Return to the Valley of the Sun: Condor (USN) vs. Quark (IJN)

[Shadow of the Condor]

16 Feb 43
Wx: Rain

The storms appear to be letting up. The bomb runs into Lunga are again scheduled. This time, I am forcing the issue by placing my P-70A squadron at Irau to a nighttime airfield attack. My two remaining squadrons of P-39Ds at Irau are places on naval attack with the Corsairs for escort. I need to gauge the strength of the new fighters in combat. Since Quark won’t oblige me by attacking Irau again, we will go to him. He has over 100 fighters at Irau, but less than 40 bombers. Maybe that’s why he isn’t attacking more often…

In the west, troops are boarding the transports. I’m going to wait until they are at sea before beginning the bombing campaign. My second bombardment force left RH as well. Six APDs are en route from RH to TV, and their job will be to land troops on the beach next to PM (Lea Lea?) to force any retreat back through the mountains along the Kokoda Trail.

Quark appears to be counting on GG to provide anti-ship airstrikes, as he has about 30 bombers and fighters there, along with a host of search aircraft. Therefore, GG and not PM is the target of the battleships. They will sail into GG with DMS support, and will have to absorb the brunt of Quark’s airpower. They are much better at defending themselves than transports, and I won’t tire my fighters providing LRCAP over combat vessels, while transports sail naked into enemy waters.

Here’s the report:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/15/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Russell Islands at 35,39

Japanese Ships
AG 5069, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

The barge sunk, but it did prevent my unloading of the troops.
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More to come…

[Shadow of the Condor]

16 Feb 43
Wx: Overcast

The Marines are on the ground at the Russell Island IJN base. That's the good news. The bad news is that the ENG unit I spotted for three turns is now an INF unit. Quark has had a lot of barge traffic there the past few days - could he have spotted the invasion? I don't think so - all he would have seen is subs. Perhaps he was merely rotating - but that doesn't make sense either - why rotate a BF away from an airfield and not replace it with another BF? Either way, we'll make one attack and the subs will pick the Raiders up if the opponents are too strong. He has lots of little bases and can't have them all defended. Maybe Woodlark....?

In other news, S-38 did make an attack on an IJN AO, but missed. Only PCs responded to challenge the sub.

Kingfishers flew from the BB TF and made their presence known at GG. My first BB TF is 270 miles south of GG. He's alerted now, and I debated whether to swing west and line up for a BB run into PM. I decided to contniue my original course of action.

Cairns now has supplies and fighter support. I have four B-17 squadrons there, and they will hit Buna tomorrow at 6000 feet. Again, GG was just too obivous, and it has at least 3 AA units there.

Cooktown is now getting its own BF. I have transferred the majority of my 2E bombers there, and support should arrive tomorrow via 7 C-47 squadrons transferred to CT.

My main AP TF still loads at TV. First into the breech will be the 7th Australian Infantry Division, with support from what's left of the New Guinea division. If I can get the airfield, then I can airlift what I need into the base (except for supplies), and the beginning of the end for IJN occupation of NG should be forthcoming.

More to come...

[Shadow of the Condor]

Here is the combat report for 2/17. Quark e-mailed he needed to spend some more time thinking about his next turn.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/17/43

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40


Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 5


Allied aircraft losses
P-70A Havoc x 1 destroyed
P-70A Havoc x 5 damaged

So much for the P-70A as an offensive platform.
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Sub attack near Rabaul at 21,28

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Saury, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Saury’s first and last patrol. Quark’s ASW is getting too good. Time to retreat into the deep water chokepoints again.
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Air attack on 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, at 35,39

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 26
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36

no losses

Quark’s attack on the Raiders from Lunga does nothing…
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Air attack on 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, at 35,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
D3A Val x 7
G3M Nell x 18

no losses


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 9

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x G3M Nell at 8000 feet
9 x G3M Nell at 8000 feet

His raid from the Shortlands is slightly more successful.
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Air attack on TF at 18,49

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 11 destroyed
D3A Val x 23 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB Colorado, Bomb hits 1

Expectedly, the 60kg bomb hit on Colorado went “clang” before splashing into the sea. Quark’s bombers on the other hand, went “boom” before splashing into the sea.
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Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
MSW Wollongong
MSW Pursuit, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
MSW Heed
MSW Whyalla, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Attacking Level Bombers:
1 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

Da**, da**, da** - I forgot to set CAP!!!!! [:@]
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Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 6,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Gilmer

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

Seems like the APDs got the BF in place just in time.
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Ground combat at Russell Islands

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 490 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 674 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 26

I didn’t expect Quark to order a shock attack here. I thought he would try and hold while building up as best he could. Of course, I’m not complaining…
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Ground combat at Russell Islands

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 674 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 467 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 31

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 54

Time to go…
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Quark had a rude awakening when he discovered the AA of the battleships. I anticipated he would disperse his planes as much as possible to avoid the “one big strike", resulting in smaller attack waves. If he keeps losing 20 bombers here and there (I estimate about half his damaged aircraft won’t make it back) I may not need the “one big strike”. As long as I keep my battleships in front (and supplied with ammunition) and have Quark’s bombers concentrate on them with 20 – 30 plane strikes, the transports with fighter cover should have an easier time getting to their destination.

