Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[Mike Solli]

22 May 43

Sub War

No attacks by either side today. I did spot the US carriers withdrawing from Munda and put a sub in their path. The sub has only 4 torpedoes (2 shots) remaining but maybe she’ll get lucky (and not be sunk).

5 Fleet

I realized today that Ted is flying supply into Adak with transports. The only way I figured it out was this way. There were no enemy air attacks on Adak but I saw that one of the pilots in the Oscar sentai stationed there shot a plane down. I also noted that Ted had a transport shot down with a few more op losses. The Oscar sentai there is flying CAP. Is there any way to cause more losses to the transports? They’re coming in without any fighter support. They should be sitting ducks.

I do know they’re coming from Unmak Island. There’s no other airfield in range. My BB bombardment fleet will reach Adak the day after tomorrow. I have a few options to deal with these transports.

First option – I can use the bombardment fleet to hit Unmak and try to kill some transports on the ground. I don’t like this option because it puts my ships at unnecessary risk. On the plus side, they’d hit at night so the transports would all be on the ground.

Second option – I can use KB to pound the airfield (and possibly any shipping in the area too). Akagi and Kaga will merge with MKB tomorrow making a nice fleet (Akagi, Kaga, Junyo, Hiyo, Shoho, Zuiho & Hosho) totaling 90x A6M3a, 84x A6M5, 36x D3A1, 36x D4Y1, 35x B5N1 & 45x B5N2.

Third option – Use both.

If I use the BB TF to hit Unmak, that means I’m not using them to hit the US troops marooned at Adak. I think the priority is Adak. The destruction they cause there will more than offset the supply the transports are bringing in. At least I think so. On the other hand, they can potentially damage a lot of transports on the ground at night that KB can then destroy during the day.

I am definitely going to use KB. I looked up aircraft ranges and launching 6 hexes from Unmak is optimal. It’s normal range for the Val and Judy so they carry 250 and 500kg bombs respectively. Also, the P40E and P400 both can only fly 6 hexes at extended range using drop tanks. That’s unlikely. That tells me that if anything flies against KB, it’ll be unescorted. I like that.

My thought is to have 36x A6M5s sweep from 20k ft. (Akagi’s very elite group). Then the other 48x M5 and 36x M3a escort everyone. That leaves 54x M3a for fleet defense.

The question is how to set the attack orders of the bombers. My thought is the following:

36x Vals on airfield attack only at 6 hexes
36x Judys on naval primary/airfield secondary at 7 hexes
35x Kate N1s on airfield attack at 7 hexes
36x Kate N2x on naval primary/airfield secondary at 8 hexes

So, tell me what you guys think. I do know that there are several small TFs out there (primarily ASW). I did see a group of cargo ships headed there a few days ago, so it should be close. I’d love to smack it around. Or, should I just focus on the airfield? My concern for putting 72 bombers on naval attack is that they’ll go after the small ships (DD & smaller). That’s a lot of power that can paste transports and the airfield. On the other hand, I’d hate to pass up on some juicy troop filled ships. What do you guys think?

Adak’s supply increased to >21.2k and the fort is up to 5.15.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Well, I put a sentai of shiny new Tojo IIc fighters at Rabaul and no bombers came to play. Ah well, I reinforced with 15 Nicks (9 still damaged at Rabaul) so if his bombers do come to play tomorrow, I may cull the herd a bit. Damage at Rabaul decreased from 0-87-27 to 0-77-0. Nice!

He focused on Gasmata. He sent 49x 4E bombers escorted by 15x Corsairs. The Corsairs held off my fighters (we each lost 2 – 2 pilots KIA) and his bombers did a bit more damage. Gasmata’s damage increased a bit from 0-28-23 to 0-35-29.

