Speedy vs Swift - Jap perspective. Fight to the death

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

I will asses my warships...

Eeew... Is that what you kids are calling it nowadays?[;)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Just a quick update before the Christmas vacation begins!

I'm away from tomorrow until 30th December so no mroe turns until then. A merry Christmas to all of the readers and their families.

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Werner tried something different on the 28th. Forts from Noumea bombed both Luganville and Efate airfields from 36,000 feet! The fragile Zero can't reach this altitude meaning he is immune to any air attack. At least I think the Tojo and Tony can fly to that height. If so they'll be in production soon and will stop these troublesome raids. They didn't cause much damage due to the bombing height but nonetheless I want them stopped!

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KB's took on board a lot of new aircraft and ROOKIE pliots today! Quite a few of the bomber Daitai are almost entirely filled with rookies.

I have decided to send KB out on the 29th. Over recent weeks Glens have spotted various convoys around the Suva/Pago Pago region. KB will move into the region from the NW and try and find some shipping.

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[Rob Brennan UK]

Happy christmas speedy ! ..

Good way to end the year with the fall of efate ! .. congratulations.

[Speedysteve]

Thanks Rob. Merry Christmas to you too bud. Have a good one [8D]

Next stop Noumea!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

I've returned from my holidays and am still recovering from New Years Eve!

Hope everyone had a good one.

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Back to the game.

The 29th saw action in the usual areas but 2 noticeable events occured today.

Firstly, in China. After a weeks resting my men attacked Kungchang in the north again and achieved 1:1 odds and reduced the fortifications to level 3. I'm bombarding again and will try the same process. The place should fall in due course.

Ground combat at Kungchang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 190095 troops, 1996 guns, 145 vehicles

Defending force 63709 troops, 335 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
5619 casualties reported
Guns lost 159
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1517 casualties reported
Guns lost 25

Secondly, KB's 2 divisions left Luganville in the evening to hunt in the Tongatapu/Pago Pago region. Here's the projected first leg of their course:

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A little 'minor tactical' operation came to fruition today. I had been tracking SS Argonaut;s movements in the Northenr Japanese waters for a week now. I had directed a ASW TF made up of 2 PG's and 2 DD's led by the newly commisioned DD Akizuki to the Toyohara region to locate her. They did and Akizuki hit home with 3 DC's sinking he minelaying beast. Nice job lads [8D]

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The start of the R & R swapout occured today with Fuso/Yamashiro leaving Osaka/Kobe with cruisers/DD support bound for the South Pacific. To replace them, in Tokyo, Isu & Hyuga + escorts left Efate. This will allow the DD's to upgrade and the BB's to repair systme damage.

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KB's were spotted today by Forts out of Noumea 180 NE of Lyuganville I fear Werner will kniow they are headed east but i'll send them over there anyhow.

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2 more days until Tojo's and Tony's show up and hopefully put an end to Werner's impregnable 36,600 feet raids over Luganville and Efate!

[Rob Brennan UK]

Welcome back speedy !

Great sinking that damn argonaught .. how is the O19 and o20 ?

shame about the spotting but does it really matter ? ok he will have to evade but i doubt you are in any danger , your Zeros are fine IIRC .. just the kates that are a bit messed up [&:]

happy hunting

[Speedysteve]

Hi Rob,

Not sure on O19 and O20. Will check next turn.........

It is a shame he spotted me since he may re-direct stuff but I i'll go hunting nonetheless. There is no CV fprce that can stop what I have at present. You're 100% correct the Zero's are fine it was juist the Vals and Kates that suffered due to AI $%^$&^$"

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Today is a special day. The end of the Oscar day. From next morning Tojo's and Tony's will be rolling off the production line and will be moved to the furthest reaches of the Empire (Burma/Luganville) to bolster their Zero brothers......

It was a quiet day overall with the only noteworthy action being a Lilly hitting S-38 at Benkolen on the west of Sumatra (lots of subs have been spotted here over recent months (i'm planning on taking the place in the next month with a Regiment) and I guess they are either supply delivering OR more likely knowing Werners play so far minelaying).

The other good news is that 12 Allied planes were lost to my 1. 6 of his were SB2's on the ground at Kunming. The rest being shot down over Luganville or lost due to ops....

Here's the Intel screen as of August 1st:

[fabertong]

Not a single tear will be shed for the Oscar.........roll on you Tojo's

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The first day of August passes and with it the first Tony's and Tojo's have been produced and are awaiting deployment to a frontline near you! By the end of the day 4 Tony's and 1 Tojo had been produced.

2 Oscar Sentai's were moved to Luiganville in the day in preparation for receipt of these new planes..........

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KB contionued to move east during the day but was spotted by a Hudsons late in the afternoon. I was going to order them to turn back but..............

SS I-1 reported a convoy heading NE inbetween Christmas Island and Tongatapu! She was pummeled by the escorts but managed to report her position and what she had found.

Accordingly KB is ordered at full speed east to try and find any convoy.

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Luganville saw it;'s usual air action from LBA at Noumea. 12 enemy planes were lost to my 5 today in trying to bomb Hyuga and her escorts. No hits were achieved.

Efate has been completely evacuated now and these weary men are to return to Truk for R & R.

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Just a quick update on China and Burma - standstill at Kunming but at Kungchang my men should take the place within a couple of weeks which will open up the northern flank.

In Burma my men are still slogging their way from Akyab to Dacca. They have 20 miles more of trail to traverse before reaching rail....then things will get interesting in this area.

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Werner seems to not be attacking pro-actively in any part of the theatre...........

