Matrix Games Forums

The 'best' kamikaze is the kamikaze that hits the enemy.
In practice this is any ac with a high enough service ceiling to fly in 'above' the enemy Uber CAP.
Zeke A6M5 and George - if you can spare any.

These will make sure you get a few hits, but the damage will not be great on anything larget than dd/cl type of warship.
CVE/CVLs are vulnerable while the new US CVs usually takes Zeke kamikaze hits with little damage.

In theory the heavier the load an ac carries, the better a kamikaze it is. Bettys and Frances are ideal that way.
Would send them in around 10-15k feet if I didn't expect a CAP.

If you play with a mod that has reduced A2A deadliness and that allow 'leakers' to get through the enemy, I would
send my kamikazes in between 5 and 15k feet with a few at 30k to disperse enemy defending fighters.

If you play a stock game...I can't really advice you, as this would be up to you and your opponent.
As it is Uber CAP reduces deadliness of kamikaze considerably and we will never see a kamikaze threat ala the size
of real life in 44-45.

For important targets, like Iwo Jima invasion fleet and enemy carriers - I'm using high exp kamikaze units as low exp ones (30-45)
never seem to hit anything but immobile targets.

I got a 48 ac Betty unit carrying Ohkas.
Divided it into 3 units of 16 ac. Been using 2 of them from the Marianas.
They've launched a 10-20 missions, mostly in small 1-2 ac formations. Exp is ca 64-65.

These units are not exposed to FLAK, but they are still not able to hit anything.
Never witnessed a single hit [:(]

It's curious how the Uber CAP can turn a hex into a no-fly zone except for air transports. Where a several 100's a/c strike gets slaughtered to a single plane, the cumbersome, defenseless, unescorted transports can continue to ferry in troops with relative impunity. What an oversight on part of the designers!

Andy thought the Empire needed something to improve morale and sent a list of sunk and damaged ships! [&:]
We replied by adding another 20 ships to his list!! [:D]

Today we did everything right, surprised Andy's carriers with a battleship group while the Yamato et al scattered
a convoy and sinking most of its escorts. A fast transport group brought 2000 men and supplies to Iwo Jima and our pilots
scored hits on numerous enemy ships. An enemy carrier is hit by 2 kamikazes and put on fire.

In all some 18 enemey ships were damaged or sunk today! [8D]

On the ground we repulsed the enemys first attack on Iwo Jima - the defense modifiers gave us an enormous defense bonus!!

There are different rules for air attacks and air transport B5N! I lost some 40 transport yesterday from the enemy CAP
at Iwo, but I suspect the troops are getting through somehow. Matrix has to examine this as well.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/16/45

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
SS Icefish, hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Surface Combat

We only got one chance to hit the enemy carriers - and most of our shells missed...still
it was a great sight. The carriers were covering a convoy which was hit hard by our naval bombers later in the day.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Shell hits 4
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 6
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 3
CL Noshiro, Shell hits 1
DD Fuyuzuki, Shell hits 2
DD Oboro, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Momi
DD Kaede
DD Kaki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Shangri-La
CV Enterprise, Shell hits 2
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 2
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 4
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 1
CL St. Louis
DD Hunt
DD Smalley
DD Uhlmann, Shell hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yamato led the way and caused havoc among Andy's escorts!

Night Time Surface Combat at 65,56

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 2
CA Chokai
CL Sakawa
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 1
DD Niizuki
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 1
DD Shimozuki
DD Yoizuki
DD Haruzuki
DD Yanagi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DE Kendall C. Campbell, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DE Howard F. Clark, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DE Corbesier, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DE George E. Davis, Shell hits 3, on fire
DE Lawrence C. Taylor, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DMS Long, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Forrest
DMS Hobson, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
DMS Ellyson, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Hambleton
MSW Spectacle, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Staunch
MSW Strength
LSD Gunston Hall
LSD Lindenwald
LSD Oak Hill
LST LST-271
LST LST-272, Shell hits 1
LST LST-273
LST LST-274
LST LST-277
LST LST-335
LST LST-338
LST LST-340
LST LST-341
LST LST-342
LST LST-343
LST LST-344
LST LST-353
LST LST-354
LST LST-355
LST LST-356
LST LST-357
LST LST-390
LST LST-391
LST LST-392
LST LST-393
LST LST-456
LST LST-458
LST LST-459
LST LST-460
LST LST-461
LST LST-713
LST LST-714
LST LST-715
LST LST-736
LST LST-737
LST LST-738
LST LST-739
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Surface Combat

