Operation Northern Thunder. Was:2 years and counting

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Fri May 30, 2014 1:08 pm

5/13/44

Invasion of Lautem!

During the night Japanese Torpedo boats desperately try to get at my transports.
They run into the little surface fleet that I have left.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 13, 44
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-538
MTB G-539
MTB G-540, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-541
MTB G-543
MTB G-153, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-157, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-158, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-159, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-160, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
MTB G-161, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-162

Allied Ships
DD Cotten
DD Erben
DD Hopewell, Shell hits 1
DD Pringle
DD Sigourney
DD Sigsbee
DD Thatcher
DD Wickes

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Gebede sends in the wolfpack as well. but my destroyers are on the ball.

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Sub attack near Lautem at 72,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-183, hits 33, heavy damage -Ouch!

Allied Ships
DD Sigourney
DD Pringle
DD Hopewell
DD Erben
DD Cotten
DD Wickes
DD Thatcher
DD Sigsbee

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The Pringle takes a fatal Torpedo but the I-184 pays the ultimate price

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Sub attack near Lautem at 72,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-184, hits 24, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Pringle, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Cotten
DD Wickes
DD Thatcher
DD Sigsbee

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Another sub critically damaged...

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ASW attack near Lautem at 72,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 19

Allied Ships
DD Cotten
DD Wickes
DD Thatcher
DD Sigsbee

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My Assault is successful this turn. Lautem is mine, for now.
Now to bring in the masses of Engineers and aviation support and turn this into something usable.

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Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 15955 troops, 423 guns, 259 vehicles, Assault Value = 640

Defending force 3333 troops, 24 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied adjusted assault: 553

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 32 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Lautem !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2436 casualties reported
Squads: 147 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

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The Solomons

The air war continues with a massive air assault at Torokina. A hundred Japanese aircraft try to take out a small amphibious task force. His results are good.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 109,130

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 34
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 66

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 21
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
F4U-1A Corsair x 50
F6F-3 Hellcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed, 7 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 13 destroyed

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

Allied Ships
LSD Lindenwald, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
APA Neville, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKA Jupiter, Bomb hits 1, on fire
LSD Oak Hill, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Pavo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
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Okay, I'll admit that hurt. I can't afford to lose any Troop Transports.
We shred his attacking force and inflict over 30 losses but it doesn't stop his bombers.
I need to suppress the airfields that are hosting these bombers, once I find them.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Fri May 30, 2014 2:56 pm

5/14/44

Lautem.

With the invasion a success and Lautem under allied control it is time to pull back my fleet to Darwin. Most ships are underway safely but Gebede finds two of my worst cripples and finishes them off!!

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Sub attack near Moa at 73,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-121

Allied Ships
CL Boise, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

SS I-121 launches 4 torpedoes at CL Boise

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Submarine attack near Moa at 73,117

Japanese Ships
SS I-185

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

CL Phoenix is sighted by SS I-185
SS I-185 launches 2 torpedoes at CL Phoenix

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Neither light cruiser will make it back to port and the butcher's bill for Lautem grows.

The game teases me with positive news as a sub puts three fish into a Japanese tanker.

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Sub attack near Namlea at 76,108

Japanese Ships
TK Nittetsu Maru, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E W-30

Allied Ships
SS Robalo, hits 7

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Then bad luck strikes again. In incoming convoy to Darwin is struck by carrier planes! They are north of Timor but can't be too far away.

British Hellcats do their best but can't prevent the Japanese from overwhelming them.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truscott at 71,123

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 41
B6N2 Jill x 11
D4Y1 Judy x 22

Allied aircraft
Hellcat I x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hellcat I: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Begum, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Samhorn, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Paul Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Engineer, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Shahzada, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
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Most ships will sink but I think the Begum might make it to port. [:(]
My mistake, I wasn't watching this task force closely and it just kind of stumbled into a raging battle.

The Solomons

I'm trying to find where that air attack came from. Fighter sweeps of Namatanai and Kavieng don't turn up anything.
The plan over the next few weeks is to build up my bases here, continue sweeps and hold.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:35 pm

5/15/44- 5/20/14

Mainly a week of consolidation. It takes a big effort but I think I have all my damaged ships finally routed to the yards for repairs.

the Bunker Hill, which took a couple of torpedo hits, and my more heavily damaged CVLs are heading to the west coast.
The lighter damaged Essex class carriers are headed to Pearl. The lightest damaged (sys) carriers to Noumea to act as a reaction force.