His carriers are slowly sailing SW from Munda and hit Lunga with 80 SBDs and 42 Avengers doing next to no damage (I love jungle!) for a few op losses. Hopefully, the sub I put in their path will cause some damage.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The monsoon has pretty much stopped ground operations. I’m moving stuff around to form a defensive line with reserves and moving the 55 Division and 1 & 2 Tank Divisions back to Rangoon to get replacements.

The only offensive mission was a final sweep of Akyab where I shot down 2 Hurricanes.

I moved a Tojo IIa sentai (my most experienced) from the front to Rangoon and replaced them with the Tojo IIc today. It’ll take a few days to repair them. Can’t wait for them to go back to the front line!

China

Well, the 13th Army finally made it to Chengtu and will deliberate attack tomorrow. It’s composed of 4 infantry divisions, 1 independent mixed brigade (future Chengtu garrison), 1 mortar battalion, about 2050 AV. I have in reserve (set to pursue) the 3 Tank Division and a tank regiment (an additional 400 AV). The defenders have 3 units, a Chinese Corps, a BF and one other unit (probably another Corps). They have about 20k troops in total. I have 37k infantry alone. I expect to take it tomorrow. We’ll see what the fort level is though. Chengtu has 14 manpower, 180 resources, 160 HI and 180 LI. I’ll take it! Obviously, I won’t repair anything that is damaged. Assuming 50% damage, that will net me 250 supply per day at a cost of 160 fuel a day.

Other Stuff

I changed the 5x30 factories from the A7M3-J to the A7M2 and increased them back to 30 (obviously). The 6x30 Ki-100-II R&D factories will complete about 12 Jul 43. Three will become operational and the other 3 will convert to A7M2, bringing the A7M2 to 8x30 R&D. In December 43, an additional 9 factories will become available, 6 from the A6M5/8 line and 3 from the Jill line. Yeah, late I know, but it’s about the best I can do.

[Lowpe]

Careful using divebombers against the Allies at 10-15K as they will dive bomb right into the teeth of a lot of AA. You might consider level bombing at 9k or 16K instead. Still, figure you will lose some.

If you show all those carriers in the North, what will the Allies do knowing they are there?

[Mike Solli]

I see 3 US CVs withdrawing south from Munda. I have Shokaku, Zuikaku, Soryu and Ryujo between Truk and Rabaul. He hasn't seen them. The other 3 US CVs are on the us west coast or possibly at Pearl. The last one is about to or just has received its Hellcats.

[Mike Solli]

Good idea about the DBs. I think 16k feet is a good choice. I really don't like using carrier bombers against land targets, but this may have to be done. I believe Ted thinks I withdrew my carriers. Last time he got a whiff of them was a couple of days ago and they were heading west.

[ny59giants]

Logistics, logistics, logistics!! [:D]

Up in the Aleutians, its the war of who can bring in the mostest the quickest. I would favor option #3 as weather may cancel either option 1 or 2 if you go solo. If you go option 1, then use a lowered number SC TF to go in and engage his warships followed by your bombardment TF. The AI will move and have the lowest numbered TF engage first. For option 2, I would have my DBs set to NavB only and TBs for just the AF (don't give the AI too much power). Even if you don't sink anything, you should be able to force some back to USA for repairs.

Some players have success vs transports by placing fighters on LRCAP.

[Zorch]

Here's some Aleutian weather for you.

Powerful Bering Sea Storm Produces 90 MPH Winds in Alaska's Aleutian Islands https://weather.com/news/news/2017-11-2 ... tian-storm

A storm in the Bering Sea brought winds over 90 mph and huge surf to Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
The low-pressure system's intensification easily met bombogenesis criteria.
A rapidly intensifying storm brought wind gusts in excess of 90 mph to Alaska's Aleutian Islands during the weekend while also presenting spectacular views on satellite imagery.

The storm easily met the criteria for what meteorologists call bombogenesis, which is an atmospheric pressure drop of 24 millibars in 24 hours. In general, a lower atmospheric pressure correlates with a more intense low-pressure system.

