The Power of Inexperience / GreyJoy(A)-Rader(J)

[princep01]

Commander Cody...the series is actually 5 books long at present. The last is A Dance with Dragons. One man's suggestion; read the first tome and decide if you wish to engage in the others before buying Dragon. There will be at least one more volume following Dragon in the series.

Now, turning to the AAR, I can almost hear the gears of Greyjoy's demented mind churning as he incorporates various suggestions and ideas into that devious little mind of his. Like others, I look forward to seeing what plots he conceives to undo Rader and the Japanese empire. Come, come Reek, show us what the iron-born can do.

[GreyJoy]

[:)] Glad you all like being here [8D]


ok guys, orders are issued.
I have a feeling that tomorrow Rader will try another massive evacuating operation. Considering his thread about the way to kill PTs, i've ordered to 2 DD Divisions (3 Fletchers each) and to one cruiser Division (CL Leander, CL Richmond + 8 Fletchers) to screen the waters between Russell Island and Thousands (i know there are mines there...finger crossed), aided by HORDES of PTs...
He has also placed lots of fighters at Russell and probably also at Thousands, so 230 fighters will sweep these two bases, clearing the way for 80 SDBs, 40 2Es at 1000 ft and 32 Torpedo Bombers that are ready between Auki and Tassafaronga. Range is set to 2 (so we won't reach Rekata Bay nor Munda)...hopefully he'll send his CAs to cover the operations...

In NG we're getting ready for Milne Bay...Terapo and Mereuake will also be targets.... think in 4 days we'll be ready...

Weather is forecasted overcast in the whole SOPAC for tomorrow...let's see...

[Graymane]

It looks like you really achieved some good results with PT boats from the looks of his thread. How have you been using them?

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Graymane

It looks like you really achieved some good results with PT boats from the looks of his thread. How have you been using them?

Sincerly i think i've been succesfull only because my PTs, sent out from Tulagi to Thousands, always encuntered task forces composed of LBs (Barges) escorted by only 1 PB....so the 40mm of my PTs could easily sink those little boats of his and the PBs always ended up with a torp in their stomaches

Whenever my PTs encountered his DDs or CAs they always got sunk...that's why i think he'll send this time lot more of DDs...and to counter this i'll send my Fletchers...and if his CAs do not retire after the first night, my SDBs will be ready to meet them...

Tomorrow will be a day of heavy air fightings over Russell and Thousands...

While all of this happens in the Solomons, in NG tomorrow the first convoy will reach PM...lets' see if he will be engaging his air forces...my CAP at PM is decent...but we all know he can sweep me to oblivion...but to do that he will have to divide his forces and weaken the Solomons...i think it's a matter of choices...till now he hasn't devoted much force to counter my PM invasion...and if he waits too much it could be too late...

Ok, tomorrow Rader will be back...we just have to wait now...

Finger crossed...

[GreyJoy]

Nov 1, 2 1943

Diffucult to say if it was a good turn or not.
Let's begin saying weather, this time, was on Rader's side.
Despite the forecast, Thousands was covered by storms for two days...not a single phase (AM or PM) saw a piece of clear sky over the damned island.

However Rader acted as previewed. He sent a big TF of barges and 2 Fast Transport TFs, composed of CAs, DDs and APDs to save parts of Thousands garrison (the 38th and the 5th Divisions being the most important units Rader is saving).
Our PTs were out in waves, and we had a DD division and a Cruiser TF out there.

Let's try to analyze the different moments...


November 1st - Night

Our Cruisers found and sunk several barges 1 hex north of Thousands...they were all empty cause we got them during their getting near phase...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Thousand Ships Bay at 114,136, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-144, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-520, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-521, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LB-522, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LB-523, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
LB-524, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
LB-525, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-526, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LB-528, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-529, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-530, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Leander
CL Detroit
DD Dyson
DD Eaton
DD Radford
DD Renshaw
DD Strong
DD Taylor




Then our PTs found and sunk 3 ACMs that were trying to lay mines at Russell...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Russell Islands at 113,136, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
ACM Kongo Maru #2
ACM Misago Maru #11, heavy fires, heavy damage
ACM Sonobe Maru, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
ACM Tamaura Maru, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT-132
PT-357
PT-359
PT-372
PT-376


Then, while our Crusers and Destroyers moved north of Russell Island to close the circle, his CAs, moving from Rekata Bay and passing near Auki, opened their way through my PTs, sinking at least 8 of them in various encounters...but the Takao ate a torp...nothing serious but enough to stay in port for a while i guess...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Thousand Ships Bay at 114,136, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Takao, Torpedo hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
DD Shimakaze
DD Akizuki
DD Hayanami
DD Suzukaze
DD Arikaze

Allied Ships
PT-344, Shell hits 1
PT-365
PT-366
PT-367, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-378
PT-379, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-382, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-383



The night battles made Rader's cruisers spend most of their op points and when the day came they were still loading troops... (Bad weather all over btw...)


