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major surface battle off Kourouratopo. My fast BB division, honorably supported by Commonwealth Crusiers, tore apart Ike's bombardment force.   I feel very lucky considering the firepower Ike brought forward. Additionally, Kako and Naka reportedly hit one mine each. Hiei is reported sunk by gunfire, and Haruna was sunk by SBD's, although she was probably going to sink anyway.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kourouratopo at 52,48

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
CA Tone
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Naka
CL Nagara
DD Uzuki
DD Satsuki
DD Asakaze
DD Oite
DD Asanagi
DD Hokaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achillies
DD Fletcher
DD Meredith
DD Swanson
DD Wilkes
DD Gwin


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Kourouratopo at 52,48

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nagato, Shell hits 5
CA Tone, Shell hits 2
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 3
CA Aoba
CA Kako, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
DD Uzuki
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 2
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oite
DD Asanagi
DD Hokaze
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 1
BB Washington, Shell hits 4
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1
CL Leander
CL Achillies
DD Fletcher
DD Meredith, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Swanson
DD Wilkes, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gwin, Shell hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kourouratopo at 52,48

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nagato, Shell hits 4
CA Tone, Shell hits 2
CA Myoko, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 5
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
CA Kako, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Naka
CL Nagara, Shell hits 2
DD Uzuki
DD Satsuki
DD Asakaze
DD Oite
DD Asanagi
DD Hokaze
DD Namikaze, on fire

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Leander, Shell hits 2
CL Achillies, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Fletcher
DD Meredith, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Swanson, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Wilkes, and is sunk
DD Gwin

additionally, Ike hit 1 APD with 2 sheels, and another with 1.

The allied counter attack begins! OK so it was only Nueva, and it was only held by a single Garrison unit, but hey, it's a start! Also, we get the pride of capturing the Imperial Navy's Minelayer graveyard. I have taken mine hits to a couple of AP's and DD's thanks to these units, but all of them will make port again. Much to my disappointment IKE did not contest the landings. He is saving his navy for more important bases apparently.
 
COME ON P38's!!  Not too long now!

I think Ike is bored  [>:]. 
 
He refuses to come out from behind his bases, although after what happened last time I can't really blame him. He also keeps trying to talk me into attacking him too soon. [:-] I spent the last few weeks flying some bombing missions on Irau. Nothing too serious, just trying to keep my crews busy and maybe get some added experience. My losses were higher than I would have liked, but nothing major. [:(]  Ike sailed in a few small convoys, hit one, missed another. I think 4 AP's have gone to the bottom this turn.  It's not too long until the first of the new carriers arrives, and the Saratoga returns. Then, Ike, you will get your wish
 
Now my scouts sighted a single CL about a days steam from Townsville. I am sure it has friends close by. Could be anything from a carrier raid, to some tourists heading to swim off the great barrier reef. [8D] we shall see.

Right now me and Brian are in a war of attrition between airforces. I think I`m winning it. He just got P38`s and on the second bombing day with them he lost 34 aircraft. I lost 8.

For the last couple weeks he has been hitting Irau with hundreds of bombers. But Irau has a fortification level of 8. The bombing is largely ineffective. It kills AA units but nothing else and barley scratches supplies. I still haven´t seen the bomber super weapon that wipes out your supplies and men. Yes, if your not fortified they`ll wipe you out but if you are well fortified it`s not too bad at all. It`s great experience for my fighters defending against these raids....

I think I've lost around 30-40 bombers so far. So I have hundreds of planes sitting around all over and the airfields to put them on. One can imagine the amount of firepower I can put on any invasion site in my zone.

Actually I think he has lost around 200 more aircraft than me. This may not seem too bad but a close look at my air losses shows 1/4 of my aircraft lost have been float planes looking for subs. A weapon, unfortunately for me he has been very effective with. So I have had no choice but to eat up a lot of air losses through float planes. But as far as combat strength the difference is much higher.

A note on aircraft. A6m2 is a good plane but it needs a good, happy pilot. Have to rotate these guys a lot. A6m5?...I think...the Zero float plane. This is a good aircraft for intercepting bombers and it can be supported by navy ships. The Oscar...the best plane their is for attacking bombers...must be the great climb rate it has. The A6m3...complete junk. I wish I could trade them all in for one of the above. Why this is called the ¨Improved Zero¨ is beyond me.

