Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 11:34 am**

Let's see if brute force will overcome well supplied troops well dug in.

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 11:46 am**

I don't know. I splattered them pretty good.

16 April 1945

One day from D-Day 2.

Australian paras grab Wewak with no resistance. It doesn't appear KS developed any of the bases on the top of New Guinea. I have about six divisions prepping for Manus, but I'm not sure I want to stick my finger in that beehive. He has about 30,000 troops there plus lots of guns and vehicles. Sufficient base forces are getting hard to come by in that area, but I'm thinking instead of making a run to Hollandia and setting up a B-24 base there. I have enough CVEs that any airpower at Manus shouldn't be able to interfere. It's mainly fighters there anyway.

I can put pressure on the DEI either via New Guinea, or maybe do a big amphib op on Darwin and work from there. I'd be interested in opinions on this. I think 6 divisions could finish Darwin. Maybe Timor, too. He can't be heavy in troops everywhere. To bomb his oil in Borneo, I would need at least Timor, and that's if I can build up the airfield enough for the job. They won't reach from Hollandia.

Two of the P-38 squadrons at Port Moresby just converted to P-47N. That pool's filling fairly quickly, and its range trumps the Lightning's or even the Mustang's. Plus the Jug is still the "Hammer of the Gods" in this game. I think it's time to get all the smaller anti-ship bombers out of Moresby and move all my heavies in. I can work to neuter Manus and maybe even Rabaul.

Looking at my troops in Hawaii (overstacked by about 90,000...) I have several divisions at 100% prep for Marianas bases, but even a few more for Truk, if I was inclined. If/When Truk falls, I can probably make my next move fairly quickly. I would love to go straight to Luzon, but that is still a fair distance farther.

My first A-26 squadron has arrived in Eastern US. The pool won't start filling 'til next month. I've already had three 47N squadrons show up there, plus more B-29s. Pearl Harbor is a giant aerial camp right now, and I've probably got far more planes than base units to support them. Thankfully, squadrons in training only use a fraction of the ground support.

Fuel has finally arrived in Townsville, which was an issue. I was zero for a long time, but now I'm sitting at 50k. I'm keeping a constant fuel supply running to Melbourne and Perth.

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 1:28 pm**

17 April 1945

Diamond Harbor gets a visit.

Night Naval bombardment of Diamond Harbour at 52,38

Allied Ships
BB Howe
CL Phoenix
CL Swiftsure
CL Nigeria
CLAA Black Prince
CLAA Phoebe
CLAA Argonaut

Japanese ground losses:
387 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 2

Walrus II acting as spotter for BB Valiant
BB Howe firing at Diamond Harbour
CL Phoenix firing at 38th Division
CL Swiftsure firing at 38th Division
CL Nigeria firing at 38th Division
CLAA Black Prince firing at 38th Division
CLAA Phoebe firing at 38th Division
CLAA Argonaut firing at Diamond Harbour

Next time, I'll probably skip the BBs and hit Calcutta directly.

Troops unload at Truk, and I deal out the punishment fairly well again.

Pre-Invasion action off Truk (112,108) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

627 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Arkansas, Shell hits 7
BB Wisconsin, Shell hits 7
BB Massachusetts, Shell hits 2
BB Nevada, Shell hits 6
CA London, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3
CL Richmond, Shell hits 9, on fire
CL Concord, Shell hits 1
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kenya, Shell hits 5
DD Grayson
DD Waller
DD Wadsworth, Shell hits 2
APD Runels, Shell hits 6, on fire
APD Lee Fox, Shell hits 3
APD John P. Gray
APD Jack C. Robinson, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Ira Jeffery, Shell hits 3, on fire
APD Cread
APD Belet
APD Amesbury
APD Witter, Shell hits 5, on fire
AP Gen. W.P.Richardson, Shell hits 1
LCI(G)-534
LCI(G)-530
LCI(G)-528
LCI(G)-470
LCI(G)-469
LCI(G)-468
LCI(G)-467
LCI(G)-466
LCI(G)-465
LCI(G)-464
LCI(G)-463
LCI(G)-462
LCI(G)-461
LCI(G)-460
LCI(G)-459
LCI(G)-458
LCI(G)-457
LCI(G)-455
LCI(G)-454
LCI(G)-453
LCI(G)-452
LCI(G)-450
LCI(G)-449
LCI(G)-442
LCI(G)-441
LCI(G)-440
LCI(G)-439
LCI(G)-437
LCI(G)-408
LCI(G)-407
LCI(G)-406
LCI(G)-405
LCI(G)-404
LCI(G)-403
LCI(G)-401
LCI(G)-398
LCI(G)-397
LCI(G)-396
LCI(G)-372
LCI(G)-366
APA Oconto

