Matrix Games Forums

October 4, 1942

Manus is also 11 hexes from Port Moresby, just like Rabaul.

The Beaufighter Ics only fired guns, they did not drop their 100 lb bombs.
Do I need to set them to 1000 feet instead of 100 feet?

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manus at 101,119

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Atlas Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PBY-5 Catalina launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Manus at 101,119

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
PB Eiko Maru, Shell hits 4
PB Myoken Maru, Shell hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Beaufighter Ic strafing at 100 feet *



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Manus at 101,119

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
PBY-5 Catalina x 7

Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
xAK Atlas Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Meiyo Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PBY-5 Catalina launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

==============================================================

51 B-17Es and 14 B-25Cs bombed Rabaul, airfield, port, and ground attacks.

From watching replays, if a FB is set to 1000 feet it will usually bomb first using LowN skill and then strafe, but if set to 100 feet it will strafe first and sometimes bomb. I think the bombing from 100 feet requires really good LowN skill. Something about avoiding masts as you pull out, I suppose!

October 5, 1942

A DOINK and a BOOM
Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
TK San Pedro Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Tsuneshima Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin

---------------------------------------------
A DOINK
Sub attack near Donggala at 69,96

Japanese Ships
TK Eiyo Maru
PB Heiyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sculpin

SS Sculpin launches 4 torpedoes at TK Eiyo Maru
--------------------------------------
2 BOOMS

Sub attack near Donggala at 68,97

Japanese Ships
TK San Pedro Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Tsuneshima Maru

Allied Ships
SS Saury
-----------------------------------
And a miss

Sub attack near Donggala at 68,97

Japanese Ships
PB Tsuneshima Maru

Allied Ships
SS Saury

SS Saury launches 2 torpedoes
===============================

29 B-17Es and 9 B-25Cs bomb Rabaul in overcast weather

October 6, 1942

I retook Akyab:


Ground combat at Akyab (54,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14731 troops, 301 guns, 343 vehicles, Assault Value = 479

Defending force 1542 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Allied adjusted assault: 97

Japanese adjusted defense: 35

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Akyab !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
626 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
18th British Division

Defending units:
91st Naval Guard Unit

======================================

I just knew that sometime he would send KB to Lunga.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 71
D3A1 Val x 68

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 67

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 1
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL St. Louis
AO Kurumba, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAKL Sigli
xAP Katoomba
DD Bagley
xAKL Argus, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Mugford
DD Helm

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
18th FG/44th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
347th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (3 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Kurumba


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 47
B5N2 Kate x 64
D3A1 Val x 66

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 11 destroyed, 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 6, on fire
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1
xAP Katoomba, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Hamakua, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Bagley
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Gridley, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Sigli, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 12 (8 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
14 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 13 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
18th FG/44th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
347th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Hamakua

So far I have lost 2 xAKLs, a medium xAP, and a 4412 sized AO.
I have another xAKL in port that will sink, fires at 99.
CL Helena is heavily damaged but will make it is she is not bombed more.
DD Gridley should also make it baring any more hits.

I am posting a screenie of all the lost aircraft.
I lost a total of 13 aircraft and 7 pilots
The info screen shows he lost 108 CV attack aircraft and I expect he lost
a good number of pilots. I am not sure how many aircraft he truly lost.
Tracker shows he lost 90 CV Attack aircraft.

A mouse over of KB shows 145 Fighters and 228 Bombers

I think you got away quite good at Lunga, Warspite not taking a single torp and the bombs won't do much harm, guess Thunderstorms in the morning helped too. With only 90 fighters you put a hurt on KB's bombers for four ships sunk which you don't have to car much. 90 KB aircraft surely aren't worth it. It feels kind of funny as my opponent takes a lot of flak in the comments in my AAR for having KB attacking ships at a base when this is done regularly with the same results. While he's critisized for keeping his bombers down too, depending on what just suits better.[:D]

He lost 90 aircraft today, while the totals on the left side are FOW if you count them up, the totals on the right are spot on. As he also lost a Jake, he lost 89 KB aircraft.

The Beaufighter Ics only fired guns, they did not drop their 100 lb bombs.
Do I need to set them to 1000 feet instead of 100 feet?

