Great Tides that Ebb and Flow: Apbarog (A) vs Walker (J) DBB-B Scen 28

[Walker84]

Apr 1, 1943

Darwin, Australia

Allied forces attempt to recapture Darwin. SS I-123 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Helm escorting a SCTF near Bathurst Island which includes BB Prince of Wales.

SS I-29 is sighted by escort near Darwin and takes 14 ASW hits.

Night Naval bombardment of Darwin by a TF centred around BC Revenge causes casualties to planes and ground troops.

DE Electra, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage. Sinking sounds heard later.

Then a good result against the Allied bombardment TF:

Sub attack near Darwin at 76,124

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage

Ground combat at Darwin:

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4150 troops, 50 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Defending force 13396 troops, 241 guns, 107 vehicles, Assault Value = 649

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th Recon Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
14th Garrison Unit
45th Field AA Battalion
3rd Construction Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th JNAF AF Unit
21st Port Unit
9th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
30th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
18th British Div /2
41st Infantry Div /2
5th RAAF Construction Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps /1

Meanwhile, Terapo on New Guinea falls to the latest deliberate attack.

[Walker84]

Map situation

Japanese naval assets will rally north of Lautern on April 2, presenting the opportunity to interdict Allied landings at Darwin tomorrow. Strong SCTFs, supported by carrier air groups, will attack the Allied TFs located north of Bathurst island using full speed and 9 hex range. LRCAP will be provided from Koepang.

[Walker84]

Apr 2, 1943

The Battle for Darwin

With the CAP now grounded, Allied bombers return to pound Darwin's defenders while fresh troops continue to unload. Today's deliberate attack is pretty effective...

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14129 troops, 351 guns, 166 vehicles, Assault Value = 705

Defending force 15564 troops, 175 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 331

Allied adjusted assault: 625

Japanese adjusted defense: 336

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
621 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 75 (19 destroyed, 56 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
472 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
18th British Division
98th Field Artillery Battalion
XIV US Corps
5th RAAF Construction Battalion

Defending units:
4th Tank Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
14th Garrison Unit
45th Field AA Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
17th JNAF AF Unit
40th Field AA Battalion
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
21st Port Unit
3rd Construction Battalion
30th JNAF AF Unit

KB committed!

Yamamoto decides to commit the fleet in an attempt to relieve the pressure on the Army and Naval ground units holed up in Darwin. Together with supporting surface battle groups, all available carriers will rendezvous in the Timor Sea, six hexes NW of Darwin, ordered to attack the invasion shipping in the harbour. This will put the carriers out of range of the Allied carriers which are currently sitting three hexes further to the east. The risk is that the Allied carriers move closer overnight, in which case we will have a carrier battle. If there is no carrier battle, our surface forces will mount a naval bombardment at Darwin and then retire at full speed.

[Walker84]

Apr 3, 1943

Carrier Ops in the Timor Sea

The Allied carriers did move, and our forces must have passed quite close to each other during the night, but neither side spots the other until after daybreak.

The Japanese move goes more or less according to plan, as the navy bomber pilots have a field day attacking the undefended Allied transports at anchor, plus the added bonus of finding the heavily-damaged Revenge at anchor...

Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 64
A6M3a Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 67
D3A1 Val x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, heavy damage
AK Carina, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Deimos, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Arided, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Crater, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Aludra, Bomb hits 3, on fire
AM Finch, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Cassiopeia, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 57 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Carina, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AK Deimos, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK Crater, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Arided, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Finch, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AK Aludra, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
B5N2 Kate x 9
D3A1 Val x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK Crater, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk

Regrettably, most of the Allied LSIs have already unloaded and departed last night or the tally could have been higher. Search has them already beyond Gove which is a pity as I would like to sink more of these specialist craft.

Meanwhile Allied carriers, backed up by long range bombers, attack Boela which has a number of small tankers and transports disbanded in the port. Most of the losses are 2-vp tankers which hurts slightly but I'm happy with the trade today.

Less good however is the news of Darwin's early fall, leaving my shattered forces there trapped in the hinterland unless they can retreat overland to another exit port.

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13774 troops, 351 guns, 166 vehicles, Assault Value = 657

Defending force 15024 troops, 175 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 274

Allied adjusted assault: 537

Japanese adjusted defense: 99

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 5 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5020 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 241 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 45 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 111 (87 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 156 (156 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 12

Allied ground losses:
922 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
18th British Division
XIV US Corps
98th Field Artillery Battalion
5th RAAF Construction Battalion

Defending units:
9th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
16th Recon Regiment
14th Garrison Unit
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
17th JNAF AF Unit
21st Port Unit
9th RF Gun Battalion
3rd Construction Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
3rd Naval Construction Battalion
30th JNAF AF Unit

[jwolf]

Very interesting now. The Allies know pretty well the exact strength of your carriers, based on the raid at Darwin, and I assume you know theirs based on their raid at Boela. So ... will there be a carrier battle, or will one or both sides blink?