In the case of this weekend's storm, the pressure dropped an incredible 55 millibars in 24 hours (1002 millibars 10 p.m. Friday Alaska time to 947 millibars 10 p.m. Saturday Alaska time). The pressure reading continued to drop and was at 944 millibars early Sunday, making it the strongest storm on Earth based on pressure at that time.

The storm was weakening as of Monday afternoon with the pressure slowly rising into the 960-millibar range.

Winds gusted up to 92 mph and 91 mph at Adak Island and Dutch Harbor, respectively, as the storm swept into the Bering Sea late Saturday into early Sunday. The winds on Atka Island gusted in excess of 70 mph at least once per hour for 12 consecutive hours (11 p.m. Saturday Alaska time to 11 a.m. Sunday Alaska time).

NOAA's Ocean Prediction Center reported that wave heights at a buoy near the Aleutians peaked at 52.2 feet during the storm.

Fierce low-pressure systems with high winds and pounding surf strike the Aleutian Islands every year during the cold season.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Careful using divebombers against the Allies at 10-15K as they will dive bomb right into the teeth of a lot of AA. You might consider level bombing at 9k or 16K instead. Still, figure you will lose some.

If you show all those carriers in the North, what will the Allies do knowing they are there?

IIRC at 9,000 DB will glide bomb, but I thought they would still dive bomb at 16,000 ft??

[PaxMondo]

IIRC:

@16,000 they glide bomb. at 9000 and under they level bomb. 10 - 15 they dive bomb. Ian could give you the physics as to why this is accurate and correct if he happens to pop in here.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Careful using divebombers against the Allies at 10-15K as they will dive bomb right into the teeth of a lot of AA. You might consider level bombing at 9k or 16K instead. Still, figure you will lose some.

If you show all those carriers in the North, what will the Allies do knowing they are there?

IIRC at 9,000 DB will glide bomb, but I thought they would still dive bomb at 16,000 ft??

Glide bombing was done away with during a patch about two years ago, at the same time that the cut between LowG/LowN bombing and GndB/NavB was changed from 5/6000 feet to 1/2000 feet. Something to do with simplifying the game engine for air combat and bombing.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Careful using divebombers against the Allies at 10-15K as they will dive bomb right into the teeth of a lot of AA. You might consider level bombing at 9k or 16K instead. Still, figure you will lose some.

If you show all those carriers in the North, what will the Allies do knowing they are there?

Glide bombing was done away with during a patch about two years ago, at the same time that the cut between LowG/LowN bombing and GndB/NavB was changed from 5/6000 feet to 1/2000 feet.

+1

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Careful using divebombers against the Allies at 10-15K as they will dive bomb right into the teeth of a lot of AA. You might consider level bombing at 9k or 16K instead. Still, figure you will lose some.

If you show all those carriers in the North, what will the Allies do knowing they are there?

IIRC at 9,000 DB will glide bomb, but I thought they would still dive bomb at 16,000 ft??

Glide bombing was done away with during a patch about two years ago, at the same time that the cut between LowG/LowN bombing and GndB/NavB was changed from 5/6000 feet to 1/2000 feet. Something to do with simplifying the game engine for air combat and bombing.

So level bomb at 9,000 instead of glide bomb, but what about 16,000 ft? They still dive bomb or they level bomb?

[PaxMondo]

Dont' know...

[Lokasenna]

They only dive at 10,000 <= altitude setting <= 15000

Above 15K or below 10K is level bomb.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

They only dive at 10,000 <= altitude setting <= 15000

Above 15K or below 10K is level bomb.

Thank you.

[Mike Solli]

23 May 43

Sub War

About 12 hexes SW of Prince Rupert Island, the I-35 found the DD Doyle and put a torpedo into her. Later, I heard sinking sounds. Looks like Ted is minus one DD. Here’s the interesting part. After the turn finished, I checked that area of the map to see what she was escorting. It’s the Mississippi! That old hulk is still floating, but she has no escort. I have 2 subs in the area. I hope to nail her tomorrow and put her out of her misery.

