Matrix Games Forums

You didn't mention anything about submarines in the area. Do you have any and are you vectoring them to cut off his escapes routes and maybe pick off a crippled capitol vessel?

And the carriers are actually the TF 4 hexes east of Chittagong (apologies for not specifying this in the map). So if he really wants to go defensive, he just needs to use the carriers to escort heavy damaged Wasp into Calcutta. staying one or two hexes outside Calcutta or Diamond Harbor will avoid the penalty while still remaining very close for land based CAP and put me in range of his own LBAs for strike. Hornet + Yorkwown + Hermes + Illustrious + Calcutta LBAs + Chittagong LBAs is too much firepower against my carriers

Once Wasp is safe at port, he can then go flank speed to in either west or south west direction. This would be the defensive approach, trying to avoid another carrier battle.

A more aggresive play would be to use damaged Illustrious (assuming damage to engine/ speed) or Hermes, or both to escort Wasp and hunt me with Yorktown and Hornet

The naval search popup only ever lists 10 ships...never anymore.

Lots of players have been shafted by seeing only combat ships and no invasions ships for example...

It can be really tough...

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

You didn't mention anything about submarines in the area. Do you have any and are you vectoring them to cut off his escapes routes and maybe pick off a crippled capitol vessel?

Only one near Calcutta, sighted and probably going to be harassed heavily, another one moving on, but likely will arrive to late

I have a lot more submarines near Colombo, they might catch something, but much later on

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

. Hornet + Yorkwown + Hermes + Illustrious + Calcutta LBAs + Chittagong LBAs is too much firepower against my carriers

Nonsense. [:D] Land base air LRCAP over fleet carriers is pitiful.

Land based air attacks against your carriers will fragment and go down easily.

You have the advantage now...push for it.

Alternative strategy is to naval search heavily (which you should be doing anyhow)...they will most likely make a lot of attacks on the damaged Wasp.

1 Betty squadron on strike, 3 Oscar/Zero on Escort flying at 25,000 feet....I can't really tell what's up from the map....but you might be able to do it. Air HQ, torpedoes, good DL...he won't be able to stop this attack...only the weather will.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

The naval search popup only ever lists 10 ships...never anymore.

Lots of players have been shafted by seeing only combat ships and no invasions ships for example...

It can be really tough...

I didn't know that! I thought it would somehow show accurate numbers, Still there is the fact he was not striking with all his squadrons (I mean not even CAP with all his potential fighter squadrons until a LRCAP mission forced him to set VF-8 to rest)

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

The naval search popup only ever lists 10 ships...never anymore.

Lots of players have been shafted by seeing only combat ships and no invasions ships for example...

It can be really tough...

I didn't know that! I thought it would somehow show accurate numbers, Still there is the fact he was not striking with all his squadrons (I mean not even CAP with all his potential fighter squadrons until a LRCAP mission forced him to set VF-8 to rest)

All sorts of strange things happen on ships...for example if he set a squadron to rest for the day...it could have gone into maintenance. Or planes diverted from Wasp overloaded a carrier or two. Or he overstacked his carrier like you did.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

. Hornet + Yorkwown + Hermes + Illustrious + Calcutta LBAs + Chittagong LBAs is too much firepower against my carriers

Nonsense. [:D] Land base air LRCAP over fleet carriers is pitiful.

Land based air attacks against your carriers will fragment and go down easily.

You have the advantage now...push for it.

Alternative strategy is to naval search heavily (which you should be doing anyhow)...they will most likely make a lot of attacks on the damaged Wasp.

1 Betty squadron on strike, 3 Oscar/Zero on Escort flying at 25,000 feet....I can't really tell what's up from the map....but you might be able to do it. Air HQ, torpedoes, good DL...he won't be able to stop this attack...only the weather will.

OK I have withdrawn the turn (doesn't seems that he has picked it up). Assuming he really has not yet picked it, then I will study if it makes sense to go a bit closer... I still won't attack Calcutta's hex, but I might go one or two hexes south

Lowpe: quick question, if I have a squadron at Pt Blair, and I rebase it to Magwe... would they still fly next turn? maybe PM only?