Our surface raiders hit the enemy carriers before the enemy battlegroups arrived.
Our fast transports also succeeded in delivering their cargo of troops and supplies.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese Ships
AP Tatuharu Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BB Iowa
BB New Jersey
BB Wisconsin
BB Missouri
CA Minneapolis
CA Northampton
DD Cogswell
DD Colahan
DD Luce
DD Trathen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air Attacks

One day’ll I’ll catch one of those birdfarms with my nocturnal hunters!

Night Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x H8K Emily launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Air Combat

DEI

Day Air attack on Miri , at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 7
N1K1-J George x 27
J2M Jack x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 8
P-38J Lightning x 13
B-25J Mitchell x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 5 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
J2M Jack: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 4 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 8
Ki-67 Peggy x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67 Peggy: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-67 Peggy bombing at 10000 feet
15 x Ki-67 Peggy bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-67 Peggy bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-67 Peggy bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Pacific

Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 41
SB2C Helldiver x 25
F6F-5N Hellcat x 37
TBM Avenger x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-102a Randy: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy sent some CVs to the Marianas:

Day Air attack on Pagan , at 64,62

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 5
TBM Avenger x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 3 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 16

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 34
B-24J Liberator x 5
B-29 Superfortress x 32

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 3 damaged
B-29 Superfortress: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Pagan at 64,62

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 16
F4U-1D Corsair x 8
Corsair IV x 7
SB2C Helldiver x 21

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
PG Shosei Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taiten Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The disruption of enemy convoys gave our pilots a lot of undefended targets today!

Day Air attack on TF at 66,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 3
Ki-102a Randy x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
DE Edwin A. Howard, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 66,55

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3
G4M2e Betty x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Frank B. Linderman, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-609

Allied ground losses:
106 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M2e Betty ohka bombing <- another miss
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 66,55

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 22
P1Y Frances x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 14 damaged
P1Y Frances: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
LST LST-582
CA Astoria, heavy damage
AP Royal T. Frank
LST LST-586
AP Livingston
AP Cape Canso
DD Perkins, on fire, heavy damage
DE Edmonds, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DE Tabberer, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Elwood Mead, Torpedo hits 1

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,56

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
LST LST-342
AK Louis Pasteur, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 66,56

Japanese aircraft
G4M2e Betty x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DMS Gherardi, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M2e Betty ohka bombing <- miss
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 2
N1K1-J George x 20
J2M Jack x 2
A6M5c Zeke x 7
Ki-102a Randy x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 37
F6F-5N Hellcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 13 destroyed
J2M Jack: 2 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 4 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
F6F-5N Hellcat: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Denver, Kamikaze hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Iwo Jima at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 17
J2M Jack x 4
D4Y Judy x 6
B7A Grace x 6
P1Y Frances x 9
Ki-102a Randy x 9

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 22
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F4U-1D Corsair x 25
F6F-5N Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 17 destroyed
J2M Jack: 4 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 6 destroyed
B7A Grace: 6 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 6 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Shangri-La, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire <- finally some damage!
CV Lexington
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 66,59

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 11
G4M2e Betty x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 21
F4U-1D Corsair x 9
Corsair IV x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
G4M2e Betty: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 63,61

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Kurenai Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 66,55

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 9
G4M2e Betty x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Cushing, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M2e Betty ohka bombing <- ANOTHER miss
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 64,53

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 41
F6F-5N Hellcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Andy attacked at Iwo and was easily repulsed!
Our defense modifiers gave us an adjusted defense of 6328!!!!

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 57177 troops, 665 guns, 223 vehicles, Assault Value = 1230

Defending force 60432 troops, 442 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 936

Allied max assault: 1098 - adjusted assault: 354

Japanese max defense: 874 - adjusted defense: 6328

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

Japanese ground losses:
483 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1038 casualties reported
Guns lost 89
Vehicles lost 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surprise!

