Ocean of (Allied) Blood.

[bigred]

8. my ftr cover btoke down and I expected worse. lost 3 apa and one Lst. If Tanaka had broken thru then the allied invasion fleets would be gone. I was surprised FatR came out but I did know he was in range...kirakiwa is a level one AF after one turn on the beach. Kira CAP Saved my ass.

[bigred]

9. FatR sweeped me before the next attack w/ the betties..

[bigred]

I suspect FatR will have to go to Rabaul to resupply his BBs because I was bombing his little ports to drive off the AKEs.  So I should have free naval movement around Tulagi now .

So he either brings down another BB TF or loses naval control of this area...

[bigred]

I note post 476.  looks like the remaints of the Kongo TF which ran into my Arliegh Burke DD TF...That was a hell of a running gun battle.   Dont know yet if Burke was killed....

Also I am looking at the threads and followed the suggestion of using one CL w/ 3/4 DDs.  Not sure it worked in this event as moonlight was 97%.  So I will be asking FatR what he thinks in a private email.

[GreyJoy]

wow...it would be interesting to see the combat report of those naval battles...

[bigred]

I will get CRs for u GJ and probably post onto the above individual screen prints. On further review it seems I was dealing w/ 2 IJN TFs instead of 2....man I would have been in big TROUBLE if they had broke thru to the Amphibs...

For the record, I had 4 amphib TFs in the hex.   TF125 ordered to Kira and the other 3 ordered to follow tf125.  The first tf did unload at Kira and then the APAs got sunk by the betties I guess because they unloaded.  TF125 Tf had an AM and a PG which where not hit.  The other 3 TFs did not unload because they followed TF125.  So they where saved because they where not unloading when the betties hit.... 

I had to have everyone follow TF125 to protect from the VT which did attack 2 turns in a row.  I dont see how to get all the TFs to unload in the hex at the same time unless the turn before arrival at destination I order all amphib TFs to an objective hex.

I could put everything into one Big TF. But that would have been bad in this senario.

[bigred]

This was my low nav counter attack that happens whenever FatR comes south of Lunga....


Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes
 
Japanese aircraft
      A6M4 Zero x 7
 
 
 
Allied aircraft
      Mitchell II x 6
      B-24D Liberator x 1
      F4U-1 Corsair x 3
 
 
No Japanese losses
 
Allied aircraft losses
      Mitchell II: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
      DD Kikuzuki, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      CL Yubari,  heavy damage
 
 
 
Aircraft Attacking:
       1 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 100 feet *
               Naval Attack:  5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
       5 x Mitchell II bombing from 100 feet
               Naval Attack:  6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
 
CAP engaged:
582 Ku S-1 with A6M4 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
      (20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
      7 plane(s) intercepting now.
      Group patrol altitude is 36775
      Raid is overhead

[bigred]

43-5-18: today we invaded Horn Island w/ one AUS inf bde and one AUS AR regiment.  Alittle more than what I expected-a level five fort w/ 2xSNLF units, one AABN and a base force.  I made a 1=2 shock attack..I figured I might not go thru a shock attack if Horn Island holds 60000 troops.  Good news is the Jap Fleet is very busy in Lunga area. I killed 550 japs for 150 of mine.

[Itdepends]

I notice your bombers are going in and bombing on naval attack at 100ft. When I have mine training at 100ft the straf skill goes up. Did you train yours at 1000ft for lowN or 100ft?

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: bigred

I note post 476.  looks like the remaints of the Kongo TF which ran into my Arliegh Burke DD TF...That was a hell of a running gun battle.   Dont know yet if Burke was killed....

Also I am looking at the threads and followed the suggestion of using one CL w/ 3/4 DDs.  Not sure it worked in this event as moonlight was 97%.  So I will be asking FatR what he thinks in a private email.

From private email:

FatR:
As about my opinion on the optimal TF size, you can deduce it from what TF I'm actually using. I feel that combat results validate it. Your DDs kicked a lot of ass, but I think that's primarily the function of their superior guns.

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: Itdepends

I notice your bombers are going in and bombing on naval attack at 100ft. When I have mine training at 100ft the straf skill goes up. Did you train yours at 1000ft for lowN or 100ft?

I trained at 100 ft lowN. Do U think it better to train at 1000ft?
And please define "straf/kill"?

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: bigred

ORIGINAL: Itdepends

I notice your bombers are going in and bombing on naval attack at 100ft. When I have mine training at 100ft the straf skill goes up. Did you train yours at 1000ft for lowN or 100ft?

I trained at 100 ft lowN. Do U think it better to train at 1000ft?
And please define "straf/kill"?

Just looked at current lowN training at 100ft. Seems my level bomber pilots ARE training in Straif instead of LowN...I am using most current beta. In 1106i these pilots trained as lowN.

[witpqs]

In the Beta 100ft means train strafe, 1000ft means train low(whatever).

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

In the Beta 100ft means train strafe, 1000ft means train low(whatever).

Thanks witpqs.

[bigred]

It is fun to see the IJN in full retreat in the slot w/followup by PT boats.

