Our Betties attacked enemy ships disembarking supplies in PM. The escorting Zeroes did poorly against P-40´s and P-39´s (5 vs 5 losses), but only one Betty was lost. A ship was sunk and another two were heavily damaged.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/30/42
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Day Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 53,91
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 30
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 15
P-39D Airacobra x 20
Allied Ships
AK Utahan
AK Arkansan Torpedo hits 1
AK San Vincente Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kohala, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Edgar Luckenbach
AK Nabesna Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage (bye bye.....)
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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ASW attack at 68,102
A key question in playing this scenario, for either side, is "what is your strategy". Re-stated, "what is your plan to achieve victory"?
Nik's design goal, was to make this a scenario about control of Guadalcanal. In the game, this includes Lunga, Tass and Tulagi. And secondarily this was to be about control of Papua, Gili-gili, Port Moresby, Buna and Dobodura.
===
So, abandonment of Guadalcanal on the part of the Japanese is not aligned with the design goals. But "victory" could be in the eyes of the beholder. Sinking CV or BB of the other aside could be argued to contribute to "victory". But control of the aforementioned bases should also be a consideration.
I'm certainly not trying to pry in to Bombur's plan, but merely trying to open up the issue of strategic planning for this scenario. What are the goals, what are the means of acheiving them, how do we measure "victory"??
WITP Admiral's Edition - Project Lead
War In Spain - Project Lead
Yes, Nik´s scenario forces the Japanese player to fight for Guadalcanal (in stock games and in my own mod I retreated to defend Shortlands as Japan, as fighting for Guadalcanal is impossible). However, I cannot tell you about my plan until the game is over.
Four P-39's fell to the lethal Zeros (though they torched one in return) while the Kittyhawks flying high topcover traded 1 for 4. Regrettably though the Zeros did their job and kept most of my planes off the G4M's, only a few passes were possible and while several were hit, none went down. AA knocked down one of them but 3 frieghters were badly damaged, one of them sinking immediately after eating three torpedoes. We shot up a few more though. I was hoping a couple would drop into the sea on the return leg.
Lunga/Tass remains quiet as far as enemy activity is concerned. Marines are busy though. Idle hands and all...... [:D]
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Myoko
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa
CL Tenryu
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Tanikaze
DD Natsugumo
DD Asagumo
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Oite
DD Hakaze
Allied Ships
APD Manley, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Colhoun, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Skylark, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
AK Celeno, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Alchiba, Shell hits 38, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
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Naval bombardment of Lunga, at 67,97
Allied aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
DD Hakaze
DD Oite
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Asagumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Tanikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Urakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
CL Tenryu
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Myoko
CA Takao
Now it was real disaster. Japanese forces lost another two CA´s and had another two heavily damaged after another frustrated attempt to bombard Henderson field at night. This time the surface battle itself was not so bad but USA carriers risked to reach Betties range to sink the survivors...and it worked. The Japanese commander forgot to place their Betties at naval attack[:@]. Well need another plan....
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/07/42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 3
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urakaze
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Asagumo, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 1
DD Oite, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hakaze
Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 5, on fire
CA New Orleans, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Canberra, Shell hits 13, on fire
CL Boise
DD Fletcher
DD Gregory, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Hutchins
DD Swanson, Shell hits 1
DD Monssen, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Aaron Ward
DD Hull, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Dale, Shell hits 2, on fire
AP Hugh L. Scott
AP Tasker H. Bliss
AP President Fillmore
AP American Legion, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Fomalhaut
AK Betelgeuse
Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
SBD Dauntless x 30
TBF Avenger x 15
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 66,96
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 6
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 30
TBF Avenger x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 51
TBF Avenger x 45
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urakaze
DD Oite, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Takao, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Buin at 64,92
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 34
SBD Dauntless x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
ML Saishu
ML Niizaki, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 64,94
Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 12
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
Losses in the second battle of Guadalcanal are being kept secret. I said the results of surface engagement weren´t so bad, but actually tey were even worse than the first one, because two cruisers were sunk and no enemy cruiser was heavily damaged, and Japan still achieved surprise....well...the war goes on...
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/08/42
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TF 1017 encounters mine field at Lunga (67,97)
Allied Ships
DD Dale
DD Swanson
AK Betelgeuse, Mine hits 1, on fire
DD Gregory, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hutchins
DD Fletcher
Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD Dauntless x 5
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Munda at 64,95
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 4
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
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ASW attack at 68,106