Our strength on Iwo is still going up!
Andy will need a lot of troops to suppress these forts.... [:)]

It's still a bit annoying: Our battleships and cruisers that engaged the enemy carriers all had very high nigh naval combat ratings.
At 8000 yards they failed to hit the enemy carriers - but the enemy carriers with low night combat capabilities managed to hit our battleships
with 5" guns [8|]

We didn't manage to utilize our superior gunpower against the enemy cruisers at all.
It's truly difficult to get at the enemy carriers, that's for sure.

The Taiho will soon be ready for commerce raiding behind enemy lines. She only got moderate sys damage despite the 2 torpedo hits
she took. The best ships live the longest, that's easy to see!

I have to say Im real disappointed at that result too..a bit stunned.&nbsp; 2 battleships come across some carriers..at night..at just 8000 yards... and..not much happened. Damn.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But overall, good turn..things really worked out.

Well, at the risk of sounding like Ron.. in this game ( which is as good as a drug ), the only thing more botched than Air to air combat is Surface combat, and the only thing more botched than surface combat is ground combat...

Pity really...

Keep trying, and may the Taiho and the Yamato be alive at the end of the war...

IMHO the result isn't too unrealistic. Afterall, it was night, the carriers had good escorts AND superior speed.

Taffy 3 had horrible escorts and was slower than Kuritas force, and still only one cve got sunk. Then again, i've ravaged the mini KB (Hi Pauk [;)]) with a light CL force. Granted, the mini KB didn't have much in the way of escorts. I also had magnificent luck that night. Every torpedo salvo the RN launched hit, sometimes with several torpedoes. The escorts were swept away and then the carriers got their pounding.

ORIGINAL: String

Then again, i've ravaged the mini KB (Hi Pauk [;)]) with a light CL force. Granted, the mini KB didn't have much in the way of escorts. I also had magnificent luck that night.

bah, phew and that... sooner or later you will run out of your infinite luck[;)][:D]...go Herwin go!

PzB... it is kinda dissapointing, but i think the more important is your victory on Iwo Jima soil!
Keep continuing with reinforcing these islands - Andy want them at any cost. If you can place 200 K troops and supply them - then do it.

You can consider freeing your Militia divisions - they are on one 1/3 of their TOE but that makes them soooo cheap to buy and relase to Bonins. Since they are low experienced (i really must to say this but... Machiavelli in me forces me to do it) it wont be pitty if you loose them.

I think they can help defence even with such awful experience - two attacks and they will be on 50 exp (or more). You have few crack units there so i think that is a good to mix them with greenhorns (if you hestiate to risk your crack units)

I have intercepted Allied carriers quite a few time and never damaged any with surface guns.
Radar and speed is all fine, when enemy cv's hit us with 5" guns, our 24 14" guns on high exp ships should make a few hits from 8k yards.
Even our heavy cruiser only landed one 8" shell and didn't launch any torpedoes.

Seems like there is an enormous handicap attached to playing Japan in 44-45.

It is really difficult to reinforce Iwo Pauk. I'm loosing 20-50 transports pr day and I'm out of Topsys. Still got 250 Tabbys in the pools
as well as Mavis and Tina transports. Still, have to keep on it. Will move my transports to the Marianas and fly in more 99 exp units and engineers.

Planning a massive reinforcement effort with 200 transports and cargo ships. Then it should be possible to run a few fast transport runs as well.
If I manage 100k troops, Andy will be needing 300k to dislodge us [8D]

Maybe we can turn this into a Stalingrad? It's the perfect place, close to Home Islands and Marianas AND Bonin Island.
We will tax Andy heavily all the time - and even if he captures Iwo in the end, his navy will be gutted. That will still leave Bonin Island, another must for him if he wants to start a bombing campaign from these islands.

So I will reinforce Bonin as well! [:)] Will sea what the cost is for releasing the Militia Pauk!

I counted 4 enemy destroyers sinking today [:)]
If Andy is coming back with another round of troops for Iwo, we'll throw the kitchen sink at them again.

I'm slowly repairing and preparing my air groups for another assault.
Got a few surprises in hand for Andy though.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/17/45

Sub/ASW Combat

RO-39 attacks the Minneapolis but miss...unfortunately!

