If you have X-ray eyes you can see me in this picture, standing in the control room right below the bridge. A very cold December morning off the coast of Florida.
My dream as a kid was to be on one of these for a cruise or two.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Burma is a bit clogged up. This game didn't have an HR on buying out units to cross national borders, so Loka apparently wiped China with a lot of Manchurian troops (somehow without activating the Russians) and many of the Chinese Expeditionary Army made it all of the way to Burma. That is a lot of IJA in this area, and the Allies are bogged down.
Rangoon is dicey right now. A few Indian divisions will be moving in within the next few turns to try and hold against a healthy 1800AV IJA force, and 250AV there now are well fortified but beaten up. If these units can hold it'll be a really good bastion for the Allies to contain a large Japanese Army that is playing with fire staying so far forward.
Attachments
3_Burma.jpg (362.65 KiB) Viewed 256 times
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
The Central Pacific is fine with the Marianas held by the Japanese but Truk taken, so the LOC from the WC is good. Most stuff heads through Rabaul and Hollandia along the top of New Guinea toward the Moluccas, Mindanao, the Celebes and Borneo.
The Allies also own Marcus, which can be made into a great recon base of the HI. It's a level 1 field now and I'll start trying to build it up, but it'll take some time.
Wolaei also makes a great search base and can keep an eye on any movements toward Babeldaob, hopefully allowing some sub encounters and DD runs.
Attachments
3_CentPac.jpg (316.23 KiB) Viewed 256 times
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
The North and the Kuriles apparently have been well fortified. The allies hold the Aleutians and have Shemya built up to level 7, so the Allies could elect to strat bomb Hokkaido and Sakhalin from here. It's 35 hexes to Sapporo, and 33 to Kushiro with its 861 resources. Looks like it's a perfect full load 31 to Shikuka with 25 (6) oil.
I'll at least get the B-29 recons out and start looking around here. This could be a nice low stakes beginning to the strat bombing campaign and also force the Japanese to keep some good fighter and NF groups here to defend.
With no HR on night bombing I'll look to take advantage of that on airfields and ports, and the further I can spread Japanese defensive assets, the better. With such entrenched positions still far forward, I know there will not be enough everywhere. Not enough AA, not enough NF units, even though they may be supersized, and not enough day fighters to go around. I'll aim to hit the least defended spots first, change tactics regularly, and see what his reactions are in the beginning.
It's easier picking up the game as I don't have time pressure or the weight of previous engagements to chip away at my patience. Bullwinkle hit a lot of industry in range, both in the DEI and China, and I'll aim to continue that as well, taking bits out of the machine as I'm able and making him make tough choices.
Attachments
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"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Do you have any info on the assault on Truk ? The last time I attacked it in my AI game by BBs got roughed up some and needed paint jobs
I don't, no. I got about a week of combat reports, and a lot of background from Bullwinkle, but no reports back that far. It's been a lot to just see what's happening right now, so I thin kI'll mostly focus forward and ask questions of Bullwinkle as I think of them. He's been really supportive and has filled me in on a couple of mysteries already. He's been checking in so might post on it if he has time and energy too. [:)]
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
With obvert's indulgence in a hijack I can fill in some history. Girl of the Prairie is in Texas this week and I'm home with flu, so I could use the diversion. I have all of the reports (all hail the Archive switch!), so I can post some tidbits. If nothing else this will give obvert a view into how Loka does certain things.
Everything in this game was late on my side. Many reasons for that, but suffice to say that I went across CentPac late in game terms. Not in historic, but the game doesn't work that way. My intention was to do a pretty historic pattern: CentPac to the Marianas, a New Guinea secondary, and avoid the rat's nest of the DEI if possible. It didn't work out that way.
Before I show any Truk CRs it's important to see how Ponape went. Loka's philosophy is to massively defend what ought to be massively defended. He doesn't dink around; he doesn't try to defend everything. He is utterly analytical about VP exchange ratios and has no emotional connection to his forces. They're just pieces to him. He is a lot like Nemo was in that respect. I am not, and he used that against me. My fault, but it's a weakness in me. I love my ships.
So after slogging through the Gilberts and Marshalls pretty much, I went after Ponape. It was a fortress, but I couldn't leave it. There were a lot of preliminary days of bombardment, Netty strikes, a lot of mines, pretty heavy sub ops, and then days of bombardment after the initial landings. This is the first day of real attacks. Forts were Level 5 as I recall. Defensive numbers at this point were down from 70,000+ men at the start of the landings. YOu can see what I invested to be able to even begin to compete on this island.
Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 54558 troops, 1070 guns, 1326 vehicles, Assault Value = 2187
Defending force 36760 troops, 403 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 1120
Assaulting units:
1st Marine Division
3rd Marine Division
754th Tank Battalion
1st/102nd Infantry Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
27th Infantry Division
24th Infantry/A Division
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
24th Infantry/B Division
145th USA Base Force
607th Coast AA Regiment
810th Engineer Aviation Battalion
14th Marine Defense Battalion
10th Marine Defense Battalion
XIV US Corps
41st Aviation Base Force
22nd USN Naval Construction Regiment
15th Marine Defense Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
23rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
Defending units:
3rd South Seas Gsn
28th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Sasebo 6th SNLF
32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
52nd Naval Guard Unit
7th Indpt SNLF Coy
Det. 3rd Special Base Force
Maizuru 1st SNLF
41st Naval Guard Unit
4th Guards Division
24th JNAF AF Unit
50th JNAF Coy
1st JNAF AF Unit
41st JNAF AF Unit
5th Air Division
2nd Medium Mortar Battalion
Ponape Naval Fortress
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
64th Field AA Battalion
109th JAAF AF Bn
Seven days of Allied bombardments, minesweeping, and sub ops west of the island followed. A strong IJN carrier force was sighted and engaged by subs, to no avail. Many IJN BB TFs. Sparring with 2E torpedo bombers. On the seventh day this:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,113
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 31
N1K1-J George x 18
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 28
Ki-84r Frank x 26
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 130
SBD-5 Dauntless x 63
TBF-1 Avenger x 36
Japanese Ships
xAK Nitiho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Utide Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Toyooka Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Hakodate Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Nichiren Maru
xAK Tatuno Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Mansei Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Satsuma Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 118,111
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34
SBD-5 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 3
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 1
DD Suzukaze
CA Kako, Bomb hits 1
Loka was making a maximum effort to delay me, damage me, and provide for his garrison. It was exactly the right move in late January 1944.
The next night it continued. More of the KB spotted near Truk, which was a main base. All through this there was also a major landing underway at Kusaie Island. Allied deep raiding DD TFs also engaged transport TFs near Truk and fought off Francis torpedo attacks.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ponape at 117,111, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
E Wakamiya, Shell hits 3
E Amakusa
PB Wa 18, Shell hits 1
xAK Tatuno Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Nichiren Maru, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
The next day, Jan. 15, 1944, this shows the correlation of forces on Kusaie. A fairly minor island to most players, but Loka made me pay and pay and pay every step. The daily bombardments continued at Ponape, into the second week. To take some pressure off, extensive bombardments of Rabaul also took place in this period.
Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 13069 troops, 407 guns, 236 vehicles, Assault Value = 995
Defending force 18566 troops, 160 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 605
Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
3rd USMC Parachute Battalion
1st USMC Parachute Battalion
298th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
151st Combat Engineer Regiment
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
161st Infantry Regiment
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment
15th NZ Bde /13
6th USA Defense Battalion
143rd USA Base Force
168th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Marine Raider Bn /2
142nd USA Base Force
131st Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
7th Marine Defense Battalion
B Det USN Port Svc
18th Marine Defense Battalion
26th USN Naval Construction Regiment
29th USN Naval Const Rgt /9
36th Aviation Base Force
198th Field Artillery Battalion
1881th Engineer Aviation Battalion
17th USN Naval Construction Regiment
511th Cst AA Rgt /13
Defending units:
78th Naval Guard Unit
37th Division
23rd Nav Gd Unit
52nd Construction Battalion
56th JNAF AF Unit
9th Field AF Construction Battalion
97th JAAF AF Bn
It was not until the 21st that the allies tried another Deliberate on Ponape. It went fairly well, but the clock continued to move.
Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 63525 troops, 1221 guns, 1585 vehicles, Assault Value = 2151
Defending force 34650 troops, 376 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 1003
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Allied adjusted assault: 2715
Japanese adjusted defense: 1507
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
2572 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 47 (10 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Assaulting units:
24th Infantry/B Division
767th Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
27th Infantry Division
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
24th Infantry/A Division
3rd Marine Division
1st Marine Division
1st/102nd Infantry Battalion
40th Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
24th Infantry/C Division
10th Marine Defense Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
145th USA Base Force
15th Marine Defense Battalion
181st Field Artillery Regiment
41st Aviation Base Force
22nd USN Naval Construction Regiment
14th Marine Defense Battalion
810th Engineer Aviation Battalion
607th Coast AA Regiment
XIV US Corps
23rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
41st Naval Guard Unit
Det. 3rd Special Base Force
32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
28th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Sasebo 6th SNLF
7th Indpt SNLF Coy
52nd Naval Guard Unit
4th Guards Division
5th Air Division
64th Field AA Battalion
1st JNAF AF Unit
41st JNAF AF Unit
3rd South Seas Gsn
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
50th JNAF Coy
24th JNAF AF Unit
2nd Medium Mortar Battalion
Ponape Naval Fortress
109th JAAF AF Bn
The same day Kusaie continued to be a meat grinder.
