1000 mile war - liberating the Aleutians

[Energisteron]

Day 33 - May 16

Both our Surface Combat TFs reach Paramushiro-jima and prepare to repair and replenish. That means all our 'heavies' are in port and we have just subs guarding approaches to Kiska and Attu, and the 6x Bettys which do not seem to be disposed to make any form of attack.

Finally, the Allies send Venturas from Adak to make a night air raid on Attu! We have no CAP at night but damage is minimal.

Further east one of our sub patrols runs into yet another enemy Transport TF but fails to get in an attack before being damaged in the inevitable depth-charge bombardment. That's our third sub put out of action. She will be recalled to P-jima but won't be taking to sea again!

[Energisteron]

Day 34 - May 17

So this is our plot for the forthcoming day. Our Capital Ships (3xCA 2xCL 1CVL) are back at Paramushiro-jima replenishing and that's 2 days sailing from Attu Island.

[Energisteron]

Day 34 - May 17

The outcome:-

Nothing much to report. A horde of Mitchells attack Kiska (yes, Kiska again, not Attu!) but are seen off by a handful of Rufes on CAP. There is no damage.

However, Recon and Sub sightings suggest that the Allied second invasion attempt has turned back. Enemy TFs approximating to what had been reported previously are located approximately 240 NM east of their positions this morning.

So here's the plot going into Day 35. I don't think i need to relabel our dispositions. Except for the Supply Convoy unloading at Kiska, everything else you can see is a sub or a midget sub. The SSTs and APDs have completed unloading and are on the return leg to P-jima.

[Energisteron]

Day 35 - May 18

During the night Liberators bomb Attu to little effect. Neither side has any losses.

Recon reports the enemy TFs have turned west again! They could well have missed a golden window of opportunity because in 24 hours our Cruisers will be fit for sea again. Better still we get 2 more Cruisers to help things along!

Day 36 - May 19

Bad weather but Allies raid Kiska today. There's no damage.

The Allied TFs have just disappeared. We've lost them completely. Are they coming or going? We really don't know!

[Energisteron]

Day 37 - May 20

Here's the plot. There's no enemy sightings at all!

The CAs and CLs are ready to sail. Is there any need?

[Energisteron]

Day 38 - May 21

The Allied TFs reappear and seem to be heading westwards again!

Does the AI have a plan? Or is it just moving TFs forward piecemeal?

We use part of our Cruiser assets (2xCA 2xCL 2xDD) to form a Surface Combat Group which will take up station north-east of Attu.

The Supply Convoy switches to Attu having partly unloaded at Kiska.

[Energisteron]

Day 38 - May 21

Air attack on Attu overnight causes minor damage.

A sub identifies another enemy TF moving west.

Our Surface Combat TF approaches its holding position north of Kiska and back at Paramushiro-jima a Bombardment TF (3xCA 2xDD) heads for Adak.

[Energisteron]

Day 39 - May 22

A very quiet day. Weather poor throughout and there's no air raids.

Our Surface Combat TF attempts interception of what by now seems to be two or possibly three approaching enemy TFs without success since the spotter float planes cannot be deployed. As a trial we utilise Bettys at P-jima to fly in supplies to Attu and that succeeds despite the weather. Back at P-jima we receive our first BB. Truly, in terms of naval assets, we have more then enough for the job! It's not quite the same with supplies, however, and these have to be eked out as best we can and distributed with some care. Even now, losing a fully loaded Freighter would be a severe set-back.

[Energisteron]

Day 40 - May 23

A Cat and Mouse day! We chase shadows of enemy TFs all day to no useful effect. The Bombardment TF nears Adak.

The Allies raid Kiska and get through but casualties are light and it was an expensive transaction; 3xMitchells destroyed outright.

[Energisteron]

Day 41 - May 24

Entering the final third of the whole operation produces a climactic night during which both sides can claim some success.

Warned of the approach of our Bombardment TF, the large TF of Allied ships long suspected at Adak sets sail eastwards en masse but runs headlong into our 3xCA as they start their run-in to attack the Allied Base. In poor visibility, the enemy TF evades combat without a shell being fired and shelters about 60 NM east of Adak, while our Bombardment TF pounds Adak base to good effect. The Allied TF includes none of the vessels which left the scene of our devastating attack near Attu which left all Allied Transports afloat but burning and heavily damaged. There's been no sign of these ships since they escaped over the horizon.

