Rising Sun or Sunset? - Jumper vs Joseph - NO JOE HERE, PLEASE!!!

[jumper]

And here is the turn summary:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/05/43

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TF 999 encounters mine field at Thursday Island (49,90)

Japanese Ships
ML Niizaki, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

damaged MLs laid some mines before went down..
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Then I have entered waters full of sharks.. [:(]
ASW attack at 43,86

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Akebono
DD Oboro
DD Sagiri
DD Asagiri
DD Shiranuhi
DD Natsushio
DD Oyashio
DD Kagero
DD Naganami

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

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ASW attack at 43,86

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Akebono
DD Oboro
DD Sagiri
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack, hits 3, on fire

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Sub attack at 43,87

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire - OUCH!
DD Takanami
DD Makinami
DD Makigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo
CV Kaga

Allied Ships
SS Perch


Damaged CVE was released from KB and with the escort of 2 DDs will try to reach Darwin. Meanwhile the KB will head towards Thursday Is. I´m in the middle of the whole US sub flotilla! Please don´t ask me how I have managed to get myself into such stupid position..[;)] That happens if you think that you are smarter then your enemy.. [;)] My only chance is to shoot myself out with hundreds of crack bombers. ASW TFs are already en route, but that is something beind their powers. Even if they would sink 5 subs a day it won´t be enough.
Another news are that I have spotted some (probably fast transport) TF 5 hexes SW of Gili Gili.. And I doubt they are heading to Thursday Is. [:(] They would choose different route.. So basicaly I have KB in the middle of narrow strait with the all US subs at my tail while he is going to attack somewhere else.. simply brilliant job by me..[:D]
I have despatched strong surface TF from Rabaul and I´m sending it towards Gili Gili. Next day they will be able to strike at any base there. All Betty daitas were put on alert and one sentai of crack Ki-49 Helens was send to PM and another one directly to Gili Gili. Runways are already repaired, so lets see if we can get something. I mean something else then milion bombs from allie 4Es. Transport planes are gathered in Rabaul so I can fly reinforcements to whatever base he will invade. 4 Nav Guard units begin boarding the ships (total AV 440). I want to have counterinvasion TF ready if neccessary..


And here is the pic worth of million words.. [:D]:



In India some units appeared at the gates of Ahmadabad. Only 5 of them so I´m calm for now. His fleets are retreating to Karachi and I´m sending surface TF of CL+11D to hunt them. And in USSR his units, changing ZOCs, hit the wall finally..


Besides that only another raid on Irkutsk
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Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 38
Ki-21 Sally x 176
Ki-49 Helen x 131
Ki-46-III Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16 Type 24: 1 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 59


And one the 3 units off the Irkutsks base was overided by my tanks finally. Soviet tank brigade surrendered..
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Ground combat at 60,6

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2353 troops, 5 guns, 147 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Defending force 910 troops, 1 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese max assault: 80 - adjusted assault: 82

Allied max defense: 4 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 82 to 1



Allied ground losses:
1982 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 100

[jumper]

That was scary turn..

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/06/43

KB is moving through infested waters. I´m biting my nails anf my hair is gray..

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Sub attack at 44,89

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi

Allied Ships
SS Scorpion

Uff, torps miss and BB Hiei escapes..
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ASW attack at 45,89

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

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ASW attack at 45,89

Japanese Ships
DD Ushio
DD Sazanami
DD Akebono
DD Oboro
DD Shiranuhi
DD Natsushio
DD Oyashio
DD Kagero
DD Naganami

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa

SS Tinosa is lucky ship. Or maybe my ASW sucks..? [:)]
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Sub attack at 45,89

Japanese Ships
DD Hayate
DD Oite
DD Hatakaze
DD Matsukaze
DD Harukaze

Allied Ships
SS Tinosa, hits 3

DD Hayate evades and DD Harukaze strikes back. I hope that Tinosas crew is a bit shaken at least..
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Sub attack at 43,88

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard

This 4 DDs were heading to join KB. Older, but modernized units, with good AA were supposed to substitute Kageros and Asashios in escort duty in KB and release them for combat. Poor DD Samidare was hit hard in is crippled..
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Sub attack at 47,89

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
DD Takanami
DD Makinami
DD Makigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo
CL Naka

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

And another scary situation. Torps miss.. uffff..

But that was a last shot for now. Sun is rising and "search phase comes"!!![:D] It is time for a revenge. A few hundreds crack bombers on 50% naval search on one side and unbelievable amount of subs in narrow strait on the other side.. The result? A SLOUGHTER! This turn I found even MORE subs then yesterday. I expected them to run in all direction like bugs on the sun when you turn over some stone. But no. They are still sitting there. And ther is SO MANY of them all around. Whenever you throw an empty can overboard of any ship in KB you won´t hear "flop!". You will hear "DINGGGG!!!" [;)] The search phase was endless this turn. Endless stream of sub spottings and attacks.. During the A.M. and P.M. phase we managed to hat a good number of enemy subs:
Thresher is reported HIT
Amberjack is reported HIT
Pollack is reported HIT
S-42 is reported HIT
Thresher is reported HIT
Grunion is reported HIT
Thresher is reported HIT
Tullibee is reported HIT
S-42 is reported HIT
S-47 is reported HIT
Tullibee is reported HIT
Albacore is reported HIT
O19 is reported HIT
Albacore is reported HIT
Thresher is reported HIT
Gurnard is reported HIT
Amberjack is reported HIT
Flying Fish is reported HIT
Amberjack is reported HIT
Scamp is reported HIT
Thresher is reported HIT
S-47 is reported HIT

