Do Condors Eat Sushi? Grotius (IJN) vs. Attack Condor (USN), #17

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 11:35 pm

My fighter pilots took the day off to enjoy the sights of New Hokkaido (what the colonialists call "New Guinea") and fraternize with the locals. Have no fear, Condor-san, your bombers will get a welcome party next time they drop by.

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Thu Mar 06, 2003 7:52 am

originally posted by Grotius
My fighter pilots took the day off to enjoy the sights of New Hokkaido (what the colonialists call "New Guinea") and fraternize with the locals. Have no fear, Condor-san, your bombers will get a welcome party next time they drop by.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/14/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

I understand your gallant samurai of the air wanting to get to know the locals.... they will have a lot of free time - pilots without runways you know

Having just sent off the turn for June 15 with planned attacks exceeding anything to date.....if the weather cooperates.... (6/15 forecast is for clear skies, but we shall see). My opponent is currently in the process of scattering about level 1 airfields like so much rice on the ground. If this works, his engineers will have other tasks to occupy their time. My only concern is not knowing where his carriers are... have not seen very many D3A sighting reports at all...but after three weeks of planning and manuvering my forces into position without being sighted I feel the time is now to launch the strikes planned and referred to on 26 May as .."lima quebec".... If the strikes do in fact launch tomorrow, I will release details of the planning for the operation.

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 9:54 am

Not a very long offensive, by any stretch of the imagination. Operation LQ was simply my first attempt to coordinate a large LBA and large submarine attack on the same turn. It's still too early to reveal all details of the operation, but what has been recently declassified I can share with you now.

LBA directed to close PM. This was to be accomplished with bombers from Cooktown and Cairns. The initial force was a mixed bag of B17s, B-26s, and Hudsons. 54 LBA went out from Cooktown, and a follow-up strike of 7 B-17s went out from Cairns. F-5As went with the Cooktown group, and flew a late afternoon photo reconnassaince for damage assessment.

Admiral DadMan · Post by **Admiral DadMan** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 9:59 am

I like the use of "Classifed Area" to cover up or fool your opponent into thinking something...

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 10:10 am

I split this post because I didn't know how to attach two files to a posting...

In the east, Operation LQ was to envelop the Shortlands with 5 submarines converging from all points on the compass (only four were available). My hope was to overload his ASW and slip away after the one attack. I also had my CV group ready to attack....my SBDs did find a SC cruiser TF but didn't attack it. Frustrating, since it was the first time in a while my opponent had an idea where the SBDs (and therefore, CVs) were. I had hoped to make his first awareness complete as he watched an attack force bear down on him, but it wasn't to be. (I did check the SBDs...they were set on Naval Attack...20% search)

As a bonus, a Seagull from Indianapolis spotted what appears to be the main IJN carrier task force almost dead center of the map, south of the Lunga/GG line.

AAR for Operation LQ follows:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
SS S-44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 15
F-5A Lightning x 4
B-26B Marauder x 29
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson x 4 destroyed
Hudson x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 6 damaged

LTJG J. Sasai of F2/Tainan Daitai is KILLED

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 241
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 30

Attacking Level Bombers:
2 x Hudson at 10000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 40

Runway hits 6

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
AP Goyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
SS S-39

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall, I would grade the operation a C+. With 58 damage inflicted on the PM airfield, his Zeroes are probably flying to CAP PM from Lae or one of the small islands north of GG. The Hudsons took a beating, but they are filling the stopgap role effectively enough.

I did have a shot at the IJN CVL at SL, but no torps were fired

That would have been most excellent, but I had to settle for two fish into the side of another transport. My subs have scattered, but one (S-41) did take a bomb hit from a Nell.

The finding of the IJN CV TF (4CV 1BB 4CA 1DD) was a great piece of intel. I am suprised at the lack of DD support for the TF - and wonder if the CVs are simply covering the BB/CA on their way to Australia for a hit and run operation against Brisbane or Rockhampton.