Ground combat at Kusaie Island (125,118)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 46692 troops, 805 guns, 718 vehicles, Assault Value = 1568
Defending force 17371 troops, 156 guns, 75 vehicles, Assault Value = 550
Over the succeeding week the supply at Kusaie was eliminated and the island took big hits for the Allies. Ponaper ops continued to be intense, with the KB lurking out fo sight tot he west and sprinting in for hits. Allied night bomabrdemnts over several night.s Then another attack on the 29th.
Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 66320 troops, 1291 guns, 1660 vehicles, Assault Value = 2290
Defending force 32588 troops, 345 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 901
Feb 10th. The last day. Note the number of Allied LCUs committed. They were all in very tough shape and not available for Truk, more or less. Dozens of significant actions have been omitted, including a large number of bombardment runs and 2E and 4E strikes by both sides. It was a very major commitment. I had torpedoed carriers, and as I recall three BBs as well. The supply consumption was through the roof.
Ground combat at Ponape (119,113)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 40042 troops, 843 guns, 1260 vehicles, Assault Value = 2038
Defending force 5046 troops, 21 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 8
Do you have any info on the assault on Truk ? The last time I attacked it in my AI game by BBs got roughed up some and needed paint jobs
That happened to me first time out too, and then I figured out that the BBs need to stand off 12-20,000 yards while bombarding until the forts have enough guns knocked out to allow closer approach. One BB bombardment won't do much, you need to keep it up day after day so that disruption becomes disablement which becomes destruction of the guns and crews (support troops). A combination of bombardment and bombing works best. Destroying Truk's supply is also key to keeping the guns from being repaired or replaced.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
After Ponape the Allied effort in CentPac was beat up in a big way. In succeeding weeks I took Marcus Island (Loka said he was surprised, but I was never able to really exploit this except as a raiding transit lane to the Bonins, surface and sub, and as a search base), and other ops swung south to Rabaul and a move toward Timor and the islands near that latitude. I was feeling the press of time and the VP ratio was bad. Operations in Burma were also intense and consumed a lot of order time. I had a Giant Stack east of Ramree that was heading south to take Rangoon. It ran into another giant stack, veterans of China with stratospheric EXP levels. Jungle combined with the game's supply models through triple-canopy jungle (cough BS cough), and Burma was soon on fire. Here's one snapshot from June 6.
Ground combat at 55,48 (near Ramree Island)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 204218 troops, 2941 guns, 2682 vehicles, Assault Value = 4408
Defending force 42395 troops, 586 guns, 1567 vehicles, Assault Value = 1066
Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
18th British Division
254th Armoured Brigade
7th Indian Division
3rd Cavalry Regiment
20th Indian Division
Provisionl Tank Brigade
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
36th Div Engineer Battalion
1st Patiala Lancers Regiment
18th Chinese Corps
209th Combat Engineer Battalion
268th Motorised Brigade
7th Australian Division
54th Chinese Corps
19th Indian Division
23rd Indian Division
79th Chinese Corps
75th Indian Brigade
26th Indian Division
11th PAVO Regiment
Merrills Marauders Regiment
99th Chinese Corps
17th Indian Division
150th RAC Regiment
IV Corps Engineer Battalion
38th Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
18th Cavalry Regiment
25th Indian Division
72nd British Brigade
5th Indian Division
43rd Cavalry Engineer Regiment
26th USN Naval Construction Battalion
109th RN Base Force
1883rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
30th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
224 Group RAF
28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
123rd RAF Base Force
ACSEA
India Command
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Middlesex Battalion
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Sikh Construction Battalion
823rd Engineer Aviation Battalion
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
24th Indian Engineer Battalion
95th Coast AA Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
8th Belfast Heavy AA Regiment
25th USN SeaBees /1
12th USN Naval Construction Battalion
21st USN Naval Construction Battalion
122nd British AT Gun Regiment
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Southeast Asia
X' Force
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Army Engineer Battalion
2nd USN Naval Construction Regiment
858th Engineer Aviation Battalion
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
77th Chindit Bde /2
848th Engineer Aviation Battalion
1st Bombay Construction Battalion
24th USN Naval Construction Battalion
2nd Indian Field Regiment
1st Madras Construction Battalion
102nd RAF Base Force
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
29th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Army
XV Indian Corps
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
I/221 Gp Forward Base Force
125th RAF Base Force /3
Defending units:
8th Division
3rd Tank Division
12th Division
Guards Tank Division
22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Army
5th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
This Japanese force still exists on the map obvert has shown from November 1944, and the Allied stack is a shambles. Lessons: don't depend on AV in jungle. Don't allow Exp 99 LCUs to come out of China. GO AROUND IT, idiot.