5 Fleet

Nothing new here really. My Sallies and artillery did their daily bombing. Another C-47 was shot down with another 4 op losses. I wish I knew how many he was flying in each day. I’m setting the Oscars to LRCAP for tomorrow to see if that makes a difference with the enemy transports. Looks like the convoy with 19 Division is a couple of days out from dropping them off at Adak.

Adak has 22.4k supply and the fort s at 5.17.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

A couple of Allied CLs bombarded Lunga causing moderate damage to the infrastructure. Wish I had a sub there. They were unescorted. This may be the next target. That’s fine with me. I hope he spends the rest of the year cleaning up all the minor bases in the Solomons.

Gasmata’s airfield was the main target today, getting a sweep and 2 bombing runs. A total of 10 fighters and 52x 4E bombers hit the place. Losses were 3 Zeros (1 KIA, 1 WIA) and 1 Tojo (1 WIA) to 2x Kittyhawks and 6x 4E bombers (and 2 op losses). The airfield gained a little more damage: 0-40-44. Those bomber losses were nice.

Rabaul was hit by an unescorted 2E bomber raid. My Tojo IIc did nicely. The 21x B-25/26s were hit by 21 Japanese fighters, mainly the new Tojo sentai, and lost 9 of their number to no Japanese losses. Airfield damage was very minor. The damage to the airfield was reduced from 0-77-0 to 0-49-0.

KB and the replenishment fleet arrived at Truk undetected and will repair minor damage until their next sortie, whenever that will be.

SRA
Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The attack on Chengtu was a success. The 29:1 deliberate attack trashed the Chinese defenders (2x Chinese Corps and a BF) causing 5219(407) Chinese casualties to 948(1) Japanese losses. The 3 Tank Division and 15 Tank Regiment successfully pursued and will attack the remnants tomorrow. The Chinese fled to the clear terrain to the SW of Chengtu. The remainder of the 14 Army (4 divisions and a mortar battalion) will head south to liberate Neikiang (the base to the west of Chungking). The armor will head there after killing off the remnants.

The infrastructure took a beating but I’ll take what’s left:

Manpower: 2(1)
Resources: 72(108)
HI: 32(48)
LI: 72(108)

I also destroyed about a dozen planes on the ground, most of the remaining Chinese Air Force. I see just a couple bombers at Chungking.

The Chinese now control only 4 bases: Chungking, Neikiang, Patung (a dot base with a single Chinese unit there – I have troops headed there to take it) and Kanshien (30 Chinese units surrounded there, about 115k troops with no supply withering on the vine). There are a handful of units scattered around. Most are surrounded. I’m pretty sure Ted has written off China.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements:
SS I-181 – headed to the Aleutians
xAK Toan Maru – STD-B – converting to a TK

The N1K2-J George R&D advanced to September 1944. It’s expected to be operational in September 1943.

[Mike Solli]

24 May 43

Sub War

Just SE of Cold Bay, the I-177 ate a DC from one of those rotten SCs. Damage wasn't bad at 7-18(13)-0-0 but enough to send her home for repairs.

I think I found the route between Hawaii and the West coast. I had spotted a TF heading to Hawaii and put a sub in its path. The I-36 put a torpedo into an xAK NE of Pearl. She was headed back to Kwajalein to refuel but I diverted her there to see if she could intercept. I have another sub headed there to patrol.

Nine hexes SW of Prince Rupert, the I-29 ran into what I thought was the Mississippi, but it was a couple of DDs. Neither side did anything but waste ammo, but I was surprised because yesterday I saw the Mississippi.