Japanese ground losses:
1258 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 43 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 76 (4 destroyed, 72 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
340 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BB Arkansas firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Arkansas
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Wisconsin
BB Wisconsin firing at Truk Naval Fortress
BB Massachusetts firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Massachusetts
BB Nevada firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at BB Nevada
CA London firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA London
CA Salt Lake City firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CA Salt Lake City
CL Richmond firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CL Richmond
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CL Concord
CL Concord firing at Truk Naval Fortress
CL Newcastle firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CL Newcastle
CL Kenya firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at CL Kenya
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Grayson
DD Grayson firing at Truk Naval Fortress
DD Waller firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Waller
DD Wadsworth firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at DD Wadsworth
APD Runels firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at APD Runels
APD Lee Fox firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at APD Lee Fox
APD John P. Gray firing at Truk Naval Fortress
APD Jack C. Robinson firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at APD Jack C. Robinson
Truk Naval Fortress firing at APD Ira Jeffery
APD Cread firing at Truk Naval Fortress
APD Belet firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at APD Belet
APD Amesbury firing at 2nd Amphibious Brigade
APD Witter firing at Truk Naval Fortress
Truk Naval Fortress firing at APD Witter
15.5cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. W.P. Richardson at 20,000 yards
CA London firing to suppress enemy battery at 20,000 yards
14cm 3YT CD Gun Battery engaging AP Gen. W.P. Richardson at 20,000 yards
CL Richmond firing to suppress enemy battery at 20,000 yards
LCI(G)-534 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-530 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-528 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-470 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-469 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-468 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-467 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-466 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-465 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-464 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-463 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-462 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-461 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-460 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-459 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-458 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-457 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-455 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-454 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-453 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-452 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-450 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-449 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-442 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-441 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-440 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-439 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-437 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-408 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-407 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-406 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-405 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-404 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-403 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-401 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-398 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-397 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-396 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-372 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-366 fired at enemy troops
DD Grayson fired at enemy troops
DD Waller fired at enemy troops
DD Wadsworth fired at enemy troops
APD John P. Gray fired at enemy troops
APD Cread fired at enemy troops
APD Belet fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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

Amphibious Assault at Truk (112,108)

TF 433 troops unloading over beach at Truk, 112,108

Allied ground losses:
480 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 52 (1 destroyed, 51 disabled)
Vehicles lost 82 (1 destroyed, 81 disabled)

Engineer Vehicle dropped into water during unload of 81st Infantry Div
20mm Mk4 Oerlikon lost in surf during unload of Marinier Bde
13 troops of a USA 44 Rifle Squad lost in surf during unload of 98th Infantry Div /4
13 troops of a USA 44 Rifle Squad lost overboard during unload of 98th Infantry Div
13 troops of a USA 44 Rifle Squad lost in surf during unload of 98th Infantry Div

Losses weren't out of control. Bear in mind that the troops themselves were prepped at only about a 30% level, but the amphib HQ was 100% prepped. The overall effect is about the same as 100% troops landed with no amphib HQ support. This can make the more off the cuff type invasions doable.