So, back to Truk. I'll just post some highlights.
After Ponape was secured and re-supplied 4E raids on Truk began Not big ones, but fairly steady. Over time Corsair sweeps were added. An IJN CV took a torpedo near Truk in this period, so I knew the KB was still around. But I had no real idea where.Subs were heavy all around the island, but Loka's air ASW effort has been masterful throughout. Subs for the most part have been scouts and guards, not snipers.
The Marcus I. op took the USN carriers with them. It was a deep move and needed the protection. Ponape had really damaged the USMC and Truk was not prepped with enough LCUs to land. I could see the defense stacks and it was going to be another Ponape.
During this period, as the calendar clicked forward, I began to re-think the Marianas. I had done a Marianas campaign in an AI game. I remembered losing 70 ships taking Saipan alone. The Naval Fortress devices in the game are murderous. I had some deep prep for Guam and Rota, but I began to think hard about letting CentPac go and swinging toward Java-Sumatra to try a fuel/oil play. I could not beat his navy, so I thought I might nail it to the pier instead. By the late summer of 1944 I was landing in Java, and that became a whole different story. A slog to be sure.
But I did take Truk, and then Wolei after, before sitting pat in CentPac.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 30, 44
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TF 343 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108)
Allied Ships
SC PC-1078
SC PC-1077
2 mines cleared
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TF 402 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
YMS-383, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-99, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-97, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-272, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-270, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
PG Herald
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-383
YMS-383 firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-99
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-97
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-272
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-270
70 mines cleared
TF 379 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
35 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AM Caraquet, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-96, Shell hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-345, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-342, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-275, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-274, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
Truk Naval Fortress firing at AM Caraquet
AM Caraquet firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-96
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-345
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-342
YMS-342 firing at Truk Naval Fortress
YMS-275 firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-275
Truk Naval Fortress firing at YMS-274
89 mines cleared
And then it got hairy.
Night Naval bombardment of Truk at 112,108 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
518 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 43, on fire
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 2
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 27, on fire
BB Idaho
BB Colorado, Shell hits 14
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Valiant
BB Valiant firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Mississippi
BB Mississippi firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB New Mexico
BB New Mexico firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Idaho
BB Idaho firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at Truk Naval Fortress
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Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
703 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB California, Shell hits 29, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 26, on fire
DD Hughes, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Gen. T.H.Bliss, Shell hits 1
AKA Centarus, Shell hits 2
APA Storm King
APA La Salle, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mustin
APA Sumter, Shell hits 1
APA Cambria
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB California
BB California firing at Truk Naval Fortress
BB Oklahoma firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Oklahoma
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Hughes
DD Hughes firing at Truk Naval Fortress
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 14,000 yards
BB California firing to suppress enemy battery at 14,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 14,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 14,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 14,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 14,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AKA Centarus at 14,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 14,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 14,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA La Salle at 14,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA Sumter at 14,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 14,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 123 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 1st Marine Div /8
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Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
889 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 28, on fire
DD Eaton
DD Converse, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Gen. G.O.Squier, Shell hits 5
AP William Ward Burrows, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC PC-1078
SC PC-1077
APA Knox
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Maryland
BB Maryland firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Eaton
DD Eaton firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Converse
DD Converse firing at Truk Naval Fortress
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. G.O.Squier at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. G.O.Squier at 12,000 yards
DD Converse firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP William Ward Burrows at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
DD Eaton firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. G.O.Squier at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP William Ward Burrows at 12,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP William Ward Burrows at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. G.O.Squier at 12,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging AP William Ward Burrows at 12,000 yards
BB Maryland firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
SC PC-1078 fired at enemy troops
SC PC-1077 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
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Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 304 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
12 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 3rd Marine Div /3
12 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 3rd Marine Div /6
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 3rd Marine Div /7
12 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 accidentally lost during unload of 3rd Marine Div /8
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Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
402 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
YMS-130, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Katoomba
AM Kapunda
AM Bowen
YMS-148
YMS-150
LST-30
LST-27
LST-31
LST-40
LST-34
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
AM Kapunda firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
AM Bowen firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
AM Kapunda firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
AM Kapunda firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
AM Kapunda firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
YMS-148 firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