Show the battleships from extreme bomber range (10 hexes or so) – here is where the real power of the Kingfisher is shown (look!! Here’s a battleship!!) – rotate the battleships to keep them supplied, and let Quark’s bombers flail away against AA machines.

So who needs carriers?

More to come…

[Shadow of the Condor]

18 Feb 43
Wx: Clear

Departure.

The first of the troop convoys left TV in the night and is on the way to their staging area. The drive to recapture control of the Coral Sea area is underway. First, a review of at sea forces:

TF 235 – 210 miles south of GG - (BB Tennessee and Colorado, DD Waller, O’Brien, Brownson, and Wilson) returns to TV to reload and refuel after engaging the land based air attack yesterday. Colorado, who took the bomb hit reports SYS damage of 1.

TF 234 – 60 miles ESE of TF 235 – (BB Idaho and Indiana, DD Laffey, Woodworth, Stockton, MacDonough, DMS Hovey) retiring to TV for reload and refueling. I had thought to run these into Rossel Is (240 miles NW of the TF) to bombard, but no sense pushing their luck.

TF 242 – 180 miles south of TF 242 – (APD Talbot and Waters) carries 19 ANZAC squads and were going to land at Rossel following TF 234, have been ordered to follow TF 217 (see below).

TF216 – 270 miles north of TV – (DM Sicard) is ordered to lay another minefield 30 miles SW of PM to interdict any IJN effort to send support via sea.

TF217 – 90 miles ESE of Cairns – (AP Pierce and Ormiston, DD Barton) carries the 7th Cavalry to the formation point to begin their run into PM.

TF216 – 30 miles north of TV – (AP George F. Elliot, Hunter Liggett, Leonard Wood, William P. Biddle, Arthur Middleton, J. Frannklin Bell, Monrovia, Esperance Bay, Orungal, DD Chevalier and Stack, DMS Zane) carries I Corps, 7th Div HQ, 21st BDE, 25th BDE, 1 Medium Field Artillery Regiment, and the 197th Coastal AA to the formation point with TF 217.

TF 241 – at RH – (TK Talluah, Bishopdale, and Pecos, DD Duncan) will sail for formation point for refuel support.

My four CVEs are at TV, set to form up and follow the transports.

Bases….

Cooktown has the 117th BF minus their radar (AS = 150) on the ground. Supplies are in the red, but more are on the way. Four B-26 squadrons, three B-25 squadrons, and one fighter squadron (136 total aircraft) on the ground. CAP at 50% @ 1000 ft. Base improvements ordered to the airfield, but SeaBee support will be needed from TV to make that happen. A damaged APD from RH (APD Little) to ship the SeaBees and displaced radar set from TV to Cooktown.

Cairns has the 102nd BF (AS = 112), 5th AF HQ, and the 15th Aus Eng Bn on the ground. Aircraft include four squadrons of B-17s, one Hudson squadron for search (will bomb with the B-17s when needed), and two fighter squadrons. CAP at 50% at 5000 feet and 1000 feet.

From Noumea, 28 AK cargo ships are en route to help ferry invasion troops to PM, as well as provide supply support once the base it retaken.

I also have about 20 barges available. I plan to use them to deliver the troops into enemy waters. We’ll see how that works out.

At the Russell Is., the Raiders are back on the subs (except for four support squads, and they better move their arses or they’ll be left behind) and will ferry to Irau. Once there, the subs will head west-northwest to form the gauntlet north of Buna to GG.

In the very sneaky department, while the Marines were fighting ashore, Argonaut dropped 30 Mk XII mines at Russell, then settles in 30 miles west of Russell in deep water. She only has one torpedo load left, but it’s worth a shot. Let Quark re-supply through them <eg>. I’ll bet he’s looking for a FT TF that sent the Marines to Russell. I hope he never thinks to look for the mines…

At Irau, the fort level is at 6. Time to get the airfield up to a 4. Currently the field is a 2 +15%. Belatedly, 10 of the Corsairs are ordered to CAP. 2 squadrons of P-39Ds with 10 Corsairs for escort are set to naval attack at 100 feet. I’m figuring Quark will try to run barges south…
No word on the three carriers still at PH. In 14 days, the first of the CVLs (Independence) arrives at PH. Battleships New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Mississippi are also currently at PH. Commitment level remains high.

Also at Noumea, 4 full strength Liberator squadrons and 3 full strength Fortress squadrons recover from morale in the 40’s and 50’s. One Fortress squadron has morale at 94, but only 6 planes. I may send them west anyway.

