Matrix Games Forums

n01487477,
 
Well, that last screenshot suggests that something is brewing in the Marshal Islands.  Your first priority is to determine whether this is:
 
(a) a maskirovka
(b) a raid
(c) or the vanguard of an invasion fleet
 
Now obviously, due to lack of intel etc, deciding which it is may be very difficult.  Therefore you need to put yourself in the Allied position and try to determine what benefits accrue to each of the alternatives.
 
In doing so, you should definitively settle on whether Kwajalein or Wake is the real target for the Allies in the Pacific.  This is where you have to gamble.  I am certain that you already had sound reasons for identifying these locations in your penultimate post (just don't forget the Allies can also strike in China, DEI, Philippines etc).  Your opponent will not strike simultaneously on both Kwajalein/Wake axes, although he might make a feint at one whilst moving on the other.
 
If your fears are correct that an Allied strike in the Pacific is being prepared (after all, it is not like the Allies are lacking in alternative targets), then that is probably the Empire's best chance (other than a surprise Japanese counter invasion of the north) for a stunning victory because Allied LBA will be absent.  But the victory is only in reach if you concentrate absolutely everything (at least sea and air elements)...and therein lies the gamble.
 
Alfred

This is the real deal ... more screen shots and analysis later...

More later

8 Dec '42
I never usually do this, but I thought people might like to look at the scope of the bombing and action...

Niko nu has come back to life after 3 days of no Angel bombing, this will hurt me eventually, but I was going to remove them to Saipan soon anyway.

My TojoIII's at Okha were set to sweep, Nemo has 300+ fighters there (according to the recon - but the combat report is about halve that number)and only 3 of my planes swept, Nemo is annoyed cause it would have been a good ambush.And today I'm glad the Angels didn't go in!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/08/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 66,77

Japanese Ships
AK Fukoku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 26
PC Ch 25

Allied Ships
SS Scamp

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 72,78

Japanese Ships
DD Oite
DD Ikazuchi
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
SS S-34

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Kwajalein [Nanyo], at 81,84 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete-FF: 1 destroyed

132 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Trenton
CL Columbia, Shell hits 2
CA Louisville, Shell hits 9
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA Dorsetshire
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 12, on fire
CL Emerald
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 8
CA Portland, Shell hits 2
CA Salt Lake City
CA Indianapolis
BB Arizona
BB Idaho
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4
BB California
BB Maryland
BB Wyoming
BB Washington
BB Indiana, Shell hits 10

Japanese ground losses:
708 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 10

Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1052 troops unloading over beach at Wotje [Nanyo], 84,85



Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1088 encounters mine field at Kwajalein [Nanyo] (81,84)

TF 1088 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84


Allied Ships
APD Waters
AV Pocomoke, Mine hits 1, on fire


Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84, firing at TF 1088
196 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Talbot, Shell hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
APD Paul Jones, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kalk

Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-II Sally x 18
Ki-49 -I Helen x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
9 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
11 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
3 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44III Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 15
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Spitfire VB x 6
LaGG-3 x 30
MiG-3 x 77
Yak-1 x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44III Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LaGG-3: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Nikolaevsk na Amur , at 76,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-51B Mustang XP x 15
P-38G Lightning x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Spitfire VB x 6
LaGG-3 x 29
MiG-3 x 77
Yak-1 x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
Ki-27 Nate x 41
Ki-15II Babs x 3

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
41 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 5
D3A2 Val x 14

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 30

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 10000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 10000 feet
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-II Lily x 16

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 9000 feet
5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pucheng [Cent China] , at 49,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
A5M4 Claude x 72
Ki-48-II Lily x 51

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 20000 feet
29 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 20000 feet
9 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
15 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
38 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Soerabaja [Java] , at 23,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 11
Ki-43-II Oscar x 15
Ki-109E Mike x 27

Allied aircraft
Pe-2 x 104

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-II Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Pe-2: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Pe-2 bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Pe-2 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Pe-2 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Pe-2 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Morotai [NEI] , at 43,68

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 -I Helen x 14

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Port supply hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
7 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 2
A5M4 Claude x 6
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 10
Ki-48-II Lily x 7

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cagayan [Mndno] , at 43,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 22
Ki-21-II Sally x 43

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 56

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 8000 feet
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 8000 feet
11 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Taytay [Palawan] , at 40,54

