BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[Lomri]

Those 5 inch guns Taney was shooting at you probably still had that new gun smell on them. According to Wikipedia:
Taney operated locally out of Honolulu into 1943 before sailing for Boston late that winter. Prior to heading for the east coast, the ship received a re-gunning at Mare Island, being fitted with four single-mount, 5-inch guns, making her the only ship in her class with this modification.

[PzB74]

Indeed [8|]

Those "little ship" stories you come over when playing WitP are always fascinating!!

This turn we had a naval battle!
First our raiders finished of a damaged AK but failed to connect with the rest of the fleeing ships.
At Darwin however, I spotted some surface vessels and wondered how Andy managed to sneak them past my blokade.
So I sent a not to crack surface force made up of old CL Natori and a hodge podge force of available destroyers to sink them.

The problem was that the 4 Allied destroyers were lead by the light cruiser Leander..which put 2 torps and some 6" shells into poor Natori from
close range and sank her outright. In a running fight numerous hits were landed but only a Dutch destroyer was set ablaze before our destroyers left the fight.

So we need to find a more potent way of dispatching the Leander & CO!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 05, 43

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near San Francisco at 208,82, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu

Allied Ships
xAK Bintang, Shell hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Natori, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Sagiri
DD Yugiri
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Tatsukaze
DD Uruyuke, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Leander
DD McCalla
DD McCall, Shell hits 1
DD Warramunga
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 6, on fire

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 35% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Bell, A A crosses the 'T'
CL Natori engages CL Leander at 11,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD McCall at 11,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD McCalla at 11,000 yards
DD McCalla engages DD Yugiri at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Leander at 5,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Yugiri at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages DD McCall at 5,000 yards
DD McCall engages DD Tatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Leander at 2,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 2,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages DD Warramunga at 2,000 yards
DD McCall engages DD Yukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD McCall at 2,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Yugiri at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Natori engages CL Leander at 7,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 7,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages DD Warramunga at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD McCall at 7,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD McCalla at 7,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD McCall at 7,000 yards
DD Sagiri engages DD McCalla at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages CL Leander at 7,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 7,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Warramunga at 7,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages DD McCall at 7,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Yugiri at 7,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Sagiri at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Uruyuke engages DD Warramunga at 11,000 yards
DD Tjerk Hiddes engages DD Yugiri at 11,000 yards
DD Warramunga engages DD Yukaze at 11,000 yards
DD McCall engages DD Shiokaze at 11,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Tjerk Hiddes at 11,000 yards
DD McCall engages DD Sagiri at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naval Battle near Darwin

[PzB74]

Some intel:

A recent recon report from Pearl - major enemy activity!

The KB is now reinforced and consists of 9 fleet and 4 light carriers.
Another Unryu arrives in 45 days while the Shinano arrives in 3 months.

Was looking at possible destroyer leaders; the Oyodo is definetly not one without tower armor [:(]
Guess the job has to go to the older Nagara cruisers and the newer Agano class.

[Hortlund]

I really think you are making a mistake. You need to be closer to your lines of communication. Fighting a big battle in the middle of the central pacific in late 43 as Japan is really reckless.

[Nomad]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

I really think you are making a mistake. You need to be closer to your lines of communication. Fighting a big battle in the middle of the central pacific in late 43 as Japan is really reckless.

John Reckless Leknes -- it has a good sound to it. [:D]

[Tullius]

I really think you are making a mistake. You need to be closer to your lines of communication. Fighting a big battle in the middle of the central pacific in late 43 as Japan is really reckless.

This is true - on principle. But you have to consider the mentality of AndyMac. After reading both AAR Andy remembers me on the british FM Montgomery and so this move can pay dividends.

[beppi]

I would opt for a battle even at an non perfect location. The time when it happens is important. It is September 43, right now you just face hellcats but in 1-2 months Andy would be able to put quite a lot of corsairs on his carriers. And corsairs are quite a bit stronger than hellcats.

Unlike in WITP F6F are just marginal better than the A6M5 so a fight is not automatically lost. The F4U-1 is a little different story. They are not unkillable super protection but they will shift the odds a little bit more against you. You did quite a job in this AAR and i am really impresses how long japan can dominate if they win a carrier clash and the opponent is at least sometimes a little careless. As far as i remember until the end of the year the allied get 1more CV and 3 CVL. At the begin of 44 they will get 3 or 4 CV until mid March.

And that is the point where the allied carrier force gets very strong, even with your won clash. And from that point on KB gets a little bit obsolete so fight with it as long as you have carrier parity. And if Andy does not move his carriers in a favorable position for you until first quarter of 44 KB will be much weaker than now.