YMS-150 firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
YMS-148 firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-130 at 6,000 yards
YMS-148 firing to suppress enemy battery at 6,000 yards
AM Katoomba fired at enemy troops
AM Kapunda fired at enemy troops
AM Bowen fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
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Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 311 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
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Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CLAA San Diego
CLAA San Diego firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Miller
DD Miller firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Fullam
DD Fullam firing at Truk Naval Fortress
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-83 at 17,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 17,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-216 at 17,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 17,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 17,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-83 at 17,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 17,000 yards
SC PC-790 fired at enemy troops
DD Fullam fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 418 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
DMS Emmons fired at enemy troops
DMS Zane fired at enemy troops
APD Rathburne fired at enemy troops
APD Belknap fired at enemy troops
APD Overton fired at enemy troops
APD Goldsborough fired at enemy troops
APD Little fired at enemy troops
APD Manley fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 423 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
12 Support troops lost overboard during unload of I US Corps /7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
254 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Mustin
AP Gen. T.H.Bliss, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
BB California, on fire
BB Oklahoma, on fire
APA La Salle, Shell hits 5, on fire
AKA Centarus, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hughes, on fire
DE Neuendorf
APA Callaway
APA Cambria
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging APA La Salle at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AKA Centarus at 10,000 yards
DD Hughes firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 10,000 yards
DE Neuendorf firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging APA Callaway at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 10,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
235 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Eaton, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Chauncey, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC PC-1078
SC PC-1077
APA Knox
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Eaton
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Chauncey
DD Chauncey firing at Truk Naval Fortress
SC PC-1078 fired at enemy troops
SC PC-1077 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
375 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
YMS-148, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
YMS-150
AM Katoomba
AM Kapunda
AM Bowen
LST-31
LST-30
LST-27
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
YMS-148 firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
YMS-150 firing to suppress enemy battery at 5,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-148 at 5,000 yards
AM Katoomba fired at enemy troops
AM Kapunda fired at enemy troops
AM Bowen fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
Massive explosion on LCI(G)-78
SC PC-789 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-782 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-789 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-782 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-579 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-789 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-789 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-782 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-779 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-779 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
SC PC-779 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
SC PC-782 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-779 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-782 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
LCI(G)-79 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-78 at 3,000 yards
SC PC-782 firing to suppress enemy battery at 3,000 yards
SC PC-779 fired at enemy troops
SC PC-579 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-80 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-79 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
382 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Miller, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Haraden, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Fullam, Shell hits 8, heavy fires
LCI-85, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
CLAA San Diego, on fire
LCI-219, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Duffy
LCI-75, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-84, Shell hits 2
SC PC-790
LCI-83
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Miller
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Haraden
DD Haraden firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Fullam
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-85 at 10,000 yards
Massive explosion on LCI-85
DD Haraden firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-85 at 10,000 yards
DD Haraden firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-219 at 10,000 yards
DE Duffy firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 10,000 yards
DE Duffy firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-219 at 10,000 yards
DD Haraden firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 10,000 yards
DE Duffy firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-84 at 10,000 yards
DD Haraden firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 10,000 yards
DE Duffy firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 10,000 yards
DE Duffy firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-75 at 10,000 yards
DD Haraden firing to suppress enemy battery at 10,000 yards
SC PC-790 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
DMS Emmons fired at enemy troops
DMS Zane fired at enemy troops
APD Rathburne fired at enemy troops
APD Belknap fired at enemy troops
APD Overton fired at enemy troops
APD Goldsborough fired at enemy troops
APD Little fired at enemy troops
APD Manley fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
Morning Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 8
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21
TBM-1C Avenger x 8
Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 3 damaged
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Base Force, at 112,108 (Truk)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 13
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 30000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 30000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking Truk Naval Fortress ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Truk Naval Fortress, at 112,108 (Truk)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 3
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Gen. T.H.Bliss
BB Oklahoma
APA La Salle
BB California
DD Hughes
AKA Centarus, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
APA Bolivar, Shell hits 3, on fire
APA Cambria
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging APA La Salle at 16,000 yards
DD Hughes firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 16,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging APA La Salle at 16,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA La Salle at 16,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AKA Centarus at 16,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AKA Centarus at 16,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging APA Bolivar at 16,000 yards
DD Hughes firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. T.H.Bliss at 16,000 yards