WOW! It is ridiculous.. PjH must be mad.. [:D] I wonder if he will ask me to lower the number of the planes on naval search.. [;)] If yes, I will do it. No way how I could justify these results.. No doubts about it.. 2 subs are sunk already. And that is not all. The real fun just begins:



Gili Gili and Port Moresby nearly repaired the damage from the last bomber raids and I expected that they will be bombed soon again. It comes today. I have moved some bombers to both airfields to interdict yesterdays spotted TF and fortunately it appeared SE of Gili Gili. It means that most of my bombers was already attacking those mysterious ships while their bases were bombed to stoneage..

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Day Air attack on Gili Gili , at 56,94

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 7
PBM Mariner x 7
LB-30 Liberator x 37
PB4Y Liberator x 71
B-24D Liberator x 446

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K Emily: 5 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 37
Airbase supply hits 17
Runway hits 739

Closed again..[;)]



And ss I said I expected allied bombers to come again. LRCAP from Lae take a toll on them..
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 30

Allied aircraft
PBM Mariner x 6
Liberator VI x 39
P-38G Lightning x 83
B-17E Fortress x 118

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PBM Mariner: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Liberator VI: 9 destroyed, 13 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 64 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 13 destroyed, 45 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 132

Those P-38G losses must hurt. That is enarly the whole fighter group annihalated


I really wondered what was that TF spotted last turn 5 hexes SW of Gili Gili and today I got the the answer. Enemy ships were spotted sitting near Russel Island (a dot base 2-3 hexes SE of Gili Gili)!!! The first attack came from Gili Gili itself:
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Day Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7
Ki-49 Helen x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Old BB without aircover near my torpedo bases? What is she doing there?


The second strike came from Munda and Torokina:
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Day Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 38 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Helena, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Voyager


Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported

The AA was deadly, but ONLY AA hardly ever can safe the ship when it is facing 60 crack Bettys. BB Tennessee and CL Helena goes down after this attack and allied BF goes is in water. It is really strange. Aparently it was a "fast" transport, but why is he using old slow BB for this task? It is not exactly her cup of tea if you know what I mean.. He could use dozens of DDs safely instead. They evade torpedoes much better in case they are cought.. And where was he heading to? Could he send BF to Russel Is to build up the dot base? I can´t believe that. For several reasons:
1. it takes forever to build it even with allied buldozers
2. he has to bring those buldozers by AK into the base in Bettys range from several bases which he can not close with 4E
3. it would be most stupid way how to send troops to that dot island. It is his. I think he could use Catalinas or Coronados to transport troops there safely by air. Or 2-3 dozens of DDs. No need to use slow old BB.. [&:]
But I will rather send recon from Rabaul to check the base..

And 3 hexes SW of GG was spotted another TF of several DDs. This time the attack came from Port Moresby.
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Day Air attack on TF at 53,98

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Walke


During the p.m. phase the results were embarrassing. First strike came from Lae:
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Day Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
DD Stanly
CA Minneapolis

All Bettys were at least 80xp, but allied ships evaded all torps.. That is something you won´t see much often..

And here comes the second strike from Munda and Torokina:
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Day Air attack on TF, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CL Honolulu
APD Stringham

Again 80-90xp Bettys misses. All of them.. WTF?[&:]


At least I have finished BB Resoltion heading to Karachi..
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Day Air attack on TF at 17,6

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 10
G3M Nell x 6
G4M1 Betty x 18
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Resolution, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Ceres


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported


And sub phase again:
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Sub attack at 43,89

Japanese Ships
DD Kawakaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asakaze
DD Yamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

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ASW attack at 47,89

Japanese Ships
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi
DD Wakazuki
DD Niizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Akizuki
CVL Ryuho
CV Akagi

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish, hits 2

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Sub attack at 43,89

Japanese Ships
DD Samidare, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage - Sinks!

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

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Sub attack at 53,98

Japanese Ships
SS RO-65

Allied Ships
DD Sims, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

A small payback. I have subs too..


What I´m planning to do next day I will post separately a bit later.. I have to work now a bit [;)]

[jumper]

The current situation seems a bit unclear to me as I don´t have a clue what he is planning. I would say he is testing my defence, but why would he sacrifice a BB? It seems I have misscalculated and Thusday Is was not his target and he is going to cause me troubles around Gili Gili. I could send a KB there and clear the area from whatever he has there, but I´m not going to do it.
1) it is not 100% sure this is his main objective yet
2) if he is coming without air cover there, I don´t want to chase him away with KB. I WANT him to operate in the middle of my torpedo bases (Torokina, Munda, Lae) and give my LBA some fun. If neccessary I can move more planes to this area quickly..
3) KB is really attriting his sub flotilla

So the KB will stay a while where it is - west of Thursday Is. I will just move it 60 miles NW. It doesn´t look like he is going to invade here (it would be insane with KB in vicinity), but I want to have this base secured until I will see what he is going to do in Gili Gili area.

