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It takes a lot of escorts, but single cv task forces are still best. KB can usually pound only one per phase.

Try not to be too agressive when you get the CVEs. For whatever reason I tend to think that 2-3 CVEs equal an Essex and they don't. The temptation to load up the CVEs with Corsairs can be overpowering.

8/11/42 - I am getting a clearer picture of the results of the big CV battle that took place near Efate.

Of the four US CVs involved, three took 90+ sys and flood damage while Saratoga took moderate damage. She made it to Noumea quickly and was dispatched to Pearl. Her scheduled availability is 230 days.

Wasp and Enterprise sank the following turn. Hornet managed to limp toward Noumea with cricitical damage. She went from 99/75 a few hexes from Noumea to 99/89 on the next turn when she ended up a single hex from Noumea. I figured I was going to experience her agonizing death on the turn she made it home. I held my breath the following turn replay and was thrilled that Hornet did not sink. She made it home and I sent her to Pearl (she'll be available in about 320 turns).

In the meantime, the Jap casualties became clearer. Soryu sunk early on. Ryujo showed up on the sunk list this past turn. Akagi is still limping home (and is about midway between Wunpuko and Irau. I sitll hold out some hope that Akagi will sink as both Lunga and Tulagi are just level two ports and don't offer much in the way of repair capacity. Moroever, Akagi is just making a hex or two per turn.

The remnant Jap CV TF consisting of Kaga and Junyo is also limping toward home and is about Russell Islands now. I think Kaga is moderately damaged but should make it home.

If Akagi sinks, the final tally will will be Japs 2 CVs and a CVL lost, Allies 2 CVs. That wouldn't be such a bad outcome after all.

Meanwhile, the Allies took it on the chin after the surface battles at T'ville, losing a number of CAs. At first, it appeared the Japs got the best of that action, but several moderately damaged Jap CAs (including Myoko and Aobi) and DDs were finished off by Allied LBA from Australia.

I feel much better about things than I did in the immediate aftermath of the bloodbaths near Efate and T'ville. Allies won't have any carriers (except Long Island) for a long time to come (its 4 months until Chenango, etc arrive), but the Japs took heavy losses too and I doubt they can mount a successful invasion of T'ville, Brisbane, or Noumea.

Right now the Jap holds on Efate and L'ville are tenuous. L'ville airfield is shut down with some 100 Jap planes (many of them refugees from the carrier battles) unable to fly. The Allies will try to keep those fields shut down and eventually sally forth to reclaim those bases.

Just a tip:

Let your flotation damage get back to "0" before you send ships back to Pearl....

cuts down on Repair time immensely....[8D]

8/14/42 - Quiet on the board for the past week. No news about Akagi. She hasn't been found by reconn forces lately, but neither have I had any indication she sank. If the final tally of the battle is Japs lose a CV and a CVL and Allies lose two CVs, that's a major Allied defeat (especially considering the earlier battle that cost two CVs to a Jap CVL). The Jap do not strongly hold L'ville and Efate. It is possible that John is reluctant to send his ships back there because of the Allied LBA at New Caledonia. I don't think the Japs can strike T'ville, Noumea or Brisbane now. But it will be awhile before the Allies mount an offensive.

In my game against Sneaky Jap (I've posted updates here from time to time), it's mid-May 1943 (the Allies lost six CVs early in that game, the Japs lost three and a CVL). The Japs maintained the initiative until early May. A tremendous overland invasion force besieged Port Moresby, but the Allies reinforced and resupplied the base and the Japs were repulsed and began the long retreat to Buna. The Allies quickly loaded their own large invasion fleet at PM and sent it "around the horn" escorted by CV Victorious two CVLs and a CVE and a surface fleet. The Japs figured the force was heading to GG and moved there in force on the ETA turn. A couple of Jap BBs took light damage while waiting at GG. But the Allies continued on and made for Buna. A huge air/sea battle ensued with the Japs losing hundreds of aircraft (losses probably 4:1 or more in favor of the Allies). A series of Jap combat TFs hit the invasion beach sinking one Allied BB, a transport, and some small craft, but the Allies got the best of things. The invasion force landed and took Buna (lightly held by several engineer units). Now the Jap PM invasion force is hung up between PM and Buna. Don't know how Sneaky will try to extract or use them. I'd like to mount a second invasion force, but I'll have to wait a few turns to see how things turn out at Buna. The Japs at one time had a 5,000 point lead. It's now 4,000 points. Don't know if there's time to overcome that lead, but I do know that the Jap air forces and surface combat forces are nearly depleted.