I do have 15 CVEs covering Munda.

The air war has been sporadic with no real resistance from Gebede.

I launch my first major B-29 raid from Darwin, hitting the port at Manus in the Admiralty Islands.
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Afternoon Air attack on Manus , at 101,119

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAP Manzyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Hakozaki Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Atutasan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Yodogawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Yoshino Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
E W-10, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Yamagiri Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Nitti Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
E W-12, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kanzyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Kokuryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Atsuta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 3
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SBDs from Torokina also find transports at Arawe, next to Gasmata. It could herald that he's trying to rebuild those airfields.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 102,126

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 31
SBD-5 Dauntless x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK China Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Toho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
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Overall a quiet week. I think he's up to something.

I'm surprised about the lack of response at Lautem. Usually Gabede hits back pretty hard on any invasion. I've got some more surface ships on the way to Darwin and am thinking about sending some of my CVE strength there as well to support the resupply efforts.

Chickenboy · Post by **Chickenboy** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:46 pm

ORIGINAL: Yaab

How about the Nauru - Kusaie - Ponape axis? They are all spacious islands, and with developed airfields you can bomb both Truk and Kwajalein/Roi-Namur with heavy bombers.

The problem is that most Japanese players also know that these are all spacious islands, and with developed airfields you can bomb Truk and Kwajalein/Roi-Namur with heavy bombers. Most experienced Japanese players defend accordingly.

Chickenboy · Post by **Chickenboy** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:48 pm

ORIGINAL: buckaroo13
I'm surprised about the lack of response at Lautem. Usually Gabede hits back pretty hard on any invasion.

I'm sure it's your imagination. Nothing can go wrong. Relax! Take a couple days off! Sit back in the sun and drink a cool adult beverage. Sleep in on Sunday morning, Allied dog...erm...buckaroo13. [:D]

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:52 pm

5/22/44

Counter-attack at Lautem?

Well, after a slow week it looks like something is up at Lautem. Recon shows several task forces and then...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CL Oyodo
DD Susuzuki
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Fuyuzuki

Allied Ships
xAK Tarantia, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
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Mutsu and her cronies show up and mess up the place.
The bombardment isn't bad at all but the fact he's got at least one battleship in the area and I don't is worrisome.

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Naval bombardment of Lautem at 72,115

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
CL Oyodo
DD Fuyuzuki
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Susuzuki

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1
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During the day a large air attack arives over Lautem.
i must have flubbed my CAP alts as his bombers slip past with little interference and bomb up the place.

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Afternoon Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 28
P1Y2 Frances x 65

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 36
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 13
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18

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he's trying to silence the fields at Lautem but I've got so many engineers that I doubt it will happen.
Tomorrow we will bring in some LRCAP from Darwin and beef up the squadrons. I have a feeling it's going to get messy.

INDIA

Meanwhile over in India I get adventuresome and send a B-29 raid deep and aim for the airfields at Bankok

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Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 44

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

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Yeah, that didn't work. I end up losing 12! of my beautiful new bombers. [:@]

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:16 pm

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
The problem is that most Japanese players also know that these are all spacious islands, and with developed airfields you can bomb Truk and Kwajalein/Roi-Namur with heavy bombers. Most experienced Japanese players defend accordingly.

I've done some recon of Ponape and it doesn't look like it's heavily garrisoned. My problem is that I need carrier support to carry off that invasion and I won't be in any shape to take on the KB for a couple of months.

Capt. Harlock · Post by **Capt. Harlock** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:22 pm

5/15/44- 5/20/14

Wow -- 70 years of game time?? Do both sides have drones now? [:D]

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:45 pm

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

5/15/44- 5/20/14

Wow -- 70 years of game time?? Do both sides have drones now? [:D]

Oops...

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 4:51 pm

5/23/44

Lautem

Timor seems to be teaming with ships. I send a small SAG towards one contact but only find some MTB.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-538
MTB G-539
MTB G-541
MTB G-543
MTB G-162, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Concord
DD Izard
DD Sigourney, Shell hits 1
DD Walker
DD Saumarez, Shell hits 1
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Not a big catch but it's something.

True to form the bombers arrive with the sun's first light.
The Japanese flights take heavy damage from my additional LRCAP and re-configured altitudes.
Some bombers get to the fields but nothing serious.

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Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 23

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 30
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 18
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
P-51B Mustang x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Runway hits 9

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Next arrival is un-escorted and pays a heavy price.
Almost all the Helens are shot down.