November 1st - Morning

Our DD division arrived and chased the enemy CAs while they were loading on the beaches... we fought bravely but, despite some decent hits, DD Shaw got clobbered by the heavy guns of CA Haguro...and sunk...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Thousand Ships Bay at 114,136, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 4
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 2
DD Kiyonami
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 1
DD Amagiri, Shell hits 5
APD Asagao
DD Susukaze, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Ishikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 2
DD Mahan
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1
DD Shaw, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
259 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled


For some reasons our Cruisers lost their route and were found in daylight one hex south of Rekata Bay...[:o]
It started a serie of air attacks....luckly i had some LRCAP over them and the Netties never found their target...
Our LRCAP performed well in this circumstance


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 112,135

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6
N1K1-J George x 9



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2
Kittyhawk IV x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 3
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Detroit




Then our 4Es from Cooktown attacked again Buna AF...the Beaufighters were on escort and not a single fighter was found... (probably because at Salamua it was stormy)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Buna , at 99,129

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 109
B-24J Liberator x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 39


November 1st - Afternoon

Despite having nearly 200 different bombers on naval attack from Auki and Tassafaronga, the weather was so awfull that not a single a/c took off to attack his CAs at Thousands, not to sweep Russell or Thousands as i ordered...
Instead more enemy a/cs attacked my cruisers near Rekata...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 112,135

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
P1Y1 Frances x 9



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 6
Kittyhawk IV x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 7
P-40N5 Warhawk x 3
FM-1 Wildcat x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Detroit
DD Radford

...and my DDs at Russell...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 112,136

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 28
A6M3a Zero x 14
G4M1 Betty x 13
N1K1-J George x 46
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 24
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 33
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16
Ki-84a Frank x 41



Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6
Kittyhawk IV x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD DeHaven
DD Converse


Then finally, one of the 2 CA TFs he had, the one that managed to move out of Thousands (the other one was still there), got attacked by a very limited number of bombers (1 hex north of Thousands)...results were poor

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Thousand Ships Bay at 114,136

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 10
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Asagao, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Myoko
CA Chokai
CA Tone

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled





So the 1st November ended with very little results and with a DD sunk on my side...

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


November 2nd - Night

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

Our brave DDs tangled north of Thousands with enemy's E class, sinking 2 of them...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rekata Bay at 112,135, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Sanae
E Wakamiya, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
E Maeshima, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Converse, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD DeHaven
DD Foote





Then, when the day came, our cruisers finally arrived at Thousands and tried to interdict his CAs still loading men at Thousands...
The battle was pointless, but we surely damaged a couple of DDs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rekata Bay at 113,135, Range 27,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 2
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 1
DD Nowaki
DD Arashio, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Detroit, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Dyson, Shell hits 1
DD Eaton
DD Radford
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 2
DD Strong
DD Taylor

Japanese ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 2 disabled


Then the enemy moved 1 hex northwards...and found again the same DD TF that tangled with them yesterday...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rekata Bay at 112,135, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Ashigara
CA Mikuma
CA Furutaka
DD Kiyonami
DD Asagiri, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Converse
DD DeHaven, Shell hits 1
DD Foote, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled




The bastards managed to get away....but another CA TF is loading at Thousands...under heavy storms....




...while at Russell the sun finally came out of the clouds and our fighters took off...sweep missions...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Russell Islands , at 113,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 2
N1K1-J George x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 41
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 70



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Russell Islands , at 113,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
N1K1-J George x 14
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 30
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 44



Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Russell Islands , at 113,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 16 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Russell Islands , at 113,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses




We cleared the skies over Russell....

....and when his bombers arrived to attack my DDs at Russell...they found no local CAP to count upon...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 113,136

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6
N1K1-J George x 7



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 2
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Renshaw


And then, finally, our bombers took off in decent numbers...(not nearly enough but still....)...
Not having the chance to localize his CAs under those clouds, they targeted another Fast transport TF that wasn't seen during the night phase...

Despite some heavy losses on my part, the escort was decent and the previous battles over Russell have significantly lowered his leaky CAP...
Our bombers got through and mauled the enemy DDs...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,135

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
N1K1-J George x 11



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 9
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
SBD-5 Dauntless x 22
TBF-1 Avenger x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Asagao, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio, on fire, heavy damage
DD Amagiri, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Susukaze
DD Nowaki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ishikaze

Japanese ground losses:
184 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 112,135

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
N1K1-J George x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11



Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 12
P-40N5 Warhawk x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 3
SBD-5 Dauntless x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Asagiri, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,135

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
N1K1-J George x 6



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Asagao, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,135

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1



Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 9


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,135

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
FM-1 Wildcat x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled




November 2nd - afternoon

His bombers, in the afternoon, took off again...but the escort got slaughtered over Russell...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 113,136

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 6
P1Y1 Frances x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 1
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 2
FM-1 Wildcat x 1
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 5 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Leander


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

Then it was time for my escort to get mauled south of Rekata Bay....


