MrKane(Jap) vs Wargamer (Ally)

[zuluhour]

Those losses seem exceptionally light for both sides, specifically air to air. I'm not sure I would not
offer my resignation at this point, sometimes it just makes sense. Even with an intact USN a bold move
is required. I would be staring at something radical to change the dynamic if possible. In any event
kudos for smooth conquest to this point.

[Bif1961]

Wow those lost rates for each are about 25% of what is encountered in my current contest, and I am 6 weeks behind you in mid Jan 43. I don't know if mine are extremely high or yours are that much lower than average, whatever average is. Do you think he has been playing keep away until he was ready for a large major counter-offensive and he is still bidding his time?

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Wow those lost rates for each are about 25% of what is encountered in my current contest, and I am 6 weeks behind you in mid Jan 43. I don't know if mine are extremely high or yours are that much lower than average, whatever average is. Do you think he has been playing keep away until he was ready for a large major counter-offensive and he is still bidding his time?

1) Mike is avoiding any fight so far, so it is not normal situation.
2) We are playing modified scenario, one of changes is increased all planes durability by 30%.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: MrKane


2) We are playing modified scenario, one of changes is increased all planes durability by 30%.

What other changes did you make?

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: MrKane


2) We are playing modified scenario, one of changes is increased all planes durability by 30%.

What other changes did you make?

[font="Arial"]All changes:

1)
I cannot find allied fighters production numbers right now, but from what I can remember all Brit and USA fighters from 1942/43 were doubled.

2)
To reduce interaction of medium and heavy bombers with CAP:

-All Japan Medium Bombers get +30mph to Max Speed
-All Allied Medium Bombers get +20mph to Max Speed
-All Allied Heavy bombers get +20mph to Max Speed


Beatty payload reworked:
Naval Attack: 1x torpedo or 1 x 800kg
Other: 4 x 250kg



fixes to Ki-61/100 (it should have a lot more maneuver ability than P-40).
Ki-61 series Maneuver change to 24/24/19/14 values

K-100 at low bands 0-20 Maneuver is increased from 21 to 28 (it should be able to out maneuver K-84 Frank.

Ki-100 production line is disconnected from K-61 line. ( no more early Ki-100)



Device 185 ( 7.7mm Type 92 MG) accuracy changed to 27 from 18. Some protection for all Japanese medium bombers. (tests says this decrees losses by 7% from fighters)


All planes durability increased by 30% to reduce losses.


Maneuver stats under 20k for F4F/FM-2 line are little improved ( to 24 )

Maneuver stats under for F4U line are little improved ( to 22/22/22/20/20)


Maneuver stats under for F6F line are little improved ( to 24/24/24/20/16 )


Maneuver stats under for P-38 line are little improved ( to 18/18/18/16/14 )
except P-38L ( 22/22/22/16/14 this model has Fuler flaps, should be able dogfight Zero).[/font]

[Lowpe]

Wow, quite the list![:)] Did you do all the editor work?

How does the increased durability change impact disabled planes? Does it noticeably take longer for them to repair?

I wonder if that will impact Japanese fighters ramming bombers to a lesser percent than is present now.

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe


Wow, quite the list![:)] Did you do all the editor work?

How does the increased durability change impact disabled planes? Does it noticeably take longer for them to repair?

I wonder if that will impact Japanese fighters ramming bombers to a lesser percent than is present now.

Yes I did.

Still not a lot of experience due to Mike's behavior.

But I can share a few observations:

Les bloody fighter vs fighter engagements up to now.
Medium bombers are doing little better vs AAA. More damaged bombers, AAA does not shoot down 1/2 raid directly.
4e are now looks more like real flaying fortresses, only one day time fight B-17 vs Ki-43 ended with 5 B-17D/E(no losses) damaged and 11 K-43-Ic shot down or crashed.

I did not noticed any increase in aircraft repair time.

Sill to early game time to say something about ramming bombers by fighters(this behavior is starting in 1944).

[MrKane]

February 5th - 16th March 1943



Burma:

100 B-17/B-24 is bombing oil fields in central plain every night. Initial huge looses of Ki-45 to bombers(10 lost, 21 damaged) base is defended only by 10 AA units. AA units are there mostly for training purpose and they experience is slowly increasing. I am planning to defend in clear terrain, all units of 15th Army are dig in in Jungle and Mountains terrain.