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Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 26
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 6
P-51B Mustang x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 20 destroyed

No Allied losses

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I also see a curious attack on one of my resupply ships. The inclusion of Zeros and Vals means carriers but the numbers suggest a Escort carrier.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 72,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 5
D3A1 Val x 3
N1K1-J George x 17

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 26
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 16
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
P-51B Mustang x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK Martand, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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The Solomons

In the Solomons we continue to bomb and suppress Rabaul and nearby fields.
Destroyers from torokina sorte and hit the Convoy ID's the previous day.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Arawe at 102,126, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Kasasagi, Shell hits 1
E Kamo, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK China Maru, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Toho Maru, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Boyd
DD Hale
DD McCord
DD Renshaw

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

Overall not a bad day for me. Over Lautem we've downed almost 50 planes for minimal loss. I've routed about half of my CVEs to Darwin from Munda and scrapping together any additional surface forces I can.

I plan on sweeping the northern side of Timor with my small SAG, I hope to avoid Mutsu and bag transports.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:08 pm

5/24/44

well, Lautem is definitely heating up.
I think he's re-enforcing Dili, right next to Lautem.
My end run around the west and north of the Timors with my small SAG group ran into this!

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Dili at 71,115, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 11 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Shell hits 28, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Akatsuki
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 1
E W-25, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK Sagami Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tatuharu Maru
xAK Yokohama Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Onoe Maru
AK Hitati Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
AK Nissan Maru
AK Nichiyu Maru
AK Nako Maru
xAK Nozima Maru
AK Nissyu Maru
AK Nitisan Maru
AK Huzikawa Maru
AK Tenyo Maru
AK Keisyo Maru
AK Koryu Maru
AK Kosei Maru
AK Kotoku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Kozui Maru
xAP Tatsuta Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Kamakura Maru
xAP Terukuni Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
xAP Miike Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Montevideo Maru
xAP Huso Maru
xAP Teikyo Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Shell hits 2
DD Izard, Shell hits 1
DD Sigourney, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Walker
DD Saumarez, Shell hits 2, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

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I find that CVE and send it to the bottom with direct fire. a good bit of damage is done to the Japanese fleet though all my destroyers are shot up to some degree.

A Japanese SAG hits my forward base at Saumlaki and does damage. it makes sense as Darwin is too heavily fortified. He's going after the only other fields that might be able to contest his landing.

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Night Naval bombardment of Saumlaki at 78,117

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 10 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
F4U-1 Corsair: 5 damaged
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Mogami
DD Hamanami
DD Kiyonami
DD Hayanami
DD Suzunami
DD Takanami
DD Makinami

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 29
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 1
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Not too bad, I can survive that.

We sweep Dili and yes, he's got fighters in cover

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Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

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The Jugs get the advantage over Dili.

Of course the air attacks on Lautem continue.

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Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 15
P-38J Lightning x 29
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
P-51B Mustang x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed on ground
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Runway hits 5
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It's a surprisingly effective attack considering the limited number of bombers.

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Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 31,740 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 39

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 15
P-38J Lightning x 28
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 8
P-51B Mustang x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

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The defenders of Lautem lose this round! taking more than twice as many losses.

Tomorrow I will rotate in a couple of new squadrons and see if they can make a better show if it.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:09 am

5/25/44

Lautem/Dili... the air war is really heating up. Recon tells me that he has a major amphibious landing going on at Dili.
So I suspect he is landing there to then march his troops over to Lautem and counter-attack that way.

I've only got a few ships left in the area capable of fighting. My cruisers hit a Destroyer squadron instead of the transports.
They rough of the destroyers, a better result than I expected.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Lautem at 72,115, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hibiki, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Shirayuki
DD Sagiri, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 6
CL Detroit, Shell hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then the air attacks come in. We are both launching attacks this turn so the airspace over Timor must be pretty packed.
Fighter sweeps of Lautem... nothing too bad and the boys manage to hold their own.

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Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 33,740 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 26

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 11
P-38J Lightning x 13
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4
P-51B Mustang x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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

Of course there are a couple of stragglers who must have been aces. These 3 guys alone shoot down a couple of fighters.

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Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 32,740 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
P-38J Lightning x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 2
P-51B Mustang x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

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My attack planes arrive peicemeal over the enemy invasion fleet at Dili. There is a lot of CAP here.
Avengers go in, even score a hit, but are brutalized.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 66
N1K1-J George x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 9
TBF-1 Avenger x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatuharu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Nitisan Maru

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Yay! more attacks, but where are my escorts? gah... Both squadrons of Avengers are shattered.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 59
N1K1-J George x 15

Allied aircraft
Avenger II x 12
TBF-1 Avenger x 16
TBM-1C Avenger x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger II: 8 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 destroyed

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Oh, here comes my fighter sweep. Talk about closing the barn door after the horses escaped.