Yes, the setting for the Beaufighters should be naval attack @1k feet.

I've had some good results using them. The bombs won't always connect against destroyers, but the cannons normally will, and they chew up the superstructure quite nicely.

I also think they sling 250lb bombs, which is even better.

I'd also not overlook using your Airacobra's on a similar mission profile, as they've got the 37mm as well as 250lbers.

ORIGINAL: castor troy

I think you got away quite good at Lunga, Warspite not taking a single torp and the bombs won't do much harm, guess Thunderstorms in the morning helped too. With only 90 fighters you put a hurt on KB's bombers for four ships sunk which you don't have to car much. 90 KB aircraft surely aren't worth it. It feels kind of funny as my opponent takes a lot of flak in the comments in my AAR for having KB attacking ships at a base when this is done regularly with the same results. While he's critisized for keeping his bombers down too, depending on what just suits better.[:D]

He lost 90 aircraft today, while the totals on the left side are FOW if you count them up, the totals on the right are spot on. As he also lost a Jake, he lost 89 KB aircraft.

That mirrors my thoughts also. One other aspect is that I lost USAAF pilots and he lost those highly trained KB pilots.

There are times when you end up flying CV flights into enemy CAP, it can not be avoided forever. It happens to both sides, you just have to hope it doesn't cripple you. Warsprite has almost no damage and it staying put in the hex. We will see if he learns or not. He should probably send in some sweepers to try and down some of my CAP. I put a P38E squadron in at 100% CAP, 0 range, and 39,000 feet to try and defeat that maneuver.

Too bad that my CVs and most of my CAs are in Sydney repairing upgrade damage. They still have 16 days to go.

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

The Beaufighter Ics only fired guns, they did not drop their 100 lb bombs.
Do I need to set them to 1000 feet instead of 100 feet?

Yes, the setting for the Beaufighters should be naval attack @1k feet.

I've had some good results using them. The bombs won't always connect against destroyers, but the cannons normally will, and they chew up the superstructure quite nicely.

I also think they sling 250lb bombs, which is even better.

I'd also not overlook using your Airacobra's on a similar mission profile, as they've got the 37mm as well as 250lbers.

The biggest reason I was using the Aussie FBs is that they are trained in LowN and they have good range. I have used P-40Es and P-39s in the past, but they have short legs.
These FBs carry 250lb bombs at normal range, but they were flying at extended range so they carried 100lb bombs. If I can get them within 8 hex range then 250lb bombs will do a number on DDs and smaller.

ORIGINAL: Nomad

ORIGINAL: castor troy

I think you got away quite good at Lunga, Warspite not taking a single torp and the bombs won't do much harm, guess Thunderstorms in the morning helped too. With only 90 fighters you put a hurt on KB's bombers for four ships sunk which you don't have to car much. 90 KB aircraft surely aren't worth it. It feels kind of funny as my opponent takes a lot of flak in the comments in my AAR for having KB attacking ships at a base when this is done regularly with the same results. While he's critisized for keeping his bombers down too, depending on what just suits better.[:D]

He lost 90 aircraft today, while the totals on the left side are FOW if you count them up, the totals on the right are spot on. As he also lost a Jake, he lost 89 KB aircraft.

That mirrors my thoughts also. One other aspect is that I lost USAAF pilots and he lost those highly trained KB pilots.

There are times when you end up flying CV flights into enemy CAP, it can not be avoided forever. It happens to both sides, you just have to hope it doesn't cripple you. Warsprite has almost no damage and it staying put in the hex. We will see if he learns or not. He should probably send in some sweepers to try and down some of my CAP. I put a P38E squadron in at 100% CAP, 0 range, and 39,000 feet to try and defeat that maneuver.

Too bad that my CVs and most of my CAs are in Sydney repairing upgrade damage. They still have 16 days to go.

Attacking again isn't worth it, not even if he sends in one or two Zero units on sweep as those would take losses against your P-39/P40 too, it's not early Dec 41 anymore and your trained USAAF fighters can take on KB's Zeroes. I'd be very surprised if he attacks again.

