LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[IdahoNYer]

30-31 Oct 42

Highlights – Sonia shoot down NE of Changsa; F4Fs sweep Rufes over Tulagi

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (RO-60)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 74
Allied: 22

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv:
Pagai-eilanden (DEI)

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Great Nicobar (Burma)
Pagai-eilanden (DEI)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: CVs of NW OZ providing CAP to cripples have disappeared. 3-4 Cripples appear to have taken refuge in Broome.

West Coast/Admin. NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, US Wasp/Hornet TF transits through a sub “wolfpack” mid ocean between Hawaii and West Coast. 4 subs are sighted by ASW a/c off the Hornet, and no attacks are made on the CV TF, although it was sighted. Not sure if these subs are prowling in this area, or are in transit to the West Coast. Can’t do much about it in any case, not worth detaching DDs and their out of LBA range. What I need to do is put together a good ole fashion ASW Group with a CVE TF and some DDs/DEs ASW TFs – but I don’t have the spare a/c or escorts at the moment, but will get there…

In SOPAC, F4Fs based at Ndeni conduct a sweep over Tulagi at extended range and do well against the Rufes based there – 7 Rufes in exchange for a F4F. A dozen B-24s hit Tulagi with good effect following the sweep. I continue to focus on heavy shipping from Noumea north, now bringing in engineers to build up Vanikoro as another AF. The xAPs attacked by PBYs off Vaitupu departed before the US CL TF (CLAA, 3DDs) arrived, and no contact was made.

In SWPAC, coastal convoys continue.

In WAUS, its quiet as the IJN CVs appear to have departed the area. With cripples now in Broome (not sure exactly what, but figure a Kongo BB and a CA and some DDs), will have to look at hitting Broome with Heavies – at 13 hexes from Exmouth, its at max normal range for P-38G sweep. Exmouth continues to build up slowly, and the USMC Def Bn has finished offloading without incident.

In China, surprisingly, Kienko isn’t attacked, just bombarded, so it holds another day. I moved my P-40s to Changsa and caught what appeared to be a “training run” of Sonias SE of Ichang with LRCAP – 27 Sonias and 10 Nates shot down for no loss. Will likely pull out the P-40s back to Burma for a bit -they’ve had two good successful CAP traps this month, don’t want to push my luck.

In India/Burma, US sweeps near Shwebo meet a robust LRCAP of Zeros, and the Allied fighters do well – 15 Zeros are lost in exchange for 6 P-40s and 2 Hurris. P-39s do particularly well. Unfortunately, the IJA’s 48th ID managed to move out of the clear terrain north of Shwebo into the jungle to meet the advancing Allied troops – was hoping to catch the IJA force in the open with my Tank Bde. Closer to Akyab, the two British Divisions advance closer to cut of Akyab. Below screen shot shows the situation in Burma - pretty much a stalemate, but the Allied broad front advance has definitely caused L_S_T to bring in numerous reinforcements to Theater - troops that I won't see in upcoming SOPAC or SWPAC battles!

[IdahoNYer]

Oct 42 Summary

Oct was certainly a hectic month, although I really didn’t intend it to be quite as hectic as it turned out. With most of the US fleet in refit/upgrade, I really thought it might be a bit quiet! Although I thought Horn Island landing would bring some activity, I didn’t imagine the IJN conducting a massive counterblow at Carnavon! Elsewhere it was in fact pretty quiet – counter-landing at Vaitupu and a slow grind in Burma being the other “highlights”. With the IJN shooting its bolt at Carnavon, I now expect limited activity from the IJN going into Nov – and I’m not planning anything overtly major to draw him out either. Will look at continued limited Allied offensive action south of New Guinea and continued pressure into Burma. Both areas will also see continued use of LBA, especially heavy bombers. CV operations will be limited, as it will take most of the month to re-gather the dispersed CVs coming in from refit. Naval losses for the month (primarily from the Carnavon fighting) were heavy for both sides; IJN reported losses for the month were 1BB, 3CA, 2CL, 6DD and 7SS as compared to the Allies losing a BB, BC, 2CA, 3DD, 2SS and 3PTs. Air losses were heavy for both sides, but were somehow in the Allies favor, 631 for Jpn to 570 Allied.


