Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Can you swarm subs with decent torpedoes into his SLOC for Kusaie Island. Maybe even a fresh sub laid minefield from one equipped with poor torpedoes.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).”
; Julia Child
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
I have had a number of subs between Truk and Ponape and between Ponape and Kusaie. I did just get an AO with a US sub, but I haven't had much luck even spotting carriers or battleships lately. OPilot was running battleship bombardment task forces between Truk and Kusaie and my subs didn't see them, and when they did, they went after destroyers. It's just luck, and it'll even out. I micromanage every sub every turn, so I generally do well with them. Once the US torpedoes start working better, the results will improve.
But I have had a number of Dutch subs near Kusaie. I wouldn't say that I've swarmed the area, but there is a concentration there.
But I have had a number of Dutch subs near Kusaie. I wouldn't say that I've swarmed the area, but there is a concentration there.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
24 Nov 42
Near Port Blair, Grayling fired 2 torpedoes at xAKL Rumeo Maru, hitting it once. And it wasn't a dud. Sinking audio heard immediately after combat. I've had subs outside Port Blair and have rarely seen enemy ships. This was probably a small resupply effort. Port Blair has at least an enemy regiment on it, and is the first major target of the planned invasions in the area.
2 US subs are patrolling near the Sorong, at the northern tip of New Guinea. Today they spotted subchasers. I wouldn't be surprised if the SCs are the vanguard for KB heading from Truk to the Timor area.
The Darwin invasion armada is just south of Gove, and is almost completely spotted. There's a bunch of enemy subs just east of Wessel and Gove Islands, in a line. They spotted the ships and many SBDs spotted them, with just one bomb hit. It's all shallow water here, and dangerous for subs.
About 12 P-38s will sweep Darwin from Gove. A couple of heavy bomber squadrons from Normanton will bomb Darwin's airfield.
OPilot knows I'm coming.
And the game enters a brief break until next Saturday.
Near Port Blair, Grayling fired 2 torpedoes at xAKL Rumeo Maru, hitting it once. And it wasn't a dud. Sinking audio heard immediately after combat. I've had subs outside Port Blair and have rarely seen enemy ships. This was probably a small resupply effort. Port Blair has at least an enemy regiment on it, and is the first major target of the planned invasions in the area.
2 US subs are patrolling near the Sorong, at the northern tip of New Guinea. Today they spotted subchasers. I wouldn't be surprised if the SCs are the vanguard for KB heading from Truk to the Timor area.
The Darwin invasion armada is just south of Gove, and is almost completely spotted. There's a bunch of enemy subs just east of Wessel and Gove Islands, in a line. They spotted the ships and many SBDs spotted them, with just one bomb hit. It's all shallow water here, and dangerous for subs.
About 12 P-38s will sweep Darwin from Gove. A couple of heavy bomber squadrons from Normanton will bomb Darwin's airfield.
OPilot knows I'm coming.
And the game enters a brief break until next Saturday.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Have Grayling check the area of the sinking for floating wooden chopsticks to determine whether supply had been offloaded or not ...
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
25 Nov 42 - Back to the War
An enemy patrol boat discovered my minefield placed at the exit to Balikpapan. SC-707 hit RO-68 with a depth charge between Townsville and Port Moresby. Lots of enemy air near Sian again. Heavy rain prevented much damage to the Chinese troops.
My air plans for the day didn't work out at all. I had a plan for P-38s to make a surprise appearance in northern China and sweep some Oscars that have been guarding 2 tank regiments approaching the front. But first the B-25s arrived, and 3 were lost to the 9 Oscars there. Then 10 B-17s arrived and found 4 Oscars. No bombers lost, but no tanks hit by either bomber groups. Then 3 P-38s finally arrived, but found just 1 Oscar, and shot it down. Then the rest of the P-38s showed up, 21 of them, and found no enemy. Sweep came last.
At Darwin, B-24s arrived first and found 36 Oscars. 3 bombers were lost, and almost no damage to the airfield. Then 18 SBDs with 36 Wildcats attacked a lone AMc at Darwin. 5 Wildcats were downed, as were 6 SBDs. A total of 14 Oscars were downed here and in the earlier engagements. Yes, the tiny minesweeper was sunk.
The Darwin invasion shipping will move to Darwin today. Carriers will support from the north. BC Repulse's group will escort the transports in, along with a slow US battleship group that will not bombard just yet. Another battleship group will move with the carriers. AOs are moving with the carriers too, to refuel the task forces before a possible move towards Koepang and a sprint to the southwest to disappear. All after the successful taking of Darwin, of course. We'll see.
An enemy patrol boat discovered my minefield placed at the exit to Balikpapan. SC-707 hit RO-68 with a depth charge between Townsville and Port Moresby. Lots of enemy air near Sian again. Heavy rain prevented much damage to the Chinese troops.
My air plans for the day didn't work out at all. I had a plan for P-38s to make a surprise appearance in northern China and sweep some Oscars that have been guarding 2 tank regiments approaching the front. But first the B-25s arrived, and 3 were lost to the 9 Oscars there. Then 10 B-17s arrived and found 4 Oscars. No bombers lost, but no tanks hit by either bomber groups. Then 3 P-38s finally arrived, but found just 1 Oscar, and shot it down. Then the rest of the P-38s showed up, 21 of them, and found no enemy. Sweep came last.
At Darwin, B-24s arrived first and found 36 Oscars. 3 bombers were lost, and almost no damage to the airfield. Then 18 SBDs with 36 Wildcats attacked a lone AMc at Darwin. 5 Wildcats were downed, as were 6 SBDs. A total of 14 Oscars were downed here and in the earlier engagements. Yes, the tiny minesweeper was sunk.
The Darwin invasion shipping will move to Darwin today. Carriers will support from the north. BC Repulse's group will escort the transports in, along with a slow US battleship group that will not bombard just yet. Another battleship group will move with the carriers. AOs are moving with the carriers too, to refuel the task forces before a possible move towards Koepang and a sprint to the southwest to disappear. All after the successful taking of Darwin, of course. We'll see.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
[26 Nov 42
S-27 fired 4 torpedoes at destroyer Teruzuki near Finschhafen but missed. The enemy is still running ships from Rabaul to Buna and back at night.