Fighters from Lae wil defend their base as they have rest and repair damaged planes. I have lost 10 Ki-61 Tony and 4 Ki-44-II Tojo above Port Moresby, but only 6 pilots were lost. It was a good trade for me. I will repeat it from time to time just to keep his escort fighters busy and attrit them a bit.
Now I have to solve what is going on in Rossel Is area! Last turn I have despatched strong surface TF (BB Mutsu, Ise, Yamashiro, 2 CA, CL+6 DD) from Rabaul to Gili Gili and they are now 5 hexes away from Rossel Is. I will try to reach the base at night with them. Also I have despatched fast surface riding TF from Lunga (1 old CL+4 very old DDs) towards Rossel Is. I was thinking about leaving BBs behind and strike only with CA/CL/DD TF, because of those slow BBs I won´t be to reach the the Rossel Is tonight probably, but PjH already show me he doesn´t mind to risk his BBs and I could find the whole allied battle line there.. I doubt it, but I´m not going to bet my ships on it.
I´m also sending recon planes from Rabaul to check the base. If he will have some troops there, I have 2 para SNLFs at Rabaul and I will use them. If it won´t be enough, I have 440 AV combat loaded on transports heading from truk to Rabaul.

I wonder what was wrong with my Betty daitais which were unable to hit those ships. I have checked everything. It must be unlucky dierolls. XP 80-90, low fatigue, high morale.. I have less availible Betties for tommorrow strikes, because I have lost 18 of them to AA and another 30 were damaged. Daitais were filled with new planes, but it will take some time to repair them. Remaining bombers left Port Moresby and Gili Gili.

BTW how long it could take to build Rossel Is to a base? If he get there for example 5 seebees? 2-3 months? And it will 0,0 base then?

[pauk]

Hi Jumper,

If you recall, i had similar situation in game against Andy. Actually that is good for you. You can hurt him and attrit his navy. The only not so good news is that he knows where is KB now. Can he invade somewhere else? How many CVs he can have now? It looks like divertion to me?

Regarding your LBA: check your commanders and especially take a look at the skills. Your bomber commanders should have a good naval skill (for attacking naval targets)..

[jumper]

Hi pauk,
I think too that inner Solomons/NG is a good playground for me. He doesn´t have much possibilities to invade anywhere else. He is limited to places where he can advance supported by LBA as his naval air force is not strong enough to cover transports against my LBA in a long term. He has Essex for sure and some mix of CVL/CVE. Some 10-15 of them. With such force he has to choose such base which he can conquer quickly and easily before I concentrate so he has to attack either somewhere where is too many bases to defend each of them properly or somewhere when he is totaly unexpected. I have subs and AVs to cover the routes from Perth so I consider that west is safe for now. On the east he would have to fight himself through well fortified atolls, on the north through well fortified mountanious islands. Only south remains as a "weak spot". KB should stay hidden, but who could expect he will have billion subs there? (I know, I know.. I should have expect that..[;)]).
 
Those Betties have really good commanders. Good naval skill, leadership, inspiration and they are so agressive they have to be held in chains.. Must be some serie of unlucky die rolls..

[jumper]

Oops and we have troubles now. PjH is really pissed I´m using carrier planes against his subs. I don´t know what he expect me to do? After that bloodbath he didn´t say a single word, but send all subs TOWARDS the KB. 5-6 subs per hex.. It was the same sloughter as yesterday. And now he is pissed..
I told him that everything is negotiable, he just has to say it. I don´t read minds especialy when it seemed that using japanese bombers against subs without any restriction is OK for him. I offered him to rerun the last turn and I asked him if he wants me to stop using carrier planes on naval search totaly or only 10%..
If he will agree It will mean that KB has to leave the area immedietly, because while my anti sub ability will be limited, he will certainly keep sending all 30-40 subs agains KB every turn. Just a matter of time when he will hit something. It also means that if was going after Thursday Is, he could go now.
No answer yet.
 
 
 

[pauk]

[:D][:D][:D]

why i'm not suprised at all?

Of course you can not accept no naval search for KB bombers- you must have at least 10 % on naval search.


back to game. It seems that you are safe for now. You are able to put formidable defence and if you don't make a nasty mistake...

Regarding your industry. You should't be concerned for loosing India. You have plenty of oil in Russia[:D]. Agreed, losing indias resource centers is not good, but with whole SAR, Russia and Burma you will have them enough for runing 16 K HI. And that excellent. All you need to organise well your convoys. I hope you didn't make a mistake and bombed north Australian resource centers?

Russia. Even if you not conquere Irkutsk, Russians will not be able for offensive. You must organise defensive line in Russia (north of Borzya) and deny enemy bombers bases so you are safe there too.

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: jumper

Oops and we have troubles now. PjH is really pissed I´m using carrier planes against his subs. I don´t know what he expect me to do? After that bloodbath he didn´t say a single word, but send all subs TOWARDS the KB. 5-6 subs per hex.. It was the same sloughter as yesterday. And now he is pissed..
I told him that everything is negotiable, he just has to say it. I don´t read minds especialy when it seemed that using japanese bombers against subs without any restriction is OK for him. I offered him to rerun the last turn and I asked him if he wants me to stop using carrier planes on naval search totaly or only 10%..
If he will agree It will mean that KB has to leave the area immedietly, because while my anti sub ability will be limited, he will certainly keep sending all 30-40 subs agains KB every turn. Just a matter of time when he will hit something. It also means that if was going after Thursday Is, he could go now.
No answer yet.