Anyway...more to come

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 10:17 am

originally posted by Admiral DadMan

I like the use of "Classifed Area" to cover up or fool your opponent into thinking something...

Who...meeeeeeeeeee?? Use propaganda and disinformation in a war zone??

(how did my esteemed opponent put it...? oh yes, "muawahahahaaa")

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 6:17 am

The plot thickens. More shortly. In the meantime, I offer a humble haiku:

Red birds fly above
A short speck of land and nests
And kill metal sharks

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 6:58 am

Our first carrier battle, and the belated third arm of Operation LQ. The carrier strikes occurred one day too late, but - like everything else in a war what starts out as an apparent mistake ends up being a "stroke of tactical genius." Last turn, the carriers SBDs found a lone cruiser about 240 miles west of Irau, but a strike never launched.

Today, in thunderstorms, my CV TF found a portion of the IJN CV TF and launched. I gambled by sending the SBDs in without escort, (keeping the fighters home for the counterattack) and apparently my gamble payed off... in spades:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/16/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on TF at 37,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 58

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 11 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 25 damaged

PO1 R.Endo of AI-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

***During this attack, both the ammo storage explosion and fuel storage explosion messages were displayed for Zuiho***

And the counterattack:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 31

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 12 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
D3A Val x 5 destroyed
D3A Val x 14 damaged
B5N Kate x 22 destroyed
B5N Kate x 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

ENS F. Blair of VF-3 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Hobart
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Damage to my carriers is not substantial (although repairs will have to be made) - without further intelligence on the damage to the IJN, I think LQ's overall grade just went from a C+ to an A-

Time to scoot!

Oh yes...the original CV portion of LQ is attached. I couldn't reveal it earlier for obivous reasons

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 8:55 pm

Yes, congratulations to Condor on getting the better of our first CV battle. All my CVs are still sailing, though, and I did get hits on all three of his CVs.

In fact, I got a bit lucky; I was outnumbered, two to one (his 3 fleet CVs vs my CV CVL). My little CV CVL TF had just arrived from Tokyo and was moving to rendez-vous with my main carrier fleet. But when I spotted Yorktown et al southeast of Lunga, I feared an amphibious landing, and I diverted this little TF to cover Lunga. I didn't think his CVs would come as far north as they did -- almost to Guadalcanal -- and I paid a price.

Also, I set my fighters on about 40% CAP; I don't know if more CAP would've helped a lot, but it wouldn't have hurt. I was expecting to send in bombers against transports or surface vessels, not necessarily to fight a carrier battle. Oh, well.

The plot, however, continues to thicken...

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 7:15 am

As I've said a couple of times, the plot has been thickening. In particular, my main CV task force was not asleep while my baby CV-CVL TF (which was trying to rendez-vous with the big boys) duked it out with Lexington, Yorktown, and Enterprise around Guadalcanal. My main CV battle group charged onto the scene a day later and confronted the marauding Americans as they raced south past San Cristobal. The result was an all-out carrier battle. Yesterday Attack Condor proved worthy of his name, getting the better of our first aircraft-carrier duel. But today's results favored me, or so it appears.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/42

Weather: Clear

Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
A6M3 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD Dauntless x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 6 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 14 damaged

LCDR J. Gray of VF-6 is credited with kill number 2

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 1
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire [ouch]

-------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 42,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 22 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged

LTJG T. Iwamoto of EII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku
CVL Shoho [whew! No hits]

------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
A6M3 Zero x 5
D3A Val x 34
B5N Kate x 34

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 6 destroyed
D3A Val x 19 damaged
B5N Kate x 19 destroyed
B5N Kate x 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4 damaged

ENS R. Evans of VF-3 is credited with kill number 3

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

-----------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
B5N Kate x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 7 destroyed
B5N Kate x 17 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, on fire

-----------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,46

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 20
B5N Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, on fire, heavy damage [sunk]
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 8:13 am

Well now indeed...how did I put it earlier..."what starts off as a mistake ends up being a stroke of tactical genius..." which of course mutates back into a mistake when the rest of the IJN CVs cut off my escape path back to Luganville

.