Gents,

My opponent is totally consumed by War in the Pacific. We're down to about a turn a week or so and now he's having "trouble" figuring out how to send files (some sort of computer glitch on his end, so he says). I think the problem is simply that he is now absorbed in War in the Pacific and his heart is no longer in this game. I've suggested we call it a game.

One of these days I'm gonna buy War in the Pacific (when work slows down and I have some time). But by then there will probably be a new game and only six or seven WitP players left.

In the meantime, I'll concentrate on my two remaining games against SneakyJap and Miller.

Dan,
I have not read any of this AAR. Wanted to post this so you got a chance to see it.

I have not abandoned the game. I am have posted on the bug page the problem. Before I take off for Thanksgiving, I will email the turn again to you. Should be home on Sunday to check things out.

You correctly state my continuing obsession with WITP but, since you don't have it, I have kept our campaign going. Both AARs and games have been fun and great! My intention, once we figure things out, is to keep right on going with the game (especially since you have lost AT LEAST 4 heavy Carriers!!! [8D]).

I'll jump off your AAR. Once again, I did not read anything here! I REALLY would like to but that would be cheating...
John

I can understand the "consumed by WitP" feeling. Glad to see that the aar is continuing.

8/19/42 - Okay, the game appears to be on (I really want to get into WitP "one of these days," but I'm going to have to wait until my children are grown and my job settles down - moderation is NOT my strong suit).

The Allies sent a large invasion force to L'ville accompanied by two stout surface fleets (the remnants of the CV escorts). The turn before the invasion fleet arrived, the Allies got the joyful news that Akagi sank at Lunga. That brings the tally of the recent battle to two CVs lost for the Allies and two CVs and a CVL for the Japs. That was a big lift.

When the Allies arrived at L'ville, a Jap combat fleet (CAs and DDs) were waiting. There was a sharp action resulting in an Allied DD sinking. I later scuttled a CAA and another DD. The Japs probably lost a DD or two and most likely a CL. The invasion fleet offloaded 10,000 units with another 50,000 to go. The invasion fleet will likely get hammered by sea and air reinforcements from the Lunga area (the airfields at L'ville and Efate are shut down by Allied bombing), but I'm committed now. We'll see what happens.

8/20/42 - The Japs did not molest the invasion fleet this turn and the Allied shock attack reclaimed Luganville. Unless John thinks that I may get the airfield operational so that his CVs are at risk, I still expect them to show up and hammer the fleet. It has offloaded 20,000 units with 40,000 to go.

A second invasion force arrives at Efate next turn. I think Efate is more lightly held and should fall readily.

John is not one to sit by and absorb attacks. He will strike soon.

8/21/42 - And strike soon John did....

His CV TF moved just north of L'ville, a surface combat fleet hit L'ville, and the Japs unleashed a much stronger than anticipated attack a Efate.

Despite the apparent mismatch between surface assets, I think the Allies got the better of things in that action. Neither fleet had a ship sunk during the combat itself, but the Japs took far more hits (from smaller caliber guns though) and retreated without getting into the merchant ships unloading.

Jap LBA from Lunga hit the L'ville airfield, but Wildcats downed about seven Nells and Bettys. The aifield remains bairly operational, but there air service is totally down. Nevertheless, I've now deployed reinforcements. L'ville airfield has about 180 aircraft including some 80-100 Dauntlesses. The Japs may get a nasty surprise if they hang around much longer.

The Jap CVs launched some devastating attacks against the merchant fleet that for some reason withdrew from L'ville toward Noumea. In all I may lose about ten small craft and merchants. I split off the most heavily damaged and left them out there as bait. The bulk of the fleet is ordered back to L'ville.

