PzB vs Wobbly - Clash of Steel

[Lord_Calidor]

ORIGINAL: PzB
The offensive in the Marshall will be called: Operation Recoil [8D]

This should be interesting.

I took a few days off from work, and I should probably find some nice secluded beach and enjoy summer before hordes of tourists arrive, but I'm hard pressed about that, with all the action here. [:D]

[PzB74]

I've now issued orders for the 1st of January 1943 turn:
Both my CS were automaticall sent to the yards for conversion into light carriers - I did not
have to push any buttons. The AI was even kind enough to transfer their air groups ashore first [:)]
It will take 330 days to complete these conversions, so even at accelerated production they will not
be ready for another 165 days - or roughly 5 months. The new cvls will only carry 27 ac each, so it's
hardly worth the effort. May accelerate another fleet cv instead.

Preparations for the air offensive against China have almost been completed and will start when
the newly arrived air units have had a chance to rest.

Tomorrow I will present an overview of the air units that are available in the South Pacific.

I've checked out the Allied bases in the Solomons and New Guinea today. Most are in the process
of being built into their max capacity:

Solomons

Base........Air/Port size
Tulagi 1/3
Lunga 7/5
Tassafronga 0/1
Russel Islands 2/3
Munda 2/2
Vella Lavella 0/1

New Guinea

Kiriwina Island 0/1
Goodenough Island 2/1
Gili Gili 3/3
Rossel Island 2/3
Dobadura 0/0
Port Moresby 6/4

So there is a full dozen of enemy bases in the area and it would be very difficult to capture or shut them all
down. I'm afraid we have to think hard about how to proceed.

I've also looked into the available Army units that have been available for both Burma and the South Pacific after
the fall of Colombo and Java.

In Burma the Burma Area Army has or will be reinforced with:

48th Div
55th Div
19 Engineer Regiment
21st Reserve Engineer Regiment
3 Tank Regiments

The Southern Area Army in Truk will consist of:

2nd Div - preparing for Mili
5th Div - preparing for Mili
18th Div - preparing for Goodenough Island
23rd Div - preparing for Lunga
Imperial Guards Div - preparing for Gili Gili

1, 3, 21 and 23 Engineer Regiments
4th Tank Regiment - preparing for Wewak

1 and 2 Parachute Regiments - preparing for Goodenough Island

A variety of AA and arty units will also be attached to the Army Group.

I've simply ordered my divisions to prepare for different targets even though I've not
decided whether they will really carry out these operations.

5 divisions and 4 engineer regiments + paras is a nice reserve! Most of the units got 99
exp and high morale. We have to use them wisely!

In northern India I've left 3 divisions in Karachi, 1 in Bombay and another in the hinterland.
There are also 3 engineer regiments, a tank regiment and a variety of base units and smaller
infantry units. Do you think this is a realistic garrison? 3 div in Karachi may seem a little much,
but at least it will make it next to impossible for David to recapture it [;)]

The last combat report for 1942.....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/31/42

Sub/ASW Attacks

There are dozens of Allied subs around my bases in the Solomons. I've ordered
several hunter/killer groups to the area!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 28,71 (this sub was 'found' in the DEI...good old Trusty :p)

Japanese Ships
PG Shinko Maru #2
PG Magan Maru
PG Edo Maru
PG Saga
MSW Wa 5
MSW Wa 3
DD Shiranuhi

Allied Ships
SS Trusty, hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 81,80 (Marshalls)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.21
APD APD-46
APD APD-39
APD APD-36
APD APD-34
APD APD-2

Allied Ships
SS Pogy, hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 60,87

Japanese Ships
AP Nekka Maru (hit by dud torpedoes)
DD Shigure
DD Yamagumo

Allied Ships
SS Dolphin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

The usual dozen and two airstrikes today - the only one that was opposed was this:

Day Air attack on Majuro , at 83,83

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 11
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

We aim to please [:D]

Well, it could have been worse...for my 'vacation' we have had the worst summer in 38 years thus far [:(]
Been clody or rainy for most of May and June. Sometimes I MISS Brisbane!

ORIGINAL: Lord_Calidor

ORIGINAL: PzB
The offensive in the Marshall will be called: Operation Recoil [8D]

This should be interesting.