Darwin fell alarmingly quickly. [X(] But your strike was timed perfectly before he could use Darwin's facilities to save his ships.

[Lowpe]

Congratulations.[&o]

Amazing there wasn't a carrier clash...a reaction would have done it I think.

What will you do now and why?

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Very interesting now. The Allies know pretty well the exact strength of your carriers, based on the raid at Darwin, and I assume you know theirs based on their raid at Boela. So ... will there be a carrier battle, or will one or both sides blink?

A carrier battle is always possible, depending on where we send our ships next. I'm not sure its worth the risk however as I already have three carriers in the yard and it could neuter the KB as a future deterrent if it goes badly. Even a draw in terms of ships sunk would in effect be a victory for Apbarog in the long term.

Darwin fell alarmingly quickly. [X(] But your strike was timed perfectly before he could use Darwin's facilities to save his ships.

Yes, I didn't know where Revenge ended up after the sub hit her so sinking her there was a bonus. However losing Darwin sucks. I knew it would happen but was hoping it would hold out longer.

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Congratulations.[&o]

Amazing there wasn't a carrier clash...a reaction would have done it I think.

What will you do now and why?

Thanks![8D]

I have been toying with the idea of sending a reinforced fast battleship / cruiser SCTF to try and get in among his carriers but the risk is that if they don't connect they will be left sitting ducks during the daytime. Also my carrier forces are not at full strength so I don't have any particular numerical advantage that makes a carrier stand-off worthwhile. See intel below...

So, although I'd like to do something more aggressive I think preserving KB is the better strategy for now, especially as the DEI looks like being the next major focus in the campaign.

[Lowpe]

I am not sure what your runways look like at Taberfane and area, but I am coming to the opinion you should fight the Allied carriers by setting up destroyer traps.

Always give the Deathstar some targets sitting in a port (TF) under a very heavy land based CAP. Bleed the carrier planes at every chance. Even give him multiple targets at different bases.

The Deathstar won't launch a huge strike, but several smaller strikes.

Lay some traps, and feel free to send some destroyer squadrons into him. Also, you can hide some ships forward at a a dot base and have them appear behind his lines so to speak.

One other trap, is to launch a high altitude attack on the deathstar escorted by your best fighters. Think Betties/Nells making a 25 to 30K attack. Your escorts will do well trading off against the Allied CAP, and given the altitude you might actually get thru for some torpedo runs. Or simply use a squadron of Helens (you won't hit, but you will cause the Deathstar to fire ammo, use up sorties, and hopefully down some of his fighters.

[Walker84]

Thanks, that's great advice.

My best bases are at Makassar, Koepang, Ambon, Sorong. Taberfane is only a size 2 with 24 air support. Still I should be able to run in and out of these islands pretty well. I suspect that Apbarog may pause for a few days to build up his LBA at Darwin but he may decide to advance again. He also landed a para unit on Babar yesterday so may plan to bypass Taberfane entirely.

[Walker84]

Apr 4, 1943

Timor Sea

Sorry folks, no carrier operations to report today. In fact the Allied Death Star seems to have been using warp drive as it has disappeared entirely from my extensive search arcs. Unless it has disbanded at an Allied dot base somewhere in the Timor Sea, I can only assume that it went south at flank speed.

The Japanese carriers are standing off the Oz coast to the west of Darwin and don't seem to have been spotted. Next turn I could bombard Darwin to delay its development a little. I also need to extract one of my divisions off Taberfane while I still can and will need air support to support this operation.


New Guinea

One of my SCTFs based at Rabaul manages to surprise Allied shipping unloading at Lae in a nice 'tip and run' raid. Apbarog seems to be getting a little complacent over here as he could easily have escorted these units with some of the combat ships he has sitting at Milne Bay. I guess he will look to close this opportunity down now that I have shown its possible.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 99,126, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Atago
CL Agano
DD Onami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Sawakaze
DD Hishu
DD Kiku

Allied Ships
APD John D. Ford, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Fox, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
APD Stewart, Shell hits 3, on fire
APD Paul Jones
APD Humphreys
APD Lawrence, Shell hits 4, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 9 disabled

