Bombur (allies) vs mapr (Japan): playtesting Bombur´s Guadalcanal scenario

[mapr]

Some turns ago when I had practically unescorted bombers attacking PM, I do not know what happened. Fighters just did not join the attack. Or no more than 3 of them. And two groups of A6M's were in escoirt mission with 0% CAP having 11 hex range.

I think I have not been too aggressive with my subs, I mostly have placed some between Noumea and Lunga. Unless one counts being aggressive at placing sub anywhere else than friendly waters. But then, I really have not been too succesfull in submarine warfare in my games.

That poor ML i simply forgot.

Air war have not been going too well. During last turn my bombers made 2 attacks from Rabaul. 2nd attack was quite costly again.

[Djordje]

In the days when your escorts did not fly, did you have any squadrons based at the same airfields with sweep mission? I've also had problems in my PBEM getting my escorts to fly with bombers, especially if sweep mission was ordered at the same target.
Try to replace air HQ leader with a good aggressive one, and also look at squadron leaders of your Zero daitais, that might help.

[Bombur]

-Bloody turn, and it was time to US subs to take some beating. The enemy ships reported by my submarine commanders were actually two or three big ASW groups. Two subs lost (actually, one of them WILL SINK) and an IJN APD heavily damaged. Again, it could be argued I´m being too agressive by patrolling the areas near Truk. As mapr noticed, we are mediocre submarine commanders and in our previous games (both UV and WiTP) our subs never had very significant achievements. On the air war, it was a very bloody day. I lost 29 P-39´s (most in air combat and six destroyed in the ground by enemy Betties), while the enemy lost 16 Zeros and 19 Betties. My enemy was also very close to a massive victory over Lunga, as his Betties attacked a group of cruisers and DD´s, and my F4F´s failed to intercept (they aren´t reliable, it seems). Fortunately, the Betties were loaded with bombs, not torpedoes.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/18/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 61,84

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 32
PC Ch 23
PC Ch 18
PC Ch 17
PC Ch 16
PC Ch 6
DD Namikaze
DD Nokaze
DD Tachikaze

Allied Ships
SS Pickerel, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (SUNK-9th sub lost)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 63,81

Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #10
PC PC-118
PC PC-112
PC PC-104
APD APD-35
APD APD-34
APD APD-2
APD APD-1

Allied Ships
SS S-40, hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 69,101

Japanese Ships
SS I-12, hits 6, on fire, heavy damage (SUNK)

Allied Ships
CL Hobart
DD Selfridge
DD Jarvis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Tulagi, at 68,96

Allied Ships
DD Selfridge
DD Jarvis
DD Patterson
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Mugford
CL Hobart
CA Australia

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Port hits 2
Port supply hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 63,83

Japanese Ships
APD APD-2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Takunan Maru #10
PC PC-118
PC PC-112
PC PC-104
APD APD-35
APD APD-34
APD APD-1

Allied Ships
SS S-40, hits 1, heavy damage (91 FLOT DAMAGE, WILL SINK)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 14 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G4M1 Betty x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes
DD Dewey
CA Quincy
CA Astoria

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 87

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 16 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 10 destroyed, 12 damaged


Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 34

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 63,84

Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #8
PC PC-106
PC PC-105
PC PC-102
APD APD-36
DD Hakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 63,84

Japanese Ships
PG Takunan Maru #8
PC PC-106
PC PC-105
PC PC-102
APD APD-36
DD Hakaze
DD Minekaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayling

[mapr]

Hmm.... Interesting. If I remember right, I did not have sweep mission that turn as I wanted as much protection to bombers as possible. And 3 escorts did fly... I did not have any kind of CAP in Rabaul that turn. And if I remember right one groups of fighters was resting.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that.

ORIGINAL: Djordje

In the days when your escorts did not fly, did you have any squadrons based at the same airfields with sweep mission? I've also had problems in my PBEM getting my escorts to fly with bombers, especially if sweep mission was ordered at the same target.
Try to replace air HQ leader with a good aggressive one, and also look at squadron leaders of your Zero daitais, that might help.

have any squadrons based at the

[Bombur]

-Relatively calm day. Japan lost the 10th sub in 16 days and the USN had another sub damaged by an E7K2. Some air combat over PM ended in a draw, with 5 P-39 and 5 A6M3 lost. Japan seems to be losing more Zeros than they can replace, these are good news.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/19/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 60,87

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 24
PC Ch 22
PC Shonon Maru #15
PG Koei Maru
PG Heijo Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 69,100

Japanese Ships
SS I-169, hits 9, on fire, heavy damage (10th IJN sub lost)

Allied Ships
AK Alhena
AK Betelgeuse
AP President Adams
AP President Hayes
AP George F. Elliot
AP Fuller
DMS Trevor
DMS Zane
DD Henley
DD Blue
DD Bagley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

(actual results were 5 Zeros and 5 P-39 lost)

[Bombur]