As to the score, Quark lost 19 planes yesterday (12 Val, 3 Betties, 3 Zeroes, and 1 Pete), and the Allies lost 3 (2 P-70A, 1 C-47). Here’s the latest breakdown:

Bases – Allied 17/3127; IJN 27/6610, Aircraft lost points – Allied 2372, IJN 1482; Army points lost – Allied 952; IJN 481, Ships sunk/points lost – Allied 177/3070, IJN 192/2220. Total score, IJN 13004, Allied 7338.

As to the invasion itself, the weather may be helpful. It’s clear today, so hopefully in about 3-4 days the storms will be back to help cover the move.

More to come…

[PzB74]

Good luck - an ambitious plan! Personally I would have waited until the 3 cv's at Pearl could join, still plenty of time left.
If you do manage to capture PM though - you will have improved your position substantially.

Your fleet will attract the attention of the entire Imperial Fleet anytime now! What's your recon on the breakdown of your opponent,
and what kind of opposition do you think you're going to face on the ground?

[Shadow of the Condor]

Current recon shows one division at PM, with a CD unit there. Quark's battleships are no longer a factor - although I wish they would be. It might give him the impetus to try to use an SC TF to try for my battleships. As it is, his power is his carriers. His destroyers are tied to his carriers to protect against the sub force I can throw at him - currently about 20 active boats in the water looking for targets - with more on the way. He may try a cruiser run going after the APs, but I plan to send two BBs with their own DMS in with the APs to discourage that move. The other two BBs will be bait to suck in his aircraft.

Mines are already in place SE of PM, and more are on the way (see above post).

The only thing I do worry about is that he might try that 300+ plane raid nonsense again - but since he's dispersed his planes, he might not have that option.

My CVEs have almost 100 fighters on board, and I'm counting on them to take on those planes that don't go after the battleships.

As to waiting, the truth is I don't have a whole lot more APs expected, and using larger TFs increases the chances they'll be spotted.

If his CVs move into the Coral Sea, they'll come under the range of my level bombers, which I won't hesitate to drop to 100 feet and go after the ships. I have lots of search up, and am trying to prevent a surprise like that from happening. If I see CVs moving south, then I can swap two of the CVEs fighter squadrons for SBDs and add them to the level bomber assault.

All in all, it's a gamble, but all I need is my one division to get on the ground. Heck, I may even just use the 7th to defend at PM, grab Lea Lea, build it to a level one airfield and fly 160 C47's there each trip, bringing a full BDE every time. [;)] Then march the reinforcements to PM and begin the assault.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves...

[PzB74]

The 160 C47 plan is devious [:D] Might use that one day myself....
It's his heavy cruisers that's his real surface combat asset, have you disabled many of them?
Not sure if you read my aar where my cruisers sank 2 US BB's without taking too many hits themselves. They did lack a powerful escort and were surprised to be fair though!

I wouldn't count on the level bombers to hit his cv's - with a heavy CAP up they might not fly at all if he keeps his distance.
Personally I use my IJN carriers with a heavy land based CAP - this often prevents enemy strikes from attacking at all!

Guess we'll know soon enough - then we can come back and analyze the guesstimates with the knowledge of hindsight <G>

[Shadow of the Condor]

19 Feb 43
Wx: Partly Cloudy

It has been said throughout the forums when commenting on my entries, I am considered to be an aggressive player. I don’t mind gambling when I believe I have done everything possible to put the odds in my favor.

Such is the move into Port Moresby.

Or was…

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/18/43

Weather: Clear

Sub attack near Russell Islands at 35,39

Japanese Ships
AG 5050, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Albacore

At least Albacore didn’t use torpedoes on the barge.
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Air attack on Lunga , at 38,40


Allied aircraft
P-70A Havoc x 9


Allied aircraft losses
P-70A Havoc x 2 destroyed
P-70A Havoc x 8 damaged

Didn’t I do this last turn? I guess I forgot to look up “senility” in the dictionary for my picture.
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Air attack on Buna , at 12,38

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
no losses

no losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

no AA fire. I’ll have to remember that…

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Air attack on TF at 10,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
B5N Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DM Sicard

Unfortunately, Sicard uses up all of her luck dodging this attack.
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Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 37,39


Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 42


no losses

Japanese Ships
AG 5088, Shell hits 12, on fire (sunk)
AG 5089, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AG 362, Shell hits 12
AG 5090, Shell hits 20, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AG 5031, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AG 5087, Shell hits 8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Barge hunting is now in season.
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Air attack on TF at 10,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
B5N Kate x 9

no losses

Allied Ships
DM Sicard, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Caught with her proverbial pants down after dodging the morning attack, Sicard succumbs to the attackers.
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Air attack on TF, near Irau at 42,43

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 10 damaged


Allied Ships
SC 644
SC 708

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

What’s Japanese for “oops!”?
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Air attack on TF, near Townsville at 10,62

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 11
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 6 destroyed
G3M Nell x 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty x 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk x 1 damaged

1LT M. Sims of 8th FS is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 1
DMS Hovey
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 2
DD Stockton

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
1 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

I hate Quark’s anti-ship LBA…

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The hits on the battleships hurt. They are now sporting SYS damage of 20+, and haven’t fired a shot yet.