Lexington and Yorktown are both at the bottom of the ocean. Nothing under the waves as far as IJN CVs, but I did see quite a few of the "heavy damage" messages from carrier hits. One can only hope three of his carriers are limping back north...

In the aftermath, it turns out my 3 CVs were going up against 7 IJN carriers. Enterprise is still afloat and Hornet is belatedly on her way. 2 carriers sunk. I have to have damaged at least 3 of his....... (Zuiho, Junyo, and Akagi. 2 CVs sunk for heavy damage on three of his..... I don't know.......

I guess it could have been worse

.

(btw, congrats to Grotius for slamming the trap shut... I do feel fortunate I managed to get Enterprise out of there somewhat intact)

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Sun Mar 16, 2003 9:24 am

Sorry for the delay in posting - here is a recap of the past week... LBA dominates the events, a classic DD vs. SS duel west of Efate, and an IJN ASW TF east of GG gets a hit on S-39, only to find out first hand what it feels like to have explosives dropped on you from above.....

Enjoy the action!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/19/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

*** Keeping the pressure on the engineers at PM ***

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 13
B-17E Fortress x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 85

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 12

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
6 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/20/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

*** One of these days, an SC will have its revenge. One of these days... ***

Sub attack at 10,61

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

Allied Ships
SC 520, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

*** Still building experience, causing losses in his base personnel, and making holes in the runways... ***

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 44
B-17E Fortress x 7

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 120

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 30

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
5 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/23/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

*** The bombers rest up while the IJN engineers at PM continue to fill in the holes. Must be a mess (tracking all this mud into their huts)... ***

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/24/42

Weather: Rain

Sub attack near Luganville at 53,53

*** The IJN commander tries to raise a ruckus in Luganville harbor. This was a mistake on my part. I have a 15+ SC ASW TF in Luganville for just such an attempt by my opponent. I simply forgot Sims was there. Can't do that too much more. ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
DD Sims
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** The IJN snatches another piece of coral reef... ***

Ground combat at Taivu

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Taivu base !!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/25/42

Weather: Rain

*** Having given the engineers at PM enough of a break, the milk run cranks back up. Unfortunately, not all the players showed up... ***

Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 8

no losses

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 13

Airbase hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x B-25D Mitchell at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Luganville at 53,53

*** Without giving too much away, "I-2" and the "Wilkes" have a very heated "mini-war" in their own little patch of ocean... ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
DD Wilkes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 53,66

*** Trying to slip a single AK up to Luganville...Libra is sunk less than 60 miles from Noumea. ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,42

*** S-39 knocks on the wrong door in the middle of a very bad neighborhood... ***

Japanese Ships
DD Arashio
DD Hamakaze
DD Yunagi

Allied Ships
SS S-39

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 19,42

*** And gets a kick, square in her pants. She did, however, manage to get a contact report out.. ***

Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba
DD Yunagi

Allied Ships
SS S-39, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 19,42

*** A carrier attack on the ASW TF in a classic "rock, paper, scissors" example ***

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 36

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hagikaze
DD Oyashio, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Jintsu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/26/42

Weather: Partly Cloudy

*** The duel between Wilkes and I-2 continues into the night... ***

Sub attack at 49,55

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 49,55

*** And, finally, Wilkes scores a d/c hit on the submarine...(Swanson was also part of this 2 ship ASW TF - both DDs rated 8 in ASW. Swanson gets an assist on the hit - apparently I-2 dropped a bunch of mines off at Efate, which my MSWs are busily cleaning up, and was caught on her way home) ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-2, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Wilkes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

*** Continuing to pound PM, CAP (from Buna?) scores 1 bomber kill and damages others... ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 44