INTEL: If my gut feel is right, L_S_T is severely short CAs and a couple of Kongo BBs in the yards for a while. This, along with getting a bloody nose from LBA at Carnavon, leads me to believe he’ll be cautious for a while. With his CVs intact however, he still has a significant ability to project overwhelming power at a given point – and I have no idea where or if he’s willing to do that right now.

SUBWAR: Subs are still not doing much against the merchant fleet, and are getting hammered by a/c on ASW patrols. However, the subs did have some success against warships during the Carnavon Venture, getting hits on a BB, CA, CL and DDs. Will continue to send subs out to threaten his merchant lifeline, as well as provide close in support to ongoing operations.

West Coast/USA/Rear Areas: While Army fighter pilot pools are very robust, other pools still not at levels needed, but none are at critical levels.

NOPAC. With the IJN Fleet hitting Carnavon, I’m kicking myself a bit for calling off the Attu landings – but it just wasn’t worth risking 3BBs and especially the half dozen APs/AKs that were to be involved. Attu will still be there in the spring…

CENPAC. Will slowly build up the Christmas/Palmyra area to support landings at Baker Is and eventually Tabiteura, but neither of these have a specific timeframe yet. Also, Hawaii will also receive increased supply and fuel in the coming months.

SOPAC. For the first time in the war, I plan to concentrate all 6 US CVs – and that concentration is initially planned for SOPAC, eventually supporting landings at Lunga. Not sure when I want to make that leap though with the KB intact. Will more likely look at retaking Vaitupu and other “safer” opportunities, but with the IJN a bit dinged up right now, looking for a way to exploit that.

SWPAC. With Horn securing, looking at the next step of the advance before coughing up the Naval a/c on loan from the CVs – Merauke. Goal remains continue to close the ring on Darwin from the east. HB will continue to be used to shut down New Guinea AFs, limited by a shortage of recon a/c and P-38s.

WAUS. After the fight at Carnavon, Exmouth seems pretty secure at this point. Will continue to build up this base, and especially build up supplies – I’m looking at an overland advance to take Port Hedland and will need a large supply buildup. I’m not even sure this is feasible with Port Hedland being 7 hexes distant over desert terrain – perhaps I can land supply to units moving along the coast at non dot hexes? Not sure. But, I’d rather not commit a major amphib landing to take Port Hedland.

Burma/India. Well, the broad front attack across the India Border into India has been fairly successful – in drawing in a sizable amount of IJA reinforcements to the Theater. Whether or not it will succeed in bleeding the IJA – both in supply and manpower – is yet to be seen. Will continue the pressure and see what breaks. In the air, now with P-38s and F4Fs, will continue to attrit the enemy’s air – hopefully gaining enough of an advantage to launch B-24s on the prize – Magwe….recently to have over 200 fighters based there. This is a tough balance, to keep pressure up while being conservative with scarce airframes.

China. Well, still fighting in China and not in Chungking quite yet. It’s only a matter of time however, as supplies continue to be extremely scarce. Will sortie P-40s occasionally to keep L_S_T honest, but need the squadrons over Burma for the November push.

[IdahoNYer]

1-2 Nov 42

Back from vacation, and on with the game...

Highlights – November starts with a bang as the KB and LBA hit Horn Island port; Indian Bde cuts rail line to Myitkyina.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-23)
PB: 1 (old)
xAP: 1 (old)
xAK: 1 (old)

Allied ships sunk:
CLAA: 1 (San Diego)
ACM: 2
AMc: 2

Air loss:
Jpn: 78
Allied: 43

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAK dam)

Jpn Amph Inv:
Batoe-eilanden (DEI)

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: Looks like all the IJN CVs are off Horn Island! Not one, but two Tank Divs are confirmed in Burma.

West Coast/Admin. 2BBs (Washington and Maryland) and 13DDs begins refits on the first of the month at various locales; 5 DDs needing upgrade/refit remain at sea and are heading for ports. Slow convoy departs LA for Auck.

In NOPAC, with the brutal winter weather, operations will be minimal. To that, I’m starting to withdraw USMC squadrons.

