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Damn. So I have been staying up for nothing [:D][:D][:D]

Well, not quite...I ran the combat phase [:D]

Andy moved some ships out of my range - but the cruier squadron connected!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/04/44
Sub/ASW Attacks

One of my mine laying boats ran into trouble....but the Strait is now covered with mines!
I hope it can delay and split up the enemys advance.

ASW attack at 36,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-53, hits 9

Allied Ships
DD Izard
DD Hutchins
DD Harrison
DD Hall
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 35,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-53, hits 17, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-153
LST LST-214
LST LST-73
LSD Carter Hall
AK Alchiba
AK Lesuth
AK Crux
AP Orungal
MSW Kapunda
MSW Gympie
MSW Gladstone
MSW Geelong
MSW Cootamundra
MSW Ararat
MSW Pirie
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub laid mines with 'spunk' [8D]

TF 1080 encounters mine field at 25917968,41

Allied Ships
DD Mahan
DD Henley
DD Schroeder
DD John Rodgers
DD Remey
DD Abner Read
DD William Porter
DD Norman, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Nishimura achieves surprise! The initial attack is inefficient though.
In a prolonged battle ranging from 7-2-7k yards our light units are battered
but succeeds in hitting the enemy with torpedoes, blowing up one destroyer, heavily
damaging another as well as a heavy cruiser and a battleship.

In all we loose 5 destroyers and a light cruiser - but I'm quite pleased. Both our
crack heavy cruisers got away and Andy now got 2 damaged capital ships to protect.

Night Time Surface Combat at 35,62

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 4
CA Chokai
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 9, on fire
CL Oi, Shell hits 29, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 16, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
DD Kiyoshimo
DD Hayashimo, Shell hits 20, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
DD Akishimo, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 2
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:)]
BB California, Shell hits 8
CA Salt Lake City, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire [:)]
CL Australia, Shell hits 2
CA Astoria, Shell hits 5
DD Miller, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nicholas
DD Owen
DD Philip, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk *magazine explodes*
DD Picking, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had not intended for these new 'light' destroyers to engage the enemy..but they did
with unfortunate results!

Night Time Surface Combat at 35,62

Japanese Ships
DD Matsu, Shell hits 42, and is sunk
DD Momo
DD Take, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ume, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Maryland, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB California, Shell hits 3
CA Salt Lake City, on fire
CL Australia
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1
DD Miller, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nicholas
DD Owen
DD Picking
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

As suspected..Samarinda is attracting a lot of attention!

Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 7
P-47D Thunderbolt x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 4

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 7
Mosquito PR.IX x 6
P-38J Lightning x 3
PB4Y Liberator x 11
B-29 Superfortress x 92

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The heavily damaged cruisr 'Oi' is ablaze:

Day Air attack on TF at 34,63

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 18
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 19


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'lost' convoy:

Day Air attack on TF at 52,62

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Ewa, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Susana, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AK Edward Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,64

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Steel Mariner, on fire, heavy damage
AK Florence Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Kami attack: provided an escort to get some through. They bounced of a battleship!!

Day Air attack on TF, near Wasile at 41,69

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 17
A6M5c Zeke x 21
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 32

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 9
F4U-1D Corsair x 12
Kittyhawk III x 6
P-40N Warhawk x 4
P-38J Lightning x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 17 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 12 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 32 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
LST LST-241
BB Colorado, Kamikaze hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I sent several TFs around the area to create false targets for the enemy:

Day Air attack on TF at 37,60

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 20
F6F Hellcat x 83
F4U-1D Corsair x 16
Corsair IV x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AP Koshu Maru #3
PC Takuna Maru #7, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Otake Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It bagged us a few enemy ac:

Day Air attack on TF at 37,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 12

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 14
SB2C Helldiver x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 5 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Tarakan at 33,61

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 34
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,62

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 10

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Udo Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,61

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Fumishima Maru
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 37,61

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 34,63

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 14
TBM Avenger x 32

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few minor raids to 'test' the enemys defenses:

Day Air attack on TF at 35,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 3

Allied aircraft - this is a true Uber CAP!
FM-2 Wildcat x 124
F6F Hellcat x 260
F4U-1D Corsair x 22
Corsair IV x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 40,67

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 4

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 5
P-40N Warhawk x 4
P-38J Lightning x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 35,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 4

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 124
F6F Hellcat x 260
F4U-1D Corsair x 22
Corsair IV x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Engagement south of Tarakan!