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 12,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Lawrence at 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Lawrence at 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Paul Jones at 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Stewart at 12,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages APD Paul Jones at 12,000 yards
DD Onami engages APD Paul Jones at 12,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Lawrence at 12,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Humphreys at 12,000 yards
CL Agano engages APD Fox at 12,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Stewart at 12,000 yards
DD Hishu engages APD Stewart at 12,000 yards
CL Agano engages APD John D. Ford at 12,000 yards
DD Amatsukaze engages APD Fox at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Paul Jones at 9,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Humphreys at 9,000 yards
CL Agano engages APD John D. Ford at 9,000 yards
DD Kiku engages APD Stewart at 9,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Fox at 9,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages APD Lawrence at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Lawrence at 7,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Stewart at 7,000 yards
CL Agano engages APD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
DD Kiku engages APD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Fox at 7,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages APD Stewart at 7,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Lawrence at 7,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Humphreys at 7,000 yards
APD John D. Ford sunk by CL Agano at 7,000 yards
CA Tone engages APD Fox at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Lawrence at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Humphreys at 7,000 yards
CL Agano engages APD Paul Jones at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Stewart at 7,000 yards
DD Hishu engages APD Lawrence at 7,000 yards
APD Lawrence sunk by CA Atago at 7,000 yards
CA Atago engages APD Humphreys at 7,000 yards
DD Kiku engages APD Fox at 7,000 yards
DD Hishu engages APD Fox at 7,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lae at 99,126, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Tone
CA Atago
CL Agano
DD Onami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Sawakaze
DD Hishu
DD Kiku

Allied Ships
KV Chilliwack, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAKL Lorinna, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
xAKL Sibolga, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
xAKL Iowan, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAKL Mexican, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAKL Tennessean, Shell hits 10, and is sunk
xAKL Atlantic, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 134 (63 destroyed, 71 disabled)

Japanese Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Allied TF begins to get underway
Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 0% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages KV Chilliwack at 11,000 yards
CA Tone engages xAKL Atlantic at 11,000 yards
CL Agano engages xAKL Atlantic at 11,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Mexican at 11,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Atlantic at 11,000 yards
CA Atago engages xAKL Mexican at 11,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Atlantic at 11,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Mexican at 11,000 yards
DD Hishu engages xAKL Mexican at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Agano engages KV Chilliwack at 8,000 yards
CA Tone engages xAKL Tennessean at 8,000 yards
CL Agano engages xAKL Tennessean at 8,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Mexican at 8,000 yards
DD Hishu engages xAKL Atlantic at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Atago engages KV Chilliwack at 6,000 yards
CL Agano engages xAKL Mexican at 6,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Tennessean at 6,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages xAKL Atlantic at 6,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Lorinna at 6,000 yards
DD Hishu engages xAKL Atlantic at 6,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages xAKL Tennessean at 6,000 yards
DD Hishu engages xAKL Mexican at 6,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Lorinna at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
xAKL Tennessean sunk by CA Atago at 5,000 yards
CA Tone engages KV Chilliwack at 5,000 yards
CL Agano engages xAKL Atlantic at 5,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Mexican at 5,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Iowan at 5,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Sibolga at 5,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages KV Chilliwack at 5,000 yards
KV Chilliwack sunk by CA Atago at 5,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Mexican at 5,000 yards
DD Kiku engages xAKL Mexican at 5,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages xAKL Lorinna at 5,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Iowan at 5,000 yards
DD Onami engages xAKL Iowan at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Atago engages xAKL Atlantic at 4,000 yards
xAKL Atlantic sunk by CA Tone at 4,000 yards
xAKL Lorinna sunk by CL Agano at 4,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages xAKL Iowan at 4,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Iowan at 4,000 yards
DD Hishu engages xAKL Iowan at 4,000 yards
DD Onami engages xAKL Sibolga at 4,000 yards
xAKL Iowan sunk by CA Atago at 4,000 yards
CA Tone engages xAKL Sibolga at 4,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages xAKL Sibolga at 4,000 yards
xAKL Sibolga sunk by CA Atago at 4,000 yards
xAKL Sibolga sunk by CA Atago at 4,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...

Meanwhile, my ground troops from Buna which were forced to retreat to Kokoda finally reach the sea and engage the advanced Allied echelons heading north up the coast...

Ground combat at 99,128 (near Buna)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10989 troops, 79 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 304

Defending force 2342 troops, 0 guns, 150 vehicles, Assault Value = 94

Japanese adjusted assault: 223

Allied adjusted defense: 403

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
173 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 38 (4 destroyed, 34 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Division
Kure 5th SNLF
Sasebo 6th SNLF
58th Construction Battalion
2nd Area Army /1

Defending units:
1st Tank Battalion
2/8th Armoured Regiment

And Apbarog drops paras to capture Dobadura, the dot base below Kokoda from two 0 AV construction units that were trapped there. Finally, he bombards at Lae, mainly to see what AV is still there, I guess.