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder x 1 destroyed
B-26B Marauder x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 140
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 36

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
2 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
9 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

*** Late arrivals, with one bomber paying for the lack of coordination between Cairns and Cooktown... ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 9

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 10

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet
3 x B-25D Mitchell at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

*** With my B17s rested, GG is in for some long overdue attention from above... ***

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

no losses

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

*** The Hudsons arrive, with their escorts...

***

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 13
B-17E Fortress x 9

no losses

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
4 x Hudson at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
3 x Hudson at 10000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

*** The carrier sends another attack on the IJN ASW TF east of GG... ***

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 18

no losses

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

*** The leader of this particular strike could use a return visit to the eye doctor, or more practice with ship identification. SBDs versus barges. <sigh> ... At least the Seagull got a bomb hit in there as well! ... ***

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 17
SOC-3 Seagull x 9

no losses

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 23, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AG 110, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 8,55

*** Conyngham doesn't make it home after being savaged in GG from the IJN CVs... ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-24

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More to follow...

SoulBlazer · Post by **SoulBlazer** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 12:20 pm

Heavy Allied losses so far, AC. I wish you the best of luck, and just hang in there! I imagine that Enterprise is heading back to Pearl -- at least she lived up to her name for being lucky.

Once you get a BB and some CLAA's you can build them around Hornet and still manage to cause Grotius some worries.

Grotius, good play on your part. Don't ever expect to see those damaged CV's of yours again (:D ) but at least you made the Allies pay for being too risky too early. Now you're in the same boat I was in recently with Drex -- all of NG and the Solomons are mine, what do I do now?

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Mon Mar 17, 2003 6:51 pm

Good post, Condor-san; and thanks for your note, SoulBlazer. Indeed, "what do I do now?" A number of interesting options present themselves. We shall see. In the meantime, I have a bit more carnage to report. Condor-san bombarded the Russell Islands but overstayed his welcome, and my Betties and Nells got in some more target practice.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/27/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Naval bombardment of Russell Islands, at 35,39

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 2

----------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Russell Islands at 35,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
G3M Nell x 11
G4M1 Betty x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 destroyed
G3M Nell x 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty x 22 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
DD Mustin
DD Patterson
DD Drayton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet [snip]

--------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Russell Islands, at 35,39
[Typically American: can't take a hint!]

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 3

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 12:59 pm

I didn't know whether to title this portion of the AAR as "Return to New Guinea" or "Playing possum in Australia".

The return to Port Moresby (Operation Pacific Wind) is predicated on the fact that the IJN already has a limited ability to perform engineering tasks. Weakening an already limited capability is the goal.

By giving PM away, I let him bring his engineers to me. I kept them busy with air attacks on a base with no ability to support aircraft (he bombed it into submission while I left. His engineers had to fix their own damage. Then the B17s showed up). After the massing of the USN subs in the Slot during the "LQ" phase of Pacific Wind, they withdrew to the Coral Sea to interdict re-supply of PM by sea.

With his supplies going into base repair, his combat force had to be feeling the effect. Meanwhile, I had a chocie between combat units from Australia's 7th, 3rd, or the New Guinea divisions to effect re-capture.

The only danger was from the air. IF his CVs showed up to early, then the operation would be hastily cancelled and the APs would scurry back to Oz. With his victory over my CV TF (two carriers sunk and Enterprise limping home), Hornet was the only carrier in the area. She was dispatched to support the re-capture of PM.

Apparently, my opponent was caught unaware that I had an active CV TF in the Coral Sea. Even Long Island played her part in the deception, sailing north (well east of Hornet) - being spotted, and reported as a USN CV by IJN naval avaition.The AP TFs actually sat in the Coral Sea undected for two days waiting on thunderstorms to move into PM and GG. The MSWs went in on 6/28 with the bombardment TFs.

Tomorrow, (6-30-42) - the ground attacks begin.