All I can say is that HE should be the last one that is pissed about this, as what you did is what I told him is the same as he did with his IJAAF bombers (I told him even BEFORE you did it). But he said it´s perfectly realistic. [:D]

I´m really glad you did that as so far he thought I am nuts in how I use my subs. I´m using them in "Wolfpacks" of 6-8 subs in 6-8 hexes, he uses 40 subs in 20 hexes so I don´t really know what he´s up to.

He told me he will limit his IJAAF medium bombers on ASW somewhat now AS HE CAN SEE MY POINT NOW! If you wouldn´t have shown up with KB he wouldn´t see my point!

[pauk]

...

[jumper]

Hi guys,
the results of KB in ASW role are ridiculous. I have no problem to admit it. And I have no problem to discuss it and agree to some HR about. At first I was surprised how effective KB was (but I still think it was highly affected by unlucky deployment of all those subs and it is an extreme result) and I expected him to raise this issue. I was ready to find some compromise acceptable for both sides. But to my surprise he didn´t say a word. And with the debate about the use of planes vs subs it seemed to me that, even if he is not probably happy about it, he is accepting it as a consequence of having all subs in vicinity of 300 crack bombers. So I kept KB bombers on the "sub hunting mission". NOW it is a problem. BTW I was operating 4 subs between east coast of Australia and PM. In the last two days two of them were sunk by B-24 on naval search. There is a lot of B-24 on naval search.. THAT is probably right..[8|]
Nevermind. Despite the fact I didn´t get an answer yet I think we could agree that I will use max 10% of planes on naval search (it seems reasonable and I don´t know what argument he could have about it), get over it and continue with the game.
 
Northern Australia resources are all right and working on 100%. Also my convoy system is working fine so far. At least I don´t have to use much ships as escort. All subs are near Thursday Is.. [:D] I just have to find other way to defend this base. KB has to run away..
 
 

[jumper]

We have shared a few e-mails with PjH and it seems this issue is solved for now. I will lower nav search to 10%. Also PjH wrote me there is no need for redo. It was strange "conversation" and I wasn´t comfortable with his way of dealing with this problem as he at first didn´t communicate at all and when he finaly wrote something it didn´t help at all..
I thought about posting our e-mails as they explain a few things IMO, but decided not to. It wouldn´t be fair to PjH as he can not comment it here and it is not an issue for main forum. Hopefuly we get over it now and the issue of "KB on ASW duty" is closed. I haven´t post a CR from the last turn yet, when dozen subs were hit again and there will be one more such turn yet too as new turn is already in my box..

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: jumper

We have shared a few e-mails with PjH and it seems this issue is solved for now. I will lower nav search to 10%. Also PjH wrote me there is no need for redo. It was strange "conversation" and I wasn´t comfortable with his way of dealing with this problem as he at first didn´t communicate at all and when he finaly wrote something it didn´t help at all..
I thought about posting our e-mails as they explain a few things IMO, but decided not to. It wouldn´t be fair to PjH as he can not comment it here and it is not an issue for main forum. Hopefuly we get over it now and the issue of "KB on ASW duty" is closed. I haven´t post a CR from the last turn yet, when dozen subs were hit again and there will be one more such turn yet too as new turn is already in my box..

do I have a deja-vu? [:D] I know what you are talking about! [:D]

[jumper]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: jumper

We have shared a few e-mails with PjH and it seems this issue is solved for now. I will lower nav search to 10%. Also PjH wrote me there is no need for redo. It was strange "conversation" and I wasn´t comfortable with his way of dealing with this problem as he at first didn´t communicate at all and when he finaly wrote something it didn´t help at all..
I thought about posting our e-mails as they explain a few things IMO, but decided not to. It wouldn´t be fair to PjH as he can not comment it here and it is not an issue for main forum. Hopefuly we get over it now and the issue of "KB on ASW duty" is closed. I haven´t post a CR from the last turn yet, when dozen subs were hit again and there will be one more such turn yet too as new turn is already in my box..

do I have a deja-vu? [:D] I know what you are talking about! [:D]

[:D][:D][:D]

I bet you know.. [;)]

[jumper]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/07/43

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Sub attack at 17,13

Japanese Ships
ML Ma 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
ML Ma 3
ML Yurijima

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 1

I sent minelayer TF from Bombay to Panaji and one of small ML was sunk by dutch sub on the way back.. [:(]


But the real hornets nest is near Thursday Is. 2 small AKs a 1 PG brought supplies to Merauke. One AK was sunk a few days ago and now.. :

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Sub attack at 45,87

Japanese Ships
AK Misaki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Nikkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Blackfish

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Sub attack at 45,86

Japanese Ships
AK Misaki Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PG Nikkai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Snook


Only PG left now and is heading back to Kendari. Fortunately KB somehow evade all subs and there was no attack on it today. Despite the fact that all soubs were send towards it.. I have 2 ASW TF operating in the are, but their results are poor:
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ASW attack at 43,86

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 32
PC Ch 23
PC Ch 22
PC Ch 7
PC Ch 1

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish, hits 3, on fire

And in the morning the sloughter od allied subs by carrier bases bombers continued. Tens of them were spotted in vicinity of KB and many were attacked and hit again. 2-3 were confirmed sunk. KB will change its position again.

