Gensui jdsrae (J) vs SolInvictus (A). IJ War Council room

[awaw]

IRL air forces lost more pilots to op losses than combat. IIRC I read somewhere they called it 'wasteage'. Kinda cold.

Considering how many politicians are treating COVID deaths as a statistic, and treating it as a number to trade-off with economic growth, I will say things have not changed much today.

[RangerJoe]

Is Canoerebel interested in coming back and picking up a game? I have never played PBEM and I would not want to start right now.

[BaggieMania]

Thank you so much for this AAR, to me it was like reading a fictional WW2 novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it

[Dili]

Good game. Thanks.

[jdsrae]

Good news subscribers and casual readers, the Allies have appointed a new CIC.
Game terms (no house rules) have been offered and accepted, so are now legally binding.
Standing by for heavy bombers at 100’.

The new Chief might take a few days to click through each theatre, then we should be back close to a turn a day.

[rustysi]

OK.

[Nomad]

I am glad you found someone. I just felt that I would not have the time to do this game right.

[jdsrae]

ORIGINAL: Nomad

I am glad you found someone. I just felt that I would not have the time to do this game right.

Thanks Nomad, all good.
Good luck in your games, I check in on your AAR every now and then.

[jdsrae]

To give CrackSabbath an opportunity to go out with a bang, I agreed to a parallel universe CENPAC CV rumble.
The rules were knives and chains only, no guns.
That translated to aircraft carriers and surface combat ships only, no submarines.

I am not going to post any details other than this, as the Combined Fleet played like the Letterkenny Irish...
Day 1 was a disaster with the IJN alpha strike going in unescorted, compared to textbook play by the Allies.
The result was about 10-1 in carriers that day. CPO Sakai diverted ashore with +1 kill to his tally.

Day 2 saw the IJN surface ships fix bayonets and charge, only to finish the turn just outside reaction range, so the CAs got crunched by USN air strikes.
The Yamato Div was unspotted so survived for day 3, but the final charge missed by 2 hexes and there was no reaction...

It was a disaster of epic proportions for the IJN which was not helped by the day 1 display.
A few tactics will be tweaked when the war backtracks about 10 days and heads off on a tangent.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

To give CrackSabbath an opportunity to go out with a bang, I agreed to a parallel universe CENPAC CV rumble.
The rules were knives and chains only, no guns.
That translated to aircraft carriers and surface combat ships only, no submarines.

I am not going to post any details other than this, as the Combined Fleet played like the Letterkenny Irish...
Day 1 was a disaster with the IJN alpha strike going in unescorted, compared to textbook play by the Allies.
The result was about 10-1 in carriers that day. CPO Sakai diverted ashore with +1 kill to his tally.

Day 2 saw the IJN surface ships fix bayonets and charge, only to finish the turn just outside reaction range, so the CAs got crunched by USN air strikes.
The Yamato Div was unspotted so survived for day 3, but the final charge missed by 2 hexes and there was no reaction...

It was a disaster of epic proportions for the IJN which was not helped by the day 1 display.
A few tactics will be tweaked when the war backtracks about 10 days and heads off on a tangent.

Wait - are you saying you did this as an 'aside' contest-for-fun that will not be part of the game your new opponent has agreed to take on? Or is it included in the resumed game?

[jdsrae]

BB, it was a side project, definitely not part of the “real” war!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jdsrae

BB, it was a side project, definitely not part of the “real” war!

Well that result must have been much more fun for CrackSabbath than for you. Gracious of you to offer the sendoff battles! [&o]

[jdsrae]

The Allies have reported that they have finished air orders with land and sea to go.
To fill in time, apart from masterminding the self-destruction of the Combined Fleet, I started planning aircraft production for a PDU off game.
I’ll have to put that on ice and get my head back into this game.

IJA infantry reinforcements are starting to arrive in good numbers but they are mostly low experience, so need some time to sit and train before they can help delay the Allies.
There are enough PP to buy out a front line Div from Japan, but I might keep 1500 PP on reserve in case of emergency.

[CrackSabbath]

Hi Gang,

Since I'm now officially exited from the game, I thought I'd pop in and publicly congratulate Jamie on his outstanding auto-victory [&o], and thank him for a fun campaign. He kept me on my toes, and then some for the whole match, and I'm glad he's found someone to keep it going. He's a class act through and through.

