More Variants - The End of Western Imperialism - No Nomad please (Feb 1944)

[Xargun]

Well finally a good day for the Japanese Empire - could have been better, but overall a good day.

South Pacific:
Corsairs sweep the skies over my survivors from Rabaul followed by Dive Bombers attacking them again inflicting no losses.

As we went into the afternoon phase I was unhappy. I had an air strike planned and it didn't go off... I was about to be very mad at the game again... But then the strike went.... first air attack in the afternoon. They appeared over Rabaul just as the clouds cleared giving us good visibility of the plenthora of targets in the harbor... The primary targets - allied CVEs were not there (they were confirmed there last turn) but the Vals and Kates went in anyways... The Zeros did their job and kept the 18 Corsairs on CAP away from the bombers...

In singles and groups of four my bombers attacked the full harbor - hitting targets ranging from AGPs to BBs. I didn't see any critical hits but over a thousand enemy troops were killed or wounded in the strikes.

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
BB New Mexico, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
xAP Kota Tjandi, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Neptuna, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
AGP Jamestown, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AS Zuiderkruis, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD McColley
BB Idaho, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Marblehead
SC-699
xAP Wahine, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Malaita
AD Black Hawk, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKE Corrales
SC-743
DD Gilmer, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Bamback
CL Helena, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Kota Inten
xAP Kota Agoeng
AD Markab
CL Trenton
DD Lockard
SC-703
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1
AKE Donald McKay, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AKE Makua
DD Lawrence

Allied ground losses:
1374 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 41 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 45 destroyed, 30 disabled
Vehicles lost 37 (17 destroyed, 20 disabled)

All of the bombs on the BBs bounced off armor - I was hoping for some destroyed guns but no luck. At the end of the attack 1 xAP sunk and I heard at least three sinking noises as well. I figure any non-armored ship hit with 4+ bombs sill sink - possibly those that took 3 bomb hits as well. The BBs both took torpedo hits which hopefully will put them out of commission for a while. It also looks like I put a good dent in his xAP force which will be good for future invasions.

As for troops lost it looks like I might have nailed a SeaBee unit or similiar construction unit on those xAPs. Hopefully I destroyed that - but parts of them probably survived.

Just to be clear I snuck KB down into the Bismarck Sea from Babeldaob. I thought I was spotted two turns ago, so I pulled back to be safe. But looks like I was not. If I had gone in the previous turn I would have caught his CVEs there Oh well, other than 40+ aircraft lost if KB can get away unharmed I will count this a win. BTW the new KB is 5 CVs and 3 CVLs - all the carriers I have except for CVEs.


Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
Well with moonlight at nearly 100% I sent my Nells to strike at Rabaul Airfield and Port - figuring some of the damaged ships would be disbanded and possibly easy targets. I was correct !!

My strikes on the airfields damaged 19 Corsairs and 7 SBD. It also destroyed 2 Corsairs and 1 SDB.

My strikes on the port hit several ships, unfortunately most of the hits were with 60 kg bombs, but a few were with 250kgers. Several of the ships were hit in multiple strikes. I did not hear any sinking noises unfortunately.

Allied Ships (From all the strikes):
AKE Corrales, Bomb hits 1, on fire
ACM YP-250, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Hamul, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AKE Corrales, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD McColley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AD Markab, Bomb hits 1
DD Gilmer, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AKE Manukai, Bomb hits 1
AS Platypus, Bomb hits 1, on fire


The KB fled from its strike location and has no detection on it. Looks like we got away free

Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
I kept my Nells on night attack and as expected Nomad put up some night time CAP. This cost me a couple Nells but more importantly it threw off their aim nd they inflicted no damage to the airfield nor attacked any ships in port - though he may have moved or scuttled them. I did hear two sinking noises during the turn so it may have been damaged ships fleeing Rabaul.

Allied B-25s hit my troops in the jungle near Rabaul inflicting some damage. All of these units have a fragment airlifted out before Rabaul fell so rebuilding them will be quicker than normal and not cost any PPs to buy them out of General HQ.

