Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

[Jorge_Stanbury]

The last turns had been great on the air, horrendous on land and sea

Malaya/ Sumatra/ North Borneo:
Japan is advance very quickly. Palembang fell last turn... he landed a full division; I had less than one regiment.
No engineers in DBB-C meant he got it without any damage [:@]

On Mersing, Palembang and Singkawang, other than a couple ships sunk and potentially more damaged; his invasions had been succesfull. I had very poor luck with the submarines in the last turn. with one subchaser sunk [:@] a miss against a big AP and many, too many, ASW attacks
Singapore is safe for the time being. I was able to evacuate to Singapore almost every unit that started on Malaya. Asault value of Singapore is at 795.

Air war is the only good news: During yesterday turn, my Singapore' AA and Buffalos got unescorted bombers [;)], according to the tracker, 27 Sally's and 7 Lilly went down. More according to the game's air losses screen, but I guess that might be inflated.
These losses will freak him out; and he might avoid bombing Singapore for the time being. I will certainly reach level 3 next turn, and I hope to be close to L4 by the time he assaults.

He also lost some Vals and Kates in the last 2 turns attacking a RN TF of cruisers I left there on Singapore on purpose.
The idea is to attract these carrier based raids to Singapore. I know he depleted torpedoes, so I am fine getting bombed as long as he suffers some operational or AA loses on his elite carrier force. Being in Singapore means that any bomb damage will be fixed in a couple weeks shipyard time max.
I am sure I can hold Singapore for at least 2 weeks




Submarine warfare:
In the 2 last turns I have lost:
AO Platte [:@] I had it with 4 DDs... I guess they were not too alert [:-]
AKL Lahaina, unescorted
CL Tromp, this was a mercy kill, I got 5 messages of heavy flooding before meeting the Japanese sub
DD Phelps [8|] WTF!! he was doing ASW... this is the first time I have seen a DD hit by a torpedo
Then I have 2 big APs torpedoed, but not lost yet

Japanese losses to submarines:
Sc Ch1 [8|] that is it[&:] he had moved his fleets through all possible choke points infested with submarines, Dutch submarines, and nothing [8|]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I had an interesting turn on the Solomons,

so he did a small invasion to Rabaul on Dec 19.

situation was :
- I had 2 TFs ready for counterstrike; one on Gasmata and another one on Buna
I was somehow smelling a trap, so I sent the one on Buna on direction SW (to Deboyne island).
the one on Gasmata was too close to withdraw, so I ordered it to move to Rabaul, with Pt Moresby as home base,
Notice search showed nothing on that turn.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

When my TF reached Rabaul, it found a BB TF.
Yamashiro didn't shine at all, and the battle was a draw. Moreover, DD Kikuzuki received 3 nice 8' hits... with some luck it might sink
both Kitakami and Kinugasa received penetration hits; they won't sink, but will need repairs


Night Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 106,125, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 2
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 3
DD Yuzuki
DD Sawakaze
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Shell hits 4
CL Achilles
CL Adelaide
DD Le Triomphant

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 0% moonlight: 3,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 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
Pierce U. crosses the 'T'
BB Yamashiro engages CA Louisville at 2,000 yards
CA Louisville engages CA Kinugasa at 2,000 yards
CA Aoba engages CA Louisville at 2,000 yards
CL Kitakami engages CA Louisville at 2,000 yards
DD Yukaze engages CA Louisville at 2,000 yards
CA Louisville engages DD Kikuzuki at 2,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CA Louisville at 2,000 yards
CA Aoba engages CA Louisville at 2,000 yards
CA Louisville engages CL Kitakami at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
BB Yamashiro engages CL Adelaide at 8,000 yards
CA Aoba engages CA Louisville at 8,000 yards
CL Kitakami engages CA Louisville at 8,000 yards
CA Louisville engages DD Yukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Sawakaze engages CA Louisville at 8,000 yards
CA Louisville engages DD Kikuzuki at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...

then the trap... KB arrived [X(]



Morning Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 105,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N2 Kate x 15
D3A1 Val x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 2
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CL Adelaide

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb




Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Gasmata at 105,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
B5N2 Kate x 18
D3A1 Val x 26

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

Allied Ships
CA Louisville, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 1
DD Le Triomphant

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Adelaide


CL Adelaide sunk; I guess not a great loss, as it was really slow (cruise speed 12knots); the rest survived in a much better shape than what I was expecting.