-Some ASW action. USN lost its second sub, while a RO seems to have survived a depth charge attack....look to the size of ASW fleet mapr built to hunt my subs...at least they are not running the Tokyo express.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/20/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 60,87

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo
DD Fubuki
DD Inazuma
DD Ikazuchi
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Ariake
DD Yugure
DD Wakaba
DD Hatsushima
DD Hatsuharu
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Murasame
DD Shigure
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
SS S-38, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 68,99

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Dent
DD Tucker
DD Perkins
DD Lamson
DD Drayton
DD Cummings
CL St. Louis
CLAA San Diego
CV Hornet

[Bombur]

-I´m deeply dissapointed with my changes in submarine warfare, it seems the trouble is hardcoded and related to sub detection more than to accuracy of depth charges. On the other hand, I could reconsider that theory that I should INCREASE depth charge accuracy (does anyone has an opinion/evidence on this??). mapr lost another sub (his 11th) and was able to sink only 2 DD´s and 1 CA.....I think I still can decrease even more the accuracy of allied depth charges to make for the unrealistic ability to detect subs....
-News from the Frontlines:
-Reinforcements and supplies were brought to Tulagi, where the enemy resisted US marines up to now.
-On the good news, B-17´s from Australia attacked Lae (PM is still a size 3 AF), but destroyed no aircraft in the ground....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/21/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Tulagi, 68,96, firing at TF 1004
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 68,96


3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied ground losses:
436 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Tulagi, 68,96, firing at TF 1004
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 68,96


2 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Henley


Allied ground losses:
543 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 70,102

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 8, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-123
PT PT-46
PT PT-44
DD Swanson
DD Hutchins
DD Gregory
PT PT-45


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2133 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8336 troops, 44 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported

[Bombur]

-Vals from Lae, escorted by Zeros, attacked ships unloading at PM. Ships didn´t suffered too much damage but CAP P-39´s were decimated. 13 P-39 lost vs. 3 Zeros and 3 Vals (more 2 Vals shot down by flak)....and Japan lost another sub....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/22/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 68,96



Allied ground losses:
300 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 68,98

Japanese Ships
SS RO-34, hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
PT PT-45
DD Swanson
DD Hutchins
DD Gregory

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 68,96



Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22
D3A Val x 18

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 13 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Diomed, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Demodocus
AK Mungana, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Katoomba, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet

[Bombur]

-Good news, Tulagi was captured as USN reinforcements were finally disembarked in the Island. Meanwhile, another group of Betties attacked PM. The escorting Zeros suffered heavy losses....overall, a good day for the allies....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/23/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Tulagi, 68,96, firing at TF 1004
TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Tulagi, 68,96



Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 68,96


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3 Zero x 14
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Manunda, Torpedo hits 1
AK Idomeneus
AK Barwon


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1942 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9491 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9491 troops, 77 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2870 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tulagi base !!!


Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[Bombur]

mapr goes on to his final objective of destroying every P-39 in the Pacific. A6M3 from Lae shot down no less than 13 P-39, with the loss of 9 Zeros. But the enemy also is losing more Zeros than it can replace. Despite almost daily attacks by B-17´s I´ve been unable to inflict significant damage on Lae. B-17´s are flying from Australia (as PM is still size 3) and now a B-24 sqadron joined them (withouth significant results). It seems that heavy bombers were toned down successfully, but I still want to see them attacking with full load....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/24/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 14


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 9000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 9000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
D3A Val x 9

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
D3A Val: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Barwon
AK Idomeneus, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
D3A Val x 9

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Katoomba, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage (SUNK)

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1879 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 9357 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9357 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2511 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 45 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

[Bombur]

-A big formation of 50 heavies attacked Lae at extended range. Lost 6 B-24 while the enemy lost 4 Vals (destroyed in the ground). No losses among the 6 Zeros that intercepted the heavies. I´ve been noticing the B-24 seems to be unrealistic vulnerable, and this could explain the heavy bomber losses to Zeros. Japan lost another sub and starving Japanese troops suffered heavy losses at Tulagi
-Other issues:
1-mapr complains that the new AF system seems to put Japan at disadvantage. I think that it´s also a significant disadvantage for the allies, since they will take much more time to build size 4 AF. I think I will take at least 2-3months to take PM to size 4 and 4 months to take Lunga to size 4. Anyway, I think a tweak to USA engineers could be implemented in v0.52
2-I don´t think the new scenario is more balanced for Japan (the stock Guadalcanal is heavily biased againt the IJN). New changes will include more aircraft replacements for Japan and more worsening of ASW capabilities

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/25/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 68,99

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Gilmer
DD Humphreys

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
18 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 9000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 9000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 3rd SNLF, at 68,96


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9285 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2346 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 94 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1273 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[Bombur]