Enjoy the two days of prepatory action posted here

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/28/42

Weather: Thunderstorms (Perfect!)

*** A diversionary attack has disatrous results ***

Night Time Surface Combat, near Shortland Island at 29,34

Japanese Ships
CS Chitose
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
CL Yura, Shell hits 2
DD Murakumo
PG Seikai Maru
PC Takunan Maru #2
PC Ch 5

Allied Ships
DD Mustin, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
DD Patterson, Shell hits 23, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Port Moresby, at 10,40

*** Chicago escorted the minesweepers into PM's harbor, and took the opportunity to lob a few shells in ***

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Destroyers aren't much good at bombardments, but hopefully something else for the IJN to wonder about ***

Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

Naval bombardment of Rossel Island, at 25,44

*** The IJN locates and launches an attack on my transports (thank goodness for the bad weather!) ***

Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

PO2 K.Nakajima of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes
AP Katoomba
AP Westralia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** Another attack, this time the pilots miss the transports altogether and send Lismore to the bottom ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
B5N Kate x 9

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2 damaged

CPO A.Murakami of DII-1 Daitai is credited with kill number 2

Allied Ships
MSW Lismore, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Launceton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the 29th, my fighters from Hornet had fatigue in the 50s. I had to stand them down and gamble on the APs surviving without fighter cover.........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/29/42

Weather: Rain

*** The culmination of Pacific Wind begins in the wrong place...what was meant as a harassment bombardment
quickly turns into close in knife fight between a USN CA raiding force and a IJN SC TF, with two fat battleships in the harbor. The raiders closed to 2000 yds, and were able to seriously hurt Kirishima, whose main guns were silent and returned fire with anti aircraft guns against Pensacola's armor plated hull. Once the range opened up, two destroyers were caught trying to escape. ***

Night Time Surface Combat, near Russell Islands at 35,39

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 5
CA Atago
CA Maya, Shell hits 6
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hayashio
DD Tanikaze, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio
DD Akatsuki
DD Isonami
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 3, heavy damage
DD Amagiri
DD Uzuki
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 3
CL Nashville, Shell hits 3
DD Jarvis
DD Ellet, Shell hits 38, and is sunk
DD Lang
DD Gridley, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Craven, Shell hits 3, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 0,0

* An IJN DD is caught in GG as the transports arrive with the invasion force ***

Japanese Ships
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 75, and is sunk

Allied Ships
AP Arthur Middleton
AP President Monroe
AP Largs Bay
AP Kanimbla
AP Manoora, Shell hits 1
AP Wanganella

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat at 0,0

Steaming past the wreckage of Oyashio, the "battle transports" dispatch another IJN DD in the way ***

Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
AP Arthur Middleton
AP President Monroe
AP Largs Bay
AP Kanimbla
AP Manoora
AP Wanganella

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island, at 22,39

Swanson and Wilkes take a break from hunting subs to join the harassment of the IJN bases in the Solomons ***

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** I-28 tries to defend Port Moresby ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
MSW Launceton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

*** With sketchy intelligence on Lae, the B17s go in at 20000 to try and impact the amount of planes the IJN can launch against the invasion ***

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-17E Fortress at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

*** The second wave ***

Japanese aircraft

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-17E Fortress at 16000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 16000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Buna at 12,38

*** The 3 DDs assigned to bombard Buna lie directly in the path of the IJN CV TF and the transports unloading at PM. Sorry to see the hits on the destroyers, but I would be even sorrier to see the hits on the transports ***

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 21
B5N Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 destroyed
D3A Val x 7 damaged
B5N Kate x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Hutchins, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Monssen
DD Grayson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** Finally, the IJN CVs get a strike at PM. They miss the APs and hit the supply ships ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
D3A Val x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Demodocus, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AK Diomed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** Fully aware to what is happening, IJN LBA desparately tries to stop the transports from unloading. Fortunately, with the the rain, the amount of aircraft launched is reduced. The attack misses the Cairns ***

