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Fresh MTBs, with torpedoes, can't penetrate the escorts.

Then our destroyers start going in, and we are quite successful.

It seems our destroyers are pulsing past the initial screens...

We run into more destroyers...and do well.

Even more American destroyers...

Then near Etorofu a little revenge from the Iboat arm of the IJN.

For no Japanese losses, other than MTBs and Midgets, we sink 4 DD (3 of which are Fletchers), 3 KVs, 1 AK. No big game, but we do use up a lot of the Allied ammunition. Now for our ground troops to hold...

With daytime comes another invasion at Bihoro...

The Allied CVE forces are in Kushiro; the Deathstar one hex to the east...our planes start to go in and the losses are frightful to begin with, especially over Kushiro.

The KB and mini KB are perfectly positioned...LRCAP is working over Kushiro.

Our very first attack on the CVEs at Kushiro, only 24 Jills escorted by a dozen Jacks and the LRCAP and one of them gets thru the 300 plane CAP of FM-1 and Corsairs, she misses but this bodes well for the day...

Nicks strafe some ships to the east, and pull off some CAP, so that works...

And then flying from Etorofu, a well escorted strike group hits the Allied ships and our first blood is drawn with strikes.

Meanwhile our bombers are going after the group at Kushiro...the CVEs.

It is land based air, at all different altitudes, and quite simply the waves are wearing down the CAP nicely, and the KB has yet to take a whack at them...

The losses are heavy...Allied settings for the KB seems to be 100% cap 0 range because everything is airborne. After several waves of attacks, planes are now scrambling with 60 minutes until interception, when a very small splinter strike penetrates, only 6 torpedo planes...

but they hit. Finally. And the KB has yet to strike...I can see in my minds eye a nice coordinated strike on the CVEs, surely they will punch thru the diminishing Allied CAP.

And then we have it...the KB strikes.

They are within 6 hexes, heavy bombs for the Judy...but no wait, 10 planes divert to an alternate target to the north, the landings at Bihoro. This at 7 hexes and only 250kg bombs.

They pick up a few air escorts, and the Allied carriers can't provide coverage.

A five inch gun is knocked out, a superstructure hit, and the rest of the bombs bounce off the battleships armor.

Still, the KB has a decent strike package left...not the end of the world, when another 20 plane group flies in unescorted to Kushiro...

I get that sinking feeling, all this work, to setup up the attack, tactically everything is sound, I got just what I wished for when the main group from the KB goes in -- and not a single fighter from the KB flies. Not a one. I checked and double checked and triple checked the orders for these guys.

Leaders, settings, plane fatigue.

With fighter escort they would have punched thru the greatly reduced CAP, instead they flew to their deaths, while the fighters drank sake over a safe, KB fleet.

Argh![:@]

This attack seemed to have worked well at tying up the Deathstar's CAP.

And then the air battles are over. Japan loses 600 planes of all flavors; the Allies 175 mostly fighters...a lot of FM-1s. But only a cheap SC, AK are sunk, and one CVE takes a torpedo hit.

Just simply argh!

And now comes the battles, I fully am expecting the worst...

But the Allies haven't been quiet in Indochina, heavy bombing of the IJA forces there, and surprise, the Allies attack at Rahaeng -- the Allied Tank Army...they don't lose a lot, but are certainly repulsed.

After the Japanese bombardments...

the attack at Kushiro and the IJA holds.

Then, at Kunashiri, we expect the worst. A one day crushing. I flew in some more troops, but most troops went to Kushiro, were several transports were shot down in the air by the CVE's CAP...

At Kunashiri, the Japanese fight hard, get a 1-2 and forts don't even get knocked down however, the cost is very high in Japanese lives.

And at Shikotan, no Allied attack. It will hold, unless the Allies reinforce.

The big picture.

Japanese troops hold...

Allies invade Bihoro...unload 10,000 men there.

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Still, the KB has a decent strike package left...not the end of the world, when another 20 plane group flies in unescorted to Kushiro...

I get that sinking feeling, all this work, to setup up the attack, tactically everything is sound, I got just what I wished for when the main group from the KB goes in -- and not a single fighter from the KB flies. Not a one. I checked and double checked and triple checked the orders for these guys.

Leaders, settings, plane fatigue.

With fighter escort they would have punched thru the greatly reduced CAP, instead they flew to their deaths, while the fighters drank sake over a safe, KB fleet.

Argh![:@]

I hate it when the engine doesn't provide a clue about why they didn't fly...
Something like - weather was stormy above KB, no chance to launch planes. Or the Air Operations Officer spilled coffee over the flight maps and nothing could be done.Anything.

My 2 cents would be to throw everything tomorrow. Including the BBs.

Over at Rahaeng, it feels really good to have stifled, finally the Allied tank Army, although it isn't all here at Rahaeng yet.

This fight must be a bitter blow to the Allies...now if only the Tavoy block can hold, I will force the Allies to try and go off road even more to flank me.

Still, I am fighting a losing battle here as they will be hard pressed to get anymore troops for this front with the Allies in Hokkaido.

A look at the wonderful defenders of Rahaeng. Heavy artillery (over 150mm), 3 rapid fire AT units, plus a heavy infantry division anchor the defense.

ORIGINAL: setloz

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Still, the KB has a decent strike package left...not the end of the world, when another 20 plane group flies in unescorted to Kushiro...

I get that sinking feeling, all this work, to setup up the attack, tactically everything is sound, I got just what I wished for when the main group from the KB goes in -- and not a single fighter from the KB flies. Not a one. I checked and double checked and triple checked the orders for these guys.

Leaders, settings, plane fatigue.

With fighter escort they would have punched thru the greatly reduced CAP, instead they flew to their deaths, while the fighters drank sake over a safe, KB fleet.

Argh![:@]

I hate it when the engine doesn't provide a clue about why they didn't fly...
Something like - weather was stormy above KB, no chance to launch planes. Or the Air Operations Officer spilled coffee over the flight maps and nothing could be done.Anything.

My 2 cents would be to throw everything tomorrow. Including the BBs.

Oh, I will continue to attack...I can fly new squadrons onto the KB, new bomber squadrons that is the fighters are pristine.

The retreating BB fleet looks awfully inviting, a strike at that with the KB might pull some planes away from Hokkaido on the following day.

Given past actions, he will use a lot of the Deathstar's bombers to hit the troops at Kushiro, he needs that base.

I'd like to say that all those units at Kushiro are a wonderful gift, but I am feeling pretty toothless right now.[:D] But now is not the time to go wobbly, and hit him again...

You should check how many of the Allied units participated in the invasion of the Marianas.  There well may be an opportunity to counter invade some of the Marianas.
 
Alfred

Bummer with the KB strike

Alfred that is sneaky!