CA Lousville surprisingly low damage considering he got 4 high caliber shots, and 3 250 kg bombs: Sys(27) Flood (8) Eng (11) Fires (4)

CL Achilles ate a torpedo, so it is at risk. Sys(22) Flood (35) Eng (6) Fires (0)

We will see how this ends tomorrow. They are set to run at full speed to Australia... The same for ships on Pt Moresby.. I cancelled all TFs unloading; and everybody will run to the south

[Jorge_Stanbury]

He sent a token force to Rabaul; thus, predictably he failed to capture it

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1935 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Defending force 3199 troops, 21 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 52

Japanese adjusted assault: 24

Allied adjusted defense: 183

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 7 (fort level 1)

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

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF

Defending units:
B Coy/NG Rifles
Lark Force
Rabaul Base Force

Question: Should I try a shock attack?
with 1-to-7 against odds, his disruption is probably very high... if the shock fails, it will mean nothing as Rabaul is going to fall in a couple turn anyway, the real invasion force is probably going to arrive in the next few turns

[BBfanboy]

His AV only dropped by 7 max (some squads may recover by next turn), and his AV is still more than yours. Attacking will give him the advantage of terrain and take away your forts.
I would sit tight and make him come to me. It will cost him more that way and delay his taking the base.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

You are certainly right... but it is too late... turn was sent; I am waiting to get the results. So far the land war had been a collection of disasters.

Still it will be minor, [;)] I already spotted a big invasion TF.. this time probably the real one.... he has 4 fleet CVs, at least one, probably 2 BBs covering... Rabaul is lost

Even Pt. Moresby can be taken easily if he wants it, I stopped all unloadings (I had 2 brigades just starting to disembark, plus supply and fuel. Everybody is running south

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This is the slowest turn of the war so far. No more bombings on Singapore; I think yesterday's slaughter of Lillies/ Sallies was too much for Steve [:D]

A submarine found this TF on the Makassar straight close to Donggala:
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CL Oi
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Uzuki
DD Yugao
DD Numakaze
DD Namikaze
And I had a RN TF with a very similar composition close... maybe 3 or 4 hexes...but nothing happened. It would had been interesting to watch.


Submarine warfare: No Japanese submarine incidents [:)]

and only one succesfull Allied attack: APD Aoi was torpedoed with some unlucky passengers onboard!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Muntok at 52,89

Japanese Ships
APD Aoi, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Eiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 1

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

SS KXI launches 2 torpedoes at APD Aoi
KXI bottoming out ....
PB Eiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Eiko Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Eiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Eiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Eiko Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


Rabaul was bombarded:
Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CL Kitakami
DD Yukaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Yuzuki

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 3

BB Yamashiro firing at Rabaul
CA Kinugasa firing at Rabaul
CA Aoba firing at Rabaul
CL Kitakami firing at Lark Force
DD Yukaze firing at Rabaul
DD Sawakaze firing at Rabaul
DD Yuzuki firing at Rabaul

and as foreseen by BBfanBoy, my shock assault was not a success


Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2869 troops, 17 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 48

Defending force 1878 troops, 19 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 56

Allied adjusted assault: 23

Japanese adjusted defense: 35

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+), morale(-)

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
B Coy/NG Rifles
Lark Force
Rabaul Base Force

Defending units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Another turn; key highlights:

- A second night battle on Makassar; DD Nokaze sunk, and who would say, by a torpedo. He didn't know Repulse was there, otherwise he would had brought more firepower.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 65,100, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Kako
CL Oi
DD Uzuki
DD Shiokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2
CL Danae, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius
DD Tenedos
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Express
DD Isis
DD Jupiter