[bigred]

I am starting to wonder What FatR is trying to do in China.  This looks like a mistake.
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
7465 casualties reported
Squads: 302 destroyed, 279 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 203 disabled
Engineers: 45 destroyed, 52 disabled
Guns lost 114 (32 destroyed, 82 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

[bigred]

At horn island we make a para drop w/ground attack. I am surprised FatR has done nothing to help this situation...My armor is eating him alive w/ no AR casualties.
Ground combat at Horn Island (91,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4944 troops, 64 guns, 173 vehicles, Assault Value = 221

Defending force 2912 troops, 36 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Allied adjusted assault: 96

Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
260 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
Port Moresby Brigade
1st Australian Para Bn /1
2/8th Armoured Regiment
II Aus Corps Engr Bn /4
2/16th Field Regiment
Bowen RAN Base Force

Defending units:
82nd Naval Guard Unit
46th Naval Guard Unit
47th Field AA Battalion
42nd Road Const Co
8th JAAF AF Bn

[janh]

ORIGINAL: bigred

I am starting to wonder What FatR is trying to do in China.  This looks like a mistake.
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 6)

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

Japanese ground losses:
7465 casualties reported
Squads: 302 destroyed, 279 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 203 disabled
Engineers: 45 destroyed, 52 disabled
Guns lost 114 (32 destroyed, 82 disabled)
Vehicles lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
154 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Wow, that is a totally weird result. Something seems off with that. Look at the AV both sides brought to the party. Could you post the rest of the details, AV, supply etc.?

[bigred]

As requested..Looks as if only maybe 2 divisions attacked.

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 176270 troops, 2505 guns, 1300 vehicles, Assault Value = 8002
 
Defending force 188991 troops, 1622 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 6109
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 0
 
Allied adjusted defense: 11295
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 6)
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      7465 casualties reported
         Squads: 302 destroyed, 279 disabled
         Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 203 disabled
         Engineers: 45 destroyed, 52 disabled
      Guns lost 114 (32 destroyed, 82 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      154 casualties reported
         Squads: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    3rd Division
    40th Division
    116th Division
    26th Division
    110th Division
    32nd Division
    12th Division
    33rd Division
    41st Division
    22nd Division
    36th Division
    17th Division
    39th Division
    19th Division
    10th Division
    9th Division
    35th Division
    6th Division
    55th Division
    Imperial Guards/C Division
    Kwantung Army
    11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    North China Area Army
    9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    11th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
    13th Mortar Battalion
    15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
    15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
    6th Army
    6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    21st Mortar Battalion
    7th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
    20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    22nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
    1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    RGC Army
    Mongol Garrison Army
    Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
    5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
    13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    13th Army
    4th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
    4th Army
    18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Army
    10th Mortar Battalion
    10th Mortar Battalion
    4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    2nd Mortar Battalion
    2nd Field Artillery Regiment
    3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
    5th Army
    3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    15th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    NCPC Army
    14th Army
    2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    China Expeditionary Army
    4th Mortar Battalion
    2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
    12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
    22nd Ind.Mtn Gun Battalion
    10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    12th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
    12th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
    13th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
 
Defending units:
    14th Chinese Corps
    41st Chinese Corps
    6th Chinese Corps
    5th Construction Regiment
    5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
    100th Chinese Corps
    83rd Chinese Corps
    76th Chinese Corps
    29th Chinese Corps
    11th Construction Regiment
    6th Construction Regiment
    36th Chinese Corps
    75th Chinese Corps
    57th Chinese Corps
    39th Chinese Corps
    3rd New Chinese Corps
    93rd Chinese Corps
    7th Construction Regiment
    30th Chinese Corps
    78th Chinese Corps
    14th Construction Regiment
    7th New Chinese Corps
    23rd Chinese Corps
    45th Chinese Corps
    90th Chinese Corps
    32nd Chinese Corps
    3rd Prov Chinese Corps
    18th Chinese Corps
    73rd Chinese Corps
    303rd Regiment
    77th Chinese Corps
    87th Chinese Corps
    97th Chinese Corps
    47th Chinese Corps
    60th Chinese/B Corps
    57th AT Gun Regiment
    20th Group Army
    39th Group Army
    25th Group Army
    10th Construction Regiment
    13th Construction Regiment
    14th Group Army
    21st Group Army
    4th Heavy Mortar Regiment
    6th War Area
    32nd Group Army
    2nd Group Army
    16th Construction Regiment
    20th Artillery Regiment
    Y' Force
    23rd Group Army
    19th Group Army
    22nd Artillery Regiment
    1st War Area
    8th Construction Regiment
    30th Group Army
    20th Chinese Base Force
    Lusu War Area
    26th Group Army
    CAF HQ
    38th Group Army
    10th Group Army
    18th Chinese Base Force
    7th Group Army
    7th Chinese Base Force
    China Command
    4th Construction Regiment
    15th Group Army
    17th Construction Regiment
    Fourteenth USAAF
    9th War Area
    29th Group Army
    1st Artillery Regiment
    35th Chinese Corps
    4th Group Army
    49th AA Regiment
    56th AT Gun Regiment
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[bigred]

Before I look at the game turn looks like a Bombardment TF was ordered to stay in hex at tulagi by accident. Lucky for me no damage after 2 phases of betties sorties.
My turn crashed during production and I had to stay up late to get it out(made me sleepy and tired). Combined w/ IJN Subs attacking this tf on the move slowed its arrival to daylight and lucky the betties are tired from their bombing of Kira.

Anyway the intent was to bombard tulagi, separate the fighters from the bombers and kill the betties over Kira. Plan did work but i did not put enought fighters over kira to realy screw up FatR.


Naval bombardment of Tulagi at 114,137

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M4 Zero: 46 damaged
A6M4 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 66 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5b Zero: 47 damaged
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
J1N1-S Irving: 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Quincy
CL Cleveland
DD Kane
DD Kortenaer
DD Schley
DD Allen
DD Waller

Japanese ground losses:
96 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled



Airbase hits 61
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 118
Port hits 51
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 1

CA Quincy firing at Tulagi
CL Cleveland firing at Tulagi
DD Kane firing at Tulagi
DD Kortenaer firing at Tulagi
DD Schley firing at Tulagi
DD Allen firing at Tulagi