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The final squadron in...now, I wish I had sent the heavies...but the American Carriers are out there somewhere, as is a size 6 airbase...so, maybe I am not to sad that I didn't send in the heavies.





Night Time Surface Combat, near Amchitka Island at 158,52, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yugure
DD Yanagi

Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
BB Idaho, Shell hits 9, heavy fires
DD O'Brien
DD Walke
DD Maury
DD Dunlap
DMS Fox
APD Stringham, Shell hits 1
APD Waters
APD Crosby, Shell hits 3
DMS Boggs, on fire
DMS Lamberton
DMS Dorsey
DMS Perry
DMS Long
DMS Chandler
xAP Mount Vernon
xAP President Coolidge
xAP Maui
xAP Princess Joan
xAP Empress ' Scotland, Shell hits 2
xAP Idomeneus, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAP Noordam, heavy fires
xAP Am. Press, and is sunk
xAP Agwimonte

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 67% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 67% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Yanagi at 6,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Walke at 6,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages DD Yugure at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages DD Dunlap at 4,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Dunlap at 4,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages DD Natsushio at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages APD Stringham at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Dunlap at 2,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages DD Dunlap at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Walke engages DD Yanagi at 4,000 yards
DD Dunlap engages DD Natsushio at 4,000 yards
DD Yanagi engages DD Walke at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BB Idaho engages DD Yanagi at 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Walke at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Dunlap at 2,000 yards
DD Walke collides with DMS Fox at 158 , 52
BB Idaho engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Walke at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Walke at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages APD Crosby at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAP Idomeneus at 2,000 yards
BB Idaho engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
BB Nevada engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Yugure engages DD Dunlap at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD O'Brien at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAP Empress ' Scotland at 2,000 yards
BB Idaho engages DD Yanagi at 2,000 yards
BB Nevada engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAP Idomeneus at 2,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

On the fourth squadrons attack, the task force was dispersed according to the battle replay, but I cannot find confirming intelligence on this in any Japanese report. I wonder what exactly this means?

Big picture -- there is no strike against the destroyers which all make Buldir Island...oh, to have sent in the heavies last. Allied air power had 120 plane lrcap over the invasion fleet, and Japan didn't contest this at all...but is now poised and fresh.



Invasion Interruptus!


Ground combat at Amchitka Island (158,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1581 troops, 26 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 1702 troops, 72 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

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

Assaulting units:
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
Kure 5th SNLF
3rd Indpt SNLF Coy
53rd JNAF AF Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
8th JNAF AF Unit
3rd Mortar Bn /1

Defending units:
32nd Infantry Div /2
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
632nd TD Bn /1

On the Chungking Plains...here in July, so much for Asian Roads slowing down the conquest of China. Kienko safely in Japanese hands with air support being flown in.

Ground combat at 78,42 (near Kienko - south)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4527 troops, 127 guns, 587 vehicles, Assault Value = 251

Defending force 42200 troops, 248 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 686

Japanese adjusted assault: 296

Allied adjusted defense: 57

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 56 (3 destroyed, 53 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
17537 casualties reported
Squads: 534 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 580 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 37 (19 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units retreated 13

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
18th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
22nd Group Army
Jingcha War Area
12th Chinese Corps
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
39th New Chinese Division
4th Chinese Base Force

You may still be facing a multi-month siege of Chungking.

What's the VP situation looking like? I grow concerned that he may not be able to mount a counteroffensive in time to stave off an AV if you keep going like this for another 7-9 months.

Chungking won't fall for several months, correct.

VP ratio is 3.3, with Port Moresby invasion forming up now. However, I think I royally screwed up this turns orders with an accidental remain on station. We shall see...

No turn from the Allies...

I am hard pressed to understand the Allies overall goal given the tactics used. They pretty much did a masterful sir robyn after an early clash with Force Z. Then to throw it all away in early unsupported attacks on Tabby and now in the Aleutians.

Yeah, you could argue the game would be boring until mid/late 1943, but that is not my experience as there could be very interesting limited offensives in and around the NG, Solomons, etc., etc.

I wonder to what degree the IJN offensive against Ceylon prompted the Tabby response as a means of doing something? And then the Aluetians response, in response to the Tabby debacle, either to draw the fleet from Tabby and allow some rescue there or simply just to do something.

Maybe they did a PQ-17 and scattered?

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

No turn from the Allies...

I am hard pressed to understand the Allies overall goal given the tactics used. They pretty much did a masterful sir robyn after an early clash with Force Z. Then to throw it all away in early unsupported attacks on Tabby and now in the Aleutians.

Yeah, you could argue the game would be boring until mid/late 1943, but that is not my experience as there could be very interesting limited offensives in and around the NG, Solomons, etc., etc.

I wonder to what degree the IJN offensive against Ceylon prompted the Tabby response as a means of doing something? And then the Aluetians response, in response to the Tabby debacle, either to draw the fleet from Tabby and allow some rescue there or simply just to do something.

All of those DEI battles in 42 in our game have honed your tactics of early war surface actions!

