I'm actually surprised to see so good results. In all my experiences AMCs fail a lot. It might be that in this case speed advantage helped. And I also bet he put a good skipper.
Iwill start adding at least a couple DDs or former DDs to every tanker TF.. I think that can make a big difference. Supply *aks can keep the light escort
An AMC did fail - the aptly named escorting AMC Pansy! I think it only had 4" guns and likely a lot less crew experience than the IJN AMC. Skippers naval skill could be a factor too. I have used Pansy and the other British AMC that has no troop carrying capacity as escorts too and they seem to be the first to take hits and go down easily, whether by naval or air attack, or shore battery fire.
Pansy's only redeeming value is its ASW value of 4. Unlike the other British AMCs its the only one with an ASW capability.
Waiting at an off board entry hex is just about as low down and gamey as it gets!
Waiting at an off board entry hex is just about as low down and gamey as it gets!
The raider wasn't right on the map edge - it was along the "shipping lane" from off map to Perth. I don't have a problem with that - as Jorge pointed out, I could have easily initially laid in a course for Carnarvon. My bad all around. Was a good use of a AMC raider.
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: NSTR
West Coast/Admin. Fast convoy departs LA for Auckland. CV Hornet completes refit at Auckland.
In NOPAC, S-44 misses CA Suzuya with 4 torps and gets pounded by escorts off Attu - she’ll limp back to PH for yard time. Vindicators attack the TF and hit BB Fuso with two bombs which of course just bounce off the armor. The next night, a second TF with BBs Kirishima and Hiei nuke Amchitka despite its level 4 fort - 5 P-40s, 7 B-26s and 3 Vindicators are destroyed on the ground and the AF shut down. Not good. US fleet remains at Adak, and my fingers are crossed he doesn’t send the BBs there! With the continued appearance of IJN BBs (which are invulnerable to bombs), I’ve decided to send a CV TF (Wasp and Hornet) up to the Aleutians to support the invasion of Attu in August. While I hadn’t planned to make Attu a major show, apparently L_S_T has decided to defend it. While the weather in NOPAC is a disadvantage, Attu is very isolated for the IJN to defend - and if he’s sending surface TFs without CV support up here, perhaps, just perhaps, I can catch them with the CVs. SOPAC needs a bit of time to build up before I can even think of landing in the Solomons, so I have the time to send CVs elsewhere.
CENPAC. NSTR
In SOPAC, its still quiet. Auckland will be busy as a major convoy arrives, and another one right behind it. Halsey will depart for PH with CVs Hornet and Wasp next turn, first heading towards Suva to pick up parts of Hornet’s air group which has been in the New Hebrides. Hornet will also embark VT-6 and leave behind one of its SBD squadrons - figure I’m probably hunting BBs in NOPAC, and 45 TBFs on a strike give me a better chance of a single exploding torp hit!
In SWPAC, quiet as Allied forces close in for the kill on the remaining IJA tank units.
In WAUS, continued air attacks on Port Hedland, otherwise quiet.
In China, I pull out of Pakhoi to save the Corps there. Three encircled remnant divisions are eliminated NE of Pakhoi - will try and hold Nanning-Kweilin line, but supplies are very, very thin.
In India/Burma, the IJA 18th Div successfully pulls back to Akyab before the pursuing British 18th Div can catch up and engage. I’m reluctant to pursue into Akyab until 2/3s of the Brit 70th Div is brought up to secure Cox’s Bazaar. Think we’ll stalemate here for a while until I can bring up more troops - which are enroute - but I need to ensure my seaward flank is secure, and prevent (although not likely) a landing at Cox’s Bazaar or even Chittagong. I have time. East of Lashio, Chinese forces pulled back to Paoshan, and its looks like a division plus is pursuing - will be interesting to see if he can force his way into Paoshan - stacking is limited to 20k, and the Chinese are fortified at level 3 in the mountains. I’ll even provide some air support out of Ledo and Myitkyna.
You should have Marines' VMSB-233 squadron with Avengers.