Complicating matters a bit was another sortie by his carriers. They fought my smaller CV group I had out, as the big one is still withdrawing. At this point, it's pretty clear that no matter what new hot rod type planes the IJN has, they most likely won't get through. I thought for sure I'd take some hits, as 60 Graces got through the CAP, but not one hit. Flak is just that good at this point.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 109,105

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 86
B7A2 Grace x 103

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 60
F6F-5 Hellcat x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 8 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 26 destroyed, 21 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 11 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet
CV Wasp
CV Essex
DD Mannert Abele

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
20 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x B7A2 Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-7 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
VBF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VBF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (2 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

Banzai! - Matsuo H. in a B7A2 Grace is willing to die for the Emperor

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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B7A2 Grace x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 2
F6F-5 Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A2 Grace: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VBF-2 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-22 with F6F-5 Hellcat (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Raid is overhead
VF-50 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 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 13000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

My return strike didn't do all that much better, except for that hit on Yamato. Hopefully, it did real damage.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Guam at 108,100

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 90
N1K1 Rex x 19
N1K2-J George x 28
Ki-84r Frank x 12

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 23
F6F-5 Hellcat x 17
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 11
TBM-3 Avenger x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 7 destroyed
SB2C-4 Helldiver: 7 destroyed
TBM-3 Avenger: 20 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBM-3 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
1 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
S-901 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
801 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
312 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
S-309 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
S-306 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
S-315 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
S-701 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiryu-1 with A7M2 Sam (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A7M2 Sam (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 32180.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A7M2 Sam (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 32180.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A7M2 Sam (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryuho-1 with A7M2 Sam (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Katsuragi-1 with A7M2 Sam (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
13th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
S-320 Hikotai with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
265th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes

He has what may be surface forces trying to get through, so my CVEs and such are moving to block. Medium bombers at Ponape are also switching to naval attack. We'll see if he pushes it. I have no clue as to what or how many of his carriers are involved, but I'll guess about four at this point.

I'm prepping troops at Townsville for Darwin. I'm growing fond of the idea of taking that and then Timor. I'm shipping a bunch of all those odd engineering units at Pearl there -- things like all those general base support groups, plus Seabees. It has the bonus of culling the population at Pearl also. About 8 divisions plus tanks and artillery will do this.

Aitape, two hexes W of Wewak falls to me by default by the canoe brigade. I'm working on shipping construction troops to Wewak to get at least a level 1 airfield up, so I can pull the commandos out. I had about 1,300 in supply there when I took it.

KS bombards at Truk. I'm attacking next turn.

Ground combat at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15045 troops, 239 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 433

Defending force 106847 troops, 1795 guns, 2075 vehicles, Assault Value = 2282

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
24th Ind. Mixed Brigade
49th Ind. Mixed Brigade
50th Ind. Mixed Brigade
2nd Amphibious Brigade
11th Ind. Mixed Regiment
Southeast Area Fleet
36th JNAF AF Unit
Truk Naval Fortress
4th Base Force
5th JAAF AF Bn
7th Naval Construction Battalion
35th Fld AA Gun Co
2nd Provisional Base Force

Defending units:
4th Marine Division
81st Infantry Div /1
716th Tank Battalion
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
27th Infantry Division
43rd Infantry Division
44th Tank Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
Marinier Brigade
XI Corps Engr Grp
38th Infantry Division
706th Tank Battalion
XIV Corps Engr Grp
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
5th USMC Tank Battalion
Provisional Tank Brigade
6th Marine Division
6th USMC Tank Battalion
775th Tank Battalion
96th Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
98th Infantry Div /8
X US Corps
55th Base Maint Engineer Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
517th Field Artillery Battalion
506th Base Group
3rd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
197th Coast AA Regiment
4060th Port Construction Battalion
XXI US Bomber Cmnd
668th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Ranger Battalion
2nd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
3rd Pioneer Battalion
6th Pioneer Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
531st Field Artillery Battalion
776th Amphib Tank Battalion
72nd Base Maint Engineer Battalion
669th Field Artillery Battalion
502nd Base Group
2nd Arm Amphib Battalion
504th Base Group
71st Coast AA Regiment
249th Field Artillery Battalion
29th USN Naval Construction Regiment

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 5:30 pm**

On the question of threatening the DEI via Darwin or NG, (I am guessing you mean northern NG since there are not many bases on the south side) I favour the Darwin route because you can have big bases constructed rather quickly from there. I also presume you can get supplies up there by convoy now. Once you have a solid set of bases in the Darwin/Bathurst Island/Gove area you have so many DEI targets in range of a fast amphib strike that he cannot defend them all.
You need LR fighters or carrier support for the initial hop though.