[MrKane]

17th March 1943


South Pacific:

Allied fleet show up at Pago Pago today. I have in range only 36 G3M3 at Suva but they refuse to fly due bad weather.
No signs of landing yet, and small CVE escort suggest it is only local action. Tiny garrison is not position to resist landing so island is lost.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: MrKane

February 5th - 16th March 1943



Burma:

AA units are there mostly for training purpose and they experience is slowly increasing. I am planning to defend in clear terrain, all units of 15th Army are dig in in Jungle and Mountains terrain.

Super interesting on two fronts. First I started a thread about farming experience for AA units...tm.asp?m=4632111
and got less than encouraging results.[&:]

But, I didn't abandon the idea and think it is important for Japan.

Secondly, I have defended in open terrain in Burma versus Jocke...and you are quite correct, a concentration of AA makes it quite doable. I used the excellent AA Regiments x2 plus others, and don't forget to toss in two aviation engineer units for added radar which seems to make it much stronger, plus better results if you LRCAP it. A base force also works well. Both for the radar and extra AA and also for the ability to soak off bomb hits from the combat units.

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: MrKane

February 5th - 16th March 1943



Burma:

AA units are there mostly for training purpose and they experience is slowly increasing. I am planning to defend in clear terrain, all units of 15th Army are dig in in Jungle and Mountains terrain.

Super interesting on two fronts. First I started a thread about farming experience for AA units...tm.asp?m=4632111
and got less than encouraging results.[&:]

But, I didn't abandon the idea and think it is important for Japan.

Secondly, I have defended in open terrain in Burma versus Jocke...and you are quite correct, a concentration of AA makes it quite doable. I used the excellent AA Regiments x2 plus others, and don't forget to toss in two aviation engineer units for added radar which seems to make it much stronger, plus better results if you LRCAP it. A base force also works well. Both for the radar and extra AA and also for the ability to soak off bomb hits from the combat units.

I am familiar with your thread about AA. Generally it is going extremely slow but it does work( 4 units had gain 1 exp point, one got 2 points). That it reason why I started taking care about from beginning, petty that Mike is not cooperating ;(

I have 6 radars there, simply I am always loosing a lot fighters to 4E night raids. Other side of story is that in 11 nights he scored only one hit on oil center. He is flaying at altitude 15-28K. But I must try LRCAP trick. Thanks for advice.

I have plan for this central plains, but it is still sealed, so comments.

[MrKane]

18th March 1943

South Pacific:

1st Marine Division, supported by 2 tank battalions is landing at Pago Pago. Elite 90th Regiment with 65th Naval Guard Unit is dig in into ground(Fort level = 5). Both sides took limited losses, allied shore bombardment did not achieved spectacular results. I hope that my troops will hold for 1-2 weeks. First real fortress is Suva.


18 G3M3 tried to attack allied ships, but IJN commander make several mistakes, so that even 17 bombers get to ships they were armed with bombs and they targeted mostly allied destroyers.


Generally I am convinced this is main axis of advancement for Mike and in my opinion it is just one more distraction like previous action around Norfolk island.

TF 226 encounters mine field at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Ships
AM Matai
AM Constant

80 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-23, hits 8, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
CL Cleveland
CL Nashville
DD McCalla
DD Laffey

SSX Ha-23 is sighted by escort
Ha-23 bottoming out ....
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Laffey fails to find sub and abandons search
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCalla fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD McCalla attacking submerged sub ....
SSX Ha-23 forced to surface!
DD Laffey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Laffey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Laffey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Laffey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Laffey firing on surfaced sub ....
DD McCalla firing on surfaced sub ....
DD Laffey firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-25, hits 4, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SC-522
SC PC-1077
SC-639
SC-636

SSX Ha-25 is sighted by escort
SC PC-1077 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-639 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-636 attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-26

Allied Ships
SC-522
AMC Monowai
SC PC-1077
SC-639
SC-636
SC-634

SSX Ha-26 is sighted by escort
SC PC-1077 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-639 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-636 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-634 fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-27, hits 8, heavy damage

Allied Ships
YMS-134
YMS-131
YMS-115
YMS-114
YMS-118
YMS-117
YMS-86
YMS-85
YMS-125
DD Balch
DD Jarvis