Quark is still too dangerous. My transports have been spotted at their assembly point. Perhaps that was a good thing. I don’t know. My aggressiveness gets me into trouble here, as this has the earmarks of a piecemeal invasion.

I’ve decided to recall the invasion. Now the question is can I get the ships and men back in one piece. Hopefully Quark’s LBA will not be as effective next turn. I did count 29 IJN planes lost last turn, but I’m sure he smells blood. With the weather clouding up, he may decide to press the attack while he can.

Transports and capital ships will retire to Brisbane. I’ll leave a few destroyers for convoy escort and ASW.

Take a deep breath…and let’s do this thing right.

More to come…eventually

[Shadow of the Condor]

Quark e-mailed me that he has lost about 7 infantry units, an armored unit and others.

Gone.

This happened earlier in our game, and he asked if we could rewind to the last time he has the units, so the invasion decision is moot.

We'll be back with the game as soon as we can clear the technical difficulties.

More to come...sooner or later [;)]

[Shadow of the Condor]

No posts for a few days - we're still working out the transport issues. Our first attempt at a rewind found elements of the 118th Engineering Batallion of the US Army's 43rd Infantry Division transported from Kourouratopo to Lunga.

Either that, or they were part of a covert U.S. goverment program designing and transporting a neutron bo...ahhhhhh "device" (can't say the B-word [:-] ) for the quick capture of Lunga without damage to the base facilities.

Rewind attempt number two seems to be working okay. The 118th stays put (or, if you prefer, a heroic effort by one of the secret government program employees comes clean. spilling his guts to that font of liberalism, the Chicago Tribune, causing the program to be shut down and various mid-level government officials to "disappear", resulting in the 118th having no such mission to invade Lunga on their own.*)

*NOTE: The above allegory in no way condemns super-secret US Government ( [&o] ) programs, and the writer is a staunch supporter of same, and hopes all readers (including members of the U.S. government's super-secret Matrix Forum Monitor Squad - the dreaded (oops! [X(] I meant beloved) MFMS) understand that and see no reason to kick in anyone's door at 3:45am.

Sorry all, I couldn't resist it. [:D]

[Shadow of the Condor]

10 Feb 43
Wx: Overcast

(Quark’s troops have sorted themselves out, so we’re back on track.)

Catching up, let’s begin in SWPAC:

At Cairns, the 113th BF is unloading, and setting up shop. They will be the first air support unit for the base. I have transferred the RAAF No. 76 Squadron’s 23 x P-40E Kittyhawk fighters to begin CAP operations. They’ll be joined by No. 77 Squadron tomorrow. Also at Cairns are six barges (my first time operating them in UV) who have delivered 84 fuel units. The barges have a load capability of only 388, and are short ranged, at best. I’ll use them for fuel initially (so they can refuel themselves for the trip back to TV) and begin supply runs once to get Cairns ready for it’s job as my bomber base in SWPAC.

TV still operates normally. All the damaged capital ships from the defense of TV are now gone to either Brisbane or to Noumea and PH. North Carolina just made Noumea yesterday and was sent to PH today.

Not much else happening in SWPAC except for fuel moves. Never can have too much fuel oil around.

The other focal point is Irau, and it is on its way to a level 3 airfield (currently 2 +18%). The remnants of the 24th SeaBees are scheduled in via four APDs from LV. They should leave tonight.

3 LCIs are due into LV from Kourouratopo, where they delivered an AA unit. Once there, they will carry the remnants of the 1st Marine Division’s 3rd and 5th battalions’ artillery pieces.

The 143rd Regiment assigned to SOPAC and currently at Noumea will be airlifted via C-47 Dakotas to Irau today.

As to the revised strategy, I have come up with this:

Air: The two-engine bombers will be used against Lunga. They will fly from Irau. I currently have 48 A-20s, 48 B-25J’s, and 96 B-26D’s. The four engine bombers will fly against PM from Cairns. I have 36 Hudsons, 98 B-17s, and 47 B-24s. I also get night fighters in two days, and Corsairs in three. I may use the Corsairs in sweeps over Lunga and the radar-equipped Havocs at nighttime, but we’ll see about that.

