I bet the Japanese lose Shokaku and Yamashiro [from fires]. What did you mean by "critical hits" - Ammo or Fuel Storage Explosions? Of the two ASE does more damage than a FSE in my experience.
Truk is better than a minimal repair base because it has a Naval HQ there and possibly ARs. Rabaul also is likely to have ARs. If my carrier was heavily damaged I would put into Rabaul first to disband and put out fires, then repair System damage down below 25% before moving on. He can always fly in more fighters to try and shield the damaged ships. If your recons shows major units disbanded in port you might consider a bombardment mission with fast BBs and cruisers accompanied by DMSs to clear a path.
At PM, your cruiser TF should be able to handle any warships still there - all those IJN cruisers will be in bad shape.
Go get 'em, tiger!
It is showing a Kaga class CV showing up as sunk.. but looking at Air losses, as you can see in Mike's posts, we have come to the conclusion that two CVs are sunk and their third will more than likely be sunk this turn along with the Yamashiro if our bombs hit their mark. They will more than likely hug the coast so their diverted fighters can LRCAP from Madang (only AF in range that can conduct fighter ops). Yorktown with 92 AC will be 6 hexes from entire Torres Strait, as well as the TBs left at PM...Saratogas's DB and Fighters that are not being worked on were flown back to Yorktown, as Mike mentioned.. Harvey and I have sent in our respective SAGs (Harvey strengthened mine for me before sending off).
Anxiously awaiting the turn again.
I wouldn't mind saying we took on a portion of the KB in Feb of 42 and lived to tell about it, with all three of their CVs under the waves.
They will now have to decide where to commit forces. India or Auz, they now cannot do both IMO.
Life is tough. The sooner you realize that, the easier it will be.
"Audentes fortuna iuvat"-Latin for Fortune favors the bold.
We hope that is true this turn as we are going to hit them while they are down and clean up what is left in the NW Coral Sea. Now, if they have more carriers screaming through the Torres strait we might now be as successful as we wish, otherwise we should clean up on every Japanese ship in this area. This will strand one full division and 2/3rd of another.
The turn is away, time will tell... Let the biting of fingernails commence!
Initial reports show that we did catch transports trying to offload at Port Moresby. The damaged CA Maya was there also. She was sunk along with six xAKs in two different engagements. Weather was bad, so everything was at very close range (2-6k yards). Heavily damaged were a TB and three more xAKs. My experience as a JFB tells me these will most likely sink. This leaves three more xAKs with some damage and their fate is unknown. Some of the shore guns had also traded shell hits with some the xAKs when they started unloading for the night. This will also compound the damage taken.
Reports from several submarine captains are that they got lots of hits on fleeing Japanese shipping (PB, 2x(xAK)), but no explosions. The Captain of the Pollack got so pissed he surfaced and put some shells into one xAK without sinking it before he had to break off.
The Yorktown's air groups did not fly on this day. We are figuring it was the weather as there were lots of rain storms in the area. She will still be in position for next turn if her detection is not too high.
Here is my part of the next turn. It is delayed as one of our team is out of town and unable to process his part.
24 FEB 42
CONUS:
197th and 96th AA 3/102 Inf Bn and 255th USN Base Force loading at San Francisco on TF16. They will be delivered to Pago Pago and then we can figure out where they will go from there.
SS-46 arrives in San Diego, her current captain is E.R. Crawford (Naval 55, Aggress 27), replacing her with A.Montgomery (Naval 67, Aggress 63) for 3 PP. Sending her to Pearl as a jump off point for points further South and West.
A speed 3 convoy (60 days to Sydney) is forming at LA with 77,400 supply. 17 cargo, 1 escort.
CANAL ZONE:
xAK at Cristobal, sent through canal to disband at Balboa. Three more due over 10 days. That will make enough to form up on an escort and send to LA.
NOPAC:
Nothing to do here.
CENTPAC:
Midway is going to be a sub base for us. Yes, we know it needs a lot of improvement, but with the Japanese not attacking this direction, we can afford to build it up. To that end, the 804th EAB will be moving from Pearl to Midway for her E92 to lend a hand in building that base.
