Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Sly

Hello Cantona
I would like to improve yours navalbombardment tactics. For the next time set your floatplanes onboard cruisers BBs BEFORE night bombardment to night flight, recon mode, range 0, you will see X acting as spotter for  XX message at combat report and result ---- heavy damage --- i belive .
LCUs at Sian - looks like Fletch is owning this hex south Sian and you was enter from Sian. Iam afraid you should push him back and get ownership to move west..
And go ahead with carriers...

Many thanks for the advice Sly, had no idea about the float planes as spotters!

Turn Synopsis 17th August 1942 (contd)

A Dutch submarine returning to Chittagong to refuel stumbled across a small Japanese convoy hugging the coast of the Arakan on a southerly heading, possibly the task force spotted at Akyab a couple of days ago. She was able to get into a good ambush position and sank two torpedoes into a small escort vessel that was seen to sink very quickly. The sub is now heading towards Chittagong to refuel.

An enemy submarine was also suspected sunk at Vanikoro by the APD Kennison. After a successful ping, a three hour long depth charge attack followed. Fuel and oil was seen bubbling to the surface and once contact was lost following three large explosions, the enemy submarine was declared sunk.

In China David can still bite against Goliath...


Over Tarawa, the Dauntless's and Avengers of the carriers Wasp and Yorktown, finding no naval targets of note, enemy carriers later spotted just out of range, engaged secondary targets on Tarawa itself inflicting more damage on top of that caused by the North Carolina yesterday. A couple more A6M's reported destroyed and further damage heaped on the runway and airbase supply and hangar areas.

Turn Synopsis 18th August 1942.

MESSAGE TO ALL COMMANDS

***NO ENEMY CARRIER SIGHTINGS IN THE VICINITY OF ARORAE AFTER YESTERDAY'S SIGHTING OF ENEMY VESSELS***SHIPS TRAVERSING THE AREA ARE TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION***WASP AND YORKTOWN REMAIN IN AREA***

Nevertheless enemy carriers were spotted deep in the Indian Ocean when Supply Convoy ADPER X-34R was sunk by a large number of enemy carrier borne planes. May day messages received and recorded at listening stations at Koggala and Colombo. It is suspected that Japanese carriers were trying to approach Ceylon undetected via the vastness of the Indian Ocean in retaliation for the Royal Navy Strikes on Palembang.

KB is here !!! run,little british sailors, run !!!!


Face them with the Glorious Royal Navy !!! What would Nelson say if u don't go to battle them ???

( just kidding [:D][:D] )

Turn Synopsis 19th August 1942

Those carriers spotted near Arorae turned out to be the raiding force that hit the Santa Cruz Islands a week or so ago. Once again they swept through though this time with less effectiveness. Several enemy planes were shot down and one destroyer and light merchant ship were sunk. An attack on the Carrier Hiryu by B-17s from Vanikoro came to nothing.

Deep in the Indian Ocean, to the south of Koggala...

Update Operation Fosters

All units have now gathered in Sydney and boarding on attack transports will begin forthwith.

operation what ??

Where do you go ??

Do you have much ships at Ceylan ?

(questions, questions...[8D])

ORIGINAL: traskott

operation what ??

Where do you go ??

Do you have much ships at Ceylan ?

(questions, questions...[8D])

Operation Fosters (Austrlaian Beer)

Recapture of Horn Island

Yes RN based a Ceylon, Colombo emptied of all high value targets. Judging by stength of strike that sunk my supply convoy I am guessing two fleet carriers in Japanese raid. I have Hurricanes, Sea Hurricans and Flumars at Colombo. Flumars and Mohawks at Trincomalee

Turn Synopsis 20th August 1942 (Prelude)

War Diary Colomobo 20-8-42

At approximately 02:35 an estimated 20 enemy level bombers, detected by radar approaching from the South East, bombed the port areas. Light damage sustained, two bombers (idenified as a G3M type from wreckage) shot down, light damage on the cruiser Cornwall refitting in dry dock.