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:31 pm**

I think I agree. The northern New Guinea bases are rather "rustic" to say the least.

I'm getting plenty of 47Ns in the area, so I have no shortage of long range fighters. I have about 20 CVEs dedicated to Australia, so I can pretty much go where I want.

I'm getting close to pulling the plug on Truk. Yeah, I know there's been plenty of discussions on whether you should or shouldn't, but I think it helps to see this stuff firsthand. It will just make me smarter in my next game. I think this is also a good hint on what would happen if the Japanese wanted to take Hawaii. I'll give it a few days to get disruption down and take my best shot after that. His guys are worn down so far too.

If I were to proceed to the Marianas, I didn't want a well supplied base in the middle of my convoy routes. I'd have to dedicate naval air to every convoy that crosses.

We'll see yet.

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 11:47 pm**

21 April 1945

Crap...

Sub attack near Guam at 108,99

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
CLAA Tatsuta
CS Chiyoda
DD Nagatakaze
DD Otsuki
DD Amagumo
DD Aogumo

Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 1

SS Triton launches 6 torpedoes at CV Junyo
Triton diving deep ....
DD Otsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amagumo fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Aogumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Aogumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Aogumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Aogumo attacking submerged sub ....
DD Aogumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Woulda been nice.

Despite trying to get my CVEs clear of Truk, they got caught first in a long night of battle.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 113,108, Range 10,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 12 destroyed
TBM-3 Avenger: 5 destroyed
Corsair IV: 12 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CL Oyodo
CL Natori
DD Wakaba
DD Murakaze
DD Satokaze, Shell hits 1
DD Taekaze, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Tanigiri, Shell hits 1
DD Takakaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Satsukaze
DD Hikokaze, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
CVE Tracker, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Borie, Shell hits 1
DD Caperton, Shell hits 2
DD Daly
DD Erben
DD Lewis Hancock, Shell hits 3
DD Harrison, Shell hits 1
CVE Commencement Bay, Shell hits 3, on fire
CVE Gilbert Islands, Shell hits 2
CVE Block Island, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
CVE Kula Gulf, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 25,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 25,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 10,000 yards
DD Satsukaze collides with DD Hikokaze at 113 , 108
CVE Kula Gulf sunk by DD Murakaze at 2,000 yards
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Tracker
Ammo storage explosion on CVE Block Island
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

My surface group, consisting of the Omaha ship, Detroit, an RN CL, and a boatload of destroyers fight it out after that. I'm growing to favor mass destroyer formations. Stuff like 20 or more.

I've cut the range messages for brevity.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 113,108, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 4
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 1
CL Natori
DD Wakaba
DD Murakaze
DD Satokaze
DD Tanigiri
DD Takakaze, on fire
DD Satsukaze, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hikokaze, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 3
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Farenholt
DD Barton
DD Gansevoort
DD Kalk
DD Thompson
DD Satterlee
DD Carmick
DD Sampson
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Roe
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Henley
DD Lang
DD Mahan
DD Smith

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Dawley, A.L. crosses the 'T'
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 113,108, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 3
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 1
CL Natori, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
DD Wakaba, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Murakaze, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 3
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 38, and is sunk
DD Farenholt
DD Barton
DD Gansevoort, Shell hits 3
DD Kalk
DD Thompson
DD Satterlee
DD Carmick
DD Sampson
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Walke, Shell hits 1
DD Morris
DD Roe
DD Bagley
DD Helm
DD Henley, Shell hits 1
DD Lang
DD Mahan, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Smith, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Magazine explodes on CL Natori
Massive explosion on DD Mahan
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 112,107, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Farenholt
DD Barton
DD Gansevoort
DD Kalk
DD Thompson
DD Satterlee
DD Carmick
DD Sampson
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Roe
DD Bagley
DD Helm, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Henley
DD Lang, Shell hits 1, on fire

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

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

Night Time Surface Combat, near Truk at 112,107, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CA Aoba, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 13, on fire
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
CL Detroit, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Farenholt
DD Barton
DD Gansevoort
DD Kalk
DD Thompson
DD Satterlee
DD Carmick
DD Sampson
DD Anderson
DD Hammann
DD Russell
DD Walke
DD Morris
DD Roe
DD Bagley
DD Helm, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Henley
DD Lang, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 60% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
DD Helm collides with DD Hammann at 112 , 107
Task forces break off...