More heavy bombers destroyed by the heroic pilots at Lae, now, 6 Zeros shot down 3 B-17´s (one Zero destroyed in the ground). This was a day withouth much activity, both sides are curing their wound, I think.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/26/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9191 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1457 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 290 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
221 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported

[Bombur]

-And that´s all.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/27/42


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9109 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 1115 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 208 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1809 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

[Bombur]

-Another raid against Lae this time the allied bombers were escorted by Beaufighters and P-40´s from PM. One Zero, 2 B-17´s and 1 P-40 lost in air combat (intel data). No grounded planes destroyed. Near Guadalcanal, it seems a IJN sub was hit by a CV based plane.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/28/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 9
Beaufighter VIC x 8
B-17E Fortress x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet

[Bombur]

-Lost 5 B-17 (4 to Zeros, 1 to flak) and 2 P-40´s (both to Zeros). One of my B-17´s shot down a Zero. Only 5 planes attacked the airfield, the remaining fled like rabbits.....morale down to 28 for the B-17 sqadron involved. Those raids are too costly and results are poor. I´m considering to increase durability of heavy bombers in this game. It seems both combat losses and efficiency is too high for 4E bombers, if I fix one it´s reasonable to fix the other too....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/29/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 49,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
AK Asphalion
MSW Ipswitch
PG Warrego
PG Swan
DD Arunta

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 10
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 11 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 9000 feet

-Notice that the combat report underestimated my losses. At least three B-17´s were lost in their way to home....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 81st Naval Guard Unit, at 66,97


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

[Bombur]

-No attacks made by my 4e bombers. They´re resting and losses are being replaced. At least we took less losses than the replacement rate for these planes in August. The Japanese sub force achieved another sucess after being badly beaten near Guadalcanal. One of my AK´s was heavily damaged. Not sure if it will sink or not....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 81st Naval Guard Unit, at 66,97


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 13


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 51,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
AK San Vincente, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Steelmaker
MSW Lismore
MSW Launceton

-Balance sheet: first month

1-The new base size system seems to decrease significantly land based operations in small scenarios. I dont know what will happen in the bigger ones
2-The changes introduced in the ASW didn´t work well. It´s possible, however, that subs could be useful against crippled warships and poorly escorted convoys. They can sink undamaged warships (2 DD and 1 CA lost to IJN subs) but at a very high cost (12 IJN subs lost)
3-Too early to say I´m happy with heavy bombers. They need an increase in durability, particularly the B-24, but it seems the changes in payload worked (however, they weren´t able to fly missions with full payload due to the small size of PM)
4-Betties didn´t achieve too much but mapr has been cautious with them. For some strange reason, they seem to fly antiship missions armed with bombs instead of torpedos (this saved my cruisers at Guadalcanal)
5-A lot of things must be tweaked. I need to adjust the logistics, maybe decrease the number of aircraft support crews for USA (to simulate higher requirements from bigger aircraft), increase the aircraft replacements for Japan, increase a little bit the range of the A6M3 (to allow them to fly escort missions from Rabaul to PM, or were they unable to do so?), create replacements for Japanese land equipment.

[Bombur]

-Some ASW action....allied ships bombarding enemy troops in Tassafaronga. I´m not willing to allow Japanese troops in Guadalcanal. Almost no action over New Guinea...Score show a draw (1685 for Japan vs 1600 for allies). It seems the capture of Guadalcanal could be enough to give a victory to the allies (if they expand the base enough)? Let us see what happens....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/31/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,83

Japanese Ships
AP Syoka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Tassafaronga, at 66,97

Allied Ships
DD Stockton
DD Lansdowne
DD Duncan
DD Hutchins
DD Gregory
CL Honolulu
CA Shropshire
CA Pensacola

Japanese ground losses:
129 casualties reported

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 81st Naval Guard Unit, at 66,97


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 64,82

Japanese Ships
ML Niizaki
ML Saishu
ML Takashima
ML Ishizaki
ML Hoko

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

[Bombur]

-The pause goes on. American trsnports are heading back to their homes after the successful operations in Guadalcanal and Tulagi.....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/01/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 81st Naval Guard Unit, at 66,97


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet

[Bombur]

-Almost no action. An USN Sub attacked an TK inflicting heavy damage. The tanker will probably sink. USA air recon detected a large Japanese surface force in Rabaul, with at least two battleships. We have no clue on Japanese intentions.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/02/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 58,83

Japanese Ships
AK Oyama Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

[Bombur]

-The Japanese attempted a large night raid against PM. No damage to the base while the enemy lost three Betties. Meanwhile, it seems the enemy is moving his surface ships towards Guadalcanal....a naval bombardment of the airfield is possible tomorrow. And...of course, Japan lost another sub....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/03/42

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Sub attack at 69,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
DD Case
DD Gilmer
DD Humphreys
DD Brooks
DD Mahan

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Night Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 13 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
18 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet
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ASW attack at 69,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-21, hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Gilmer
DD Humphreys
DD Brooks
DD Case
DD Mahan