5 Fleet

I decided at the last moment to have the BB fleet bombard the American squatters at Adak, and they did decent damage to them. I'm glad I did. MKB was put in position to plaster Unmak airfield, which they didn't do. 18 Judies. went after a couple of DDs and missed. What a waste. Then 18 Kates went after a BB TF at Dutch Harbor planting a bomb on the Washington killing a 5" turret. Everything else missed and 2 Kates were lost to flak. The rest of the aircraft never launched.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Gasmata was once again the focus of Allied air power. There were 7 different attacks of 21 Japanese fighters vs a total of 18 Corsairs, 10 Kittyhawk IIIs, 50x 4E bombers. Losses were 1 Japanese fighter and 6 Allied fighters. Damage to Gasmata was minimal. Rabaul is now down to 0-11-0 damage. I'll move in more fighters and set up some CAP traps for tomorrow.

One of the CAP traps will be at Shortland Island, where a couple dozen Dauntlesses attack daily unescorted.

SRA
Burma

Nothing to report.

China

I forgot to set the 3 Tank Division to attack the remnants they've been chasing. [8|]

Other Stuff

B6N2a R&D advanced to October 1944 (will be operational December 1943).

That's about it.

[Mike Solli]

25 May 43

Sub War

Well, the I-29 found the Mississippi and put another torpedo into her. That’s torpedo #5 (or 6 maybe). I heard sinking sounds immediately afterward. I’m pretty sure she went down finally. I have no idea how many torpedoes I expended on her. Probably a whole sub’s worth.

My elation was short lived, however. I had the RO-35 hanging out off Perth hoping to catch something. She did, and it was several depth charges and a watery grave. Less than 2 months old. I have another headed down there but she’ll keep moving around in an effort to stay alive and possibly cause some damage.

5 Fleet

Interesting day today. At first, I was a bit miffed, but the more I think about it, I realized it was better strategically. I positioned my carriers so they would be available to strike Dutch Harbor but not Unmak. I forgot that the CAP over Unmak will leak the two hexes to Dutch Harbor. Sheesh.

Anyhoo, I found the US BB TF, composed of at least 6 BBs. They launched 36 Judies (normal range so carrying 500kg bombs – yeah!) and 18 Kates carrying torpedoes. That’s 54 of 140+ bombers. Really? Well, at a cost of 3 Kates and 5 Judies, they put 2 torpedoes into the Pennsylvania, a torpedo into the New Mexico and Indiana and a penetrating bomb into Maryland. The other two (South Dakota and Arizona) each took 2 non-penetrating bombs. Kind of disappointing but better than nothing. Oh yeah, they were escorted by 55 Zeros! What a waste of fighters.

Then, another attack went after a bunch of small TFs at Dutch Harbor. It was composed of 27 Kates escorted by only 14 Zeros. They were received by 14x P-400s and 16x P-40Es. Crap planes, right? I think Ted put the best pilots available in this trash. They shot down 5 Zeros for a loss of 3x P-40s then tore into the Kates, killing 15. No enemy ships were hit. *Sigh*

I know, I need to sweep to kill them off. Lesson learned.

My carriers were south of Unmak/Dutch Harbor and his BBs were west (yes, west) of my carriers. I figured he’d send the BBs after my carriers so I shifted them 4 hexes south for tomorrow.

The 19 Division arrived and began unloading at Adak. They should be completely unloaded in a day or two.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Ted continues to focus on Gasmata and Rabaul. By dividing his air strength between the two (plus small raids against Lunga, Tulagi, north eastern PNG and Shortlands), he is unable to effectively close down any of the major airfields. I don’t really care about the others. They are just targets.

First was a sweep of 14x Kittyhawk IIIs against 23 Japanese fighters at Gasmata. Eight Kittyhawks went down to no Japanese losses. A second sweep of 8 more Kittyhawks resulted in 2 more of them and 2 Tojos going down. Another 4 Kittyhawks were op losses. So far so good, but my plane numbers keep reducing from damage, and low fuel and ammo. Fortunately, no bombers targeted Gasmata.