Sub attack at 69,56

Japanese Ships
SS RO-39, hits 3

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
DD Trathen
DD Luce
DD Colahan
DD Cogswell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Miri , at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
N1K1-J George x 34
J2M Jack x 11

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 3
P-38J Lightning x 9
B-25J Mitchell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's amazing how much damage just a few Mustangs can do flying long distances day
after day. Our pilots are superior in skill and numbers. Should have repulsed them easily.

Day Air attack on Bonin , at 65,52

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
N1K1-J George x 27
J2M Jack x 10
A6M5c Zeke x 11
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6
Ki-84-Ic Frank x 11
Ki-102a Randy x 16

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
J2M Jack: 3 destroyed
A6M5c Zeke: 4 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 3 destroyed
Ki-84-Ic Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 14
SB2C Helldiver x 23
F6F-5N Hellcat x 40
TBM Avenger x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Allied aircraft
PB4Y Liberator x 59
B-24J Liberator x 8
B-29 Superfortress x 39

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 8
Ki-67 Peggy x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67 Peggy: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 68,56

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
LST LST-579
AK Elwood Mead
DD Cushing, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 66,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 14 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST LST-910
LST LST-340, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK R. P. Warner, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
LSD Oak Hill, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
DMS Hambleton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A seaplane tender near Marcus Island is there to annoy Andy!

Day Air attack on TF at 84,64

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LST LST-480

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
4 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6715 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001

Defending force 60203 troops, 438 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 932
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shokaku

Last screenie of the Shokaku! Miracously she made it to Bonin! Afraid she will sink, but
I didn't have the heart to scuttle this brave Samurai! Take a look at the combat report 2-3 days
ago. She took an awful lot of punishment. Now she let me transfer her 4 air groups ashore [&o]

A short notice: Our crack Rufe pilot shot down 2!!! Mustangs today before getting WIA [&o] [&o]
He's our 4th highest ranking living ace. Expect him to return to service soon.

10 kills in a Rufe, including numerous Mustangs, that's something to be proud of!

So.. the game treats the P-51d like a sort of demigod? It magically cures fatigue and shoots lasers out of its wing tips? But they are strangely vulnerable to fighters with ungainely floats added on?&nbsp; Whatever.
&nbsp;
I love this game as long as I keep looking at the BIG picture. The small things can get on my nerves.. Pzbs battleships doing nothing at 8,000 yards.. ground combat (in China after I take a city, for a while my units wont move to another hex occupied by Chinese forces..), etc.
&nbsp;
Anyway, all hail Pzb's Rufe pilot! Which brings up another question.. is it possible to transfer individual pilots?&nbsp; I would think that this guy deserves to be transfered to a unit flying&nbsp;a better plane..where he would also potentially do even better. But, dont think thats possible..

Doubt it.&nbsp; The key weapon of the Rufe is the laughter it induces in the Mustang pilots, causing them to lose concentration...!

nah, you are wrong - these are not Rufes - look them carefully and you will see that buoy (outrigger????) is well camuflated a2a rocket!

Some pilots do great no matter what crate you put them in.. Unfortunately pilots are stuck in the units they are
assigned to!

The Shokakau didn't sink last night, fires are put out, sys damage of 85 and flood of 95..!-(
Evacuated the last damaged plane and hoping for a minor miracle. Not going to happen in a size 3 port.

It cost more than 1000 points to release a Militia Div Pauk! But I did release 2 regiments. Will move one by air
and one by sea. Let's hope they gain morale and exp pretty quickly [;)]

Well, let Andy have his demi-gawd P-51s! When we the the Shinden we will pay him back [8D]
Andy really has a big challenge on his hands, I just think he's trying to achieve extremely much in so short a time.
He took over the game without India and the British and a huge hunk of capital ships were missing.

He's still trying to press the issue roughly according to the historical timeline. The problem is that invading the Bonins without holding the Marianas is a giant gamble. I'm pretty sure he can bring in half a million men if he insists on wiping
out most of the US and Jap navies, but will it be worth it?

I was more worried about a move to the Northern Islands of Japan combined with the invasion of Wake and Marcus Island.
With Wake a size 6 AF and Marcus size 4, the US could have slowly suppressed the Bonins, established beach heads at Paramushiro Jima and put me under severe pressure.

