RGIJN vs Miller

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: Miller

Both just need a new paint job[;)]

this is most regrettable[:(]

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: Miller

the wait for material to arrive for the Allied comeback continues.

that sounds good! [:)]

[RGIJN]

Paul quite often pays Lae a visit with his heavy bombers recently... Mostly the damage is slight.

In this raid -


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/16/43

Weather: Clear

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 49
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 36
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 24

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 64
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero x 13 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 5 damaged
Ki-48 Lily x 14 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily x 24 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 32 damaged
PB4Y Liberator x 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator x 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 202

Airbase hits 13
Runway hits 106


he lost ten fortresses plus six other A/C... In return I gladly give away those Lily´s destroyed on the ground for them.

[RGIJN]

Now it´s getting a turmoil....

First, Paul landed on a tiny spot called "Lomlom Island" just next to Nevea. Of course I tried to interfere instantly and sent a strong NavGsn there to wipe out the allied ENG units. But this time he was able to bring in massive reinforcements and I had to evacuate my troops in order to save them. Lost 2 CLs and my very first DD in our game during this melee to his bombers and some mines...

Since KB was busy as cover for my movements in the northern Hebrides he took the chance to get something started over in the Northern Oz / PNG area... Out of the sudden we sighted several TFs in the vicinity, obviously heading north. Allied bombers were sent over Lae again to get this airdrome neutralized, but once more they suffered heavy losses instead (10 B17s plus nine Liberators).


Very curious what is going on. KB and some strong fleet units were ordered to dash over the map...

[RGIJN]

the presence of my fleet in the area caused the enemy to pull his forces back to port. After that, I was able to bring in major reinforcements to PM and Irau. The actual troop convoys stayed untouched, however - heavy 4E attacks wiped out some other regular transport movements. These raids are a true danger in this stage of the war.

Paul´s submarines grew in number and peskiness by now. Although a few got hit from bombers and mines, only one is reported sunk recently.

[RGIJN]

end of March, 1943.

point gap still about 6600, but as we know this means nothing... even taken into consideration that my Imperial air, land and naval forces are quite intact and powerful.

Wondering what Pauls next move might be. In any case I guess a bold one.

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN



Wondering what Pauls next move might be. [...]

Now I know... he sent some FTs towards PNG. Though I immediately sent out KB, I could not prevent his troops (massive ENG units & one aussie brigade) from landing and seizing LeaLea right next to PM.
His ships suffered a few dents from mines there but apart from this it was a neat & smooth running operation so far.

[RGIJN]

during the last few turns almost the entire Imperial Navy was busy south of PM, protecting some FT runs and two major troops convoys. We successfully landed more than an entire Division (the 6th, plus other units) at LeaLea and hope to repel the invaders.

Allied LBA tried to interfere but was mostly averted so far. Bold fighter cover prevented them from attacks on KB yet. Bad weather was some good help as well. However, US subs are quite numerous in the vicinity and try to intercept my movements.
Their remaining CVs plus at least three SC TFs were seen heading from Townsville towards PNG one day ago, but for some reason unknown to us they retired last night.

I am very curious what benefit all that arduous efforts will yield at the end of the day......

[RGIJN]

the struggle goes on... In the meantime Paul landed some INF units at PM as well. So in both spots (LeaLea & PM) there is a stalemate of massive troops entangled.

Numerous FT runs brought in sufficient reinforcements to hold, but still not to repel the invaders. Countless enemy subs are in the area, a very annoying issue.

KB is still around, supporting air attacks on the enemy troops. And - trying to catch the allied naval movements. Two times I succeeded in this, scoring some nice hits, but for the price of severe a/c losses....
Last turn he sent some big ships, and a few of them received a medium pounding:




AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/17/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Sub attack at 18,44

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze

Allied Ships
SS Triton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
A6M3 Zero x 3
D3A Val x 24
B5N Kate x 59
E13A1 Jake x 7

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 19 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 destroyed
D3A Val x 8 damaged
B5N Kate x 14 destroyed
B5N Kate x 50 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 8 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 6 damaged

1LT N.Dionne of 36th FS is credited with kill number 3

LTJG F.Sugiyama of EI-1 Daitai is KILLED

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Bomb hits 5
BB Indiana, Torpedo hits 1
BB Massachusetts, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CA Quincy
CA Wichita, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Porter
BB Washington, Torpedo hits 2, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 18
B-25J Mitchell x 56
B-26B Marauder x 47


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 84

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 73


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40


Allied aircraft
Hudson x 33
P-38G Lightning x 24
F-5A Lightning x 2
B-17E Fortress x 25
PB4Y Liberator x 14
B-24D Liberator x 24


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 66

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 49

Attacking Level Bombers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 238th Regiment, at 50,43


Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 9
A-20G Boston x 5


no losses


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 238th Regiment, at 50,43


Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 109
TBF Avenger x 13


no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 143

Attacking Level Bombers:
13 x TBF Avenger at 5000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 239th Regiment, at 50,43


Allied aircraft
A-20G Boston x 3


no losses



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
A6M3 Zero x 8
B5N Kate x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 5 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 2 destroyed
P-38G Lightning x 14 damaged

2LT A. Hill of 80th FS is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
CA Wichita, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,42

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 7
E13A1 Jake x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 4 destroyed
B5N Kate x 3 damaged
E13A1 Jake x 4 damaged


Allied Ships
CA Quincy, Torpedo hits 1
BB Indiana, Bomb hits 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 10,42

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 14

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 10,42


CPO E.Chiyoshima of FI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2
Japanese Ships
SS I-176

Allied Ships
BB Washington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




In any case, this truly fierce battle will decide the outcome of the entire game.

[Miller]

Ralf is right. He has withdrawn his troops back from Lea Lea to PM and kicked the two Aussie Rgts out, fortunately they were able to retreat back to Lea Lea. I have a lot of troops there now, well supplied and behing high forts.......however I'm not sure if I can keep them that way with the KB still in charge of the seas.......

All of those FT runs have cost me relatively lightly: a BB, a couple of CA/CL and a few DD.....however many others have been damaged and have to go home for repairs. A tense few months in store for the Aliies.....

[RGIJN]

for weeks now, Paul is sending DMS & MSWs towards Nevea in order to clear the thousands of mines there. Occasionally I sent some surface ships there to counter these moves. Two times I missed his forces, but this time I caught them at night....

[RGIJN]

that hurts!

[RGIJN]

beyond that, one of our two last remaining operational subs got a heavy cruiser with two torpedoes. This ship was obviously already damaged and on its way back to Noumea / Pearl.

[RGIJN]

overall situation still the same, massive troops in a stalemate at LeaLea. Neither command seems to gain the upper hand there.

Try to resupply PM with barges, what is a ridiculous endeavour of course...

[Miller]

Just a quick update (Does anybody still read this apart from Me and Ralf)?

Date is now 1st July 43. Ralf has given up any hope of taking LeaLea and has retreated his troops back to PM. With its airfield now operational and 72 F4Us flying CAP over it he has no way to reduce my supply as sending in his bombers would be suicide. It has been bombarded a few times but to little effect.....and with mines in place he dares not send anymore as any damaged ships would be easy prey for the B25s based in Aus.

Meanwhile, I have been using my vast C47 fleet to airlift troops into Wau (The base the Allies start the game with near Lae). Ralf really should have captured it some time ago but his error is my gain. It is drawing supplies up the track from LeaLea so I have been able to fly in a few engineers and a base force unit and P47s are flying CAP over it. Ralf did try a couple of costly bombing raids on it but to no avail. It has not been all good news however, I have had a few big 4E raids over Lae and Rabual chewed up by his CAP, losing 30 over a two day period.......

I'm still waiting for a few more flight decks to arrive from Pearl before I even consider taking on the KB, which is still at full strength. The F6F has started to come online this month, so I will be waiting for the useless F4F sqds to upgrade as well.

Nothing at all happening on the Eastern side of the map, the game will be won or lost around the NG area. Points diff is about 6000, still all to play for.

[AbeSimpson]

I do! [:)]

[a1981stingray]

I read ALL of the AARs for any tactics that I can use. I like details, screenshots, and surprises!

[Miller]

Hurrah![:D]

[jomni]

I just started reading this. So keep it up.

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: Miller


Date is now 1st July 43. Ralf has given up any hope of taking LeaLea and has retreated his troops back to PM. With its airfield now operational and 72 F4Us flying CAP over it he has no way to reduce my supply as sending in his bombers would be suicide. It has been bombarded a few times but to little effect.....and with mines in place he dares not send anymore as any damaged ships would be easy prey for the B25s based in Aus.

Truly a nightmare to attack such airfields guarded by Corsairs... Wasted one Tony and three Zero units which are grinded into greenhorn cannon fodder (<50 exp) by now.

The whole operation is quite painful (especially seen in retrostpective). Although overall losses were rather slight to me, I achieved nothing other than shipping tons of troops over into thick jungle. Maybe I should have reacted more massive earlier, but I failed to do so and thus failed to re-take LeaLea. At least I prevented the enemy from taking PM and netted some points over the time. One BB sunk, plus many DDs sunk or damaged and subs killed.

LeaLea is still level 1 airfield, but given the allied ENG power this won´t last very long. As Paul said any shelling by naval unit would be very foolish after he mined it quite heavy. (However, one such mining operation went wrong and my bombers sunk a number of DMs)