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,135

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 5
N1K1-J George x 37
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 15
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17



Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 16
Kittyhawk III x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
Kittyhawk IV x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 11
P-40N5 Warhawk x 7
FM-1 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14
SBD-5 Dauntless x 6
TBF-1 Avenger x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 7 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk IV: 2 destroyed
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Susukaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Amagiri, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
DD Ishikaze, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
313 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 14 disabled



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rekata Bay at 113,135

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
N1K1-J George x 34
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14



Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 11
P-40N5 Warhawk x 4
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Susukaze, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled






By the end of the turn we had exchanged 1 DD for 6 DD, 2 APDs, 2 "E", while in the air we obtained a decent 1-1 kill ratio....unfortunately we lost 50 pilots cause we were fighting over enemy territory...

There's still a CA TF at Thousands now...and i want to chase it down... time for the big guys to come in!

I cannot count on the air interdiction much...weather is too less predictable and our i really do not like those losses in terms of pilots lost...i think i'll use LRCAP and fast BBs tomorrow...[8D]

At PM the first convoy arrived and start unloading...no sign of any attempt of his to interdict it...

KB disappeared...

[GreyJoy]

.

[GreyJoy]

.

[GreyJoy]

Ok, here's the plan to hunt those pesky CAs...

TF 1 (BB Washington, BB Massachusset, CL Colombia, CL Mobile + 6 Fletchers) will move from Tulagi to Thousands and from there at max speed for 2 hexes towards the straight between Rekata and Munda
TF 2 (CA Baltimore, CL Boise, CL Denver, CL Birmingam + 6 Fletchers) will move from Tulagi to Thousands and from here to Rekata, taking the eastern route
TF 3 (4 Destroyers) will move from Russell into an arc north and east, trying to close the inner route tha goes from Thousands to Munda.

250 fighters will provide LRCAP over TF1 and TF2

[USSAmerica]

A resoundingly positive turn, GJ!  I know losing trained pilots pains your heart, but you did good damage to the part of Rader's forces where he can't out produce you...... ships.  I know he get's more ships in Scen 2, but every one you sink will NOT be coming back, unlike his ability to refill his air groups.  Keep up the great work!  [8D]

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: USS America

A resoundingly positive turn, GJ!  I know losing trained pilots pains your heart, but you did good damage to the part of Rader's forces where he can't out produce you...... ships.  I know he get's more ships in Scen 2, but every one you sink will NOT be coming back, unlike his ability to refill his air groups.  Keep up the great work!  [8D]

Thanks!

Tomorrow we'll also launch the operation for Milne Bay...a bit in early with the scheldue but i need to get there asap.

Para will land at Mylne Bay on the first day and on the second, a fast transport TF will unload (hopefully) 68% of the 17th NZ Bde fully prepped.
Then we'll move in engeneers and 2 more NZ Bdes...

But we're looking forward the naval actions that will take place in the Solomons...our BBs are out hunting...

HURRA!

[GreyJoy]

I decided to bring back to the Solomons my "British Flying Circus".
The TOP GUNS (Kershaw, Cooper Sliper and many more), after several months of deserved quiet, will be moved to the 54th RAF Group based at Tulagi and equipped with their awesome Spit mk. VIII... remember that these guys they all obtained more than 40 kills each during the battle of India flying this beast!
In this unit only pilots with more than 20 kills will be admitted...
 
La Créme de la Créme [8D]

[GreyJoy]

Nov 3, 4 1943

The CAs simply went away...we didn't manage to get a contact with them...they slipped right behind my nose...[:@]

The day wasn't the worst one however...

Our DDs sunk 3 "E" Class near Munda and then, during the day, the KB launched against my shippings at Tassafaronga...my CAP did wonders and we achieved an incredible 13 vs 127 kill ratio! [8D]

While this happens, at Milne Bay my paras conquers the dot base and right after 87 squads of new zelanders are dropped by APDs...
Tomorrow some light LRCAP is ordered while our patrol boats will start to drop there engeneers and a couple of fast transport TFs will deliver the rest of the NZ Bde...

More units are flowing to PM that now reached port 3 and AF 6...