Now he's pressing the issue after by-passing Wake and Marcus is still building.
It will indeed be interesting to see what this will bring. I do not intend to sit on the sideline while this takes place though [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/18/45

Surface Combat

Managed to intercept the enemy convoys..only to find a strong surface group
that shattered our attack as they achieved surprise...not good, lost 4-5 destroyers.
At least one enemy CA took a torp!

Night Time Surface Combat at 67,56

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Shell hits 9
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
DD Haruzuki, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Tsuga, Shell hits 1
DD Wakatake, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore, Shell hits 1
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Birmingham
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 3
DD Taylor, Shell hits 1
DD The Sullivans, Shell hits 1
DD Tingey
DD Uhlmann
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 67,56

Japanese Ships
CL Sakawa, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Haruzuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yunagi, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tsuga
DD Wakatake, Shell hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Baltimore
CA New Orleans, on fire
CL Birmingham
CL St. Louis
DD Taylor
DD The Sullivans, Shell hits 1
DD Tingey
DD Uhlmann


Sub/ASW Attacks

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,50

Japanese Ships
AO Shimpo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW W.29
PC PC-150
PC PC-13
PC PC-11
PC Sakito
PC Habushi

Allied Ships
SS Gabilan, hits 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 71,56

Japanese Ships
SS RO-36

Allied Ships
BB Missouri <- hit by DUD torpedoes [:(] Aarghh...
DD Trathen
DD Luce
DD Colahan
DD Cogswell
CA Minneapolis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 69,56

Japanese Ships
SS RO-39, hits 8

Allied Ships
DD Halsey Powell
DD Prichett
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 64,50

Japanese Ships
AK Hyuga Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW W.7
MSW W.20
MSW W.11
MSW W.17
APD APD-34

Allied Ships
SS Aspro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air Attacks

Night Air attack on TF at 69,56

Japanese aircraft
H8K Emily x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
SS RO-36

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF at 69,56

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville
LST LST-588
CL Honolulu
AK Jacob Riis, heavy damage
LST LST-578
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF at 69,56

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
LST LST-578
DMS Gherardi, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Day Air attack on Miri , at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 4
N1K1-J George x 34
J2M Jack x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Iwo Jima , at 63,53

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 22
F4U-1D Corsair x 31
F6F-5N Hellcat x 34
TBM Avenger x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-102a Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 damaged
TBM Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd USMC Division, at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 8
Ki-67 Peggy x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged
Ki-67 Peggy: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 6th/A Division, at 31,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 4
N1K1-J George x 33
J2M Jack x 7

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 30
PB4Y Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell: 9 destroyed, 4 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With Andy's attention on the Bonins I have managed to move 100k supplies from India
to the DEI and PI. Re-supplying Borneo and Miri right now.

Day Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 25,57

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 49
F4U-1D Corsair x 2
TBM Avenger x 7

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kakuzan Maru
AK Kinshu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our seaplane tenders launch aggressive attacks that damage the enemy! [8D]
Day Air attack on TF at 70,56

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 5
E7K2 Alf x 7

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships <- 30 and 60kg bombs rain down from the sky!
DE Dennis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Adair
DD Perkins, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 68,56

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 14

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 14 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST LST-740, Kamikaze hits 1, on fire
LST LST-390
LST LST-888
LST LST-750
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 68,56

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 9
G4M2e Betty x 2
P1Y Frances x 7
Ki-67 Peggy x 7

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 1 damaged
Ki-67 Peggy: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
LST LST-338
LST LST-882

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M2e Betty ohka bombing <- Miss, miss and more misses. These Baka bombs just doesn't work.....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 70,56

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 4

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Jeffers, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEI:

Day Air attack on TF at 30,68

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DMS Wasmuth
AK Empire Kumari, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
AK Empire Puma, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Bloemfontrin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13420 troops, 244 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 396

Defending force 47749 troops, 252 guns, 247 vehicles, Assault Value = 660
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Marcus Island

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13397 troops, 152 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 360

Defending force 8207 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113

Japanese ground losses:
72 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Iwo Jima

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6800 troops, 172 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1009

Defending force 60478 troops, 444 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 931

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iwo and Bonin Jima

What does these screns tell you? [8D]
Even though Iwo is severely damaged, runaways are 3/4 clear - and I've moved 170 fighters back in.
Read next post to hear about Operation Togo [:D]

Back for more? [8D]

Good! - and welcome to the most ambitious plan since Erik the Hairy decided to invade France armed only with a very
soft swiss cheese and a bad breath [:D]

Operation Togo!