In CENPAC, US Wasp/Hornet TF continue to pick up subs, one of which, I-23 (or I-4, depending on reports), is sunk by the accompanying ASW TF of two DDs. Will re-route the TF around the known sub concentrations, but with about half a dozen subs sighted in the “black gap” between PH and San Francisco convoy route, I’m going to have to deploy an ASW TF built around a CVE. Not sure exactly where I’m getting the DDs from, but 2 DEs have started moving out of NOPAC and will link up with a CVE at Tacoma. Figure to take one of the replenishment CVEs and put it to other uses with a USMC squadron or two.

In SOPAC, B-26s out of Ndeni hit Tulagi for the first time and achieve good results against the AF with no loss. B-24s hit Lunga port.

In SWPAC, I’ve found the KB again – this time it looks to be ALL the IJN CVs. With LBA out of New Guinea bases (presumably Wau), strikes hit Horn Island Port and AF. They are met by a robust CAP of 37 USMC F4Fs and 15 Aussie Kittyhawks. The first wave is LBA, 28 Zeros and 36 Bettys which are roughed up by the CAP, but land a hit on CLAA San Diego (with 84 float) in the port. The KB strike is 78Z,119V and 76K which are opposed by a tired 24 a/c. Needless to say, the strike gets through, sinking the CLAA, 2ACM and 2AMc in the port – the port only suffers 20 dam. Surprisingly, the 2AM and 2xAKL TF isn’t touched. Two robust LBA sweeps then come in (timing!!) claw down more fighters, but not without cost. At the end of the two days, I’ve lost 24 F4F and 8 Kittyhawks – but the enemy’s cost was high: 28 Bettys, 29 Zeros, 5 Kates and 4 Vals Damage to the base was pretty minor, 21 Port and 6 AF dam. In any case, with the KB 5 hexes off Horn and 8 hexes off Portland Roads, I’m not in a position to launch a counterstrike if L_S_T stays put. Not exactly sure if this is a raid to try and delay Horn Island development (Likely) or something more sinister. In any case, I’m standing down fighters at Horn, and moving most of my shipping (currently offloading troops – including Horn Islands AA Bn!) at Portland Roads south. I’ll have 3 fighter squadrons for CAP at Portland Roads if he decides to hit it. But I also see a possible opportunity here – the LBA out of Wau was pretty effectively dealt with by the Horn Island CAP – so now is a good time to throw the 5th Air Force Heavies, with P-38s sweeping, against Wau – recon showing 98 fighters and 28 bombers on the level 3 AF. What I’m not sure of is the other TF with the KB. Figure it could be 1) troop reinforcement to Merauke, 2)BB Bombardment for Horn, or 3)ASW TF for the KB. My bet is #2, but I’m going to do something L_S_T won’t expect with my PTs – send them in two squadrons out to intercept HIM at and near Merauke. I’ll also put some strike a/c (as well as PBYs) on night attack, to see if I can do some damage to this raiding force. Just glad this armada didn’t show up when I was LANDING at Horn Island!


In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, Kienko isn’t attacked again, and the IJA is moving west instead to cut off what’s left of the force I have there, which is moving slower in the mountains. Not much can be done, I expect Kienko’s fall at any time. Will be fighting in or adjacent to Chungking by 1943 – and I’ve started pulling some excess troops south to prevent over stacking.

In India/Burma, the broadfront approach has managed to cut the rail line between Shwebo and Myitkyina, in theory cutting off supply for all the RTA forces along the India Border in that area. That’s the good news. The bad news is the force that the two Brit Divs (2nd, 70th) encountered northeast of Akyab wasn’t an infantry division I expected, but TWO tank divisions and support! My assumption is that these were heading to be the hammer at Akyab, but now are in the jungle with two very good Brit divisions. While I have a good infantry advantage here, I’m not sure an attack is a good idea – but once I get some friendly armor moved into the hex, I may in fact attack. If I can just hold the hex, Akyab is pretty much cut off. In the air, it was pretty quiet. I’m going to change that by introducing the P-38s and F4Fs next turn – sweeping ahead of the B-24s hitting Prome – something I don’t think L_S_T will expect. Figure he thinks I’m focused on Magwe (200+ fighters), but Prome seems to be his bomber base – over 220 planes reported by recon, but only 40 fighters.