Near Manado, Sturgeion fired 4 torpedoes at AO Naruto. One hit but it was a dud. Northwest of Timor, Plunger fired 2 torpedoes at TK Eiyo Maru. One hit but it was a dud. It then made another attack, firing 2 more torpedoes at the tanker. Again, one hit. Again, it was a dud. A radio report was sent back to Pearl about the defective fish.
The enemy resumed air activity over China. Hengyang and the Sian area, and troops outside of Kukong were hit. In Burma, 29 Sallys with 42 Oscars hit Cox's Bazar, doing minor airfield damage.
9 B-17s bombed Darwin's airfield, finding 25 Oscars on CAP. A squadron of F4Fs from the carriers were LRCAP here, over the transports, and it appears that they participated in the fight, as 13 of them were lost. Just one Oscar was downed. Gove just went to a size 2 airfield today, so P-38s will sweep Darwin tomorrow. A different result is hoped for.
Darwin was invaded late in the day, so not everything has been unloaded. All of the good AP transports are involved, and should finish unloading and start back toward Gove today. Here's the order of battle at Darwin:
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3126 troops, 77 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 563
Defending force 20875 troops, 448 guns, 532 vehicles, Assault Value = 752
Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Assaulting units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
7th Tank Regiment
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
56th Const Co
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
38th Field Const Co
48th Field AA Battalion
55th Const Co
3rd Construction Battalion
14th Army
5th Air Division
34th JNAF AF Unit
Defending units:
754th Tank Bn /1
Americal Infantry Div /1
3rd USMC Tank Bn /1
762nd Tank Bn /1
2nd Marine Div /1
193rd Tank Bn /1
97th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing /3
Losses were heavy for the Japanese in the amphibious bombardments, with over 1000 casualties reported. Losses were heavy in the US landings too, as the Marines were only 68% prepped for Darwin:
Amphibious Assault at Darwin (76,124)
TF 263 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124
Allied ground losses:
1221 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 160 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 119 (0 destroyed, 119 disabled)
Vehicles lost 133 (1 destroyed, 132 disabled)
The US troops should prevail here, but it won't be immediate. Bombardments and bombings will tip the scale. No sign of KB but with an AO spotted near Manado, it could appear near Darwin. There's been enough time.
S-27 fired 4 torpedoes at destroyer Teruzuki near Finschhafen but missed. The enemy is still running ships from Rabaul to Buna and back at night.
Near Manado, Sturgeion fired 4 torpedoes at AO Naruto. One hit but it was a dud. Northwest of Timor, Plunger fired 2 torpedoes at TK Eiyo Maru. One hit but it was a dud. It then made another attack, firing 2 more torpedoes at the tanker. Again, one hit. Again, it was a dud. A radio report was sent back to Pearl about the defective fish.
The enemy resumed air activity over China. Hengyang and the Sian area, and troops outside of Kukong were hit. In Burma, 29 Sallys with 42 Oscars hit Cox's Bazar, doing minor airfield damage.
9 B-17s bombed Darwin's airfield, finding 25 Oscars on CAP. A squadron of F4Fs from the carriers were LRCAP here, over the transports, and it appears that they participated in the fight, as 13 of them were lost. Just one Oscar was downed. Gove just went to a size 2 airfield today, so P-38s will sweep Darwin tomorrow. A different result is hoped for.
Darwin was invaded late in the day, so not everything has been unloaded. All of the good AP transports are involved, and should finish unloading and start back toward Gove today. Here's the order of battle at Darwin:
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3126 troops, 77 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 563
Defending force 20875 troops, 448 guns, 532 vehicles, Assault Value = 752
Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Assaulting units:
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
7th Tank Regiment
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
56th Const Co
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
38th Field Const Co
48th Field AA Battalion
55th Const Co
3rd Construction Battalion
14th Army
5th Air Division
34th JNAF AF Unit
Defending units:
754th Tank Bn /1
Americal Infantry Div /1
3rd USMC Tank Bn /1
762nd Tank Bn /1
2nd Marine Div /1
193rd Tank Bn /1
97th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing /3
Losses were heavy for the Japanese in the amphibious bombardments, with over 1000 casualties reported. Losses were heavy in the US landings too, as the Marines were only 68% prepped for Darwin:
Amphibious Assault at Darwin (76,124)
TF 263 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124
Allied ground losses:
1221 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 160 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 99 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 119 (0 destroyed, 119 disabled)
Vehicles lost 133 (1 destroyed, 132 disabled)
The US troops should prevail here, but it won't be immediate. Bombardments and bombings will tip the scale. No sign of KB but with an AO spotted near Manado, it could appear near Darwin. There's been enough time.
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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
27 Nov 42
The unopposed Allied moves around Darwin were suddenly interrupted.
First, the rest of the invasion troops unloaded at Darwin. Then a large enemy cruiser force appeared in the same hex as all of the Allied carriers. First the enemy engaged other task forces.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 76,122, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
SC-700, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-705, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-708, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-739, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
I had 2 US cruiser task forces guarding the carriers. I sent the smaller one, with 2 cruisers, to Darwin, to replace the British task force with Repulse, which then moved to where the Allied carriers were supposed to move to. This resulted in just the bigger US cruiser force being in position to engage the enemy.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Lamson
DD Case, Shell hits 2
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shaw, Shell hits 1
Vincennes drew most of the enemy cruiser fire, and sank just after combat. The two destroyers hit by torpedoes were targeted by enemy destroyers.
Then the enemy found the reserve battleship bombardment force, moving with the carriers for air cover.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 5
BB Idaho, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Isaac Sweers
The enemy was showing signs of being low on ammo. Takao was hit by a 14 inch shell. Other than that, the slow US battleships were ineffective. They were very lucky to not be hit by more torpedoes. Idaho is SYS 46/FLOT 33-21/ENG 5/FIRE 0 and should make it to a hex adjacent to the carriers.
Then the enemy found the carriers. First they found Enterprise, Hornet and Wasp and escorts. Visibility was 8,000 yards. The range closed from 24,000 to 9,000 yards. Then the carrier task force attempted to evade combat, and the range slowly increased in increments of just 1,000 yards, until the Allied ships escaped.