We can still surprise the enemy at night! Long Lance Menace [8D]
Our heavy cruisers reached Balikpapan and will replenish in Java and act as a
raiding force.

ORIGINAL: PzB
Allied aircraft - this is a true Uber CAP!
FM-2 Wildcat x 124
F6F Hellcat x 260
F4U-1D Corsair x 22
Corsair IV x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 2 damaged

IMHO, Andy is pushing too hard at the moment. while i can understand he is dissapointed whit fact that is possible to outproduce Allies, i don't give him a credit for asking for Corsairs on the carriers until is more than a clear that he really run out of the Hellcats!

I'm with Chez here (as usual, most excellent analysis) - he is pushing too hard and when he hit the wall he is looking for even more powerful toys to enable his time schedule continues as he planed...

Andy is good player and nice guy, but i say NO - Allies should be penaltised because Brits are out of the war. But i do understand him - he wasn't a guy who lost India and feels he shouldn't be penaltised....

He might not have been the one that lost India, but he took the game on in that state.

He has enough LBA to have caused enough mayhem to enable him to advance. He was impatient, and is paying the price in now being limited by his previous actions.

In contrast to battles in the Solomons, etc. Andy is at the end of a long string of supply, he needed to be a little conservative and rebuild after his last setback. Instead he has relied on the supposed invincibility of the USN Deathstar, and has found it has limitations.

This is a similar situation to when PzB lost KB first time around, you have so much force sitting around you feel you have to committ it to combat - even when the odds have probably swung back to favour the other player.

Sometimes being aggressive is not a good thing!


As to Marine Corsairs on carriers - they will only be Carrier Capable so should suffer higher ops losses anyway. I don't think their use will swing things too far, but I wouldn't allow it holus bolus either. Only on fleet carriers, not CVL or CVE. Still strong, but maybe leaves some opportunities on lighter forces.

agreed here. We all know that game moves too fast, this is one of the most serious complaints to the game. What you and Chez said - Andy goes too far counting on invincible Death Star (and you are again right - not once Japanese player found their DS is not invincible, they found and there realised that only words can describe KB is Invincible Armada[:'(][:D]).

In my games, I found myself self-restraining and restricting to use KB in dangerous missions even in middle-latte 42 (without LBA cover, near enemy hornet nests with LBA) because i know KB isn't invincible, no matter what people thinks. That forced me stand and fortify and prepare for defence - which is quite historical. I didn't want to lose my CVs for nothing and then surrender.

He lost and he didn't expect that so he doesn't bother with expanding AFs, perhaps he even didn't bother to bring enough suplies to the first line base for a longer struggle because he count on success.

And now he found this will delay him even more and put all his plan about historical advancing in the danger.

He used regular, MacArthur's strategy for avoiding most strongest bases - but he streched strategy more than engine can handle it - some bases on central PNG aren't conquered even yet! His supply depots are thousand miles away - PM? Kwajelein, Rabaul - even a mighty USA should have logistic problems with that....his big ports are even further - the closest i think is Sidney? Allies should have trouble with R&R too (remember, their fleet is weakened by the absence of the Brits and PzB decimated his forces too earlier in the game)

Again, there is nothing wrong with strategy - if we consider this game as a game (and we have to because PzB conquered the India, so lets be honest) - he could choose to sail right to the Saigon or Okinawa or Taipei - but we are all saying here he should pay for miscalculation and defeat.

sorry on hijacking thread too, PzB... you done a good job at the Tarakan. Oi is lost, but enemy BB was damaged and it will take a long way to bring her to the repair yards. If he chooses to keep this BB she will be torpedo magnet for your subs and LBA! BANZAI!

That surface ended quite nicely for you PzB! Congrats! [:)]

PzB, it seems to me that as IRL kamikazes are not useful against BB, they will put some fires and destroy some AA guns but in most of the cases the ship will remain operationnal.

IMOO if you think there is a BB with a weak CAP you should try to use elite torpedo units, while kamikaze should be used against CV/CVE and other soft skin targets.