4:1 in air to air is pretty good. Those Zeros just can't handle these 2nd Gen US fighters.
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Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 51
N1K1-J George x 15

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 7
F4U-1A Corsair x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 9 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My knock out punch to the airfield at Dili.
He still has a lot of CAP in the air but the bombers power through with little loss and crush the airfield.
That should buy my a day or two.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 32
N1K1-J George x 11

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 24
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30
B-29-1 Superfort x 15
P-38J Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 10 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 8 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 6 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak
B-29-1 Superfort: 5 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 158

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

Now the CAP is starting to thin a little. Dauntlesses make it through to the supply ships and do some damage but are hit hard on the way out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 12
N1K1-J George x 5

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Nissyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Nitisan Maru
AK Kosei Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 22 (4 destroyed, 18 disabled)

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

Right next door at Lautem Japanese bombers pay a visit, even without escorts they get past relatively unscathed!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 15

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
P-38J Lightning x 12
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 4
P-51B Mustang x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

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

More of my attacks trickle in at Dili only to be annihilated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

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

Even more.... No hits but the Japanese still lose vehicles.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 8
TBM-1C Avenger x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Miike Maru
AK Keisyo Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

We had two goals today.

Hit the airfield at Dili and put it out of commission. -Done
Hit the Invasion fleet at Dili. - Not really.... my attacks went in penny packets and I took horrible losses among my SBD and TBF squadrons.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:53 am

5/26/44

Lautem/Dili

My Cruisers finally make it to the transport fleet, and apparently do nothing!
I guess they must be outta ammo.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dili at 71,115, Range 27,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AK Nichiyu Maru
AK Nako Maru
AK Nissyu Maru
AK Nitisan Maru
AK Huzikawa Maru
AK Tenyo Maru
AK Keisyo Maru
AK Koryu Maru
AK Kotoku Maru
AK Kozui Maru
xAP Miike Maru

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CL Detroit

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 17% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 17% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

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

Meanwhile my subs go on a tear.
3 different subs tag 3 different Cargo ships.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Lautem at 73,113

Japanese Ships
AK Tenyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sand Lance

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

AK Tenyo Maru is sighted by SS Sand Lance
SS Sand Lance launches 2 torpedoes at AK Tenyo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Lautem at 73,113

Japanese Ships
AK Keisyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Flounder

AK Keisyo Maru is sighted by SS Flounder
SS Flounder launches 2 torpedoes at AK Keisyo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lautem at 73,113

Japanese Ships
AK Koryu Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Hoe

SS Hoe launches 2 torpedoes at AK Koryu Maru

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

At Lautem the Japanese show up in two waves, my CAP is ineffective at dealing with either.
Might have been running my CAP too high.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 14

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22
P-51B Mustang x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 34,740 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22
P-51B Mustang x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed

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

At Dili by bombers are still trying to make it to the transport fleet and failing.
A small attack and small sweep are brushed aside.

The nice thing is I notice only Zeros over Dili, no Georges. The airfield there must be well and truly shut down.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1
TBF-1 Avenger x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 43

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
F4U-1A Corsair x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

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

on the plus side one of my B-25 squadrons decides to fly and does incredibly well!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 73,113

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Miike Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Kotoku Maru
AK Nichiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Lautem at 73,113

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Huzikawa Maru, Shell hits 7, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Kotoku Maru
AK Nissyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Nichiyu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Koryu Maru

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 30 (22 destroyed, 8 disabled)

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

My heavy hitting sweep scores well against the Zeros.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Dili , at 71,115

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

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

Last but not least my sub scores again!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lautem at 73,113

Japanese Ships
AK Koryu Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Hoe

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

I imagine tomorrow will be more of the same.

