The Copperas Bowl: Allied Perspective

[Canoerebel]

7/2/42 - Version 2.41 seems to have a bad bug where combat replay bears no resemblance to the turn file. Therefore, at this point I really do not know what is happening on a particular turn. It's not a big problem yet, because nothing much is happening; but as soon as we mix it up, I'll be almost completely in the dark without all the intel that the combat replay provides - from coastwatcher reports to ship sightings to air attacks. I won't be able to properly react to developments....The last two turns have been quiet. Jap TF landing reinforcements at Nevea. I "think" Hudsons from Luganville scored one hit on an AP, but I'm not sure (because of the replay snafu). Spruance's TF heading out of Luganville to Nevea. I'm also preparing to send additional combat ships to Pearl. No attacks on Wau.

[Canoerebel]

07/03/42 - Here is the combat report my opponent sent:

Weather: Overcast

Night Time Surface Combat, near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
DD Oite, Shell hits 30, and is sunk
DD Tachikaze, Shell hits 33, and is sunk
AP Kenryu Maru, Shell hits 49, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiten Maru
AP Nana Maru, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AP Oigawa Maru, Shell hits 30, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 3
CA Louisville
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 1
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
DD Wilkes
DD Anderson
DD O'Brien
DD Morris
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Jarvis
DD Benham
DD Lang
DD Gridley
DD Craven
DMS Hovey

B-26s from PM inflicted 93 casualties at Wau. They are scheduled to strike again along with B-17s from Cairns. Dakotas from PM (carrying the 30th Brigade) and from Cooktown (carrying supplies) are scheduled for Wau this turn also. Pulled combat ships from L'ville back to Noumea and from Townsville back to Rockhampton. Intel indicates Jap CVs are on the map now. Saratoga arrives 1 turn, Wasp in about 15, with Enterprise at Pearl and Lexington to arrive at Pearl in around 15 turns. I don't have enough CAs at Pearl to get the CVs released, so I'm rotating back a number of ships as fast as I can.

[Canoerebel]

7/6/42 - Jap TFs bombarded PM and Townsville and another "visited" Efete apparently hoping to find merchant ships there. I sent about ten ships back to Pearl and successfully raised the ship priority to "high". The last of the four CVs will arrive in Pearl in 4 days. Marines in Noumea in ten days. Wau still quiet. John likely ordered reinforcements but they have a long way to walk. One squadron Dakotas will transport 30th Brigade to Wau this turn. One AP to arrive PM today with needed supplies, but may also run into a bombardment group. Need to take that chance. Supply level now orange.

[Shadow of the Condor]

Good AAR - Keep the entries coming.

Phil

[Canoerebel]

7/9/42 - It remains unnaturally quiet. No Jap bombardments in several turns. The 30th Brigade is in Wau. No attacks at Wau for many turns, although John still maintains Zero cap (probably from Lae). A sub sank one of my MSW (just the third ship I've lost this game, indicating just how quiet it has been) near Brisbane. Hornet to arrive in Pearl next turn with Wasp arriving Noumea shortly. That will give me two CVs on the map and two CVs in Pearl (unfortunately lacking enough CAs to get them released. One CA and two CLs will be available in 7 turns with two more CAs in about 22 turns. That means it may be 40 days before I get all four CVs on the board. [8|])

[Canoerebel]

7/10/42 - To my considerable surprise and pleasure, Pearl released Enterprise and Hornet even though they will have an escort of only 7 DDs. That means the Allies will have 4 CVs and should be in position to mount an offensive by August 1. I have detailed a FT mission to deliver two engineer units to Wunpuko. Japs appear to have a second infantry unit at Wau and launched an attack with results posted below. Light, medium and heavy bombers from PM, Cooktown and Cairns ordered to strike the enemy at Wau.

Ground combat at Wau

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6992 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4979 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 139

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 112

[Canoerebel]

7/12/42 - Intel reports that the new Jap ground unit at Wau numbers only some 750, not enough to give the Japs a numerical advantage. No recent Jap attacks at Wau. Allies occasionally bombard the Japs there with minimal results (about 10 casualties). Jap TF about to hit PM, so I've recalled two APs from the port. Something a bit weird happened at Wunpuko - my two engineer units landed last turn and already there are plenty of supplies, some fuel, and a level one fortification. The Allies must begin the game with Wunpuko at those levels, but if so I did not realize it (this is only my second time playing Scenario 16 - I didn't use Wunpuko the first time - and I don't believe Wunpuko begins with those advantages in Scenarios 17 and 19). The engineers are focusing on airfield construction. A Jap BB was spotted not far from Wunpuko, possibly heading to L'ville. No Allied shipping at L'ville right now. I've sent the merchants at Efete back to Noumea.