Submarines: I got away from the best use of the subs before the trouble Quark had with the troops, but will now get it right. Instead of some silly raid with the subs as mere transports, I’m going to use them to blockade the lanes from Rabaul to GG and Woodlark to GG. I have six Gato class boats at sea (Amberjack, Guardfish, Gato, Albacore, Drum, and Growler), two Salmon class boats (Seadragon and Swordfish), and one Perch class boat (Tarpon). Also at sea is the venerable S-37. S-37 is in the Slot, but I’m moving her to the lane from the Shortlands to Woodlark. Drum is already in the lane between Woodlark and GG. Growler just left Noumea for the blockade today, and other boats are spread out on their way NW. I’m also setting their home base to TV for faster turn arounds (S-37 home is still LV). Also at sea is the Argonaut, with more MK XII mines for Quark to sweep. At Noumea, I have 7 more subs with SYS damage ratings in the teens (S-38 and Sculpin @ 11, Grampus @ 12, S-46 and Sturgeon @ 13, Trout @ 14, and Greenling @ 15). Saury arrives tomorrow from PH. She’ll join the blockade the next day. I’ve also analyzed the subs in terms of their best roles (for example, the Gato class has weak AA but great endurance – so I’ll keep them in deep water (chokepoints, if possible) and let them hide for weeks, if necessary. The Perch class has good AA, high maneuverability, and a low VP value – good traits for shallow water work, etc.) and will deploy them accordingly.

I’m also moving the Dauntless and Avenger carrier aircraft to Noumea, as an enticement to get the CVs released. I’m not sure it’ll work, but we’re going to try it.

I’m not sure when to start the bombing of Lunga and PH. I want to be able to follow up the raids if I can with an invasion, but I don’t want to be hasty – again.

More to come……

[PzB74]

I had a bad gut feeling about your previous planned attack on PM - so from my point of view, I think you should be happy for this
second chance. Quark's carriers was just about to pound your transports when his regiments dissappeared....!

Wait until you get a superior cv force and then go and get him!

[Shadow of the Condor]

(PzB - You're probably right about Quark's CVs, and I did in fact turn the APs around on the very turn Quark reported problems with his troops.)

12 Feb 43
Wx: Partly Cloudy

No combat yesterday, but I am using the coastwatcher reports to my advantage. I doubt their accuracy (CV sightings tend to be overloaded barges) but they do tell me what sea lanes Quark is using. Patiently plotting this information is very useful.

Tarpon is being dispatched to Kiriwina, where coastwatchers there report an AV for two straight days. Notwithstanding what I said about report accuracy, I do believe this one because it is a logical place for one of the tenders. And besides, given the effort and time the IJN player must expend to make a level one airfield, those tenders give the IJN much more flexibility. Tarpon, A Perch class submarine, has a maneuverability of 80, and an AA value of 60 with her 4 x 20mm Oerlikon guns. Perfect for shallow water tasks such as this. She’s the only class I’ve found better at shallow water operations than the S-37 class. I wish I had more, but perhaps the lack of them may curb my aggressiveness (yeah, right).

Drum and Seadragon will be on station 60 miles south and south-southeast (respectively) of Kiriwina by this time tomorrow. I only hope they don’t waste torpedoes on barges. Quark is relying on them exclusively now. I don’t think I’ve even seen an AP for almost 3 weeks now.

The P-70A Havoc night fighters arrived at Noumea today, and are immediately sent to Irau. The PBY squadron there was transferred to RH to make room for them. The night fighters only arrived with 8 of 12 planes at Noumea, but all 8 made the trip to Irau without incident. There are 8 more in the replacement pool, so the squadron should be rested and at full strength in a few days.

Irau’s airfield is now at 32% complete towards a level 3 rating. 4 APDs are set to deliver the rest of the 24th SeaBees men and equipment tomorrow, so that number should begin to climb substantially. The 147th Regiment also arrived via airlift from Noumea. Assault strength at Irau now 227. Enough support is already in place for all those troops, although the arrival of the SeaBees will probably push the number into the red.

Barges are now available in LV, and I’m using them to start trickling fuel into Wunpuko from LV.

Carrier Air Wings returning to Noumea from OZ via my four CVEs.

All capital ships in Oz now at Brisbane, safe from Quark’s prying eyes.

More to come…

[Shadow of the Condor]

15 Feb 43
Wx: Clear

No combat again, although Quark’s search pilots report a submarine at Irau (false), a submarine at Cairns (false), and a tanker 60 miles ENE of GG (false). His barges do almost stumble over Drum, but she avoids contact.

I have attached the screenshot of my sub net surrounding GG. The first layer is in place. The mines at GG were just laid by Argonaut, who is just out of the screenshot headed south for Brisbane for another load. The highlighted sub is Tarpon, headed into Buna after a seaplane tender. An IJN troop ship was also reported there today as well. Also, I’m repositioning S-38 into the Shortland – Munda sea lane.

HQ 5th AF is unloading at Cairns. 82 heavy bombers there, and more on the way. From Brisbane, the squadrons go to Charter Towers, then make the short hop to Cairns the next day. In about a week we should be ready to rain steel in New Guinea.

At Irau, 61% complete to a level 3 airfield. 20 bulldozers work night and day there. I’ve sent in a PBY squadron again in response to all the barge traffic. They fly at night, at 100 feet.

Also at Irau, sweep operations begin over Lunga. P-70A nightfighters will harass Lunga at night, and a P-38G squadron will take their turn during the day. Let’s see if I can tire Quark’s replacements out before I unleash the Corsairs on him.