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Lowpe: quick question, if I have a squadron at Pt Blair, and I rebase it to Magwe... would they still fly next turn? maybe PM only?

They have to pass checks, but if you have a good HQa there (check the leader); plentiful supply, torpedoes, and the morale and leadership of the squadron you are transferring is good and finally you have decent DL on a carrier...then they will fly.

Weather can hurt you...but then that is always true for land based ops in Burma.

I have pulled off many fly in and attack raids like this, and fly out the following day. Not very realistic I guess, but it is a game and we are Japan![:D]

Thanks!
so this is the new plan..
Carrier Strike is set for 6 hexes, this will avoid Calcutta, assuming of course Yamaguchi agrees

Finally the turn, Revthought was on holiday last weekend, he probably rushed the turns as I found a few mistakes in his arrangements:
Summary:

Carrier battle was a repetition of 1st day; but with a lot more Japanese aircraft losses
- Nothing happened in AM phase due to weather
- Got one torpedo hits on Illustrious, Hermes and a 250 kg bomb hit with fuel explosion on Hornet. Another good, but not good enough moment, they will all survive
- BB North Carolina received 3 torpedo hits... should be gone, but you never know with these American invulnerable battleships.. these minimal gains cost me too many Betties, Kates and Vals. Land based CAP (not LRCAP, simple base CAP was very effective and of course AA in DaBabes is murderous
- Relly punny counter strike I mean ridiculously small, launched from Diamond Harbor (50% penalty), just one Avenger survived CAP and was damaged by Zuikaku guns. At least no carrier was harmed

Significant night surface battles against ammo depleted (Akyab bombardment) fleets
BB Warspite, CAs Northampton, Cornwall, DDs Litchfield, Isaac Sweers, Steeret, Wilson sank (all confirmed)
DDs Lang and Stack ended with heavy fires, heavy damage, probably will sink
CAs Devonshire and Exeter escaped with some damage

Japanese DDs Oite and Arashio sank



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 24, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cuttack at 46,43, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CL Yura
CL Kuma
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Arashi
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
DD Litchfield, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 85% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vizagapatnam at 44,43, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CL Yura
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1
DD Arashio, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Shell hits 9
CA Northampton, Shell hits 1
CA Devonshire
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 1
CA Exeter
DD Stack, Shell hits 3
DD Sterett, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Lang, Shell hits 2, on fire

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 85% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vizagapatnam at 44,43, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 1
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Yamashiro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Michishio
DD Arare, Shell hits 1
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
CA Northampton, Shell hits 2
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 3
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 2
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1
DD Stack, on fire
DD Sterett, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Wilson, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lang, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 85% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vizagapatnam at 42,43, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Natori, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo
DD Nagatsuki
DD Oite, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Northampton
CA Devonshire
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter
DD Stack, on fire
DD Sterett, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Wilson, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lang, heavy fires

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 85% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vizagapatnam at 41,43, Range 11,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed
Walrus II: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Nowaki
DD Michishio
DD Arare, on fire
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
CA Northampton, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
CA Devonshire
CA Cornwall, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
CA Exeter, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Stack, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sterett, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Wilson, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
DD Lang, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 85% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Harada, Kaku crosses the 'T'

PM Phase:
Two Japanese coordinated attacks (one from Magwe, the other from carriers)
one cap trap killed several Betties
Minimal strike against Japanese carriers
Notice Hornet bombers still attacking Akyab.. [:-] in his defense, he rushed the turn after a long weekend [&o]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diamond Harbour at 52,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
A6M3 Zero x 25
G3M2 Nell x 32
G4M1 Betty x 51
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 62

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 5
Sea Hurricane Ib x 4
Hurricane I Trop x 4
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 20
Mohawk IV x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 25
F4F-3 Wildcat x 47
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 7 destroyed, 17 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 9 destroyed, 28 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed by flak
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane I Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 1
BB North Carolina
DD Inconstant
CV Yorktown
CV Hornet
DD Arrow
DD Bancroft
DD Sands
CV Illustrious

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
14 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
24 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
VMO-251 with F4F-3 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
1-Vl.G.IV with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.11 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
No.146 Sqn RAF with Mohawk IV (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
58th FG/68th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
No.273 Sqn RAF with Fulmar II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
28th CG/18th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
23rd FG/76th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diamond Harbour at 52,38