The second carrier task force wasn't so lucky. The range closed to 8,000 and the fight began. It got down to 6,000 yards before increasing to 13,000 yards, where the carriers escaped. But a fight ensued first.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Yura
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Arashio, Shell hits 3, on fire
Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Shell hits 1
CV Saratoga, Shell hits 1
CV Illustrious
BB Washington, Shell hits 2
BB South Dakota
CA New Orleans
CL Achilles, Shell hits 3
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 2
CLAA Juneau
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 1
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
DD Mahan
DD Smith
DD Preston
DD Cummings
The enemy was low on ammo. Hits on Lexington and Saratoga amounted to absolutely no damage. Lex and Sara scored 4 or 5 5 inch hits, a couple of which were penetrating on destroyers. Washington soaked up a couple of non-penetrating shells, but couldn't hit anything. Nor could South Dakota. Atlanta has 15 SYS damage, and Achilles has 10 SYS damage. Phoenix has 11 SYS damage. Nothing else to note. Dodged a bullet here.
The enemy then found a 3 DMS task force in the same hex, and sank DMS Lamberton. Destroyer Oshio then sank from previous damage.
Mississippi and New Mexico then bombarded Darwin, damaging lots of Oscars and the base, and causing 831 casualties.
When daylight appeared, 13 Bettys with 18 Zeros and 35 Oscars attacked shipping at Darwin, after tangling with 13 Wildcats on LRCAP. 12 Bettys dropped torpedoes. Battleship Warspite was hit by a torpedo (SYS 7/FLOT 21-10/ENG 1/FIRE 0). AK Castor was also hit and is gravely damaged with SYS 29/FLOT 80-51/ENG 2/FIRE 1. AP Henderson was hit by 3 torpedoes and sunk.
Then US troops at Darwin were bombed by 29 Sallys and 26 Lilys with 18 Zeros and 7 Oscars, with just 7 Wildcats still overhead. 263 US casualties.
18 P-38s then swept Darwin, finding 10 Oscars. Most of the Oscars were destroyed.
The enemy ships had not gotten far enough away, probably due to damage. The Allied carriers had decided to retreat towards Gove, but they were still in range of the enemy. The fairly fragmented strikes began.
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 48
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1
CA Haguro
DD Michishio
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
and
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 4, on fire
and
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Jintsu
In the afternoon, 8 Bettys found an APD task force where the carriers were supposed to have gone. The ships have an air support unit loaded, and were waiting to move into Darwin to unload. APD Gilmer was hit by 2 torpedoes and sunk. 314 casualties.
More US naval airstrikes.
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chokai, on fire
and
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, on fire
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Haguro, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied ships are now ordered to leave the Darwin area. Carriers should be able to cover all of the task forces tomorrow, with a range 1 CAP. What could have been a real disaster turned into a battle with losses on both sides. Confirmed losses for the Allies are CA Vincennes and destroyers Drayton and Conygnham, and APD, a DMS, and AP, and 4 SCs. An AK will soon sink also. The enemy lost a destroyer and has most of their combat task force badly damaged.
Elsewhere, Sunfish spots the big enemy battleship task force near Ponape. Haddo makes the first US sub appearance west of Nagasaki and spots a huge tanker task force. 2 torpedoes were fired at tanker Sansho Maru. One hit and it was not a dud. The tanker is on fire and heavily damaged, but there was no fuel on it. It could survive.
Enemy airstrikes targeted the Chinese capital, and the 3 Chinese squadrons did well there.
Total air losses for the day, including the action around Darwin and at Chungking, were:
33 Oscars
11 Helens
7 Bettys
5 Sallys
4 Petes (on sunk ships)
2 Jakes (on sunk ships)
3 Zeros
7 P-66s
5 F4F-4s
3 P-43s
It was quite an exciting day to watch.
The unopposed Allied moves around Darwin were suddenly interrupted.
First, the rest of the invasion troops unloaded at Darwin. Then a large enemy cruiser force appeared in the same hex as all of the Allied carriers. First the enemy engaged other task forces.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 76,122, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
SC-700, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-705, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-708, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
SC-739, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
I had 2 US cruiser task forces guarding the carriers. I sent the smaller one, with 2 cruisers, to Darwin, to replace the British task force with Repulse, which then moved to where the Allied carriers were supposed to move to. This resulted in just the bigger US cruiser force being in position to engage the enemy.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CL Jintsu, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Minneapolis
CA San Francisco
CA Vincennes, Shell hits 17, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Lamson
DD Case, Shell hits 2
DD Conyngham, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Shaw, Shell hits 1
Vincennes drew most of the enemy cruiser fire, and sank just after combat. The two destroyers hit by torpedoes were targeted by enemy destroyers.
Then the enemy found the reserve battleship bombardment force, moving with the carriers for air cover.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu
CL Yura
DD Kuroshio, on fire
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio
Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Shell hits 5
BB Idaho, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Isaac Sweers
The enemy was showing signs of being low on ammo. Takao was hit by a 14 inch shell. Other than that, the slow US battleships were ineffective. They were very lucky to not be hit by more torpedoes. Idaho is SYS 46/FLOT 33-21/ENG 5/FIRE 0 and should make it to a hex adjacent to the carriers.
Then the enemy found the carriers. First they found Enterprise, Hornet and Wasp and escorts. Visibility was 8,000 yards. The range closed from 24,000 to 9,000 yards. Then the carrier task force attempted to evade combat, and the range slowly increased in increments of just 1,000 yards, until the Allied ships escaped.
The second carrier task force wasn't so lucky. The range closed to 8,000 and the fight began. It got down to 6,000 yards before increasing to 13,000 yards, where the carriers escaped. But a fight ensued first.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Bathurst Island at 77,122, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
CA Maya
CA Chokai
CA Myoko, Shell hits 1
CA Haguro, Shell hits 4, on fire
CL Jintsu
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Yura
DD Oyashio
DD Asashio
DD Oshio, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Michishio
DD Arashio, Shell hits 3, on fire
Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Shell hits 1
CV Saratoga, Shell hits 1
CV Illustrious
BB Washington, Shell hits 2
BB South Dakota
CA New Orleans
CL Achilles, Shell hits 3
CLAA Atlanta, Shell hits 2
CLAA Juneau
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 1
DD Dunlap
DD Fanning
DD Mahan
DD Smith
DD Preston
DD Cummings
The enemy was low on ammo. Hits on Lexington and Saratoga amounted to absolutely no damage. Lex and Sara scored 4 or 5 5 inch hits, a couple of which were penetrating on destroyers. Washington soaked up a couple of non-penetrating shells, but couldn't hit anything. Nor could South Dakota. Atlanta has 15 SYS damage, and Achilles has 10 SYS damage. Phoenix has 11 SYS damage. Nothing else to note. Dodged a bullet here.
