A Glorious Way to Die: John 3rd vs. NY59Giants BTS: Lite

[Mike McCreery]

A little humility might go a long way here...

I dont mean 'here' here if you know what I mean

[John 3rd]

Here are the actual aircraft losses.

Japanese are significant with about 20% of the strike eliminated. As said Soryu's Val and Kate took it on the chin as well as Shokaku's Val.

Look at the F4F, Devastator, Martlet, and Buffalo losses. Definite evidence there of sinkings.

Best GUESS: Lexington, Formidable, Illustrious, Hermes and Charlotte sunk. Good chance of Melbourne and Jacksonville gone.

Curious that Enterprise was not in the mix.

Michael will be depressed so I plan to 'be nice' in my emails and phone conversations.

Have got the next turn and now I have to AVOID his surface forces and add to his losses.

[Justus2]

Well done John, nicely planned ambush, looks like you really caught him flat-footed. BANZAI!

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
May 14, 1942
The Battle Off Busselton--Day 2

Attempts to stay out of the way of powerful Allied surface ships is not entirely successful.

KB splits with 2/3 moving SSE to intercept fleeing shipping while the remaining 1/3 and 4 BC move towards an AO for refueling. We are WAAAAY low on fuel. The BCs lead the way with CL Agano and 4 DD while CARDIV5 follows about 20 miles behind. It is a DARK night (5% Visibility).

The lone AO and her two small escorts are found by a British Squadron of HMS Cornwall, Devonshire, Exeter, and 4 DD. Down goes the Japanese fueling force. The AOs is barely sunk when the Japanese STF arrives and range OPENS at 1,000 Yds! [X(] I have visions of my BCs getting hit by TTs left and right. Fortunately (I guess) the 3 CA contrate their fire on CL Agano sinking her. The Japanese peel away from the knife fight and then get into a good rythem. All three CAs are hit with big shells and DD Pakenham is sunk outright. Another DD appears to be in sinking condition. HATE losing a new CL for this encounter...

Dawn.

It is a stormy day!

Japanese strikes range out EVERY direction through the morning.

Damaged carriers are found and CAV Wellington is for certain SUNK. CV Illustrious is pasted with 6 Bombs and appears to be crippled. Two DDs are dispatched to try and sink her. DD Tucker (with Wellington) is sunk as well. All three British CAs are hit with several bombs or a TT. They are not sunk but are certainly roughed up.

Merchants and other Ships: 3 AMC hit (1 Sunk), 5 AK hit (2 Sunk), and 2 AP.

The destruction is only stopped by the weather. Both sets of Japanese CVs are forced to close down their decks as rain and high wind arrive.

Fortunately following the lone AO are 4 big, fat ones carrying nearly 40,000 fuel. The BCs unite with CARDIV5 and will refuel tomorrow. This refueling will take 50% of the fuel carried and then the remaining CVs will refuel day after tomorrow.

We stay for one more days of strikes and will then reunite and get ready to head for home.

The Kido Butai has carried out its mission to near perfection. The threat of an invasion of Western Australia was to create a CV Battle opportunity. This has been done. Western Australia does not NEED to be taken now. We'll take Pt Hedlund, Exmouth, and Carnavon but that is about it. Aerial recon over the last two days show anywhere from 12-16 Allied units at Perth, Albany, Geraldton, and Esperance. Why throw ourselves into that?

Another consideration is WHERE are the Allied SBDs and other bombers? They certainly were not on carriers!

[vicberg]

Ha! It's all in the name baby!

(and planning and logistics and execution and knowing your opponent and luck and...)

[Malagant]

Your final sentence really strikes me...very few attack planes went down with those Carriers. Maybe on land getting Upgraded? Training? Very interesting question...

But Why there weren't there isn't quite as important as Where they'll be. He's likely to have a large mess of attack planes ready to bounce around Australia to strike at any invasion forces, right?

[John 3rd]

OK.

Got the May 15th turn done and weather totally socked in the Carriers. Those two DD I sent out to find Illustrious find DD Panther and sink her. That does it for there. Disappointing but thank goodness it did not happen on the day of the battle. Detach two 4 DD TF to go after the shipping fleeing towards Adelaide. Three I-Boats also wait in this direction.

Malagant is certainly correct. I am not approaching ANY Aussie AF without first replennishing planes, fuel, and sorties.

