NOT JUST Submarines in the Pacific: FDRLincoln (Japan) vs. Bakerman (Allies)

[FDRLincoln]

On the negative side, Fifth Division and supporting troops remained trapped at Lashio. They are dug in and still have supply but relieving them is going to be tough. I will try to get a screenshot tomorrow.

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 38268 troops, 399 guns, 683 vehicles, Assault Value = 1593

Defending force 15831 troops, 147 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 523



Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade
25th Indian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
BFF Brigade
17th Indian Division
13th Indian Brigade
5th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
5th Division
55th Engineer Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
94th JAAF AF Bn

[FDRLincoln]

Another carrier battle results in victory for the forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The Allies have an annoying base at Cocos Island which I had neglected to invade earlier in the war. I have several units prepped and ready to invade, but I knew that Allied carriers were in the vicinity, so I wanted to lure them out. The US is down to Saratoga and Hornet, with all the other prewar carriers sunk. Other than one CVE, my entire carrier force is intact.

KB is at an undisclosed location, but the Western Carrier Force consisting of Hiyo, Junyo, Zuiho, Shoho, Ryuho, and Ryujo was dispatched to deal with the allied menace.

First we begin with a nightime cruiser bombardment of Cocos Island in order to draw the allied CV force known to be in the area out.

Night Naval bombardment of Cocos Islands at 33,101

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CL Kuma


Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 21
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

CA Kumano firing at 22nd (East African) Brigade
CA Chokai firing at Cocos Islands
CA Maya firing at Cocos Islands
CL Kuma firing at 22nd (East African) Brigade

[FDRLincoln]

Allied carrier sighted! The Western Carrier Force launches an attack!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island IO at 39,105

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 70
B5N2 Kate x 57
D3A2 Val x 23



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 54


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 2
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CLAA Atlanta
CLAA San Juan



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x D3A2 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D3A2 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A2 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (8 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

Fuel storage explosion on CV Hornet
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hornet

[FDRLincoln]

Hornet is sunk! Saratoga is badly damaged. However, the Americans did get a strike off.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 39,101

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M3a Zero x 48



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 58
TBF-1 Avenger x 30


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 14 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 7 destroyed, 12 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 2
DD Kasumi
CV Junyo
CVL Ryuho
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 1
CVL Shoho
CS Nisshin



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 4 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Ryujo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Junyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Hiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M3a Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
Taiyo-1 with A6M3a Zero (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo

[FDRLincoln]

Note the usage of A6M2-N Rufe planes on CAP. These guys were set to patrol at 6,000 feet, relatively low CAP hoping to take out some torpedo planes on low approach. The replay showed that it worked, with five enemy aircraft being destroyed by Rufes.

[FDRLincoln]

The Americans take some revenge when a small group of Vals and Kates gets separated from the main strike and slaughtered by Wildcats.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island IO at 39,105

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 3



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 79 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island IO at 39,105

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 8



Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

[FDRLincoln]

My opponent confirms that Hornet was sunk. Saratoga survives but is in rough shape. He says she will reach port but will need considerable yard time.

There are no more United States fleet carriers in the Pacific until Saratoga is repaired and until the Essex and Independence hulls begin to arrive.

As for my carriers, all have reached Batavia safely. Ryujo is banged up and will need at least a month in the yard. Zuiho and Hiyo will need a bit of time but both could be committed to battle if need be.

BANZAI!

[PaxMondo]

NICE!

[FDRLincoln]

I have been very fortunate and have won all four carrier duels in this game decisively.

However, the average Japanese fanboy may wonder why I haven't used this opportunity to really push my perimeter. My furthest outpost in the Solomons is Tulagi, and I haven't gone any further past Tarawa.

I'm fairly conservative and am very aware of the risks of overstretch. I used the breathing space to conquer almost all of China so I can soak up those resources. I'm building up my various atoll bases, training pilots, have a robust ASW program, etc..

I launch occasional raids and attacks with KB or SAGs, but only when I am assured of conditions of local superiority. I don't launch an assault into the teeth of his defenses or land-based air. When he pushes somewhere, I try to avoid being drawn into an attrition battle that I can't win. For example, he's been bombing the crap out of my bases in Eastern New Guinea, but I hold my CAP back most of the time and only pounce occasionally.

[obvert]

Well done! You should be in fine shape for the next few years. Now you can concentrate on those areas he can move without CVs.

Glad to see the Rufes did their job.