The enemy then found a 3 DMS task force in the same hex, and sank DMS Lamberton. Destroyer Oshio then sank from previous damage.
Mississippi and New Mexico then bombarded Darwin, damaging lots of Oscars and the base, and causing 831 casualties.
When daylight appeared, 13 Bettys with 18 Zeros and 35 Oscars attacked shipping at Darwin, after tangling with 13 Wildcats on LRCAP. 12 Bettys dropped torpedoes. Battleship Warspite was hit by a torpedo (SYS 7/FLOT 21-10/ENG 1/FIRE 0). AK Castor was also hit and is gravely damaged with SYS 29/FLOT 80-51/ENG 2/FIRE 1. AP Henderson was hit by 3 torpedoes and sunk.
Then US troops at Darwin were bombed by 29 Sallys and 26 Lilys with 18 Zeros and 7 Oscars, with just 7 Wildcats still overhead. 263 US casualties.
18 P-38s then swept Darwin, finding 10 Oscars. Most of the Oscars were destroyed.
The enemy ships had not gotten far enough away, probably due to damage. The Allied carriers had decided to retreat towards Gove, but they were still in range of the enemy. The fairly fragmented strikes began.
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 48
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Atago, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1
CA Haguro
DD Michishio
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
and
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 4, on fire
and
Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Jintsu
In the afternoon, 8 Bettys found an APD task force where the carriers were supposed to have gone. The ships have an air support unit loaded, and were waiting to move into Darwin to unload. APD Gilmer was hit by 2 torpedoes and sunk. 314 casualties.
More US naval airstrikes.
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CA Chokai, on fire
and
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 15
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, on fire
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Michishio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CA Haguro, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Arashio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Isuzu, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied ships are now ordered to leave the Darwin area. Carriers should be able to cover all of the task forces tomorrow, with a range 1 CAP. What could have been a real disaster turned into a battle with losses on both sides. Confirmed losses for the Allies are CA Vincennes and destroyers Drayton and Conygnham, and APD, a DMS, and AP, and 4 SCs. An AK will soon sink also. The enemy lost a destroyer and has most of their combat task force badly damaged.
Elsewhere, Sunfish spots the big enemy battleship task force near Ponape. Haddo makes the first US sub appearance west of Nagasaki and spots a huge tanker task force. 2 torpedoes were fired at tanker Sansho Maru. One hit and it was not a dud. The tanker is on fire and heavily damaged, but there was no fuel on it. It could survive.
Enemy airstrikes targeted the Chinese capital, and the 3 Chinese squadrons did well there.
Total air losses for the day, including the action around Darwin and at Chungking, were:
33 Oscars
11 Helens
7 Bettys
5 Sallys
4 Petes (on sunk ships)
2 Jakes (on sunk ships)
3 Zeros
7 P-66s
5 F4F-4s
3 P-43s
It was quite an exciting day to watch.
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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Nice to see the Allied carriers get a punch in on the brash enemy CAs. I guess from the FP losses two of the CAs went under and more are likely to.
I have my concerns about trying to exit to the east - any counterpunch coming from Truk or the Marshalls can easily close that door before your plodding herd gets to safety, unless you have enough LBA to make them stay out of range of shore. I suppose the alternative to go past Darwin and south of the DEI leaves you open to Nettie attack, but the carrier fighters should be able to stem that?
I have my concerns about trying to exit to the east - any counterpunch coming from Truk or the Marshalls can easily close that door before your plodding herd gets to safety, unless you have enough LBA to make them stay out of range of shore. I suppose the alternative to go past Darwin and south of the DEI leaves you open to Nettie attack, but the carrier fighters should be able to stem that?
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
The carriers could probably move west of Darwin and protect themselves sufficiently. I think it would now look more like what it really is: a repositioning to the Indian Ocean. I decided it was more important to shepherd all the task forces, and most importantly, the nice APs, back to safety.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
28 Nov 42
Battlecruiser Repulse and British escorts bombard Darwin and do good work. An ACM is hit in port, 414 casualties on the ground, and the base takes moderate damage. Two US cruisers and 6 destroyers also bombard and cause an additional 270 casualties.
Sailfish hit xAK Asakasan Maru with a dud torpedo east of Pagan. This is probably on the route from Tokyo to Truk.
Shark spotted an interesting convoy near Phuket. Direction of the ships is unknown, but I imagine that they are northbound. Shark hit a patrol boat with a dud torpedo.
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68
Japanese Ships
PB Yamabato Maru
AD Choko Maru
AR Yamabiko Maru
AKE Takao Maru
PB Yamadori Maru
Allied Ships
SS Shark
I witnessed a unique set of engagements today. The series of battles was something I had never seen before. 3 Allied AMs were on ASW duty between Luganville and Guadalcanal.
Submarine attack near Kirakira at 116,143
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 13, heavy damage
Allied Ships
AM Outarde
AM Chignecto
AM Ungava, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS I-4 is located by AM Outarde
AM Chignecto fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-4 forced to surface!
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
then
ASW attack near Kirakira at 116,143
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 4, heavy damage
Allied Ships
AM Ungava, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Chignecto, Shell hits 2, on fire
SS I-4 is sighted by escort
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
and finally
Submarine attack near Kirakira at 116,143
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
AM Ungava, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Chignecto, Shell hits 1
AM Ungava is sighted by SS I-4
SS I-4 cannot submerge, must engage on the surface
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
Ungava did sink, as did the sub, after the 3rd engagement. Sinking audio was heard. After the sub was forced to surface, it engaged with its gun but didn't fire any torpedoes. A running gun battle with 3 engagements. After the first two, the sub was erroneously presumed sunk. Chignecto is SYS 34/FLOT 26-9/ENG 4-1/FIRE 6. Fun to watch these fights.