We are about done down here. CARDIV5 and all the BC refueled on the 15th. Took 2/3 of the fuel carried but they are good. The AOs have about 11,000 fuel left and will take care of the remainder of the fleet.

Orders:
CARDIV5 to move SSE searching for two TF of survivors.
CARDIV1 & 2 move slowly west heading towards the AOs while also looking for more damaged ships.
As said two STF go hunting.

After tomorrow, the Fleet will head for the barn. Would LOVE to stay but fuel says NO!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: vicberg

Ha! It's all in the name baby!

(and planning and logistics and execution and knowing your opponent and luck and...)

...and quite an appropriate title if I do say so myself!

Michael is TOTALLY down in the dumps.

[Sangeli]

Nicely done! This is a difficult time for the Japanese I think. Allies don't need to give you battle but you need decisive engagements. Luckily for you Michael is playing an active defense with important naval assets. I think there is much to be said about the psychological aspect of letting the Allies defend expose areas like Perth. Allies could end up losing a lot more trying to defend Perth if you don't invade it for some time instead of taking it now. Unfortunately there's not much to be said about a greater strategic purpose with your chosen strategy. Only that you hope the Allies don't have a greater strategic purpose as well and pursue an active defense purely because they can and think they should.

[John 3rd]

I am not going after Perth now. It is my intention to not LET Michael know that though. We will take Exmouth and Carnavon. From Carnavon we can threaten Perth but now is a time to NOT GET CRAZY!

This is an important victory that seals KB's power for a while. It is time to set the defense, get logistically caught up, keep the enemy guessing, and punch whenever possible.

[BattleMoose]

I am not sure what the fuel restrictions are but some deep penetrations targeting supply convoys from the Cape Town to Perth route may pay big dividends. My opponent previously did this to me and it was, unpleasant, although he never did identify the critical routes I used.

[John 3rd]

That is sort of what I am thinking about. Recon showed 60+ ships in Perth, Albany, and Esperance. Would love to shift over into commerce warfare and now have the ability to do that. Using Hawaii and NW Aussieland I can really raise some HELL. This thinking is formative but with the naval victory just won it would seem like a logical next step.

Spoke with Michael on the phone earlier today and though he is depressed, he will go on with everything. Told me that the Lady Lex is GONE! Said his ships had bombers and torpedo planes on board but they were training. Nearly all bounced over to Perth and Albany. Gonna have to be VERY CAREFUL going near the coast...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
May 16, 1942
Operation Man Trap

OK. We are refueled and feeling much better about operations presently. Checked all CVs and we're pretty good for at least a day or two more.

Have KB in two groups presently:

CARDIV5 Shokaku/Zuikaku and 3 CVL (211 Planes) are now fully refueled and moving towards the edge of the map pursuing a TF that has some decent movement to it. Air Search read several capital ships/cruisers. Worth a little chase so we'll try to catch whatever is present there. Pull BC's Ishitaka and Kawachi out of the screen with 4 Dds to go hunting in this direction as well. In a major change I set the CVs to react Range 6 and the same is done for the BCs. Kates are added to air search and set at 10%.

CARDIV1/2 Akagi/Kaga/Hiryu/Soryu/Junyo, 2 CVL, and 2 CAV (411 Planes) move NE. There are over 90 ships in Esperance's Harbor. It is protected by a Sz-1 AF. We're going after that shipping! Planes are set for Naval Attack/Port Strike. Kate-R set to recon Esperance and Albany.

I am reversing myself and seriously thinking about hitting Albany with a Port Strike IF I combine all the CVs. This force would still have nearly 600 planes that would overwhelm the 80+ Fighters reportedly at this Sz-3 AF. Will not make that call until we see how tomorrow plays out. There are carrier cripples out there and hiding in Port. I would REALLY LIKE to finish them! Regardless of Michael telling me Lexington is gone, I do have some doubts.

Based on the action of tomorrow we'll make the call.

Oh...by the way...we take Port Hedlund and Darwin this day. A strike by Betty's flying from Broome hit three ships disbanded in Port at Carnavon and we plaster 2 AVP and CL Danae (6 Bombs on her).

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
May 17, 1942
Operation Man Trap

Don't find any big fish this turn but do get in one heck of a punch.