At 05:46 distress message picked up by listening station a Koggala from auxiliary minesweeper Rampur that she was under attack by what seemed a large enemy surface combat task force heading North. Further hailings of ship were left unanswered, last trasnmission from Koggala a 06:15, Rampur presumed sunk by enemy heavy surface units. Full aler raised at Colombo morning CAP from 803 FAA Squadron, 880 FAA Squadron and 135 Squadron ordered into the air and to expect imminent attack.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 26,54, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CS Nisshin
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
CA Myoko
CA Nachi
CL Abukuma
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo
DD Naganami
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Akatsuki
DD Fubuki

Allied Ships
AMc Rampur, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

TO BE CONTINUED...

Turn Synopsis 20th August 1942 (contd)

War Diary Colombo 20-8-42

At approximately 06:55 a May Day call was received by RN Signals HQ from the transport Nord, she had reported being hit by one torpedo and was going down, most hands had got off ship safely and were heading in the general direction of Male in the Maldives. The absence of any planes suggest a submarine attack.



The Dutch liner, Poelau Telo, also reported seeing torpedo wakes passing near her stern as she was making way to the anchorage at Trivandrum.



Enemy planes were picked up by radar at 09:56 and the CAP, already aloft since earlier in the day was able to intercept an enemy fighter sweep in strength with 33 planes in the air. In a viscous but short encounter 4 A6M2's, later identified as coming from carrier squadrons, were shot down for one of our own Sea Hurricanes.



This initial sweep was followed by a second one at 10:45, this time a weaker CAp lost three planes and only accounted for on enemy aircraft. These morning sweeps were an prelude for a massive carrier launched air raid that was detected at 14:15 approaching from the SW. Over 100 bombers were escorted by 50 enemy fighters, and though our brave fighter pilots did their best to protect our airspace, both the port and the air installations were hit moderately hard, though only light damage was sustained at the harbour. The Cornwall received a second bomb hit suffering negligible damage. Our anti aircraft defence was particularly strong and has been credited with shooting down at least 8 enemy dive bombers. most over the main aerodrome.



The base alert level is still at maximum though reports from our capital ships to the north of the Maldives suggest sightings of enemy submarines and it may be that the enemy carriers give chase. Wellingtons from Dacca have rebased at Madras and ordered to launch an attack over the enemy Task Forces if the opportunity presents itself.

Turn Synopsis 20th August 1942 (post script)

Port Moresby was once again bombarded by the US Cruisers led by the CA Astoria. This second raid seemed to provide much better results as SOC-1 Seagulls were acting as spotters for the main batteries and a mass of explosions were seen all over the main runway and port areas. An analysis of post recon photographs and close monitoring of radio traffic between Port Moresby and Truk suggest moderate to heavy damage inflicted on the airbase with upto 13 planes destroyed on the ground.

Night Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 10 destroyed on ground
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Astoria
CA Chicago
CA Louisville
CA Houston
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)



Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 80

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Astoria
CA Astoria firing at Port Moresby
CA Chicago firing at 4th Division
CA Louisville firing at 10th Special Base Force
10th Special Base Force firing at CA Louisville
CA Houston firing at Port Moresby
CA Portland firing at Port Moresby

As a matter of fact it wasn't a great day for Japan in the air [:D]

Turn Synopsis 21st August 1942

Japanese carrier forces once again attacked Colombo, this time targetting the port and harbour installations. Several ships were hit hard and a RCN Corvette and a small merchant ship sunk. However over 30 enemy planes were shot down by the AA batteries around the main harbour area.



Furthermore, our CAP was able to surprise an 8 plane flight of B5N2's intent on attacking several ships making their way north out of Colombo. They cam in low and unescorted but detected on our radar. 4 were shot down, three were turned back trailing smoke and only one made an ineffectual torpedo run on an escorting corvette, whos AAA guns damaged the Japanese plane.



Japanese carriers were then observed heading in an easterly direction, eschewing any attempt to engage the retreating RN to the North West. Messages were relayed to the Americans letting them know that the main enemy carrier force was in the Indian Ocean and this was good news for the Guadalcanal and Horn Island operations.