I'll update the other theaters soon, right now both are pretty static.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 12:30 pm

5/27/44

Lautem/Dili

We start out with more sub attacks...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Dili at 71,115

Japanese Ships
AK Nitisan Maru, Torpedo hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Sand Lance

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

AK Nitisan Maru is sighted by SS Sand Lance
SS Sand Lance launches 2 torpedoes at AK Nitisan Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Dili at 71,115

Japanese Ships
AK Huzikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Balao

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

AK Huzikawa Maru is sighted by SS Balao
SS Balao launches 2 torpedoes at AK Huzikawa Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Dili at 71,115

Japanese Ships
AK Huzikawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Balao

AK Huzikawa Maru is sighted by SS Balao
SS Balao launches 2 torpedoes at AK Huzikawa Maru

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

The Japanese morning sweep and attack at Lautem is getting smaller. He must be close to exhausted.
I know my pilots are pretty shot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 35,740 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 4
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

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

Morning Air attack on Lautem , at 72,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 11

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 1
F4U-1A Corsair x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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

I've rotated a few new Dive Bomber squadrons up from Cooktown and they come into play.
Ecorts don't fly but I luck out and there is light CAP over the convoy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Dili at 71,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5

Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Kotoku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Nako Maru, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
AK Nitisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Kozui Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 65 (34 destroyed, 31 disabled)

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 26

Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 27

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Hawaii Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Myoko Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Manila Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk

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

It's cake to know that those cargo ships were mostly full.

Lots of planes don't fly today or can't find targets. The Helldivers really get the MVP today.

Gebede's move to Dili must be huge. They've been unloading for three days now. I can only suspect they have come in Division size at least. By my rough count he's lost 10 AK/AP with another 10 damaged.

Most of my fighters are pushing 30+ fatigue, I can only imagine that Gebede is in similar shape, especially considering his stuff is flying farther. I've got more squadrons transferring up from Cooktown/Townsville as I feel I might be needing them.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 4:49 pm

5/28/44

Lautem/Dili

I've got a new flotilla of Destroyers available and I have them sweep towards the landing at Dili.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dili at 71,114, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Kurahashi, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
E Nomi, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
E No.1, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
E No.3, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Conner
DD Cotten
DD Erben
DD Hopewell, Shell hits 1
DD Isherwood
DD Izard
DD Kidd
DD Sigsbee
DD Walker

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

They first encounter some escorts, no problem. Then tougher bait...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dili at 71,115, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 2
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Conner, Shell hits 2
DD Cotten
DD Erben
DD Hopewell
DD Isherwood
DD Izard
DD Kidd
DD Sigsbee, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Walker
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The battle is inconclusive.
The destroyers reach Dili but find nothing. I think after the last three days the Japanese have pulled out.
The only other action of consequence today is a torpedo attack on a withdrawing Cargo ship. The Balao is scoring well this campaign.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Dili at 71,115

Japanese Ships
AK Nitisan Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Balao
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are no sweeps or bomber runs on Lautem today. My fighter sweeps of Dili equally find nothing.
Bombers hitting the airfield at Dili do destroy a couple of Georges that were probably trapped there.

While I don't think Gebede would just give up on Dili it seems this landing is done for now. recon reports troop levels that could represent at 2 Divisions of troops there.

Meanwhile....

The Solomons

Nothing of note has been going on here the last week. Torokina and Munda continue to grow. Torokina is now comfortable supporting about 50 fighters as well as TBFs and SBDs. I've been methodically pounding his bases from Rabaul to the Admiralties and most of his air fields are shut down.

Today's attack on Koepang turns up a small Destroyer Squadron.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Koepang at 68,116, Range 24,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 40, and is sunk
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 15, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 2, on fire
CLAA San Juan
CL Mobile
DD Halford
DD Caldwell
DD Gansevoort
DD Sampson
DD Clark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Battle goes badly for the Japanese. It's a rare surface victory that doesn't end up in one of my cruisers getting pelted with Long Lance torpedoes. The presence of these destroyers is odd.

Not sure why they were there.

then...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 20

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1

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

Port hits 1

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

Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBM-1C Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

Port hits 1

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

The Battleship Hyuga has been hiding there since our giant surface battle last month.
Despite repeated recon of Kavieng I haven't and an clue she was still in the area.

We will have to do something about that.

Last but not least, although today has been a mostly successful day for the Allies we end on a sour note. the I-54 torps a Transport

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Rennell Island at 114,140

Japanese Ships
SS I-54

Allied Ships
xAP Mildura, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

xAP Mildura is sighted by SS I-54
SS I-54 attacking xAP Mildura on the surface

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

She was a cripple heading for home, oh well. It's not like I have a critical shortage of APs... oh wait...

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:20 am

5/29/44 -5/31/44

It is a slow few days as I try to regroup and rest my shredded air groups at Darwin.