They could be useful in Adak, also Catalinas if you risk them on torpedo runs.. assuming of course light or no fighter opposition.
Tracking with you
- I've got the Marines' TBF squadron training up in Sydney - they're probably another month away from deployment (unless in an emergency) both equipment and training wise.
- I'm bringing a torp capable HQ into Adak, and will bring another PBY squadron to the Aleutians with specially selected torpedo qualified pilots.
With the continued appearance of IJN BBs (which are invulnerable to bombs)
Something that might be useful to keep in mind: the Kongo-class battlewagons should be vulnerable to 1000-pounders. If you can upgrade from Vindicators, the Kirishima and Hiei might be in for a surprise later on.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
With the continued appearance of IJN BBs (which are invulnerable to bombs)
Something that might be useful to keep in mind: the Kongo-class battlewagons should be vulnerable to 1000-pounders. If you can upgrade from Vindicators, the Kirishima and Hiei might be in for a surprise later on.
Nope - I have hit the Kongo with hundreds of 1000 pounders over several games and not one penetrated. The fires get going pretty good after about 15 hits and if you get 30 hits the system damage and fires pretty much doom them. When US torps are still unreliable I have had more luck loading up the Avengers with their 2 X 500 lb. bomb load and flying them at 3000 feet (to get just above the lightest flak m/g fire. They hit DDs quite well, and three bomb hits will sink most of them. CLs and CAs are also vulnerable to penetration hits, although the CAs armour stops some hits which cause system damage and fires, as in the BB situation.
Bottom line - if there is little air opposition or you have plenty of escorts, the Avenger flak losses from low level bombing are acceptable against the damage caused. Not sure if I would risk it on less plentiful bombers.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Nope - I have hit the Kongo with hundreds of 1000 pounders over several games and not one penetrated. The fires get going pretty good after about 15 hits and if you get 30 hits the system damage and fires pretty much doom them.
Something's wrong with the game engine then: IRL the Haruna sank after only 8 applications.
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
Nope - I have hit the Kongo with hundreds of 1000 pounders over several games and not one penetrated. The fires get going pretty good after about 15 hits and if you get 30 hits the system damage and fires pretty much doom them.
Something's wrong with the game engine then: IRL the Haruna sank after only 8 applications.
I think that was purposely built into the game engine to provide more "balance" to keep the Japanese player in the game longer. I don't have a problem with it since I know what is needed to get the job done. Sub torps are the easiest way!
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
I'm still in December in my DBB-C game and was curious about you sending supply to Bataan. With refineries no longer producing supply did you have shortages after moving supply from Java, Borneo and Sumatra to Bataan?
I did a quick comparison with stock and it looks like the allies are short 5,225 supply a day. Nothing that will hurt them overall, but it is where this supply disappears.
-1229 in Sumatra, produces no supply
-200 in Java
-390 in Borneo, produces no supply
I'm still in December in my DBB-C game and was curious about you sending supply to Bataan. With refineries no longer producing supply did you have shortages after moving supply from Java, Borneo and Sumatra to Bataan?
I did a quick comparison with stock and it looks like the allies are short 5,225 supply a day. Nothing that will hurt them overall, but it is where this supply disappears.
-1229 in Sumatra, produces no supply
-200 in Java
-390 in Borneo, produces no supply
Yes, the supply was draining in the DEI - I did bring in a little (I think) from Aus, but not much before the air umbrella made it impractical. The supply runs to Bataan from the DEI I don't think really impacted. The Dutch had enough supply - their troops succumbed before the supplies ran out.
Highlights - P-40s catch bombers in China; Hvy Jpn fighter sweeps over Tennant Creek
Jpn ships sunk: None
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 42
Allied: 37
Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv:
Misool (DEI)
Ontong Java (SOPAC)
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost:
Misool (DEI)
Ontong Java (SOPAC)
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: NSTR
West Coast/Admin. CV Enterprise begins her refit at Auckland.