It seems to me that Andy sailed south, so a surface raid would have led to nothing. Your raiding force was not lost in vain, especially as the two CA escaped undamaged

I notice that in one of the above skirmishes, Frank and Zeke won against F6F by 5 to 2. A minor victory, but nevertheless a sign that Andy's CV air units are in bad shape.

As for using Marine Corsairs aboard CVs, it was done IRL, when the kamikaze threat grew, so why deny it to Andy ? Especially if he only uses F4U1-D, and not the early model of Corsair (that was not able to operate from CVs before the Brits modified it).

do you perhaps know from when?

Andy and i had disscussion (well it wasnt discussion cause i agreed with him) about placing Corsairs on CVs and CVEs. He said he will start to upgrade CV groups from 1.44. max to 10 airgroups (start with 4 and every next month one group more). Also, after kamikazes strikes it is allowed to upgrade CVEs to Corsairs to (or from 45)...

i don't have anything against that because we playing PDU and stricly historical limitation with Corsairs wouldn't be fair (i think that Andy was quite generous!) especially after i used PDU to the max!

PzB&Andy game is another matter, with "historical" upgrades so i think that some restrictions would be needed (based on RL). This may be counter that kamikazes are activated earlier than historical and achived good results but it is not PzB who activated them.... I'm not sure about historical schedules of Corsairs on American CVs so i could be wrong......

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Torpedo whore 1 is dead, but Torpedo whore 2 will live on to fight back another day. Long live long lances! [:D][;)]

Not so sure Andy needs Corsairs to counter Kamis..yet. He has told me
that he will not deploy any of his '10 Sqds' yet. We will discuss it in
a few months and review the situation then. When I get hundreds of Kamis he may
actually need them!? [;)]

Trying not to intercept enemy bb's with 'light' Kamis - but sometimes the battlewagons
just pop up and my pilots are drawn towards them like gnats towards fire [8|]
Would like to see a torpedo ladden Betty hit the New Jersey though [:D]

I'm trying to husband my forces and airlift reinforcements to Borneo. Tarakan, Samarinda
and Balikpapan are now reasonably well defended. Few mines though, my MLs never got
to this region.

While not unhappy with the surface combat, the cruiser squadron is now several destroyers short.
Will try to move 4 to Java asap!

Manouvering!

This is the position of the fleets: I suspect heavy B-29 strikes
against key targets in Borneo tomorrow.

Carrier TF with Taiho, 2 cvl, 3 cve carries some 150 Zekes on CAP.

Our current ac production: 3100 air frames pr month and 3700 engines.
This amounts to 37k pr year - if Japan historically produced 27k air frames in 44, I have
succeeded in increasing this by 30%. This isn't that horrendous, is it [&:]

After all we have more resources and a more unified command, right Pauk [;)]

Also notice that the 'Peggy' will go into production next month.

ORIGINAL: PzB

Our current ac production: 3100 air frames pr month and 3700 engines.
This amounts to 37k pr year - if Japan historically produced 27k air frames in 44, I have
succeeded in increasing this by 30%. This isn't that horrendous, is it [&:]

After all we have more resources and a more unified command, right Pauk [;)]

Sounds about right - after all you have all those resources from India and your navalshipyards finished job - there is nothing they can do it so free HI goes to ac production (we don't have to be Speer-san himself to conclude that!
[;)])..

"more unified command", PzB, i hope this isn't another provocation[;)][:D]. I just believe to my family and Paukashawa-san doing well at the moment as CiC of the 4th and SE Fleet. His imperial uncle Pauk-san is proud of him! [;)]

Paukashawa-san hasn't given Pauk-san any sake lately, has he? [;)]

Andy is moving towards Samarinda/and or Balikpapan!
We're awaiting his landings and shadow his fleets. Bombers and fighters moved to their
bases in preparation for the coming battle.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/05/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

We have forced most of the enemy subs to withdraw - the shipping lanes are relatively
quiet again:

ASW attack at 47,45

Japanese Ships
MSW W.12
MSW W.16
ML Yurijima
ML Niizaki
ML Ishizaki
MSW W.28

Allied Ships
SS Sterlet, hits 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 35,46

