Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Nice ambush and landing coordination! [&o]
Any thoughts on pursuit of cripples or do the subs/whereabouts of KB make it too risky?

I'm not even sure if there are any cripples! But the mission is to make the landings and so the fleet carriers (1 hex NW Ndeni) will reposition to 1 hex E Ndeni overnight. The fast BBs will accompany them, as will the CVEs (currently at Ndeni). The slow BBs will patrol Ndeni and 1 hex E. The CAs will patrol Ndeni and 1 hex W. The mine sweepers are heading for Luganville in case they are needed there (that convoy has organic mine sweepers anyway). The supplies at Ndeni will be unloaded during the night and the convoy on its way out.

So, the day after, the combat forces will head for north of Luganville to protect that unloading plus meet up with the 2 x Tank Bn convoy coming up from Noumea bound for Ndeni.

Just got a turn...

[witpqs]

1942 December 04

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Vanua Lava

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Ndeni
Luganville

The Chinese trying to hold...

Ground combat at 78,48 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 984 troops, 0 guns, 207 vehicles, Assault Value = 98

Defending force 49088 troops, 173 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1545

Japanese adjusted assault: 50

Allied adjusted defense: 849

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 16

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 43 (3 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
17th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
44th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
20th Group Army

Another I-boat near Christmas Island, this one scores on an xAK but she ought to make it home. I-35 is not so lucky, attacking the heavily protected convoy unloading at Ndeni she is hit 16 times and is in trouble.

The raider turns out to be an AMC.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Chirikof Island at 188,64, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Gokoku Maru

Allied Ships
KV Chilliwack
xAK Andrea Luckenbach
xAK Lewis Luckenbach
xAK Mana
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK San Anselmo
xAK San Rafael
xAK San Simeon
xAK Admiral Cole
xAK Willimoto

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Range increases to 21,000 yards...
Allied Cargo TF evades combat


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Alliford Bay at 189,64, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Gokoku Maru

Allied Ships
KV Chilliwack, Shell hits 1
xAK Andrea Luckenbach
xAK Lewis Luckenbach, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Mana, Shell hits 7, on fire
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK San Anselmo
xAK San Rafael, Shell hits 5, on fire
xAK San Simeon, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Admiral Cole
xAK Willimoto, Shell hits 2

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 17,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK San Anselmo at 9,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK San Rafael at 9,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Mana at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK San Simeon at 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Willimoto at 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Admiral Cole at 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Mana at 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 14,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Mana at 14,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages KV Chilliwack at 13,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages KV Chilliwack at 13,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Mana at 10,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK San Rafael at 10,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 10,000 yards
Hirata S. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 8,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK San Rafael at 8,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Willimoto at 8,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Mana at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Mana at 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Willimoto at 12,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Wilhelmina at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 16,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK Lewis Luckenbach at 16,000 yards
AMC Gokoku Maru engages xAK San Rafael at 16,000 yards
Range increases to 20,000 yards
Task forces break off...

One ship lost and several damaged.

There are cripples after all. Three separate TFs are seen making their way NW, this one being the slowest.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kirakira at 116,143

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 74
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBF-1 Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hatsuyuki, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
7 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
10 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Nagato class BB
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese CA

The 40th Infantry Division is ashore in great shape at Luganville and will attack tomorrow. Vanua Lava is now operating as a search base. PBYs from there can search almost as far as Ontong Java. There is more supply to unload at both Luganville and Ndeni, so that complicates the carrier assignments some. The CVEs will move SW to meet the new convoy which will also put them in a position to intercept strikes aimed at Luganville. Short's Long Guns will accompany them.

If I have to guess, and I do, I would say that the IJN fleet carriers are near Truk. That's based upon some strong and weak sightings of our submarines in that area. CVE Copahee will be in the yard in Sydney for over a month. There are now 9 IJN subs spotted around Ndeni, not counting the one believed sunk overnight.

Up near Kirakira you see Summer Cruisers reacting way out of their patrol area trying vainly in heavy rain to find and dispatch damaged Imperial warships.

[BBfanboy]

With two torp hits and over 20 bomb hits, Hiei will have enough system damage to be unable to stop the fires or flooding. Same for Atago with two torps and four or five bombs. That DD should have sunk yesterday! Must be some FOW in the hits reported. A nice result both days! [:)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

With two torp hits and over 20 bomb hits, Hiei will have enough system damage to be unable to stop the fires or flooding. Same for Atago with two torps and four or five bombs. That DD should have sunk yesterday! Must be some FOW in the hits reported. A nice result both days! [:)]

Yeah, I think those three were toast anyway. Some more ships showed up as sunk today. Unlike Akagi, I believe them.

BTW no aircraft at all seen at Tulagi. So, maybe Walter is saving his ammo, so to speak. No carriers and no LBA. If we can just evade the subs for a few days longer!

Clear weather tomorrow in case KB shows up. Although to the north bad weather is expected so there could be a mixed bag.

[witpqs]

1942 December 05

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Luganville

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Ndeni
Luganville

Nothing remarkable in China, just the air beatings and maneuvers noted previously.

Summer Cruisers found a target.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kirakira at 116,142, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide
CL Danae
DE Starling

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 7% moonlight: 11,000 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
Somerville, James F crosses the 'T'
CL Danae engages DD Hatsuyuki at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages CL Danae at 8,000 yards
CL Adelaide engages DD Hatsuyuki at 8,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Starling at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CL Danae engages DD Hatsuyuki at 4,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki engages DE Starling at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki sunk by CL Danae at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsuyuki sunk by CL Danae at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Unfortunately, so did the persistent I-7.

Sub attack near Ndeni at 120,144

Japanese Ships
SS I-7

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1
CL Nashville
DD Monaghan
DD Hull
DD Dewey
DD MacDonough
DD Worden

SS I-7 launches 6 torpedoes at CV Enterprise
DD Hull fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Dewey fails to find sub and abandons search
DD MacDonough fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

The Big-E is at 12-29(25)-7-0 and will try to soldier on for a few days before retiring. Supplies are still being unloaded at Ndeni, perhaps slowed by the constant interruptions of Imperial submarines.

Luckily, the Allies have a new base that is being outfitted for ASW duties.

Ground combat at Luganville (120,150)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12166 troops, 187 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 366

Defending force 1485 troops, 8 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 33

Allied adjusted assault: 169

Japanese adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Luganville !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
499 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
40th Infantry Division

Defending units:
Maizuru 3rd SNLF


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

Maizuru 3rd SNLF Wiped Out at Luganville by attrition!!!

The two USA tank Bns will land at Ndeni tomorrow. No sign at all of IJN carriers, Imperial LBA, or surface assets beyond those still retiring from two days ago.

Saratoga is entering the yard at San Francisco for 3 months plus upgrade time. Let's hope that Enterprise does not get hit again.

[witpqs]

With this turn we complete one game year! [:)]

---

1942 December 06

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Ndeni

I mistakenly left attack orders on for the 4EBs that hit the ground troops at Luganville yesterday, and the LB-30s from Noumea had the range to make Tulagi. Two were shot down and one lost to ops. In a happier vein, I did the same thing with the P-38s and 4EBs that hit Port Moresby airfield. The bombers hit the airfield well and without losses, but the real story is the sweeps. A total of 5 x P-38F were lost versus 26 x A6m2 Zero and 23 x Ki-45KA1a Nick. Almost 10 to 1!

We gained some Intel on the IJN via sub encounters.

ASW attack near Truk at 111,111

Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo
BB Yamashiro
DD Kawakaze
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
SS Scamp

SS Scamp launches 4 torpedoes at DD Makigumo
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kagero attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Truk at 109,115

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga
BB Mutsu
DD Makigumo
DD Kawakaze
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
SS Sawfish

SS Sawfish launches 6 torpedoes at CV Kaga
Sawfish diving deep ....
DD Kawakaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kagero fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

That last encounter is 28 hexes from Ndeni. While it seems that a KB is heading toward the Solomon Islands, they actually could be within range of Ndeni in two days. So, we have tomorrow to unload more supplies (and there are plenty left on the transports). A mine laying TF is leaving Noumea tonight and should be able to lay a minefield at Ndeni in 3 days, or 2 days if the run-in is made at high-speed. Unless conditions change, we will only lay the mine field when Ndeni is captured. To the east Nanumea is now operating as a search base, as is Luganville (the group from Tanna). A PBY group newly arrived in SoPac is standing by to operate from Ndeni when the base is seized and support put in place.

The additional tank Bns are ashore at Ndeni in great shape and the first ground attack will be tomorrow.

Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6625 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 243

Defending force 14414 troops, 245 guns, 423 vehicles, Assault Value = 505

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

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
7th Naval Construction Battalion
A/50th JNAF Coy

Defending units:
41st Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

[princep01]

Blow the bloody bastards to Kingdom Come.
 
Let it be said in the history books written 50 years after the end of hostilities..."The Allies at the Battle of Ndeni Island made sure that the Japanese never had a chance...none at all.  When the final hammer fell, it was over quickly and the entirity of two regiments and their supporting troops all fell for their Emperor.  But for sixteen battered and wounded men that, for one reason or another, became prisoners of war, the Allies buried them all".

[witpqs]

Well, it's kind going like that! [X(]

---

1942 December 07

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Ndeni

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:
Ndeni

S-27 caught I-35 on the surface in the Coral Sea and hit her with 3 x working torpedoes. KXIII was forced under but still provided warning of another IJN strike looming in the Bay of Bengal.

ASW attack near Rangoon at 50,53

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
DD Shinonome
DD Inazuma
DD Akatsuki
DD Arare
DD Asagumo
DD Michishio
DD Kuri
DD Karukaya
DD Fuyo
DD Asagao

Allied Ships
SS KXIII

SS KXIII is sighted by escort
DD Kuri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Karukaya attacking submerged sub ....
DD Fuyo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagao fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

In a very surprising development - to me, at least - Allied forces seized the bases on Ndeni!

Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14514 troops, 245 guns, 424 vehicles, Assault Value = 517

Defending force 7544 troops, 57 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 239

Allied adjusted assault: 401

Japanese adjusted defense: 123

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

Allied forces CAPTURE Ndeni !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H8K1 Emily: 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
1991 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 150 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 30 (13 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 48 (6 destroyed, 42 disabled)

Assaulting units:
194th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

Defending units:
21st Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
7th Naval Construction Battalion
A/50th JNAF Coy

Very nice to destroy some more Emily aircraft.

No sign of the carriers/battleships spotted yesterday. My sense is that they are deploying to the Solomons to operate in defense of that island chain. Still, they could make a mess of things at Ndeni so our transports are now ceasing unloading of supply and will move off at dusk. The CVEs and CAs will move ESE of Luganville to provide some support there if needed. The CVs and battleships are moving back to Suva. We still need to get some engineers and air support to Luganville and Ndeni, but after that the carriers, fast battleships, and most of all the heavy cruisers, need some maintenance and are due for refit.

The weather forecast in this region has been "clear" for the past several days and the actual weather has been awful every day. Just like real life!

[witpqs]

1942 December 08

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


An IJN TF led by a CA (which are getting rare these days!) must have come up short of whatever base it was going to bombard. Waves of 4EBs and 2EBs made attack runs, as did a trained Vengeance DB group but all to no profit.

A very calm day in SoPac by comparison with recent days. IJN subs around Ndeni were hit hard by two dedicated ASW groups, with one allegedly being sunk and another badly damaged. Yet a third sub was attacked twice and hit each time. Tracker thinks two of the subs were sunk. It also appears that three of the Imperial units at Ndeni have been destroyed after another Allied attack.

Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14421 troops, 245 guns, 421 vehicles, Assault Value = 479

Defending force 5853 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Allied adjusted assault: 171

Japanese adjusted defense: 21

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1378 casualties reported
Squads: 53 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (9 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
194th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

Defending units:
21st Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
7th Naval Construction Battalion
A/50th JNAF Coy


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

7th Naval Construction Battalion Wiped Out at Ndeni by attrition!!!

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

A/50th JNAF Coy Wiped Out at Ndeni by attrition!!!


Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Ndeni

So perhaps the two support units were wiped out but one of the combat units surrendered after being surrounded?

Again the weather stinks although it was predicted clear! The two fast battleships and three destroyers have plenty of fuel on hand and so will make a bee line for the West Coast to get their refits. The carriers will refuel before reorganizing. Wasp and Enterprise, both holed by torpedoes, with then join up with the CAs and their DDs. The CAs from that have been on surface combat duty are really over worked and under loved, all sporting high sys damage in the high teens at least. Together they will make for Pearl Harbor and fill up the shipyard.

It's good to call in the markers on those IJN CAs.

[BBfanboy]

About a year ago someone who has great creedence on the forum posted that the weather condition stated for an individual hex is not a forecast, but what the weather was at the END of the LAST TURN. The only forecast you can get is for the broad area, and the individual hexes within that area will vary greatly. I monitored that theory in my game and it seems to hold up - the weather statement for a given hex is almost NEVER the weather you actually get during the turn, but it fits the previous turn's observations by my units in the hex.

There does not seem to be a consistent progression to the weather that would allow you to predict what that hex will get next turn - e.g. Heavy Overcast is often followed by Severe Storms, but not always. Clear sky is a rarity and even light cloud is not common. I think the weather model is one of the weakest points in the game as a simulator, but it does add a lot of randomness for gameplay tension.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

About a year ago someone who has great creedence on the forum posted that the weather condition stated for an individual hex is not a forecast, but what the weather was at the END of the LAST TURN. The only forecast you can get is for the broad area, and the individual hexes within that area will vary greatly. I monitored that theory in my game and it seems to hold up - the weather statement for a given hex is almost NEVER the weather you actually get during the turn, but it fits the previous turn's observations by my units in the hex.

There does not seem to be a consistent progression to the weather that would allow you to predict what that hex will get next turn - e.g. Heavy Overcast is often followed by Severe Storms, but not always. Clear sky is a rarity and even light cloud is not common. I think the weather model is one of the weakest points in the game as a simulator, but it does add a lot of randomness for gameplay tension.

Yes, that's right AFAIK. I am looking at the weather shown for each hex and remembering what the forecast was for that region. Bloody awful forecasting! I really like there being a weather model, even though it is very simple. Imagine if they had one spawning cyclones and following cold fronts across the Pacific!!

[princep01]

"Imagine if they had one spawning cyclones".
 
Yes, then Bill Halsey would sail the fleet straight into the storm!  The man had a knack for doing that!.
 
Good work on Ndeni.  It looks like he may have pulled some of those two regiments out.  Hard to tell if he brought one in or took parts of both out, but I am guessing the latter.  Now that you hold the base and have the devils surrounded (the remanents usually vanish the turn after being surrounded), you need to finish burying them and tell us readers....where is the next stop for the Allied Express in the South Pacific?
 
Will you perhaps bypass Tulagi and go for a deeper target a la the recent tactics used to grab Ndeni?  Will you first get Ndeni built to a B-17/24 and recon base and use it to neutralize the LYB AFs in the lower Solomons?  Perhaps a commando raid on an unoccupied Solomon island(s) and then a rapid build up by air and sea?  Perhaps you have a perchance for Soviet style Deep Battle doctrine and will go for a target much deeper into the heart of the beast.
 
We anxiously await the admiral's next objective list. 

[BBfanboy]

My biggest complaint with the weather model is that there are only two really good weather conditions - clear sky and light cloud, but there are a lot more poor weather conditions and they are present a lot more than the proportion should be. Look at all the tourist destinations in the Pacific - would they be popular if the weather was mostly heavy rain, heavy overcast, severe storms, etc. ? Seems to me good weather should be about 60% of the time, not 5%.

Furthermore, I saw something from a meteorologist that said local thunderstorms are rare away from land because there is no land/sea temperature differential to set up the circulation needed. Open ocean should be much closer to the general area forecast without the randomness of the game.
There! Now that I have vented, I can say "It is what it is" and just play the crazy game! [;)]

[witpqs]

Right next up is an operational pause in advances while every ship possible gets those big late '42 refits. Part of what I relied on here was the (possible?) unexpected nature of not pausing earlier to get those. There will be landings at Efate but those can be done without major escort. The struggle is to get support forces, including air support, into Ndeni and Luganville without some deadly KB raid. Surface raids at Ndeni are possible but that threat is greatly diminished after that most recent and very fortuitous battle. I really doubt that any of those heavy cruisers survived, and I mean all that were present not just all currently on the sunk ships list.

I have lots of forces prepped for the lower half of the Solomon Islands and I certainly want to advance there. But, with the reduction in surface assets and small carriers, I think the Gilbert Islands and Marshall Islands are now more vulnerable. My plan had been to push up through the Solomons and thereby render those other chains more vulnerable by the necessity of where the IJN would have to deploy. Now they are vulnerable anyway. The Gilbert Islands are neither strongly held (I think) and certainly not built up. Maybe fortifications, but not base facilities. So, whatever I do in the Solomons will be accompanied by - maybe even preceded by - an assault on the Gilberts. I do need to get more forces prepping for the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, however.

The hoped for benefit of engaging and destroying major land formations (up through the Solomons) is to indirectly ease up pressure on China. Any motivation provided for either pulling troops out of China or to deploy troops elsewhere instead of to China is a good thing.

The thing right now is that the fleet REALLY needs maintenance and those upgrades. Risking damaged Enterprise and Wasp any further would be beyond merely tempting fate! BTW I wrongly stated that Wasp will go to Pearl Harbor with Enterprise. Wasp will go to Sydney.

[witpqs]

1942 December 09

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Santa Maria

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Santa Maria!

The bombardment of Cox's Bazar wasn't too bad. The support troops are highly disrupted but there is much supply on hand to help steady nerves.

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CL Tatsuta
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
DD Kuri
DD Karukaya
DD Fuyo
DD Asagao
DD Sagiri
DD Shirakumo
DD Shinonome
DD Inazuma
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki
DD Ariake
DD Arare
DD Asagumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Michishio
DD Asashio

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Runway hits 6
Port hits 2

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Maya
CA Maya firing at 70th British Division
CL Tatsuta firing at Cox's Bazar
CL Oi firing at 70th British Division
CL Kitakami firing at 70th British Division
DD Kuri firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Karukaya firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Fuyo firing at 70th British Division
DD Asagao firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Sagiri firing at 70th British Division
DD Shirakumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Shinonome firing at 70th British Division
DD Inazuma firing at 70th British Division
DD Hibiki firing at 70th British Division
DD Akatsuki firing at 70th British Division
DD Ariake firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Arare firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Asagumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Natsugumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Michishio firing at 70th British Division
DD Asashio firing at Cox's Bazar

An empty xAK was torpedoed near Bombay but might make port. Ndeni is secured.

Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14263 troops, 245 guns, 421 vehicles, Assault Value = 457

Defending force 2106 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Allied adjusted assault: 384

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 384 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2674 casualties reported
Squads: 158 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (29 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
41st Infantry Division
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Defense Battalion

Defending units:
24th Infantry Regiment

With only Efate left to clean up here is the Intel screen.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Santa Maria!

[:D][:D] Cap Mandrake's favourite exclamation!

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Santa Maria!

[:D][:D] Cap Mandrake's favourite exclamation!

Well, we did capture it after all! [:D]

[witpqs]

1942 December 10

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Little news today. We pounded Milne Bay again, scoring a bunch of nice Port Supply hits along with damaging the port itself. Wasp has detached with escort and is setting off for Sydney. Enterprise has also and will merge with the CA TF south of Fiji and head for Pearl Harbor. The two fast BBs have just passed south of the Ellice Islands and tomorrow will turn NE on their way to Bremerton.

The pressure is mounting all along the multiple fronts in China, and we again have too few fingers to plug all the holes in the dike.

[witpqs]

1942 December 11

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Aoba Island

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


There is an IJN sub lurking around Christmas Island. Recon of Tulagi begins tomorrow with F-5s. The invasion force is loading for Efate, and the 4EBs begin softening up the place tomorrow. No sign of the IJN anywhere except for a few subs. The fast BBs have been spotted as they head NE toward Canton Island. As the sighting was certainly by sub-launched aircraft, they will maintain speed and push through the area quickly.

The lower Solomons look to be fairly undeveloped.

[witpqs]

1942 December 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Lakatoro

There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The Imperial infiltration is going well in China. Our units rush to plug the holes that they can.

Yamato and friends is, surprisingly, still in Asian waters. She played rope-a-dope in the Bay of Bengal, knocking down 1 x 4EB with flak. Weather was bad enough that the 2EBs had to turn back. One of our bases is in for it tonight.

IJN subs went crazy over night, sinking 7 ships. 4 x xAKL near Karachi, 1 x xAK near Bombay, and both AVP nearing Ndeni to set up a search base. The AVP were in company of an SC, and that escort did score some revenge hits. Another xAK near Karachi will sink shortly after sundown.

Imperial aircraft also made two attacks against our base in building at Nanumea but disturbed only birds. AO Neosho has made San Diego for repairs, and BB South Dakota has made Alameda. South Dakota is currently estimated at 107 days plus refit time.

Tulagi recons as having >13,000 troops, 11 units, 38 fighters, and 4 auxiliary aircraft present. Clearly a fight is planned for the place.