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 7% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Morishita, Nobue crosses the 'T'
BC Repulse engages CA Furutaka at 3,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages BC Repulse at 3,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Danae at 3,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Yugao at 3,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Yugao at 3,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Isis at 3,000 yards
DD Nokaze engages DD Isis at 3,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Yakaze at 3,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Jupiter at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kako at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Furutaka at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages CL Oi at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Isis at 2,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Isis at 2,000 yards
DD Nokaze sunk by DD Express at 2,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yugao at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Kako engages BC Repulse at 5,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Mauritius at 5,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Furutaka at 5,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Jupiter at 5,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
DD Yakaze engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Jupiter at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kako at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Mauritius at 8,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Danae at 8,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Jupiter at 8,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Isis at 8,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Express at 8,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Jupiter at 8,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Uzuki at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...



- I didn't know he had a Air HQ on Singkawang; or better to say, I was not expecting it so soon. Repulse got 2 torpedo hits. He doesn't look too badly hurt, but he is obviously at high risk on the next couple turns, then I would say at least 6 months to repair.
I pitty I had great plans for him...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I couple turns ago, I transfered Singapore's Vildebeests and Swordfish to Java (Air HQs withdrawn too). No point to keep them there after Mersing + all the airfields he now have to CAP it if needed.


The idea was to caugh one of his SCTF pants down, or in other words, without any air cover.

That part was successful... however, once again, those TB were a complete failure
Somehow in all my Japan games vs the AI, they are always 100% accurate.

I guess at the very least, he will likely stop harassing Batavia !

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I guess kudos to PresterJohn... I was not expecting it..

10 Nells ; 2 torps

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I just got the combat replay, no turn yet

Last turn's air raid against Repulse meant 2 torpedo hits. In this turn, a submarine got him with #3...To be continued once I get an idea of how bad was the damage.


In another news, Oosthaven was succesfully assaulted by Japanese paratroops... I lost one 4-plane squadron (Dutch bomber).
It also means he now have a clean railroad line from it to Palembang (EDIT: Allies withdrew north, thus the rail is still not open). Still, he now rules southern Sumatra. This is very disturbing news, as he will have Kaga/ Akagi ready/ full rearmed in the next couple turns; thus he can technically start a Java invasion if he wants to



what else?

Malaya:
Johore Bahru survived its second assault... fort level is now 0... it will fall tomorrow.
Sweeps over Singapore, around 6 to 8 Buffalos lost; 2 to 3 Oscars/ Zeros destroyed

PI:
Manila got hit by a port strike, the first in a long time. The already heavily damaged (and likely lost) DD John D Ford, ARD Dewey and SS Snapper absorbed most hits, which means I still have some chances to keep building forts to L2.
Clark is at fort level 2, I doubt it will get to 3 before he assaults it. I give it another 3 turns until he is ready to start the assault to either Manila or Clark
Ioilo (Panay) is a tough nut to crack, he commited to few troops and therefore he is not having any luck after 3 or 4 attempts to subdue it.
Mindanao invasion started last turn, he is unloading at Digos
2E torpedo bombers are now based on Jolo, but no torpedoes yet

Subwar:
1 *AK and 1 small TK lost
Repulse torpedoed
no luck on the Allies side

All quiet on the Solomons. I will be cautious until I know where the KB is

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Another turn; key highlights:

- A second night battle on Makassar; DD Nokaze sunk, and who would say, by a torpedo. He didn't know Repulse was there, otherwise he would had brought more firepower.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Balikpapan at 65,100, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Kako
CL Oi
DD Uzuki
DD Shiokaze
DD Yakaze
DD Nokaze, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Namikaze
DD Numakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Yugao

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2
CL Danae, Shell hits 1
CL Mauritius
DD Tenedos
DD Electra
DD Encounter
DD Express
DD Isis
DD Jupiter