Use it or lose it ...

[castor troy]

Putting Corsairs on carriers is far easier said than done. You get 75 of them per month and if you equip your carriers with them, you won´t have them for your Marine squadrons. Other than the British carriers, none of my carriers field Corsairs and I´m in 5/44 already. The Hellcat works just fine for me as in two out of three cases my carrier squadrons have to fight as Cap and they work very well against everything the Japanese got at this stage. If you field more than 1000 fighters on your carriers the Hellcats work just fine. [:D]

And don´t only think about CV/CVL, also keep the three dozen CVE in mind. The CVE alone carry more Hellcats than the Japanese got carrier based Zekes. The only advantage of the Japanese I still see in 44 is the fact that they can launch from 8 hexes range while the Allied are stuck with 7. Up to 44 I also saw their torpedo bombers as a big advantage.

[Lomri]

Hmm, any time I see "After reading Both AAR", I get a little nervous about OpSec. As an avid AAR reader I might be a little jumpy though.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

The naval attack routine will sometimes choose bombs over torps if the targets are considered "low value", regardless of the settings.

I would say it was "not enough torpedoes at HQ" case, but PM strike was even bigger, and had full torpedo complement. Anyway, If HQ is set to 40, there seems to be too much planes for this number.

ORIGINAL: PzB

My big challenge is that I really need to divide a division into 10 sub units (430 / 10 = 43 AV would have been perfect).
Don't have enough small sized LCUs to garrison the myriad of important bases in Malaya, Philippines etc. Anyone have a good receipt for how I can divide a large LCU
into equal smaller units?

10 identical cargo ships should get equal amount of troops.

ORIGINAL: aprezto

At least he's escorting them now.

That depends of definition of word "escorting". There is probably 200 combat ships at PH, and most of them, I am guessing, do not have maxed out experience (especially night). There should be enough ships in convoys to sink even large raider group, but seems they are just sitting in port.

[PzB74]

I take reckless as a compliment [;)]
The year doesn't matter, it's more psychology and a fine tuned sense for when to attack and when to hold back.
Of course Andy is holding back after the needless loss of his fleet in the Central Pacific. Next time he's coming in hot it will be in force.
If I consider the settings unfavorable I may hold back the Combined Fleet and maybe send it on a raid instead.

The Line Islands will be defended in order to delay the enemy and force him to spend time and resources on either bypassing it or assaulting it.

I always have 100 torps at my Naval Air HQs - so that was not an issues Inq.
Well I can try 10 identical ships but my experience is that fighting units often load first and leave the supply train for last..

Andy is using heavier escorts but he should have resources to escort large convoys more adequately now.

Thx beppi, we're indeed in a ok position but the odds are indeed turning against us.
The KB may become less effective in 44 but just as the Tirpitz it will remain a huge and potent threat - so it's vital to keep it as long as possible.
It will be 45 before Andy is strong enough to conduct 2 amph invasions simultanously as his weakest force would be inferior to the KB.

Yes, the 8 hex strike will remain an asset - if we can land a devastating hit and run blow against a major TF without sufficient protection there's always a chance
to turn the tide for some more months.

One of my trusted tactics is to attrit the bottomless Allied pool of ships constantly. If you do this well over 3 years there will be much fewer units opposing you
late in the war...even though fewer is a very relative term here [8|]

A few turns ago we hit the Leander with 5x250kg bomb hits near Wyndham, forcing it to abandon into port.
Not a lot to report in the following turns.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 06, 43

Air Combat

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 70,127
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 70,127
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD McCall
CL Leander
DD Warramunga
DD Tjerk Hiddes

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 70,127
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 70,127
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wyndham at 70,127
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD McCalla

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Payback...

[PzB74]

Another go at the lair of the beasts...(4Es).

[inqistor]

Are fires damaging airfield/port? If so, it would be interesting to bombard manpower there.
Anyway, I see also planes at the coast (Akyab etc.), it should be close enough to use TOJOs, or even TONYs. Chittagong have even ships in port.

Also, have you evacuated remnants of units west of Darwin?

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB

I take reckless as a compliment [;)]
The year doesn't matter, it's more psychology and a fine tuned sense for when to attack and when to hold back.
Of course Andy is holding back after the needless loss of his fleet in the Central Pacific. Next time he's coming in hot it will be in force.
If I consider the settings unfavorable I may hold back the Combined Fleet and maybe send it on a raid instead.

The Line Islands will be defended in order to delay the enemy and force him to spend time and resources on either bypassing it or assaulting it.

Thumbs up. That's the best thing you can do. Deny Andy the same good recon/intel about your defensive measures and especially fleet position as you enjoy now, and you have won half the battle already.