[Canoerebel]

7/14/42 - Jap combat TFs are prancing about the Pacific unchecked. Two hit PM and one hit Efete this turn. Sadly, DM Preble had the misfortune of making a mine laying run to Efete... The Japs have crippled the air fields at Efete (where there is just a PBY squadron) and PM, but otherwise aren't accomplishing anything substantial. John may be using the raids as decoys, hoping to draw out my warships, but right now I'm content to let him use fuel and incur some wear and tear. Kincaid's TF is moving from Rockhampton to Townsville. A couple of merchants are zig-zagging south of PM awaiting the "all clear" so that they can head into port and unload. A FT convoy (one CA and about 8 DDs) is landing more engineers at Wunpuko tonight. Hopefully they won't encounter Haruna and the Boys.

[Canoerebel]

7/16/42 - Lady Haruna was not present and the Japs have been quiet the past two turns. Both sides lost a couple of small ships to subs. FT groups are taking 6th Seabees and supplies to Kourakouratopa. Reinforcing Wunpuko with part of 186th Regiment via Dakota. Kincaid's TF is heading to PM to (hopefully) allow the merchants to unload. Shifted additional fighter squadrons to PM to (hopefully) provide cover. No sight of the Jap CVs yet, but I'm sure John is anxious to unleash them.

Just after finishing the preceding paragraph, I received the new turn file from John with this comment: "Let the games begin!!!" I hope Kincaid didn't walk into a hornet's nest.....

[Canoerebel]

6/17/42 - Kincaid DID walk into hornet's nest face first, but it really wasn't his fault. The commander miscalculated the date of Kincaid's arrival at PM (I thought it would take parts of two days rather than one). Thus Kincaid arrived in port, but I hadn't put up CAP yet. Bad things then began cascading (as Michael Crichton puts it in "Airframe"). The Jap CVs slipped between GG and Australia (Allied recon failed miserably). Jap naval and land-based bombers then feasted on Kincaid's unprotected ships. To this point, CA Salt Lake City is the only ship sunk, but three or four other CLs and DDs suffered moderate to severe damage. I've left them in PM and bolstered the CAP. The undamaged DDs (some ten) have been ordered to make a run to Cairns where there is newly augmented CAP. A DMS and a CL have been ordered to steam SW from PM to no-man's-land, hoping that they will somehow be able to avoid detection and destruction. At this point, the damage hasn't been all that great. Too, the Jap naval air has suffered some losses. But the next turn or two will really tell the story. If John sticks around, he can decimate the American surface ships in the area before my CVs are available (the last two are 12 days out). Jap surface TF is not far from Cairns. I'm not sure what it is doing or where it is going. Here is the day's unhappy combat report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/17/42

Weather: Rain

Night Time Surface Combat at 13,46

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
CL Isuzu
CL Natori
CL Yura
DD Yamagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Arare
DD Hibiki
DD Shirakumo
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
AP Moreton Bay, Shell hits 39, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk (Moreton Bay was at sea, well SE of PM, don't know how the Japs managed to end up in the same hex [&:]).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 8,35


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Beaufort at 2000 feet
6 x Beaufort at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51


Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 14


Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Minegumo
DD Arare
CL Yura

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x A-20B Havoc at 1000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 1000 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 1000 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 14


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 18 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1 [:'(]
CL Yura
CL Sendai

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 100 feet
3 x Hudson at 100 feet
4 x Hudson at 100 feet
4 x Hudson at 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 43 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Case, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage [:(]
CL Achillies, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Lamson, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Honolulu

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51


Allied aircraft
A-20B Havoc x 5


Allied aircraft losses
A-20B Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
CL Isuzu

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x A-20B Havoc at 1000 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 1000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,51


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x Hudson at 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Case, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G4M1 Betty x 3

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
D3A Val x 44
B5N Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 2 destroyed
D3A Val x 15 damaged
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Stockton
DD Conyngham
CL Achillies, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Balch
DD Grayson
CL Phoenix

[Canoerebel]

7/18/42 - Allied commander goofed again. It seems that the orders issued to the CL and DMS to head to "no-man's-land" failed to include instructions to stay there. So they returned to PM and Jap bombers found them in port and quickly dispatched them. Little other damage done despite large Jap naval and land-based air strikes against PM and naval bombardments of PM and Townsville. My DD TF made it to Cairns unscathed and those ships are now heading on to Rockhampton. Another CL (moderate damage) is going to make the run from PM to Cairns. Three other heavily damaged CLs and DDs will remain in PM and await their fate. I am tempted to deploy Saratoga and Wasp against the Japs, but I'll resist the temptation. In eleven more turns, I will be on equal footing with them and there is no need courting disaster in the meantime. While the Allies have a bloodied nose, holding PM will make up for it in the long run....