Reduced sighting due to 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 7% moonlight: 4,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 3,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 3,000 yards
Morishita, Nobue crosses the 'T'
BC Repulse engages CA Furutaka at 3,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages BC Repulse at 3,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Danae at 3,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Yugao at 3,000 yards
DD Isis engages DD Yugao at 3,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Isis at 3,000 yards
DD Nokaze engages DD Isis at 3,000 yards
DD Jupiter engages DD Yakaze at 3,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Jupiter at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kako at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Furutaka at 2,000 yards
CL Danae engages CL Oi at 2,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Isis at 2,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Isis at 2,000 yards
DD Nokaze sunk by DD Express at 2,000 yards
DD Electra engages DD Yugao at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Kako engages BC Repulse at 5,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Mauritius at 5,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Furutaka at 5,000 yards
DD Yugao engages DD Jupiter at 5,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
DD Namikaze engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
DD Yakaze engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Jupiter at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Isis at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Danae engages CA Kako at 8,000 yards
CA Furutaka engages CL Mauritius at 8,000 yards
CL Oi engages CL Danae at 8,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages DD Jupiter at 8,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Isis at 8,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Express at 8,000 yards
DD Numakaze engages DD Encounter at 8,000 yards
DD Shiokaze engages DD Jupiter at 8,000 yards
DD Encounter engages DD Uzuki at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...



- I didn't know he had a Air HQ on Singkawang; or better to say, I was not expecting it so soon. Repulse got 2 torpedo hits. He doesn't look too badly hurt, but he is obviously at high risk on the next couple turns, then I would say at least 6 months to repair.
I pitty I had great plans for him...

It is quite common for smaller ships to charge the enemy and the capital ships with the big guns have to wait until they are out of the way to shoot. Most of the time in these mixed composition TFs the big ships fire a salvo at the beginning of the action and then do almost nothing until the two fleets are moving apart and they get to fire some long-range shots.
I have also noticed that the big ships often seem to score more hits from far away ~ 20,000 yards, than they do when under 10,000 yards, unless the enemy is already slowed down by damage.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks!
If Repulse doesn't sink in the next couple turns, then I think it will survive... still you won't see him in a surface action for a long time
With Oosthaven in Japanese hands, I am also moving PoW out of Java... fingers crossed both survive the potential risks: fooding, submarines and bombers

Question on troop convoys:
so in the initial turns, I sent very disorganized convoys mixes from West Coast to PH. this was not a great idea, and in perspective, it could had ended badly. Good news is I have now many good APs and AKs in PH, ready for moving troops to Suva.
Question is what kind of escort should I do?

my plan is to have a transport TF of:
- 8 Troop/ cargo ship: all of which are less than 12K tons (Suva max) and have a cruise speed of 14 knots or better.
- 1 AO; same conditions
- 2 cruisers
- 9 destroyers

cover force:
- 2 CVs
- 4 cruisers
- 8 destroyers

Is this cover overkill? and more important, am I putting my carriers at too much risk?
shall I send instead a cruiser force...

4-carrier KB is somewhere in the Salomons; but busy covering Rabaul.
Akagi/ Kaga and mini-KB are far away

[IdahoNYer]

Question is what kind of escort should I do?

If you've got the Jpn carriers accounted for, what is the threat you are protecting the convoy from?

subs: good ASW capability and perhaps a CV platform for air based ASW
roaming AMCs: a CL/CA in escort perhaps.

If your convoy is found by something more challenging - scatter!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I guess the biggest threat would be PresterJohn reading this AAR [X(]
I am kidding, I fully trust him

I will be sending the 2-CV TF, with one used as transport to move various Marine squadrons to the SW Pacific; the other one to cover it and provide ASW, Search and CAP so to avoid having one CV coming home "naked" after delivering aircraft

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I guess the biggest threat would be PresterJohn reading this AAR [X(]
I am kidding, I fully trust him

I will be sending the 2-CV TF, with one used as transport to move various Marine squadrons to the SW Pacific; the other one to cover it and provide ASW, Search and CAP so to avoid having one CV coming home "naked" after delivering aircraft

Jorge,

I never use CVs to transport aircraft.

