Hairy Asian Experiences - GreyJoy (J) vs. Q-Ball (A)

[GreyJoy]

Thanks Erik!
 
It was a working sunday, but i managed to finish pretty early and was able to do a couple of turns.
 
A brief summary:
 
We reached July 7th 1943. In the last 20 days the allies invaded the islands south and north of Milne Bay, with all their Carriers supporting the operation. Our 2E bombers sortied from Rabaul but results were horrible: we lost 250 planes in 2 days of operation and not a single enemy ship was hit. At the same time our subs got hammered badly by his naval search and 4 more boats were lost for no hits on enemy ships. A disaster. Now the allies have bypassed Milne Bay and succesfully isolated Port Moresby and Milne Bay, while Woodlark Island is bombed into oblivion.
 
While the enemy CVs were busy defending  these landings, QBall started to land 40,000 men at Darwin. The numbers dropped suddenly from 100,000 to 60,000 men.
Molu is already a level 4 AF[X(], with 150 fighters and 50 SDBs in support.
The enemy APA/AKAs, with BBs and Cruisers in support, positioned themself 1 hex southeast of Saumlaky. My Nells sortied from Ambon and, despite the huge losses (40 zeros and 20 Nells), we managed to get through, placing 2 torps on the Colorado and sinking an APA full of troops.
CAP, however, was HUGE, with P-47s and Spitfire playing the biggest role.
The next day the allies started their landings. When the morning came the 27th Division and a full Tank Regiment were ashore... but the Empire managed to pay a surprise: the KB appeared near Boela and 400 LBA planes did their best from Lautem and Ambon.
Tojos swept Molu, reducing the CAP effectiveness. Then Kates and Jills from Lautem attacked. 4 APAs (empty[:@]) were hit, while 2 more torps were placed into some old british BBs... then the KB attacked and sunk a whole TF unloading men at Molu...
Cruisers and most of the APA/AKAs were however untouched. Bad weather and bad target chosing paid their roles once again...
The next day we pushed forward. BBs and CAs tried to intercept the retreating route towards Darwin... but the enemy sent the usual wave of PTs (more than 50 PTs!!!) that delayed our BB/CAs and saved the enemy's day. 3 BBs however were caught by the KB and got sunk one hex east of Bathrust Island.
 
We lost more than 1000 planes in these battles, with nearly 400 pilots... an heavy price to pay for 3 BBs... but we showed Brad that Japan still has fangs and nails to bite back.
 
Now it's time to get back in the shadows once again and wait for his next push...he cannot let a full division rotting at Saumlaki....[;)]
I guess he'll be coming for Selroe very soon now!
 
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 05, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Molu , at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      N1K1-J George x 18
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 31
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Spitfire Vc Trop: 6 destroyed
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       3 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet
  
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Molu , at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 10
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 79,118
 
Weather in hex: Light cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 39
      G3M3 Nell x 14
      P1Y1 Frances x 10
 
Allied aircraft
      P-40K Warhawk x 22
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 20 destroyed
      G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
      P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      APD Rathburne
      APA Arthur Middleton
      BB Colorado, Torpedo hits 2
      APD Crosby
      APA President Jackson
      APD Kennison, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      APA George F. Elliot, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage
 
Allied ground losses:
      235 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 9 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 

 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 06, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Saumlaki (78,117)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
 
141 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
 
Allied Ships
      APD Rathburne
      APD Lawrence
      APD Crosby
      APD Dent
      APD Waters
      APA Bolivar
 
Allied ground losses:
      66 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Saumlaki (78,117)
 
TF 8 troops unloading over beach at Saumlaki, 78,117
 
Allied ground losses:
      15 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
 
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 27th Infantry Div /5
 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 13
      G3M3 Nell x 13
 
Allied aircraft
      Kittyhawk III x 8
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 15
      P-40K Warhawk x 25
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 8 destroyed
      G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
      G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 1
      BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 1
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       6 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
               Naval Attack:  1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M2 Zero x 2
      P1Y1 Frances x 14
 