SSX Ha-27 is sighted by escort
Ha-27 bottoming out ....
DD Balch attacking submerged sub ....
DD Jarvis attacking submerged sub ....
Large oil slick appears over area of attack!
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-26, hits 9, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD McCall
DD Clark

SSX Ha-26 is sighted by escort
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Clark attacking submerged sub ....
Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Hawkins
CA Cornwall
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CLAA Oakland

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 69
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Hawkins firing at Pago Pago
CA Cornwall firing at Pago Pago
CA Canberra firing at 90th Infantry Regiment
CA Australia firing at Pago Pago
CLAA Oakland firing at Pago Pago


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Pago Pago (148,161)

73 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
DD Le Triomphant
DD Maury
DD Strong
SC PC-1079
LST-17
LST-446

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BB Pennsylvania firing at 11th JNAF AF Unit
DD Le Triomphant firing at 90th Infantry Regiment
DD Maury firing at 90th Infantry Regiment
DD Strong firing at 90th Infantry Regiment
SC PC-1079 fired at enemy troops
DD Le Triomphant fired at enemy troops
DD Maury fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Pago Pago (148,161)

TF 38 troops unloading over beach at Pago Pago, 148,161

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (0 destroyed, 19 disabled)

13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Marine Div /3
13 troops of a USMC Rifle Squad 43 lost overboard during unload of 1st Marine Div /4


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Ta'u (150,161)

TF 177 troops unloading over beach at Ta'u, 150,161

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago (148,161)

35 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania
DD Le Triomphant
DD Maury
DD Strong
SC PC-1079
LST-17

DD Strong firing at 90th Infantry Regiment
SC PC-1079 fired at enemy troops
DD Le Triomphant fired at enemy troops
DD Maury fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Balch
DD Jarvis
YMS-85

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 3000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.882 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
No.896 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
No.898 Sqn FAA with Martlet IV (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-35 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-37 with F4F-4 Wildcat (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VF-60 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-2F with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
VRF-5F with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago (148,161)

63 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
SC PC-1079
BB Pennsylvania
LST-17
LST-447
DD Strong
DD Le Triomphant

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

SC PC-1079 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4813 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 194

Defending force 3329 troops, 49 guns, 246 vehicles, Assault Value = 240

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
90th Infantry Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
6th Naval Construction Battalion
11th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
767th Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Div /8
2/198th Coast AA Bn /1
F Det USN Port Svc
3rd USN Naval Const Rgt /1

[Lowpe]

Great news![:)] I just checked some of my tracker files and found out it does work! Changing leaders might help the rate of experience gain.

Build some Dinah fighters, put them on night CAP, 10% at 10K, and they almost never engage the night bombers, but they do disrupt them harming their aim. Very effective counter to medium to high altitude night bombing early on. Petes work good at ports.

[MrKane]

19th 20th March 1943


South Pacific:

20th March:
Allies are continuing landing at Pago Pago. For unknown reason US escort carriers has moved 200 mills to south-east. As result of this my three groups of G3M3 from Suva did not meet enemy fighters over landings in area, however bad weather and strong AA save allied ships. Only 2 torpedoes have founded they target, one heavily damaged xAP William Dawes, other damaged xAP David J. Brewer.

Additionally 18 G3M3 landed at Suva at night, other 18 are getting ready at Rabaul to increase IJN strength there to 72 long range torpedo bombers total.


Burma:

My recon discovered 70 transport planes on Silchar airfield at 19th.
Very next day base was attacked by 87 K-21 escorted by 37 Ki-43 and 84 Ki-45. Even on altitude 20K from 900 allied guns was extremely strong. As result 3 bombers did not return to base, reports are suggesting that 6 C-47 and one B-17E were destroyed on ground. More important is that flow of supplies to Katha by air was temporally stopped.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Archbishop Lamy
SC-634
xAP William P. McArthur
SC PC-1077
DD Strong
SC-633
SC-518

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Pago Pago at 148,161

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 6 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAP William Dawes, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAP Archbishop Lamy
xAK La Cordillera
DD Maury
xAP Leland Stanford

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ta'u at 150,161

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Craven
xAP David J. Brewer, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 152 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 63
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 81

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 40 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17F Fortress: 8 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Silchar , at 59,39

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 98 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 31
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 6 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17F Fortress: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 20000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

[Bif1961]

So you suspect these are jabs and he has not delivered a solid blow for his main effort in his reconquest main avenue of approach?