That's what AKVa nd xAKs are for.

AKVs when the planes must arrive ready.
xAKs when the planes can afford to arrive disabled.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

At this stage, when he is busy taking anything he wants, I am more worried about submarines than anything else. There is a severe escort shortage.
I can put 3 Marine squadrons on a CV that will be heavily escorted; these 2 CVs will be supporting the 2 transport TF with Nav search, ASW and CAP. Moreover, I am too early in the war to envision any US carrier operation other than ths kind of supporting operations well inside the Allied "zone"

The AKV/ *AK option will work once I have more escorts, I don't like the idea of losing a full squadron to submarines if the AKV gets hit.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

At this stage, when he is busy taking anything he wants, I am more worried about submarines than anything else. There is a severe escort shortage.
I can put 3 Marine squadrons on a CV that will be heavily escorted; these 2 CVs will be supporting the 2 transport TF with Nav search, ASW and CAP. Moreover, I am too early in the war to envision any US carrier operation other than ths kind of supporting operations well inside the Allied "zone"

The AKV/ *AK option will work once I have more escorts, I don't like the idea of losing a full squadron to submarines if the AKV gets hit.

ASW escort is what I use the carrier for.
Rather than deprive the carrier of it air arm, use that air arm for ASW.
The Canadian KVs are only one knot slower than the AKVs and pack a decent (for early game) 4 ASW into each one.
They are my early game choice for AKV escort.

We each find the method of operation we are most comfortable with.

Not denigrating yours, just offering mine for consideration as an option.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Please keep offering advice, I am very new to the Allies side, your options are certainly very valid.

Maybe I rushed too much supply and reinforcements in the first turns, because I just run out of escorts. Those Canadian KVs were used to escort some early convoy and they are now in PH. My first AKVs are in transit from Panama to San Diego, they will arrive in ~10 days.
I think I made the mistake of converting Clemsons too soon... I think I have 6 converting to APD in the West Coast. I would had prefered to delay this a bit.

Also 8 DD will arrive soon, but they are reserved to escort Yorktown.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Dec 23 and 24/ 41 were relatively quiet, with few incidents worth mentioning. A couple AKs lost, a Japanese CM sunk by Dutch submarines, a good CM by the way, the Itsukushima... I love that ship playing Japan: 75 mines, 3 14cm guns, 2 8cm guns, DCs, 300 troop and 205 cargo capacity; great to put on invasion TFs [:)]
then 2 or 3 "hit but no explosions", some small invasions.

Dec 25 was, on the other hand, a very bad day for the Allies cause.

Let's start from the beginning:
Argonaut, on a minelaying mission, hit a mine in Kwajalein.... so he went for wool and came home shorn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 455 encounters mine field at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Ships
SS Argonaut, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

I still don't have the turn, just the combat replay, so I don't know if it will survive


Then disaster:
2 destroyer divisions raid the Java sea, resulting on 3 naval actions

Results were horrendous
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
AM Pieter de Bitter, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
TK Petronella, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Aletta, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Paula, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
TK Angelina, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
TK Talang Akar, Shell hits 16, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Night Time Surface Combat, near Bima at 64,110, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Natori, Shell hits 1
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
AM Finch, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
TK Aldegonda, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Day Time Surface Combat, near Roti at 66,115, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Natori
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
xAP Candesa, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Legaspi, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Candioa, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Van Swoll, Shell hits 14, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
2410 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 200 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



I lost 6 small TK, 4 small APs and 2 AMs... this of course is regrettable, but not completely unexpected as I withdrew the "premium" ships out of Java, keeping only the smaller ones for the island's needs.

But the worst loss of the day was the destruction of the 223 RAF Group (Air HQ).
This I took pains to move out from Singapore, in a fast transport, first to Java to change into smaller APs with the idea to setup a "last stand" defense in Koepang.
This plan is of course shattered, as the other Air HQ (224 RAF Group) is already in he bay of Bengal, soon to reach Calcutta.