Allied aircraft
      Kittyhawk III x 6
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 10
      P-40K Warhawk x 18
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
      P1Y1 Frances: 9 destroyed
      P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      CL Montpelier
      CL Leander
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 13
      G3M3 Nell x 17
 
Allied aircraft
      Kittyhawk III x 4
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
      P-40K Warhawk x 15
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 6
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
      G3M3 Nell: 11 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      CA Portland
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 69
      B5N2 Kate x 81
 
Allied aircraft
      Kittyhawk III x 2
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
      P-40K Warhawk x 12
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 5
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 12 destroyed
      B5N2 Kate: 12 damaged
      B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
      F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      AKA Thuban
      APD Lawrence
      LSI(L) Manoora, Torpedo hits 1
      APD Waters
      APA President Jackson
      APA Bolivar
      APD Dent
      APD Rathburne
      APA Arthur Middleton, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APA Heywood, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
      APA Fuller, Torpedo hits 1
      APA Crescent City, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D4Y1 Judy x 73
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged
      D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied Ships
      DD Buchanan, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires
      DD Nicholas, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DE Paul Jones, Bomb hits 5,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Boela at 80,111
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 81
      A6M5b Zero x 38
 
Allied aircraft
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 28
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 102
      B6N2 Jill x 13
      D4Y1 Judy x 9
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged
      D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
      xAP Kota Gede, Bomb hits 7,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAP Jalarashmi, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
      APD Sands, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires
      xAP Egra
      xAP Clan Macbean, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage
      AM Warrnambool
 
Allied ground losses:
      2268 casualties reported
         Squads: 49 destroyed, 31 disabled
         Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 53 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Guns lost 37 (37 destroyed, 0 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 17 (11 destroyed, 6 disabled)
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D4Y1 Judy x 9
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
      P-40K Warhawk x 6
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D4Y1 Judy: 5 destroyed
      D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      LST-451, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      LST-448
 
Allied ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Molu , at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 17
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 10
      D3A1 Val x 22
      N1K1-J George x 16
 
Allied aircraft
      Kittyhawk III x 2
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
      P-40K Warhawk x 4
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 5
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
      D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
      N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
      F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      APA Bolivar, Bomb hits 4,  on fire
      APD Waters, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      APA President Jackson, Bomb hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage
      APA Crescent City, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      APD Crosby, Bomb hits 4,  heavy fires
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D3A1 Val x 3
      D4Y1 Judy x 22
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      DD Buchanan, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
      xAP Clan Macbean, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DE Paul Jones, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
      DD O'Brien, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
 
Allied ground losses:
      15 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D4Y1 Judy x 22
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
      D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      LST-449, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
      LST-447, Bomb hits 5,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      LST-451, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
      PC Alert
      LST-446, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Allied ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 28 (9 destroyed, 19 disabled)
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Light rain
 
Raid detected at 81 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 53
      B6N2 Jill x 17
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      LST-451, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      LST-447, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      PC Alert
      LST-449,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Allied ground losses:
      Vehicles lost 69 (60 destroyed, 9 disabled)
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 86 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      B6N2 Jill x 19
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      APD Kilty, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      xAP Macdhui, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      APD Sands, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
Allied ground losses:
      640 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 31 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
      Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Molu at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid detected at 151 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 50 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 48
      D4Y3 Judy x 24
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied Ships
      xAP Egra, Bomb hits 3,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AM Warrnambool, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAP Clan Macbrayne, Bomb hits 5,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAP Clan Macbean, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
 
Allied ground losses:
      3132 casualties reported
         Squads: 75 destroyed, 71 disabled
         Non Combat: 79 destroyed, 137 disabled
         Engineers: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
      Guns lost 23 (21 destroyed, 2 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 17 (16 destroyed, 1 disabled)
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Ground combat at Saumlaki (78,117)
 
Japanese Bombardment attack
 
Attacking force 11254 troops, 108 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 347
 
Defending force 11577 troops, 197 guns, 179 vehicles, Assault Value = 390
 
Japanese ground losses:
      43 casualties reported
         Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
 
Assaulting units:
    Shanghai SNLF
    138th Infantry Regiment
    20th/A Division
    21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
    18th Army
    52nd Construction Battalion
 
Defending units:
    27th Infantry Division
    2/7th Armoured Regiment
    2/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion
 
 
 
 
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 07, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Saumlaki at 78,117, Range 11,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Fubuki
      DD Shinonome
      DD Tatsuyuke
      DD Suruyame
 
Allied Ships
      APA Crescent City, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Saumlaki at 78,117, Range 9,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Fubuki
      DD Shinonome
      DD Tatsuyuke
      DD Suruyame
 
Allied Ships
      LST-446, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
      LST-449, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Molu , at 79,116
 
Weather in hex: Overcast
 
Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
 
Allied aircraft
      Kittyhawk III x 6
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
      P-40K Warhawk x 14
      P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 4
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed
 
No Allied losses
  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 81,117
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 106
      A6M5b Zero x 45
 
Allied aircraft
      F6F-3 Hellcat x 19
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 19
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 81,117
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 97
      A6M5b Zero x 45
 
Allied aircraft
      SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
      SBD-5 Dauntless x 3
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Taberfane at 81,117
 
Weather in hex: Severe storms
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 96
      A6M5b Zero x 44
 
Allied aircraft
      SBD-5 Dauntless x 13
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      SBD-5 Dauntless: 7 destroyed
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Saumlaki , at 78,117
 
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
 
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      N1K1-J George x 18
 
Allied aircraft
      Beaufighter Ic x 16
      Beaufort VIII x 24
      F4U-1 Corsair x 7
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Beaufighter Ic: 6 destroyed
      Beaufort VIII: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
      F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 78,122
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M5 Zero x 102
      B6N2 Jill x 33
      D4Y1 Judy x 27
      D4Y3 Judy x 24
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
      P-40K Warhawk x 15
      F4U-1 Corsair x 4
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
      B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged
      B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
      D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
      D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak
      D4Y3 Judy: 1 damaged
      D4Y3 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
      P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      BB Ramillies, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 4,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      BB Royal Sovereign, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
      BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
      DD Craven, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 21
      Ki-49-Ia Helen x 9
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
      P-40K Warhawk x 8
      F4U-1 Corsair x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 9 destroyed
      Ki-49-Ia Helen: 6 damaged
      Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1
      CL Montpelier
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124
 
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
 
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M3a Zero x 8
      Ki-49-IIa Helen x 12
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 3
      P-40K Warhawk x 2
      F4U-1 Corsair x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 damaged
      Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      BB Revenge, Bomb hits 2
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 78,122
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      B6N2 Jill x 17
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
      P-40K Warhawk x 3
      F4U-1 Corsair x 2
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
      B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      BB Royal Sovereign, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
      BB Pennsylvania,  on fire,  heavy damage
      BB Ramillies, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bathurst Island at 78,122
 
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
 
Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      D4Y1 Judy x 18
 
Allied aircraft
      Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
      P-40K Warhawk x 1
      F4U-1 Corsair x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
      D4Y1 Judy: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
      D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak
 
No Allied losses
 
Allied Ships
      BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      DD Maury
 

[Chickenboy]

Hiya GreyJoy,

Nice poke in the eye there, mate. I think you'll come out ahead in the exchange. He's lost a lot of good men and ships there. Nice shootin' Tex.

[crsutton]

Yes, considering the date I think it is an excellent turnout for you. You are going to lose planes, it can't be helped. The BB kills are nice but the real score is sinking a lot of APAs. He will have a lot of these later on but does not have too many now. Good work, he really has to be a bit more careful about playing around when he does not know where KB is.

GJ, would you give us a run down of ship losses for you at this point and an estimate of his own?

[JohnDillworth]

Well I don't suppose he will try any more big invasions without CV escort. He was playing on the edge and it finally caught up with him. you took out a ton of APA's and other landing ships plus a bunch of DD's and 3 BB's are no more. A good day.

[GreyJoy]

Losses in terms of APAs weren't so big guys. Probably not more than 4/5 APAs and some LSTs.
Don't know why he was unloading what seems to be a big combat unit with xAPs at Molu, but i guess we destroyed the equivalent of a reinforced Bde, plus some good 150 vehicles aboard those LSTs (maybe motorized support units).
The 3 BBs down are a good prize imho. Those BBs are very important to support late war invasions and they are (this is a rarity) in limited numbers.

He will now have to bomb Saumlaki into submission and need some more troops if he wants to conquer it. I'll retire the KB for some R&R (will send a couple of CVs back to Japan for some upgrades, while the Kaga and the Katzuraki will join back the fleet).

In the meanwhile we're evacuating what i want to save from Rabaul. Now the whole SOPAC/SWPAC is lost and there is no point in keep on losing ships and troops in that theatre.

Ponape now got a full division. Truk is getting all the needed troops. Biak is getting a lot of reinforcements and the Mariannas are getting stronger everyday.

I need to keep slowing him down in the DEI. The pacific should be safe for the moment.

Ships losses:

Allies: 1 CV, 6 CVEs, 10 BBs, 9 CAs, 24 CLs (very few modern ones though), 34 DDs, approx 10 APAs
Japan: 2 CA, 8 CLs, 38 DDs (yes...too many, i know), 19 subs

[obvert]

Looks like you got some hits in territory he hasn't even managed to take. I'd say that's well played on your side.

You might not have gotten a lot of ships, but you got troops on ships, which is even better. Also, every time he comes you take something critical. These add up. After a while instead of old BBs he'll have to bring the new ones.

It's all you can do, as we all know. Take a tithe for each step forward. It's too bad he's gotten past your big bases in the S/SW PAC but the DEI is more critical and you're holding him to very slow painful movement here.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Ponape now got a full division. Truk is getting all the needed troops. Biak is getting a lot of reinforcements and the Mariannas are getting stronger everyday.

Yes. That's the ticket. Let him expend his energies on malarial fens and hell holes while you build the 2nd and 3rd echelon fortresses further back. An "Iwo on every island" in the Marianas for sure.

What are your IJNAF pilot reserves like now, in lieu of your recent losses? Plane pools?

What are your defensive lines looking like in the DEI, should he choose that slog?

[CaptBeefheart]

Well done, GJ. Looks like a victory to me. Any idea on how many of his CVs are back in action?

Condolences on your grandmother and hope the family can work out things amicably.

Cheers,
CC

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Ponape now got a full division. Truk is getting all the needed troops. Biak is getting a lot of reinforcements and the Mariannas are getting stronger everyday.

Yes. That's the ticket. Let him expend his energies on malarial fens and hell holes while you build the 2nd and 3rd echelon fortresses further back. An "Iwo on every island" in the Marianas for sure.

What are your IJNAF pilot reserves like now, in lieu of your recent losses? Plane pools?

What are your defensive lines looking like in the DEI, should he choose that slog?

The IJNAF reserves look promising, despite the heavy losses. I have nearly 500 fighter pilots in reserve and 1200 bomber ones (half NavAttack and half NavT).
The IJAAF are defenetly better, but untill i get the PeggyT those pilots aren't much needed in the anti-ship role. The IJA fighter sentais are deployed mostly in Burma and in SOPAC, while the DEI is left mainly to the IJNAF.
Plane pools look as good as they could be at this stage.
I have nearly 500 zeros (A6M2, A6M3a and A6M5) in the pools, 400 Jills (first and second version), 300 Kates, 500 DBs (Vals and Judys), 250 Georges, 400 Tojos, 200 Nicks, 300 Helens, 100 Jakes, 50 Emilies/Mavis and some other minor stuff