Insult to injury after that.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 112,108

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 13
PBJ-1D Mitchell x 5

Allied aircraft losses
PBJ-1D Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Takakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Tanigiri

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x PBJ-1D Mitchell bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 3 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

On Truk, I'm launching a final all-out attack to try and crack this thing. Failing that, I'm getting ready to prep a massive evacuation convoy with loads of escort -- air and surface.

I guess I can still reach the Marianas on a more northern route. I seem to remember a fortress unit on Tinian, so I really don't want a repeat of this battle. I would have like the ability to recon before continuing.

Darwin units are approaching 30% prep, so it'll be a while before that kicks off.

Posted: **Sun Sep 11, 2016 12:10 am**

Tinian doesn't start with a fortress, or only has a very weak one - less than ten guns. The Japanese could have put coastal defence batteries there though. Tinian would still be much easier than Saipan or Guam.

Nice job on whacking all those DDs and cruisers. Japan needs these and will miss them a lot.

Posted: **Mon Sep 12, 2016 5:33 pm**

25 April 1945

Fallback.

Amphibs are at Truk to try and get everyone there evacuated. Hopefully I can do this without losing too many ships. I've found the APAs to be reasonably resistant to fatal damage. The dockyards at Pearl are packed for some time, so I'll probably have to re-route some damaged ships back to the States for real repair. I'll keep the bombardments up to help out.

My sub commanders seem to know when I'm upset as they've been trying to cheer me up.

Sub attack near Utan Melintang at 48,77

Japanese Ships
xAK Yoneyama Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Namba Maru
xAK Hiyama Maru
xAK Malta Maru
E Hatsukari

Allied Ships
SS Zwaardvisch, hits 11, heavy damage

SS Zwaardvisch launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Yoneyama Maru
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatsukari attacking submerged sub ....
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hatsukari attacking submerged sub ....
E Hatsukari is out of ASW ammo
E Hatsukari is out of ASW ammo
E Hatsukari is out of ASW ammo
E Hatsukari fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Guam at 105,94

Japanese Ships
CV Katsuragi, Torpedo hits 1
CLAA Tatsuta
CS Chiyoda
DD Aogumo
DD Takatakaze
DD Otsuki
DD Amagumo
DD Nagatakaze

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

SS Pompano launches 6 torpedoes at CV Katsuragi
Pompano diving deep ....
DD Otsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nagatakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Amagumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Guam at 109,101

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Herring

SS Herring launches 4 torpedoes

Sub attack near Muntok at 49,89

Japanese Ships
TK Oyashima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Showa Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS Burrfish

SS Burrfish launches 2 torpedoes at TK Oyashima Maru
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Showa Maru #5 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Orchid Island at 86,68

Japanese Ships
TK Tenshin Maru, Torpedo hits 1
TK Matsushima Maru
TK Hida Maru
TK Komei Maru
DD Toyohi

Allied Ships
SS Icefish, hits 1

SS Icefish launches 4 torpedoes at TK Tenshin Maru
DD Toyohi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Toyohi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Toyohi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi is out of ASW ammo
DD Toyohi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Tandjoengpinang at 50,85

Japanese Ships
TK Mirii Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Yodozo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Aspro, hits 3

SS Aspro launches 4 torpedoes at TK Mirii Maru
PB Yodozo Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Yodozo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yodozo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yodozo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yodozo Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

KS is still packing a carrier threat, and he took a shot at my smaller carrier group I have out. There's about 3 CVs and 2 CVLs in this bunch, and they proved more than able to beat off his attacks. My only real goal is to pin the little rats down so that I can finish them off for good. As seen before, a sub did help out a bit. After this, they high tailed it back NW of the Marianas. Seeing as a relatively small carrier group held them off, this bodes well for me.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 115,101

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 30
P1Y2 Frances x 19

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 57
F6F-5 Hellcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 3 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VF-7 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VBF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
VBF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 15 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers

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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Truk at 115,101

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 9

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 44
F6F-5 Hellcat x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
VF-7 with F6F-5 Hellcat (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
VBF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 60 minutes
VBF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 115,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 100
P1Y2 Frances x 15