SOPAC
xAK with full supplies (3200) broken off of the TF waiting to unload at Pago Pago and sent to Bora Bora to supply the unit there until we can pull it off of that rock and use in on a more front line location.
The Lexington TF went 15 hexes in one day. Going to send her one more day at Full speed to just East of Cooktown. We will need to keep the tankers close as her TF will be thirsty after this. She will then be in Jeff’s hands as we put them into the battle area. I am, also, going to set her dive bombers to ground attack and a target of PM since they will be within seven hexes of PM and might get there in time to help a bit.
Lex can handle two days at full speed but any escorting DDs will refuel from her or other large ships before the second day is done. You cannot count on another 15 hexs.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
What if we put the TF on do not refuel? Will it make the 15 again? I have never been in a position where a full speed run would be meaningful. This is new to me.
I believe "Do not Refuel" only applies to port visits. I am pretty sure that if the DDs get desperate the TF will buddy-transfer fuel. If they don't do this and the DDs run out of fuel the TF will only move one hex afterward. Ships without fuel are sitting ducks in battle. Carriers low on fuel may not seek battle either since they need fuel to launch strikes.
Check the fuel % of your DDs - if they still have 60% or more after the first Full Speed run, they may be OK for the second day. Less than that is sure to slow them up when they refuel at the 10% level. Also assess the risk of being just short of your desired position on the second run. Does that leave you in a vulnerable position? Is the possible gain worth it?
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
Two Clemson DDs start conversion to APDs at San Francisco.
Two Tankers and an AO are escorted to LA from San Francisco to join up with like uints there. The Escort will then bring transports back to San Francisco.
CANAL ZONE:
xAK moved from Cristobal to Balboa.
NOPAC:
Nothing to do here.
CENTPAC:
Nothing to do here.
SOPAC:
Took Lexington TF off of Full Speed and replenished her internally. They have six hexes of movement, plenty to move north and help cover PM. Kept her air on attacking PM as we need to keep it more than kill cripples. Hopefully Yorktown will come out of a funk and do something about the cripples.
A suggestion, maybe we move the Yorktown and her ASW escorts to 90,129? Yes, this is bold, but maybe the weather will clear in the meantime and some cripples can still be caught. Otherwise, her groups need to meet up with the Lexington and ground attack PM.
I flew off the some of the other remnants of the Saratoga’s air wings from PM to the Lexington to beef up her air wing. Just like we did with the Yorktown.
Set the remaining CV aircraft to ground attack with targets of PM.
Set the Marine Raider BN to load up amphib and move to PM for deposition there. It will take several days to get them there, but you never know when you might need some jarheads.
Not going to mess with anything more as it won’t give Jeff anything to do!
ANZAC:
Nothing to do here.
CHINA:
We have successfully blockaded the Shanghai-Hankow railroad. We are moving away from the nearest Japanese force down that line to keep it blocked as long as possible.
HQs newly arriving in Sian are set to rest to take replacements.
Sent an AS with an AVD escort to Pago Pago to eventually go to Brisbane or Townville. Not being able to resupply subs in TV is a bugger at the moment.
The 18th Fighter Group at Pearl is probably not needed there and can be sent to Australia/SoPac Mike.
The 161st Inf reg on ships in route to Koumac can probably go to Ndeni/Louganville or Port Moresby instead, unless we would rather secure all of New Caledonia.
Moved York and Lex to meet up 6 hexes SW of Port Moresby, and moved six Wildcats off of her to Port Moresby and grabbed two Dauntless bombers. She is now at 90/88 aircraft. She was in rain again, and well see if it was storms or over capacity. If it was storms, Hartwig and Bill caught a huge break. I still think they lost three CVs from the looks of it though... Primary naval at 6 hexes since they now have fighters at Horn Isl, and set secondary to Port Moresby ground attack. They will attack any naval targets during one phase, and then attack Port Moresby in the following PM phase.
Running the close bombardment force in this turn..refuling the other as it used ops this turn to refuel, so I am refueling it fully this turn placing it 8 hexes for a night run next turn on Port Moresby.