My planes return hit the Hyuga. I don't want this one to get away. All three days we land at least a couple of bombs on her.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kavieng , at 106,122

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 9
TBM-1C Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

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

The only other action is that we get intel that the Japanese are stationing something at Wewak in Northeast New Guinea. The Airfields from Rabaul on north have been pretty much shut down so I think he's trying to fall back and establish a new perimeter.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 25

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 82

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

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

Runway hits 15

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 35000 feet

CAP engaged:
68th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(21 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wewak , at 96,119

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D25 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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

a series of similar attacks occur for three days before he pulls out and removes all aircraft from the base.

With the end of the month it's time to evaluate things again and make some plans.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 12:20 pm

With the start of June I thought it would be a good time to take an overview of the game.
Any feedback or thoughts please feel free to share!

There are basically 3 major areas of action right now.

New Guinea/Solomons area:

My push to Munda went well even though my carriers were badly mauled. I was lucky to only loss a single CV but the damage to others has pushed back any major landings by months. I've based quite a few Japanese garrisons at Guadalcanal, etc but I suspect he might have already pulled out the good stuff.

The next plan is to push to Ponape and Kusaie. I've started prepping a few divisions on the mainland for this operation and am getting the transports in place. I suspect that this will take 2 months before I can pull it off.

In the meantime I want to make expand the sphere in influence from Munda and make the Japanese start worrying about Truk.

Darwin/Timor

The invasion of Lautem in the Timors went off well, relatively speaking. Even without fleet carrier support I was able to get in and capture it without too much difficulty. Gebede's massive re-enforcement of neighboring Dili was costly to him and I'm not exactly sure of his intent. Recon reports 38<000+ troops, 400+ guns and 600+ Vehicles.

I suspect he will come at me over land and counterattack at Lautem.
To counter I will step up ground attacks on his troops and make sure that the airfield and port at Dili are destroyed and eating up supplies.

Short term goal here is to deal with the Japanese on Lautem.
Next up I need to strike further North. I'd like to get a base or two within striking distance of Philippines.

India

Ugh, no idea what to do here.

At the end of the year we finally chased the last of the Japanese out of India. Knocking them out of Akyab and south of Imphal.

With B-29s arriving I am upgrading Akyab as quickly as I can, trying to get it supplied and up to a Lvl 9 airfield asap.

I believe that Gebede has given up most of Burma in regards to air.
Most of his airfields have been reduced to 80-90% and regular bomber runs from Calcutta are no longer being opposed. I've even noticed that Rangoon is having trouble getting their Airfield and port facilities back up and running even after several days with no attacks.

In some ways I'd like to skip all of Burma proper and just land south of him but I don't have the transports right now to support that. I'm wary to send troops on foot for fear of the lack of supply.

Next month

With my next major move at least 6-8 weeks away I am planning something for June.
I have troops prepping for Christmas Island ( and yes we will conscript any elves we find)

I alredy own Coco Island and its been a minor thorn in his side. Adding Christmas, even as a small fighter base, will cause him more concern and maybe, just maybe, pull some units around the Timors away from that action.

Stats and looking back

now with a couple of months past I have a pretty good idea of the results of the massive naval battles at Munda back in April.

The Japanese attacked with 5 Battleships. 4 are now reported as sunk, including the Musashi, and the Hyuga is in a bad way stuck at Keiving, I don't imagine she will last long.

Japanese Battleship losses to date

That battle cost me the Arizona and Alabama. Costly but ultimately a worthwile trade. I'm still very low on battleships.

Here are Allied Battleship losses to date.

Finally here's the intel.

My air to air ratio has improved but I've lost ground on Ops. The last few months in particular have been costly.
Added all together our aircraft losses are about even.

Now on into June!

DOCUP · Post by **DOCUP** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 1:01 pm

I admire your grit.  We are close in our game time and placement of troops and loses.  Following this AAR.

buckaroo13 · Post by **buckaroo13** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:49 am

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

I admire your grit. We are close in our game time and placement of troops and loses. Following this AAR.

Thanks Docup! I've been following your AAR with great interest as well. Sounds like you are playing a Mod if I remember correctly. This game is stock. I've had a lot of set backs, and the inability to win a carrier battle has been disconcerting to say the least!

DOCUP · Post by **DOCUP** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:01 pm

No playing a stock scen 1 game.  I know all about not winning a carrier battle and the set backs.  I feel its time to turn the page and start winning.

Operation Northern Thunder. Was:2 years and counting

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign

RE: 2 years and counting - First time Grand Campaign