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I think you made exellent move and he will be very surprised with presence of so huge number of planes a no CV's nearby.

This will be intresting to say the least!

Swenslim: Thanks! Lets just hope those aircraft take off and do not get grounded due to weather reasons.

The way I see it is that this has potential of being one of those turns when everything comes together.

I'am not getting too excited just yet since I want to see the action first.

There has been enough bad luck in this one to last an lifetime.

JocMeister: Thanks and welcome! It ought to be so. I checked my inbox and no turns as of yet.

It might be few hours before I hear from him and if he got hammered than it might tomorrow local time before I can ran the turn.

One neat trick in AE is to park your carriers on opposite side of main island AF (like Suva), than where your opponent air units/CVs are coming from. In AE, there is big chance that incoming strikes will have to encounter land base CAP before getting through to your CVs.

aztez did you set the hudsons on 360° search or do you only search the the western side of Suva?
This really makes a lot of difference in raising the DL of enemy TF´s.
Also did you set some of the Dauntless to naval search?
As far as my experience goes a higher DL can have a great impact on the success of the attack.

Did you get good results with the Dauntless on 15-20k? i usually use lower attack altitudes but have no
experience on the differences that makes on naval strikes.
if you get nearly the same resaults as with...say 6-9k attack altitude then maybe the ability to avoid some AAA
is justified. Although in this situation where every hit counts I would have gone in lower if this affects accuracy.

If you do not get the turn tonight this will severely affect my performance at work tomorrow because i gonna have to watch
this thread very very closely and so have no time for less important things... [:D]

After reading my e-mail box

GOOD LUCK !

Very big gamble but I wish your pilots Godspeed and good luck.

A lot depends on your airstrike coordination, how much of the force goes after the carriers and how much after the transports.

Since he has all of his carriers in one TF you could pull a Midway on him if you get lucky.

Either way, I think that you will empty out your aircraft pools of naval aircraft after the battle.

Anxiously awaiting the results!  May fortune smile upon you.

Yes good luck Aztez, I am really looking forward this move. God Speed airmen!

Sardaukar: That is an definately neat "trick" to keep in mind. I haven't experienced this yet but need to keep this in mind in case I get an opportunity to take an advantage of this.
 
Appreciated mate as always.
 
LoBaron: Yes, I kept them searching 360 degrees since Dave has an bad habit of moving his carriers around. If I would only concentrate on one side than I might lose contact totally.
 
I had most of them set on 10% naval search orders and one squadron had it upped to 20%. Those divebombers have been very handy so far in the game.
 
I think that there were discussions back in the classic witp that SBD's were most effective at the alltitude of 20 000. I know their default is set on 10 000 feet but at 20 000 they should be able to get through in numbers.
 
I never flown them out at 9000 feet but we had test turn which I set all of fighters/bombers assault at 10 000 feet. That was an request from Dave and I was happy oblige.
 
Actually somewhat curious to see whether raids at lower single alltitude are more effective than spreading them around.
 
Sorry to disappoint you mate. I haven't seen the turn myself either. All I can give out now is few words from Dave.... (see below)
 
Rob: Thanks! We shall see how big of an party is needed here!
 
seydlitz: True. I know this was a big move and gamble. Than again I my carriers are 99,99% safe albeit they lack some aircraft though. I have quite a few carrier trained squadrons though at Hawaji and these will make out the deficit for now. When I disband/withdraw them I should get those squadrons back within 120 days time.
 
If he thinks that my carriers are out completely than he is going to have an unpleasant suprises ahead of him.
 
Really appreciated! You have a lot of new views into the game.
 
offenseman: You are not alone! The best I can give out is few words from Dave... (see below)
 
Fishbed: Thanks! I will have the full combat report posted tonight once I get home from work.

I didn't get turn until this morning so I was unable to run it. Here are Dave's remarks regarding action that took place.
 
"Here's combat. As you suspected, it was "eventful". I'll let you see how it worked out for yourself. I will say that I lost close to 100 naval planes, most with their pilots. It was interesting... I'm guessing that you flew the carrier air off the CVs to Suva/Nadi? I didn't spot any CVs."
 
Hmmm, no news whether or not we hit any ships or such. At least we took quite an chunk pilots and carrier aircraft.
 
I mean 100 aircraft downed with the new AE model is a lot of planes.
 
Needless to say that I'am intrested to see what took place there. All in all this operation definately was not all for nothing.
 
We also are discussing the chinese front. More about this later on too.
 
..and there was the first bombing launched againts burma by RAF.
 
It should be action packed turn indeed.

Wow really look forward to your update Aztez!

Even if you did not hit a single CV, killing nearly 100 AC from which i guess the majority
would be Vals/Kates pulls a couple of teeth out of the KB.
So this alone might have evened up your early carrier lossses, everything else
that gets sent to the bottom is a bonus.

I guess this combat replay will take some time to watch...

With that high a loss of planes i have to think you hit at least 1 or 2 of his CVs prety bad. Good luck and hope that managed to pull a midway out of your hat.

Ugh, I just caught up on your AAR and now I'm left with a cliff-hanger!

Smart play putting all your planes on SUVA. If you decimated his force well enough will you try to pursue? Perhaps move your CVs north put a few bombs on his tankers and then let his ships bleed on the way back to Truk?

This reminds me of who shot JR....