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 5
B5N2 Kate x 5
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-44IIa Tojo x 41
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-48-I Lily x 4
Ki-48-II Lily x 9
Ki-49 -I Helen x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 8000 feet
5 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 3000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 8000 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 8000 feet
3 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
2 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 8000 feet
2 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island [USA] , at 85,72

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 87
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed
J1N1-C Irving: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 83

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 3000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJN Maloelop Base Force, at 85,86


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD-3 Dauntless x 136


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
17 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
18 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
16 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA Kiungshan Fortress, at 39,41


Allied aircraft
IL-4C x 22


Allied aircraft losses
IL-4C: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x IL-4C bombing at 8000 feet
3 x IL-4C bombing at 8000 feet
6 x IL-4C bombing at 8000 feet
4 x IL-4C bombing at 8000 feet
3 x IL-4C bombing at 8000 feet
3 x IL-4C bombing at 8000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IJA 3rd Tank Brigade, at 32,36


Allied aircraft
Buffalo/F2A x 43
Lancer x 40


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Lancer bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lancer bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lancer bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lancer bombing at 2000 feet
43 x Buffalo/F2A bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on JAAF 11th AirSect HQ Engineer Aviation Battalion, at 41,74


Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
Wirraway CA-1 x 9


Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway CA-1: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wirraway CA-1 bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 99th Brigade, at 50,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on IA 99th Brigade, at 50,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sovetskaya Gavan , at 73,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wenchow [S China] , at 50,41

Japanese aircraft
Ki-15II Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kiungshan [Hainan] , at 39,41


Allied aircraft
B-26A Marauder x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 5
LaGG-3 x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-26A Marauder: 1 damaged

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26A Marauder bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-26A Marauder bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-26A Marauder bombing at 3000 feet
3 x B-26A Marauder bombing at 3000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein [Nanyo]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7097 troops, 78 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 124

Defending force 1239 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48



Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 25879 troops, 555 guns, 492 vehicles, Assault Value = 2848

Defending force 67086 troops, 1046 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 1827



Allied ground losses:
64 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Skovorodino [SIB]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 49913 troops, 923 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1826

Defending force 136637 troops, 1824 guns, 822 vehicles, Assault Value = 2848


Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 38,41

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 24281 troops, 623 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 1394

Defending force 2107 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9


Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Madicen [Java]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 9407 troops, 42 guns, 797 vehicles, Assault Value = 396

Defending force 2912 troops, 43 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 100

Allied max assault: 394 - adjusted assault: 142

Japanese max defense: 68 - adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Madicen [Java] base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
4 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 5


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bankha [Sumatra]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1769 troops, 27 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 5415 troops, 1 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 169



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 25,44

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4981 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179

Defending force 7501 troops, 38 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 199



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 32,36

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3642 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 95

Defending force 3098 troops, 0 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 34



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wotje [Nanyo]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 399 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

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

Allied max assault: 44 - adjusted assault: 90

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 90 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Wotje [Nanyo] base !!!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 885 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 6041 troops, 34 guns, 445 vehicles, Assault Value = 72



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kwajalein [Nanyo]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1215 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 46

Defending force 17632 troops, 167 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 124

Allied max assault: 36 - adjusted assault: 2

Japanese max defense: 115 - adjusted defense: 227

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)



Allied ground losses:
464 casualties reported
Guns lost 40


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wenchow [S China]

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 911 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 72

Defending force 885 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Japanese max assault: 32 - adjusted assault: 7

Allied max defense: 51 - adjusted defense: 24

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


Japanese ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

Sorry for the report, but this is a one shot deal, so enjoy the scrolling

--Damian--

Allied Ships
CL Dauntless
CL Trenton
CL Columbia, Shell hits 2
CA Louisville, Shell hits 9
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA Dorsetshire
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 12, on fire
CL Emerald
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 8
CA Portland, Shell hits 2
CA Salt Lake City
CA Indianapolis
BB Arizona
BB Idaho
BB New Mexico, Shell hits 4
BB California
BB Maryland
BB Wyoming
BB Washington
BB Indiana, Shell hits 10

Japanese ground losses:
708 casualties reported
Guns lost 25
Vehicles lost 10

Allied ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 4

Wow -- Nemo is serious about this one. (But Dorsetshire and Devonshire may not have been the best choices for bombardment.)