The DEI defences are spread in depth. I decided i could not defend every single dot base (simply too many), so i opted for another kind of defence. Timor remains a fortress that won't be easily bypassed. Kendari is a major base, and Menado is reaching AF level 9. Sorong and Biak are well built and several air HQs are arriving in this area from the Marshalls. The next step will be to start building and garrisoning Mindanao.
Java is defended by 3 divisions and several smaller units (tank rgts, SNLF units and a mixed bde.
Sumatra is pretty well defended. We have secured most of the dot base islands in the western coast, while Benkoleng is reaching AF lvl 9.
Thailand is getting garrisoned too. We managed to move back 2 Thai Divisions from Burma which are now guarding Megui, Tavoi and Moulmein, reinforced by 3 regiments of the 16th Division and an indipendent regiment.

To be honest i think Brad should chose the pacific way to advance. The DEI can be a PITA for him. Even if he manages to advance as he's doing, the cost in terms of ships may really be higher than what it should be in other places.

For what concerns the pacific, i'm basing another Air HQ at Guam and another one is getting to Palau. Smaller units are getting to the Bonins too, while each month i'm buying out a regiment from China and sending it to garrisoning duties in the Mariannas.

The area around Hollandia is getting defended pretty well, with the equivalent of 6 regiments spread among the different islands. While this is happening, Biak is really becoming a great base and the small bases around it are getting some good reinforcements.

The main problem remains the supply level... Japan is down to 400k and, despite the efforts, it's pretty impossible to produce enough of them...

Marcus and Wake are getting some 25k supplies in these days. I need to have those outposts always well supplied.

I'm pretty curious to see how he will solve the Saumlaki dilemma... he now has a division and a tank regiment there... not enough to take the base, for sure. I have the 8th Army HQ, along with 2 regiments, an artillery unit and a SNLF unit. He will need to bomb it to submission and to land some more troops....that's for sure... which will mean another chance for me to make him bleed.

In the meanwhile i'm building some decent air reserves in the Mariannas, in Java and at Singapore.

We've lost 3 more DDs in the last 2 days... bringing the overall numbers up to 41...really too many[:o]. from now on i need to consider these assets as the most valuable ones.

CV Katsuragi is joining the main fleet. Along with 3 CVLs and 1 CVE they will move to CENTPAC (Mariannas).

Naval HQs are getting to Guam, along with 3 AKEs and some 100k fuel. Guam will be my main naval base in the pacific from now on.

[veji1]

I am quite wary that the supply issue in this mod might be terminal for you in this game. things can snowball pretty quickly and it would be a shame if your economy and operations slowly grinded to a halt.

[Canoerebel]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Allies: 1 CV, 6 CVEs, 10 BBs, 9 CAs, 24 CLs (very few modern ones though), 34 DDs, approx 10 APAs
Japan: 2 CA, 8 CLs, 38 DDs (yes...too many, i know), 19 subs

Those losses are remarkably light for so late in the game, especially for Japan. You've done stout work marshalling and conserving the strength that is usually Japan's achilles heel (the paucity of capital ships). Great job.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


To be honest i think Brad should chose the pacific way to advance. The DEI can be a PITA for him. Even if he manages to advance as he's doing, the cost in terms of ships may really be higher than what it should be in other places.

Well, I have always felt that the Allies should be going after oil production no matter what else they do. I know some disagree but I think no matter where the Allies are attacking they still have to put pressure on oil production. Come mid 44, if you have one good base in range for your B29s then the Japanese player is forced to distribute his fighters all throughout his DEI production centers-leaving less to defend elsewhere.

In my mind, it is the classic hold and flank maneuver that is standard military doctrine. The Japanese player can't afford to ignore an incursion in the DEI thus giving him less freedom elsewhere on the map. Not to mention the effect of reducing oil flow to Japan.

[Capt. Harlock]

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Allies: 1 CV, 6 CVEs, 10 BBs, 9 CAs, 24 CLs (very few modern ones though), 34 DDs, approx 10 APAs
Japan: 2 CA, 8 CLs, 38 DDs (yes...too many, i know), 19 subs


Those losses are remarkably light for so late in the game, especially for Japan. You've done stout work marshalling and conserving the strength that is usually Japan's achilles heel (the paucity of capital ships). Great job.