Allied troops attack at Darwin for the first time.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25878 troops, 473 guns, 669 vehicles, Assault Value = 815
Defending force 24080 troops, 252 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 535
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 398
Japanese adjusted defense: 212
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
998 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 34 (3 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 76 (21 destroyed, 55 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
401 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (5 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing
Defending units:
7th Tank Regiment
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
3rd Construction Battalion
5th Air Division
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Const Co
10th RF Gun Battalion
38th Field Const Co
55th Const Co
14th Army
48th Field AA Battalion
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
34th JNAF AF Unit
This is a good result. The two naval bombardments must have helped. Bombers will support and we'll attack again today.
The Darwin invasion armada task forces all made it safely to the Gove area. Most will continue on to the east coast of Australia, including the carriers and battleships. Some shipping has been unloading support troops at Taberfane undetected, but the task force was spotted today. Fighters are protecting, but there's no protection against ships. They'll stay one more day to unload and then leave, empty or not.
Battlecruiser Repulse and British escorts bombard Darwin and do good work. An ACM is hit in port, 414 casualties on the ground, and the base takes moderate damage. Two US cruisers and 6 destroyers also bombard and cause an additional 270 casualties.
Sailfish hit xAK Asakasan Maru with a dud torpedo east of Pagan. This is probably on the route from Tokyo to Truk.
Shark spotted an interesting convoy near Phuket. Direction of the ships is unknown, but I imagine that they are northbound. Shark hit a patrol boat with a dud torpedo.
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68
Japanese Ships
PB Yamabato Maru
AD Choko Maru
AR Yamabiko Maru
AKE Takao Maru
PB Yamadori Maru
Allied Ships
SS Shark
I witnessed a unique set of engagements today. The series of battles was something I had never seen before. 3 Allied AMs were on ASW duty between Luganville and Guadalcanal.
Submarine attack near Kirakira at 116,143
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 13, heavy damage
Allied Ships
AM Outarde
AM Chignecto
AM Ungava, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
SS I-4 is located by AM Outarde
AM Chignecto fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-4 forced to surface!
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Ungava firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Outarde firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
then
ASW attack near Kirakira at 116,143
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 4, heavy damage
Allied Ships
AM Ungava, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Chignecto, Shell hits 2, on fire
SS I-4 is sighted by escort
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
and finally
Submarine attack near Kirakira at 116,143
Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
AM Ungava, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Chignecto, Shell hits 1
AM Ungava is sighted by SS I-4
SS I-4 cannot submerge, must engage on the surface
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
AM Chignecto firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves
Ungava did sink, as did the sub, after the 3rd engagement. Sinking audio was heard. After the sub was forced to surface, it engaged with its gun but didn't fire any torpedoes. A running gun battle with 3 engagements. After the first two, the sub was erroneously presumed sunk. Chignecto is SYS 34/FLOT 26-9/ENG 4-1/FIRE 6. Fun to watch these fights.
Allied troops attack at Darwin for the first time.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25878 troops, 473 guns, 669 vehicles, Assault Value = 815
Defending force 24080 troops, 252 guns, 271 vehicles, Assault Value = 535
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Allied adjusted assault: 398
Japanese adjusted defense: 212
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
998 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Guns lost 34 (3 destroyed, 31 disabled)
Vehicles lost 76 (21 destroyed, 55 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
401 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (5 destroyed, 34 disabled)
Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing
Defending units:
7th Tank Regiment
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
3rd Construction Battalion
5th Air Division
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
56th Const Co
10th RF Gun Battalion
38th Field Const Co
55th Const Co
14th Army
48th Field AA Battalion
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
34th JNAF AF Unit
This is a good result. The two naval bombardments must have helped. Bombers will support and we'll attack again today.
The Darwin invasion armada task forces all made it safely to the Gove area. Most will continue on to the east coast of Australia, including the carriers and battleships. Some shipping has been unloading support troops at Taberfane undetected, but the task force was spotted today. Fighters are protecting, but there's no protection against ships. They'll stay one more day to unload and then leave, empty or not.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
29 Nov 42
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion is moving to Katherine from the south. It had been spotted, and it was bombed by Bettys from Koepang. Some squads and vehicles were disabled. This is less important than the fight at Darwin, where Sallys and Lilys bombed the troops. Heavy rain prevented many losses. US bombers hit enemy troops at Darwin also.
A second US attack at Darwin.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25540 troops, 470 guns, 664 vehicles, Assault Value = 733
Defending force 23396 troops, 249 guns, 258 vehicles, Assault Value = 455
Allied adjusted assault: 174
Japanese adjusted defense: 326
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1254 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 30 (13 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (66 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
509 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (4 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Good result with the losses. Forts were not reduced, and disruption is now too high to continue attacking immediately. Units will rest. Supply from Gove will probably have to be forced back into Darwin. The enemy continues to show movement out of Darwin, but it is unknown how many, if any, units will actually leave to the south.
Many Allied ships from the Darwin invasion are now passing Horn Island, heading to Townsville. Support ships like AKEs and ADs are nearing Gove and will help support a cruiser force that will stay at Gove and help at Darwin. The big boys, however, are leaving the area. An Australian brigade is now loaded at Normanton and will head to invade Merauke, where the enemy has extracted most of its forces, and only about 2,000 men in 2 units remain. The bases has been pummeled and there may be no supply there. Merauke will help be a stepping stone to supporting Taberfane and Dobo.
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion is moving to Katherine from the south. It had been spotted, and it was bombed by Bettys from Koepang. Some squads and vehicles were disabled. This is less important than the fight at Darwin, where Sallys and Lilys bombed the troops. Heavy rain prevented many losses. US bombers hit enemy troops at Darwin also.
A second US attack at Darwin.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 25540 troops, 470 guns, 664 vehicles, Assault Value = 733
Defending force 23396 troops, 249 guns, 258 vehicles, Assault Value = 455
Allied adjusted assault: 174
Japanese adjusted defense: 326
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1254 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 30 (13 destroyed, 17 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (66 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Allied ground losses:
509 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (4 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Good result with the losses. Forts were not reduced, and disruption is now too high to continue attacking immediately. Units will rest. Supply from Gove will probably have to be forced back into Darwin. The enemy continues to show movement out of Darwin, but it is unknown how many, if any, units will actually leave to the south.