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 8

no losses

Allied Ships
MSW Cairns

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

*** The transports in GG aren't as lucky as the PM invaders ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G3M Nell x 12
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Wanganella, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Largs Bay, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AP Manoora, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kanimbla, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Arthur Middleton, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 152
Guns lost 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** Finally, the PM transports are hit by IJN naval avaition ***

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 25
B5N Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 1 damaged
B5N Kate x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Katoomba, Bomb hits 1
AP Crescent City
AP Orungal, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Westralia
AP President Hayes

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** Another strike, the LBA riding the wavetops, damaging the APs ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M Nell x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 5 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Ormiston, Torpedo hits 1
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Harry Lee, Torpedo hits 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 7
Guns lost 1

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** With so many targets in PM harbor, I'm sure the IJN avaitors are hard pressed to pick out the right ships for their bombs... ***

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PG Swan, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** I-28 tries to finish off Demodocus, but fails ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
AK Demodocus, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Buna, at 12,38

*** The remaining USN DD bombardment force puts a few holes in Buna's airstrip ***

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** I-28 furiously reloads and singles out Launceton from the thundering herd of vessels over its head... ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
MSW Launceton, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More to come.......

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Thu Mar 20, 2003 11:12 pm

Well, if the point of this operation is to kill a lot of engineers, Condor-san may be a bit disappointed: the ENG units in PM are my smallest -- two sub-detachments of a detachment. Part of the reason I have been unable to get PM up and running is that I didn't commit enough engineers to the job! (When I inherited PM, it was a crater.) Of course, the loss of any ENG unit does hurt the IJN player, but, to quote that great military genius Monty Python, they're not dead yet!

We shall see.

The other reason that I've had trouble resupplying, reinforcing, and reopening PM is that Condor has done a good job of interdicting supply and bombing PM. AA and LRCAP from nearby bases can only do so much to protect it. More AA would have obviously helped.

Several days ago, I started to sense something was brewing in the west. On the one hand, I began to suspect that he felt his withdrawal from PM had granted me too much freedom of movement in the Solomon Sea and Solomons, where I've been building bases unmolested by any threat from US air. On the other hand, I was also somewhat influenced by the US propaganda about merely "interdicting supply" to PM and "keeping the pressure" on engineers there, so I didn't defend PM as heavily as I should have -- either with ground troops or the fleet. I was convinced "Pacific Wind" was to be a thrust toward Lunga, and indeed it started that way -- and I thought ended when I sank two of his CVs south of Guadalcanal.

Even so, I remained concerned enough about PM that I dispatched my CVs to the east side of New Hokkaido (er, Guinea) to disrupt what I thought would be more supply-interdiction missions by the USN. Socked in by weather, my CVs missed a crucial chance to attack the first wave of US transports. Subsequent attacks have been more deadly, but too late to prevent a pretty large-scale landing.

Nonetheless, I am pleased that Condor's invasion is costing him a fair number of transports, DDs, and a CA or two. Whatever happens with PM, we expect to exact still more costs before all is said and done.

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 7:47 am

The battle in PNG begins in earnest. GG is retaken, a suprise awaits both commanders at Irau, and a IJN sub commander spoils a suprise. (A curious development this turn... the IJN CVs are seen moving north - away from the fighting. Is the move to get more planes, rest the pilots, or simply rotate in a fresh pair of CVs as of yet unspotted...)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/30/42

Weather: Rain (keep the rain falling....)