In India some more units appeared near Ahmadabad. It looks like he threatens me to cut the base from the south. I have only 4th Mixed Bde there. I´m not going to risk anything and I´m sending the 20th Army there, while PGI (panzer group India) advanced 60 miles to the west. If he will enter Ahmadabad, he will have to leave significant portion of his army to guard its rear and supply path..
All ships from his Panaji adventure should enter Karachi tommorrow. They are in many small TFs, so I´m sending a fast and light surface TF of 1 CL and 11 DDs there. If those ships were in one big TF I wouldn´t bother. I would sink max 1-2 ships before the combat end, but as they are in many small TFs of 1-4 ships, I can get them one by one and it is worth of the risk of mines/PTs/planes. Unfortunately my TF was spotted and attacked already:

Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 13
Beaufighter VIC x 13


Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Shirakumo
DD Tachikaze, Bomb hits 1

DD Tachikaze is lightly damaged and is going back to Bombay. All other ships will continue..


It is going to be interesting in Solomons/NG soon. Surface TF was too far away to reach Rossel Is at night, but my recon planes spotted troops there! I don´t understand it, but he has just a few of them and so I will try to deal with with Para SNLF from Rabaul. There is only 900 engineers..
The heavy combat TF is going there tonight and light combat TF from Lunga will join them. Maybe he will try to send something more there.. Also I´m sending some Ki-49 from Torokina to support the paras.




In Russia it is usual bussines. Irkuts is bombed and his units are changing ZOCs where they can, while my divisions are trying to catch them. And even if I catch them it is worthless, because they are offbase and therefore nearly immune to my attacks. No matter if I have 5:1 or 100:1. They don´t surrender and my losses are 10 times bigger then theirs..

[jumper]

This is the last turn when KB bombers are on 50% nav search. From now on, they will be max 10%..

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/08/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 46,89

Japanese Ships
DD Wakazuki
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi
DD Niizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Akizuki

Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 3

PjH is somewhat unlucky with his subs. No matter how many he has there, they miss.. [;)] In the morning I have enjoyed last moments in sloughter house. Another dozen of US subs was hit and 2-3 confirmed sunk as they all moved towards KB AGAIN..[&:]

And my surface TF entered Karachi Harbor. I found more PTs then I have expected. We have HR max 2 TF of 6 boats each per base. Because the Karachi is the only base in this area, I´m going to ignore it for now..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Karachi at 21,3

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Shirakumo
DD Minekaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Akikaze
DD Yakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-111
PT PT-112
PT PT-113, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-114
PT PT-127, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT PT-147
PT PT-148, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT PT-149

This round goes to me..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Karachi at 21,3

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Shirakumo
DD Minekaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Akikaze
DD Yakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
LCT LCT-354, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
LCT LCT-355, Shell hits 21, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Karachi at 21,3

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Shirakumo
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 5
DD Sawakaze
DD Okikaze
DD Akikaze
DD Yakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-62
PT PT-63, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
PT PT-64, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PT PT-65
PT PT-103
PT PT-104, Shell hits 11, and is sunk

This one too..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Karachi at 21,3

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Shirakumo, Shell hits 5
DD Minekaze, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
DD Sawakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Akikaze
DD Yakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Hokaze
DD Nokaze
DD Namikaze

Allied Ships
PT PT-105
PT PT-106, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PT PT-107
PT PT-108
PT PT-109
PT PT-110, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

And this round I lost. allied ships reacted from my TF and all I got was 2 LCT in exchange for 2 DDs.. Crap..[:@]


I have moved some subs back to his shipping lines between Noumea and Brisbane..

Sub attack at 59,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 1

Allied Ships
TK Gulfland, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Cairns

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 59,114

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
AK Jefferson Myers, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
70 casualties reported

Results are fine. TK and AK is sunk, US AV rgt is swimming and I-174 heading back to Rabaul to reload..


The main action took place in India today as our retreating TF was attacked by several waves of allied bombers. I think PjH made a mistake and forgot to limit the range and so half of his planes tried to attack Fuso TF in Bombay under CAP instead of unguarded DDs. Good for me. Many allied bombers shot down.. :

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bombay at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
J2M Jack x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 77

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 35
B-24D Liberator x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 damaged
J2M Jack: 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed, 31 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 25 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 10 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 2 - paint scratches
CA Aoba


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,8

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 9
Beaufighter VIC x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 6 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Akikaze

This time they choose the right TF but leaking CAP helped me..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,8

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 7

Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 7
Blenheim I x 11
Wellington III x 10
Liberator VI x 14
Beaufort I x 3
B-24D Liberator x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Avenger I: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 2 destroyed
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Liberator VI: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Nokaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Yukaze
DD Namikaze
DD Hokaze
DD Akikaze, Bomb hits 1

7 Ki-61 can´t do miracles when facing such odds.. But DDs are agile and and not an easy target for level bombers.. CL Kinu isn´t so lucky..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Bombay at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 16
J2M Jack x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 50

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 30
B-24D Liberator x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 damaged
J2M Jack: 7 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 13 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1 - one more scratch
CA Furutaka

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 20,8

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
Avenger I x 6
Blenheim I x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Yakaze

CL Kinu is 40 sys, 30 flt and 6 fires after this last attack. It will make it to Bombay..


But the situation in NG is not so nice. No ships were found at Rossel Is at night, but our ships were not spotted too. PjH therefore can´t know there are 3 BBs making raids at this dot base. I will try my luck tommorrow again. Meanwhile Coronados and Mariners brought some reinforcements. 1000 men of australian AF construction battalion was flown in one day after the bombardment and bombing phase and therefore untouched.. My paras were droped without suplies [&:][:@] and were easily repulsed:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 33rd Naval Construction Battalion, at 58,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 15

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rossel Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1098 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 1820 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese max assault: 34 - adjusted assault: 4

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported

Tommorrow the BBs will bombard the base and another para SNLF will be dropped with some planes only on supply mission, but somehow I feel I will found another fresh 2000 troops on the base and my paras will be repulsed again..

[jumper]

It is heating up i NG/Solomons.. [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/09/43

My heavies arrived to bomb the base and found allied PTs..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
PT PT-150
PT PT-151
PT PT-152
PT PT-153
PT PT-154
PT PT-155
PT PT-156
PT PT-157, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
PT PT-158
PT PT-159
PT PT-160, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
PT PT-161

Too many of them! We have HR of max 2 TF of 6PT each per base and here I found 3 TF of 12 PTs each. This time I´m not going to ignore that and I have send my protest to PjH..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
AK Mildura, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

It looks like he tries to resupply his man on the island. No supply for them tonigh..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
PT PT-162, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
PT PT-163
PT PT-164
PT PT-165
PT PT-166
PT PT-167
PT PT-168
PT PT-169
PT PT-170, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT PT-171
PT PT-172
PT PT-173, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Another wave of PTs.. DD Yukikaze is modern DD of Kagero class. It is probably goner. Sys 55, Flt 80..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Yukikaze, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
PT PT-174
PT PT-175
PT PT-176
PT PT-177
PT PT-178
PT PT-179
PT PT-180
PT PT-181, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT PT-182
PT PT-183, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PT PT-184, Shell hits 17, and is sunk
PT PT-185

And that was the last one.. In total I have faced 36 PTs and sunk 8 of them at the cost of 1 modern DD. Bad trade..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Rossel Island, at 58,97


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi
DD Urakaze
DD Hayashio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kuroshio
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
CA Ashigara
CA Myoko
BB Hyuga
BB Yamashiro
BB Mutsu


Allied ground losses:
971 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 22

A good one and I was optimistic!


And here comes unlucky PjHs subs.. KB again evades all subs and so only replenishment TF was attacked:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 45,85

Japanese Ships
AO Shiriya - torps miss[:D]
DD Ikazuchi
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
SS Perch, hits 3


Also surface TF retreating from Rossel Is was attacked, but again:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 58,95

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko - torps miss [:D]
DD Arashi
DD Urakaze

Allied Ships
SS Pargo, hits 1


I have dropped another SNLF but it wasn´t enough again. Despite some planes were on supply mission, the fresh SNLF was dropped without supplies again.. And this time they faced a part of an australian brigade.. :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Rossel Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2204 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Defending force 768 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Japanese max assault: 54 - adjusted assault: 17

Allied max defense: 28 - adjusted defense: 49

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
112 casualties reported

So it is over for now. I have no more paras and even If would have them I would send them rather on ships. I have 4 SNLFs combat loaded (440 AV) in Rabaul and I will send them there to clean that island unless he will get there the whole division meanwhile. The problem is that my recons spotted allied CV TF SW from Rossel Is and another TF heading towards Thursday Is. I was considering to retreat KB to Darwin and then send it to Rabaul via Amboina, but fortunately PjH seems to be a bit hasty. Now The KB is heading at full speed towards Thursday Is. If the allied transports will stay on course, I might get them.. I hope it is not a sacrificial TF LRCAPed by 200 Corsairs..
I have gathered nearly all availible G4M1 at Munda with some escort. 160 Betties and 80 fighters.. Also I´m sending my surface TF again to Rossel Is. There is still 24 PTs (2x more the it should be) so hopefully they will not maul my ships too badly and I will get another supply convoy. 3 BBs were despatched and they are heading back to Rabaul as they are too slow to operate near allied CVs. LBA have to chase them away BEFORE my transports arrive. And Navy has to clean the base from PTs. I fear it will costs me many DDs..




More and more units are spotted near Ahmadabad. Sneaky maneuver on Panaji didn´t work so he is now probably trying the brute force now..

[pauk]

Hi Jumper, sorry for somewhat off topic, but you are really going to have issues with your opponent. His altitude is "Quod licet Iovi...". I agree that ASW efficiency of crack KB bombers are too high, but i don't understand why argument "KB was never used for ASW duty" is acceptable, while "Helens were not used for ASW duty, but that means they doesn't could be used...blah blah" is also perfectly acceptable.