Rabaul got 4 attacks, totaling 65x 4E and 34x 2E sorties with no fighter escorts against 34 Japanese fighters. Damage to the airfield was surprisingly light (+3 planes destroyed on the ground) and losses were 8 Allied bombers to 3 Japanese fighters shot down, 4 op losses and 3 planes destroyed on the ground. Not bad considering the number of sorties.

Finally, I set up a CAP trap over Shortlands Island. A whopping 5 Japanese fighters showed up for the party against two attacks totaling 25 SBDs. Six DBs were shot down for no Japanese loss.

I expect Ted to take more bases in this area. The longer he spends in this area, the better.

SRA
Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The 3 Tank Division attacked the former Chengtu garrison trashing them some more. For no Japanese losses, the Chinese lost 1846(226) and retreated south. The 15 Tank regiment pursued.

Other Stuff

Oscar IIIa R&D advanced to 9/43. This model is expected to become operational on 7/43.

[Mike Solli]

26 May 43

Sub War

The Tuna sank the TK Sansho Maru (Type-1 TM – 8150 capacity) a few hexes south of Babeldaob. Fortunately, she was empty.

5 Fleet

The US BB TF is running to the NE of its position yesterday to try and escape. My carriers were a couple hexes out of position to attack them again. They’ll chase them tomorrow to see if they can catch them and put a few more torpedoes into them. I also have several subs in the area trying to intercept. This is great news. His major surface strength is running, leaving me in control of the waters in the area.

The 19 Division completed its debarkation onto Adak. My AV is now 1284 vs. the Allied AV of 502. I will continue to bomb and bombard and will attack the day my BBs return to bombard them.

My carriers attacked a small TF (ASW I think) composed of 2 DDs and an SC. Again, those darn obsolete fighters whittled me down a bit. At a cost of a Zero and 2 Kates, I shot down 2 US fighters….and blew SC 648 to matchsticks.

Ted sent 9 Bolingbrokes against the ships unloading in Adak harbor. The 2 remaining bombers crashed on the way home. When will they learn…

Adak has >26k supply and the fort level is 5.23.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I finally upgraded an IJN daitai to the N1K1 George. Once repaired, they’ll head to Rabaul. I’m anxious to see how well they do.

Much Allied bombing today, which is becoming the norm. At Gasmata, his bombers went after the port, sinking the 2 ACMs tending the minefield there. A total of 7 raids against Gasmata using 53x 2E, 60x 4E and 14 fighter sorties. They lost 3x 4E and 2 fighters to no Japanese fighters. Final damage to Gasmata is 38-51-41.

Five Corsairs swept Rabaul losing 3 of their number to 2 Tojos.

The minor islands got small raids doing little to no damage. All in all, a pretty good day.

Rabaul’s damage is down to 0-7-0.

SRA

Ted invaded Wessel Island. I had a small “base” there where I had some Rufes a long, long time ago. I had long since evacuated that little speck of land. He’ll take it tomorrow.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The 15 Tank Regiment attacked the rabble from Chengtu (2 Chinese Corps and 1 BF) driving 2 of them into the base to the south. One remained to be attacked tomorrow. Losses were 0 for the Japanese to 1009(97) Chinese. The Chinese had 0 AV and no disruptions from the attack which tells me whatever is left is disrupted.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements:
RO-36 – 11k endurance sub – headed to 2 Fleet stationed at Singapore.
LSD Nigitsu Maru – will stay in the Home Islands for the time being.

I’ve been using more supply than normal recently in increasing my engines and some airframes. Three of my Ha-45 factories completed their expansion so I increased my two Ha-33 factories by 60 each. Here’s my current operational factory info:

Factory (# factories) Total – In pool
Ha-32 (3) 270 - 616
Ha-33 (2) 420 - 548
Ha-34 (1) 360 - 347
Ha-35 (4) 540 - 508
Ha-45 (6) 660 - 545
Ha-60 (0) 0 - 476

My current engine expansion will be complete by the end of July 43.