[IdahoNYer]

3-4 Nov 42

Highlights – Heavies do well at both Prome and Wau; Kienko falls.

Jpn ships sunk:
SS: 1 (I-32)

Allied ships sunk:
xAP: 1 (small, scuttled at Horn)

Air loss:
Jpn: 119
Allied: 54

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
I-32 reportedly sunk by DE John D. Edwards off Geraldton
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Batoe-eilanden (DEI)
Kienko (China)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN fleet pulls out of Arafura Sea, location unknown.

West Coast/Admin. NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, US Wasp/Hornet TF reaches PH without further contact with subs. BB South Dakota needs some minor yard time from the voyage from Seattle!

In SOPAC, B-26s hit Lunga while B-24s hit Tulagi with moderate effect; no CAP.

In SWPAC, the IJN fleet pulls back and out of sight. In addition to the large CV TF, a smaller BB TF (2BB,CA, 5DDs) was sighted by S-37, but it could not get torpedo launched. Since this TF didn’t bombard Horn, I figure it was to protect a transport run with troops to Merauke – just guessing at this point. At any rate, the air raids on Wau did well – and I was lucky, as strike sequencing was really bad. The first strike in was a strafing run of Beaufighters – they lost half their numbers, and only did minor damage. Next up was the first B-17 raid – 51 Heavies against 34 Zeros and 28 Oscars. Didn’t lose a plane! Bombing wasn’t the best, and I was real lucky here. More B-17s straggled in during the day, before sweeps, but the enemy fighters didn’t bring down a single plane. Only the P-38Gs finally launched for a sweep and 15 P-38s were met by over 50 fighters – they didn’t do well. Afternoon strikes finally had the P-38Fs sweep and they did very well. At the end of two days of strikes, Wau is still operational, but about a dozen a/c were destroyed on the ground, and numerous fighters downed in the air (not sure the exact tally since Zeros were engaged heavily both over Prome and Wau) – and only a single B-17 was listed lost to ops, and few damaged. Will replace the P-38Gs with F4Fs and hit Wau again next turn.

In WAUS, NSTR.

In China, Kienko falls in the first attack – what’s left of the defenders fall back into the mountains as the IJA push hard to Chengtu.

In India/Burma, Prome is the big story. Like Wau, the sequence of strikes could have been better, but CAP was also less. F4Fs were the first to arrive, and the 20 F4Fs do very poorly against the 30 Zeros on CAP – losing 9 planes to zero! Expected much better – not sure what the reason was for the severe loss ratio. F4Fs have done fairly well, but inconsistent against the Zero. In any case, the P-38Es do much better, with a 7-1 reported loss ratio. This paves the way for the first raid of 39 B-24s which pound Prome, which, as expected, was packed with bombers and transports. Although fighters suffered fairly heavy loss, only a single B-24 was downed by fighters, and not a single ops loss. As with Wau, will hit Prome again next turn.

Air losses for the turn below.

[IdahoNYer]

5-6 Nov 42

Highlights – Heavies shut down Prome and Wau but not without some losses.

Jpn ships sunk:
AMC: 1

Jpn ships unsunk:
DD: 1 (Usugumo)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 93
Allied: 49

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv:
Sinabang (DEI)

Allied Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin. NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, stays quiet, but logistical activities will begin to increase as I look towards landing at Baker.

In SOPAC, PBYs on Naval attack out of Ndeni sink an AMC and damage a xAK at Ocean Is – looks like L_S_T is reinforcing the defenses there.

In SWPAC, US air hits Wau again, and this time it was a tougher fight, but Wau was shut down. CAP was a very robust 69 Zeros and 10 Oscars, but sweeps of F4Fs, Beaufighters and P-38Fs came in before the bombers and did fairly well overall (at least the P-38s did) and 6 B-17s were lost, but 24 planes destroyed on the ground. This will culminate the SWPAC operations against New Guinea AFs for a while as the Navy F4Fs will go back to carrier duty, and a number of the bombers will go to WAUS to target the cripples at Broome. Will continue to build up Horn Island (AF now at level 3), but the next landings will be on hold as I think the KB is waiting for that to pounce.