KB will arrive in Babeldaob next turn to refuel, rearm and replace lost aircraft. I have enough 5c zeros to replace another CVL worth as well. I am doing the CVLs first as they are 100% CAP for KB - and since the 5c has a shorter range this works out. Eventually I will replace most of the fighters on KB (if not all) with the 5c - the better speed, weapons and armor are worth it. Just wish they didn't lose so much range.


Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
Allied troops land at Long Island - one of the dot bases on the west end of New Britain. The allied DS sits two hexes away protecting it.

B-25s bomb my troops in the jungle doing some damage this turn.

That was all the action today. KB reached Babel and refuelled - damn those Carriers and BBs drink a lot of fuel. They took on new aircraft and CVL Ryujo upgraded her fighters to 5c. Gotta wait for enough fighters in the pool to upgrade Shoho yet. I'm making 5 5cs a turn while I wait for additional factories to repair up. Goal will be 8 a turn until the Sam come online in 43.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Burma:
Night raid on Akyab with 4 Sentai of Helens and 2 Sentai of Nells and 1 Sentai of Betties leave a few craters on the airfield and destroy 2 Hurricanes on the runways, while damaging several more.


South Pacific:
A night raid on Rabaul port accomplishes nothing but gives the Corsairs on night cap some kills.

Allied troops land at Buna with 156 being wounded in the landing.

B-25s attack my troops in the jungle again claiming 100 of so casualties.
B-24s hit the airfield at Woodlark Island damaging it.

The US 1st Marine Division attacks my troops in the jungle but only gets 1:2 odds due to the terrain. Not sure where the division came from as it was not shown on my map last turn.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Christmas Eve 1942... a slow day. Must be because of the holiday.

Burma:
I switched my bombers to hit Cox's Bazar's airfield during the night but thunderstorms there prevented any real damage. In fact I'm not sure my bombers hit the airfield - could have been some farmer's fields.

I really don't expect much action here for another year - by then he'll get more Indian and British troops - especially tanks - and in three months the moonsoon will start which means his supply transport along the trails and hexes will slow to a crawl.


South Pacific:
Nothing happen here this turn. I am still evacuating troops from the Rabaul area and moving air units around as well. Once the Bismarck Sea area is occupied I expect Nomad to switch to the SRA like last game. But this time its a bit more defended.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 1942

South Pacific:
Not much happened this turn. B-25s bombed my troops near Rabaul while B-24s bombed Woodlark Airfield.

The allied DS has moved into the Solomon Sea a couple hexes north of Woodlark - looks like there is an invasion coming to Woodlark soon.

My Emilies transporting troops from Milne bay got intercepted and a bunch were shot down. All of the units have been ordered to stand down for rest and reconstitution.


Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
So I moved some Tojos down to Kavieng and set up some LR CAP over my troops in the jungle. As expected the B-25s came in unescorted again and my Tojos pounced on them. Report indicate I shot down 15 !!

B-24s pounded the airfield at Woodlark some more as well.


Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
Nothing happened except an artillery attack by the 1st Marine Div on my troops in the jungle. A couple more days and my troops will move to another hex and avoid the combat for a bit.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
I-173 attacks DD Buchanan and misses with four torpedoes. In return the DD heavily damages I-173 which has been ordered back to Truk for repairs.

South Pacific:
Corsairs sweep the sky over my troops in the jungle finding no one there.
The 1st Marine Division bombards my troops causing no losses.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
I-168 surfaced and attacked xAKL Paz with torpedoes and its deck gun sinking it near Woodlark Island. Not sure what it was doing out there by itself but now its sunk.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Very slow turn. Some Corsairs sweep over my troops in the jungle near Rabaul and the 1st Marine Division bombards them for no losses.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
Two of my subs attack enemy DDs and miss and receive no damage in return. Wish they would have attacked the capital ships in the TFs instead of the DDs though.


South Pacific:
Two BB-led TFs bombard Kavieng inflicting good damage on the facilities and troops there. I have already evacuated fragments from each unit and all aircraft from the base.