Japanese Ships
PG Kyo Maru #10
PG Keiko Maru
PG Kanko Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #7
MSW Toshi Maru #2
MSW Kyo Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Picuda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

The 'lost convoy' is finished by surface units:

Night Time Surface Combat at 51,63

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu

Allied Ships
AK Susana, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 51,63

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AK Edward Luckenbach, on fire, heavy damage
AK Ewa, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 48,65

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CL Noshiro

Allied Ships
AK Steel Mariner, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
913 casualties reported
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 13
P-38J Lightning x 6


No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 3
PB4Y Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy is preparing for his landing: Sending in fighter sweeps!

Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 41
N1K1-J George x 12
J2M Jack x 18
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 21

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13
Spitfire VIII x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 10 destroyed
J2M Jack: 6 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses - this shows how overrated the Corsair is! Half the number of Spit VIIIs
and they loose less than half as many ac and claim most of the kills. I refuse to believe the Corsair
was this much better than the Spit!

F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed
Spitfire VIII: 14 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 15
J2M Jack x 6
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 10
P-47D Thunderbolt x 19

Japanese aircraft losses - extremely poor results...
A6M5 Zeke: 11 destroyed
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kendari , at 33,71

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 46
B-29 Superfortress x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-II Topsy: 8 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Menado , at 39,67

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 5
P-38J Lightning x 19
B-29 Superfortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-29 Superfortress bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B-29 Superfortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Morotai , at 43,68

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 1
A6M5c Zeke x 10

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 2
B-24J Liberator x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 3 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy is now ready to send his ac out against surface TFs:

Day Air attack on TF at 34,62

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F Hellcat x 100
F4U-1D Corsair x 16
Corsair IV x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 45

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Udo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last of the enemy convoy is finished of:

Day Air attack on TF at 50,63

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 19
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11
Ki-21 Sally x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Edward Luckenbach, Bomb hits 9, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
East of Kavieng:

Day Air attack on TF, near Tabar at 62,86

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Herbert, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks* [8D]

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Towards Samarinda - Balikpapan

Our fleets will soon be in position and prepare to deal the enemy a mortal blow!

Muchas Gracias Amigo.[;)]

Next Time I'm in the Med you and I are going to have hit the clubs dude.

The Invasion Fleet is now only 1 hex from Balikpapan/Samarinda.
Tomorrow Andy will make landfall!

We wait patiently....forecast: Rainy - perfect!

The following actions have been ordered:

1. A select number of bomber units have been put on naval attack.
We will probe for openings and stray ships. In the case of a bombardment
I think the enemy TF will attempt to return to base. Want to exploit this.

2. I noticed that our A6M5 Zeke got a higher max altitude than the enemys
F6F Hellcat. Some 38k feet vs 37300.
I have ordered 50 Zekes on Kami attacks. Target is enemy transports and soft combatants near Borneo.

3. Army Air Force bombers have been ordered to hit Tomini.

4. A strong CAP/LRCAP has been put over Samarinda. This is were I think Andy will land.
Also a strong CAP over Balikpapan.

5. All land combat units in Balikpapan/Samarinda have been ordered to march towards their
opposite base. In all we should manage to must more than 600 assault points for the defense
as well as 9 and 7 forts.

Thx Elf, you live down south?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/06/44

Sub/ASW Attacks

1 enemy sub reported sunk by asw ac.
Our minelaying subs bumps into the invasion fleet...

Sub attack at 35,46

Japanese Ships
PC Fumi Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW W.14
PC Shonan Maru #17
PG Nikkai Maru
PG Nanpo Maru
PG Chosa Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #5

Allied Ships
SS Picuda
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-179, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Grayson
DD Nicholson
DD Bradford
DD Black
DD Bennion
DD Bennett
DD Bell
DD Charles Ausburne
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 33,64

Japanese Ships
SS I-179, hits 9, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
DD Craven
DD Buchanan
DD Cassin Young
DD Waller
DD Twining
DD Tingey
DD Aulick
CL Raleigh
CVL Monterey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

No CAP over Samarinda, had transports airlifting reinforcements!

