PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[PzB74]

After I told Andy that I had spotted 857 ships in Kwajalein he admitted that he had plans for the Central Pacific:

For my next objective I strongly suspect you are now sitting waiting for me with all the troops ready and waiting .....
and they better be because I am bringing a BIG hammer on the assumption that you have heavily reinforced my preferred target !!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With these words I suspect that a major offensive in the Central Pacific is only a few weeks or perhaps even days away.
Still got several troop convoys inbound to both Wake and the Marianas. Hopefully we can unload before the show begins, but preparations
have mostly been finished. A large Bde was unloaded at Bonin Island and another one is currently enroute for Iwo Jima - just in case.

Question: How big a hammer is needed to occupy a base with 70k supplies, 9 forts, 1250 assault points, heavy artillery, coastal
defenses, tank units and 5000 mines? [:-]

I will begin deployment of fighter ac to the PI, Home Islands, Bonins and Palaus immediately but keep the Marianas 'clean'. He's probably
going to nuke them with B-29s first. The hope is that large amounts of supplies and engineers will
keep the fields open. Expecting a prolonged battle this time.

There are some 750 Zekes in the pool with 615 arriving each month. Need the Frank asap! The KB will be used to ferry in CAP fighters, it's
still too weak to be a threat to the enemy monster fleet.

[BLurking]

I'll be watching closely - 'cause I'm in the same spot as you. My defenses of the Marianas is pretty closely matched to what you've got, so it'll be interesting to see if you hold.

It's now 6/5/44 in my game, so if the hammer falls on me first I'll be sure to let you know how it goes [8|].
My Frank research didn't pan out, so I've got another month to wait [:@]...

[castor troy]

The first time I see B29 bombing ships at sea in a PBEM of mine it will be the last turn played, that´s for sure. [8|]

[BLurking]

Trust me - by the time the Allies get B-29s you'll have very little at sea worth sinking anyway [:D].

[1275psi]

I am so glad that BZpanzer and myself have a stacking rule -number of airgroups cannot exceed airfield size, and CAP is max 40%.

I think we are going to have a far more realistic game (we are so far!)

I must tell him that though -B29s on anti shipping equals game kaput!

[PzB74]

Two major incidents this turn. Will cover them in two posts.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/21/44

Air Combat

I have been patroling the area between the Palaus and all the way down to Bougainville
with Strike Force II. Noticed more enemy convoys moving up a long the Eastern Coast of PNG.
So we moved back into the same old position 8 hexes NNE of Sarmi and delivered 2 punishing strikes
on an enemy troop/supply convoy! Enemy engineer and aviation units scrambled to their life rafts! [8D]

In all 4 of the transports that were hit in the Central Pacific sank.

Day Air attack on TF at 46,75

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D4Y Judy x 20
B6N Jill x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Rowan, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Empire Pibroch
AK Mabella, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Cape Isabel, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Cape Stevens
AK Needwood, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LCVP 544F
AK Julia L. Dumont, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCM 544E, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shinkuang, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
488 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 46,75

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D4Y Judy x 17
B6N Jill x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Needwood, on fire, heavy damage
AK Idaho, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Cape Isabel, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mabella, on fire
DD Crane
LCVP 544F, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LCM 544C
AK B. Livingston, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
133 casualties reported
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Enemy Convoy hit!

[PzB74]

Yesterday one of our picket subs NNW of Eniwetok were hit by a Helldiver!
Most likely a carrier borne one as well. This was what triggered my immediate evacuation
of the Marianas. All shipping is steaming in the opposite direction and almost all
ac have evacuated to nearby bases.

I don't think this is an invasion, cause the enemy fleet that was spotted today had moved
5 hexes from the spot the sub was reported hit. Too fast in other words. Most likely a
strike force.

I've started to move air reserves towards the Home Islands, PI, Palaus and Bonins.
The newly restated KB has sortied with 54 crack George fighters aboard (on stand down).
They will be ferried to Bonin Island.

Strike Force I seems to be safe, no sign of the enemy - me thinks Andy gave up.
Can't beat the eternal bad weather up there.