[Walker84]

It's the Easter break, and the war has slowed right down as the family spends a week in a cottage near Falmouth in Cornwall, guardian of the Western Approaches.


Apr 5-6, 1943

Sporadic activity continues as the Allied carriers fail to respond to my show of force near Darwin. Allied medium and heavy bombers hit my airfields at Daly Waters, Katherine and Fenton, south of Darwin repeatedly. I won't be basing any planes here, but I'm using the bases to airlift some of the stranded units out to Taberfane and Koepang. The rest will have to take their chances.


On the 6th, two of my SCTFs mount a naval bombardment of Darwin, causing over 1,000 casualties and damaging the base further. In response. Beaufighters strafe my cruisers and several are shot down by carrier planes on CAP.

Meanwhile, my forces escaping north of Buna fight themselves to a standstill against the Allied armour in the jungle. It looks like I will lose ultimately a division or two in New Guinea as a result of Apbarog's successful envelopment of Port Moresby and Buna.

The previously-damaged destroyer, Samidare is sighted by SS Herring north of Truk as it heads for the repair yards. Although the torpedoes miss, Samidare sinks next day as its pumps fail. This is annoying as the vessel was set to cruise speed and left Truk with less than 50 float damage.

[Walker84]

Apr 7-8, 1943

The IJN command plots a route for the KB and its ancillary TFs to withdraw from Darwin through sub-infested waters towards Koepang. A contact is soon reported: SS O19, hits 11, heavy damage. Underwater explosion, debris and oil appear on surface. But as we have seen in this game already Allied subs have an uncanny knack of penetrating my escort screens unseen and hitting my carriers. Sure enough...

Sub attack near Sawoe-eilanden at 65,116

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku, Torpedo hits 1
BB Musashi
BB Kirishima
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CS Chitose
DD Akigumo
DD Wakazuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Sazanami
DD Ayanami
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier, hits 2

SS Grenadier launches 6 torpedoes at CV Zuikaku
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sazanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ayanami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wakaba fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Sazanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ayanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mochizuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Damage to Zuikaku is modest, but she will need to join two other carriers currently undergoing yard repairs as a result of sub attacks. In the meantime, her air groups will redeploy to land bases to continue the defence of the SRA.

In the short term, KB is going to have to go back into deterrent hibernation mode I reckon, and I will rely more on tip and run raids involving CA and DD TFs to interdict Allied LOCs.

[Walker84]

Apr 9 - 11, 1943

Carrier update

The damaged carrier Zuikaku makes port and will proceed to a larger shipyard for repairs. The majority of Japanese carriers await their 4/43 upgrades so I will have to decide when is the best time to do this. After being out of sight for days Allied carriers are spotted on April 11 NW of Horn Island. A variety of merchant shipping and other TFs are also sighted near Gove, perhaps reinforcements waiting to be escorted to Darwin?

More Allied moves afoot?

On Apr 10, my picket subs encounter two Allied TFs steaming near Carnarvon, NW Australia. CLAA Van Heemskerck, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage courtesy of I-20. Next day the TFs are gone, retreating south I guess.

On the same day, more shipping heading towards the Allied base at Arorae. Either reinforcements or a new attempt to capture Tabiteuea perhaps. Next day, Allied SCs again show their formidable ASW capabilities...

Submarine attack near Arorae at 138,137

Japanese Ships
SS I-30, hits 18, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SC-634
SC-633
SC-632

SS I-30 is located by SC-634
SC-634 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-633 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-633 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-633 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-633 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-633 attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-30 forced to surface!
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-634 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-634 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-634 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-634 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-634 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-633 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-634 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-633 firing on surfaced sub ....
SC-632 firing on surfaced sub ....
Contact with submarine is lost.

Soon I receive a message that I-30's deck is awash and the crew are preparing to abandon ship. Moments later the sub sinks...


In other news...

Bombing of Fenton continues, although its pleasing to note that I have managed to airlift quite a few troops out.

[Walker84]

Apr 12, 1943

Tabiteuea invasion

It was an invasion force. I had hedged my bets and swept Arorae which was showing 23 fighters but downed nothing as the fighters were all absent on LRCAP over the shipping. A unit of Nells based at Kwaj failed to fly but Betties were in action, although they wasted some impact by targeting SCs part of the time.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
A6M5 Zero x 13
G4M1 Betty x 19

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Perth
SC-750
SC-708
LCI-21
xAP Demosthenes
xAP Illisos, Torpedo hits 1

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

The Allied ground attack was conclusive...

