Tank Regiment
45th Base Group
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2nd RAAF M/W Sqn

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 57945 troops, 959 guns, 802 vehicles, Assault Value = 1483

Defending force 18569 troops, 166 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 157

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 495

Japanese adjusted defense: 151

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1870 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 36 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (5 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
578 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 13 (6 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
2/6th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
32nd Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
5th Australian Division
2nd Medium Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
8th RAAF Base Force
III Amphib Corps
45th Base Group
2nd RAAF M/W Sqn

Defending units:
16th Division
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
35th Army
50th JNAF AF Unit
308th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
108th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
46th JNAF AF Unit
36th/C Div /1

Recon shows that Lae is probably unoccupied, so that can be another stepping stone. Recon will visit Buna for the next few turns. I may go overland there once PM falls. C-47s at Townsville can help them on the way.

In India, there's a beaten up unit at Jessore, probably armor heading east. I'm working them over with medium bombers. Other than that, naval search is busy south of Calcutta with plenty of planes assigned to antiship. That and all the subs down there should help keep Calcutta cut off. I may make a push there, if no supply appears to make it in for a month or two.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2016 4:03 pm**

21 January 1945

Port Moresby falls.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10827 troops, 136 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Defending force 64564 troops, 978 guns, 829 vehicles, Assault Value = 1458

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
16th Division
46th JNAF AF Unit
108th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
308th Ship Eng Coy
106th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
36th/C Div /1

Defending units:
13th Australian Brigade
3rd Australian Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/4th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
5th Australian Division
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
109th Anti Tank Regiment
III Amphib Corps
45th Base Group
8th RAAF Base Force
2nd Medium Regiment
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
2nd RAAF M/W Sqn

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

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 57678 troops, 955 guns, 799 vehicles, Assault Value = 1458

Defending force 17181 troops, 165 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 78

Allied adjusted assault: 546

Japanese adjusted defense: 61

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
6337 casualties reported
Squads: 152 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 341 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 71 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 91 (87 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 88 (88 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
401 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Australian Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
11th Australian Division
13th Australian Brigade
32nd Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
2/7 Commando Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
5th Australian Division
3/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
II Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
45th Base Group
2nd Medium Regiment
8th RAAF Base Force
III Amphib Corps
109th Anti Tank Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
2nd RAAF M/W Sqn

Defending units:
16th Division
106th Ship Eng Coy
308th Ship Eng Coy
306th Ship Eng Coy
35th Army
21st Ind Engineer Regiment
46th JNAF AF Unit
108th Ship Eng Coy
50th JNAF AF Unit
36th/C Div /1

Base forces are loading up and will be on the way. I have about 35,000 in supply there, still with a red exclamation mark, so I'll have to start pulling forces out. Buna is showing about 3,500 troops, not counting the survivors from PM enroute there. I'll be looking at Lae and Milne Bay next to seal up that part of the map. Invasions that ways won't be speedy, as I dumped all the 12 knot assault ships on the Australians. Airfield damage is minimal, so I'll be up fairly quickly. I'll be putting pressure on Rabaul at that point. This is probably a good way to deal with the whole Solomons issue. After Lae, I'll probably work west along the top of New Guinea towards the DEI, MacArthur-style. My campaign's starting to parallel the real one a little.

Ships continuing to arrive at Pearl. It looks like a regular ant trail there with a constant line of ships approaching.

Mopping up at Ponape. I didn't see any message about them folding, but they appear to be extinct now.

Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28183 troops, 558 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 887

Defending force 6516 troops, 57 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 300

Japanese adjusted defense: 23

Allied assault odds: 13 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1420 casualties reported
Squads: 143 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th USMC Tank Battalion
6th Marine Division
3rd Arm Amphib Battalion
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
2nd Arm Amphib Battalion
77th Infantry Division
706th Tank Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
94th Division

I dealt with this on the night turn:

Night Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M2e Betty x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB Arizona

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G4M2e Betty launching missiles from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x MXY7 Ohka 11

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

Night Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,113

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M2e Betty x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
CL Newfoundland

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M2e Betty launching missiles from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x MXY7 Ohka 11

I'm debating on taking one of the two CVs in the yard at Pearl (2 days left) and loading up all the USN night fighter and night strike squadrons on board to deal with this. I have a few of them available and can make a dedicated night ops carrier if I want.

More AMs are enroute to Ponape, as there still seems to be mines there. They can work unhindered this time. An AGP, plus a bunch of coastal minesweepers are enroute from Pearl to keep things up.

Survivors at Burma are still trying to get out. I'm taking the light armor and sending them to Myitkyina to grab it if unoccupied.

Bunches of troops are unloading at Kusaie. They and forces at Ponape will hit Truk next.

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Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)

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RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

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RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla