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KB in Tokyo bay? In one Downfall game where I found the Japanese fleet in port (disbanded) I set the B-29s to port strike and practically
wiped it out in one attack. Even the mighty Yamato succumbed to 40+ hits by 500 lb bombs.

Edit: PS - I think I flew the strike at 10,000 feet to avoid light flak yet still improve accuracy.

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

The Allies have now scored 13,058 strategic bombing points but the points become much harder to amass after heavy damage at Tokyo and Osaka. The game score now favors the Allies by 90,409 to 59,729. This is considered a "minor" victory. I believe that the next level of victory requires a 2:1 margin and I dont see myself getting another 30,000 points in 1945.

Even with the Soviet Activation in August of 1945, there are a lot of 60 and 70 multiple bases the Soviets can capture before the end of 1945.

BBfanboy.....KB is not disbanded but is formed up into a half dozen TFs covered by 850 land based fighters and 125 land based bombers in addition to their normal carrier air complement.

rook749....Great idea regarding the activation of the USSR! I forgot about that. Ive completed 2 PBM games of WitP as the Allies but this is my 1st game to go into 1945. Ive never really looked at the map in regards to Manchuria and the Russian forces available. I will have some 12,000-15,000 AV of SEAC/Chinese troops massed in central China with supply by August 1945 and I had been planning on a 2 pronged offensive but I forgot about the points that I could garner by that. In fact.... now that I think about it.....if I was _really_ serious about gaining victory points in China/Manchuria I could actually launch a 3 pronged offensive by committing the 20 plus divisions of SWPAC now resting in Luzon.

Hmmmmm... time to study the map......






1/30-1/31/45



SUBS


SS Seafox is sunk by IJN E boats off Amami Oshima.



MINES


Dave had just cleared the minefields around Chichi-jima last turn but I was able to sneak in some DMs this turn before his surface ships could arrive.

E No.66 strikes a mine and sinks off Chichi-jima.

DD Shikinami strikes a mine and sinks by Chichi-jima.

RAF Liberators were just sitting on the tarmac in Buma so this turn we mined a half dozen ports on the Chinese/Indochinese coasts.

TK Hioki Maru strikes a mine at Quinhon and torches up with a full load of fuel.

Dave just cleared all the minefields at Iwo Jima this turn so next turn we will lay mines at all 3 Bonin islands with B-24s.



SAC

B-29s launch another night bombing attack on Tokyo. Bad weather restricts them to just one mission in 2 days but they lose another 13 planes in one mission. A level 14,200 fire is ignited in Tokyo and remains a level 7500 fire at the end of the turn. Japan has now suffered a loss of 13,416 strategic points.

The last 2 missions have have cost a total of 28 B-29s even though the bombers flew only 1 day each turn so had a day of rest between each mission. With all the reinforcement squadrons of B-29s we had some 360 planes available at the start of 1945. Now I cant even get 270 in the air. Im shutting down the bombers for a few days for more rest and also a re-evaluation of targeting priorities vs costs.



CENTPAC

Allied fleet carriers will reach Pagan in the Marianas next turn and the CVs will refuel as they wait for the supply laden amphib transports to arrive.

Heavy bombers continue to suppress Daito Shoto and all 3 Japanese AFs in the Bonins.

I was worried about committing Allied capital ships to the waters around the Bonins due to the threat of long range land based Japanese bombers. However... Marianas based Avenger TBM-3s with their 14 hex range draw the first blood as Dave commits another CL to the waters around the Bonins:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 18
TBM-3 Avenger x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Yura, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb






As mentioned earlier.... next turn we will lay additional mines around Iwo Jima, Chichi-jima and Haha-jima with B-24s.

Im escalating the surface combat in the Bonins by committing a RN TF with a CA and a CL. They will be LRCAPed by 37 CVEs and also land based fighters from Pagan.

Things are about to heat up around Iwo Jima.

2/1-2/4/45



SUBS


SS Chub sinks E No.7 off Chichi-jima.

SS Trump sinks TK Hakko Maru near Singapore.

SS Trigger sinks SC CHa-84 by Yokohama.

SS Stratagem strikes a mine and sinks off Sungapore.



SAC


The B-29s have been shut down for the last 2 turns and will be rested at least one more turn before they resume strategic bombing missions. The fires continue to burn at Tokyo and Japan now has suffered a strategic point loss of 13,546.

Three new squadrons of B-29s arrive at Rabaul from the west coast and are immediately staged to Saipan. We now have a total of over 300 B-29s in the central Pacific with over 280 available for ops.



CENTRAL PACIFIC


CENTPAC commits cruisers to the waters around the Bonins but they miss the Japanese cruisers:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 108,77, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-120, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Shropshire
CL Achilles
DD Queensborough
DD Quilliam
DD Relentless
DD Roebuck




Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 60% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 7,000 yards
LB-120 sunk by DD Roebuck at 7,000 yards
LB-120 sunk by DD Roebuck at 7,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...



The Allies lose 36 AC to ops from LRCAPing the RN surface TF. IJN CL KIso shows up off Iwo JIma and is hit hard by TBM-3 Avengers:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 22
TBM-3 Avenger x 10


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki
CL Kiso



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb



Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes


Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 17
TBM-3 Avenger x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBM-3 Avenger bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Kiso




Allied heavy bombers continue to suppress Japanese AFs at Daito Shoto,Truk, the Bonins and all of Formosa.

Amphib transports reach Pagan and will refuel next turn. Then Fifth Fleet will cover the massive re-supply operation to Iwo Jima.

2/5-2/6/45



SUBS


SS Tilefish sinks E No.118 off Torishima but then is heavily damaged by the remaining E boats.



THE AIR WAR


Dave set up a LRCAP trap over a 2 ship TF off Haiphong that chewed up a premier Allied VMSB squadron:


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Haiphong at 68,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 45
Ki-84a Frank x 112



Allied aircraft
Thunderbolt II x 16
SBD-5 Dauntless x 32


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Thunderbolt II: 7 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 23 destroyed

Japanese Ships
E Tomozuru
TK Akatsuki Maru



CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with A6M5b Zero (15 airborne, 30 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
42 planes vectored on to bombers
51st Sentai/A with Ki-84a Frank (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhead
30 planes vectored on to bombers
200th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (32 airborne, 65 on standby, 0 scrambling)
32 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
88 planes vectored on to bombers




We inadvertently returned the favor when Dave attacked large supply TFs that were unloading at Legaspi that were covered by the same CAP every day:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Naga at 81,81

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 17
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 16



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 60
P-40N5 Warhawk x 16
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 10 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire VIII (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
No.77 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire VIII (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
12 planes vectored on to bombers
No.80 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire VIII (6 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 41500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
312th BG/387th BS with P-40N5 Warhawk (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
8th FG/36th FS with P-47D25 Thunderbolt (7 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 42000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
13 planes vectored on to bombers





US heavy bombers lay mines off all of the Bonin islands. IJN DMS W-8 strikes a mine off Iwo Jima and sinks immediately.

Allied heavy bombers pound Japanese AFs at Truk, Daito Shoto and all of the Bonin islands. All of the Japanese AFs on Formosa have been bombed into oblivion. Truk must still have a lot of supplies though as the Allies suffer over 40 damaged and 3 destroyed heavy bombers from Flak over 2 days.



CENTPAC: RESUPPLY OP TO IWO JIMA

Massive Fifth fleet departs Pagan this turn and will unload over 100,000 supplies next turn to the isolated CENTPAC troops still trapped on the beaches of Iwo Jima.

This operation has been planned and repeatedly postponed for over 2 months and will be covered by the largest naval armada in history...... some 21 CVs, 9 CVLs and 40 CVEs with over 2000 fighters will cover this re-supply op along with 25 BBs.

The remnants of the IJN...... with all their carriers intact....still sits anchored off Tokyo bay. If KB decides to sortie to contest this re-supply op of Iwo Jima they will have to run the gauntlet of nearly 20 USN subs off the approaches to Tokyo bay.

Are all those ships at Chichi Jima part of another CAP trap?[X(]
Your buzz saw should cut through their defences![:D]

BBfanboy....those ships off Chichi Jima are ASW TFs (to deal with Allied sub wolfpacks), AMcs(to deal with the minefields) and re-supply barges. I sent a RN surface TF over there this turn to deal with the nasty E boats.

Fortunately the Bonins are relatively isolated from the Home Islands and other Japanese AFs so I dont need to worry about LRCAP traps over here(and all 3 of the islands in the Bonins have have their AFs shut down for weeks so there is no CAP either).





2/7-2/8/45


SUBS


SS Becuna sinks AMc Sahan maru near Quinhon.

SST I-352 sinks SS Tilefish near Torishima.



SAC


With 3 new B-25 squadrons we can now put over 300 B-29s into the air and this turn we night bomb manpower at Tokyo. A level 20,000 fire is ignited on the first night of the turn and a level 11,000 fire on the 2nd night. Tokyo is left burning with a level 4500 fire at the end of the turn and Japan's strategic point losses now are at 14,482.
We scored nearly 900 strategic points this last turn but it was at a staggering cost of 23 B-29s......15 lost in A2A. These losses are obviously unsustainable and I may need to create a no fly zone over Tokyo. Ive bombed Tokyo more than any other location because: 1)Tokyo has by far the most strategic points of any Japanese city and 2)Strangely... the weather has been better for bombing over Tokyo than any other location in Japan. Osaka has the 2nd greatest concentration of strategic points in Japan but the weather over that city is almost always stormy.

I had reorganized all the Allied bomber pilots a few months ago. All the freshmen were placed in the 2 E bombers, the junior varsity were upgraded to the B-24s and all the varsity crews were placed in B-29s. Meanwhile.... Dave had his JV pilots in his night fighters. The B-29s were shooting down a ridiculous number of nightfighters and several crews had achieved "ace" status. Now it appears that Dave has upgraded his night fighters to his varsity pilots.... at least over Tokyo. I will need to switch targets eventually to other Japanese cities if the weather allows and hopefully I can find less experienced night fighters. Ive scored 14,000 strategic points so far but with the accumulated damage to Tokyo and Osaka the points get much harder to amass and I think I will be lucky to get 20,000 strategic points by the end of the war. With the current game score at 92,000 Allied to 60,000 Japanese.... I will need to get 30,000 points from capturing Japanese bases and killing IJA troops to achieve a 2:1 victory and I dont see that happening.

One thing that could help the Allied strategic bombing of Japan will be the use of the Allied carriers in hit and run missions on the Home Islands but I will need to "tidy" up the Japanese perimeter before I can launch these types of missions.



CENTPAC: FIFTH FLEET RE-SUPPLIES IWO JIMA


Allied amphibious TFs begin to unload supplies to the isolated troops of Eighth Army stranded on the beaches of Iwo Jima:

Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

66 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCS(L)-14, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DE Fieberling
DE Darby
LCI(M)-669
LCI(M)-660
LCI(R)-650
LCI(R)-647
LCS(L)-115
LCS(L)-90
LCS(L)-88
LCS(L)-87
LCS(L)-86
LCS(L)-85
LCS(L)-57
LCS(L)-37
LCS(L)-36
LCS(L)-35
LCS(L)-34
LCS(L)-33
LCS(L)-32
LCS(L)-31
LCS(L)-30
LCS(L)-29
LCS(L)-28
LCS(L)-27
LCS(L)-26
LCS(L)-25
LCS(L)-24
LCS(L)-23
LCS(L)-22
LCS(L)-21
LCS(L)-20
LCS(L)-18
LCS(L)-16
LCS(L)-15
LSM-13, Shell hits 1, on fire
LSM-14
LSM-16
LSM-17
LSM-15

Japanese ground losses:
611 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCS(L)-14 at 4,000 yards
DE Darby firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
LCI(M)-669 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-660 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-650 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-647 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-115 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-90 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-88 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-87 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-86 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-85 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-57 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-37 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-36 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-35 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-34 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-33 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-32 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-31 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-30 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-29 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-28 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-27 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-26 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-25 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-24 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-23 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-22 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-21 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-20 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-18 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-16 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-15 fired at enemy troops
LCS(L)-14 fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LSM-13
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LSM-13
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LSM-15
75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at LSM-13


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 95 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

101 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CLAA Prince Robert, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Carmick, Shell hits 2, on fire
LSM-352
LSM-301
LSM-351, Shell hits 1
LST-17, Shell hits 2
LST-71
LSM-364



CLAA Prince Robert firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at CLAA Prince Robert
DD Carmick firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Carmick
DD Carmick fired at enemy troops
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LST-17
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LSM-351
75mm T90 Field Gun battery firing at LSM-351
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LSM-352


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 172 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

80 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB California
CA Shropshire
DD Nicholas
DD McCord
LCI(G)-534
LCI-69
LCI-68
LCI-67
LCI-66
LCI-64
LCI-61
LCI(M)-664
LCI(M)-659
LCI(M)-658
LCI(M)-633
LCI(M)-632
LCI(M)-631
LCI(M)-630
LCI(M)-588
LCI(M)-582
LCI(R)-649
LCI(R)-342
LCI(R)-341
LCI(R)-340
LCI(R)-339
LCI(R)-338
LCI(R)-337
LCI(R)-231
LCI(R)-230
LCI(R)-226
LCI(R)-225
LCI(R)-224
LCI(R)-74
LCI(R)-73
LCI(R)-72
LCI(R)-71
LCI-62, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCI-75, Shell hits 1
LCI-221
LCI-83
LCI-85
LCI-84

Japanese ground losses:
437 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled



BB California firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at BB California
CA Shropshire firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Nicholas firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD McCord firing at 21st Special Base Force
LCI(G)-534 fired at enemy troops
LCI-69 fired at enemy troops
LCI-68 fired at enemy troops
LCI-67 fired at enemy troops
LCI-66 fired at enemy troops
LCI-64 fired at enemy troops
LCI-61 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-664 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-659 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-658 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-633 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-632 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-631 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-630 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-588 fired at enemy troops
LCI(M)-582 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-649 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-342 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-341 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-340 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-339 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-338 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-337 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-231 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-230 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-226 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-225 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-224 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-74 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-73 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-72 fired at enemy troops
LCI(R)-71 fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LCI-62
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LCI-62
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LCI-221
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LCI-75


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 246 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

86 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Arkansas
CL Achilles
DD Norman
AK Brevard, Shell hits 3

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



BB Arkansas firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at BB Arkansas
CL Achilles firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Norman firing at 21st Special Base Force
21st Special Base Force firing at DD Norman
DD Norman fired at enemy troops
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at AK Brevard
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at AK Brevard


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 258 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

107 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-26, Shell hits 1
DE Robert F. Keller
DE Jaccard
LST-23, Shell hits 13, heavy fires
DE Goss
DE Conklin
DE Howard F. Clark
DE Lloyd E. Acree
DE Willmarth
AM Quail
AM Penguin
AM Recruit
LST-40, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-45



12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-26 at 4,000 yards
DE Jaccard firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-23 at 4,000 yards
DE Jaccard firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-23 at 4,000 yards
DE Jaccard firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-23 at 4,000 yards
DE Jaccard firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-23 at 4,000 yards
DE Goss firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-23 at 4,000 yards
DE Jaccard firing to suppress enemy battery at 4,000 yards
DE Robert F. Keller fired at enemy troops
DE Jaccard fired at enemy troops
DE Goss fired at enemy troops
DE Conklin fired at enemy troops
DE Howard F. Clark fired at enemy troops
DE Lloyd E. Acree fired at enemy troops
DE Willmarth fired at enemy troops
AM Quail fired at enemy troops
AM Penguin fired at enemy troops
AM Recruit fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LST-26
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LST-40
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LST-23
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LST-23


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 325 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

97 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
DD Virago
DD Vigilant
DD Ursa
DD Terry
DD Stockham
DD Stanly
DD Jenkins
LCI-772, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Verulam
LCI(G)-530
LCI(G)-528
LCI(G)-470
LCI(G)-469
LCI(G)-468
LCI(G)-467
LCI(G)-466
LCI(G)-465
LCI(G)-464
LCI(G)-463
LCI(G)-462
LCI(G)-461
LCI(G)-460
LCI(G)-459
LCI(G)-458
LCI(G)-457
LCI(G)-456
LCI(G)-455
LCI(G)-454
LCI(G)-453
LCI(G)-452
LCI(G)-451
LCI(G)-450
LCI(G)-449
LCI(G)-442
LCI(G)-441
LCI(G)-440
LCI(G)-439
LCI(G)-438
LCI(G)-437
LCI(G)-408
LCI(G)-407
LCI(G)-406
LCI(G)-405
LCI(G)-404
LCI(G)-403
LCI(G)-401
LCI(G)-398
LCI(G)-397
LCI(G)-396
LCI(G)-373
LCI(G)-372
LCI(G)-366
LCI(G)-365
LCI(G)-220
LCI(G)-82
LCI(G)-81
LCI(G)-80
LCI(G)-79
LCI(G)-78
LCI(G)-77
LCI(G)-76
LCI-70
LCI-771
LCI-773, Shell hits 1
LCI-775
LCI-774
LCI-776

Japanese ground losses:
932 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 52 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 33 (1 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



BB Tennessee firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Virago firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Vigilant firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD Ursa firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Terry firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Terry
DD Stockham firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Stanly firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Stanly
DD Jenkins firing at 21st Special Base Force
21st Special Base Force firing at DD Jenkins
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LCI-772 at 16,000 yards
DD Verulam firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
LCI(G)-530 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-528 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-470 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-469 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-468 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-467 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-466 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-465 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-464 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-463 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-462 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-461 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-460 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-459 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-458 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-457 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-456 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-455 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-454 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-453 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-452 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-451 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-450 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-449 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-442 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-441 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-440 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-439 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-438 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-437 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-408 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-407 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-406 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-405 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-404 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-403 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-401 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-398 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-397 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-396 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-373 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-372 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-366 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-365 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-220 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-82 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-81 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-80 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-79 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-78 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-77 fired at enemy troops
LCI(G)-76 fired at enemy troops
LCI-70 fired at enemy troops
DD Virago fired at enemy troops
DD Vigilant fired at enemy troops
DD Terry fired at enemy troops
DD Stockham fired at enemy troops
DD Jenkins fired at enemy troops
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LCI-773
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LCI-772


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 558 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

88 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
DD Schley
DD Chew
DD Bulmer
LST-249, Shell hits 3, on fire
LST-447
LST-446, Shell hits 2, on fire
LST-356



DD Schley firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Chew firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD Bulmer firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Schley fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LST-249
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LST-446
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LST-249
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LST-249


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 597 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

105 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB New York
DD Monaghan
DD Baldwin
DD Lardner
DD Trathen
LSM-134, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Dale
DD Nepal
LSM-133
LSM-96, Shell hits 3
DD MacDonough
DD Quiberon
LSM-146
SC PC-793
SC PC-777
SC PC-599
SC PC-596
LSM-143

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



BB New York firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Monaghan firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Baldwin firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Baldwin
DD Lardner firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Lardner
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Trathen
DD Trathen firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LSM-134 at 12,000 yards
DD Nepal firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LSM-133 at 12,000 yards
DD Nepal firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LSM-96 at 12,000 yards
DD Nepal firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LSM-133 at 12,000 yards
DD Quiberon firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LSM-146 at 12,000 yards
DD Quiberon firing to suppress enemy battery at 12,000 yards
SC PC-793 fired at enemy troops
SC PC-777 fired at enemy troops
SC PC-599 fired at enemy troops
SC PC-596 fired at enemy troops
DD Monaghan fired at enemy troops
DD Baldwin fired at enemy troops
DD Lardner fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LSM-96
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LSM-134
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LSM-133
10cm T91 Howitzer battery firing at LSM-96
88mm Type 99 AA Gun battery firing at LSM-146


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 601 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77




Meanwhile.....TBFs and bombardment TFs hit the Japanese defenses on Iwo Jima:


Naval bombardment of Iwo-jima at 108,77 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

105 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia
BB Colorado
CA Chester
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh
DD John D. Edwards
DD Allen
DD Hull, Shell hits 1
DD Dewey
DD Clark
DD Phelps
DD Cassin
DD Tucker
DD Shaw
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 25 (6 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 7

BB West Virginia firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
BB Colorado firing at Iwo-jima
CA Chester firing at Iwo-jima
CL Detroit firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
CL Raleigh firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at CL Raleigh
DD John D. Edwards firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Allen firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Hull firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Hull
DD Dewey firing at Iwo-jima
DD Clark firing at Iwo-jima
DD Phelps firing at Iwo-jima
DD Cassin firing at Iwo-jima
DD Tucker firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Shaw firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Shaw
DD Conyngham firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Conyngham


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Iwo-jima at 108,77 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

101 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Texas, Shell hits 6
BB New Mexico
CL Marblehead
CL Richmond
DD Wilson
DD Sterett
DD Stack, Shell hits 2
DD Mustin, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Anderson
DD Warrington
DD Sampson, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 19 (10 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)



Airbase hits 8
Runway hits 33
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 1

BB Texas firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at BB Texas
BB New Mexico firing at Iwo-jima
CL Marblehead firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
CL Richmond firing at Iwo-jima
DD Wilson firing at Iwo-jima
DD Sterett firing at Iwo-jima
DD Stack firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Stack
DD Mustin firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Mustin
DD Anderson firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Anderson
DD Warrington firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Warrington
DD Sampson firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Sampson


A RN surface TF annihilates an IJN ASW TF with the nasty E boats:


Day Time Surface Combat, near Haha-jima at 110,76, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
E Uku, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
E Chikubu, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
E No.40, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
E No.55, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 1
CA London
CA Suffolk
CL Gambia
CL Caradoc
DD Paladin
DD Ulysses
DD Undaunted
DD Urania
DD Urchin



Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 18,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Lake O. crosses the 'T'
CA Suffolk engages E No.40 at 18,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages E Chikubu at 18,000 yards
Mikami R. orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages E Chikubu at 11,000 yards
CA Suffolk engages E No.40 at 11,000 yards
CA Dorsetshire engages E Chikubu at 11,000 yards
CL Gambia engages E Chikubu at 11,000 yards
DD Urania engages E Chikubu at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
E No.40 sunk by CA London at 7,000 yards
E Chikubu sunk by CA Dorsetshire at 7,000 yards
DD Urchin engages E No.55 at 7,000 yards
DD Urania engages E No.55 at 7,000 yards
E Uku sunk by DD Ulysses at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
CA Dorsetshire engages E No.55 at 6,000 yards
E No.55 sunk by DD Urchin at 6,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...


This attack leaves the RN surface TF out in the open and a Japanese naval airstrike lands a fish on one of the CLs:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Haha-jima at 109,75

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 23
P1Y1 Frances x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CL Caradoc, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA London
CA Canberra



Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..




If Dave didnt know before that the Allied carriers now have long ranged ground strike capability of 14 hexes with the TBM-3s and F4U-1Ds he knows now. This turn over 800 F4U-1Ds swept and escorted 300 TBM_3s in AF attacks on Miyake-jima and Hachijo-jima.... just off the coast of the Home Islands near Yokohama.

All together Japan loses 260 AC this turn vs 85 Allied AC. In A2A.... Japan loses 166 AC vs 37 Allied AC.


Two of the LSTs ordered to resupply Iwo Jima crashed into each other and consequently that amphib TF is still 3 hexes short of its objective. 60,000 supplies were unloaded on the beaches at Iwo Jima last turn and another 250,000 supplies will be unloaded next turn. KB still sits in port at Tokyo..... 19 hexes from Iwo Jima. I hope to finish unloading on the 1st day of next turn and then the carriers will cover the withdrawal of the amphib transports back to the Marinanas on the 2nd day of the turn. The 6th Marine Division on Iwo Jima has an AV of only 90. Im going to try to withdraw most of it next turn via empty LCIs and LSMs and then we will rebuild it in the Marinanas.

I have kept following this one. Always intrested what Dave is up to since we had couple of hard fought wars.

It seems he is still stubborn... good going and keep up the good work!

HMS Caradoc had a bad day...didn't engage the enemy E boats and then copped a torpedo!

Canberra didn't engage either...saving her ammo for later?

I'm still in '42 in my game - I have one operational BB anywhere in theatre (Warspite) and 4 CV's + Hermes - amazing to think that by '45 the Allied forces will be so powerful.

Cheers,

axtex...Doggie3......thanx for your comments. Doggie3....Im thinkin that all the IJN surface TF was sunk beforew CA Canberra could engage....but maybe Im wrong.





2/9-2/10/45



SUBS AND MINES


SS Trump is sunk by an IJN ASW TF near Lingga.

SS Sterlet sinks E Kozu off Aogashima.

SC Ch63 stikes a mine by Nago and is sunk.




STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


The B-29s execute another night time manpower attack and Japan now has a 14,744 strategic point loss. The B-29s ignite a level 32,000 fire and Japan now has a 14,744 strategic point loss. The Allies lose 16 B-29s.




CENTPAC: RESUPPLY OF IWO JIMA


CENTPAC lands over 300,000 supplies on Iwo Jima. In addition...the 6th Marine Division had been reduced to an AV of 90 and it was withdrawn last turn to rebuild in the Marianas.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 09, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

75 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.




Allied Ships
BB Missouri
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB Washington
CL Cleveland
CLAA Prince Robert, on fire
CLAA San Juan
DD McCook
DD Endicott
DD Callaghan
DD Bryant
DD Anthony
DD Collett
LST-216
LST-177
LST-222
LST-71
LST-241
LST-171

Japanese ground losses:
419 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 23 (5 destroyed, 18 disabled)



BB Missouri firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
BB Massachusetts firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at BB Indiana
BB Washington firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at BB Washington
CL Cleveland firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
21st Special Base Force firing at CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Juan firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD McCook firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Endicott firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Endicott
DD Callaghan firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD Bryant firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Anthony firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Collett firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Collett
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-216 at 16,000 yards
BB Missouri firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
DD Endicott fired at enemy troops
DD Anthony fired at enemy troops


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

94 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BB Wisconsin
BB Alabama
BC Renown
CL Birmingham
CL Columbia
DD Racehorse
DD English
DD Cooper
LST-26
LST-45, Shell hits 1
LST-70
LST-78
LST-84
LST-73

Japanese ground losses:
229 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



BB Prince of Wales firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
BB Wisconsin firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
BB Alabama firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
BC Renown firing at 21st Special Base Force
21st Special Base Force firing at BC Renown
CL Birmingham firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
CL Columbia firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Racehorse firing at 50th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD English firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Cooper firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD English fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LST-45
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LST-26
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LST-70


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 550 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

97 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LST-17, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
LST-446, on fire
LST-738
LST-249, Shell hits 3, heavy fires



21st Special Base Force firing at LST-17
12cm 10YT DP Gun Battery engaging LST-17 at 7,000 yards
8cm T88 DP Gun Battery engaging LST-17 at 7,000 yards
LST-17 fired at enemy troops
LST-446 fired at enemy troops
LST-738 fired at enemy troops
12cm T03 AA Gun battery firing at LST-249
12cm 10YT DP Gun battery firing at LST-249
8cm T88 DP Gun battery firing at LST-17
10cm T91 Howitzer battery firing at LST-17


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Iwo-jima (108,77)

TF 575 troops unloading over beach at Iwo-jima, 108,77





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Iwo-jima (108,77) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

63 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Richelieu
BB Howe
BB South Dakota
CA Australia
CL Santa Fe
CL Denver
DD Chew
DD Picking
DD Philip
DD Charrette
DD Bullard
DD Brownson
DD Charles Ausburne
DD Abbot
LST-447
LST-356
LST-450
LST-459
LST-457

Japanese ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)



BB Richelieu firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
BB Howe firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
BB South Dakota firing at 21st Special Base Force
CA Australia firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
CL Santa Fe firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
CL Denver firing at 21st Special Base Force
21st Special Base Force firing at CL Denver
DD Chew firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
DD Picking firing at 54th Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Philip firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD Charrette firing at 21st Special Base Force
21st Special Base Force firing at DD Charrette
DD Bullard firing at 21st Special Base Force
DD Brownson firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Brownson
DD Charles Ausburne firing at 21st Special Base Force
21st Special Base Force firing at DD Charles Ausburne
DD Abbot firing at Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit
Iwo-jima Naval Guard Unit firing at DD Abbot
BB South Dakota firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
BB Richelieu firing to suppress enemy battery at 16,000 yards
DD Picking fired at enemy troops
DD Bullard fired at enemy troops
DD Charles Ausburne fired at enemy troops
DD Abbot fired at enemy troops



Nell naval air strikes are chewed up and Allied carrier bombers hit IJN TFs in the Bonins:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 12



Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 135
Corsair IV x 15
Hellcat F.II x 73
Seafire L.III x 24
FM-2 Wildcat x 21
F4U-1A Corsair x 258
F4U-1D Corsair x 403
F6F-3 Hellcat x 381
F6F-5 Hellcat x 486


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 8 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VF-38 with F4U-1D Corsair (14 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-1 with F6F-5 Hellcat (11 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
VF-2 with F4U-1A Corsair (13 airborne, 27 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 36900.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VBF-2 with F4U-1D Corsair (34 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
34 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
VBF-3 with F4U-1D Corsair (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
VF-42 with F4U-1A Corsair (10 airborne, 20 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VBF-5 with F4U-1D Corsair (8 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VF-6 with F4U-1D Corsair (11 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VBF-6 with F4U-1D Corsair (12 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-7 with F6F-5 Hellcat (14 airborne, 28 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VF-8 with F4U-1A Corsair (11 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VBF-8 with F4U-1D Corsair (12 airborne, 24 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VF-9 with F4U-1D Corsair (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-11 with F6F-5 Hellcat (11 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-12 with F6F-5 Hellcat (12 airborne, 24 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
VF-14 with F6F-5 Hellcat (11 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 37300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
VF-16 with F4U-1D Corsair (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
VBF-17 with F4U-1D Corsair (10 airborne, 20 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VF-71 with F4U-1D Corsair (10 airborne, 21 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
VBF-71 with F4U-1D Corsair (10 airborne, 21 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 39300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes



Morning Air attack on TF, near Chichi-jima at 110,71

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 42
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
E No.215
E Sakito, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
E No.84, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
E Kozu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Sakito
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E No.84
Massive explosion on E No.84
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Kozu



Morning Air attack on TF, near Chichi-jima at 110,71

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 52 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 42
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
E No.215
E Sakito, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
E No.84, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
E Kozu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Sakito
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E No.84
Massive explosion on E No.84
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E Kozu






Japanese Nells come in in repeated night bombing attacks:
Night Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 7



Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 24


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 2 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Commencement Bay
CVE Tracker



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF(N)-541 with F6F-5N Hellcat (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 56 minutes
VMF(N)-543 with F6F-5N Hellcat (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

Some CAP have air radar


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 11



Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Begum
CVE Takanis Bay



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF(N)-541 with F6F-5N Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
VMF(N)-543 with F6F-5N Hellcat (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 5



Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Arizona



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF(N)-541 with F6F-5N Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
VMF(N)-543 with F6F-5N Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 8



Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 19


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 7 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Ranee
CVE Takanis Bay



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF(N)-541 with F6F-5N Hellcat (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
VMF(N)-543 with F6F-5N Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 108,77

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 6



Allied aircraft
F6F-5N Hellcat x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Takanis Bay
CVE Cape Esperance



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VMF(N)-541 with F6F-5N Hellcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 57 minutes
VMF(N)-543 with F6F-5N Hellcat (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar



Ive attached a screenshot of the Bonins. KB has left Tokyo Bay and I have no idea where it is currently located. Dave has flooded the Bonins with subs so the Allied carriers will withdraw next turn towards the Marianas as several ASW TFs and several hundred SBDs on ASW deal with the sub menace.

2/11-2/12/45



SUBS


SS Torsk sinks PB Taien maru off Torishima.

SS Tullibee sinks PB Saishu Maru near Chichi-jima.

SS I-22 launches 2 torpedoes at CV Lexington but misses.

SS RO-47 sinks LST-582 by Iwo Jima.




SAC


The B-29s hit Tokyo once again this turn. The B-29s only flew on the 2nd night of the turn and ignited a level 21,000 fire. Tokyo was left burning with a level 2600 fire at the end of the turn. I only lost 6 B-29s this turn but only inflicted 200 points of damage for a total of 14,996 strategic points. I mentioned a few post ago about the diminishing returns of Allied strategic bombing as Tokyo and Osaka accumulate damage. Tokyo now has over 2000 of its original 2700 HI damaged and 1650 of its 2200 LI damaged so points are becoming more difficult to come by. Im going to rest the B-29s for a few turns now as fatigue is building up.




FIFTH FLEET IN THE BONINS


Dave had a lot of small ships.....mostly minesweepers and barges....milling around the Bonins so I detached a small surface TF to deal with them:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 11, 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Chichi-jima at 111,74, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
ML G-319, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta
DD Haggard
DD Hale



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
ML G-319 sunk by CLAA Atlanta at 2,000 yards
Combat ends with last Japanese ship sunk...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Chichi-jima at 111,74, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-240
MTB G-349

Allied Ships
CLAA Atlanta
DD Haggard
DD Hale



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
MTB G-349 engages CLAA Atlanta at 2,000 yards
DD Hale engages MTB G-349 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
DD Hale engages MTB G-240 at 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Hale engages MTB G-240 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
DD Hale engages MTB G-240 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages MTB G-349 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CLAA Atlanta engages MTB G-240 at 8,000 yards
DD Haggard engages MTB G-349 at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...



I sent out multiple ASW TFs to deal with the Japanese sub wolfpacks in the Bonins. I was hoping that if Dave sent out a surface TF to work over my ASW TFs that my surface TF would intercept them. The Allied surface TF didnt make contact with any Japanese surface TFs and Dave hit a couple of Allied ASW TFs with his surface TFs:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 109,76, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 2
CL Jintsu
DD Takanami
DD Onami
DD Akishimo
DD Shiranui
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
DE Howard F. Clark
DE Conklin, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DE Goss, Shell hits 4, on fire
DE Jaccard, Shell hits 5, on fire



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 4,000 yards
DE Jaccard engages CL Naka at 4,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Goss at 4,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Conklin at 4,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DE Conklin at 4,000 yards
DD Onami engages DE Goss at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages DE Jaccard at 2,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Goss at 2,000 yards
Magazine explodes on DE Conklin
DE Conklin sunk by CL Naka at 2,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DE Goss at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
Randall K. orders Allied TF to disengage
CL Jintsu engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
DE Howard F. Clark engages DD Asagumo at 5,000 yards
DD Akishimo engages DE Jaccard at 5,000 yards
DD Takanami engages DE Goss at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 7,000 yards
CL Naka engages DE Jaccard at 7,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages DE Goss at 7,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages DE Jaccard at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 109,76, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Takanami
DD Onami
DD Akishimo
DD Shiranui
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
SC PC-599
PF Pocatello, Shell hits 1, on fire
PF Bisbee, Shell hits 25, and is sunk



Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 24,000 yards
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Bisbee at 9,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Bisbee at 9,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Bisbee at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages SC PC-599 at 8,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Bisbee at 10,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
CL Naka engages SC PC-599 at 10,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Bisbee at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Bisbee at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Bisbee at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
CL Naka engages SC PC-599 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Bisbee at 9,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Bisbee at 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Bisbee at 9,000 yards
DD Takanami engages SC PC-599 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
PF Bisbee sunk by CL Jintsu at 14,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 14,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Day Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 109,76, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Takanami
DD Onami
DD Akishimo
DD Shiranui
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
SC PC-599
PF Pocatello, Shell hits 32, heavy fires, heavy damage



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 20,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 20,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 18,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 18,000 yards
CL Naka engages SC PC-599 at 18,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages SC PC-599 at 18,000 yards
DD Akishimo engages PF Pocatello at 18,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 18,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 17,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 17,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PF Pocatello at 17,000 yards
DD Akishimo engages PF Pocatello at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 16,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 16,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages SC PC-599 at 16,000 yards
DD Akishimo engages PF Pocatello at 16,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 13,000 yards
CL Naka engages PF Pocatello at 13,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages SC PC-599 at 13,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Pocatello at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages SC PC-599 at 9,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Pocatello at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
DD Akishimo engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
DD Takanami engages SC PC-599 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 7,000 yards
CL Naka engages SC PC-599 at 7,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 9,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages SC PC-599 at 9,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PF Pocatello at 9,000 yards
DD Akishimo engages PF Pocatello at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 8,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages SC PC-599 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 14,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 14,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 14,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Pocatello at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards
DD Asagumo engages PF Pocatello at 19,000 yards
DD Onami engages PF Pocatello at 19,000 yards
Range increases to 24,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards
Task forces break off...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 109,76, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Jintsu
DD Takanami
DD Onami
DD Akishimo
DD Shiranui
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
SC PC-599, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PF Pocatello, Shell hits 2, and is sunk



Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 22,000 yards...
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
CL Jintsu engages PF Pocatello at 20,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages PF Pocatello at 20,000 yards
DD Takanami engages PF Pocatello at 20,000 yards
DD Onami engages SC PC-599 at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
DD Takanami engages SC PC-599 at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards
DD Onami engages SC PC-599 at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 12,000 yards
DD Shiranui engages SC PC-599 at 12,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD Onami engages SC PC-599 at 9,000 yards
CL Jintsu engages SC PC-599 at 9,000 yards
Massive explosion on SC PC-599
SC PC-599 sunk by CL Naka at 9,000 yards
Combat ends with last Allied ship sunk...



The Allies ended up losing a DE, a SC and 2 PFs.

Dave has over a dozen subs pursuing the Allied carriers as you can see in the attached screenshot. Allied ASW AC sank 2 IJN subs last turn and damaged 2 or 3 more. But CV Lexington is lucky to have evaded an IJN sub attack so I am going to continue to withdraw the Allied carriers towards the Marianas while a half dozen ASW TFs work over the IJN subs next turn.

2/13-2/14/45



SUBS


SS Sleuth was torpedoed and sunk by SS RO-42 near Billiton. I think thats the 5th or 6th sub I've had torpedoed and sunk by IJN subs this game.

SS I-35 sinks DD Meade by Iwo Jima.



SAC

The B-29s were stood down last turn but the fires continue to burn in Tokyo and Japan has now suffered a loss of 15,274 strategic points. The B-29s will again be stood down next 2 turns.



CENTPAC: WITHDRAWAL OF FIFTH FLEET TO THE MARIANAS

We had dropped off some 305,000 supplies on Iwo Jima 2 turns ago and now after last turn there were still 293,000 supplies so only 12,000 supplies were expended/spoiled over 2 days. At this rate the Eighth Army troops on Iwo Jima should remain in supply for another 50 days.

The Allied carriers withdrew to the Marianas to refuel and re-arm while over 3 dozen Allied DDs were sent out in ASW TFs to hunt IJN subs last turn. The Allied surface TF patrolled both Iwo JIma and Chichi-jima last turn but found nothing larger than an IJN MTB:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 108,77, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-555
MTB G-841
MTB G-848, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-873
MTB G-880
MTB G-883
MTB G-1001
MTB G-1004

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CL Wilkes-Barre
DD Cotten
DD Evans



Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 3% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-1004 at 6,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-1004 at 6,000 yards
DD Evans engages MTB G-1004 at 6,000 yards
DD Evans engages MTB G-880 at 6,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-848 at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Cotten engages MTB G-880 at 5,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-848 at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Chicago engages MTB G-1004 at 7,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-1004 at 7,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-883 at 7,000 yards
DD Cotten engages MTB G-1004 at 7,000 yards
MTB G-848 sunk by CA Chicago at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 9,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-1004 at 9,000 yards
CA Chicago engages MTB G-883 at 9,000 yards
DD Cotten engages MTB G-1004 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CL Wilkes-Barre engages MTB G-1004 at 14,000 yards
DD Evans engages MTB G-1004 at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...



Land based Japanese naval bombers attacked this surface TF but missed:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Haha-jima at 110,75

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
G4M2 Betty x 18
P1Y1 Frances x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak
P1Y1 Frances: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Wilkes-Barre
DD Cotten
CA Chicago



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Banzai! - Shibata E. in a G4M2 Betty is willing to die for the Emperor


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Haha-jima at 110,75

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
P1Y1 Frances x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 8 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CL Wilkes-Barre
DD Evans



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo





Well Dave played me like a violin last turn..... he withdrew his subs to the north while KB sailed south to a point 3 hexes north of Iwo Jima last turn. So the Alied DDs pursued the IJn subs into a trap. Whatever IJN naval bombers didnt attack Allied ASW Tfs ended up bombing Eighth Army on Iwo Jima:


Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 38
B5N2 Kate x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Paul Hamilton, Kamikaze hits 1
DD Meade
DD Lardner
DD Halford



Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N2 Kate flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 6



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Moale
DD Maddox



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
D4Y1 Judy x 3



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Paul Hamilton



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 4th Marine Division, at 108,77 (Iwo-jima)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 37
A6M5b Zero x 192
A6M5c Zero x 16
D4Y1 Judy x 218
D4Y3 Judy x 29



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 12 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak


Allied ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 31 (10 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
9 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
13 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
14 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 44th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 44th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 44th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 44th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking 44th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...
Also attacking 775th Tank Bn /4 ...
Also attacking Eighth US Army ...



Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
A6M5b Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 12 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Waller
DD Harding
DD Quiberon
DD Nepal, Kamikaze hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N2 Kate flying as kamikaze
Kamikaze: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 81
B5N2 Kate x 12
D4Y1 Judy x 33



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Harding
DD Quiberon
DD Meade
DD Halford
DD Nepal
DD Paul Hamilton
DD Waller



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,81

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 11
B6N2 Jill x 7



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Bradford



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 30
A6M5b Zero x 23
B6N2 Jill x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Nepal
DD Quiberon
DD Harding



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 109,79

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 16
B6N2 Jill x 37
D4Y1 Judy x 19



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Shaw, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Maddox, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Conyngham
DD Moale, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
24 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Shaw


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 107,79

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B6N2 Jill x 13
D4Y1 Judy x 11



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ursa
DD Vigilant, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Verulam, Kamikaze hits 1, and is sunk
DD Virago



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Nomura G. gives his life for the Emperor by ramming DD Verulam


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,81

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 10
B6N2 Jill x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Bradford
DD Mansfield
DD Trathen
DD Terry



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 16
B6N2 Jill x 14



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Paul Hamilton, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Lardner
DD Halford



Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 16
A6M5c Zero x 16
B6N2 Jill x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Lardner, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Halford
DD Meade



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 23
A6M5b Zero x 120
B5N2 Kate x 23
B6N2 Jill x 51
D4Y1 Judy x 23



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Harding
DD Halford
DD Meade, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
28 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Meade


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 107,79

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 42
B6N2 Jill x 36
D4Y1 Judy x 25



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N2 Jill: 4 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ursa
DD Virago, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Vigilant, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk



Aircraft Attacking:
36 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
18 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iwo-jima at 110,80

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 62 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 11
B6N2 Jill x 10
D4Y1 Judy x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Halford



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B6N2 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 4th Marine Division, at 108,77 (Iwo-jima)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
A6M5b Zero x 48
A6M5c Zero x 2
D4Y1 Judy x 74
D4Y3 Judy x 29



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak


Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
14 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
5 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
11 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
7 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
1 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
1 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 1000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y3 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...
Also attacking 37th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 24th Infantry Division ...
Also attacking 4th Marine Division ...



The Allies lose 6 DDs to KB's bombers last turn.

Fifth Fleet completes refueling and re-arming at Pagan this turn and will head slightly north but stay well within the cover of land based fighters and bombers in the Marianas.

I was orininally planning to send a 2nd re-supply mission to Iwo Jima but it now appears that Eighth Army will have sufficient supplies for some time so we will withdraw most of Fifth Fleet to Rabaul in a couple of turns as we begin to prepare for the next round of amphibious assaults.

2/15-2/187/45



SUBS


SS Tullibee is sunk by E boats near Aogashima.

SS Guardfish is sunk by E boats off Hachijo-jima.



STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


The B-29s have been shut down for the last 6 days. The recon squadrons almost need the R & R more than the bombers as many squadrons only had 1 or 2 AC operational. But everyone is ready to go next turn and the target will be Kobe where the weather is predicted to be clear.

Ive attached a screenshot of Tokyo that shows the cumulative damage. The HI and LI have really been hurt as well as the engine factories but there are still a lot of points to be gained in future bombing missions here.



FIFTH FLEET IN THE BONINS


KB disappeared off our naval search screens last turn so Fifth Fleet will head back to Rabaul for R & R. I sent 25 of the CVEs that have yet to complete their 6/44 upgrades back to a shipyard. Im hoping that this upgrade....which appears to be a radar upgrade.... will help Allied carrier CAP to perform better in the future. The CVEs will be out of action for 21 days to effect the upgrades. The 6th Marine Division....which has taken 75% casualties on Iwo Jima....has been successfully withdrawn and sent back to the Marianas to rebuild. The Eighth Army troops on Iwo Jima only used up 11,000 supplies on the first 2 days and then only 7000 supplies on the last 2 days so with 275,000 supplies on Iwo Jima the troops should remain supplied for well over a month.

Transports move troops from the Philippines to Rabaul as CENTPAC takes reinforcements from SWPAC for the next round of amphibious assaults.

2/19-2/20/45



SUBS


SS Tigrante sinks ML G-322 near Chofoo.

SS Barbero sinks PB Okuyo Maru off Chichi-jima.



STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


The B-29s night bomb manpower at Kobe. The air defenses are light and only 8 B-29s are lost(however they only sortied on one night of the turn). A very large level 55,610 fire was ignited and Kobe was left with a level 8000 fire burning the next day but we only scored about 170 strategic points for a total of 15,432. There are only about 30 guns at Kobe so we will night bomb next turn at 6000' to see if the lower altitude helps.



CENTPAC


Pretty much all of Fifth Fleet has now withdrawn from the Marianas back to port at Rabaul save for a few surface raiders that have been reserved for future patrols in the Bonins. The 25 CVEs that need to complete a 6/44 upgrade will reach the shipyard at Brisbane next turn.

Only 7000 supplies were used up by the CENTPAC ground forces on Iwo Jima over the 2 day turn so the 268,000 supplies left there should last two months. Eighth Army troops on Iwo Jima are taking replacements pretty well now with all the supply available and we now have more AV on Iwo Jima (715) than before we extracted the 6th Marine Division. The 6th Marine Division in turn is rapidly replacing its losses while resting on Guam.

We continue to redeploy SWPAC troops from Luzon to the CENTPAC base at Rabaul. WE should be ready for the next CENTPAC amphib assault in early March.

2/21-2/22/45



SUBS


SS Spot is sunk by E boats off Hachijo-jima.

SS Barbero sinks LST T-105 near Chichi-jima and then is sunk in turn by the convoy escorts.

SS Thornback sinks CM Tsugaru by Iwo Jima. Fortunately the minelayer is sunk before she can lay minefields off Iwo.

SS Lizardfish is sunk by an IJN ASW TF off Torishima.



STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


For the first time in the war the B-29s are placed at low altitude for their night manpower bomb raid.....6000'... and the results are staggering. The B-29s manage to ignite a level 126,000 firestorm...... by far the largest firestorm to date. We only score 300 strategic points in the raid but the firestorm is still at level 19,400 at the end of the turn so it should continue to burn for another 4-5 days. 17 B-29s are losat over 2 nights and we now only have about 270 operational. The B-29s will be rested again for a few days as well as all the long ranged recon squadrons. As I mentioned previously.... once you have picked all the low hanging fruit at Osaka and Tokyo it becomes progressively more difficult to score strategic points.



CBI


Its been pretty quiet here combat wise for a long time but I am moving massive numbers of SEAC and Chinese troops around for the 1945 spring offensive.

I carelessly left some RAF heavy bombers resting on the ground in Changsha and Dave spotted them and destroyed several on the ground a couple of turns ago. Last turn I returned the favor when some IJN shipping was spotted in port at Shanghai and the RAF bombers sank ACM Hayufukum Maru and CHa-94 while damaging ACM Shinko Maru.




CENTPAC


CENTPAC troops on Iwo Jima have 261,000 supplies available at the end of the turn so only 7000 supplies were consumed over the last 2 days.

Ive attached a screenshot of the Bonins... it looks like Dave is mounting his own resupply efforts at Iwo Jima, Haha-jima and Chichi-jima covered by at least a portion of KB and some small surface TFs.

Meanwhile....the Allied carriers should make it back to port in Rabaul next turn. Im still working on resizing the carrier air groups as the arrival of the VFB groups on 1/1/45 really screwed everything up. I need more naval bombers on the carriers as all as all the VT and VB groups have been downsized to 15 planes and KB is completely intact. In 1942 all the USN CVs had 54 naval bombers but now they only carry 30. I will increase the size of all the VT squadrons back to 18 planes and reduce the size of the VFB squadrons by the same amount.On some of the CVs I will increase the VB squadrons from 15 planes to around 24-30 SBDs.And of course I will upgrade a smany squadrons as possible to the newest F4U-1Ds and TBM-3s.

2/23-2/24/45



SAC


The B-29s and the long ranged recon squadrons were shut down last turn. The firestorm in Kobe continues to burn however and Japan has now suffered a loss of 15,854 strategic points. The B-29s will be grounded for at least 2 more turns as the recon squadrons require more time to recover their damaged AC.



FIFTH FLEET


Virtually all of Fifth Fleet is back in port now at Rabaul repairing minor damage and refueling. The 25 CVEs upgrading at Brisbane will require another 18 days to complete repairs.

We will start loading assault troops at Rabaul for our next amphib operation in 2-3 turns.



JAPANESE RESUPPLY OF THE BONINS


Ive attached another screenshot of the Bonins. It appears that all of KB is standing by just north of Chichi-jima. Last turn KB flew LRCAP over Chichi-jima and mauled our B-24s......30 B-24s were lost last turn but KB lost about 20 fighters to the P-38L escorts. The B-24s have continued to keep the AFs closed at Iwo Jima and Chichi-jima as both AFs have over 75% damage. It looks as of Dave will try to resupply his troops in the Bonins next turn. I have 2 small surface TFs waiting in ambush to intercept IJN shipping at both Iwo Jima and Chichi-jima.

Meanwhile.... the B-24s will be shut down from airfield suppression for one turn and we will sweep Chichi-jima with nearly 100 P-51Ds and P-38Ls at high altitude. A handful of B-24 squadrons will continue to mine the waters around all 3 of the islands in the Bonins to complicate the Japanese resupply operation.

2/25-3/2/45



SUBS


SS Tigrante is sunk by E boats near Koshiki-jima Retto.

SS Torsk is sunk by E boats off Torishima.

SS Bugala sinks E No. 156 by Chichi-jima.




STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


After resting for over a week....the B-29s go into action again on the nights of 3/1-3/2/45. They hit Osaka this time in another low attitude manpower attack at 6000'. An astounding level 213,000 firestorm is ignited..... by far the largest firestorm of the war. At the end of the turn the fire is still at level 31,000. We lose 23 B-29s..... 11 to AAA. Japan now has suffered a loss of 16,266 strategic points.

The B29s will again target Osaka next turn at 6000'.



CENTPAC


Amphib transports start loading troops for CENTPAC's next objectives. This first one will be a _back and fill_ operation.... we will invade Agrihan in the Marianas. It will give us another level 5 AF within range of the Bonins. There are over 20,000 IJA troops at Agrihan and they have been out of supply for some time.

3/3-3/4/45



SUBS


SS Scorpion sinks PB Seikei Maru off Chichi-jima.

SS Lancerfish is sunk by E boats near Aogashima.

SS Scorpion torpedoes DD Inazuma by Chichi-jima.

SS Tigrone finishes off DD Inazuma with 2 torpedoes by Chichi-jima.

SS Segundo sinks RO-47 by Chichi-jima.

SS Tigrone sinks PB Fukuei Maru near Iwo Jima.




STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


The B-29s once again night bomb manpower at 6000' over Osaka. This time there are thunderstorms so only a level 83,000 firestorm is created. At the end of the turn there is still a level 11,000 fire in Osaka. Japan's strategic point losses increase to 16,850.

SAC loses another 27 B-29s for a total of 50 B-29s lost over the last 2 turns(4 days). Clearly this loss rate is unsustainable as we can only get maybe 220 B-29s into the air now. The B-29s will again be shut down for a week or so to rest and recover damaged AC. The recon squadrons will also be grounded for at least 2-3 turns.



CENTPAC


The Allied fast carriers complete repairs, re-arming and refueling and leave Rabaul for the Marianas. It will still take one more turn to complete loading the assault troops for Agrihan on the amphibious transports but it appears as if the the IJ Navy is becoming more active in the Bonins and I want to head off a possible KB raid into the Marianas.

Ive tried to reorganize the USN carrier air groups. Ive increased the VT groups all back to 18 AC on the CVs. Ive also increased the size of several VB groups to 24-32 AC as we need more naval bombers on the flattops to deal with a nearly intact KB. I have a shortage of expert fighter pilots to fill out all the VFB groups.... as did the US in RL in 1945.... so as in RL Im going to use VMF groups on some of the carriers. I have a pretty large pool now of expert Marine fighter pilots.

Outstanding AAR.

churchillhouse..... thanks for the comments and welcome to the WitP threads!



3/5-3/8/45



SUBS


SS Sea Poacher sinks PB Bokuyo maru off Keijo.

SS Segundo is sunk by E boats near Torishima.

SS Toro sinks xAKL Yamatsuru Maru by Torishima.

SS Sea Devil is sunk by E boats near Haha-jima.



STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND


The B-29s have been grounded the last 2 turns for R&R but the firestorm continues to burn at Osaka..... 4 days after the bombing has ended. Japan now has strategic losses of 17,204 points.

Thge B-29s were staged from Saipan to Luzon this turn and will begin bombing targets in southern Japan in the turn after next. Thisn will open up the level 7 AF at Saipan for medium and heavy bombers to support the next few amphibious landings.



FIFTH FLEET


The fast carriers, surface TFs and support TFs of Fifth Fleet begin massing in the Marianas this turn for the next amphibious assault at Agrihan.

The 25 CVEs that are upgrading at Sydney should complete their repairs in 6 days.