In daylight our intended raid by Bettys from Kiska fails to materialise due to continued bad weather, but Recon confirms the Allied TF has simply returned to port. Although more closely matched our Surface Combat TF will move on Adak during tomorrow night.

[Energisteron]

Day 42 - May 25

We bombard Adak for a second night in succession. This time there's no sign of the Allied ships previously docked there.

Bad weather prevents all air operations except for essential Recon by both sides.

With our embarrassing excess of Naval Power it would seem that we could even go on to the offensive and possibly invade Adak! That's not our objective or orders but it is tempting!

[tarkalak]

ORIGINAL: Energisteron

Day 41 - May 24

...

In daylight our intended raid by Bettys from Kiska fails to materialise due to continued bad weather, ...

What is the level of Kiska's airfield?

If it is 1 the Betties will not fly at all. There are limitations on what you can do from a level 1. I think you weren't allowed to do offensive missions from it.

The bigger planes (US Heavy bombers, etc.) need even higher levels of airfield to fly at all. I don't remember all the details, but it is in the manual somewhere.

Float planes are an exception, of course, since they don't use the airfield.

[Energisteron]

Hi, tarkalak

Thanks. Yes, I had better move the Bettys back to Attu airfield which is level 2. Kiska remains at level 1.

[Energisteron]

Day 43 - May 26

A very quiet day starts with just one enemy TF on the plot. This appears to be 2xCL 3xDD about 120 NM north of Adak, and which manages to evade detection for the rest of the day.

Until late on it stayed quiet then when we detected a column of three Allied TFs once more heading towards Attu Island. This must be their fourth attempt!

Once more our 'heavies' are back at P-jima or on their way there. However, our Surface Combat TF, returning from bombarding Adak, has enough ammunition remaining to make an interception attempt worthwhile and so it will delay its return to P-jima.

During the day we used this quiet interval to re-organise our air groups. (Thanks for your comment, tarkalak.) KIska loses its 6xBettys which go to Attu to be joined by another six from P-jima. 12xZeros are transferred to Attu while the 6xZeros there are rested back at P-jima.

[Energisteron]

Day 44 - May 27

The plot for today. The handy CAs will turn back for Attu and attempt interception of the incoming enemy Transports.

[Energisteron]

Day 44 - May 27

Two of our Subs north-east of Attu Island detect the approach of an enemy Transport TF. The first, at night, is detected by the Escorts and badly damaged. Another Sub written-off! The second, makes an unsuccessful attack but escapes unharmed. The same enemy TF was involved both times and is expected at Attu next nightfall where our Cruisers await their arrival.

[Energisteron]

Day 44 - May 27

So, a busy day for once but not exactly a successful one from our point of view. Neither Sub inflicted any damage on the enemy TF and when our Bettys made an attack they failed to hit any targets also. In fact a tiny Minesweeper gets most of the attention!

Incidentally, it seems that our longstanding minefield around Adak Island has been cleared.

[Energisteron]

Day 45 - May 28

So here's the plot when planning today.

The Surface Combat TF will guard the Attu coastline but will be given the freedom to give chase or react up to 120 NM to catch any enemy Transport TF that comes within range. Also, because of the lack of ammunition it will be given permission to withdraw and not take undue risks.

The Bettys on Attu will attack any enemy TF they find, and we have several Subs waiting to intervene.

[Energisteron]

Day 45 - May 28

As expected our Surface Combat TF anticipates the approach of the enemy Transport TF and intercepts 40 NM north of Attu Island.

Where are the Allied Capital ships? Again, the naval battle is a one-sided contest since the Allied Escorts are only Destroyers. A long running battle over 40 NM results in APA US.Grant being sunk and several other vessels badly damaged. Amazingly, the second APA J.Franklin Bell escapes unscathed. Eventually our TF loses contact but in pressing further north it appears to miss the enemy TF which despite the damage seems to double back and head for Attu again!

[Energisteron]

Day 45 - May 28

As if that's not enough action for the night there's an air attack on Attu too. However, there's no significant damage.

At the same time we're dismayed to realise our Surface Combat TF has pursued too far north while the enemy TF has doubled back towards Attu!