The only reason for that is, IMO, that he is creating rules and explanations depends on which side he is playing (and for his own exploits).

I see that he doesnt seems anything unusal with using 36 PTs at DOT base, so he doesn't have problems with breaking house rules too (i have no doubt that he will claim he didn't broke HR, or "oh, i forgot about that"...

Ok, enough with that stuff.

Can you put LR CAP over the Rossel?

Anyway, since i do know now that his CV force is not sufficient for covering the this operation, i suggest careful planing:

gather IJN. Bring KB to Milne Bay (but be careful with his LBA - you can expect hundreds of B-17 on naval attack). Prepare your troops for counter invasion (if you do want to do that!) You can also isolate that base (doesn't matter if the manage with building AF to level 1 - you can keep isolated this base with IJN, followed with KB.

After you finish with his navy and isolate base, you will have a nice little training ground[;)] and this will allow you to lurk him in another trap.

Do not forget, if he approach with his subs near your bases, you can use Hellens on ASW duty.[:D]

You have good cards, so be careful... Bonsai!

[jumper]

Hi pauk,
thanks for comments. Well, I must admit that I´m afraid we will have "issues" very often. In this particular case he seems that he missunderstood to our HR, but I wrote him, that "PTs are only defensive weapon. Max 2 TF of 6 boats each is allowed per base. They can be build only in ports lvl 6 and higher." sound pretty clear to me. No responce yet.. [:D]

I have tried to put LRCAP over Rossel but had to stop that. In two days I shot down about 10 Mariners/Coronados and lost 8 planes in ops.. It seems a bit funny. I have noticed that in AE ops losses are supposed to be even higher, but as it stays now, in one week I would loose whole daitai of 80xp pilots just by patroling over some island.. [:(] LRCAP is a certain way how to loose pilots and planes.
KB has moved next to Thursday Is today and will continue towards PM and Milne Bay in following days. I need it there now, because this turn my surface fleet run into the whole allied battle line and was badly mauled. And my LBA seems to be avoiding any danger and rather stays on ground.. [8|]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/10/43

I have despatched 3 BBs yesterday and I don´t know if was a good move or not. Tonight my ships run into the wall of steel represented by whole allied battle line. PjH definively don´t mind to risk them. It is good to know..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urakaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 3
BB Nevada, Shell hits 3
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 1
BB Idaho, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CL Cleveland
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe
DD Aulick
DD Bache
DD Beale
DD Pringle
DD Renshaw
DD Nicholson
DD Bancroft
DD Gillespie

After this round I consider myself lucky as I have lost only 2 DDs and managed to hit BB Idaho with one long lance. Unfortunately my captain decided it is the right time to push the luck to its limits:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CL Kitakami, on fire, heavy damage
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Arashi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 1
BB Nevada
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 1
BB Idaho
CL Cleveland
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe, Shell hits 1
DD Aulick, Shell hits 1
DD Bache
DD Beale
DD Pringle
DD Renshaw
DD Nicholson
DD Bancroft
DD Gillespie

This round went clearly to allies. I have lost another DD and CL Kitikami damage from previous round was getting worse and worse. It was a pain to watch the replay as ANOTHER round started.. RUN, you fools! RUN AWAY!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2
CA Ashigara
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arashi, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 2
BB Nevada, Shell hits 4
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania
BB Idaho, Shell hits 1
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 1
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe
DD Aulick
DD Bache
DD Beale
DD Pringle
DD Renshaw, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholson
DD Bancroft
DD Gillespie

Again clear victory for allies. All DDs are sunk or damaged and CL Kitikami was hit again.. And my captain still not in mood to run away:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rossel Island at 58,97

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 107, on fire, heavy damage
CL Oi
DD Kuroshio, and is sunk
DD Urakaze, and is sunk
DD Arashi, Shell hits 30, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
BB Nevada, Shell hits 9
BB Arizona
BB Pennsylvania, Shell hits 1
BB Idaho
CL Cleveland
CL Denver
CL Santa Fe
DD Aulick
DD Bache
DD Beale
DD Pringle
DD Renshaw
DD Nicholson
DD Bancroft
DD Gillespie

That was the last one. To my surprise it was the best round. The last damaged DD was sunk together with CL Kitikami, but both ships were so heavily damaged already that they would sink anyway. But the last salvo of Long lances finally hits something. 2 fishes hit BB Colorado. Not a heavy damage, but a few months of repairs will be needed. So in total I have lost 5 modern DDs and CL Kitikami for a one torp hit on BB Idaho and two on BB Colorado. Both CAs and last CL survived nearly undamaged and I considered myself lucky. Despite the 5 BBs and 4 rounds of combat my ships still live! Unbelievable.


But I cheered too soon as I wasn´t safe yet. Patroling USS Raton ruined my day..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 59,94

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Raton

CA Ashigara is a goner. Sys 65, flt 80 and fires 40..[:(] The mighty ship walks through the hell without a scratch and is sunk by sub.. [:@]


160 Betties in Munda stayed on the ground while they crews enjoyed the beautiful weather. [:@] At least the KB still know how to make me happy! The TF spotted yesterday consisted only of 6 DDs and they ended only 5 hexes away. Coordination was poor, but the ships lacked any protection and the first strike send them to bottom.. Long live the KB[&o]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 49,95

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M5 Zeke x 8
D3A Val x 83
D4Y Judy x 21
A6M3a Zero x 30
B5N Kate x 153
B6N Jill x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 4 damaged
D4Y Judy: 1 destroyed
B6N Jill: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Preston, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stanly, Bomb hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Waller, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Eaton, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arunta, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Voyager, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

4 other strikes followed but found only empty sea..