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 49
F6F-5 Hellcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed
P1Y2 Frances: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Wasp
CV Essex

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P1Y2 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-7 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VBF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VBF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 13 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 115,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 118 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 105
B7A2 Grace x 48

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 32
F6F-5 Hellcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 4 destroyed
B7A2 Grace: 13 destroyed, 9 damaged
B7A2 Grace: 10 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 3 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Essex
CV Wasp
CV Hornet

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B7A2 Grace releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-7 with F6F-5 Hellcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
VF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VBF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-9 with F6F-5 Hellcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 71 minutes
VBF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes

So, as it stands...

I regret the enormous waste of time and resources used to try and take Truk. I so wanted a good waypoint to keep the range to the Marianas reasonable, but I guess it won't work that way. I'll have to skirt a more northern route to get there, though my B-29s will probably keep the airfield wrecked there. About 70 have been visiting daily. I'll need time to organize and recover the units involved here. I do have a number of divisions fully prepped for Marianas bases, so I can probably start a move sooner rather than later. I'll be needing some massive cargo convoys right behind the invasions, so I can get the bases going there quickly. I'm still shooting for Luzon, by the end of the year.

Rabaul's airfield has gotten clobbered the last couple of days with no resistance. Some Sams have died on the ground there. This turn, I'm flipping to port attack to see if I get lucky.

Posted: **Fri Sep 16, 2016 5:22 pm**

26 April 1945

Up and running...

Roel was out a good chunk of the week, so we were down a bit.

Calcutta got its visit. A pity my battlewagons can't make this trip.

Night Naval bombardment of Calcutta at 52,37

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K2 Emily: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Teisen Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Mobile
CL Phoenix
CL Swiftsure
CL Nigeria
CLAA Black Prince
CLAA Phoebe
CLAA Argonaut
DD Blue
DD Mustin
DD Hughes
DD Doyle
DD Hobby
DD Caldwell
DD Trathen
DD Sigsbee
DD Norman Scott
DD Halsey Powell
DD Haraden
DD Dyson
DD Conner
DD Burns
DD Beale
DD Fletcher
DD Moale
DD Ault

Japanese ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Manpower hits 1
Resources hits 1
Fires 143
Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 43

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Mobile
CL Mobile firing at Calcutta
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Phoenix
CL Phoenix firing at 53rd Division
CL Swiftsure firing at 2nd Guards Division
CL Nigeria firing at 2nd Guards Division
CLAA Black Prince firing at 6th Guards Division
CLAA Phoebe firing at 2nd Guards Division
CLAA Argonaut firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Blue firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Mustin firing at 2nd Guards Division
DD Hughes firing at Calcutta
DD Doyle firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Hobby firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Caldwell firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Trathen firing at 2nd Guards Division
DD Sigsbee firing at 53rd Division
DD Norman Scott firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Halsey Powell firing at 53rd Division
DD Haraden firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Dyson firing at Calcutta
DD Conner firing at 53rd Division
DD Burns firing at 53rd Division
DD Beale firing at 2nd Guards Division
DD Fletcher firing at 2nd Guards Division
DD Moale firing at 6th Guards Division
DD Ault firing at 2nd Guards Division

At Truk, surprisingly, I'm able to load up my troops for evacuatons without any interference. Hope this keeps up. This will take a few runs to complete.

I caught these guys on the India side of the border by themselves. Don't know what KS was thinking here.

Ground combat at 58,41 (near Kalemyo)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12416 troops, 321 guns, 479 vehicles, Assault Value = 327

Defending force 4925 troops, 40 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

Allied adjusted assault: 273

Japanese adjusted defense: 175

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
377 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
19th Motorised Division
50th Tank Brigade
208th Field Regiment

Defending units:
82nd JAAF AF Bn
84th JAAF AF Bn
62nd JAAF AF Bn
76th JAAF AF Bn
96th JAAF AF Bn

Posted: **Wed Sep 21, 2016 5:51 pm**

04 May 1945

And... we're out.