I took a few days off from work, and I should probably find some nice secluded beach and enjoy summer before hordes of tourists arrive, but I'm hard pressed about that, with all the action here. [:D]

[PzB74]

The first day of the new year saw continued fighting in the different
theaters...

Small scale shipping raids hit 3 enemy transports and a number of subs
mined 3 enemy bases. Lots of enemy asw attacks failed to hit my fragile subs.

The last of my carriers has now completed her scheduled upgrade. Another month
will be spent in port in order to allow my capital ships to finish their repairs while
we wait for the Taiho and the Southern Area Army.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/01/43

Air Combat

Tomorrow we will start attacking the ground units in Mandalay, air field
damage is now reported to be 100%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 135
Ki-48 Lily x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 54

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87 - this attack shows how difficult it will be
to keep Lae alive...

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
Kittyhawk I x 8
P-38G Lightning x 33
B-26B Marauder x 60
B-17E Fortress x 31
B-24D Liberator x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 20000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Brigade, at 28,77 - all isolated garrisons suffer
at the hands of Allied air power. This is the brigade at Timor!

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 62

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 30th Chinese/B Corps, at 46,32 - my 'boot camp' in China...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
D3A Val x 8
B5N Kate x 19
G4M1 Betty x 20
Ki-27 Nate x 30

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-27 Nate attacking at 100 feet
20 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 10000 feet
11 x B5N Kate bombing at 8000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero attacking at 100 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x B5N Kate bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91 - a small scale raid fails to hit a transport!

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
AK George Vancouver

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 55,90 - Buna is even more exposed than Lae!

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 17
Hudson I x 14
Beaufort V-IX x 14
P-38G Lightning x 31

No Allied losses

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
15 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Beaufort V-IX bombing at 6000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93.....

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 11
F-5A Lightning x 1
B-26B Marauder x 53

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 42

Aircraft Attacking:
53 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK John C. Calhoun

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93 - a successful strike from Rabaul!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 30
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Lew Wallace, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
SC SC-641
AK Starr King, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Peter H. Burnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[PzB74]

Quite a bit of action today - almost enough to qualify as a limited
New Years offensive!

Several small and a large air strike from Rabaul hit several enemy
ships and caused considerable damage. It's important to keep the pressure
up in order to slow down the Allied buildup in the region just below New Britain.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/02/43

An enemy transport hit one of the mines laid by my subs!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1013 encounters mine field at Kiriwina Island (57,93)

Allied Ships
AK Kota Radja, Mine hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Air Combat

The air offensive in China started with fighter sweeps of Kweiyang!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 12 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 33,32 - the few remaining British bombers in China
continues to strike at undefended targets. This may come to an end soon!

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 11
Wellington III x 11

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 33,32

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87 - these attacks are just growing in size and
intensity.

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
Kittyhawk I x 8
B-26B Marauder x 61
B-17E Fortress x 31
B-24D Liberator x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Runway hits 110

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 10 and 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 37th Division, at 45,34 - these Chinese bombers need to
be taken care of as well. If I can destroy them and Chinese supplies are below 20k.... [;)]

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 11
SB-2c x 25

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Brigade, at 28,77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 40


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next attacks are the first ground strikes around Mandalay!

Day Air attack on 22nd Chinese Division, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 35

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
37 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 10000 feet
11 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 22nd Chinese Division, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-21 Sally x 65
Ki-48 Lily x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 200th Chinese Division, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I ordered quite a few of my Bettys to strike at enemy ships today!
No less than 8 enemy ships were hit by torpedoes.

Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 9

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK John Adams, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK James Gordon Bennett
TK Republic

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK John C. Calhoun

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3 - these small strikes are effective and I hope they will drive David nutters one day [;)]

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Edwin M. Stanton, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I sent a fast transport mission to Majuli in the Marshalls with a base force
unit and much needed supplies. An escort TF took the heat when Allied bombers
intercepted them. My LRCAP from Kwajalein was grounded due to bad weather...

Two of my destroyers are moderately damageg while the light cruiser Yubari also
got bruised. I don't send in too many of these missions, but somtimes it can't be
avoided.