In India (Panaji) poor Chindit Bde finaly gave up and surrenderred. There is one more unit in the woods SE from it, which consist of a few dozen men. I don´t know how the hell it get there! I´m sure he unloaded only one unit in Panaji ant this surrendered today.[&:] I have to use 21st/A Mixed Bde to block it otherwise PjH will used for changing ZOCs all around..
Also in USSR I have finally managed to get rid of one of his units. 101st mountain division surrendered near Borzya and 10000 men walked to prisoncamp.



Rossel Is is a PITA. I have invasion convoy ready, but I have to clear the way for it through those PTs (they are still sitting there). Problem is that it will take a few days until I will gather new fleet and get KB down there. We shall see if it won´t be too late.

[jumper]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/11/43

During the night the mighty KB passed through narrow strait between Thursday Is (NG) and Australian coast. There was 12 subs sitting in this hex yesterday, so I was a bit nervous, but fortunately no sub tried to attack my ships. On the other hand escorting DDs tried two times to hunt US subs, but faild in both cases. Only specialized ASW hunter killer group consisting of PC/MSW (8 ships) with ASW value 3 managed to lightly damage one sub. Then the KB get through and was safe. In the morning sub hunt continued. Many subs were spotted again and some of them attacked. 80% of the spottings and attacks were perfomed by float planes (ALFs and JAKEs from escorting BB/CA/CL) as I have KATEs on 0% search and VALs o 10% search. Still the unfortunate concentration of enemy subs allowed about 5 hits.. KB arrived next to PM and will continue south towards Milne Bay (Gili-Gili) along the NG coast but on the "ocean" hexes to get the full CAP. It is needed, because PjH is harrassing me with 4E on naval search. 7 of those beasts were shot down today at the cost of 2 of my fighters. I have moved some bombers to Gili-Gili just to force him to use his bombers on other task, then hunting my fragile flattops.. [;)] In two days KB should be sitting near Rossel Is, then the surface fleet should clear the base from PTs and transport TF will arrive with 4 SNLFs..
There is a risk that he will sneak some transport TF to Thursday Is meanwhile and will grab the base, but I will risk it. I don´t want active allied base at Rossel Is.

In USSR the situation is getting better. Another bunch on russian bandits gave up and I´m slowly gaining control over my supply lines again. One of his small units is sprinting towards Yakutsk, but I will transport paras there, before they arrive. All other units were blocked and will be destroyed one by one. My engineers are nearly ready for another assault (this time probably supported by whole army), while Irkutsk is kept suppressed:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 24
Ki-21 Sally x 160
Ki-49 Helen x 140
Ki-46-III Dinah x 4

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 11 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
R-12: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 49


I have 10000AV in Irkutsk and when I will clear my rear I will gather another 1000-2000. Before the attack I will switch airforce to ground attack, but with so many units I will be able to suppress only 1-2 biggest units..[:(]


In India he is still gathering his army at the gates of Ahmadabad. I wonder what he is planning..

[jumper]

PjH is busy IRL, so the game is slow now..

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/12/43

During the night KB moved south and is now near Gili-Gili. No subs tried to attack, but again many of them were spotted on the yesterdays position. Alfs, Jakes and Vals again attacked a few of them and achieved 2 hits. KB itself weren´t spotted in the morning, but in the afternoon a few B-24 found it. Two small strikes were launched from Cooktown, but CAP succesfully shot down or chased away all attackers:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 53,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
A6M5 Zeke x 31
A6M3a Zero x 163

Allied aircraft
P-40N Warhawk x 5
B-24D Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N Warhawk: 5 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 53,94

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
A6M5 Zeke x 31
A6M3a Zero x 162

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 3
P-40N Warhawk x 20
B-24D Liberator x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed, 33 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 3 destroyed
P-40N Warhawk: 19 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 38 destroyed

9 fighters were lost today while enemy lost about 70 planes. Fortunately PjH resisted the temptation to put 1000 4E on naval attack and sink whole KB.. It will move south again and next turn should be in real vicinity of Rossel Is. At the same time surface TF of CL+4 DDs will arrive to kill a few PTs again. I wonder how many DDs I will loose.. I´m using only old ships for this task. They don´t have Long lances and nearly no ASW value, so they are expendable.

In USSR I keep Irkutsk suppressed. It is costly and requires a lot of planes. I tried to give some rest to Ki-49 sentais, but results of 150 crack Ki-21 are so pathetic, that I have to throw them into the fray again.
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Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 157
Ki-46-III Dinah x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 24


Near Irkutsk another tank bde surrendered:
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Ground combat at 58,7

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 2257 troops, 0 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 81

Defending force 620 troops, 0 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese max assault: 152 - adjusted assault: 78

Allied max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 78 to 1


Allied ground losses:
1060 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 31


In India he still masses troops near Ahmadabad.