CARDIV 1/2 launches a strike of 94 Zero, 86 Val, and 98 Kate at Esperance harbor. Crammed into this primitive location is nearly 80 ships. There is no aerial opposition and the massacre is something to watch. I've got a partial screenshot coming up after this entry. Best guess if at least 50 AP, AK, AKL, AM, CM, and PC hit. At least 3 AP, 2 AK, and 4 AKL are sunk with several 'sinking sounds' occurring after the strike.

Orders:
1. Shipping is spotted hugging the Aussie Coast so one of the 4 DD TF is vectored into to hit them.

2. CARDIV 1/2 will move closer to the shore (NE) and hit Esperance again then draw away to rendezvous with the rest of KB.

3. Spot just a piece of that TF fleeing the Japanese. They are heading for the Capetown exit point. I WANT them. Vector CARDIV5 and the BCs to this area for a shot at a kill.

[John 3rd]

Here is just a portion of the shipping hit in that strike at Esperance. There are at least 12-15 more ships not shown here:

[vicberg]

I think it's easy to say that this operation has achieved complete surprised. Not sure how much juice your carriers have left, but you have the ships on that entire side of the coast trapped.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
May 18, 1942
Operation Man Trap

A very good day all around for the GOOD GUYS!

CARDIV 1/2 makes their move NE towards the Aussie Coastline where they fly morning Naval Strikes and an Afternoon repeat Port Strike at Esperance.

Morning: A Strike of 94 Zero, 48 Val, and 32 Kates plaster a very nice target. Three ARDs and 3 AKL are sunk with another ARD and 3 AKLs hit badly. No losses for the attack and we crush some very useful vessels.

Afternoon: 84 Zero, 35 Val, and 45 Kate hit Esperance. Two AMc, two AKL, and an AP are sunk with over THIRTY vessels hit for the second time in as many days. These are short-legged ships but they will nto be helping with any Allied moves for quite some time.

CARDIV 5 hits a very nice jackpot out near the SW Corner of the map. As I suspected a group of ships were fleeing this direction heading for the Capetown exit. The CVs catch them and finds a large, fully loaded Tanker Task Force. NICE! Not a crippled CV/CVL but still a good target.

Two strikes are launched:
1. 38 Zero, 17 Val, and 9 Kate hit three TK and cripple CL Emerald with a TT and 3 Bombs.
2. 38 Zero, 28 Val, and 21 Kate hit DD Foxhound and 9 TK with various bombs and TTs. A good number of them shall certainly sink since the TKs were all fully loaded. These are the BIG TK.

ORDERS:
All CVs are now heading for a rendezvous for return to home. Must allow for enough fuel to get home so we're bugging out. Am not content to let some shipping get away so...

a. Detach 2 CA and 6 DD from CARDIV 1/2 to go to Ceduna and catch any stragglers left from the strikes earlier today.

b. Two BC and 5 DD are ordered into the TK TF area and, hopefully, they will catch some crippled ships and SINK THEM!

[John 3rd]

Am waiting on one more turn from Michael and then we are off to LOST WAGES! The Subway convention is this Thurs--Sun and my wife and I have to suffer through while staying at the Venetian. Very hard but someone has to do it...

[bigred]

"Operation Man Trap" sounds like a problem my son has.

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
May 19, 1942
Operation Man Trap Conclusion

The successful extended foray into Australia Waters is now officially concluding. All we are now doing is regathering the warships and setting a course for home.

Had some decent success today in that my BC TF sank 2 DDs (Foxhound and Inconstant) as well as two big TK (29 VP each). No losses so we're A OK.

Spot what looks like a TF heading towards either Perth or Albany. Move three SS to cover EACH possible approach. We'll see what they can do.



Operation Fizzbin
As one operation winds down, another gets seriously rolling.

During the night 4 BB bombard Cold Bay and the morning sun reveals and Invasion Force just off-shore. 25,000 Japanese storm a shore under the guns of three more Battlewagons. Disruption is quite mild and we'll look at a quick bombardment tomorrow to see just what we're up against. My guess is skeleton units that have been partially evacuated by air. We'll see.

In case the Allies want to try something, we have 68 Zeros on LRCAP over the beach head with another 60 Zeros, 48 Val, 36 Betty, and 27 Kate ready to stick it to anything that draws close. Come on in said the spider to the fly...




Have decided that the whole pursuing along the map edge is a bit gamey. Will moderate this a bit in the future. Michael simply had no where to run and that isn't exactly fair. Is it?