It seems like Andy has brought reinforcement carriers to Iwo.
I'm pretty sure he'll be back with the kitchen sink shortly, so I would like to pre-empt this.

This is a combined Navy - Air Force operation and requires a little luck and extreme sacrifices from both.
If the Bonins are to be saved, we have to land more troops and supplies - and inflict heavy casualties on Andy.

I have assembled a large fleet of transports and cargo ships. Each ship has no more than 100 troops aboard, but
there are plenty of them. They will run themselves onto the beaches of Iwo Jima to allow unloading. In all some 2 full
regiments and 40k supplies are coming in. From the air a full Militia Regiment will be airlifted from the Home Islands.

Hoping the Militia Regiment will gain experience rapidly and then be able to expand in size in a protracted battle of
attrition.

Here's the plan:

1. Iwo Jima holds 170 fighters on CAP while Bonin has 400 fighters and bombers.
A sweep from Bonin has been ordered and strike planes have been set on naval attack. Andy may notice the silly little 'red airplane symbol' on Iwo and decide to go for an all out bombardment with his ships and carrier based strike planes.

2. The Battle Fleet has been assembled in a powerful TF consisting of 4 battleships, 4 cruisers and 7 destroyers.
These will move to Iwo from Bonin on cruise speed to preserve op points and hopefully surprise Andy's bombardment/surface groups.
Even his carriers will be threatened.

I expect a horrible battle with the 4 US super dreadnoughts. This is a battle we will be hard pressed to win, but if we can damage them Andy will loose more than he can afford. The Yamato, Hyuga, Fuso and Yamashiro carries 36 14" guns and 9 18.1" guns.
4 Iowa Class ships have 36 16" guns. I hope that the 14" guns will be able to inflict major trauma at close range during the night.

In the afternoon a second fleet consisting of the 18 sys damage Ise, 1 ca, 1 cl and 6 destroyers will arrive.
It will be impossible for Andy to fight our fleets and at the same time prevent major reinforcements from landing at Iwo.
The latter is the primary objective, while damage to the enemy fleet is a good second.

3. Another primary objective is to deplete enemy CAP strength. If Andy's battleships are engaged in surface battles, the can't
bombard Iwo! With 170 fighters on CAP and a powerful sweep coming in from Iwo, I hope that the enemy CAP will be weakened enough
to let our bombers from Bonin, the Home Islands and Marianas to get through. Weather is partly cloudy.

If our surface fleets manage to force the enemy cv's out of the hex, only the battleships will be left and very vulnerable to attack by our crack dive and torpedo bombers.

I'm leaving 2 surface combat groups at Bonin together with a host of smaller vessels.
Most of our subs will also be moving to Iwo.

Even if some of our objectives can't be met, it will be all but impossible for Andy to protect himself against all threats.
If Iwo Jima can be re-opened, I now have assembled a new fighter force. Can Andy really afford to go through the process of
closing Iwo all over again? This will cost him another huge batch of fighters. The number of engineers has now been increased to 256, and they patch everything during the night [8D]

So, what do you think Gentlemen! Will this work!?

ORIGINAL: Vetamur
Anyway, all hail Pzb's Rufe pilot! Which brings up another question.. is it possible to transfer individual pilots?  I would think that this guy deserves to be transfered to a unit flying a better plane..where he would also potentially do even better. But, dont think thats possible..

Nope. The Rufe is a float fighter so that unit can only be disbanded into another float fighter unit. The plane type can only be....... you guessed it, a float fighter. The pilot's stuck.

ORIGINAL: PzB
The Shokakau didn't sink last night, fires are put out, sys damage of 85 and flood of 95..!-(
Evacuated the last damaged plane and hoping for a minor miracle. Not going to happen in a size 3 port.

It's possible to save her. Move out every other damaged you have from the port. If you have an AR or two in the area, send them there. Also, if you can fly in a fleet HQ, do that too. I saved a Japanese carrier with 97 flot damage in a size 3 port (Jaluit) by doing just that.

A little luck won't hurt either.