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

So you suspect these are jabs and he has not delivered a solid blow for his main effort in his reconquest main avenue of approach?

Well I am 100% convinced this is not his main push. He is dancing with 3rd rate forces around minor, not important bases.

[MrKane]

21st - 22nd March 1943


South Pacific:

Nasty surprise at Ta'u island, US Marine squadron(VMF-224) with 6 Wildcats ;(. 14 G3M3 shoot down and 6 crashed on way back.

Two days long shock attack at Pago Pago was devastating, 90% experience, fort level 4 did not help to save day. Battle was completely one side victory, so base will fall at 23rd, or 24th if I am extremely lucky.


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

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6201 troops, 212 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 538

Defending force 6031 troops, 44 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 191

Allied adjusted assault: 470

Japanese adjusted defense: 309

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1041 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 68 (1 destroyed, 67 disabled)

Assaulting units:
766th Tank Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
2/198th Coast AA Battalion
3rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
90th Infantry Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
6th Naval Construction Battalion
11th JNAF AF Unit


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

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6010 troops, 212 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 513

Defending force 5159 troops, 44 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Allied adjusted assault: 381

Japanese adjusted defense: 91

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
839 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 52 (3 destroyed, 49 disabled)

Assaulting units:
766th Tank Battalion
767th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
2/198th Coast AA Battalion
3rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
90th Infantry Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
6th Naval Construction Battalion
11th JNAF AF Unit

[MrKane]

22nd - 23rd March 1943


Aircraft Ki-43-IV Oscar advances R&D

South Pacific:

IJN 3rd Cruiser Squadron finally arrived to Pago Pago island area. Rear Admiral Hiraoka in 2 day action sunk 9 allied SC, 2 AM and xAP William Dawes, before he return to base.

VMF-224 managed to shoot down 4 G3M3 over Pago Pago at 23rd.


Defense of Pago Pago island finally collapsed and island is in Allied hands now.


Intelligence update:

20th March:
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Perth (49,147).

21st March:
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Perth (49,147).
Radio transmissions detected at Broome (62,127).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Perth (49,147).
Radio transmissions detected at Annette Island (198,42).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Perth (49,147).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Prince Rupert (199,43).


22nd March:
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Geraldton (49,141).
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at Exmouth (50,129).
Radio transmissions detected at Geraldton (49,141).

23rd March:
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at 47,136. ???

Someone is on move to north ? (2 weeks ago one my sub reported 2 British battleships heading to Perth from Melbourne.


22nd:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,161, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
SC-517, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC-518, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC-520, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC-522, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Hiraoka, Kumeichi crosses the 'T'
SC-522 sunk by CA Chokai at 19,000 yards
DD Yugure engages SC-517 at 19,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages SC-517 at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
SC-518 sunk by CA Atago at 14,000 yards
CA Takao engages SC-520 at 14,000 yards
DD Ariake engages SC-517 at 14,000 yards
SC-520 sunk by DD Yugure at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
CA Chokai engages SC-517 at 10,000 yards
DD Yugure engages SC-517 at 10,000 yards
SC-517 sunk by DD Nenohi at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,161, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
AM Constant, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AM Matai, Shell hits 17, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
CA Chokai engages AM Matai at 22,000 yards
CA Chokai engages AM Constant at 22,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards
CA Chokai engages AM Matai at 19,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Matai at 19,000 yards
CA Atago engages AM Matai at 19,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AM Constant at 19,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages AM Constant at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
CA Chokai engages AM Matai at 15,000 yards
CA Chokai engages AM Constant at 15,000 yards
CA Atago engages AM Matai at 15,000 yards
CA Takao engages AM Matai at 15,000 yards
DD Nenohi engages AM Constant at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Chokai engages AM Matai at 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages AM Matai at 11,000 yards
AM Matai sunk by CA Atago at 11,000 yards
DD Ariake engages AM Constant at 11,000 yards
DD Wakaba engages AM Constant at 11,000 yards
DD Hatsushima engages AM Constant at 11,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ta'u at 150,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-172

Allied Ships
DD Craven

SS I-172 is sighted by escort
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Craven fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