My Tojos at Manus finally did some Naval attacks, attacking the allied AMs at Kavieng. Unfortunately Tojos don't carry bombs on such missions and only have their cannons. We hit several AMs with gunfire, but nothing major. The Tojos have been recalled to Truk. If I decide to do this again I will use Zeros - they at least carry baby 60kg bombs.

Allied bombers hit my troops in the jungle inflicting minor losses.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Welcome to 1943...

Sub Warfare:
I-174 fires four torpedoes at SC-738 and misses. In return she takes heavy damage and is heading back to Truk for repairs.


Burma:
Helens from Rangoon bombed British and Indian troops in the jungle east of Akyab for minor damage.


South Pacific:
BB Washington led TF bombards Kavieng heavily damaging the base and wiping out most of the supplies
The 41st Inf Division comes ashore at Milne Bay supported by cruisers and destroyers offering fire support.


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
I-169 attacks DD John D. Edwards and misses with four torpedoes. The sub gets hammered in return and is now heading to Truk for repairs. Once more my sub attacks the escort instead of the big fat Capital ships - BB, CA and CLAA.


South Pacific:
More troops land at Milne Bay.
More bombardments at Kavieng - the facilities there are 100% damaged and there is no supply at the base. Troops have internal supply but there is no extra.
Allied troops attack at Milne Bay and achieve 2:1 odds, but fail to take the base against the level 6 forts. They do however, lower the forts to level 5.

Ground combat at Milne Bay (101,133)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11540 troops, 211 guns, 204 vehicles, Assault Value = 380

Defending force 6222 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 176

Allied adjusted assault: 538

Japanese adjusted defense: 269

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 6)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5

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

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division

Defending units:
9th GEACPS Brigade
82nd Nav Gd /4



Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
More troops come ashore at Milne Bay.
More bombardment TFs hammer Kavieng.

B-25s bomb my troops in the jungle south of Rabaul, but several units have moved out of the hex and I'm not sure Nomad has noticed. They are moving west while being airlifted out.


Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
TFs bombard Milne Bay inflicting minor losses.



Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
Bombardment TFs hit Kavieng again.
Corsairs sweep first, and then B-25s hit my troops in the jungle. The troops are slowly marching to the next hex, but not sure they will make it. The two allied divisions there have been attacking each day and since I don't control any bases on New Britain the troops won't retreat anywhere. At least I got a Nav Guard and the Division away.


Xargun

[Xargun]

South Pacific:
Bombardment TFs hit Kavieng again during the night. Losses were not that bad this time, but not sure there are any structures left standing at the base.

More troops land at Mine Bay - a new enemy TF lands troops. Be interesting to see what he brings - I am guessing tanks or combat engineers to help with the forts.

B-25s hammer my troops in the jungle followed up by a devastating attack by the two US divisions that overrun my troops destroying all 6 units. Not a huge deal other than the lost devices / points, all of them have a fragment already elsewhere.

Ground combat at 106,126 (near Rabaul)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25129 troops, 499 guns, 341 vehicles, Assault Value = 770

Defending force 6146 troops, 5 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied adjusted assault: 636

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 159 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3139 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 905 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (32 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Division
35th Infantry Division

Defending units:
22nd Special Base Force
7th Naval Construction Battalion
2nd Base Force
35th JNAF AF Unit /1
10th Special Base Force
2nd JAAF Base Force /2


Xargun

[Xargun]

Sub Warfare:
My ASW TF in the Straights of Malacca came across two Dutch subs this past turn and attacked them both. Unfortuntately we only scored some minor damage on one of them.


South Pacific:
In an unknown moved, Nomad landed troops via amphib TF at 106,126 - in the jungles where he just wiped out the bulk of my men. Not sure what that is about - unless he is trying to move them the one hex faster than walking?

Allied bombers hit the airfield at Milne Bay in what I am guessing at an attempt to stop fort building and to try to destroy some supply. Little does he know there are no engineers left at Milne Bay.


Xargun