So, I`ll wait. I'm several thousand points ahead and don`t see this changing anytime near soon.

PS. I´m getting very close to the point where I can pull my carriers out of theatre. When he gets the Hellcat and Corsair they`ll definately be off to Tokyo because they will be useless at that point.

nice artwork 

Ike, while a lead of 2577 points is good, and while literally speaking it is "thousands" I hardly consider it one that cannot be overcome in 14 months. Additionally, I am sure after 9 bomb hits the Akagi did not make port, and her points are not yet in the totals. It may be a good idea to send back the rest of your carriers, seeing how few you have left, the Emperor would probably be quite upset if you lost them.

It may be a good idea to send back the rest of your carriers, seeing how few you have left, the Emperor would probably be quite upset if you lost them.

Our carrier losses are identical in number. But as the game moves along my carriers become weaker and weaker while yours become stronger and stronger. I would be happy to trade you all the way down to where both of us had no carriers. [;)]

[:D]

I am sure you would, considering that all of yours have arrived, and I have many more on the way. As for our losses being identical, I take it the Akagi made it back to port? I am shocked after that many hits, but even if so, I doubt I will see her again for a year. Oh, and please send your CV's back to port, then mine will have nothing to do put hit your forward bases rather than worry about you making an end-run to get at my convoys.

I take it the Akagi made it back to port? I am shocked after that many hits, but even if so, I doubt I will see her again for a year.

Won´t see Akagi for a year?[&:]

Those combat reports are not always accurate. There is nothing wrong with Akagi but very minor system damage. She was just at sea with the rest of the carriers. I thought your recon spotted and named her. She is completely operational.

very interesting. I did not think the reports would be that far off. As it happens I do not think I got any reports on your carriers. It would explain why my bombers did not fly against you though

It would explain why my bombers did not fly against you though

My carriers keep a heavy CAP and the range was far, probably why they didn`t attack.

If you do get too close though...I think 7 or less spaces, Land based bombers will attack most times regardless if with an escort. Exactly the reason why my ring of defensive bases are 7 or less spaces apart! [:D]

The very reason I didn`t contest Nevea. Gili-Gili...I know your thinking about it. Hmmmm...better think some more about it. [:D]

I wanted it in time for the airfield to be ready when it was needed. [;)]  

you sure you are not getting your games mixed up. She is just showed up on my reports as sunk [&:]

you sure you are not getting your games mixed up. She is just showed up on my reports as sunk

I lied.

Now Ike, you know honesty is highly vauled around here  [:-]

Now Ike, you know honesty is highly vauled around here

[:D][:D][:D]

Ahhh....the first casualty in war is.....?

Is it Betty's or Nell's? I keep forgetting  [:D]

Thought I would post a quick update.
 
It is now Mid-NOV in our game, and the last month has been short of any big events. I have been flying bombing for the last few weeks. Enough to let Ike Know I am there but trying to keep my losses low at this point. I have 2 P-38 units now, and at least I am letting his Zero's know I am there. My plan is to use the 2E's one turn, the 4E's the next, to keep Op losses low until I am ready to start my push forward. My last raid, with about 100 B-26's and 25's caused the loss of 175 men (typical losses it seems) at Irau, and he is no longer flying CAP over this base. IKE does not seem to be worried, but we will see how long he lets me keep this up without trying something. I know he loves to look at the point-spread, so in my next update I will post some details on his lead to this point.
 
I wish Pearl would start to send some of the ships there, but I am sure that will happen once the new batch of CV's start showing up.

Since you're playing against Ike I assume ship settings were 100%, right?  If so release depends on your loses and what you've sent back to PH for repair.  Would the 1st quarter of '43 intersest you for new ships?  Essex shows before that, thankfully.

I do not remember the settings. I think we discusses 120% for the Japs at the start, but that was months ago. As long as the CV's/CVL's/CVE's get sent more or less on time I will be pleased. my losses in warships has been light to this point, other than carriers. I have lost several SS, but pearl seems to be holding on to those for now.