Many Allied ships from the Darwin invasion are now passing Horn Island, heading to Townsville. Support ships like AKEs and ADs are nearing Gove and will help support a cruiser force that will stay at Gove and help at Darwin. The big boys, however, are leaving the area. An Australian brigade is now loaded at Normanton and will head to invade Merauke, where the enemy has extracted most of its forces, and only about 2,000 men in 2 units remain. The bases has been pummeled and there may be no supply there. Merauke will help be a stepping stone to supporting Taberfane and Dobo.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
30 Nov 42
22 Zeros sweep Milne Bay from Lae. 25 Warhawks are on CAP. There was a P-39 squadron here yesterday, but I moved it to Port Moresby to help defend a big troop convoy unloading. 16 Warhawks were lost. Just one Zero was downed, but 4 others were ops losses.
Both sides bombed troops at Darwin. US artillery attacked at Darwin, and it went worse than expected.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 666 troops, 68 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 678
Defending force 21997 troops, 244 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 400
Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied troops will attack today. A cruiser force will move into range to bombard Darwin the next day. There are cargo ships spotted at Boela for the past few days. Dobo became a size 2 airfield, so P-38s are moved in to sweep Boela. A squadron of divebombers are moved in with fighter escorts.
December is a big upgrade month for US fleet subs. Some will begin upgrading immediately.
Allied carriers are spotted east of Cairns, southbound.
There are still lots of ships at Kusaie Island. I think that the damage to the port is making it a slow process to pull out units, which I think is what is going on there. The first 4 Fletcher class destroyers are ordered from Luganville to Nauru, for a possible raid to Kusaie.
22 Zeros sweep Milne Bay from Lae. 25 Warhawks are on CAP. There was a P-39 squadron here yesterday, but I moved it to Port Moresby to help defend a big troop convoy unloading. 16 Warhawks were lost. Just one Zero was downed, but 4 others were ops losses.
Both sides bombed troops at Darwin. US artillery attacked at Darwin, and it went worse than expected.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 666 troops, 68 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 678
Defending force 21997 troops, 244 guns, 201 vehicles, Assault Value = 400
Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Allied troops will attack today. A cruiser force will move into range to bombard Darwin the next day. There are cargo ships spotted at Boela for the past few days. Dobo became a size 2 airfield, so P-38s are moved in to sweep Boela. A squadron of divebombers are moved in with fighter escorts.
December is a big upgrade month for US fleet subs. Some will begin upgrading immediately.
Allied carriers are spotted east of Cairns, southbound.
There are still lots of ships at Kusaie Island. I think that the damage to the port is making it a slow process to pull out units, which I think is what is going on there. The first 4 Fletcher class destroyers are ordered from Luganville to Nauru, for a possible raid to Kusaie.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
1 Dec 42
Again bombers from both sides hit troops at Darwin. Various enemy bombing raids in China. Another Allied attack at Darwin.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24956 troops, 461 guns, 581 vehicles, Assault Value = 683
Defending force 20236 troops, 235 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 402
Allied adjusted assault: 260
Japanese adjusted defense: 170
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
962 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 45 (4 destroyed, 41 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 59 (15 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Good result. The troops are ready to go again. A small US cruiser force will bombard Darwin overnight. 2 small units have retreated south from Darwin. Probably non-combat units. We may take Darwin today.
Boela had bad weather, so no sweep or naval strike. Enemy ships are seen at Sorong, so we'll try there today.
Again bombers from both sides hit troops at Darwin. Various enemy bombing raids in China. Another Allied attack at Darwin.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24956 troops, 461 guns, 581 vehicles, Assault Value = 683
Defending force 20236 troops, 235 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 402
Allied adjusted assault: 260
Japanese adjusted defense: 170
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
962 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 45 (4 destroyed, 41 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 59 (15 destroyed, 44 disabled)
Good result. The troops are ready to go again. A small US cruiser force will bombard Darwin overnight. 2 small units have retreated south from Darwin. Probably non-combat units. We may take Darwin today.
Boela had bad weather, so no sweep or naval strike. Enemy ships are seen at Sorong, so we'll try there today.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
2 Dec 42
Cruisers Salt Lake City and Chester bombarded Darwin, doing moderate damage to troops. These cruisers and 6 destroyers can do this every day, making a 9 hex move from Gove and rearming there.
The 19th Australian Brigade invaded Merauke. Defenses are very light, and the base should fall with an attack today.
Dutch sub KXIV fired 2 torpedoes at destroyer Shiratsuyu near Buna, but missed. Destroyers continue to make runs from Rabaul to Buna. I'm guessing they are bringing in supply. They could be evacuating troops.
23 P-38Gs had been moved to Dobo. They swept Sorong and found 9 A6M3 Zeros. They shot every one down, with no loss to themselves. 17 SB2U-3 Vindicators arrived, without their assigned escort, but found no CAP left over a small enemy task force in heavy rain.
Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DMS W-4, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Johore Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
The cargo ship had fuel loaded, and it burned. Sinking audio was heard immediately after combat.
Near Bassein, Dutch sub KXVI hit PB Kozan Maru with a torpedo. Sinking audio heard.
US troops attack at Buna for the first time.
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12185 troops, 197 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 362
Defending force 11428 troops, 105 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 255
Allied adjusted assault: 255
Japanese adjusted defense: 323
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)
Japanese ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
555 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
I US Corps
Defending units:
4th Division
90th Infantry Regiment
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Base Force
41st Field AA Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
39th Field AA Battalion
85th Naval Guard Unit
8th JNAF AF Unit
40th JNAF AF Unit
Most of the enemy units had been kicked out of Port Moresby awhile ago. The 41st will rest. An artillery unit is on the Kokoda Trail and on the way. There's an armor unit at Dobadura, and it will reinforce eventually, but I can't leave the base undefended. Engineers will eventually go to Dobadura. Buna isn't going to fall easily. This is a low priority and we'll grind away and wear down the enemy.
The attack at Darwin goes better.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24857 troops, 461 guns, 566 vehicles, Assault Value = 644
Defending force 18876 troops, 236 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 290
Allied adjusted assault: 300
Japanese adjusted defense: 228
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1669 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 39 (27 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (2 destroyed, 35 disabled)
The infantry needs to rest for a day before attacking again. The base will fall soon. Followup support units are coming from Normanton.
South of Darwin, at Katherine, there's a small battle.
Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Defending force 1943 troops, 8 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Allied adjusted assault: 40
Japanese adjusted defense: 12
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Defending units:
57th Construction Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn
The base will fall to the tank destroyer battalion.