Enemy Fleets Approaches the Marianas

[Fishbed]

Yes the best is still to leave the islands to the air crocodiles. No reason to oppose the Death Star now, let's them get bored over the islands while you strike his AKs somewhere else...
Even better if his aircrews get tired too early before the big show [;)]

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/22/44

Bombardments

Escorts put on bombard? Ooops Andy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Noemfoor, at 45,76 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

51 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Mahan
DD Cassin
DD Cummings, Shell hits 1
DD Shaw, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Downes, Shell hits 1
DD Cushing
DD Norman
BB Idaho, Shell hits 4

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported HAHAHA! [;)]

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The Superforts hits Pagan...

Day Air attack on Pagan , at 64,62

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29 Superfortress x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wake is also visited:

Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M5 Zeke x 22

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 4
PB4Y Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F-5C Lightning: 1 destroyed
PB4Y Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
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Somehow all strikes from Kendari includes lots of fighters and just a few bombers [&:]
Still, the Corregidor is lost. Saw her yesterday and moved the Bettie's back in.

Day Air attack on TF at 33,74

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 74

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Corregidor, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
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Seems like I guessed right! Pagan is hit again, by carrier bombers this time.
Good thing we got the crack Imp Division ashore in time!

Day Air attack on Pagan , at 64,62

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 29

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
64 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x SB2C Helldiver bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Pagan , at 64,62

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 12
SB2C Helldiver x 109

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 12 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Noemfoor is still a pike in Andy's side [:D]
He thought I airlifted 8" guns in...only a few 150mm howitzers
and 5.5" coastal defence guns.

Ground combat at Noemfoor

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 35930 troops, 315 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 822

Defending force 30210 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 576

Allied max assault: 1594 - adjusted assault: 793

Japanese max defense: 403 - adjusted defense: 1405

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese ground losses:
262 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
1436 casualties reported
Guns lost 48
Vehicles lost 4
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Enemy Strikes on Pagan!

This will be interesting. Enemy fleets spotted in Kwajalein and carriers near Saipan.
The last division sent to the Marianas will dock in the Bonins if the yank farms stick
around. A strategic reserve is always usefull.

All islands in the Palaus now got between 1200 and 1450 AP. Pagan got 2k mines, the rest
between 4-5k. How more ready can we be? [&o]

[Sneer]

did you agree on jacks/georges/corsair on desks of laptops 

[PzB74]

Laptops? No, but we got rules for flattops [:)]
Andy tells me that his latest US farms arrive with Corsairs...so that's it folks [8|]
I don't use George/Jack on my farms, but will shuttle them to/from the battle zones.

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Laptops? No, but we got rules for flattops [:)]
Andy tells me that his latest US farms arrive with Corsairs...so that's it folks [8|]
I don't use George/Jack on my farms, but will shuttle them to/from the battle zones.

Well, Corsairs were used from US and British CV so it should be possible. Just in WITP there should be an earlier type of Corsair, that is not carrier capable, and then a carrier-capable version (in 1944).

Georges and Jacks were never used from CVs, but I am not able to say if they were able to do it.

PzB, I love your plan. It reminds me of the Sho Japanese battle plan for the PI in 1944, so don't make the same mistake: don't try to attack US CVs.
Your chance will be to disable enough the attacking forces so the attacked island will held. The key of the success is supplies, and it is a good thing you have brought 160k before the rook fall... Just curious, can you say us how many supplies are in each of the four islands ?

One flaw I see with this plan is that you will have to base your AC on the Mariannas themselves. And that as soon will move your AC there, the airfield sign will become red, and Andy has just to wait for that to order his BBs to pound your airfields.
So if you have useless planes (Ki-48 and so on), my advice would be to move them quick there, just to draw Allied BBs. After the first bombardment, BB are far less powerful (or do Allied AE allready allow shell replenishment at sea?) and so your real strike force will have reduced ground losses.

[FeurerKrieg]

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent


So if you have useless planes (Ki-48 and so on), my advice would be to move them quick there, just to draw Allied BBs. After the first bombardment, BB are far less powerful (or do Allied AE allready allow shell replenishment at sea?) and so your real strike force will have reduced ground losses.

I don't think Allied AE can replenish at sea until 45.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

ORIGINAL: AmiralLaurent


So if you have useless planes (Ki-48 and so on), my advice would be to move them quick there, just to draw Allied BBs. After the first bombardment, BB are far less powerful (or do Allied AE allready allow shell replenishment at sea?) and so your real strike force will have reduced ground losses.