Finally, naval intelligence confirmed the scuttling of the small IJN troop ship Taimei Maru. 87 IJN transports now confirmed as sunk.

More to come…

[Shadow of the Condor]

16 Feb 43
Wx: Partly Cloudy

No combat to speak of last turn. The P-70A Havocs from Irau did not fly their night sweep, but the P-38G Lightnings did. No takers though, as radio intercept reports from “Tokyo Quark” Radio claiming his “Dream Team” fighter squadron with 12 aces in it would “show the Allied rookies how to fight.” Seems like the propaganda mill is working overtime – yet again.

A hard cold fact that hit Quark was the fact that three of his long-range snoopers (H6K Mavis) did not return. Every little bit helps.

Coastwatcher reports have APs at Buna, Dobadura, Kiriwina, and Woodlark. They also report a CA at Munda.

My sub net north of GG is almost complete with six boats in place, three more at sea and should arrive to take their positions in two days. Quark did have a D3A Val spot Drum, but no attack was made. I’m not too worried about air ASW while my boats stay in deep water. Not as worried as Quark is knowing the subs are out there. He is still getting false reports about subs at LV and at Irau. Three more subs have left Noumea in the past few days, including S-38 with mines loaded by the computer (game was started with Auto Sub Ops On, and now I have to reign in boats being sent to Truk from Noumea with 12 SYS damage). I thought about recalling it, but what the heck. I set the destination for Lae and let her sail – under human control for now.

If the coastwatcher reports are accurate (and that’s a big “if”) then Quark may try to get some APs to GG. He has spotted only Drum, 60 miles south of Kiriwina (life aboard them now would be worthy of one of Wobbly’s first person accounts <grin>). I am sending S-37 (not S-38 as was incorrectly labeld on the previous map) to Munda. It may not be a cruiser there, but I don’t think it’s a barge, either. If it is a solo cruiser or AP, it’s worth the gamble going shallow.

Tarpon finds no ships at Buna, and backs out 30 miles into deep water to wait patiently for the next sighting.

Irau is now 72% complete to a level three airfield. I transferred two C-47 Dakota squadrons to LV to transport HQ 13th AF to Irau to help coordinate the aircraft there (and those shortly arriving).
The Hudsons moved to SOPAC. One squadron to LV, two to EPV. Also to EPV was a Beaufighter squadron. One Hudson was lost in the move (my first aircraft loss in six days). They’ll begin their mission in a couple of days.

I’ve transferred the nightfighters at Irau back to LV and set them to provide night CAP for LV. Quark hasn’t run one of his patented deep strikes against my ports in almost two months yet. I doubt it’ll be much longer before he tries that again.

Seventy-eight B-17E Fortresses are at Cairns. Quark reconned the base yesterday, so he knows bombers are there. I will recon Buna and PM today with PBY Catalinas. After that, one of those two will be bombed.

Backing up the Fortresses are 47 B-24D Liberators at CT. Twelve of the new PB4Y Liberators arrive at Noumea tomorrow, and twelve more in 5 days. They’ll both go to SWPAC.

And lastly, I transfer a second PBY to Irau where they will perform search and a recon mission of the Shortlands Base. No military reason for this, but I just want Quark to know fewer and fewer of his bases are out of my reach. After that turn, I’ll set them back to sub hunting.

Time for a Navy update. Currently in theater and at sea (drydocked) we have AK x 43, AO x 8 AP x 11, APD x 7 (3), BB x 4 (1), CA x 0 (2), CVE x 4, DD x 18 (4), DM x 2, DMS x 3, LCI x 3, LCM x 3, LCVP x 13, LST x 1, MSW x 11 (2), PG x 1, PT x 13, SC x 31, SS x 19, TK x 7.

At PH: CV x 3, CVE x 1, BB x 3, CA x 7, CL x 5, CLAA x 4, DD x 12, APD x 1, AV x 2, DM x 1, AO x 1, SS x 15, AP x 1, AK x 2.

En route to Noumea: AK x 2 (1d), APD x 1, SS x 1 (3d), LST x 1, AK x 2 (6d), LCI x 3 (7d), APD x 1, DMS x 1 (12d) SS x 1 (13d), LST x 1, TK x 1 (14d), DMS x 1, LCI x 3 (16d), AK x 1 (18d), DMS x 1 (19d), AK x 1 (22d), LCI x 1 (23d), SS x 1 (24d), LST x 1 (30d).

More to come…

[Shadow of the Condor]

17 Feb 43
Wx: Partly Cloudy

Radio Quark’s broadcast claims nothing much happened in the way of combat, but if the men of the IJN barge AG2068 could vote, I’m sure he’d finish third in a two man race…

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/16/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Munda at 31,37

Japanese Ships
AG 2068, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-37

I checked the sub’s gun ammunition…5 shots were in fact fired.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Munda at 31,37

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Spotted before another barge would be shot up…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,41

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack

Quark now knows about the sub south of Woodlark…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Munda at 31,37

Allied Ships
SS S-37

In the daytime, the sub is easily spotted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also confirmed yesterday was the tenth IJN submarine kill, the I-169 is officially on the bottom of the sea to stay. Another kill for the destroyers.