[Canoerebel]

7/19/42 - Jap CVs just five hexes from Cairns, but failed to launch any air strikes for some reason. That was fortuitous because CL Honolulu was one hex from Cairns, having failed to make the full run from PM. I've ordered Honolulu to continue on toward Rockhampton. She may not make it out of range if the CVs move further south. Japs bombarded PM again, but the damaged ships (2 DDs and a CL) in port escaped further damage. Here is the overall situation:

Japs have established three forward bases: Gili Gili (Port 3, Airbase 1), Rossel Islands (1/1) and Irau (0/1). Wau is currently up for grabs with neither side holding a decided advantage. Allies have a firm grip on PM and established forward bases at Wunpuko (0/1) and are just beginning airfield construction at Kourakouratopa. Allies will be in a position to move forward in approximately ten days. Objective yet undecided, but GG may make the most sense since the Allies hold PM. Alternatively, I may try to provoke John into venturing forward (by landing troops at Irau or putting merchants in a tantalizing location. If possible, I'd like to engage his CVs on home turf.

[Canoerebel]

7/20/42 - Jap CVs remain just a few hexes east of Cairns. Allied land-based bombers sortied in a valiant, futile, costly effort to strike a blow. Allies lost more than 30 planes (about half P-39s) with nothing to show for the effort. CL Honolulu successfully made the run and is nearing Rockhampton. Right now, "Kincaid's Folly" (sailing blindly into the Jap CV TF) has cost a CA, CL and DMS. Not too bad considering.... If my last two CVs weren't just 9 days out, I'd send the two available now on a raid toward the Solomons or even Truk; but I want to be able to group the four together in case the Jap CVs remain exposed (unlikely, but you never know). Another Jap infantry unit arrived at Wau. As soon as John pulls back his CVs, I'll be in a position to re-supply PM and bolster the garrison which will, in turn, permit offensive operations to support the Wau garrison.

[Canoerebel]

7/21/42 - Jap CVs moved south to a position ENE of Townsville. No air strikes by either side. The CVs are just sitting there, taunting the Allies. I am frankly surprised that John is using this tactic. He did so in our first game and got hammered when my CVs blocked his way back home and earned a decisive victory. I figured the possibility of a repeat would discourage such boldness this game. Given the petrol situation, however, I doubt his CVs will remain exposed long enough for my carriers to arrive and take action. Elsewhere, a large Jap combat TF is not far from Wunpuko. That is the likely target, with Koura and L'ville also possibilities. I've evacuated my ships from those ports and aborted minelaying and FT missions. I might send out some juicy merchants to Wunpuko and then slip my two CVs well to the NW, hoping to catch a combat TF on the rebound from a raid. Not much risk in doing so as long as his CVs are enjoying their stroll along the Australian coastline.

[Canoerebel]

7/22/42 - Jap TF hit Wunpuko, doing no damage (CA Mogami hit a mine; a US DD taking supplies to Gavigama did also). CL Honolulu took a torpedo near Brisbane, but made it to port in good shape. Jap CV TF moved well to the NE and is now SSW of Rossel Islands. Probably taking the long way home to Shortlands to refuel (to avoid what is often sub-infested waters near Gili Gili) or possibly heading further east if the Japs have something up their sleeves for the Wunpuko/Koura area. Koura airbase now open for business. Allies will resume air transport of reinforcements to Wau, this time from Cookville.

[Canoerebel]

7/25/42 - Over the past three turns, the Jap CVs moved to Rossel Islands, then due east, and now are about ten hexes due west of Koura. Based upon his email comments, John expected to encounter the Allied CVs, but I pulled them back to Noumea several days ago. I've pulled everything in that area back to Noumea. The 3rd and 4th U.S. CVs arrive in 4 turns. We'll have a fight soon thereafter if his CVs stick around. Elsewhere very quiet. No more Jap CAP over Wau, so air transport missions of the 10th Brigade from Cookville are unopposed. Five APs sent from Noumea to Brisbane. It won't be long before the Allies plan their first offensive.