[PzB74]

Akyab got 4 aux planes and Chittagong a PT boat in port...plus 1500 AA guns [8|]
The mini remnant is long gonners, the tank regiment is moving back to Derby on borrowed gas [;)]

Could be true Jahn, but it will be much harder to get major victories now; most likely there will be more phyrric victories that will
cost us dearly!

This was an interesting turn though.
Sent a stronger TF into Darwin and sank the 3 destroyers there; revenge and attrition of inferior enemy forces.
The Leander was also bombed heavily in port and should be in sinking condition.

The major air strike on Calcutta was again a moderately successfull affair.
AGAIN weather was crap over target; impossible to find an opening..and again a full wing of Helens got separated from the strike and arrived alone.
This cost us most of our losses.

Our A6M5 sweep did surprisingly well and claimed more kills than losses.
The bomber strike was hampered by weather and only 5 heavies were reported destroyed.
Not sure it's worth to continue with these raids.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 09, 43

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
DD Shiranui, Shell hits 1
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
DD McCalla
DD Warramunga, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tjerk Hiddes

Poor visibility due to Rain with 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 75% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CL Kinu
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Hagikaze
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
DD McCalla, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Tjerk Hiddes, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain
Maximum visibility in Rain: 15,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...

Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 35

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15
Kittyhawk I x 16
P-39N1 Airacobra x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 10
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 30000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
AVG/3rd Sqn with P-39N1 Airacobra (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
No.118 Sqn RCAF with Kittyhawk I (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 30600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
23rd FG/Hq Sqn with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 11 destroyed, 1 damaged


Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 13000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 36
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 40
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 92

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Kittyhawk I x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
Liberator II: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed on ground
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 13000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
30 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 13000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 13000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wyndham , at 70,127
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 70
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 6
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wyndham , at 70,127
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D4Y1 Judy bombing from 7000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on II./4th Infantry Battalion, at 64,127 (Derby)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bombs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on II./4th Infantry Battalion, at 64,127 (Derby)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bombs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Indpt SNLF Coy , at 62,127 (Broome)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Derby , at 64,12
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3

No Allied losses

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

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking II./4th Infantry Battalion ...
Also attacking Derby ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Derby (64,127)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 469 troops, 0 guns, 84 vehicles, Assault Value = 31
Defending force 1298 troops, 15 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Allied adjusted assault: 6
Japanese adjusted defense: 62

Allied assault odds: 1 to 10 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), supply(-)

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

Assaulting units:
10th Light Horse Battalion

Defending units:
II./4th Infantry Battalion
21st JAAF AF Bn /1
------------------------------------------------------------

Air and Sea Battles

[PzB74]

Sent a TF back to Darwin as more ships were reported and we found a 12000 ton troops ship and a DE.
Both were promptly dispatched!

Wonder how Andy got that huge ship into Darwin, must have raced at high speed.
I've placed numerous RO subs to intercept blokade runners. Our destroyers will operate out of Timor under local CAP
to try to intercept those who slip past LBA and subs.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 10, 43

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Darwin at 76,124, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
DE Inconstant, Shell hits 16, and is sunk
xAP Aorangi, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Rain with 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 85% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAP Aorangi at 4,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAP Aorangi at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CL Kinu engages xAP Aorangi at 3,000 yards
xAP Aorangi sunk by DD Shirakumo at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DE Inconstant at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DE Inconstant at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DE Inconstant at 8,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DE Inconstant at 8,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DE Inconstant at 8,000 yards
DD Shirakumo engages DE Inconstant at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DE Inconstant at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Kinu engages DE Inconstant at 7,000 yards
DE Inconstant engages DD Shinonome at 7,000 yards
DE Inconstant engages DD Shinonome at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub - ASW Attacks

ASW attack near Port Hedland at 58,128
Japanese Ships
SS RO-64, hits 5

Allied Ships
xAK West Cape
PC Morris

SS RO-64 is sighted by escort
PC Morris attacking submerged sub ....
PC Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Morris attacking submerged sub ....
PC Morris fails to find sub, continues to search...
PC Morris attacking submerged sub ....
PC Morris is out of ASW ammo
PC Morris is out of ASW ammo
PC Morris is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Wyndham at 71,125
Japanese Ships
SS RO-100

Allied Ships
xAK City of Durban

xAK City of Durban is sighted by SS RO-100
SS RO-100 launches 4 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Efate at 120,154
Japanese Ships
SS RO-101, hits 22, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Arrow
AK Castor
xAP West Point
xAK City of Rayville
DD Nestor
DD Napier
DD Thanet

SS RO-101 is sighted by escort
DD Nestor fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Napier fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thanet attacking submerged sub ....
DD Thanet attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-101 eludes DD Thanet by hugging bottom
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blokade runners

[PzB74]

Another raid on Wyndham met T-bolts that cut through the escort and shot down quite a few Helens.
I had switched units so these Helens were "regular" units with ground bombing skills only, the "expert" unit had been sent to the rear
just in case this happened.