At Efate, the Japs have FAR more ground troops than recon suggested. Some 35,000. They drove the Allied invasion fleet (which was unloading slowly) back off the beaches except for some cavalry. I've ordered the invasion fleet to head to L'ville. Efate is isolated now and I'll pick it off later when things settle down a bit.

John is under the impression that the Ally fleet has been decimated. He's wrong about that. ALOT of ships have taken damage. Most of them will eventually stabalize at L'ville as long as the Japs aren't able to mount a serious effort there and I don't think they can. I believe most of my damaged craft will ultimately make Noumea and head to Pearl for repairs.

John would disagree vehemently, but I believe the Allies have scored a major victory retaking L'ville so early in the game. Too, the Japs at Efate are going to be isolated and he will have a difficult time recovering them. And with those 35,000 troops hung up, John will find it hard to find the manpower to put together new invasion forces to either threaten L'ville or other Allied strongholds.

If I can hold L'ville, the Allies are going to be tough to beat.

8/22/42 - Despite his best efforts to shut down the airfield at L'ville, John did not succeed and the Allied airforce got in a unexpected, strong, and successful strike against the Jap CV TF. It was a major Allied victory, but the day was full of developments, not all of them good for the Allies.

First, the Japs sent in a strong combat force to hit L'ville. A small, but determined Allied fleet under Lee (a CL and a handful of DDs) put up a nasty fight, inflicting enough damage to turn back the Japs before they could bombard. The Allies lost some 8-10 DDs, but this was one of those little sideshows on which a battle, campaign, and war can change (yes, that's a bit melodramatic, but Lee's defense of L'ville turned out to be huge).

Next, the Japs sent several carrier-based and land-based air assaults against L'ville. They got through the CAP, but were unable to close the landing strip. The Allies then sent about 45 Dauntlesses and 50 Wildcats against the Jap CVs just 70 miles NE of L'ville. That Wildcats outnumbered the Jap CAP and the strike was surprisingly successful. Zuikaku took 4 hits, Shokaku 3, and Hiryu 2. The damage was sufficient that at least one CV's planes had to land at Efate.

Meanwhile, Allied bombers from L'ville, Koumac and Noumea hit Jap ships damaged during the L'ville battle, scoring quite a few hits. CA Kumano looks like a goner as do three or four DDs.

The Allies are now totally devoid of combat ships. The Japs may be able to close L'ville. But I've sent two Avenger squadrons there in hopes that the Allies can mount one more good strike.

Without a doubt, the Jap offensive capabilities have been crippled. I don't see how John can mount a major offensive against Australia or to re-take L'ville now. He has 35,000 troops hung up at Efate and most of his CVs have been damaged or sunk.

On the other hand, the Allies are going to have to depend upon air power for defense for quite some time. I am not exaggerating when I say I have no surface combat ships left on the map.

But it's been a good week for the Allies nonetheless.

8/25/42 - Zuikaku took a couple more hits from L'ville's LBA. She should go down. That'll bring the total to 4 Allied CVs down to 3 Japs CVs and 2 Jap CVLs. That's a remarkable change in the strategic situation over the past ten turns.

The Allies have no surface combat ships left, but now the Japs are real tight on CVs. I don't think they can retake L'ville. Too much Allied LBA to risk it (I think). If so, the Allies should be able to bomb the Japs at Efate into eventual submission.

Given the damage incurred by the Allied fleet, I won't be able to mount any sort of major offensive for quite some time. I most likely will concentrate on holding L'ville and eventually building bases to the north. Might not make a move for New Guinea and points north until 1943.

Which would be probably too late since if autovictory conditions are met at 1, jan, 1943 game over.

It has been two years since I've looked at the auto victory conditions, but my memory is that New Guinea isn't involved. I think L'ville is the key (and Australia too). If the Allies hold L'ville and the main Australian cities, I think that's sufficient to avoid a Jap auto victory. I don't believe I have to hold PM or any other New Guinea city. But I guess I had better check.