In WAUS, more engineers are landed at Exmouth. Damaged CL Achilles (24/35/0) departed Carnavon to Perth and then on to Melbourne for repairs under heavy escort.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, Prome is hit again by B-24s and it was a tougher mission. Prome is closed, but 6 B-24s were written off. Will need to rest the B-24s, as many are damaged. Hitting both Prome and Wau has got L_S_T a bit worried about Heavies if his emails are any indication – but I can’t sustain this tempo of operations for another year or so. But, using the Heavies in mass does work, and can penetrate to a valuable target with some long range fighter support. It’s risky, but hopefully it will force L_S_T to spread his defenses a bit. Will now focus on ground support to see if he’s got LRCAP up; then see if we can hit another key base.

[jwolf]

68 Zeroes down in one day -- that looks pretty good!

[IdahoNYer]

7-8 Nov 1942

Highlights – Pretty quiet as airpower rests; in China, Chengtu falls easily.

Jpn ships sunk:
CA: (Haguro -finally listed as sunk from Carnavon)

Jpn ships unsunk:
CL 1: (Kuma)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 4
Allied: 8

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 0 ships hit
DD Kusami hits sub laid mine off Broome

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR.

West Coast/Admin. Sub sighted right off San Diego – perhaps waiting for BB Indiana coming up from Panama? In any event, ASW will focus on the sub. CVE ASW formed at Tacoma around CVE Prince William w/18 Vindicators and two DEs. 2DDs out of SF will join up as well as 2DDs out of PH. Goal will be to find and sink subs lurking in the “Black Gap” between PH and the West Coast. May also put some TBFs on board – will the TBF radar help locate subs at night?

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, LB-30s out of Ndeni hit an xAP taking refuge at Ocean Island Port – likely one previously damaged by PBYs. Starting to reposition units and shipping for landings at Kirakira and Vaitupu once the CVs arrive back in Theater. I figure the KB is still lurking somewhere around Darwin, if so, I launch amphibs here, if not, will go back to focusing in Merauke.

In SWPAC, air rests.

In WAUS, unloading continues at Exmouth.

In China, Chengtu, west of Kienko falls in the first attack. No supply and only a single weak Corps was defending the base. Nothing to stop the IJA advance on Chungking now – I started to pull excess support troops out south, as well as some Corps to prevent over stacking.

In India/Burma, air rests and adjusts bases for attacks against ground troops. Biggest news is that the IJA siege at Pashoan is abandoned and IJA forces are pulling back toward Lashio – this accomplishes the initial reason I launched the “broad front” attack from India into Burma.

[BBfanboy]

IdahoNYer: will the TBF radar help locate subs at night?

Yep![:)]

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

IdahoNYer: will the TBF radar help locate subs at night?

Yep![:)]

cool - thanks BB

[IdahoNYer]

9-10 Nov 42

Highlights – Staying pretty quiet

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 21
Allied: 6

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit
SS Seadragon hit by ASW Val off Broome – 74sys dam

Jpn Amph Inv:
Sinabang (DEI)

Bases lost: None

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: IJN CVs off Broome as Kates and Vals active against subs.

West Coast/Admin. ASW TF (CVE, 2DE) departed Tacoma and rendezvous with 2DDs out of San Fran – will start looking for subs. BB Indiana arrives safely at Los Angeles from Panama Canal. Slow convoy departs LA for Auck.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, US CV TF (2CV, BB, 3CA, 2CL, 8DD) depart PH for SOPAC.

In SOPAC, LB-30s hit same xAP again at Ocean Is port, other air rests as B-24s begin transit to WAUS for Broome raid.

In SWPAC, air rests and its quiet as shipping logjam at Portland Roads is finally being reduced.

In WAUS, lots of enemy TFs busy around Broome – subs are targeted by numerous ASW a/c, including carrier based – figure the KB is afoot and L_S_T may be bringing some damaged ships out of Broome.

In China, no disasters for the turn.

In India/Burma, Allied air focuses on hitting the IJA’s 48th ID with US mediums and British air preceded by aggressive sweeps – no enemy LRCAP but little damage inflicted. B-24s will join the party next turn.