In NOPAC, SS Albacore misses a DD in the Kirishima/Hiei TF which was sighted off the Kuriles heading west. Fuso/Hyuga TF is sighted and missed by a pair of LB-30s just west of Kiska, and looks to be about to hit Amchitka again, so all serviceable a/c are pulled back to Adak, leaving over two dozen damage a/c on the ground. AF remains closed. Four PTs are sent from Adak to hopefully disrupt the bombardment. ComAirNOPAC HQ landed at Adak, and with it torpedo capability for PBYs - a full squadron of PBY-5As are based at Adak with well trained pilots in torpedo attack - with luck they can put a fish into a BB in the coming weeks!
CENPAC. NSTR
In SOPAC, CV TF (CVs Hornet and Wasp, 2CA, 8DD) receive their remaining squadrons of their airgroups while SW of Suva - they’ll proceed to PH, then the Aleutians in the coming days. Subs continue to be a nuisance in the New Hebrides, and mines are cleared at Vanikoro - no Allied ships are hit.
In SWPAC, NSTR
In WAUS, Heavy Oscar IIa and Zero fighter sweeps over Tennant Creek outlast the 16 P-40Es based their - the P-40s down 10 a/c for a similar loss. Will increase fighters over Tennant Creek next turn.
In China, P-40s catch unescorted bombers west of Sian, downing 16 Sonias and 8 Lilys before the Oscars sweeping engage. With over 75 Sonias and Lillys bombing in a number of strikes, just too many targets and too little ammo for the dozen P-40s.
In India/Burma, Wellingtons hit Rangoon at night, putting a 500lb bomb into a sub and a CM.
Highlights - Pretty quiet - Amchitka bombarded; Brit Bde blocking supply to Akyab surrenders
Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-5 old report?)
AK: 1
Jpn ships unsunk:
SS: 1 (I-153)
Allied ships sunk:
PT:3
ACM: 1
Air loss:
Jpn: 15
Allied: 5
Subwar:
Jpn: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
RO-65 hits mine off Ndeni
Allies: 5 Attacks, 2 ships hit (AK sunk, CL Kuma hit)
Jpn Amph Inv:
Bara (DEI)
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost:
Bara (DEI)
Pakhoi (China)
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: NSTR
West Coast/Admin. CV Saratoga finishes refit at Melbourne.
In NOPAC, IJN TF (BB, 4CA, CL, 5DD) bombard Amchitka as expected after brushing aside four PTs, sinking 3 without loss. Bombardment damages AF, and keeps it closed, but doesn’t destroy any a/c.
CENPAC. NSTR
In SOPAC, mines are laid at Ndeni, and the RO-65 apparently hits one. No sign of enemy activity other than subs in the area.
In SWPAC, CV Saratoga completes her refit at Melbourne and will depart to join her sister Lex off Carnavon escorted by 3DDs and a DE.
In WAUS, quiet other than the normal aerial pounding of Port Hedland.
In China, Pakhoi is abandoned and occupied by IJA. A second US fighter squadron (P-36s) joins the P-40s deployed in China.
In India/Burma, Brit CL TF (CL, 5DD) bombard Akyab without incident while the SS KVII hits CL Kuma with a torp just off Akyab. On land, the Indian 23rd Bde, which retreated SE when Akyab fell, and had been effectively blocking supply since, finally was forced to surrender. It did well, allowing the Allies to push the IJA’s 18th Div back to Akyab with heavy loss.
Highlights - Stays pretty quiet - last isolated IJA Tank Regiment destroyed west of Normanton
Jpn ships sunk:
TK: 1 (small)
Allied ships sunk: None
Air loss:
Jpn: 16
Allied: 5
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 5 Attacks, 1 ships hit (small TK sunk)
Jpn Amph Inv: None
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost: None
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: 8th SNLF loaded on AK moving to Port Hedland - looks like Port Hedland attack is finally moving forward!!
West Coast/Admin. NSTR
In NOPAC, NSTR
CENPAC. NSTR
In SOPAC, a New Zealand Hudson claims a hit on a sub off Pago. Convoy with Ndeni bound engineers arrives in Luganville from Noumea.