BB Oklahoma firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging AKA Centarus at 16,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
YMS-150, Shell hits 13, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-85
LST-82
LST-34
LST-31
LST-27
LST-30
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging YMS-150 at 3,000 yards
LST-85 fired at enemy troops
LST-82 fired at enemy troops
LST-34 fired at enemy troops
LST-31 fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LCI(G)-79, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC PC-579
LST-477
LST-470
LST-338
LST-217
LST-214
LST-218
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI(G)-79 at 7,000 yards
SC PC-579 fired at enemy troops
LST-477 fired at enemy troops
LST-470 fired at enemy troops
LST-338 fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
18 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LCI-217, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Haraden, heavy damage
LCI-84
CLAA San Diego
LCI-446
SC PC-790
LCI-526
LCI-402
LCI-333
LCI-330
LCI-83
LCI-218
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-217 at 18,000 yards
DD Haraden firing to suppress enemy battery at 18,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-84 at 18,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-217 at 18,000 yards
CLAA San Diego firing to suppress enemy battery at 18,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LCI-217 at 18,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-446 at 18,000 yards
SC PC-790 fired at enemy troops
LCI-526 fired at enemy troops
LCI-402 fired at enemy troops
LCI-333 fired at enemy troops
LCI-330 fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LSD White Marsh
AKA Andromeda, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Manley
DMS Emmons
DMS Zane
APD Rathburne, Shell hits 3, on fire
APD Belknap
APD Overton
APD Goldsborough
APD Little
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 21,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AKA Andromeda at 21,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AKA Andromeda at 21,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 21,000 yards
DMS Emmons fired at enemy troops
DMS Zane fired at enemy troops
APD Rathburne fired at enemy troops
APD Belknap fired at enemy troops
APD Overton fired at enemy troops
APD Goldsborough fired at enemy troops
APD Little fired at enemy troops
APD Manley fired at enemy troops
15cm 41YT CD Gun battery firing at APD Rathburne
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun battery firing at APD Rathburne
Assaulting units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
67th Field AA Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
Truk Naval Fortress
4th Base Force
15th Naval Construction Battalion
Southeast Area Fleet /3
Defending units:
766th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Marine Division
3rd Marine Div /9
1st USMC Amphb Tank Bn /8
I US Corps
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
So, fun, right? And that was perhaps a preview of a Guam or a Saipan.
The next day, May 1, it continued.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 01, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
65 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LST-123, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-176, Shell hits 31, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-177
LST-202, Shell hits 3
AM Kapunda
AM Bowen
LST-207
LST-204
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-123 at 3,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-123 at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-123 at 3,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-123 at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-123 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
20cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-123 at 3,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T41 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-176 at 3,000 yards
8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-202 at 3,000 yards
AM Kapunda fired at enemy troops
AM Bowen fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes
Allied Ships
BB Valiant
BB Oklahoma
BB Colorado
BB Idaho
APA Callaway
BB California
BB Mississippi
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Night Naval bombardment of Truk at 112,108 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
90 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LST-203, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-177, Shell hits 20, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-204, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-202, Shell hits 7, on fire
AM Kapunda
LST-207
Afternoon Air attack on Truk Naval Fortress, at 112,108 (Truk)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Also attacking Truk Naval Fortress ...
Ground combat at Truk (112,108)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 38454 troops, 728 guns, 834 vehicles, Assault Value = 1563
Defending force 26994 troops, 351 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 701
Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
766th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Marine Division
I US Corps
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
16th Division
16th Garrison Unit
2nd South Seas Gsn
15th Naval Construction Battalion
4th Base Force
Truk Naval Fortress
67th Field AA Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
Southeast Area Fleet /3
After the carnage of the landing I was actually pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the first attack was.
The next day ground bombing from Ponape, and an LCU bombardment. It imposed 19 casualties on the Japanese garrison.
May 3, more bombing and a Deliberate. The garrison was not as large as Ponape, but forts were high.
Ground combat at Truk (112,108)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 38000 troops, 727 guns, 827 vehicles, Assault Value = 1490
Defending force 26030 troops, 351 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 604
Assaulting units:
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
766th Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
40th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
I US Corps
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
16th Division
16th Garrison Unit
2nd South Seas Gsn
66th JNAF AF Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
67th Field AA Battalion
Truk Naval Fortress
4th Base Force
Southeast Area Fleet /3
On May 4th resupply, bombing, an LCU bombardment. I also did some air strike probes of Saipan and Rota , and found very stiff air opposition anchored on Frank r.
May 5th, a second wave, air bombing, a Japanese bombardment
Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
564 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Daly, Shell hits 3, on fire
LSD White Marsh, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Warrington
DD Morrison
APA President Polk, Shell hits 4
LSD Oak Hill, Shell hits 23, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Irwin
APA Knox
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Daly
DD Daly firing at Truk Naval Fortress
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging APA President Polk at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD Oak Hill at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LSD Oak Hill at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LSD Oak Hill at 13,000 yards
DD Irwin firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
12cm/45 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LSD White Marsh at 13,000 yards
DD Morrison firing to suppress enemy battery at 13,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 311 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
Assaulting units:
16th Division
16th Garrison Unit
2nd South Seas Gsn
66th JNAF AF Unit
Truk Naval Fortress
15th Naval Construction Battalion
4th Base Force
67th Field AA Battalion
Southeast Area Fleet /3
Defending units:
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
40th Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Div /1
I US Corps
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
May 6th.