Pic of the day, have to get off to work, but then I'll write up some of my thoughts

The last few days of game time have been really interesting and although I don't have the chance to read Nemo's thoughts in his AAR, we had a small chat through emails about this thrust of the Allies and I think there are a lot of AFB's out there that need to take note of the action in this game.

Nemo's lightning approach to warfare,force maximisation followed up by successive hits, disrupting the ability of the enemy(me) to respond in a ltimely fashion is far removed from the one Is, one capture philosophy - that I sometimes read about. Ok maybe some of you out there are thinking I could do a better job than this guy, and probably many of you would have prepared better especially at Kwajalein (which got a 1:1 today -damn!), but this type of warfare you rarely see on the threads and most of you would be hard pressed to keep the Allies at bay in my situation. Justification over - I'm still learning.

To summarise the last few days (iirc):
Day 1 - Allies appear out of the ether, hitting the airbase at Kwajalein & Maleolap.
Day 2 - Land at Kwajalein & Wotje (captured), one CVTF bypasses Kwajalein and hits fleeing shipping and the airbase at Eniwetok.
Day 3 - Land at Eniwetok
(actually let me go back through my notes and get this right as it deserves a good write up) ... back later to clarify

Do you have any infantry in air transport range of Kwajelin? If you can get more troops there fast you can stall Nemo for a while.

Unless he can LRCAP the base - you'd just be sending troops & planes into a meat grinder.

Yeah I have to agree with you paulus99,  I think the cat is out of the bag ... and my AV in the Central Pacific is not enough to be throwing troops into Kwajalein. Also, my transports are engaged at Java getting the remnants out and my Naval transports have been worked to the bone from months of airlifts.

Thanks for the comments.
Pat, thanks for your continued support.

Cheers
-Damian-

Nemo's lightning approach to warfare,force maximisation followed up by successive hits, disrupting the ability of the enemy(me) to respond in a ltimely fashion is far removed from the one Is, one capture philosophy - that I sometimes read about.

Nemo's approach is also characterized by insensitivity to casualties, as long as he considers the objective worth the price. He rarely looks for the biggest bang for the buck -- he wants the biggest bang, period.

11 Dec '42
We are heading for a CV battle tomorrow - maybe near Ponape, this will decide the next few months for me ...

Loads of action in the Marshalls but first the good news ...

Ground combat at Sovetskaya Gavan

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 108200 troops, 1642 guns, 302 vehicles, Assault Value = 2872
Defending force 32713 troops, 460 guns, 62 vehicles, Assault Value = 817

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese max assault: 5992 - adjusted assault: 5361
Allied max defense: 778 - adjusted defense: 1397

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sovetskaya Gavan base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire II: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
5726 casualties reported
Guns lost 99
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
31899 casualties reported
Guns lost 320
Vehicles lost 29

This means I can remove the Angels and stop bombing up North ... I'm so chuffed, the luck has turned!

Maloelap & Eniwetok have been captured by the Allies and Eniwetok means that Nemo can fly in his fighters to LRCAP his CV's etc. Angels are scheduled to fly here tomorrow, they failed today, so fingers crossed.

Some excerpts from the Combat Report:

TF 1089 encounters mine field at Kwajalein [Nanyo] (81,84)

TF 1089 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84


Allied Ships
AK Masaya, Mine hits 1, on fire

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84, firing at TF 1089
873 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mangola, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Thomas A. Edison, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AK Peter Silvester
AK John Adams, Shell hits 1
AK Empire Star, Shell hits 4, on fire
AP U.S. Grant, Shell hits 2
AP Mapia, Shell hits 3, on fire


Allied ground losses:
826 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1104 encounters mine field at Kwajalein [Nanyo] (81,84)

TF 1104 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84


Allied Ships
PC PC-486

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84, firing at TF 1104
458 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
MLE Abbekerk, Shell hits 14, on fire
AK Samuel Gompers, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Raranga, Shell hits 1
MLE Steel Ranger, Shell hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
AP Lancashire, Shell hits 1


Allied ground losses:
1267 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1
---------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1089 encounters mine field at Kwajalein [Nanyo] (81,84)

TF 1089 troops unloading over beach at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84


Allied Ships
AP Van Overstraten, Mine hits 1, on fire

Coastal Guns at Kwajalein [Nanyo], 81,84, firing at TF 1089
289 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Mijer, Shell hits 4, on fire
CA Portland, Shell hits 7, on fire
AK Fort La Maune, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Van Cloon, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK William C. Claiborne, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AK Peter Silvester, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mount McKinley, Shell hits 3, on fire


Allied ground losses:
425 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 4

Well that's it until tomorrow, Nemo is busy and I'm going to a bachelor party so we'll see if tomorrow the Titans clash! Exciting and worrying!