Looks like the Leander is on fire still...

At Efate the enemy convoy returned; I sent in a unit of Dinah fighters with a range of 18 hexes. This allowed us to provide the Netties and Betties with an escort.
We hit a transport and put a torpedo in the huge AP West Point.
In the PM turn the Dinah's turned back and we lost a few Betties to Wildcats.

Tomorrow surface TF will speed into Efate and try to destroy the convoy - looks like it got a heavy escort so should be a heavy fight.
Andy is muttering about "How Hellcats will perform". Very possible he's returning to the Line Islands; PH holds a lot less ships now.
- I've all but sent the ships home from the Line Islands. No ac on offensive missions, only fighters on high altitude CAP plus smaller ASW units.

All in waiting mode for the next assault; another turn and the new carrier fleet in Japan will move to join the KB.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 11, 43

Surface Combat

Ships got past sub screen so sent in 3 destroyers.
They caught this small transport but more got into Wyndham so a port strike was ordered.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Wyndham at 70,123, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiranui
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
xAK Mormacsul, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 92% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 2,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
DD Urakaze fires at xAK Mormacsul at 2,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages xAK Mormacsul at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
xAK Mormacsul sunk by DD Hagikaze at 3,000 yards
xAK Mormacsul sunk by DD Hagikaze at 3,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-46-IIIb Dinah sweeping at 15000 feet *

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Russell
DE Arrow
xAK City of Rayville, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Thanet

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet *
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Efate at 120,154
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 30

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Castor, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gansevoort
DD Napier
DD Thanet
DD Nestor
xAP West Point, Torpedo hits 1

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF-121 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Wyndham , at 70,127
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 36
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 6 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
347th FG/68th FS with P-47D2 Thunderbolt (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 7 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Enemy paras at Bathurst; ordered ours to recapture it to delay Allied buildup...

Ground combat at Bathurst Island (76,123)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 23 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 4
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Bathurst Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Australian Para Bn /2
-----------------------------------------------------------



Continued Battles

[PzB74]

Nothing much happened this turn actually...put all units on alert and increased defensive readiness incase something is incoming!

Good news; the Frank is accelerated to 12/43!
All Kongo class battleships will also complete their upgrades.
Planning to send home the Yamato's and Shimakaze class destroyers for their 09/43 upgrades.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 12, 43

Sub - ASW Attacks

Sub should make it home...

ASW attack near Efate at 120,154

Japanese Ships
SS I-7, hits 1

Allied Ships
DE Arrow
xAP West Point
xAK Somelsdijk
DD Nestor
DD Thanet
DD Russell

SS I-7 is sighted by escort
DD Nestor fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Thanet attacking submerged sub ....
DD Thanet is out of ASW ammo
DD Thanet is out of ASW ammo
DD Thanet is out of ASW ammo
DD Russell fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Efate at 120,154

Japanese Ships
SS I-7, hits 15, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Napier

SS I-7 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Napier
I-7 bottoming out ....
DD Napier attacking submerged sub ....
DD Napier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Napier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Napier fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Napier fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

We reclaim the holliday resort island!

Ground combat at Bathurst Island (76,123)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 396 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
Defending force 23 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 22
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 22 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bathurst Island !!!

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

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

Assaulting units:
4th Raiding Rgt /2

Defending units:
1st Australian Para Bn /2
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upgrades

The Norm long range search plane enters service; normal range is 12, extended 15.
The Kitakami completes her conversion into an AA cruiser next turn. Slow so will follow the escort carrier fleet.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Our A6M5 sweep did surprisingly well and claimed more kills than losses.
The bomber strike was hampered by weather and only 5 heavies were reported destroyed.
Not sure it's worth to continue with these raids.

B17s are irreplaceable for another two years, and LIBERATORs have replacement rate around 3 per month, so in fact you can phase out those airframes.

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5
Kittyhawk I x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 8
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4

IIRC Hurricane IIb have only .303 MGs, try sweeping with armoured OSCARs, they shoud be immune.

- I've all but sent the ships home from the Line Islands. No ac on offensive missions, only fighters on high altitude CAP plus smaller ASW units.

You can alway set them on night naval attack. Should be fairly safe.

[ny59giants]

I would do some mine laying on the approaches to Darwin. I would say they are getting there via Horn Island and staying close to the coast.