[Mike Solli]

27 May 43

Sub War

The US BB TF got clean away. Either they got out of Glen range or they all sank. I suspect the former. [:D]

The I-174 had been on patrol along the SE corner of Australia. It used to be a fertile hunting ground but hasn’t been for quite some time. She was running low on fuel so she headed back to the barn. She was heading up the Australian coast past Brisbane and found the LST-22. A couple torpedoes later, down went the LST.

I have midget (horizontally challenged?) subs scattered around my bases to try and cause havoc when the Allies come to visit. I had a couple at Gasmata and sent one of them to Lae. She never made it. A hex from Lae, 4 US DDs found her and put her under for good. It was worth a try.

5 Fleet

As I said above, the US BBs vanished. I have several Glen subs in the area, so I’m confident that I’ll spot them if they return. I have MKB heading back toward Unmak to sweep the area in force. I have all of my A6M5s (some 70 or so) and about half of my A6M3as (about 35 or so) tasked with sweeping those damn fighters there. I set that many because the smaller carriers have rarely participated in any of the recent combat up here. The one critical thing about the P-40E and P-400 is that both have awful maneuverability at high levels. My fighters will be coming in at 20-30k feet. I hope to kill off the fighter population here. If so, the next day will see MKB do a bombing run on Unmak’s airfield to kill off some of the transport planes that are flying supply into Adak. Tomorrow, my DBs will fly ASW and my TBs will fly ASW and search. Let’s see how this goes.

There has been a US 2 DD TF hanging out a couple of hexes to the SW of Unmak. My carriers are constantly launching against it. They’re a pain in the butt. I’m sending 4x Fubukis to dispatch them tonight.

Adak has >32k supply and the forts are up to 5.25.

4 Fleet

I mentioned earlier that I found the route between Pearl and the US West coast. I have a Glen sub stationed on that route and today saw 3(!) convoys surrounding the sub. One is to the SE and heading away. It appears to possibly be an ASW TF. The other two are square on the hex row and both are headed directly toward the sub. The one to the NE has an ARD in it (hopefully its accurate intel). I would love to sink one of them. It’s headed toward Pearl. The other is to the SW and headed away from Pearl. It’s probably empty but it has xAPs and AKs. I’ll take those too. I’m not picky. I’m trying to scrounge more subs to send to this area.

SE Fleet

Ted avoided Gasmata and Rabaul today. I think he rested his bomber crews. Nothing exciting happened here. My engineers didn’t rest though. They repaired damage.

SRA

Wessel Island (dot hex off the northern coast of Australia south of Merauke) fell to the Allies. I had no troops there. No effect on anything at all.

I have 2x bombardment TFs hanging around north of Darwin to pay that base a visit. Each is composed of 2x BB, 2x CA & 4x DD. The plan was to send them in on consecutive nights. The goal is that the first would damage a bunch of planes and the second would destroy a bunch of damaged planes. The first hit today. I knew there was a TF of small ships. I suspected they were PT boats. I was wrong. They were MGBs, which are useless against surface ships and there were 12 of them. The bombardment TF ran into them first, destroying 8 for no damage to my ships. The combat took quite a while. I figured the bombardment wouldn’t happen because of the op point expenditure. It did happen and it wasn’t too bad either. I caused moderate damage to the airfield (yay!), a little port damage and damaged the following:

10x Beaufighter VIII
10x various Catalinas
11x Kittyhawk IA

It destroyed a couple of planes too. Before departing, the bombardment TF killed off the 4 remaining MGBs.

The next bombardment TF will hit tomorrow. Hopefully, with no little gnats to kill off first, they’ll kill a bunch of the planes on the ground.