[jwolf]

Heh, I like the China report. [:)]

At Broome those damaged IJN ships are from the big shootout near Carnarvon, right? Makes sense he would want some serious escort protection for them. I wonder if you can disrupt his evacuation?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Heh, I like the China report. [:)]

At Broome those damaged IJN ships are from the big shootout near Carnarvon, right? Makes sense he would want some serious escort protection for them. I wonder if you can disrupt his evacuation?

Yep, from the Carnavon fight - plus some others, like ARs probably. I figured those Carnavon Cripples have to be pretty banged up to take refuge in a level 1 port - that surprised me. Will bring some heavies and P-38s to try and disrupt his repair efforts...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Have you thought about doing some naval bombardment? A full speed in and out?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

IdahoNYer: will the TBF radar help locate subs at night?

Yep![:)]

cool - thanks BB

After a recent post on airborne radar by Alfred, I should add that the skill of the operator factors into the efficacy of the radar. So if you are on a NavS mission or an ASW mission the radar gives an adjustment to your ability to detect, and the adjustment varies based on skill level in that mission type. That was the way I understood it, anyway. I have been cuffed about the ears for misunderstanding things in the past though!

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Have you thought about doing some naval bombardment? A full speed in and out?

After the infamous Carnavon Carnage, I'm without any capital ships in Theater. Don't see the need as my focus is just building up Exmouth for a while.

I've considered hitting the port with Lex and Sara TF when they're back on map, but really not sure I want to risk CVs in a raid to hit an unknown quantity of damaged ships.

Think Heavies are the best solution, but its just going to take some time to assemble both the bombers and the P-38s - which also are a must for a sweep.

[IdahoNYer]

11-12 Nov 42

Highlights – Busy day in the air over Burma near Imphal

Jpn ships sunk:
ACM: 1

Allied ships sunk:
SS: 1 (Seadragon)

Air loss:
Jpn: 26
Allied: 50

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 0 ships hit
Allies: 3 Attacks, 0 ships hit
SS Seadragon succumbs to float damage which went from 47 to 100 in a turn…so much for superior Allied damage control here!

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Kuichuan (China)
Sinabang (DEI)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Admin. NSTR.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR..

In SOPAC, trying to sort shipping to support upcoming landings in the lower Solomons and Vaitupu. Should be able to launch in a week or so, which by then I’ll have two CV TFs avail as well. On that note, CV Yorktown arrives at Auckland to join the Enterprise.

In SWPAC, B-17Fs hit Merauke AF with good effect while B-25s hit Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria. No CAP. Both are defended, likely by an SNLF. B-17Es slowly repairing and transiting to WAU for Broome strike. Shipping continues to move troops and supplies along the coast without interference from Jpn air.

In WAUS, continued enemy TFs busy around Broome and 31 ships reportedly in the port – and it’s a level 1 port??!!. ASW a/c attacks continues to be effective; Dutch sub KXVI damaged, although it should make it home. B-24s arrive at Carnavon from SOPAC for Broome strike. Once the P-38Gs and B-17s are ready, will strike the port – reportedly has 70+ fighters, but some are on night CAP. Will still be a tough raid, but those damaged Carnavon ships are a worthwhile target, and I’d like to drop a few 500lb bombs on them before they depart.

In China, Kiuchuan in the far NE is taken as the ring tightens on Lanchow. No major movement toward Chungking yet however.

In India/Burma, Allied air again focus on hitting the IJA’s 48th ID, but are met by a robust LRCAP of Tojos and Oscar IIb. Allied sweeps come in piecemeal of course, with Tojos continue being effective against P-40Es, Hurris and P-39s. On the positive side, losses to US bombers were light. Two day tally was still in the Jpn favor: 10 Tojo and 7 Oscar in exchange for 9 P-40E, 7 P-39, 9 Hurri and 6 KittyHawks. Will leave the bombers at home next turn and throw more fighters into the fray. Along the coast, an IJN CL TF (CL, 4DD) bombards Akyab, and stays till morning – allowing the USMC SBDs to debut – but they hit nothing out of 14 chances. Not good. Opportunity missed.

[FeurerKrieg]

SS Seadragon succumbs to float damage which went from 47 to 100 in a turn…so much for superior Allied damage control here!

Sounds like someone left a hatch door open.

Broome and 31 ships reportedly in the port – and it’s a level 1 port??!!

