An Aussie Affair: Re-Match!

Luskan · Post by **Luskan** » Thu May 15, 2003 8:45 am

Half of Sydney is a flood-disaster area I hear. The local gods are either angry that I've left or angry that Raver arrived

Bradman · Post by **Bradman** » Thu May 15, 2003 3:22 pm

And it's still coming down, and in a big way.

DoomedMantis · Post by **DoomedMantis** » Thu May 15, 2003 4:58 pm

And if it keeps coming down I wont be able to play rugby, because the bastards keep closing the grounds, at least I will be able to get some decent UV time in, something I have been struggling to do recently.

DM

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Thu May 15, 2003 5:04 pm

The rain has been so bad that I will not need to get a taxi from Chatswood to the airport, but a ferry!:eek:

DoomedMantis · Post by **DoomedMantis** » Thu May 15, 2003 5:13 pm

And I have been swimming to work

wobbly · Post by **wobbly** » Fri May 16, 2003 2:07 am

Can you send some over to us. The Hydro lakes are nearly empty and we may be back to huddling around the slaughtered fatted calf for warmth soon.

As an aside NSW doesn't seem to know what it wants - drought - flood; where's temperance? (disappearing down the urinal drain I suspect

)

DoomedMantis · Post by **DoomedMantis** » Fri May 16, 2003 1:24 pm

I wouldnt mind if all of NSW was getting it, or even west of Sydney, but it is all on the coast. 98.1% of the state is still drought declared, and the rest is flooded, youd think their would be a bit more parity:rolleyes:

DoomedMantis · Post by **DoomedMantis** » Fri May 16, 2003 1:26 pm

As for you Kiwis, at least part of you will be warm, just try not to take too much wool off the sheep when you detach your velcro gloves, the sheep need it to keep warm as well you know;)

Luskan · Post by **Luskan** » Fri May 16, 2003 6:45 pm

Well, while I'm waiting for Adm. Raver to get back to his PC, I should post a few of my strategic goals, followed by a couple of reviews.

MY ORIGINAL WAR_PLAN:

I had never intended to go for the "early" (1/1/43) autovictory, rather the plan was to harrass Raver in his own waters enough that a: I have enough troops at PM, GG, Lunga and Irau to hold him off for a time, so that when he launched his big first invasion with all his CVs and ships and the might of his bomber force pounding away at my ground forces, I would ignore it and then launch my autovictory grab at whatever destination I think his ships have left.

The idea was he'd get bogged down with my LBA, and maybe even take Irau or PM, but I'd win on autovictory whlie his assets, and more importantly his troops were elsewhere (Raver has a habit of being very absolute - when he launches than invasion, he sends EVERY soldier, so the autovictory plan had merit.

However this ploan is no longer feasible for one of two reasons:
1. Raver kept his calm and hasn't launched so much as a bombardment tf my way in 6 months. He's playing it completely defensive and risking NOTHING. Very hard to damage him now.

2. Maybe Raver is fighting the defensive because I hurt him too badly in the early raids. Certainly he has plenty of transports, but down a few CVs and lots of DDs . . .

Also, as you're all aware, the power of Raver's bombers, both numbers, accuracy and frequency they fly, is astounding. I've never had a USN (mine or an opponents)put anywhere near as much metal over any of my bases before. The troops on PNG are all behgind huge forts, have LOTS of supply, and massive amounts of support and backup - but Raver has just closed the ports and airfields, and is going to leave them to rot. That is a LOT of troops that I can't evacuate, will have trouble supplying, and will all die in the jungle eventually. Raver will leave it until 11/43 and then just roll them up like a cheap carpet.

Irau will be very, very costly for Raver. The airbase at Lunga is just a few hexes further than PM - only the heavies can get there - without fighter escort. Lunga is a very, very impressive sized base with lots of troops, lots of support, and more and more eng and AA units now that replacements for the battered PNG units are arriving. Irau itself has a couple of weak units that I didn't land a HQ with so they're all shot through, but enough to force Raver to land at least an entire battalion. The mines should force him to use MSWs, which means he can't dump a massive fast transport gruop on irau and get away scott free. I'll have plenty of time to react.

In fleet news, I've sidelined several classes of ships, and many transports in order to reduce their sys damage back to 0. Several entire types of ships have hit port for R and R. Tempted to dump all my barges, PCs, PGs, MSWs etc. back to Tokyo in order to try to flush the reinforcements toilet to give me just a couple more little CVs.

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Fri May 16, 2003 7:42 pm

Well I had high hopes of doing some turns after getting home on Friday night, but it seems that the airlines had other plans for me.
I was booked on the 6:15 Pm flight to Melbourne, but due to some strange reason, all the flights were either pushed back or in some cases even cancelled!:eek: I was one of the "lucky" ones that managed to get out of Syd-a-ney before the noise curfew cut-off. My 6:15 flight left at 10:30 and arrived at good old Melbourne at 11:45. THEN the fcuking airline lost my bag!:eek: (Gawd I wish I was on a Qantas flight!). Arrived home at 1:30am, and have sat strait down to pen my tale of woe to you all.

Luskan, I WILL be coming for you.........but only after I've had some sleep, and reminded the wife that I am more than just a pay cheque;)

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Sat May 17, 2003 10:37 am

Still no sign of my lost bags!:( Bloody Virgin has to be the worst airline that I have ever flown with!:mad:

As for Luskan, well I have just sent off my move. The next few weeks are going to be critical and I can see a CV battle looming. My CV fleet is now numbering 11, but the question on everyones lips is will Luskan fight?