Enjoying your AAR. I got WinP and it's way to large scale for me. And, I think it would take years to finish a game to the end. With UV you can develop a turn in 10-15 min., not so with WinP. Maybe it's just me, but the font is so small it's hard to see? Keep up the good fight!

8/28/42- Due to some changes in his work schedule, John will be calling the game in mid-January. He says he'll get in a bunch of gaming between now and then, but I'm skeptical. He hasn't sent a turn in quite awhile and I think he's totally immersed in WitP now. Which leads me to summarize the situation in this game and two others I'm playing right now (in all three I'm the Allies in scenario 19 with the Japs at 140% and the Allies at 100%):

1. This game: The Japs just lost Zuikaku, bringing the total to 3 CVs and 2 CVLs. The Allies have lost 4 CVs. The Allies re-took L'ville. The Jap's 35,000 strong garrison of Efate is isolated and can be bombed at will and then reclaimed. This game is essentially over. With CV losses equal, Allied reinforcements will turn the tide and, based upon my experience in other Scenario 19s, he cannot win having failed to deliver a knockout punch.

2. Game vs. SneakyJap: It is early June 1943. As summarized previously, Sneaky hammered the Allied CVs early in the game. He has knocked out 7 fleet CVs to 3 CVs and a CVL of his own. He took L'ville, but the Allies reclaimed the port in December '42. The next big battle was at PM in April, where the Allies held off a strong Jap attack. Since then, the Allies have taken and strongly fortified Buna. A major Allied invasion force has just landed at Lae and that port should fall in a turn or two. The Japs are currently up by nearly 3,000 points, but the spread will dimish by 700 points when Lae falls. Can the Allies close the remaining gap in the time remaining? I think so. The Japs have taken enough punishment that they have not been able to mount serious opposition to any of the recent Allied moves (I think many Jap CVs are damaged and either in Tokyo or out of harms way). I think the Allies can take GG, Woodlark, Shortlands and probably Lunga. Allied LBA should be able to pound Rabaul and Kaeving. This has been a long, tough battle and it should come down to the wire.

3. Game vs. Miller: It's mid-September '42 and this game hangs in the balance. (don't read any further, Miller!) Miller sat quietly for the first four months. I had pulled everything back to T'ville, Brisbane and Noumea. In mid-August, I sent strong reinforcements to L'ville escorted by 5 CVs. What could happen so close to home? Well, the Japs CVs pounced and - against orders as usual - my CVs reacted and then failed to launch a single attack. The result was that the Allies lost 3 CVs and the Japs not a one. Off to a grim start.

The reinforcements made it to L'ville nearly unscathed and then the Japs mounted an invasion of their own. But they didn't bring enough. The Allied garrison of 45,000 was the equal to the Jap invasion force. The Allies began by bombarding, then several deliberate attacks, and finally a shock attack that resulted in a large-scale Jap retreat to the hex to the north.

A major Jap bombardment TF met with a stinging repulse at L'ville after BB Washington and escorts snuck into port.

A second large Jap combined TF arrived at L'ville, but I'm not sure whether they brought reinforcements or intend to evacuate the remaining Jap troops. I'll know in another turn or two. However, LBA and carrier planes hammered Allied shipping sinking Washington, Nashville, Boise, and many other combat ships.

The Japs also sent a regiment to Efate, but the Allies countered with reinforcements via FT and air transport. The Allies withstood a shock attack and within a few turns evicted the invaders.

As of mid-September, the Allies have lost 3 CVs and a awful lot of DDs and CAs. Right now the Allies have just a handful of combat ships on the board. Too, due to overwhelming Jap air superiority, the Allies only have about 50 fighters left in SOPAC.

In contrast, the Japs haven't lost a carrier. The Japs have suffered quite a few combat ships lost and damaged, but not enough to hamper Miller's control of the seas.

The bright side is that the Japs seemingly failed to take L'ville. If the Allies hold, I'd call the first part of the game a strategic draw. The Japs administered severe thrashings to the Allies, but not a knockout punch, and time is on my side.