I'll follow the campaign going forward, but won't post again lest I inadvertently let some intel slip.

Regarding the non-canon, just for fun CV rumble, I'll say only this: FERDA!

Cheers,

Mike (aka Crack Sabbath).

[jdsrae]

Don't be a stranger Dude!
You are welcome to post here any time.

As this wise old race car once said: "Hot snot, we are back in action!"

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 23, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Shortlands at 109,131 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
190 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Tingey
DD Taylor
DD Dashiell, Shell hits 2
DD Charles Badger
DD Bache
DD Ammen, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9
DD Tingey firing at 42nd Division
Combined 8th SNLF firing at DD Taylor – no reply from the CD guns against USS Taylor. WAKE UP SLEEPY HEADS!!!
DD Taylor firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at DD Dashiell – finally a response, but not the best shooting by this CD unit…
DD Dashiell firing at Combined 8th SNLF
DD Charles Badger firing at 42nd Division
DD Bache firing at Shortlands
DD Ammen firing at Combined 8th SNLF
Combined 8th SNLF firing at DD Ammen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Portland at 77,171 – this is the Portland on the Victorian coast, West of Melbourne in Aus.
SS I-36 – this sub was on patrol looking for ships on the Cape Town to Melbourne route and was having a very quiet war until it looks like the new CIC decided to relocate some ships without escorts.
Allied Ships
xAP Kooyong, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Kooyong is sighted by SS I-36
SS I-36 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Kooyong
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Russell Islands at 112,136
SS I-181
Allied Ships
DD Taylor
DD Ammen
DD Tingey
DD Dashiell
SS I-181 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Taylor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Portland at 77,171
SS I-36 – another one from I-36 in the same hex. At the end of the turn a few more xAP are spotted moving West. Intelligence staff assess that the new CIC might be moving xAP towards Cape Town and India to relocate some ground forces.
Allied Ships
xAK Vera, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Vera is sighted by SS I-36
SS I-36 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Vera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Army, at 59,40 , near Imphal
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Ki-84r Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 25
19 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 44000 feet – front line fighter units will need more oxygen
CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-84r Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) – this was a mistake as they were set to LRCAP with range 3. I rarely set LRCAP with a range > 0 and this was a reminder to check. I haven’t changed CAP altitudes to match the stratosweeps, as I want to see if the radars help when the sweepers target a base hex. If not, I will have to read up on the whole layered CAP thing.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 11th Army, at 59,40 , near Imphal
Allied aircraft
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 17
17 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Cocanada at 40,38
SS I-53, hits 2
Allied Ships – unknown if these DDs are moving East or West… the sub skipper will receive counselling when he returns to port.
DD Brown
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Van Galen
DD Quickmatch
DD Quiberon
DD Porterfield
DD Queensborough
DD Quality
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
SS I-53 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Brown
DD Queensborough attacking submerged sub ....
DD Van Nes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Banckert attacking submerged sub ....
DD Van Nes is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Apr 23, 44
Repairs completed on DD Mutsuki at Manila, ship returned to service – all Mutsukis finish their ugprades and will move as a Squadron towards SEAF.
Repairs completed on DD Kisaragi at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Yayoi at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Uzuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Satsuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Minazuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Fumizuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Kikuzuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Nagatsuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Mochizuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Yuzuki at Manila, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on SS I-52 at Singapore, ship returned to service – this sub has long legs so will patrol off Karachi for a bit to see what it can spot.
Repairs completed on SS RO-35 at Soerabaja, ship returned to service – will patrol the SW Aus coast.
G4M1 Betty from K-704 Hikotai has spotted an Allied PT at 114,137
an Allied PT is reported HIT
G3M2 Nell from Yokosuka Ku K-1 attacking SS Bowfin at 123,60
SS Bowfin is reported HIT
G3M2 Nell from K-403 Hikotai attacking SS Bowfin at 123,60
SS Bowfin is reported HIT
P1Y2 Frances from K-406 Hikotai attacking a Grampus class SS at 117,64
an Allied SS is reported HIT
D4Y4 Judy from 531 Ku K-1 attacking SS Corvina at 100,114
SS Corvina is reported HIT
G3M3 Nell from 901 Ku T-3 attacking an Allied SS at 116,70
a 'T' 1940 Programme class SS is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Warazup
F-7A Liberator sighted over Pisanuloke
PV-1 Ventura sighted over Adak Island
PV-1 Ventura sighted over Atka Island
F-5A Lightning sighted over Merauke
F-5A Lightning sighted over Milne Bay
G4M1 Betty from K-701 Hikotai attacking a Triton class SS at 75,96
an Allied SS is reported HIT
G4M1 Betty from K-704 Hikotai has spotted an Allied PT at 114,137
an Allied PT is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from Ominato Ku T-2 attacking SS Bowfin at 123,60
SS Bowfin is reported HIT
PV-1 Ventura sighted over Amchitka Island
PV-1 Ventura sighted over Adak Island
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Kusaie Island
7 x H6K4-L Mavis transporting 42nd Naval Guard Unit from Mili
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Force from Kalemyo
Repairs completed on SS RO-38 at Soerabaja, ship returned to service – will also patrol the SW Aus coastline
Naha expands airfield to size 8
Johore Bahru expands fortifications to size 5
Taiping expands fortifications to size 3
xAK Vera is reported to have been sunk near Portland on Apr 23, 1944
xAP Kooyong is reported to have been sunk near Portland on Apr 23, 1944 