Re routed some subs.
I think that is about it for me.
Life is tough. The sooner you realize that, the easier it will be.
*** Note: Starting to use Task List Guru 3 to keep track of things that need to be done supply wise. This should help keeping things moving without forgetting where things are and what they are doing. It will take a bit to set up, but once I discipline myself to using it along with a turn it should be quite easy to use. I can see where it will be really helpful as a JFB in the future!
CONUS:
Convert DD Rathburne to an APD at San Francisco.
CANAL ZONE:
Six xAKs and a DD formed up at Balboa with a destination of LA for convoy duty there. The DD will remain at LA for convoy duty while the APDs at Balboa will shuttle cargo ships to LA.
NOPAC:
The four Clemson DD’s at Dutch are joining a cargo TF returning to Seattle to be converted to APDs there. One, the Crosby, has significant damage, but it won’t get any better at Dutch, needs to be at Seattle.
CENTPAC:
AV Langley made it to Pearl! WHEEEEEEEE! I know, I know, it is just a sea plane tender, but it made it out of a massive strike at Manila almost 3 months ago and made it to a repair facility. Thirty-three days in the dry dock and she will be ready to be put back into service. Need to put CDR C. Lane up for a commendation for keeping her afloat during the long voyage.
Diverting TF 238 to Pearl to pick up the 18th PG for shipment to SOPAC or ANZAC as we deem necessary as the TF gets closer.
Split DD Ward off of TF doing ASW duties at Lihue. She is out of DCs and needs to be converted to an APD at Pearl.
SOPAC
TF 425 removed the AE for duties at Pago Pago. TF 425 also set to just sit there for now. After the cargo ships unload this TF will load up with fuel and move to Noumea for duties in the SOPAC area.
Changed destination of TF 173 with 161st Rgt for Luganville.
ANZAC:
Changing destination of the CD and AA units bound for PM and Suva respectfully that had to unload at Townsville. They are both going to Luganville to join the 161st. Loading this turn without supplies and moving as an Amphib TF to Luganville. This will start on the 27th as the Marine Raider Bn Amphib needs to finish loading and head to PM first.
CHINA:
60% of the units at Ichang retreated last turn. The rest will probably run this turn. Those that leve are moving to blocking positions NE of Changteh. One unit will move to the Hex just west of Ichang. Other units in the area are moving further back into the wooded hills to defend against flanking maneuvers by the Japanese.
Keep in mind that you are limited to five squadrons, or portion thereof, per carrier. If you already have five squadrons, even depleted ones, on board you will not be able to fly on Saras squadrons. I think you would have to fly one or your squadrons to PM and disband Saras same type aircraft into it, or fly Saras aircraft on board and disband it into the remaining squadrons. It would require another turn to get the Sqn(s) flown to PM back.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
ACM Sumac arrives at Seattle. Need one at Tacoma. Moving it there for now. It is a safe move and until we have enough to cover what we have and what we want to cover in the future it will be a good place to keep her.
12th BG is withdrawn, all four units, on time. Pilots stripped first.
CANAL ZONE:
Nothing to do here.
NOPAC:
Undocked Tankers at Dutch, Docked troopships for unloading.
CENTPAC:
DD Ward put into shipyard at Pearl Harbor for AAA upgrade.
VMF-212 arrives. We don’t have enough F4F-3A’s for out carriers, let alone a marine unit. Costs 50 pp to move it to Buffalos, so they will just have to do with the 2 Wildcats they have and train with them.
SOPAC
Pago Pago is going to have nearly her capacity in supply shortly. 197k max. Projecting just over 196k once unloaded. It will also have, once the replenishment TF is reloaded, 42k fuel. It can take another 70k in fuel. Need to consider that in the near future. She is also nearly a level 4 port. Increased ships docked, and unload rates will help considerably in developing this FOB. We also need to think about, with recent Japanese setbacks, developing another FOB closer to the action. Pago Pago can only grow one more level of port to Level 5. Luganville and Tulagi are 6 max ports, which, with AEs can resupply most non BB ships. Need more Engineers! Where are the damn CBs? [;)]
TF 303 is done unloading at Suva. Sending it to Pago Pago for the lone range ships to join up with one of the TFs heading back to LA and keeping the short range ships for local duties out of Pago Pago.