There's still a bunch of enemy task forces at Kusaie Island. I see transports, and nothing bigger than destroyers. There had been battleships, but they were spotted north of the island a week ago. I'm sending the first 4 Fletcher class destroyers on a high speed raid from Nauru to Kusaie. It could be very productive, or it could be suicide. Or both.
Cruisers Salt Lake City and Chester bombarded Darwin, doing moderate damage to troops. These cruisers and 6 destroyers can do this every day, making a 9 hex move from Gove and rearming there.
The 19th Australian Brigade invaded Merauke. Defenses are very light, and the base should fall with an attack today.
Dutch sub KXIV fired 2 torpedoes at destroyer Shiratsuyu near Buna, but missed. Destroyers continue to make runs from Rabaul to Buna. I'm guessing they are bringing in supply. They could be evacuating troops.
23 P-38Gs had been moved to Dobo. They swept Sorong and found 9 A6M3 Zeros. They shot every one down, with no loss to themselves. 17 SB2U-3 Vindicators arrived, without their assigned escort, but found no CAP left over a small enemy task force in heavy rain.
Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
DMS W-4, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Johore Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
The cargo ship had fuel loaded, and it burned. Sinking audio was heard immediately after combat.
Near Bassein, Dutch sub KXVI hit PB Kozan Maru with a torpedo. Sinking audio heard.
US troops attack at Buna for the first time.
Ground combat at Buna (99,129)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 12185 troops, 197 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 362
Defending force 11428 troops, 105 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 255
Allied adjusted assault: 255
Japanese adjusted defense: 323
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)
Japanese ground losses:
337 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Allied ground losses:
555 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 57 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
I US Corps
Defending units:
4th Division
90th Infantry Regiment
III/84th Naval Guard Unit
15th Naval Construction Battalion
3rd Base Force
41st Field AA Battalion
13th Naval Construction Battalion
14th Naval Construction Battalion
39th Field AA Battalion
85th Naval Guard Unit
8th JNAF AF Unit
40th JNAF AF Unit
Most of the enemy units had been kicked out of Port Moresby awhile ago. The 41st will rest. An artillery unit is on the Kokoda Trail and on the way. There's an armor unit at Dobadura, and it will reinforce eventually, but I can't leave the base undefended. Engineers will eventually go to Dobadura. Buna isn't going to fall easily. This is a low priority and we'll grind away and wear down the enemy.
The attack at Darwin goes better.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24857 troops, 461 guns, 566 vehicles, Assault Value = 644
Defending force 18876 troops, 236 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 290
Allied adjusted assault: 300
Japanese adjusted defense: 228
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1669 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 57 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 39 (27 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (2 destroyed, 35 disabled)
The infantry needs to rest for a day before attacking again. The base will fall soon. Followup support units are coming from Normanton.
South of Darwin, at Katherine, there's a small battle.
Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 504 troops, 3 guns, 81 vehicles, Assault Value = 46
Defending force 1943 troops, 8 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 11
Allied adjusted assault: 40
Japanese adjusted defense: 12
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
175 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Defending units:
57th Construction Battalion
28th JAAF AF Bn
The base will fall to the tank destroyer battalion.
There's still a bunch of enemy task forces at Kusaie Island. I see transports, and nothing bigger than destroyers. There had been battleships, but they were spotted north of the island a week ago. I'm sending the first 4 Fletcher class destroyers on a high speed raid from Nauru to Kusaie. It could be very productive, or it could be suicide. Or both.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
3 Dec 42
The 4 new Fletcher class destroyers move into Kusaie at high speed.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 4,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Taikei Maru, Shell hits 46, and is sunk
PB Tyuwa Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
and
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
xAP Ural Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
All of the other task forces had left. OPilot told me that he had a cruiser force there, but it had just left. Chevalier took a shell hit and is SYS 7/FLOT 10-3/3-0/0. The other destroyers took between 5 and 10 SYS damage with the high speed run. All will retire to Luganville for repairs. It's worth noting that the US destroyers fired 2 torpedoes early in the 2nd fight, and a torpedo hit Makigumo and Ural Maru, but both were duds. Lots of ammo was expended in the fights, so the US ships were lucky not to run into a strong combat task force after these fights.
Katherine is captured by a US tank destroyer unit, which moved up from the south. Merauke is captured by the 19th Australian Brigade. Followup units are on the way.
Darwin was bombed by US bombers, and hit by the cruiser task force. The same will occur today, and the ground units will attack. Darwin may be captured today.
Here's an update on some damaged ships. Yorktown is still at Sydney and has about 45 days left to repair. I should have sent it to Pearl Harbor when it was at Vava'u. Battleship Idaho made it to Normanton and is repairing minor damage. Royal Sovereign arrived at the UK with FLOT 24 and will take 60 days to repair. Ramilles is SYS 2/FLOT 38/ENG 26/0, moving slowly, and still needs 59 days to get to the East Coast. Revenge is SYS 3/FLOT 40/0/0 and still needs 113 days of repair at Capetown.
The 4 new Fletcher class destroyers move into Kusaie at high speed.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 4,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Taikei Maru, Shell hits 46, and is sunk
PB Tyuwa Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
and
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kusaie Island at 125,118, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
xAP Ural Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Chevalier, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
Japanese ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
All of the other task forces had left. OPilot told me that he had a cruiser force there, but it had just left. Chevalier took a shell hit and is SYS 7/FLOT 10-3/3-0/0. The other destroyers took between 5 and 10 SYS damage with the high speed run. All will retire to Luganville for repairs. It's worth noting that the US destroyers fired 2 torpedoes early in the 2nd fight, and a torpedo hit Makigumo and Ural Maru, but both were duds. Lots of ammo was expended in the fights, so the US ships were lucky not to run into a strong combat task force after these fights.
Katherine is captured by a US tank destroyer unit, which moved up from the south. Merauke is captured by the 19th Australian Brigade. Followup units are on the way.
Darwin was bombed by US bombers, and hit by the cruiser task force. The same will occur today, and the ground units will attack. Darwin may be captured today.