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 75
B5N1 Kate x 21
B5N2 Kate x 36
D3A1 Val x 60

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 2
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Hurricane I Trop x 1
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8
Mohawk IV x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 27
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 20 destroyed, 24 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
CVL Hermes
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Atlanta

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
3 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-8 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
VF-42 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
1-Vl.G.IV with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.11 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.30 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.135 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
No.146 Sqn RAF with Mohawk IV (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
28th CG/18th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
58th FG/68th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
No.880 Sqn FAA with Sea Hurricane Ib (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
VMO-251 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7180 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane I Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 4000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.273 Sqn RAF with Fulmar II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 16400.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

Fuel storage explosion on CV Hornet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cuttack at 48,40

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 83

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 13
Fulmar II x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 6
TBF-1 Avenger x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 6 destroyed
Fulmar II: 2 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kanoya Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Kanoya Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29070.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
Kanoya Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
3rd Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 29070.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cuttack at 48,40

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 70

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Kanoya Ku S-1/A with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
Kanoya Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 21105.
Raid is overhead
Kanoya Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 1 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/B with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
3rd Ku S-1/C with A6M2 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 21105.
Raid is overhead
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 82 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 6th Tank Regiment, at 54,43 (Cox's Bazar)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 8

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diamond Harbour at 50,39

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD McCalla
DD Grayson

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
8th FG/36th FS with P-39D Airacobra (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Aircraft losses

63 Betty strikes with only 1 hit...in decent weather. Argh![:@] One reason is the Bettys flew too low. They got nailed on approach by flak. Get them up around 20K on approach so they really minimize the AA on approach (25K is better).

This does several things:

1. Minimize approach flak
2. Stretch and exhaust CAP
3. Lets your escorts perform better

Anyhow, a really well coordinated strike![&o] I would gladly exchange 190 planes for strikes like that...

You can see the coordination penalty on the land based fighter presence over Diamond Harbor...that base would have been worth sweeping. Hindsight[8|], but an important tactic to remember. If the ships weren't there, the sweep might pull off leaking CAP or LRCAP, if the ships are there they will help whittle down the CAP.

You had him..and very well done for the night naval battles.[&o]

When you string together two great days with such a favorable loss ratio...that is great.

Yes, I agree
in all it was a positive outcome; he was treating the Indian Ocean as if it was already an Allied lake, and the idea of any local Allied naval superiority had been put to rest for at least another 6 months. It will take him a lot longer to recover his aircraft loses, while I will have no trouble replacing all mine in a few weeks at most.. Pilots are another story altogether, and since I am at 0 general reserves, some training squadrons will likely end under utilized
I should had sent Sweeps to Calcutta and Diamond Harbor, and I had enough escorts, but I sent them to cover land bombers bombing Chittagong's airfield.

I was actually surprised he chose Diamond Harbor in any case, I would had put my TF in the hex East or South East of Calcutta, so that it can still launch without the severe penalty. Conversely I would had rebased all my strike pack into Calcutta so that the carriers are just CAP platforms


What's next:
- Fleets will withdraw to refuel& rearm. Enemy carrier fleet is out of reach now, and the two surviving heavy cruisers will likely run away at flank speed and they are chicken feed anyway
- Refocus submarines to cover the Calcutta-Ceylon waters
- Setup recon over Calcutta, then have an eye open for the carriers.
- Keep a carrier fleet at Pt Blair, ready to jump to intercept if I find they are on the move

Send a bunch of subs up...be ready to sink ASW ships if he sends them in.

before you fully retreat send some ships with ammo to provoke another aerial naval attack and LRCAP the fleet. See if he attempts to organize an aerial naval strike closer to Diamond.

Think about mining Diamond, too.

If you have night bombing...now is the time to night bomb Calcutta.

more than a week and no turn...

the troubles of a carrier battle [;)]

EDIT: He is actually sick, hospitalized, so just hoping for a quick recovery

After a month with no turn, I think it is time to call this game off

Once we lift FOW (I mean once we share passwords), I will be posting final statistics and thoughts about what went well, what went wrong

Sadly all good things must come to an end.