Ground combat at Tabiteuea (137,134)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3256 troops, 44 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 187

Defending force 373 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Allied adjusted assault: 75

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 75 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
473 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Tank Battalion
87th Mountain Rgt /7
3rd Base Maint Engr Bn /1
10th Air Advn Base Force /1
23rd Port Maint Engr Bn /1
7th USN Special Const Bn /1
7th Marine Def Bn /1
214th Cst AA Rgt /1

Defending units:
I/84th Naval Guard Unit

I have a small TF with 1 CA and 3 DDs just arrived at Tarawa, plus quite a few fighters and Netties based at Makin and Tarawa. Tabiteuea is lost, but perhaps we can make the Allies pay a bit more for it...

[Walker84]

Allied carriers incoming!

The other interesting development today: note the position of the Allied carriers. I can't tell if this is the full Death Star, plus no transports have been spotted so it could be a raid, although I won't rule out a landing somewhere close by, or a resupply mission to Timoeka perhaps?

Taberfane and Dobo each have a division + in place, but the other bases close by are fairly weakly defended at the moment so vulnerable. Sizeable air assets at Koepang, Ambon, Boela and Sorong , with the KB currently in port at least a day and a half's sail away. I'd love an opportunity to use my LBA effectively against Apbarog's carrier air, but will he be incautious enough to allow it?

[Walker84]

Apr 13, 1943

DEI

Not a very auspicious day for the Empire as faulty dispositions lead to some air and naval losses.

The day starts off well enough with SS Swordfish taking ASW hits near Namlea and then an Oscar sweep over Timoeka bags a good 8+ Sea Hurricanes on CAP.

Allied air ripostes with a strong P-38 sweep of Taberfane, followed by a big B-17 raid and 1/2 dozen Zeroes are lost.

Range-capped Betties find Allied carriers near Saumlaki and manage to put a torpedo into Hornet despite heavy losses.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 79,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 108
F6F-3 Hellcat x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 1
CA Salt Lake City

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

So I guessed the Death Star direction wrong and that makes for quite a big mistake: expecting the Allied carriers to cleave closer to Timoeka to support shipping that seemed to be heading that way, I had sent a SCTF to Saumlaki which is only 1 hex away from the Allied carriers current position. The idea was for the TF to auto-disband and ambush the Allies next turn. The Allied carriers failed to attack in the morning but made up for this in the afternoon:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Saumlaki at 78,117

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBD-3 Dauntless x 108
TBF-1 Avenger x 36

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Natori, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shiranui
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Tama, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Makigumo
DD Arashi

This is what comes of trying to get too cute with SCTFs lacking proper air support. When I sent the turn yesterday I was so convinced that Apbarog would stick to his usual MO of hugging the transport shipping tight with his carriers, but lo and behold, there are good targets now sitting at Timoeka that I could have sent my cruisers against rather than 'playing it safer' as I thought and heading to Saumlaki.

[jwolf]

This looks similar to what it is like for the Allies in the early war period: one wrong guess and you lose a fleet. I'm actually surprised that your Betties were able to get off any shots against that CAP. Also with that many SBD, unopposed, it's surprising your fleet wasn't blasted to bits -- to say nothing of all the Avengers apparently missing?

[Walker84]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

This looks similar to what it is like for the Allies in the early war period: one wrong guess and you lose a fleet. I'm actually surprised that your Betties were able to get off any shots against that CAP. Also with that many SBD, unopposed, it's surprising your fleet wasn't blasted to bits -- to say nothing of all the Avengers apparently missing?

Yes, some of the results could have been a lot worse (for me). All told, I lost about 70 planes today versus 36 Allied (all causes including ops).

Kinugasa and Natori both sank and I have 3 x CLs and 4 x DDs (some damaged) a massive 1 hex away from the Allied Death Star. I'm going to try and run them out under a big CAP umbrella tomorrow and hope to take out some carrier planes, but it will be touch and go whether I can extricate them. A lot will depend on which way Apbarog sends his ships tomorrow...

There were 36 Avengers in the attack but torpedo bombers tend to perform less well then dive bombers against smaller naval targets. He may also be using some on ASW duty I guess.

[jwolf]

Yeah it's not clear just how daring Apbarog would be willing to be with regard to his carriers. I can see a sort of aggressive position between the lines but to go into or behind the lines in that area doesn't seem sensible. But I'm just a fan [:'(] and I really don't have much experience myself.

Any idea how badly the Hornet was damaged?