[Rob Brennan UK]

Good score there speedy !

if he doesnt become a bit more pro-active and start some limited offensive-defence you will win on 4-1 [:D]

noumea will make a huge differance on points if you can take it.

good luck on the merchant hunt too.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Firstly, Damn. Sorry Rob forgot to check again if O-19 and O-20 have been sunk!

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All men and ships have left the Efate area and are heading back to either Truk or Japan for R & R.

A small strike hit Luganville today (14 LBA) of these only 1 got through against 70ish IJN fighters. Most were turned back though.

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Good news is that KB was NOT spotted today and should be south of Canton Island tomorrow. From there we'll move at full speed to the NE to try and catch something. From there back to Kwaj and onto Japan.

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After 2 days 7 Tony's and 3 Tojo's have been built [8D]

[fabertong]

Gotta love Tojo's and Tony's....at last the IJA fighter groups can do somthing other that be shot down in useless death-traps...

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Rob - I've checked and O-19 is also with the fish....O-20 is still around though.

Today saw the heaviest air battle we have had for over a month. Werner decided to CAP Kunming by using the AVG from Chungking.

My raid from Kweiyang flew as per norm.............Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 53
Ki-48 Lily x 10
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed
SB-2c: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 41

It was an intense air battle with the Zero's performing well but the Oscars badly.......

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The 'Akyab Boys' swept Kohima of Hurricanes again shooting down 5 for no loss. Well done lads [8D]

In total we both lost 28 planes today across the whole theatre.

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The day ended with a disappointing attack at Kungchang.....we go back to bombarding for a week:

Ground combat at Kungchang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 186277 troops, 1837 guns, 141 vehicles

Defending force 62431 troops, 330 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)


Japanese ground losses:
5612 casualties reported
Guns lost 108
Vehicles lost 6

Allied ground losses:
1638 casualties reported
Guns lost 46

[Rob Brennan UK]

Good news on the annoying minelaying subs .only one left to go now [;)]

nasty result in kumming there .. i'd have thought the numbers may have been better. have a look at the commanders just in case. sometimes they get killed/go awol/resign and no one takes over. it can be devastating especially if the main hq is led by a gimp in a lt. uniform.

[Speedysteve]

Hi Rob,

Soon those useless Oscar's will be mothballed and shiny new Tony's/Tojo's will be flying around [8D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A bad day in the war. overall.

Firstly in China. I attacked Kunming again and once more P40's were patrolling the skies. Heavy losses were sustained and all airgroups have been moved to Shanghai for R & R.

Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 25
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 47
Ki-48 Lily x 8
Ki-46-II Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 10 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 15 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 15 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 12 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed, 13 damaged


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 9

[:(]

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Also near Luganville some CAP over the base leaked 120 miles SW to protect the Hiei/Kirishima Noumea bound bombardmment group[8|]:

Day Air attack on TF at 71,109

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 38
A-20B Boston x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-26B Marauder x 7
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
A-20B Boston: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
CL Nagara
BB Hiei
CL Yura

All in al la bad day as the screenie below shows. The good news is that an Oscar Chutai at Mandalay received it's new shiny Tony's today [:)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The main focus of action today was in and around Luganville/Noumea.

Firstly, During the early hours of the 5th Hiei/ Kirishima and Co raced towards Noumea harbour. As I expected enemy PT boats were encountered but all 7 of them were despatched to watery graves with no damage to my ships.

The downer was that these little pests occupied time and ammo which meant only 54 casualties were sustained in the bombardment of Noumea! [X(]

Not a great start to the seige of Noumea.

During daylight hours over 100 Forts biombed Luganville from 36000 feet. At this crazy altitiude none of my fighters can intercept the bombers (except Oscar I's). Look at what the laser guided bombing achieved. Do you all think this is a legit tactic for Werner to do?:

Day Air attack on Luganville , at 72,107

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 3
B-17E Fortress x 129

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW W.18, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kogyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tusima Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
27 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
18 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 36600 feet

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Also the returning Hiei and Kirishima were subjected to attacks by 10's of Allied aircraft from Noumea. This was expected though so every fighter at Luganville was ordered to fly CAP over the battlewagons. The air battles were intense but the boys shot down almost 70 aircraft for the loss of 32. Only a couple of minor fires were started on the BB's. Here's an example of the ferocity:

Day Air attack on TF at 71,110

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 9
Kittyhawk I x 7
P-39D Airacobra x 27
P-40E Warhawk x 10
A-20B Boston x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 21 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1


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KB continues to move NE to find any shipping. I will continue for another day or 2 and then move back to Kwajalein for refuelling.

Here's todays air losses

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

During daylight hours over 100 Forts biombed Luganville from 36000 feet. At this crazy altitiude none of my fighters can intercept the bombers (except Oscar I's). Look at what the laser guided bombing achieved. Do you all think this is a legit tactic for Werner to do?:

Well, if you were in a life and death struggle with a guy, and you had longer arms than him, would you move closer so he could hit you? [8|]

For 129 heavy bombers he only got a few hits due to the high altitude. I know it's frustrating but they're not exactly laser guided nukes. If you can't hit the planes when they attack you how about hitting them when they're on the ground? Can you bomb his launching airfield effectively?


EDIT: I had failed to take notice of the ships hit in port. A pretty decent raid for that altitude.

[Rob Brennan UK]

During daylight hours over 100 Forts biombed Luganville from 36000 feet. At this crazy altitiude none of my fighters can intercept the bombers (except Oscar I's). Look at what the laser guided bombing achieved. Do you all think this is a legit tactic for Werner to do?:

pfft .. 6 runway hits ! who cares .. you engineers will have filled the holes by morning ..

witpqs has a good point .. best place to kill b17s is on the airfield imo.