Here's an update on some damaged ships. Yorktown is still at Sydney and has about 45 days left to repair. I should have sent it to Pearl Harbor when it was at Vava'u. Battleship Idaho made it to Normanton and is repairing minor damage. Royal Sovereign arrived at the UK with FLOT 24 and will take 60 days to repair. Ramilles is SYS 2/FLOT 38/ENG 26/0, moving slowly, and still needs 59 days to get to the East Coast. Revenge is SYS 3/FLOT 40/0/0 and still needs 113 days of repair at Capetown.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
4 Dec 42
AM Geelong is patrolling the straits east of Darwin, straits that are being used every day by Allied ships. Geelong found I-122 and did some minor damage to the sub. The US cruiser force that has been bombarding Darwin every day did so again, and on the way back to Gove, found mines at Darwin and the two hexes in the straits. Fortunately, destroyers cleaned up a few mines and no ships hit any. Two reinforcement task forces are approaching, and with the straits mined, they are ordered to go the long way around north of Darwin.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24254 troops, 459 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 619
Defending force 17111 troops, 209 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 284
Allied adjusted assault: 272
Japanese adjusted defense: 70
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
6745 casualties reported
Squads: 153 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 219 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 147 (145 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 113 (113 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8
Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing
Defending units:
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
14th Army
3rd Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
10th RF Gun Battalion
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
US troops will not chase the enemy to the south, at least not immediately. Both US divisions have about 100 disabled combat squads and could use some rest. The enemy is no threat to the south, and is showing movement to the enemy dot base of Fenton. The only escape is for them to move west to the coast, a long trip on a trail. For now, US bombers will bomb the enemy troops. They are in the clear and there's nothing but clear terrain to be found. Time for some payback for previous Allied losses in clear terrain.
US troops at Darwin are immediately tasked with preparing for Babar and Ambon. Darwin has 30,000 supply, which is a pleasant surprise. The units had extra but not that much extra, so the bonus supply is, a bonus. The base is badly damaged and engineers get to work. More minesweepers are sent to Darwin from Gove. Normanton has been the submarine forward base. Now the AS there will move to Gove. A huge naval base support unit will be moved from Townsville to Darwin. Darwin will be the huge support base for future moves north and northwest.
AM Geelong is patrolling the straits east of Darwin, straits that are being used every day by Allied ships. Geelong found I-122 and did some minor damage to the sub. The US cruiser force that has been bombarding Darwin every day did so again, and on the way back to Gove, found mines at Darwin and the two hexes in the straits. Fortunately, destroyers cleaned up a few mines and no ships hit any. Two reinforcement task forces are approaching, and with the straits mined, they are ordered to go the long way around north of Darwin.
Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24254 troops, 459 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 619
Defending force 17111 troops, 209 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 284
Allied adjusted assault: 272
Japanese adjusted defense: 70
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
6745 casualties reported
Squads: 153 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 219 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 147 (145 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 113 (113 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 8
Allied ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
223rd Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
154th Field Artillery Battalion
1st RAAF Base Wing
Defending units:
16th Division
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF
14th Army
3rd Construction Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
10th RF Gun Battalion
32nd Nav Gsn Unit
US troops will not chase the enemy to the south, at least not immediately. Both US divisions have about 100 disabled combat squads and could use some rest. The enemy is no threat to the south, and is showing movement to the enemy dot base of Fenton. The only escape is for them to move west to the coast, a long trip on a trail. For now, US bombers will bomb the enemy troops. They are in the clear and there's nothing but clear terrain to be found. Time for some payback for previous Allied losses in clear terrain.
US troops at Darwin are immediately tasked with preparing for Babar and Ambon. Darwin has 30,000 supply, which is a pleasant surprise. The units had extra but not that much extra, so the bonus supply is, a bonus. The base is badly damaged and engineers get to work. More minesweepers are sent to Darwin from Gove. Normanton has been the submarine forward base. Now the AS there will move to Gove. A huge naval base support unit will be moved from Townsville to Darwin. Darwin will be the huge support base for future moves north and northwest.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Nice work taking Darwin back! I wouldn't move that AS there until you can put enough CAP up to fend off raids from the DEI.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
First Java, than India and now Australia, this is allready a serious attrition of japanese ground forces. Add to this his probably sunken cruisers and it's fair to argue that your progress is amazing.
My last comment was obviously prone to a complete misunderstanding, I regret that as this achievements are no way 'easy'; vice versa, it's a superb example how a coherent strategy with a flexible approach in operational manoevering could not only grap the initiative against a stronger opponent but also a significant foothold in the DEI and all before the first year has ended. Liked the true island gambit as well; while they will be missed I guess their sacrifice will shorten the war.
What I have learnt in life that all kinds of art are only looking easy when done by someone with 'battlehardened' skills. This AAR looks, smells and feels 'pro'.
My last comment was obviously prone to a complete misunderstanding, I regret that as this achievements are no way 'easy'; vice versa, it's a superb example how a coherent strategy with a flexible approach in operational manoevering could not only grap the initiative against a stronger opponent but also a significant foothold in the DEI and all before the first year has ended. Liked the true island gambit as well; while they will be missed I guess their sacrifice will shorten the war.
What I have learnt in life that all kinds of art are only looking easy when done by someone with 'battlehardened' skills. This AAR looks, smells and feels 'pro'.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Thanks Wuffer. I am experienced but don't consider myself a "pro". Just last turn, I accidentally started unloading a supply convoy on the Australian coast, not at a base. There's always mistakes and room for improvement. One of the great things about this game is that you can play for many years and still learn things.
Thank you though. My plans have been mostly successful. I've tried to get my opponent into a defensive mindset as soon as I could, and I think that was successful. I've prioritized sticking to my plans over chasing the Japanese Navy and trying to have the big carrier battle. Now that Darwin is taken, progress will slow there. The US fleet is heading to Ceylon for a huge amphibious assault of Burma. Aiding China will cost progress through Timor and beyond. It's a continuation of hitting the enemy where they are not.
When I do challenge KB, and I will, it will be in the most advantageous conditions that I can get, and it will be a surprise.
Thank you though. My plans have been mostly successful. I've tried to get my opponent into a defensive mindset as soon as I could, and I think that was successful. I've prioritized sticking to my plans over chasing the Japanese Navy and trying to have the big carrier battle. Now that Darwin is taken, progress will slow there. The US fleet is heading to Ceylon for a huge amphibious assault of Burma. Aiding China will cost progress through Timor and beyond. It's a continuation of hitting the enemy where they are not.
When I do challenge KB, and I will, it will be in the most advantageous conditions that I can get, and it will be a surprise.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
4 Dec 42 - China
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