*** A probe near Irau to let the IJN know the Solomons aren't forgotten ***

Sub attack near Irau at 42,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DD Lang, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

*** The raider force runs into a transport escort. Unfortunately, Lang's fires light up the night sky and suprise is lost ***

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mochizuki, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hatakaze
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Nashville, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lang, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Woodlark Island at 22,39

*** The bombardment of the newly opened Japanese bases continues, with barges sunk for good measure ***

Japanese Ships
AG 111, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AG 114
AG 115, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
AG 2050, Shell hits 6, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Achillies
DD Blue
DD Maury

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 9,33

*** The fast destroyers slip in and out of Lae, sending more IJN supplies into the ocean ***

Japanese Ships
AG 101
AG 102, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AG 103
AG 104
AG 105
AG 107
AG 109
AG 117

Allied Ships
DD Meredith
DD Grayson
DD Monssen

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Irau at 42,43

*** The Battle of Irau continues into the night... ***

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hatakaze, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Nashville, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Woodlark Island at 22,39

*** After ravaging the barges, Maury dodges retribution ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
DD Maury

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

*** In hindsight, this was a mistake ***

Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naval bombardment of Woodlark Island, at 22,39

Runway hits 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Lae, at 9,33

*** The fast destroyers crater Lae's runways before the sun comes up ***

Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Nevea at 50,43

*** An attempt to slip unnoticed into Nevea amidst the confusion in the west is ruined by a sharp eyed IJN sub driver ***

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** The attacks on the transports continue at PM - this time with USN CAP (albeit a very tired bunch of fighter jockeys) ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AP Ormiston
AP Orungal, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 18,39

*** The destroyers who raided Lae continue to ride a lucky streak ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
B5N Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 2 destroyed
B5N Kate x 9 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Monssen
DD Grayson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

*** A near empty transport takes a torpedo ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Idomeneus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

*** The LBA response appears to be weakening. Hopefully, continuous flights from Rabaul and the Shortlands are taking their toll on the IJN pilots' morale ***

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate x 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chester

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 17,42

*** More damage to repair <sigh>. Now I know how my opponent felt when he bombed PM into oblivion, only to move in himself ***

WCDR E.Jenkins of 80th FS bails out and is RESCUED
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

*** The battle for Port Moresby moves into the hands of the ground troops ***

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8174 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5847 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 152

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 105

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Gili Gili

*** Gili Gili falls, and before the last Japanese flag is taken down, the engineers are making a list of repairs ***

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6072 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 29 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 129 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Gili Gili base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 32
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More troops have unloaded at PM - hopefully they can turn the tide (and the lost Kanga force is approaching from the west 10 miles from PM).

Plans are underway to fortify GG. As to the invasion itself, I have an AA unit along for the ride at PM. I want AA available immediately when <and if> I take the base. As to the battle of PM itself, the bombers who specialized in keeping PM closed are now being indoctrinated in close air support. Assuming (there's that word again

) all goes as planned, every B25, B26, B17 and Hudson at both Cairns and Cooktown will execute their ground attack missions at PM. I'm hoping the air attacks do their damage before the ground troops renew their attack.

As to whether abandoning PM was a wise idea early on or not is a question for the forum to debate. Catching engineers would be nice, but in reality I ran to build a force in Australia (this being my 2nd game I was overly concerned about it's protection). When recon showed more engineers than infantry, it seemed like a good time to make the return to PM. Sending the carriers to the Solomons was a feint. I neded his CV TF focusing on the east for a week or so. The weather was cooperative and allowed me to hide the force for longer than I thought I could

.

The issue is still in doubt in PM.

I'm sure the IJN's response isn't.

More to come................

Grotius · Post by **Grotius** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 8:03 pm

Today my land-based air went on a transport-hunting spree, sinking seven or eight transports in one day. A submarine added one more kill. In return, he depth-charged and destroyed a submarine.

The enemy seems to have underestimated the size of my infantry garrison in Port Moresby. Most of the 144th regiment has been guarding PM, the gateway to New Hokkaido. Nonetheless, we are now somewhat outnumbered. My troops are holding out well so far.