Burma

Nothing to report. [>:]

China

The 15 Tank Regiment attacked the remnants of a Chinese Corps killing 232(28) for no loss. It’s interesting that the 3 Tank Division (from the NW) and the 13 Army (from the NE) also arrived in the hex and are still marching toward the base just to the south, even with the Chinese Corps in the hex. I’m letting the 13 Army continue its march southward and will attack the Chinese dregs with the two tank formations.

Other Stuff

A6M5c R&D advanced to 11/43. It is expected to become operational in 7/43. Finally a carrier fighter with armor. Not sure how much good it’ll do though.

My A7M2 R&D factories are now up to 0(30), 0(30), 0(30), 0(30), 1(29)! Woo Hoo!!!

[Mike Solli]

28 May 43

Sub War

Lots of action today. My subs were mainly targets.

The first action almost made me choke. Remember the I-174, who sank an LST yesterday? Well, she was still heading up the eastern coast of Australia to refuel. She ran into a TF composed of 4 CA, 4 Cl, 4 DD and the Enterprise! She fired four torpedoes and……missed. *Sigh* Then she paid the ultimate price.

Off Lae, the RO-108 ate a DC and took heavy damage: 27-70(41)-7-0. She’s going to try and limp home.

Remember the I-19, NE of Pearl Harbor and in the middle of lots of targets? Well, she was the target of a KV, took 2 DCs and will also try to limp home: 19-49(28)-2(2)-0.

My subs suck.

5 Fleet

There was a little more to cheer about here. The weather must have been good because MKBs fighters actually did their sweep of Unmak Island. There were multiple sweeps, each of 1 daitai. At a total cost of 1x A6M3a shot down (+3 more written off, 1 KIA, 1 WIA), they shot down 8 of 14 P-40Es (+1 op loss) and 3 of 6 P0400s. Nice. Tomorrow, I’m sending in the bombers to hit the airfield and hopefully kill/damage a few transports and kill some of those damaged fighters.

Junyo fighter group was the lucky winner today. They had the single plane shot down but 3 of their pilots gained elite status! Banzai!

If I can destroy the remaining fighters (I'm sweeping again) and damage the airfield tomorrow, I may try to send my BBs (a couple days out) to Dutch Harbor to clean up on all the chewy defenseless ships there. Then on to destroying those US troops on a sightseeing tour of Adak.

My 4x Fubukis found the Allied DD TF, consisting of just the Cushing. After much gunfire and torpedo launching, sometimes as close as 2000 yards, not one hit on either side. Sheesh. The DDs will refuel from the replenishment TF and try again.

Adak has >32k supply and the forts are up to 5.27.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Rabaul was the target today. There were 2 sweeps and multiple bombing runs with lots of planes. Here’s final tally:

108 Japanese fighters (8 shot down & 1 destroyed on the ground) vs:

32 fighters (3 shot down +2 op losses)
80x 4E bombers (7 shot down +7 op losses)
25x 2E bombers (20 shot down!)

In addition, 2 ACMs were sunk in port. Remember, Rabaul had no damage at the start of this turn. It’s now at 10-17-29.

Gasmata wasn’t touched. Its damage decreased to 38-51-15.

I wonder where Enterprise is headed? I also wonder what happened to the other 2 CVs that were with her during the Munda invasion?

SRA

My second bombardment TF never steamed to Darwin to visit. Don’t know why. I’ll try again tonight.

Burma

Ted got a little frisky today and sent 13x 4E bombers to hit the refinery at Rangoon. Three were shot down and they reduced the refinery by 7. I’ll take that!

China

The 15 Tank Regiment destroyed the remains of a Chinese Corps. The rest of the 13 Army (4 divisions & artillery) arrived at Neikiang and will attack tomorrow. It’s garrisoned by 3 units: a Chinse corps and BF both demolished and the garrison, 71 Chinese Corps, strength unknown. Neikiang has resources and LI.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement: AG Arasaki

I got confirmation of a US sub sinking back on 3/18/43.