--Damian--

Two days of screen shots with most of the action summarised therein

Just some more summary information ...

Looks like you can walk on all those Allied subs from Truk to Ponape without getting your feet wet. [:D]

13 Dec '42
Yeah Micheal, I told Nemo he should line his subs up to spell his name on the screen.

No air combat again ... Eniwetok Is airfield is closed (I hope) & the next turn will be after sleep.

14 Dec '42

Fionn pulled back his CV's again, due to the weather and because he wanted to replenish, I guess he did this at Eniwetok Is. I'm doing the same this turn, heading back to Truk to pick up some a/c. Akagi arrived at Saipan and got its fighter group upgraded to Ki-43III Tojo's, it will head for Truk now. I hope that enough will repair in 3-4 days to make a difference.

Action for today:
[*]Bandjermasin was captured by the Allies amphib assault despite having troops stationed there, this was a real oversight & will allow Nemo to base Pe-2's on Borneo. I'm really annoyed with myself about this. OscarII's have been placed to high Alt CAP.
[*]SS S-42 at Truk sustains heavy damage to my ASW.
[*]Ponape - 6 Allied BB's hit here, causing a load of damage, two Transport TF's offload here and by the end of the day Ponape is in Allied hands.
[*]123 B-24D Liberator hit Manila/Cavite, the airfield is closed, but fortunately I didn't sustain too many ground losses.
[*]Bandjermasin is captured by the Allies and my troops are completely trashed.

Day Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok [Nanyo] at 77,78

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 3
G9M1 Marlina x 7

Allied aircraft
Seafire II x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 3 destroyed
G9M1 Marlina: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire II: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Hornet <-- wouldn't that have been nice

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape [Nanyo] at 73,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 18
G4M1 Betty x 56
Ki-49 -I Helen x 11
G9M1 Marlina x 4

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 41
Mosquito NF x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 18 destroyed, 11 damaged
Ki-49 -I Helen: 3 destroyed
G9M1 Marlina: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 34 destroyed
Mosquito NF: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Largs Bay
APD Litchfield
AP Heywood, on fire
APD Kilty, on fire
AP St. Mihiel, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD King
AP Jagersfontein
AP Macdhui, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
MSW Turkey, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chaumont
MSW Oriole
APD John D. Ford, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW SN BTShch-1
PC Atalanta, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G9M1 Marlina bombing at 8000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 8000 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape [Nanyo] at 73,80

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
Mosquito NF x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed

With the fall of Ponape, the noose around the Japanese Empire is slowly being tightened.
&nbsp;
A year later and I hope you have stopped asking yourself, "Why did I&nbsp;invaded Russia?"&nbsp; Those Pe-2s have come back to be one of your worse nightmares. I looked up what the Russian Air Force looks like in Big B's mod (and mine). The Pe-2s carry only 500lb GP bombs, not those AP type you have had to face.

15 Dec '42
Not a great day in the skies, I lost 184 planes to Nemo's 99, bringing Total losses for both sides over the 15K barrier. This game is carnage for my digital pilots!

[*]Shanghai - 96 B-25D Mitchell & 56 Wellington IC had a go at my poor pilots training there peacefully bombing Pucheng. I had most of them at 40% cap cause I knew someday Nemo would come calling. Most of these guys were in Claudes, with a few Zekes, they made a good account of themselves and destroyed a combined 20 aircraft. I unfortunately lost quite a few on the ground.
[*]Worst of the day came at Balikpapan [Borneo] , at 31,64

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 38
Ki-43-II Oscar x 30
Ki-109E Mike x 17

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc x 3
Kittyhawk I x 14
Spitfire VB x 21
Pe-2 x 95

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 10 destroyed
Ki-43-II Oscar: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 9 destroyed
Ki-57 Topsy: 15 destroyed
G5N2-L Liz: 1 destroyed
H8K2 Emily: 2 destroyed
L3Y1 Tina: 3 destroyed
Ki-264-L: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 7 destroyed
Spitfire VB: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
Pe-2: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
375 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 70


[*]Then followed a stupid decision to not stand down my Betty's once Ponape was taken.

Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape [Nanyo] at 73,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 16
G4M1 Betty x 26

Allied aircraft
Seafire II x 18
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
P-51B Mustang XP x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 16
Mosquito NF x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 13 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire II: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
Mosquito NF: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Canberra, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Heywood, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD King
PG Sacramento
APD Ward
MSW Grebe, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Ponape [Nanyo] at 73,80

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 19
G9M1 Marlina x 2

Allied aircraft
Seafire II x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 31
P-51B Mustang XP x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Mosquito NF x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 16 destroyed
G9M1 Marlina: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire II: 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PC Navajo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G9M1 Marlina bombing at 8000 feet

[*]The American CV's are no longer in range and have possibly withdrawn from battle, Nemo and I have had a little banter about this.

Email from Nemo:
I think ( and this is just my opinion ) that right now the KEY for you is to just get your forces back and out of contact with mine ASAP. So, evac Kendari, Southern Borneo and Canton/Hong Kong and pull back to Formosa, Phillipines and those bases around Shanghai. That'll free up about 2,000 AV and give you a good solid defensive line. I think you're defending too far forward again, give yourself a breather and a chance to put another 200 Ki-44 IIIs into action over your bases, that'll stop me.

Yes, my CVs are returning home. You should send yours to Hong Kong for repair and resupply. I promise my ground troops will only go to the docks, they won't board the ships

Now usually I take a bit of what Nemo tells me cause he has been correct mostly, but for the last 2-3 weeks of game time he has been telling me to get out of Canton ... I've talked about it before ...

my Reply: My boys prefer Sake to Tsingtao...so when is the Canton offensive ready to begin ? My boys are getting bored sitting behind their size 9 fort in an urban hex My lads are staying, unless you can persuade me on map. Canton gone, the rest of Southern China and Taiwan will fold quickly, kept for a few more weeks and I'll only have to worry about the Americans taking Truk, the British taking Southern Borneo, the Australians taking the Celebes, the Indians invading the Philippines & oh and did I mention the Americans moving onto Sakhalin The noose is tightening, I see no reason not to be engaging in a little digital suicide.

17 Dec '42

[*]Tietsin & Nanking HI are attacked as Nemo tries to disperse my CAP. Won't make a bugger of a difference as he can see if I move a load, so I'm protecting what I can for now.
[*]Hard day for the Allies over Canton, but I expect this is the first probe to see if I am going to budge... On Yah Lads !

Day Air attack on Canton [S China] , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 9
Ki-44III Tojo x 85
Ki-43-II Oscar x 54
Ki-109E Mike x 47

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 14
Kittyhawk I x 10
IL-2 Shturmovik x 76
IL-2M Shturmovik x 144
LaGG-3 x 10
R-12 x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zeke: 1 destroyed
Ki-44III Tojo: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-II Oscar: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-109E Mike: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 14 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 9 destroyed
IL-2 Shturmovik: 47 destroyed
IL-2M Shturmovik: 81 destroyed
LaGG-3: 9 destroyed
R-12: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

[*]Pucheng still being hit by my trainers.
[*]Tarakan is hit by Mitchells and Hudsons (100+ total), not sure why except Nemo might not want me to base fighters out of here / be picking up troops.
[*]Other big raid of the day, lost a load of Angels, but I hope it will be worthwhile destroying his lift capacity.

Day Air attack on Eniwetok [Nanyo] , at 77,78

Japanese aircraft
Ki-264 Angel x 169

Allied aircraft
Seafire II x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
Mosquito NF x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-264 Angel: 23 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire II: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Mosquito NF: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 23 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
Catalina: 5 destroyed
TBM-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
58 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 110

[*]Lilly's hit 2 DD's coming around the top of the coast of Borneo, obviously heading toward Sandakan.
[*]Allies capture Denpasar, and I'm gone in Java, about to go in Borneo...rough lines.

A mid month economic update ...