There's a good chance he knew about the October CV upgrades and figured that into his plans to attack Lunga. He should have reconned the fighter strength at Lunga first, or done a preliminary sweep a day before assigning bombers so he would know what he is dealing with.

About Beaufighter bomb size - I have found that multiple small bomb hits are more deadly for a thin-skinned ship than one larger one. So in this case, two 100 lb. bomb hits would be better than one 250 lb bomb hit. Of course 2 x 250 lb bombs would be better than the two 100 pounders - I am just suggesting that other aircraft that only carry small bombs can contribute on soft targets.

October 7, 1942

Well, color me shocked, he tried again and again no sweeps to lighted my CAP

Morning Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 35
B5N2 Kate x 75
D3A1 Val x 57

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 20
P-39D Airacobra x 13
P-400 Airacobra x 21
P-40E Warhawk x 55
F2A-3 Buffalo x 15
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed, 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 23 destroyed, 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
BB Warspite, Bomb hits 6, on fire
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CA Australia
DD Bagley

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/9th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 39000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/44th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
347th FG/67th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
347th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
21 planes vectored on to bombers

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Warspite


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 114,138

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 19
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-400 Airacobra x 18
P-40E Warhawk x 45
F2A-3 Buffalo x 13
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 33200.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 23000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
49th FG/9th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 39000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
15 planes vectored on to bombers
12th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/19th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
18th FG/44th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
347th FG/67th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
10 planes vectored on to bombers
347th FG/68th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers

CA Canberra is damaged but should make a complete recovery in time.

This time Warspite took some damage, mostly destroyed weapons, she is fine,
but will need some extensive yard work to repair.

It is a bit of a bummer, but I lost 5 P-40Es and the pilots also. Usually I
expect some to be able to bail out and return later.

October 7, 1942

Meanwhile, elsewhere

He bombed Akyab, it will take a bit to get AA and BFs there
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

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

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 60
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 21

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

==========================================
And I bombed Rabaul
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 31
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
---------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
-----------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Port hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 4000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rabaul , at 106,125

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Of course my P-38Fs swept the base meeting no resistance


I forgot, but the heavily damaged xAKL at Lunga sank during the night.

And before someone makes a rude comment about the USMC and their Buffalos, they lost none and are credited with downing 16 enemy aircraft. [8D]

Another note, I have 2 AKEs at Lunga so Warspite and friends are refilling their AA ammo every day.

Against the AI, I get good use from my Buffaloes.

There is a SCTF in the same hex as KB, 2 hexes from Lunga. I suspect it will be a Naval bombardment TF and I will lose some
airframes. Warspite and friends will have to stand tall and take it on if I am right. I do have 286 mines at Lunga, not sure
if they will do anything, but they might.

So that makes 200 KB aircraft shot down for literally nothing.

October 8, 1942

Yep, looks like it.

I bombed Rabaul and he bombed Akyab.

No bombardment at Lunga, no KB flights, I can't see KB this turn.

October 9, 1942

Big naval combat at Cox's Bazaar
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cox's Bazar at 54,43, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Kumano
CL Sendai
CL Jintsu
DD Shigure
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze

Allied Ships
HDML 1102, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
HDML 1103, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
HDML 1104, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk [:D]
===================================================
The following Naval bombardment destroyed 2 Huri IIas and damage about half the others

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 17 damaged
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 15 damaged

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Atago
CL Jintsu
CL Sendai
DD Suzukaze
DD Umikaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Shigure

Allied ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (4 destroyed, 23 disabled)

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 25
Port supply hits 1
==========================================
No sign of KB or any SCTFs in the Lunga area.

==========================================
His aircraft bombed Akyab and mine bombed Rabaul

How much can I expect his CVs to be advanced? I normally have considered about 1 year is the maximum, so I should expect most if not all of his
CVs to be available to him by about June 1944. Is that too little or too much? I am only trying to ballpark possible CV numbers during the game.
Maybe there is some bracket I could use, like 9-15 months advancement of 1944 and 1945 CVs.

I dont know Xarguns playstyle but whenever i play as Japan in scenario 2 i speed up my carriers , you can expect them all to be available by July 44 at worst if he sped up. I would say make your plans as Xargun will have his carriers early and if he doesnt , it will just make it easier