Now we need to secure Milne and conquer Mereuake...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 113,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 147 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
N1K1-J George x 21



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Kittyhawk III x 10
Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-38G Lightning x 12
P-38H Lightning x 52
P-40K Warhawk x 25
P-40N5 Warhawk x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 80
FM-1 Wildcat x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 24
F4U-1A Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 31


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tassafaronga at 113,137

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 133 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
A6M5 Zero x 153
A6M5b Zero x 16
B6N2 Jill x 27


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Kittyhawk III x 7
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
Kittyhawk IV x 1
P-38G Lightning x 12
P-38H Lightning x 44
P-40K Warhawk x 23
P-40N5 Warhawk x 1
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 69
FM-1 Wildcat x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 20
F4U-1A Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 44 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 6 destroyed
B6N2 Jill: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Canopus


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

Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 190 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 18

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Milne Bay !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)



Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1

[Canoerebel]

You're doing great. Thus far, though, your campaigns have threatened and engaged IJ forces on the front, where rader wants to fight. Take Merauke, though, and you've penetrated behind the front lines. You're suddenly threating his interior - his vitals. That's going to send a shiver up his spine.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You're doing great. Thus far, though, your campaigns have threatened and engaged IJ forces on the front, where rader wants to fight. Take Merauke, though, and you've penetrated behind the front lines. You're suddenly threating his interior - his vitals. That's going to send a shiver up his spine.

And a great snatch of Milne bay which will help to flank the Solomon chain and opens the doors to NG. I really can't figure out why Rader did not have a larger garrison at this key base....

I would not fret too much about the pilot losses. If you sink ships, especially DDs then it is well worth the pilots.

[GreyJoy]

Not even Mereuke is garrisoned...[&:]
 
It seems that Rader has concentrated everything in the Solomons completely forgetting the NG...
Tomorrow we'll bomb Salamua in order to keep him honest...(it's the only other AF, along with Lae, left open in his side of NG...)
 
The idea now is to start extending my air perimeter around PM.
He lost 250 planes in 4 days...not bad...and today KB lost about 125 planes...[;)]
 
In 4 days we'll start the operation for Mereuke..., while in the Solomons tomorrow we'll bomb Rekata Bay, trying to keep him under heavy pressure...i'd really like to attritt his air force some more...
 
Pilots lost hurt...it's the asset which i've been devoting more attention since the game start and many of my best pilots are known by name...i'm a sentimental guy, you know[:D]
 
 

[Miller]

Rader must be scraping the bottom of the barrel for decent pilots now. Even in Scn 2 there is no way his training regime can keep up with the losses he has been taking. The fact that you seem to be knocking down his best fighters with ease would seem to confirm this.......

[GreyJoy]

Nov 5, 6 1943

Rader finally reacted to my Milne Bay invasion...he sent 130 bombers (Helens and Betties) to attack my troops there, while we countinued to pour in the 17th NZ Bde and 2 Seabees units.
AF is 25% now...level 1 is near...

We sent our 4 Es to Salamua....but instead of sweep i ordered my P-38s to escort...[:o]...result is that we lost 23 P-38s...15 days of production[:@]...however Salamua was hit hard and the base is closed now...but Lae and Nazareb are open again...

In The Solomons we bombed hard Rekata with our BBs, while my Cruisers were screening...no sign of enemy shippings.... we destroyed 78 planes on the ground...not bad...

We'll keep on patrolling those waters...pretty sure Rader will try to evacuate more troops (still 45,000 men stuck on Russell and Thousands...)

PM is growing fast....now the II Aus Corp is assembling...3 Divisions, 4 armoured units, artillery and much more...target? BUNA!


Tomorrow our CVs will get closer to PM and Milne Bay...4 hexes from each one...will perform some LRCAP over Milne with 50 Hellcats...

Our P-38s will rest at PM... while our P-47s at Lunga and Auki will sweep Thousands and Russell...

...and the 1st Australian Para BN will land at Mereuke tomorrow...

BANZAI!

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Miller

Rader must be scraping the bottom of the barrel for decent pilots now. Even in Scn 2 there is no way his training regime can keep up with the losses he has been taking. The fact that you seem to be knocking down his best fighters with ease would seem to confirm this.......

Don't know sincerly... When we're fighting at his own terms he always manages to get a 1-1 kill ratio...so probably his pilots are still in their 70s.... for sure his elites are gone for good...but he can still bite me. We have to remain honest and advance as planned...slowly but steady

[GreyJoy]

.

[princep01]

Reek, Marauke??? Whatever for? Explain yourself, young man.

Don't start with the poison pawn stuff. Dvelop a coherent strategic plan and go with it. No side diversions to waste troops. Gather yourself and start moving in accord with your plan to develop operational momentum.

If this isolated "nowhere" is part of your plan, then explain. Consider. It is currently empty because.......?

princepBolton