Hey!
 Absolutely stunning AAR! I've read it from the start. It gives some good perspective how interesting it can be with all the endless tactics it offers. A little bit different caliber from the Hearts of Iron -series [:D]

 I'm still an amateur, since I bought AE just a few months ago and currently playing against Allied AI, getting to know the game and the dreaded production system. Still a very hooking game... or simulation [:)]

100 Pilots are very difficult, if not impossible to really replace as Japan.

Training can only bring skills up into the 50-ish range, which doesn't replace the high-quality cadres that Japan starts with.

As Japan, your high-quality pilot reserves are the following:
40-ish Kate Pilots (at a Yokosuka based 36-plane Daitai that is very good)
16 Val pilots (another Daitai in home islands)

You can siphon off Zero pilots from land-based units, but then they need replacements....which are hard to come by

ORIGINAL: Ketza

This reminds me of who shot JR....

could not agree more [:D][:D] showing our age now [;)]

LoBaron: The results are and I will the whole combat replay in the update.

We did not hit any carriers but it really was an slaughter all the way to the end.

I'am happy with the results and no doubt we will see more action next turn!

jrlans: Thanks! It wasn't an Midway unfortunately. At least not yet but who knows what next turn will bring since my squadrons still do carry a punch.

All in all very fun turn to watch!

skrewball: Ugh! Yeah, I think it was an sensible thing to do and in my opinion I already got the rewards for it! Even with no carriers sunk initially we did damage which have longterm effect in the game.

Oh.. and the battle is not over yet!

Ketza: LOL! [:D]

Shilka: Welcome to the thread and forums! Also, nice to see more fellow countrymen joining these forums.

You will notice that these forums are friendly and full of very helpful people.

Your estimate about possible tactics. Well, I think there so many that hindsight is the best knowledge you get. The game make you wonder why you did something few months back that now has backfired.

I'am still feeling like an amateur and I have been playing witp series many years now. I think soon to be 5 years! This is by far the most cheapest entertainment one can buy if you like strategy games.

I have never played HOI but what I have read these games very far apart!

Appreciated the comments!

Q-Ball: He will lose even more if he stays around Suva and yes he did lose +100 aircraft and as he stated almost 100 pilots!

I think this was an allied victory and as stated above we are far from finished here!

Allways appreciate expert comments!

Rob: Lets not talk about our ages! That is not healthy! [:D]

The operation Fortune (june 3rd - 4th 1942)


The turn started with no flight opps on the morning phase of june 3rd. The weather got better of both sides. Only the recon flights took off and our bombers spotted several targets around the islands.

However BB Hyuga and BB Yamashiro started of the events by bombarding shores at Suva. The damage was non-existant with only few hits.

The afternoon however was an diffrent story this is where the real battle begun. I have divided this report in 3 separate sections showing the events recorded by combat.txt file...


AFTERNOON MAY 3RD 1942

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CV Zuikaku



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 131,160

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 98
D3A1 Val x 47



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 15 destroyed, 26 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Danae
CL Boise, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
CL Mauritius, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Stronghold
DD Mustin
DD Jupiter, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Hammann
DD Vendetta


MORNING MAY 4TH 1942

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Suva at 132,160, Range 28,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Hyuga
DD Hatsushima
DD Asagiri

Allied Ships
CL Danae
DD Hammann
DD Mustin
DD Vendetta
DD Banckert, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
DD Witte de With, Shell hits 9, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26



Allied aircraft
TBD-1 Devastator x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 131,161

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 13



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied Ships
DD Vendetta
CL Danae

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 132,160

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 26



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Mauritius, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Stronghold

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 129,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 28
D3A1 Val x 42



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 1
CL Tromp
CL De Ruyter
DD Van Ghent
CL Java, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kortenaer

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 129,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13



Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
CL Tromp, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Van Ghent
CL Java, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Suva at 131,161

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged


Allied Ships
DD Vendetta
CL Danae, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk


AFTERNOON MAY 4TH 1942


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
TBD-1 Devastator x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
TBD-1 Devastator: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16



Allied aircraft
TBD-1 Devastator x 13


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBD-1 Devastator: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBD-1 Devastator bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Nadi at 129,160

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 85
D3A1 Val x 60



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 21 damaged
D3A1 Val: 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Allied Ships
DD Kortenaer
CA Houston, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Piet Hein, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Java, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL De Ruyter
DD Van Ghent
DD Van Nes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Suva at 132,160

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
B5N2 Kate x 5



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Stronghold, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Yasawa Islands at 128,158

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CV Shokaku



Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb


...and that is how it ended with both sides feeling the pain of the battle! I think we were somewhat unlucky in the turn itself since we had few decent strikes againts his carriers. Than again I really cannot complain how it turned out to be.

Intresting to see whether he will stay around Suva since it will cost him even more losses and yes I still do have a lot of operational aircraft. I think there are around +150 of them ready to go at it again.

There were 2 RN torpedo squadrons that did not fly and 2 US Helldiver bombers are also at full strenght. I do expect them to get out and fight next turn.

One other thing I noticed is that I can move my squadrons into NZ for refit and fly them in and out! At least SBD's can do trip and Wildcats too. VERY nice to see this. So, basically I can withdraw my airforce there and have another show down once he comes there IF he comes there.

Another good thing that he has now landed maybe 500-600 av worth of infantry into Nadi. That is not enough to invade the whole country since I have some quality troops at Suva. Another good thing from the battle.

That is it and we shall see what next turn brings... I think he has some decisions to make and at least BB Hyuga and BB Yamashiro are in deep deep trouble!