Day Air attack on TF at 82,82

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD Dauntless x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 82,82

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 54

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya
DD Wakaba
DD Ayanami
DD Hatakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Yayoi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Matsukaze
DD Yuzuki
DD Satsuki

Aircraft Attacking:
All B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todays largest anti shipping strike: two of the enemy transports sank and took
with the parts of an Australian base force unit!

Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
G4M1 Betty x 44
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Empire Trust, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Forbes Hauptmann, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Indora
AK Kota Radja
AK Mormaclark
AK Mauna Loa
SC SC-648, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage - still these stupid attacks against small SC that are too small to be hit by torpedoes...
AK Mormacstar, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 16
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses - the Oscar IIs did well in this mission!
Kittyhawk I: 7 destroyed

Allied Ships
AK Empire Trust, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*
SC SC-742
AK Indora, Torpedo hits 1
AK Mauna Loa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
90 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
All G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships [:(]
SC SC-648, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Peter H. Burnett, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Todays air losses

Since there was a lot of activity in the air today it could be interesting to take a look at the losses!

[PzB74]

A friend of mine that lives in Scotland took this picture a few days ago...a little dark but it's still a good shoot
of the British carrier Ark Roayl! Must be nice to have carriers and destroyers move past your window every now and then [:)]

[soeren01]

The German Naval High Command agrees with taking Mili Base but would try to take all of the Gilberts too. As long as the allied have one of these bases they can force attrition on the IJ Forces. Also by destroying allied LCU's the allied ability to counterattack will be hampered, as LCU's does not come back.
Are there informations availible exactly which enemy Land units have been destroyed ?
It would be interesting to see how many divisions the allieds have left.

The situation in the Solomons is more difficult. As long as the allies hold either Port Moresby or Guadalcanal they have a foothold that will contest the IJ Forces there.
A constant bombing campaign against Port Moresby and Gili-Gili is needed and interception of every supply freighter to wear these bases out before they could be invaded. Guadalcanal may be a bit easier as there is not so much airpower around.

As German Naval Attache I am ordered suggest Hit and Run tactics with the goal not to gain territory but to inflict as much damage on your enemy as posssible. Strike for specific targets, isolated outposts like Midway with the goal to destroy airplanes, ships and ground units there. Try to ambush the enemy ships as has alreday be done with the two battleships.

Alternatly, get Mili and the whole Gilber Islands chain and use mainly airpower to supress and isolate Port Moresby, Gili-Gili and Guadalcanal. Make airfields housing B-17 bomber and P-38 Fighter your main target.

[Speedysteve]

Nice pic PZB [:)]

[PzB74]

I hope the German 6th Army can break out of Stalingrad Soeren [;)] I'm sure we can handle
the Yankees if you can hold the Ruskies at bay.

Would be nice to capture both the Solomons, Gilberts AND New Guinea - but I'm afraid that
offensive battles will have to be more limited. It's already 1943 and the enemy got strong air
formations and unlimited replacements. It would be easy to provide troops for such operations,
but ship losses would be unacceptable I'm afraid.

We have to analyze the situation carefully and carry out defensive/operations according to the
reality. I can't fight a long defensive war if the Combined Fleet is severly weakened. So it's not
only a question about what we can take now, but also one about what we can hold in 1944!

I ordered my naval bombers to rest today - it's better to attack with rested pilots.
David was probably expecting me as well [;)]

Pretty sure he doesn't like my activities, cause the heavies were back! They hit
Rabaul and Maloelap and succeeded in destroying some 30 ac on the ground, mostly
in the latter base. Again the enemy formations were mauled badly and the wrecks
of dozens of heavy bombers litter the pacific.

I've attached another air loss summary in the end of this report. The good thing is that I'm
loosing very few pilots. Aircraft losses can be replaced readily! In Maloelap I simply rotate
them back to Kwajalein were they receive replacements while another full strength group
is sent back in its place.

Spent almost 150 political points to replace air leaders today! Lots of fighter, bomber and
patrol units that were commanded by the wrong type of leaders. It should be possible to
sort leaders by type: fighter commander, bomber etc... Very annoying to click a dozen
different pilots to find a potential candidate!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/03/43

Sub/ASW Attacks

We continue to pick at enemy subs..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 58,83

Japanese Ships
MSW Tama Maru #2
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Ranzan Maru
APD APD-31
DD Uranami
DD Natsugumo

Allied Ships
SS S-45, hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Today we swept Kunming and bombed Kewiyang with good results!