[jdsrae]

Interesting developments here on the India-Burma border, with what looks like the new CIC ordering some withdrawals from the jungle rough terrain.
It will take a few weeks to see if these are feints or real moves, but it could be an early indication that the focus of the Allied advance will be somewhere else, perhaps via amphibious means…

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 24, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Perth at 46,147
SS I-34
Allied Ships – heading West, to Cape Town. More little intelligence pieces to the puzzle.
AM Toowoomba
xAK Kansan
xAK Arkansan
SS I-34 launches 2 torpedoes at AM Toowoomba
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Perth at 46,147
SS I-34, hits 1
Allied Ships
xAK Chickasaw City
xAK Kansan
xAK Arkansan
AM Toowoomba
SS I-34 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Chickasaw City – missed!
I-34 diving deep ....
AM Toowoomba attacking submerged sub ....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Perth at 43,147
SS I-34, hits 1
Allied Ships
xAK Sagadahoc, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Arkansan
AM Toowoomba – looks like a single escort, now out of depth charges. 2x IJN subs will continue to chase this convoy to the edge of the Earth.
SS I-34 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Sagadahoc
I-34 diving deep ....
AM Toowoomba attacking submerged sub ....
AM Toowoomba is out of ASW ammo

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Apr 24, 44
Repairs completed on SS RO-44 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
G4M2 Betty from K-702 Hikotai attacking a Grampus class SS at 75,102
an Allied SS is reported HIT
TF 281 shadowed by PB4Y-1 Liberator at 122,116 near Kusaie Island
G4M1 Betty from K-704 Hikotai has spotted an Allied AM at 114,136
an Allied AM is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Kalemyo
F-7A Liberator sighted over Port Blair
F-5A Lightning sighted over Woodlark Island
7 x H6K4-L Mavis transporting 42nd Naval Guard Unit from Mili
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Force from Kalemyo
AV Africa Maru sinks in port – at Marcus Island, it finally finished burning up after being hit by BB shells about a week ago.
Repairs completed on SS RO-42 at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on AD Kashiwara Maru at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service – this AD was torpedoed by a USN sub months ago near one of the islands just south of Yokosuka.
Umnak Island expands port to size 2
Banjoewangi expands fortifications to size 2
Ace pilot Miyazaki S. of 11th Sentai is promoted to 1LT
Ace pilot Hashimoto B. of 31st Sentai is promoted to 1LT
Previous report of sinking of SS Tally Ho incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
SS I-12 arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo – very long range sub, will move to 4th Fleet to hunt USN CVs and BBs.
xAK Sagadahoc is reported to have been sunk near Perth on Apr 24, 1944

[jdsrae]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 25, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47 – the Allies focus on Magwe airfield
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 16
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 21
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Runway hits 6
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Liberator B.VI bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
6th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIc Nick (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15
Allied aircraft
Liberator B.VI x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIc Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Runway hits 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 15
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 5
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 14
Allied aircraft
Liberator GR.VI x 7
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 14
Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Ki-45 KAIc Nick x 14
Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
Runway hits 2