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
261 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Warrington, Shell hits 2, on fire
APA American Legion, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Morrison
DD Irwin
DD Beale
APA Knox
Assaulting units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
Truk Naval Fortress
15th Naval Construction Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
4th Base Force
67th Field AA Battalion
Southeast Area Fleet /3
Defending units:
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
766th Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Assaulting units:
4th Marine Division
1st Marine Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
66th JNAF AF Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
4th Base Force
Truk Naval Fortress
67th Field AA Battalion
Southeast Area Fleet /3
May 7th.
Ground combat at Truk (112,108)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 16726 troops, 253 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 366
Defending force 48964 troops, 954 guns, 931 vehicles, Assault Value = 1690
Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
66th JNAF AF Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
67th Field AA Battalion
Truk Naval Fortress
4th Base Force
Southeast Area Fleet /3
Defending units:
193rd Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
4th Marine Division
40th Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Marine Division
I US Corps
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Assaulting units:
1st Marine Division
40th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
4th Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
I US Corps
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
Truk Naval Fortress
15th Naval Construction Battalion
67th Field AA Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
4th Base Force
Southeast Area Fleet /3
May 8th
Afternoon Air attack on Truk , at 112,108
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes
Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 30
TBM-1C Avenger x 8
BB Mississippi firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Mississippi
BB Oklahoma firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Oklahoma
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Colorado
BB Colorado firing at Truk Naval Fortress
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-85 at 22,000 yards
BB California firing to suppress enemy battery at 22,000 yards
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging LST-85 at 22,000 yards
BB California firing to suppress enemy battery at 22,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)
TF 623 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108
Assaulting units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
15th Naval Construction Battalion
Truk Naval Fortress
4th Base Force
67th Field AA Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
Southeast Area Fleet /3
Defending units:
35th Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Division
766th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
4th Marine Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
3rd Marine Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
I US Corps
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps /1
May 9th.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 09, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
188 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma, Shell hits 12, on fire
BB Colorado, Shell hits 1
LST-85, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-82
LST-119
LST-86
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
72 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LST-82, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma
BB Colorado
LST-207, Shell hits 1, on fire
AK Eridanus
LST-86, Shell hits 3, on fire
LST-119
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LST-82, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Eridanus
LST-86, on fire
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
39 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
LST-86, Shell hits 12, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Oklahoma
BB Colorado
AK Mintaka, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-119
Ground combat at Truk (112,108)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 15047 troops, 246 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 285
Defending force 57185 troops, 1060 guns, 1069 vehicles, Assault Value = 1901
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 10, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 114,108
Japanese Ships
SS RO-35, hits 35, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Hale
DD Hailey
DD Cowell
DD Marshall
DD Longshaw
DD Hall
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
23 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Sterope
BB Oklahoma
BB Colorado
DD Marshall
AK Crux
APA Callaway
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AK Crux at 15,000 yards
15cm 41YT CD Gun Battery engaging AK Sterope at 15,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AK Sterope at 15,000 yards
12.7cm 3YT DP Gun Battery engaging AK Sterope at 15,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Truk (112,108)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
48 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AK Sterope, Shell hits 9, on fire
BB Oklahoma
BB Colorado
AK Azimech, Shell hits 3, on fire
AK Hyperion, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Marshall
APA Callaway
Ground combat at Truk (112,108)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 42736 troops, 831 guns, 1033 vehicles, Assault Value = 1836
Defending force 19803 troops, 334 guns, 43 vehicles, Assault Value = 131
Assaulting units:
40th Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
35th Infantry Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Division
766th Tank Battalion
1st USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
225th Field Artillery Battalion
168th Field Artillery Regiment
I US Corps
XIV US Corps
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
16th Garrison Unit
16th Division
2nd South Seas Gsn
Truk Naval Fortress
67th Field AA Battalion
4th Base Force
15th Naval Construction Battalion
66th JNAF AF Unit
Southeast Area Fleet /3
Mopping up took until May 22. There were about 1000 more Allied casualties.
So, in summary, Truk was brutal on damage to ships. The yard at Pearl was closest, but not close. The damage to capital ships was fairly bad; in the game obvert inherited USS California is still not repaired totally. And this was just a sample of what the Marianas would have been. Here the KB did not intervene. The Marianas would not be that lucky. I chose to swing the strategic axis toward Java, and to focus on Hollandia as a build-up port for Mindanao.