Day Air attack on Kunming , at 39,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 26
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
I-153c x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 9 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 4
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 31
Ki-21 Sally x 102
Ki-48 Lily x 12
Ki-49 Helen x 26

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48 Lily x 77

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 55

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 53

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Maloelap , at 82,81

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 26

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 9
P-38G Lightning x 9
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-17E Fortress x 80
B-24D Liberator x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 4 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
F-5A Lightning: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 41 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 4 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
20 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
13 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 54
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 28

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 31
B-24D Liberator x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 12 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
L3Y Tina: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 15 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 6 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 22nd Chinese Division, at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-21 Sally x 45
Ki-48 Lily x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Todays 'mini raids' were relatively succesful!

Day Air attack on TF, near Dobodura at 55,91

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
SC SC-630, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Goodenough island at 56,93

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK John Adams, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses

[PzB74]

Interesting day i the air today! I took quite a few casualties, but these were mostly
more expendable ac like Oscars, Nates, Lilys and a few Sallys.

David wants to oppose my air offensive in China and put most of his fighter in the air today.
I don't mind as this will make it possible to destroy them quicker.
I'm still keeping my bombers in the South Pacific back and only relasing a few of them on a daily basis.

Most of my Burma Area Army has now been unloaded with the exeption of a few tank regiments.
Should be possible to move towards Mandalay in a week or so.

The 18th Division has almost reached Truk - the first major ground unit to reinforce this theatre
since the war started. This says something about how much 'scrounging' I've had to do in order to
provide the region with garrisons.....

The Fuso is now at sys damage 0, the Mutsu 8, Hyuga and Ise 10, Kongo and Haruna at 12 and 13.
These battleships + the Musashi will most likely be the only one that can be prepared for Operation Recoil.
The Taiho will arrive in 18 days!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/04/43

The DMS are much wanted targets...if I only could get a few of em [:'(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1022 encounters mine field at Kiriwina Island (57,93)

Allied Ships
DMS Perry
DMS Dorsey
DMS Trevor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub/ASW Attacks

ASW attack at 59,84

Japanese Ships
PC Ch 16
PC Ch 1
MSW Togo Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-45, hits 1, heavy damage *sinks*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 80,79

Japanese Ships
AG AG-357, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
SS Harder
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 80,79

Japanese Ships
MSW Noshiro Maru #2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Allied Ships
SS Harder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Really heavy air battles over China today! All of my Zeros stayed home of
followed a recon plane to Kunming. This meant that I punished the Allied bombers
that came for Nanning - but I also met the bulk of the Chinese AF with only Oscar Is and
Nates... A nasty melee therefore took place.

Day Air attack on Nanning , at 40,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 13
Ki-27 Nate x 10
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wellington III: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Wellington III bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 2
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30
Ki-21 Sally x 108
Ki-48 Lily x 12
Ki-49 Helen x 27

Allied aircraft - this must be 80% of all Chinese fighters!
I-16c x 44 - the I-16 turned out to be an even match for my Oscar Is. That says more about the latter unfortunately

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 3 destroyed, 18 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 14 destroyed, 16 damaged

Allied ground losses:
53 casualties reported

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 83

Aircraft Attacking:
All bombers bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 18
Ki-48 Lily x 81

Allied aircraft
I-16c x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16c: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 45

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-48 Lily bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-21 Sally x 50

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 53

Aircraft Attacking:
All Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Kiriwina Island at 57,93 - my Oscar II is NOT a match for P38s, but still saw the torpedo bombers through...

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 10
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 10
P-38G Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Kota Radja, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Mormaclark, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks*

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Todays Air Losses

[Speedysteve]

Hi PZB,

It is as I feared: in my experience the Oscar II, although a better performance aircraft when compared to a Nate, can't stand up to decent Allied Aircraft unlike a Zero, Tony or Tojo can do.

My opinion wouldbe to keep them in backwater defence areas - Truk, Wewak for now for example and have your Zero's on escort and your Tony's/Tojo's on frontline base defence?