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

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5894 troops, 211 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 483

Defending force 4234 troops, 38 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Allied adjusted assault: 190

Japanese adjusted defense: 33

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Pago Pago !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1100 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
767th Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
2/198th Coast AA Battalion
3rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
F Det USN Port Svc

Defending units:
65th Naval Guard Unit
6th Naval Construction Battalion
90th Infantry Regiment
11th JNAF AF Unit

23rd:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 23, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ta'u at 150,161, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
xAP William Dawes, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 21 (19 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Improved night sighting under 92% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 92% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Chokai engages xAP William Dawes at 11,000 yards
DD Yugure engages xAP William Dawes at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Yugure engages xAP William Dawes at 10,000 yards
xAP William Dawes sunk by DD Hatsushima at 10,000 yards
xAP William Dawes sunk by DD Hatsushima at 10,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ta'u at 150,161, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
DD Hatsuharu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Ariake

Allied Ships
SC-633, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC-634, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-636, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
SC-639, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC PC-1077, Shell hits 3, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 89% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 89% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
CA Chokai engages SC PC-1077 at 9,000 yards
SC-639 sunk by CA Chokai at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
SC PC-1077 sunk by CA Chokai at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
SC-636 sunk by CA Atago at 4,000 yards
SC-633 sunk by CA Chokai at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
SC-634 sunk by CA Chokai at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Ta'u at 150,161 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Port hits 16
Port supply hits 5

10th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Chokai
CA Chokai firing at 10th Marine Defense Battalion
CA Maya firing at Ta'u
CA Atago firing at Ta'u
CA Takao firing at 10th Marine Defense Battalion
10th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Takao


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Pago Pago , at 148,161

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 3 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-224 with F4F-4 Wildcat (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Raid is overhead

[Lowpe]

Some interesting battle reports there.

Nice damage from 20K with Sallies.[:)]

I am surprised you couldn't inflict any losses on the Marine divisions at all. He probably shocked with the tanks and deliberate attacked with the infantry.

5 SC in one task force? Michael seems to simply throw away a lot of shipping.

Perth to Java eventually perhaps?

[MrKane]

24th March 1943


South Pacific:

I-22 had bad day, it needs dray-dock with 20 flt dmg after meeting with allied cruisers and they escort neer Ta'u island.



India Ocean:

Pesky SS Scamp after 2 day hunt was spotted by IJN escorts near Palembang.
Three groups allied subs are spotted heading towards Java Sea.
Another one is heading towards DEI.
Meantime mysterious radio broadcaster is still moving north avoiding 6 my subs.

Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at 49,130.
Heavy Volume of Radio transmissions detected at 49,130.

25th and 16th Army HQ was alarmed, as 24 Air Flotilla and 5th Air Division.

Burma:
67 Ki-21 bombed Katha to suppress Allied ability to airlift supplies there.

China:

Last bastion has fallen Japanese forces CAPTURE Wenchow !!!. Now only Chinese units between Himalaya and Mongolian border are last still on map.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ta'u at 150,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 10

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
CL Cleveland
CL Nashville
CL Helena
DD Radford
DD McCalla
DD Laffey

SS I-22 is sighted by escort
DD McCalla fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Laffey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Laffey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Laffey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Laffey attacking submerged sub ....
DD Laffey attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Palembang at 49,90

Japanese Ships
E Kamome
E Sarushima
E Natsushima

Allied Ships
SS Scamp, hits 5, heavy damage

SS Scamp is sighted by escort
Scamp bottoming out ....
E Sarushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Natsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sarushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Natsushima attacking submerged sub ....
E Sarushima fails to find sub and abandons search
E Natsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Natsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Natsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2413 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Defending force 7600 troops, 242 guns, 270 vehicles, Assault Value = 486

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 943

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
2039 casualties reported
Squads: 159 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 75 destroyed, 121 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
90th Infantry Regiment
65th Naval Guard Unit
6th Naval Construction Battalion
11th JNAF AF Unit /1

Defending units:
767th Tank Battalion
766th Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
2/198th Coast AA Battalion
3rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
F Det USN Port Svc


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

6th Naval Construction Battalion Wiped Out at Pago Pago by attrition!!!

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Pago Pago

Japanese Unit(s) Wiped Out at Pago Pago by attrition!!!