+1

The bad news: this game looks very much like it will "go into overtime".

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: veji1

I am quite wary that the supply issue in this mod might be terminal for you in this game. things can snowball pretty quickly and it would be a shame if your economy and operations slowly grinded to a halt.

Me and Brad have already agreed that, if i arrive to a point where the supply problem becomes uneffordable (even with a HUGE austerity), we will ask michealm to edit the scenario and give me a boost with supplies. My goal is to avoid that measure and to fight till the bitter end with what i've got

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


To be honest i think Brad should chose the pacific way to advance. The DEI can be a PITA for him. Even if he manages to advance as he's doing, the cost in terms of ships may really be higher than what it should be in other places.

Well, I have always felt that the Allies should be going after oil production no matter what else they do. I know some disagree but I think no matter where the Allies are attacking they still have to put pressure on oil production. Come mid 44, if you have one good base in range for your B29s then the Japanese player is forced to distribute his fighters all throughout his DEI production centers-leaving less to defend elsewhere.

In my mind, it is the classic hold and flank maneuver that is standard military doctrine. The Japanese player can't afford to ignore an incursion in the DEI thus giving him less freedom elsewhere on the map. Not to mention the effect of reducing oil flow to Japan.

Very true. Actually i'm already thinking about it. I'm slowly converting all the 1E bomber IJA groups into FB (for a chutai of 12 planes it costs 120 pps!!!) and have already placed at least 12 Nicks (with high experienced crews) into my critical industrial bases (Lanchow, HK, Bankok, Changsha and Shangai). The bases which are closer to the front are already lightly protected. My idea is to slowly encrease these fighter protection as soon as the war goes on. Balikapan already has 27 N1K1 and so have Palembang, Batavia and Sosarbaja.

As soon as the inner perimeter gets secured in the pacific, i'll be able to move more air units to the DEI. An unescorted bombing campaign can be nasty, even for the B29s. I've lost hundreds of them when i tried to bomb Japan into submission against Rader.

But you're right: Japan cannot ignore an allied incursion in the DEI. And i am surely not ignoring it. My real fault has been to let him get to Darwin really too early, hoping to stop him cold there... WRONG! now that he has breached my southern DEI perimeter, it will be a matter of time before he will advance further... but the DEI route can be a nasty place when facing a determined Japanese opponent that had prepped his defences in depth...it's a long long way to Japan starting from Darwin

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Allies: 1 CV, 6 CVEs, 10 BBs, 9 CAs, 24 CLs (very few modern ones though), 34 DDs, approx 10 APAs
Japan: 2 CA, 8 CLs, 38 DDs (yes...too many, i know), 19 subs


Those losses are remarkably light for so late in the game, especially for Japan. You've done stout work marshalling and conserving the strength that is usually Japan's achilles heel (the paucity of capital ships). Great job.

+1

The bad news: this game looks very much like it will "go into overtime".

What do you mean with "overtime"?

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Allies: 1 CV, 6 CVEs, 10 BBs, 9 CAs, 24 CLs (very few modern ones though), 34 DDs, approx 10 APAs
Japan: 2 CA, 8 CLs, 38 DDs (yes...too many, i know), 19 subs

Those losses are remarkably light for so late in the game, especially for Japan. You've done stout work marshalling and conserving the strength that is usually Japan's achilles heel (the paucity of capital ships). Great job.

Well, the DD losses really hurt. Considering that in this mod the japanese naval ASW is less than useless, the lack of DD escort will be a critical loss. For the moment i managed to avoid any major loss due to sub, but to do that i had to take extreme measures and to pay really a lot of attention (every turn!) to the plotted courses of all my TFs... it's a tiresome activity and it's normal that the this kind of attention will decrease sooner or later, bringing us to a more critical situation in terms of naval losses due to subs.