I don't think Allied AE can replenish at sea until 45.

I think they will never replenish heavy shells at sea.

[Sneer]

i think that 5" shells in 45y only

[Honda]

His CVs are probably on a raid mode. When they get past the Marianas you'll start to feel the "enemy CVs are now beyond the Marianas" paranoia. Make sure your KB leftovers are safe. Hide everything. Where, I don't know. Maybe scattering can do you some good. While accepting losses, you still don't hold all your eggs in one basket. It's also possible he's going for a location where he saw your CVs based from a SigInt report. Prepare for the worst. When you see the transports coming, man the airfields on Marianas but only with fighters. Not a single bomber - they'll just pull along the fighters to be eaten by CAP. By CAPing yourself, you can inflict some losses to his fighter force, possiblly enough to go for the CVs. The invasion can be left to get bogged down on the beaches. Patience is the mothers of success here.

[PzB74]

You were right Honda! Andy fanned his carriers out at full speed in 3 different directions.
Some 20 transports and escorts were hit. Nothing valuable though and this is the price I have
to pay for messing up with the KB [:'(]

This strike will cost us many ships, but it also means that we got more time to prepare for
an invasion. Strike Force I has almost reached Japan and will join the Combined Fleet together
with a new carrier in a weeks time. In 3 weeks the Kaga and Taiho will become operational again.

I've moved hundreds of ac forward and I don't think Andy will dare to send a single Carrier TF
towards Naha or the Home Islands. Most likely he will buzz around and sink another 20 transports.
Since he probably got a powerful CAP setting I've prepped a little trap for him at Bonin Island.
The crack George's and 150 other fighters are ready for the enemy.

Thx A.Laurent! [:)] I think my plan is quite flexible. The Combined fleet will pose a threat to
the enemy if we can weaken them. Imagine sending 9 battelships, 20 cruisers and 50 destroyers into
the invasion beaches [:D] The enemy will have to face 5k mines, I doubt Andy is very keen on bombarding.
One of the islands even got 240mm howitzers [:-]

Still, I will follow the CAP and defend plan as outlined here on the forum. Each base got between 62 and
75k supplies. This will be exciting....the mother of all battles may be right around the corner!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/23/44

Air Combat

The B-29's can not close Pagan alone!

Day Air attack on Pagan , at 64,62

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29 Superfortress x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put the crack 54 ac George unit on Iwo Jima at 10% CAP. Don't want to expend it yet.
Still, one of 3 ac calimed at Hellcat.

The convoy at Iwo Jima had unloaded all but a few support squads. Sad for the ships,
but the Brigade was saved....

Day Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 27
SB2C Helldiver x 44
TBM Avenger x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Shuko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Rakuyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Nichibi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tenran Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.30, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.9, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tenryu Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tenzan Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taganoura Maru

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
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The large cargo and troop convoys that just unloaded the Imp Div and 170k supplies
were caught in the open and 3 escorts, 3 transports and 10 cargo ships were hit.

MSW Wa 103, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC PC-20, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PC Fukue, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Juyo Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
AK Taikei Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Oita Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Shinfuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Reikai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Yasushima Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Narita Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Gozan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Italy Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Horaizan Maru, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ayaha Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Bokuyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Arabia Maru, Bomb hits 1
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Enemy Carrier Strikes!

The strikes were devastating, but we got hundreds of spare cargo ships. More will sink,
and my only worry is that the troop ships that are trying to escape will get sunk [&o]

[castor troy]

How did you get 240mm howitzers to the Marianas? I thought those CD units are all static.

[PzB74]

There's a big super heavy Artillery Brigade in China with 24x240mm and 36x150 mm guns [:D]

[1275psi]

PZB
I have been mucking around with the Siapan Scenerio against AI, testing
have been able to get the battle fleet to strike the invasion fleet several times

To sum up - 5 BBs, 8CAs, 10 DDs hit the invasion fleet
Result - 7 or 8 transports hit/sunk, 6 or seven DDs sunk
Many japanese ships crippled, many japanese ships do not engage!

Try again -breaking the final thrust into multiple TFs -and I get multiple engagements -all ships fire -actually engaged Many CVEs.

Would highly recommend if you have time some testing, BIG battle groups are not necessarily the best way to go.