Recon of Shortlands reveal five MSWs in port, 19 fighters (none on CAP), 33 bombers, and 22 auxiliary aircraft. Recon of Buna reveals 20 fighters (no CAP), 13 bombers, and 29 auxiliary aircraft. Buna also has one AA unit, one HQ, one infantry detachment (340 troops), one coastal defense gun unit, and three engineer units. Recon of Port Moresby reveals no ships or aircraft, no AA, three infantry units (4000+ troops), one coastal defense unit, and two engineer units. No headquarters was spotted.

The B-17s at Cairns fly today. Target: the ports and naval facilities at PM. Altitude is 6000 feet. I hope the reports of no AA at PM are accurate.

At Buna, the recon flight also revealed three TFs. One is a TF of five barges. The others are more appetizing – two APs, escorted by four destroyers (Quark must really want that one to unload), and two tankers (one identified as the Nippon Maru) escorted by two PCs and one destroyer. Tarpon is ordered to make the 30 mile run into Buna. This time she has cover behind her, as Seadragon and Drum disappear into the deep water approaches 30 miles north and northeast of the base.

At RH, 12 PB4Y liberators arrive from Noumea…

At Irau, engineers report the airbase is at level 2 + 82%. All but 20 squads of the 13th AF HQ arrived at Irau via two C-47 transport squadrons without incident. The remainder of the unit arrives tomorrow.

Barges continue delivering the 26th SeaBees to Wunpuko…

At LV, three A-20 bomber squadrons, four B-25J Mitchell squadrons and four of the six B-26 Marauder squadrons are fully staffed and at 99 morale. The remaining two B-26 squadrons are at 75 and 84 morale. That’s a total of 208 two-engine bombers. All they need is a longer runway at Irau.

I moved the Hudson squadron at Wunpuko back to EPV for the time being. That move allowed another P-38G Lightning squadron to arrive at Wunpuko to rotate into Irau when necessary.

Once the airfield at Irau is at level four, the fun can start.

To facilitate the expansion, six APDs at LV load the 14th SeaBees in one operation. Destination: Irau.

The MSWs Whyalla and Woolongong sweep three remaining minefields at Irau…

Another supply convoy with 29000 tons of material is bound for LV from Noumea. This will push LV’s supply dump to over 420,000.

I’m sending the 109th BF from Goro to Kourouratopo. Kourouratopo has a skeletal air support presence there (only 47 AS). The NC bases are not really needed anymore, and the BF personnel can be better utilized at the front.

I’m also sending the C47s recuperating at Noumea to Brisbane, two squadrons a day. I don’t want too many operational losses.

My four CVEs accepted 36 SBDs and 35 TBFs (one operational loss) from Brisbane. They are immediately headed back to Noumea with the planes.

Finally, I sent Maryland, Chester, and two damaged destroyers to Noumea for transfer back to PH. Chester is damaged the worst at 73 SYS. I hope the weather holds for them to cross.

Other than that, Quark is right. Not much going on.

More to come…

[Shadow of the Condor]

18 Feb 43
Wx:

The bombers hit PM, 80 of them flew (having the Air HQ there really helps). Continued recon of Buna (21 Zeroes rose up today from Buna), PM and Lunga. No CAP at Lunga…is Quark counting too heavily on his AA? The combat from yesterday…

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/17/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Japanese Ships
AG 373, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

One shot…one kill. Unfortunately, it spoiled the attack on a much more valuable target…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Japanese Ships
TK Shinkoku Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

Occupied with the barge, Tarpon can only get her aft tubes brought to bear on the tanker. Quark knows now there’s a fox in the henhouse.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 80


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 226

Port hits 11
Port supply hits 11

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

One bomber did not return…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More good news from intel – the IJN lost yet another AP, this time a large one – the Nagara Maru sunk 60 miles from Truk. 12 more VPs in the good guy’s column.

Three IJN aircraft lost yesterday, including 2 Topsy transports. Only the one B-17 loss for the Allies.

PM port damage listed at 54. I wonder if it’s accurate. If so, Quark’s engineers have a few days work ahead of them. I debated another raid even during the thunderstorms, but I’m not going to push it. Quark may even waste a turn using the Buna fighters to LRCAP PM.

Not a lot more to update, except a mistake on my part. I didn’t assign Irau as my FT destination, so the 14th SeaBees leave LV tonight…Should get there in a couple of days.

Speaking of Irau, the airfield is at 2 +92%. Next turn should get her up to a 3, and the increased SeaBee presence should offset the delay in constructing from 3 to 4 as opposed from 2 to 3.

More nightfighters arrive tomorrow, this time at Brisbane. I doubt I’ll leave them in Oz as Quark has no ports within range to try his “Pearl Harbor” type night raids. To be honest, I’m not really sure what to do with them. I’ll think of something, though.