July 12th 1943

The allies started to bomb Torokina and to sweep Gasmata in SOPAC. Rabaul now is in direct danger. We ambushed his planes over Torokina, but losses are more or less equal (30 for him and 20 for me)....the tide has really changed.
Manus AF is closed by a cloud of 4Es.

At Darwin he's massing 1200 planes.... 300 transports, 500 bombers and 400 fighters.... i'm pretty sure he will start to shut down Timor AFs anytime soon.
KB refueled and replenished at Kendari, waiting for the Katsuraki to arrive in order to send back the Hiyo for the upgrades.

We managed to extract safely 2 Air HQ and 1 Naval HQ from the Marshalls.[&o], while troops keep on flowing from HI to the southern bases.

Some movements in Burma on his side, but i guess it's more a faint than anything else. Don't see any new major LCUs walking down the jungle.
The 16th Division and the 5th Guards Divisions have been extracted from Burma and are now moving to Thailand.

Ponape is now secured with: 1 Air HQ, 2 Artillery units, 1 Division, 1 Regiment, 2 Heavy AA units, 1 Tank regiment and 3 base forces. 32,000 men on a stacking limit of 35k. Good.

So now we have completely secured: MArcus, Wake, Eniwetok, Ponape, Saipan and Guam, while Kusiae and Truk are secured at 50%. eastern perimeter looks good

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I'm slowly converting all the 1E bomber IJA groups into FB (for a chutai of 12 planes it costs 120 pps!!!) and have already placed at least 12 Nicks (with high experienced crews) into my critical industrial bases (Lanchow, HK, Bankok, Changsha and Shangai). The bases which are closer to the front are already lightly protected. My idea is to slowly encrease these fighter protection as soon as the war goes on. Balikapan already has 27 N1K1 and so have Palembang, Batavia and Sosarbaja.

As soon as the inner perimeter gets secured in the pacific, i'll be able to move more air units to the DEI. An unescorted bombing campaign can be nasty, even for the B29s. I've lost hundreds of them when i tried to bomb Japan into submission against Rader.

I know it's a way down the road, but have you researched the successor to the Nick, the Ki-102 Randy? I worry the Nicks will have have trouble catching the B-29 before it discharges it's load over my bases. The Randy is at least 20mph faster and has the centerline 20mm cannons as well.

What were you facing against Rader that took out so many B-29s? I know he had a lot of late war planes very early.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I'm slowly converting all the 1E bomber IJA groups into FB (for a chutai of 12 planes it costs 120 pps!!!) and have already placed at least 12 Nicks (with high experienced crews) into my critical industrial bases (Lanchow, HK, Bankok, Changsha and Shangai). The bases which are closer to the front are already lightly protected. My idea is to slowly encrease these fighter protection as soon as the war goes on. Balikapan already has 27 N1K1 and so have Palembang, Batavia and Sosarbaja.

As soon as the inner perimeter gets secured in the pacific, i'll be able to move more air units to the DEI. An unescorted bombing campaign can be nasty, even for the B29s. I've lost hundreds of them when i tried to bomb Japan into submission against Rader.

I know it's a way down the road, but have you researched the successor to the Nick, the Ki-102 Randy? I worry the Nicks will have have trouble catching the B-29 before it discharges it's load over my bases. The Randy is at least 20mph faster and has the centerline 20mm cannons as well.

What were you facing against Rader that took out so many B-29s? I know he had a lot of late war planes very early.

Sure. I have 2 R&D factories researching the Ki102, but it won't arrive untill 1944. The plan is to convert all my FB groups to KI-102s in late war.
Rader did use a mix of fighters...but his main weapons were sheer numbers. After a couple of runs against 200 Franks/Georges, the B29s did come back so roughed that i had to stand them down for a week!
I think it all comes dow to what you want to defend. Untill he gets in fighter coverage i think Japan can defend himself. Once the P47s are in range, things get bad

[Capt. Harlock]

What do you mean with "overtime"?

Into 1946.