The last amphib group left Truk with the last remnants of my ground forces there. I'm hauling everyone to Ponape and will then distribute them to the various larger islands in the Gilberts, planning for the Marianas. Thankfully, the coast artillery on Truk did not interfere with any of this, so I suffered no losses at that end. Ponape, Roi-Namur and Pearl are all packed with ships getting repaired. It's at the point where I have to wait 30 seconds or more to flip between each repair mode. I think within two weeks, the bulk of my ships will be fixed. Several battleships and cruisers have made it to San Francisco/Alameda to heal up there, as I've run out of yard space at Pearl.

Bennington just missed getting torped by a sub at Truk. One of my other Essex ships did take a hit a few days earlier, but nothing fatal.

I'm hoping within a month or so, I can take my shot at the Marianas. I don't care for such a long haul logistics-wise, but I guess that happened in real life, too. Ponape, Roi-Namur and even Pearl need more supply so I can keep the chain going. Christmas Is is keeping the Gilberts stocked.

All new Liberty ships are still being sent to England. As mentioned, there's over 5 million in supply there, while the US East Coast is hanging at about 100,000. I'll ship fuel form the US though, as the amount I have there is excessive. What was probably my last LCU supply convoy reached Cape Town a couple days ago and they're at about 200k now. Lots is on the way now from England.

Darwin invaders are at about 50% now. When I take that, I hope to quickly grab Timor next and get long ranged bombers set up there soon.

My ground troops at Colombo which were prepping for Little Andaman have flipped to Port Blair, as it has about 1/3 the troops of the other base. At least 8 carriers and some battleships will support this.

Even if central Pacific is temporarily bungled, I can make inroads elsewhere.

Posted: **Thu Sep 29, 2016 12:35 pm**

Adding a note so I don't slide off the page.

I hadn't said much, as very little is happening right now. I'm still running cruiser bombardments to Calcutta, catching an APD on the last run. He's still running fast transports in, and my planes choose not to strike them.

Out east, I'm getting my beaten up divisions spread out to the larger islands in the Gilberts. Supply has been running down from Pearl on westwards. I've stopped sending Liberty ships to the UK, as I probably have enough to keep Cape Town and subsequently Karachi going. Pearl, Roi-Namur and Ponape all needs lots more supply and fuel. I shipped about 10 AOs from Ponape to Pearl, as they were all dry. Likewise, most of my carriers are enroute there, just to get fuel.

At Townsville, troops are at about 50% proficiency for Darwin. I may kick this off when they reach about 75%.

We've both been a bit slow lately. He's been busy with exterior work to his home, and I've had new siding installed on my house, too. I was busy replacing all the outside lights, mailbox, etc. We've been flipping about a turn a day tops.

Posted: **Fri Sep 30, 2016 12:56 am**

ORIGINAL: Mundy
We've been flipping about a turn a day tops.

That's not slow given this advance date! I am lucky if I can do 5 turns a week. There are just so many moving pieces for the Allies. How much time are you spending per turn?

Posted: **Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:28 am**

I've been spoiled, I guess. I think it's pretty good we're into 1945 in a little over 2 years of play.

Despite our 7 hour time zone difference, we usually get two turns a day out. There's been a few Saturdays, where we managed 4-5 flips in a day.

I'm usually through a turn in < 1/2 hour. Everything tends to be in transit, which takes care of a lot of the hands-on stuff. I tend to break the game up into a set of mini-campaigns, depending on location, which makes this easier to swallow.

Posted: **Tue Nov 15, 2016 3:31 am**

Any updates?

Posted: **Tue Nov 15, 2016 9:45 pm**

The game's been on hold since the end of September. KS has been dealing with some burnout. Apparently loads of training squadrons have been rolling in and it's become a chore for him to deal with them.

My Japanese game with Steve and Onime came to a halt this week. The floor fell out from under me in that one.

Posted: **Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:37 pm**

ORIGINAL: Mundy
The game's been on hold since the end of September. KS has been dealing with some burnout. Apparently loads of training squadrons have been rolling in and it's become a chore for him to deal with them.

Wow. I can't believe that after playing so well with Japan KS has stopped! I never would have guessed KS would be folding before you. Here's to hoping KS gets some motivation to continue this game. Otherwise I think we need to declare you the winner

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Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs KenchiSulla