It would have been nice if the storms waited one more day.

Minimal air transfers due to the weather. I’ve also turned around my cripples that sailed from Brisbane. No sense pushing them, either.

A plan is beginning to form, something not unlike the 14 sub transport surprise I opened up on Quark. If I plan this right, he may have no defense for it, either…

More to come…

[wobbly]

ORIGINAL: Shadow of the Condor

A plan is beginning to form, something not unlike the 14 sub transport surprise I opened up on Quark. If I plan this right, he may have no defense for it, either…

More to come…

The old Condor (hardly the shadow) acts more like a phoenix and rises again from the flames. I'm feeling a small disturbance in the force, is there carnage on the horizon sir?

This plan wouldn't have anything to do with sneaky back door invasions while a major one is playing out?

[Shadow of the Condor]

ORIGINAL: wobbly

The old Condor (hardly the shadow) acts more like a phoenix and rises again from the flames. I'm feeling a small disturbance in the force, is there carnage on the horizon sir?

This plan wouldn't have anything to do with sneaky back door invasions while a major one is playing out?

Wobbly...see the post after this one for more info...

19 Feb 43
Wx: Overcast

Something very interesting happened today. Checking the scores, Quark’s point total for his bases went down by 15 points. Did I hit PM that hard?

Tarpon dominates the combat report from yesterday. Take a look…

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/18/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

Missed…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Japanese Ships
AG 366, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

Notwithstanding the “Secret IJN ASW platform” thread, Tarpon sinks another…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Buna at 12,38

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

I can imagine the barges getting the way of attack solutions for the submarine’s commander.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And that’s that. With the passing of the storms, the B-17s will fly again, though I’m limiting the attack to squadrons with 70+ morale. The others will rotate into Brisbane. Once this second attack is resolved, the B-24s will move to Cairns from CT and continue the pummeling.

Please direct your attention to the next post. I'd appreciate thoughts from the veterans out there...

[Shadow of the Condor]

********THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET/BBR********

(btw, BBR means Burn Before Reading)

Gentlemen, yesterday, I alluded to an operation that – if done correctly – the IJN commander may not have an answer for. Today, I will lay out the strategic outline for this operation.

We are planning to invade NG, but lack the CVs to adequately cover transports for such an operation. We are not sure when CVs will be released. Each day we wait we allow the enemy to build their defenses. We have begun to bomb the ports at Port Moresby to prevent re-supply by sea.

Sending transports against PM without air support would be suicide. If we are to get to New Guinea in short order, the answer is obivious.

We will invade without transports.

Gentlemen, I give you Operation Cubic Crusade:

Target: Lae

1. Send a fleet of APDs to Lae carrying an Australian Combat Engineering battalion.
2. The combat engineers secure an undefended Lae and begin building an airstrip there. Meanwhile, the APDs return to Townsville to load the 20th SeaBee battalion.
3. The SeaBees will then move to Lae to assist in building the airstrip.
4. LSTs and LCIs in SWPAC will be tasked to supply Lae one time.
5. Once the airstrip is built, we can play our trump card. We will begin airlifting Australian combat battalions to Lae to begin the build-up of forces there.

Assets:

Gentlemen, we currently have one usable APD in drydock at TV. We have seven APDs carrying the 14th SeaBees to Irau. They will be delivered tomorrow, then the APDs will refuel at LV, and head west to Brisbane. Another APD from PH will arrive at Noumea in 6 days. One more left with the DMS Southard en route to Brisbane. They will be delivered tomorrow, then the APDs will refuel at LV, and head west to Brisbane. We count 10 APDs available for this operation. They will be escorted by two DMS ships.

We have 11 squadrons of C-47 Dakotas at Brisbane right now. That is 176 total aircraft. All are in various stages of rest and refit. They will move to TV once the engineers are on the ground at Lae. Once the airstrip is built, they can fly INF units there followed by a BF to allow fighters to be based there. Until then, of course, we will not be able to provide fighter cover for the transports, but that cannot be helped.

Diversion:

With our continued buildup of the airbase at Irau (now a level 3 +2%), our plan to bomb Lunga with our 2E bombers is nearing commencement. We will use the Hudsons and Beaufighters to draw his AA fire for 3 days, then we will hit as hard as we can from 6000 feet with B-26, B-25, and A-20 aircraft. To add to this diversion, we will form an invasion fleet for the enemy to spot. We will use at least 9 APs, 3 CVEs, 4 BBs, and tankers to build our fleet. They will be stationed at LV. We will give the enemy every opportunity to spot them.

Synopsis

Gentlemen, at present, the enemy has no forces at Lae. We do not anticipate him sending forces there. The question, therefore is if we will be able to build an airstrip before he can march the 30 miles separating Port Moresby from Lae.

I will have a more detailed shipping and force list for the operation available within two days.

The floor is now open to comments and questions.