Rotated docked ships at Noumea as the ones docked are now empty.
ANZAC:
Cancelled loading more supplies into TF with 1st Marine Raider and sent it on its way to PM. Won’t need the supplies. Need the boots on the ground more!
TF 99 loading up 57th Cst Art at Townsville for delivery as an Amphib to Luganville. ETA 8 days.
Harvey: 276th Cst Art, 223rd FA, and 754 Tank Bn docked and unloading at Sydney. They are for you, Sir! Please send TF 72 back to Pago Pago when unloaded.
DD Kane converted to APD at Sydney.
CHINA:
15th Chinese Corps arrives, sending it to Ankang with the rest of the XXth Army
69th Chinese Corps arrives, sending it to Sian with the rest of the Lusu War Area units.
Chungking is now a level 5 air field. Two more levels to go!
RUSSIA:
399th Rife Division arrives in Chita. Put on rest/training as it will withdraw in just over four months and probably not affect anything…
Keep in mind that you are limited to five squadrons, or portion thereof, per carrier. If you already have five squadrons, even depleted ones, on board you will not be able to fly on Saras squadrons. I think you would have to fly one or your squadrons to PM and disband Saras same type aircraft into it, or fly Saras aircraft on board and disband it into the remaining squadrons. It would require another turn to get the Sqn(s) flown to PM back.
To be honest, we might have had six on it.. because we flew on the DBs...that would do it. Didn't even catch that...but I was aware of the five squadron limit.
Lucky for them. Dumb on our (my) part.
Life is tough. The sooner you realize that, the easier it will be.
34th Combat Eng can do something other than be at Pearl
97th Coastal AA as well
VII US Fighter/Bomber is the HQ for most of the units there, but the 18th PG can be sent to Auz IMO
Are we training all fighters there for Ground Bombing to have Fighter Bomber pilots later on?
1 support unit for the 161st Inf Reg was left there.
Mike, are we not going to max out Seattle, and run everything through Tacoma? Seattle has a huge repair yard.. or does that matter?
All of the BBs on the West Coast can have a replacement Patrol pilot added to max out their float plane pilots...I didn't do it this turn, Mike can have fun with that next turn. I was too lazy, and that is his area.
We should send the two ASs at Frisco forward to more bases for forward subs. They're pointless in Frisco.. I'm guessing theyre just awaiting escorts. The AVDs there could escort them, and then set up float plane bases after they escort to the front.
We have 5 AGs and 2 AVs at Pago Pago. Any requests for your bases Harvey? That seems like overkill at Pago Pago. It is just a collection strong point.
I would agree about making more FOB bases Mike, closer to the action. I would suggest Noumea, Ndeni, Efate, and or Loganville. Probably Noumea first, as it is becoming a strong base as we speak, and I don't see us losing it now.
Harvey, could you recon Horn Isl if you have the appropriate planes at your disposal? I stood down all of my float planes in my CV groups to help avoid detection, we now have a gap in the Coral Sea between Horn Isl and PM as a result of this.
Put Cumming in shipyard repair at Brisbane, didn't go over shipyard capacity or affect the days to repair on current ships repairing.
Attachments
Coral Sea Update.jpg (466.72 KiB) Viewed 270 times
Life is tough. The sooner you realize that, the easier it will be.
We guess that three Jap CVs are actually sunk from the Coral Sea Battle a handful of turns back. We came to this conclusion by airplane losses and reports..
They now must decide which direction to go. India or Auz, but not both.
I am still mad about the York not attacking, which was 100% on me and not the weather. Wondering what else we could have bagged in the Torres Strait.
Yamashiro for sure.. she's hurting...
Attachments
Shiplosses.jpg (278.36 KiB) Viewed 270 times
Life is tough. The sooner you realize that, the easier it will be.