Just my thoughts from a nowhere near experienced Japanese player.

Steven

[PzB74]

You're right Steven, but I do have a need for long range escort ac at the South Pacific front right now - even though losses may be
heavy now and then. The reason+ Most of my Zeros are undergoing advanced combat training in China [;)]

During the hard fighting over the last year a lot of experienced Zero pilots were lost. My newly trained formations have
been attached to my elite carrier groups. The bulk of my Daitais now got an average exp of 55-60. This is too low and I intend
to bring them into their 70's.

So for another month or two the Oscar II will se limited frontline service and even though not a superior ac, it can hold its own against
2nd rate Allied fighters - which still make up the majority of Davids fighter force. After that I will move them back to Truk, China, Burma
and India.

I upgraded to V1.6 today - it is possible that Allied heavy bombers will be more difficult to shoot down and be more capable of defending
themselves from now on. Have to be alert...expect David to 'test this out' during the next few days!

[Speedysteve]

Thats sound logic PZB. I'm intrigued to see how the no-longer nerfed heavies do

[PzB74]

I've now upgraded to V1.6 including the OOB changes. Jap sub doctrine still on [:(]
Incredible how it all turned around..first Allied doctrine was ON and Jap OFF.

One problem: I didn't get a combat.txt report for todays turn! Was this caused by
the patch?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/05/43

So the AAR for today is verbal and pretty short :]

One Allied transport was torpedoed and sunk of New Guinea by a small Betty strike.
An APD was torpedoed and sunk by USS Harder while an S-class boat was damaged by depth charges.

An allied bombardment TF including the BB Idaho hit Buna and a large transport convoy was spotted
south of Buna heading NW! An invasion? Have to prepare a counter move to this.

Another 16 Chinese fighters were shot down today while air field attacks were carried out succesfully.
There were also the usualy 'milk runs' in China and the Pacific.

An SNLF unit has been air lifted into Buna and supplies are also being brought in by air.

[PzB74]

We're having some issued with the new V1.6 patch.
Combat animations and combat reports remains turned OFF, so we're backtracking a few days in order to
figure things out.

If this doesn't work we'll revert to V1.5 I guess...!

[Guderon]

Hey Dude, now that Anthony is giving up WitP, are you going to try and find someone to replace him, (and NO, I'm not volunteering! [:D]) or are you just going to end this game? I for one would love to see it continue because it's such an interesting situation and I'm very curious to see what the Allies may yet achieve later in the war.

[Guderon]

Whoops, sorry for calling you Dude, PzB! I read so many of these AARs that I sometimes get the players confused! [:(]

[PzB74]

I don't know Guderon, I really don't know....!

For now I'll let David consider his decision for a few days. Quitting WitP altogether isn't something you do easily. I've suggested
for David that we can continue to play at a much reduced rate after he have had some time off.

It's not difficult to understand why David feels burned out and that a game shouldn't get in the way of ones real life.
Still, I'm getting a bit frustrated: This must be then xx time one of my opponents decide to call it a day. I'm really wondering whether
it will ever be possible to play either an UV or WitP long campaign to its conclusion [8|]

For now I'll just like to thank David for taking up this rather troublesome game and giving me the opportunity to finish my campaign in
India. It gave me the opportunity to see my plan (Operation Hangover) through and get into 1943.

So we'll have a ceasefire for now and see what happends!

[Guderon]

Yeah, that's the main reason I'd be REAL hesitant to get involved in a PBEM of this monster of a game. I'd feel obligated to finish one that I started no matter how badly the game was going for me. It's difficult for me to imagine making that much of a time commitment to a single game. Yet I know there are several (crazy?[:D]) people out there who are playing several PBEMs at the same time AND still seem to have time to make THOUSANDS of posts to this site. Mogami comes to mind..... [;)]

[PzB74]

The important factor is probably whether you got a family or not.... If you do it is important to not 'overdo it'.
I've just completed my studies and is now looking for a job. As soon as I get one I'll be hard pressed to play more than perhaps 5-6 turns a week.
Add a wife and/or child(ren) to this ecquation and you'd be good if you manage to find time even for this.

The problem is that WitP is so addictive that it somtimes can get you into a negative spirale that continues to feed of your quality time and finally turns into an
obsession.