He's sending in forces like it's 44 and he's got 100 fletchers and the DS three hexes off to protect. Those old BBs are good points and you managed again to hit troops on ships. I say pour it on and send in the dogs!! This is fun to watch. [8D]

Very exciting! And I'm also making notes on how Japan should use its destroyers for maximum efficiency [:)]

July 24, 1942

Super heavy night search to guide the surging Japanese task forces in...including Yamato!

Tone: sleek, fast and deadly. She starts with a nepotistic captain that gets sacked, and here she performs excellently.



The only engagement of the day...as Prince of Wales and company retreat.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Ulak Island at 160,52, Range 6,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
OS2U-3 Kingfisher: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD O'Brien, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Walke
DD Maury
DD Dunlap
DMS Fox
APD Stringham
APD Waters
APD Crosby, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DMS Boggs, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS Lamberton
DMS Dorsey
DMS Perry, Shell hits 1, on fire
DMS Long
DMS Chandler
xAP Mount Vernon, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAP President Coolidge
xAP Maui
xAP Empress ' Scotland, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Agwimonte

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CA Tone engages xAP Empress ' Scotland at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Tone engages xAP Empress ' Scotland at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Tone engages BB Idaho at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
BB Idaho sunk by CA Tone at 4,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD O'Brien at 4,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD O'Brien at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
CA Tone engages DMS Boggs at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Tone engages DD O'Brien at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD O'Brien sunk by CA Tone at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Tone engages DMS Boggs at 2,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Crosby at 2,000 yards
CA Tone engages xAP Mount Vernon at 2,000 yards
APD Crosby sunk by CA Tone at 2,000 yards
Asakura, Bunji orders Japanese TF to disengage
CA Tone engages xAP Mount Vernon at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
xAP Agwimonte , xAP Empress ' Scotland , xAP Maui ,
xAP President Coolidge , xAP Mount Vernon screened from combat
- escorted by DD Dunlap , DD Maury , DD Walke ,
DMS Chandler
Range increases to 12,000 yards
xAP Agwimonte , xAP Empress ' Scotland , xAP Maui ,
xAP President Coolidge , xAP Mount Vernon screened from combat
- escorted by DD Dunlap , DD Maury , DD Walke ,
DMS Chandler , DMS Long
CA Tone engages DMS Perry at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
xAP Agwimonte , xAP Empress ' Scotland , xAP Maui ,
xAP President Coolidge , xAP Mount Vernon screened from combat
- escorted by DD Dunlap , DD Maury , DD Walke ,
DMS Chandler , DMS Long
CA Tone engages DMS Perry at 16,000 yards
Task forces break off...

12 Destroyers and 1 Cruiser put a serious hurting on the Amchitka invasion force...but the IJN is now present in numbers and support ships and planes.

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Maybe they did a PQ-17 and scattered?

In examining the combat reports, when the convoy doesn't get scattered the destroyers break off and screen the troop transports from combat, but that also pulls those destroyers from combat.

In the final fight, the convoy disperses, and the destroyers rush forward to engage the Japanese attackers, and it was only on the last combat round that the Japanese ships were able to target some transports. Probably some kind of random targeting routine is at work with speed, dl, aggression, ship type as inputs.

So, in the first three combats, where the task force doesn't disperse, the destroyers are allocated at screening the troop transports -- leaving those slow battleships without enough destroyer screens.

The first combat the task force was caught unloading...
the 2nd and 3d combat three of four destroyers are screening transports...
fourth combat the task force disperses and there is a lot of destroyer v destroyer fights....

ORIGINAL: obvert


All of those DEI battles in 42 in our game have honed your tactics of early war surface actions!

He's sending in forces like it's 44 and he's got 100 fletchers and the DS three hexes off to protect. Those old BBs are good points and you managed again to hit troops on ships. I say pour it on and send in the dogs!! This is fun to watch. [8D]

I could never get away with these tactics with you, as you would have covering task forces.

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

Very exciting! And I'm also making notes on how Japan should use its destroyers for maximum efficiency [:)]

You have to understand that I crafted the destroyer task forces to counter a known threat with a forecast of very bad weather. It wouldn't work against different Allied fleet compositions or weather.

July 26, 1942

Only doing about a turn every 2-3 days right now...

Allies have retreated from the Aleutians...Japan's tenuous hold on the islands here is improving, and an invasion of Attu is about 20 days away.

Port Moresby invasion forces gathering and loading...want to get there before the Allies rotate from the Aleutians.

China going well, will envelop Chungking, take Chengtu next. Both Tank Divisions moving up from Canton now...

"Darth Tone", damn! [:D]

End of July 1942

The Amchitka invasion is fully destroyed with about 1/2 of an infantry division surrendering. Other fractional units surrender previously.

Attu is heavily bombarded, the invasion force is on its way.

July 31, 1942

Fortress Chungking is now forming up. Moving in strength on Chengtu, which only has 1-2 Chinese Corp's defending there. The goal now
is to encircle Chungking and start to reducing the 400,000 troops there.