Luskan · Post by **Luskan** » Sat May 17, 2003 12:57 pm

You keep mispelling fcuking

Raver has hammered Dobadura, PM and GG in the one turn. At least he lost 15 bombers to do it.

Tempted to send my CVs home where they're safe!

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Sat May 17, 2003 1:22 pm

Yet another brillant bomber raid by Raver !
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/03/43

Weather: Overcast

Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 15
B-17E Fortress x 52
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 destroyed
Hudson x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

ENS O.Ibusuki of F2/253rd Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1118
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 106

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
6 x Hudson at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 74

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 10 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 168
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 54

Attacking Level Bombers:
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 39

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 71

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 40

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
10 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
9 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Sat May 17, 2003 3:18 pm

And the follow-up raid the next day does the following damage:D

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/04/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Dobadura , at 13,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 12
B-17E Fortress x 61
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged
PB4Y Liberator x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1661
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 127

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x PB4Y Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
9 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
7 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet
5 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
0 x B-24D Liberator at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 65

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 74

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
10 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
4 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
12 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
7 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
8 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 42

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed
B-25J Mitchell x 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 110

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 45

Attacking Level Bombers:
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
6 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
7 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
2 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
4 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet
5 x B-25J Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats nearly 3000 men lost to bombing raids in two days! Oh man that is so cool!

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Sat May 17, 2003 5:41 pm

Well, NOTHING happened the last turn......a quick look at the "aircraft losses for today" shows one operation loss for Luskan.......a student pilot fresh out of flight school maybe?

We have just had some thunderstorms roll across the region, never a good sign, as Luskan tends to move his carriers their cover. After two good days of bombing I am giving the crews the day off....they deserve it. But fear not! They shall be back to bomb the cr@p out of Luskan again!

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Sun May 18, 2003 7:30 am

Breaking news!

Lost baggage from Friday nights flight has been found a returned via courier !:)

Luskan · Post by **Luskan** » Sun May 18, 2003 10:10 am

Raver's lack of bombing gave me a quick chance to evac some units I didn't want bombed (I have a large surplus of base forces and engineers - for the first time ever playing as the IJN. I have more than I need. Would prefer to keep it that way by not letting Raver bomb me to shreds just yet).

Surprisingly, the 3000 troops lost (and plenty knocked out of action) were all ENG and AA units. The combat troops themselves are basically at 100%. Which is a pity really because I won't be able to evacuate them unless Raver looses all his CVs in a big tme battle.

The question of course is, where is Raver sending his CVs? A daring thrust to interdict shipping south of Truk? Unlikely - long way to limp home if he's just been damaged.

A CV sortie up to PNG, with an invasion in tow - probably aimed at GG because he can try to destroy troops there, rather than have them escape across the Owen Stanleys from PM. This is probably the most preferred option - I have many airbases on and around PNG that can be manned and filled with planes as soon as the enemy is sighted, and I have enough troops at the major bases to make sure that for Raver to get 2 to one odds, he'll need to bring 1000 (yes, that many!) assault points worth of inf to tackle them. Rabaul, Shortlands, Gasmata and Hopkins are all out of Raver's LRB range but well able to launch betties past PM.

Now at Lunga/Tulagi/Irau/Russell Islands, I have a fairly strong defence at each base (although strictly speaking all are now within Ravers LRB). To take Irau he could possibly flatten Tulagi, Russell and Lunga by bombers/maybe even a BB tf or two, and render the airfields useless. All USN players try to do exactly this when they send their Irau invasion force. The trick is to have enough troops at Irau (there is certainly more than I need at Lunga) that Raver has to use LBA or his naval air to soften them up (I know Raver has played Doomed, so Raver has probably had a few 3-week long lessons on exactly how much damage experienced naval dive bombers can do to ground troops - And Doomed was the IJN in the game he did it to me (literally wiped out about 350 assault points). As long as Raver has to spread is air all across the bases, I am confident that my air force will still have bases to launch from, and cripple his invasion.

I have 500+ aircraft at Truk alone, having been training THE ENTIRE GAME so far, rested and ready for war. When Raver's CVs are sighted, I'll initiate my response plans, and dump my 4 front line fighter squadrons (they've been bombed at Lunga, PM, GG, Dobadura and even Buna once) back to Truk while my fresh pilots take over.

herbieh · Post by **herbieh** » Tue May 20, 2003 12:50 am

Raverdave, just curious, when did you serve on brisbane and as what, I spent time on her twice, mid 87 until just before the gulf, and about 94 to 96, as a ls, po and cpo stoker.
Also served on the green ghost, and finished my time as the Tiff on the Perth.
really enjoy your AAR

herbieh

Raverdave · Post by **Raverdave** » Tue May 20, 2003 2:27 am

Originally posted by herbieh
Raverdave, just curious, when did you serve on brisbane and as what, I spent time on her twice, mid 87 until just before the gulf, and about 94 to 96, as a ls, po and cpo stoker.
Also served on the green ghost, and finished my time as the Tiff on the Perth.
really enjoy your AAR

herbieh

Nah, I was a grunt, I should have been in the Navy. I had a mate on the Hobart, and my brother-in-law is currently on the Yarra. I also have a mate on the Waller. I just like the pic! looks cool

Luskan · Post by **Luskan** » Thu May 22, 2003 6:51 am

I agree, it is a great pic - as long as it wasn't taken from an Iraqi attack sub

An Aussie Affair: Re-Match!

Fcuking Airports!

Breaking news!

HMAS Brisbane

Re: HMAS Brisbane