In SWPAC, CV Saratoga departs Melbourne for Perth, less her F4Fs which are going by rail in order to get some replacements before the CV arrives. On land, the last isolated IJA tank regiment is destroyed by two M-10 TD battalions and the “advancing” Allied troops are attacked by an IJA IN Reg (5th ID) which is repulsed. This effectively ends the Battle of Normanton - I’m not pushing further west as supplies at Tennant Creek won’t support it. That said, the IJA infantry regiment will get attacked as its trying to pull back. I expect minimal enemy activity in SWPAC for the time being.
In WAUS, with INTEL giving us the info that troops are loaded for Port Hedland, I fully expect that attack to occur with the KB in support - and therefore, Allied CVs prowling west of Carnavon will stay clear. I have zero chance to hold Port Hedland - just can’t get supplies into the base. Enemy air from Broome has effectively suppressed Port Hedland and isolated the base. The only opportunity I may have is if L_S_T goes for a bombardment run against Carnarvon. If he does that, it may give my CVs an opportunity. Lastly, engineers arrive at Exmouth and should begin building fortifications and facilities. Establishing Exmouth will become the focus of operations in the coming weeks in WAUS.
In China, NSTR.
In India/Burma, the first Dutch squadrons arrive in India from Aden. This provides an additional P-40 squadron as well as a number of Patrol squadrons over the coming weeks. Its small, but any additional air capability helps right now.
Highlights - The blow finally falls at Port Hedland with 30k+ troops reportedly put ashore.
Jpn ships sunk:
xAK: 1 (old sinking?)
Allied ships sunk:
AM: 1
Air loss:
Jpn: 24
Allied: 11
Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Jpn Amph Inv:
Port Hedland (WAUS)
Allied Amph Inv: None
Bases lost:
Rekata Bay (SOPAC)
Ningsia (China)
Bases Liberated: None
SIGINT/Intel: KB not identified supporting invasion at Port Hedland - Where is it?? This is concerning…
West Coast/Admin. 30 ship slow convoy departs LA for Auckland.
In NOPAC, Amchitka AF back in operation, will move a/c previously withdrawn and resume attacks on Attu.
CENPAC. CV Hornet and Wasp TF moves into CENPAC waters as they pass east of Canton Is, bound for PH.
In SOPAC, a small CA TF (2CA, 2DD) bombarded Ndeni with no effect, other than sinking the lone AM there. Got lucky here - an APD TF just cleared Ndeni, and had the CAs hit Luganville instead, it would have been a target rich environment. I’ll sortie a CA TF out of Noumea to Luganville to provide support - and keep my fingers crossed that the missing KB doesn’t decide to visit.
In SWPAC, Portland Roads is hit by a small raid - its not intercepted either and no major damage was inflicted. Although I’m trying to conserve (and build up) air right now, I guess I’m going to have to put some fighters up there in the near future.
In WAUS, the blow finally falls on Port Hedland - and it’s a massive blow at that! The invasion TF(s?) is reported to have 4BB, 4CA, CS, 4CL, plus an assortment of DDs and TBs. They land a reported 33,550 troops ashore! Needless to say, the out of supply and worn down Aussie Bde I have defending the base will be easily brushed aside. Despite the target rich environment, the half dozen subs around the area fail to score a single hit. As for a response, not going to do much. Although the KB hasn’t been identified, I can’t rule it out - and committing the US/Brit CV TF to launch a strike on the shipping assembled could be lucrative, I’m not willing to risk it against LBA without friendly LBA cover. So, I’ll play it cautious and keep the CVs out to sea west of Carnavon - my focus is to hold Carnarvon and expand Exmouth into a base - THEN look at threatening Port Hedland.
30K troops is way too much for an isolated place like Port Headland... I won't be surprised if he just overwhelm and destroy your Aussie brigade, grabs Corunna Downs, then he packs and leave to somewhere else.. maybe Carnarvon
Yeah I can see that strategy -- hit and run with the big force, then leave a smaller garrison -- but it would leave the main force vulnerable to just about any sort of attack while they are aboard ship. It would sure be nice to land a couple of fish into their transports, for example.
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