Day Air attack on Samarinda , at 31,63

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 16
P-38J Lightning x 6

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 37
N1K1-J George x 17
J2M Jack x 11
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 10

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 12
Spitfire VIII x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
J2M Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Spitfire VIII: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 12
N1K1-J George x 10
J2M Jack x 7
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 13
P-47D Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
J2M Jack: 3 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Balikpapan , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
J2M Jack x 6
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 5
B-29 Superfortress x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
J2M Jack: 1 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 2 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
L3Y Tina: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29 Superfortress: 10 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were at least 20 Allied air strikes against Jap bases in the Central Pacific today.
I clicked them off quite indifferently.

Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 8
J2M Jack x 6
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F Hellcat x 98
F4U-1D Corsair x 32
Corsair IV x 6
SB2C Helldiver x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 8 destroyed
J2M Jack: 6 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AP Uchide Maru, Bomb hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Was one ship left of 'the lost convoy'!

Day Air attack on TF at 49,65

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 17
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-21 Sally x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Susana, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
151 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some 'teasers' tested the enemy's Uber CAP! As Andy needs 10 Marine Corsair Sqds... [8|]
Day Air attack on TF at 32,64

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 6

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 139
F6F Hellcat x 273
F4U-1D Corsair x 45
Corsair IV x 7
Spitfire VIII x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To intercept the enemy invasion fleet isn't only dangerous - it is lethal for
both our air force and fleet. The only way our air force can get through depends on the fleets ability
to damage and scatter the enemy fleets. This will come at a great cost, and a miscalculation will leave
the capital ships exposed to 500 enemy carrier bombers.

Still, if Borneo falls the game as we knows it will come to an end. Within the end of the year most of Borneo
will be in enemy hand, the spice will no longer flow and Java, Malaya, Sumatra and Burma will be open for enemy invasion.
With this much at stake I feel obliged to make an attempt at stopping the enemy invasion. Andy is already low on
Hellcats and pilots, and a failed invasion will buy us many more months - in which Borneo and other important areas
can be strengthened while more resources and oil reaches the Home Islands.

Here is a list of the Fleets available to us:

1st Carrier Fleet:
CV Taiho 72 Zekes
2 cvls 54 Zekes
7 destroyers

Escort Carrier Fleet
3 cves: 20 Zekes and 9 Jills
7 destoyers

1st Battle Fleet:
BB Yamato and Musashi
2 ca
1 cl
10 destroyers

2nd Battle Fleet
BB Nagato and Musashi
2 ca
1 cl
7 destroyers

3rd Battle Fleet
BB Yamashiro, Fuso, Hyuga
7 destroyers

Fast Battlecruiser Fleet
BB Kongo, Kirishima
2 ca
1 cl
5 destroyers

1st Destroyer Flotilla
5 destroyers

In Java the 1st Cruiser Squadron with 2 ca's and 3 destroyers will soon be joined by another 3 destroyers.

NW of the Palaus the light carrier Ibuki with 27 Zekes is escorted by 2 ca's, 2 cl's and 3 destroyers.

The plan is to hit the enemy landings: I will even consider ordering some of my fleets to stay and fight not only
during the night, but also during daytime. The enemy carriers will target our carriers first, and in the chaos that
follows I will release hundreds of naval bombers and kamikazes.

Comments?

Well.
I hate being one of those who'll tell you to throw the kitchen sink, but, well...
 
Looks reasonable when it comes to today's situation.
Do you want to eat them tomorrow, sending the ships throughout all the suspect hex?

That is one devious plan! [;)] I like it and I actually think you have high odds to succeed with this "offensive".

ORIGINAL: PzB

Our current ac production: 3100 air frames pr month and 3700 engines.
This amounts to 37k pr year - if Japan historically produced 27k air frames in 44, I have
succeeded in increasing this by 30%. This isn't that horrendous, is it [&:]

After all we have more resources and a more unified command, right Pauk [;)]

Also notice that the 'Peggy' will go into production next month.

PzB,

you´re not really producing many Peggies. With the Sallies that autoupgrade to them you then will have around 140 (don´t know how many Helens you produce). The Peggy could be a good bomber for you as it´s the only IJA bomber that can carry a torp. Don´t know if it can carry a torp in the version you started your game though.

You could check that.