In retrospect, having seen what happened, this was a mistake. I should have taken the losses to take Saipan and begun B-29 strikes by now (December 1, 1944.) Re-prepping and moving massive LCU stacks to staging bases at Hollandia and Darwin for Mindanao and Soerbaja respectively, took months. When I landed on Java I came in at three ports simultaneously, and that didn't go well. Java was a slog. Everything took 200% to 300% more time than my time budgets.
Do you have any info on the assault on Truk ? The last time I attacked it in my AI game by BBs got roughed up some and needed paint jobs
That happened to me first time out too, and then I figured out that the BBs need to stand off 12-20,000 yards while bombarding until the forts have enough guns knocked out to allow closer approach. One BB bombardment won't do much, you need to keep it up day after day so that disruption becomes disablement which becomes destruction of the guns and crews (support troops). A combination of bombardment and bombing works best. Destroying Truk's supply is also key to keeping the guns from being repaired or replaced.
This will work against the AI. It won't work against Loka or another grandmaster-level player. You will meet the KB several times if you do this tactic with bombardment BBs. You have to get in, get unloaded, get away.
In occasional secret communiques over the years, I urged the Moose to do an AAR. From tidbits of info he dropped here and there in the forum, I knew the fighting was intense and interesting.
But the dang Moose wouldn't bite. He kept dropping hints about "rubbing the velvet from his antlers" or somesuch.
And now we find out what it takes to prod the Great Ungulate of the North to do an AAR. Get him to drop the game!
[:)]
Seriously, Moose, thanks for posting. This is good stuff.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
In occasional secret communiques over the years, I urged the Moose to do an AAR. From tidbits of info he dropped here and there in the forum, I knew the fighting was intense and interesting.
But the dang Moose wouldn't bite. He kept dropping hints about "rubbing the velvet from his antlers" or somesuch.
And now we find out what it takes to prod the Great Ungulate of the North to do an AAR. Get him to drop the game!
[:)]
Seriously, Moose, thanks for posting. This is good stuff.
Thanks, Dan. You know how hard it is to go over 5+ years of detail and try to find trends and a macro view. It's especially emotionally difficult when you know what happened downstream of certain decisions. (Kind of like my first wife!)
If this helps newer players take a bead on a CentPac strategy it was worth it. More and more I'm convinced that the game's lengthy prepping mechanism makes true island hopping in the DEI impossible against an expert Japan player. Or, said another way, the prep time is perhaps OK, but the penalties are over-the-top. Combined with a lack of any "beach head" mechanism, and a new Shock attack being ordered if one arty tube hits the sand ("Up, men! A 105 is dry, so we must charge the tree line like fools!"), I found it very difficult to take a southern route. The Marianas are brutal, but limited in target scope. And once you have Saipan the game changes.
Man, I think bombing from the Marianas against an experienced IJ player with good fighters would be an exercise in futility. I think you'd lose more B-29s than you'd score points (well, that's an exaggeration, but points would be hard to come by and dearly bought). Ya gotta get closer than that - a lot closer.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
Man, I think bombing from the Marianas against an experienced IJ player with good fighters would be an exercise in futility. I think you'd lose more B-29s than you'd score points (well, that's an exaggeration, but points would be hard to come by and dearly bought). Ya gotta get closer than that - a lot closer.
You do, but it's a start. It also makes the Japan player fall back.
Do you have any info on the assault on Truk ? The last time I attacked it in my AI game by BBs got roughed up some and needed paint jobs
That happened to me first time out too, and then I figured out that the BBs need to stand off 12-20,000 yards while bombarding until the forts have enough guns knocked out to allow closer approach. One BB bombardment won't do much, you need to keep it up day after day so that disruption becomes disablement which becomes destruction of the guns and crews (support troops). A combination of bombardment and bombing works best. Destroying Truk's supply is also key to keeping the guns from being repaired or replaced.
This will work against the AI. It won't work against Loka or another grandmaster-level player. You will meet the KB several times if you do this tactic with bombardment BBs. You have to get in, get unloaded, get away.
I know, but if KB has been eliminated and you can suppress the airfields, and you have enough supply nearby, and a re-arm base ... I could go on but the point was that if you have the conditions available to so what I said, you can eventually destroy the fort. But most of the time it is better to do what the Allies did IRL and suppress/bypass.
BTW, Guam does not have a naval fort so it and Tinian are the starting points for a Marianas campaign (although there may be CD units there). From those two islands you can bomb the heck out of Saipan.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