Turn Synopsis 23rd August 1942

Sad news to report today as the Auxiliary Cruiser of the Australian Navy, Westralia was sunk with all hands just off the coast of Japan near Senadi. This meant the end to an epic three week cruise that started at Canton Island, went through the Japanese waters of the Marshall Islands, a patrol around the Marianas, a six day endevaour around the Jimas and finally the Japanese Home Waters themselves. Though having being in contact with the many US submarines in her patrol areas, and receiving reports of convoys she never engaged any enemy ships. Her orders were to try and infiltrate the Sendai convoy routes already successfully plied by US raiders and subs and then to put in at Adak Island to refuel. She was spotted by Japanese planes on the morning of the 22nd August and she was sent to the bottom in the late afternoon after being caught by a brace of IJN destroyers and their devastating Long Lances. Despite not engaging the enemy a massive hole in his air search umbrella has been discovered!


THE END


THE CRUISE. (x's mark her patrol areas)

Elsewhere in the theatre.

The KB attacked Madras yesterday and once again AA guns reaped a bountiful harvest of D3A1's. Two small craft were sunk at anchor while light damage was sustained around the port areas. The bulk of the Royal Navy has already reached safe haven in Bombay. Today Catalinas of Coastal Command kept tabs on the Kito Butai as she patrolled the southern coast of Ceylon. One flying boat was lost to a Zero on CAP.

Operation Fosters was officially underway. The 1st wave and invasion landing forces had embarked and left Sydney Harbour followed by the 2nd Wave ships carrying the 5th RAAF Base Force. 4 RAN minesweepers had already left a few days before and had made their first refuelling waypoint at Rockhampton before making course for Townsville. Two separate attacks were made on Horn Island by bombers of the RAAF. P-39's provided escort from Portland Roads, which in turn was attacked by bombers based in New Guinea. Liberators and Flying Fortresses carried out a night raid on Port Moresby destroying one Ki-43Ic on the ground. However it seems that any damage inflicted by the cruisers bombarding Port Morseby the other night has been repaired as A6M3s and Ki-43Ic's were seen flying sweeps over Portland Roads before the arrival of the bombers. Allied fighters have been prohibited from engaging and the over 100 available planes will be kept to cover the landings and invasion forces. W/T intercepts have identified the 205th JAAF BATTALION and the 89th NAVAL GUARD UNIT on Horn Island. F-4 Lightnings of the 8th PRU have deployed to Coen to provide further recon of Japanese bases on New Guinea. The plane will make its operational debut over Lae tomorrow.

The 90th Bomber Group also arrived from the Central USA. It was the first unit fully equipped with the B-24 Liberator. It is currently entrained for Los Angeles were the bombers will then make their way into the South Pacific via Pearl Harbour. Long term plans see the Liberator replacing the Flying Fortress as the main long range bomber in the Pacific.

As an aside, here is a screenie of the USAAF's premier fighter unit based on Ndeni. They are flying the P-400 and I now have enough P-38F's to upgrade them. however looking at the stats, the P-400 is more durable and has better gun value. Is it worth while upgrading or waiting until I have the P-38G in production and then make it go through its upgrade path of P-400/P-38F/P-38G?

the P-400 is more durable and has better gun value. Is it worth while upgrading or waiting until I have the P-38G in production and then make it go through its upgrade path of P-400/P-38F/P-38G?

Sure about that? Durability should be 37/32 for P-38/P-400; practically speaking I'd think the P-38 would have the more effective armament (despite nominally lower numerical rating) as it's all centerline and concentrated - the .30s on the P-400 won't really be up to much. If you've got the P-38s and noone else wants them...

from my recent experiences with late Allied planes - the P-38 seems to have too high service ratings to be used for CAP continuously....it's a great offensive plane though...

Thanks guys. The high service rating is holding me back at the moment, especially if Ramon attacks or bombards Ndeni and catches a lot of the Lightnings being serviced on the ground.

P-38, specially first models are "Hangar Queens". I would NEVER deploy them on range of naval bombardments, however, they excels sweeping first the arrival of 4E.....