[Canoerebel]

7/26/42 - John has lost his mind. [X(] The Jap CVs are one hex NE of Gavigama.[:-] It is an Allied dream to fight the Jap CVs on equal terms on Allied territory where damaged Jap ships have a long return to port while damaged Allied ships are close to home. If only the Allies had their CVs, but Enterprise and Hornet are still three days out of Noumea. Surely the Japs won't hang around that long.... Elswhere, CL Achilles (one of the casualties of Kincaid's Folly) will limp from PM to Townsville. Reinforcement of Wau via air transport continues uncontested. Three AKs left Brisbane a day or two apart enroute to PM, which desperately needs supplies (red level - less than 2000 now on hand). Allies have two divisions in Brisbane. GG is lightly held by the Japs and at this point looks like a good target. D-Day might be about 20 days depending upon the location of the CVs and what's going on elsewhere.

[Canoerebel]

7/27/42 - Jap CVs withdrew to a point south of Irau, but a Jap Surface TF showed up just two hexes west of L'ville. That may have been a mistake in timing by the Japs (kind of like my "Kincaid's Folly" gambit awhile back), because the Jap ships are exposed, unprotected by CAP, and might have run right into my CVs (which, fortunately for the Jap TF, are in Noumea anxiously awaiting arrival of Enterprise and Hornet). I can only surmise that John is trying to lure my CVs out of port. If so, the effort earned CA Mogami a torpedo from an Avenger squadron based at L'ville (Wasp arrived in the game with more aircraft than it's max load, so I moved Wasp's Avengers to L'ville). CL Achilles should arrive Townsville this turn and CL Honolulu is heading from Brisbane to Noumea.

[Canoerebel]

7/29/42 - Enterprise and Hornet finally arrived. The Allies are now in a position to move forward. In our last game, the initial Allied attack consisted of a feint toward Irau followed by the main thrust at Gili Gili. It was far sloppier than intended, but worked. I am going to follow a similar course this time: (1) Build up Koura and Gavi, in the process drawing John's attention and possibly provoking a meeting engagement. (2) When and if successful in drawing John's attention there, a larger invasion fleet will move on Gili Gili. This will be the main thrust with the CVs and most of the big combat ships in support. (3) As the major action unfolds around GG, SOPAC will move on Nevea with enough Marines to take and hold that base. At the end of those operations, I believe the primary source of Allied operations will be New Guinea and I expect to use Wau and attack from there.


To get things rolling, I'm fast transporting the 810th EAB from Noumea to Gavi. I'm air transporting part of the 102nd Base Force from Efate to Koura to give me some air support at that base. I've sent Wasp and Saratogo to a point north of Noumea to (hopefully) further draw John's attention to SOPAC (and hopefully he might send his CVs back, especially if he isn't aware that Hornet and Enterprise have arrived).

Jap Bettys and Nells from Lunga hit a merchant convoy at Efate hard this turn (Moderate Damage: 2 AK and 1 AO; Severe damage: 1 AO). This prompted a realignment of SOPAC air as follows: VMF 24 to Efate; VMF 212 to L'ville (joining 2 PBY, 1 Avenger, 1 Hudson, 1 B17); 2 squadrons SBDs to Wunpuko.

I didn't do anything of note in SWPAC this turn.

[Canoerebel]

7/30/42 - The Allied activity around Koura certainly seemed to arouse the Japs. A Jap sub sank AP President Adams (part of a three ship convoy delivering supplies and a small part of the 6th Seabees); Irvings reconned Koura; and a sizeable combat TF was observed NNW of Nevea, bearing down on the area. I feel pretty confident that the Jap TF is heading to Koura - confident enough that I did not recall my FT convoy delivering the 810th EAB to Gavi. Gavi is currently unoccupied, so hopefully the Japs are focusing on Koura. If the Japs instead head to Gavi, that FT convoy is going to have a bad evening. Sara/Wasp ordered to a point NE of L'ville/E of Koura; Hornet/Enter are following about a day behind. They are looking for opportunities (a coastwatcher reports Jap CV at Shortlants, so the coast appears clear at the moment). A turn ago I resumed intensive recon including Wau, Rabaul, Rossel, Lunga and Nevea. GG garrison reported as 2 CD, 2 engineer, 2 AA and 1 infantry unit (pretty light). In contrast, Rossel has 1 AA, 1 CD, 1 engineer, and 5 infantry units. I won't begin to load the invasion force at Brisbane for perhaps 5 more turns. Want to stir things up around Koura first and see what develops.