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Apr 25, 44
Repairs completed on DD Asagumo at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Minegumo at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Natsugumo at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Arashio at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Michishio at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
Repairs completed on DD Asashio at Yokohama/Yokosuka, ship returned to service
SS I-121 lays minefield at Lunga ( 114 , 138) and sets course for Torokina
E13A1 Jake from Kumano-2 attacking a Triton class SS at 67,98
a KXI Class class SS is reported HIT
Spitfire PR.XI sighted over Kalemyo
F-7A Liberator sighted over Pisanuloke
PB4Y-1P Liberator sighted over Marcus Island
Spitfire PR.XI sighted over Cox's Bazar
Mosquito PR.XVI sighted over Chiang Mai
18 x H8K2-L Emily transporting 3rd JNAF Coy to Truk
7 x H6K4-L Mavis transporting 14th Air Fleet to Marcus Island – just flying a few mechanics to Marcus to fix some busted aircraft so they can fly back to the Marianas. I evacuated the JNAF Coy as I thought the Allies were about to invade, but I might move a JNAFU there to look after some patrol planes.
7 x H6K4-L Mavis transporting 42nd Naval Guard Unit from Mili
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Force from Kalemyo
Takao expands fortifications to size 4
Aircraft Ki-83 advances R&D – to 9/45. There is just the 1x size 30 research factory on the Ki-83
Ace pilot Minami L. of 343 Ku S-2 is promoted to PO1
Pilot Kurihara I. is reported as having been found – PO1 Kurihara is from Junyo-1 with 88 experience 668 missions and 1 kill. It’s always good to get an IJN fighter pilot back from the MIA list.
MTB G-844 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
56th Sentai arrives at Hiroshima/Kure – will be used as a fighter pilot training unit, and will move to Nagoya.

[jdsrae]

Hundreds of Spitfires and P47s sweep Cox's Bazar.
A small LRCAP challenged the first raid then let them have the sky.

A USN DD Div ended one hex from Milne Bay but I had just moved the D4Y4s back to Rabaul the day before.
Missed opportunity...

Apart from Allied land forces moving around on the India-Burma border, it also looks like a general reshuffle of USN submarine patrol sectors is happening.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 26, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
Ki-84r Frank x 2
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 15
15 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 20
20 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 15
15 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 22
22 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 28
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 27
25 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
2 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
3 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25
25 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 3
3 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky
P-38J Lightning x 21
21 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 44000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22
22 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Milne Bay at 101,134
SS RO-109, hits 10, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Gillespie
DD Case
DD Morris
DD Walke
SS RO-109 is sighted by escort
DD Case attacking submerged sub ....
DD Walke attacking submerged sub ....
SS RO-109 eludes DD Walke by hugging bottom

OPERATIONAL REPORT FOR Apr 26, 44
Repairs completed on SS I-45 at Truk, ship returned to service
G3M2 Nell from K-403 Hikotai attacking SS Tunny at 96,60
SS Tunny is reported HIT
G4M1 Betty from K-704 Hikotai has spotted an Allied SC at 113,136
an Allied SC is reported HIT
G4M1 Betty from K-704 Hikotai has spotted an Allied LCVP at 113,136
an Allied LCVP is reported HIT
E13A1 Jake from 958 Ku T-7 has spotted an Allied DD at 101,134
a 'G' Class class DD is reported HIT
F-5A Lightning sighted over Chiang Mai
Spitfire PR.XI sighted over Kalemyo
F-7A Liberator sighted over Pisanuloke
6 x H6K4-L Mavis transporting 14th Air Fleet to Marcus Island
6 x H6K4-L Mavis transporting 42nd Naval Guard Unit from Mili
7 x Ki-49-II KAI Helen transporting 1st Raiding Force from Kalemyo
Cochin expands port to size 9
Ace pilot Kurakane, Y. of 343 Ku S-2 is promoted to LCDR
Previous report of sinking of SS Tambor incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
MGB G-236 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
56th Sentai arrives at Nagoya – fighter pilot training unit
26th Fld AA Gun Co arrives at Tokyo – bought out and will move to the Marianas