Run some subs in there. Ships disbanded at size 1 ports are vulnerable to submarine attacks since there aren't any actual port facilities. The ships are just assumed to be anchored off the coast.

[jwolf]

SS Seadragon succumbs to float damage which went from 47 to 100 in a turn…

Sometimes Poseidon just has it in for a certain ship. I've seen it happen several times when a ship is significantly damaged but not apparently fatally so -- but while returning to base you see "major flooding aboard ship X" several times until it goes down. [:(]

Good luck at Broome; it sure would be nice to put some Japanese ships down to the bottom.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg


Run some subs in there. Ships disbanded at size 1 ports are vulnerable to submarine attacks since there aren't any actual port facilities. The ships are just assumed to be anchored off the coast.

Got subs, got some sub laid mines too - but L_S_T has a lot of effort going into ASW, both sea and air.

[IdahoNYer]

13-14 Nov 42

Highlights – Another active day in the skies above Burma.

Jpn ships sunk: None

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 52
Allied: 26

Subwar:
Jpn: 0 Attacks, 0 ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, 0 ships hit

Jpn Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Kuichuan (China)
Sinabang (DEI)

Bases Liberated: None

SIGINT/Intel: Dutch sub O-21 sights BB TF (2BB, 2CL, 4DD) heading out of the Malacca straits into the Indian Ocean – assume L_S_T is going to make a major effort at Akyab including naval bombardment.

West Coast/Admin. BB Indiana w/4DDs depart LA for SOPAC. Troop/resupply convoy with APs depart SF for PH – APs will remain in CENPAC for offensive operations.

In NOPAC, NSTR.

In CENPAC, NSTR.

In SOPAC, shipping continues to be juggled, as well as ground forces being staged at both Noumea and Luganville for upcoming landings. LB-30s hit a (likely previously damaged) xAP at Vaitupu port.

In SWPAC, B-17Fs and P-38Fs rest in preparation for a Moresby strike while more B-17Es depart for WAUS.

In WAUS, Broome is still a bevy of activity as we prep to strike the port with three bomb groups and a P-38G squadron. Hope this isn’t a trap! Should be ready to launch next turn or shortly thereafter if the weather is good. Recon reports 74 fighters present – and at least one squadron of those are Nicks on Night CAP. Will still be a rough ride, but recon is still showing over 20 ships in port. At sea, CVs Lex and Sara arrive on map from Capetown and will head directly to SOPAC after taking fuel from AOs off Perth and bringing home their air contingents which are now pulled back to Perth as well. The British Fleet that was loitering at sea well west of Carnavon during that battle will now head back to the Indian Ocean via Capetown. Will keep minimal naval presence in WAUS for a while – just enough to run convoys to Exmouth.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, Another major furball over the IJA’s 48th Div halfway between Shwebo and Imphal. This time Allied fighters sweep in mass (lucky there) and the two squadrons (I’m guessing) on LRCAP get hammered pretty well by successive sweeps. After two days, 10 Tojos and 12 Oscar IIb are lost in exchange for 9 Hurris and a P-40K. Also, the 48th ID is now cut off, but one of the blockers is just a recce squadron. Still, supplies should start to be an issue. Near Akyab, L_S_T commits a large Sonia strike, heavily escorted to hit the two Brit Divs in the jungles – no damage inflicted on the ground troops, but flak takes down 20 Sonias. Supplies are in fact running lower for these two divisions, (elsewhere I’m still good), so I’ve decided to pull these troops back a hex. Also, Akyab was visited again by CL Sendai and a few DDs, but this time the USMC SBDs managed to put a 1000lber on top of Sendai, and the TF withdrew with her on fire. Based on the BB sighting in the Malacca Straits, I’ve set Allied air up to strike if he loiters in range near Akyab – three squadrons of torpedo bombers plus fighters at Cox’s Bazaar and Chittagong with more Alabcores enroute. And to distract L_S_T a bit from Akayb, next turn (weather permitting), will execute the first Allied Airborne Assault of the war as the Indian 77th LRP Bde will drop on Myitkyina. Allied air will heavily support, hitting ground targets at the base which recon is showing to be only engineers. Will be an interesting next turn in Burma!