Elsewhere, I have landed troops at Irau, and he at Nevea. There has been submarine skirmishing at both bases, and (as I mentioned above) I believe he did sink one of my subs off Nevea.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/01/42

Weather: Rain

Sub attack near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
DMS Trevor

-----------------------------------
Sub attack near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
DD Sims

-----------------------------------------
Sub attack at 51,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-29

Allied Ships
AP William Ward Burrows, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage [sunk]

----------------------------------------
Air attack on Port Moresby , at 10,40

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 36

----------------------------------
Air attack on 144th Regiment, at 10,40

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 3
B-25D Mitchell x 26
B-17E Fortress x 8

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 64

Attacking Level Bombers:
8 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet
3 x Hudson at 1000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
4 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet
5 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet
9 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet

----------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 10,40

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
G3M Nell x 26
G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Orungal, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage [some of these sank; don't remember which]
AP Westralia, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Crescent City, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Adams, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mungana, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Harry Lee
AP Ormiston
AP President Hayes, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 80

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G4M1 Betty at 200 feet [snip]

-----------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M Nell x 25
G4M1 Betty x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell x 1 damaged

Allied Ships [again, I sank some of these; not sure which]
AP President Monroe, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manoora, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Largs Bay, Torpedo hits 1
AP Arthur Middleton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Attacking Level Bombers:
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell at 200 feet (snip)

-----------------------------------
Sub attack near Nevea at 50,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-1, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DMS Southard, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Trevor

--------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2074 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 8805 troops, 107 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 3

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 4

------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Irau

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1527 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Irau base !!!

-------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8494 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5666 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 251

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 60

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 9:45 pm

A pause in the battle (um, sorry dear - emergency computer conference, can't go shopping with you just now

) and time for some thoughts.

The IJN LBA has been audaciously attacking at 200 ft. Something I am wondering about - I have a full AA unit unloaded at PM - it's supplied - and I'm assuming set up on a beach, as PM isn't mine - yet

. I haven't noticed it doing any good, however. I had thought the AA would make the enemy re-think screaming in at 200 feet with Nells, but apparently not

As to intelligence (?) recon of PM for about a week or so showed 2 ENG units and 1 INF. The (perceived) lack of combat support troops is what percipitated my move on PM, but the INF unit is almost at full strength, while the ENG units are simply detachments.

As to lessons learned from the invasion:

1. Plan to go into combat against double the number of hostile troops "reported" to be in a target area.

2. I should have isolated PM by taking GG first. I got greedy. Taking GG and getting it cranked up to at least a level 1 airfield would have helped immensely - especially if I could have gotten F4Fs based there to LRCAP PM. Whether or not I could have done that in the face of an IJN response is another story, but one worth considering

.

3. I don't yet know if hitting my opponent all across the theater with small bombardments did much good - especially the farce at Russell (Rennell? the one NE of Lunga - can't ever keep them straight) after the invasion already started. The hits on Lea and especially Buna were effective... with the DDs bombarding Buna attritting the IJN avaitors on their way to bomb the TF at PM.

Ah well, a bad day at UV is better than a good day at work (unless you work at Matrix Games and can play UV all day and get paid for it

)

More to come......

Attack Condor · Post by **Attack Condor** » Sun Mar 23, 2003 9:53 am

After reading and re-reading the CR - I can't figure out why 4000 of my troops disappeared from PM. Yesterday, I attack with 8000+ and lose 60. Today, only 4000 attacked. Worse than that, the unit is gone. It doesn't appear on the list. Something happened - and I don't know what.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/02/42

Weather: Rain

Air attack on Buna , at 12,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

no losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 1 damaged

Runway hits 3

Attacking Level Bombers:
5 x B-17E Fortress at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Port Moresby

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4319 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5508 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 203
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 58

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do Condors Eat Sushi? Grotius (IJN) vs. Attack Condor (USN), #17

drops - first water, now steel

aftermath...

aftermath 2

Gawd Bless John Wayne, fella!

The 1st carrier battle......

The Empire Strikes Back

the war continues....

Return to New Guinea

School's just starting...