AAR from two inexperienced UV players. Scenario 17, 100% commitment, Japanese Sub Doctrine Off. No house rules.
Truk Lagoon, Combined Fleet HQs, 1 May 1942.
Admiral Yamamoto, acting on updated intelligence suggesting that Allied naval and ground reinforcements are being rushed to the New Hebrides and Northern Australia, orders the rapid and aggressive implementation of Operation Mo.
His intent is to sever Allied lines of communication between the U.S. and Northern Australia by completing the occupation of the Solomons and then taking the New Hebrides.
IJN intelligence suggests the allies are establishing a forward naval presence in the New Hebrides while reinforcing the Brisbane area with additional Australian ground troops and U.S. bombers. Intelligence on the enemy’s naval strength suggests that a taskforce built around the CV Yorktown is operating in the area. Yamamoto is more pessimistic, but he tries to hide his concerns from the staff. His own timetable, “six months of running amok” is just about up.
Yamamoto views the operation in three major phases:
1. Threaten Port Moresby while occupying the southern Solomons
2. Consolidating in the southern Solomons
3. The drive on the New Hebrides.
That night, RADM Yamaguchi’s carriers (Zuikaku, Shokaku and Shoho) depart Truk with Tanaka’s heavy cruisers to rendezvous with the transports south of Rabaul. The fleet of transports and small escorts has almost 10,000 troops on board including two units of engineers, and 144th infantry bde, and an AA battery destined for Milne Bay (Gili Gili). MGEN Horii (South Seas Detachment) has overall command of the ground forces. His mission: secure the key port at the southern tip of New Guinea and establish an airfield capable of supporting level bombers in order to threaten the isolation of Port Moresby and secure the exposed southwestern flank of the Solomons campaign. While the assault on Milne Bay is tactically very real, the strategic intent is to convince Gen MacArthur that Japan intends to attack Port Moresby and possibly the Cairns sector. MacArthur, in a very visible tug-a-war for forces in the region, seems more likely to be able to shift major forces to New Guinea away from the southern Solomons and the New Hebrides if he can point to a clear and present danger. Focused on New Guinea, he may not realize the building danger to the New Hebrides until too late.
At a few minutes before 8PM that same evening, RADM Nishimura’s light cruisers and destroyers slip out Rabaul loaded with marines on the quick downhill run to occupy the lynchpin of the battle for the Solomons—Guadalcanal (Lunga). A few hours ahead of Nishimura and the marines, two big fleet minelayers are plowing through the darkening waters to deposit their deadly cargo in the narrow southern neck of the Solomon Slot—the shallow channel that lies between Guadalcanal and Malaita.
Unproven Leaders
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
- Location: Austin / Brisbane
RE: Unproven Leaders
ACE,
Nice start. Who is your opponent?
[8D]
Nice start. Who is your opponent?
[8D]
RE: Unproven Leaders
Scenario 17, 100% commitment, Japanese Sub Doctrine Off. No house rules.
Ahhh...some more real men around....[:D]
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
RE: Unproven Leaders
Mario
Do you mean that "real men" can't toy with the game settings? Why? Historical, what if, what could've been had this or that happened. Imagine if the Japanese realized sooner the importance of this area and sent in more sooner. Why limit yourself?
Do you mean that "real men" can't toy with the game settings? Why? Historical, what if, what could've been had this or that happened. Imagine if the Japanese realized sooner the importance of this area and sent in more sooner. Why limit yourself?
Todd
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
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- Location: Austin / Brisbane
RE: Unproven Leaders
My opponent is a friend who I do not think is currently a Forum member. I also am playing scenario 17 as the allies against Borner.
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
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RE: Unproven Leaders
2 May 42. End of Day staff update.
An Operations Officer provided the following intelligence and operations summary:
MacArthur apparently ordered his air commander at Port Moresby to attack Lau. 9 Hudsons and 8 Dauntless with an escort of 10 Aircobras bombed the airfield at Lau. The bombers came in at 6000 feet. 7 hits caused damage to the runways. 2 Dauntless dive bombers were brought down by flak while all the remaining bombers were damaged according to the BDA cell in Army Intelligence.
Claudes patrolling from Lau above Buna did not site any evidence the enemy is attempting to fly reinforcements to this base. The squadron leader asked guidance on whether to provide CAP for the airbase tomorrow or continue to scout for transport aircraft at Buna? Yamamoto considers for a moment and then directs continued overflights of Buna. “I doubt those Hudson and Dauntless pilots have any more stomach for daylight raids against Lau—at least for a day or two. I need to see if he will try an reinforce Buna.”
Enemy submarines were sighted 60 miles south of Rabual. Nells attacked S-47. No BDA. Enemy submarine S-38 was sighted prowling outside the mouth of Rabaul harbor! S-38 attacked by Mavis and Nell ASW patrols. S-38 also was spotted and attacked by Vals from Yamaguchi’s carriers on full ASW alert as they began to transit the gap between New Ireland and Bougainville east of Rabual. S-38 assumed sunk, but no confirmation.
RADM Yamada’s 25th airfleet launched a small nighttime Betty attack against Port Moresby. 10 Bettys at 6,000 feet caused minor damage (2 hits) to the Port Moresby airfield. All aircraft returned to Rabual safely.
We began establishing a small Float Fighter base on the atolls 210 miles east-northeast of Gili Gili. Troops and supplies were dropped and an AV is enroute. We have two squadrons for Rufe float fighters at Kavieng that will transfer tomorrow. The float fighters will be in range to provide some additional CAP for the upcoming landing at Gili Gili.
Minelayer Tsugaru was sighted by enemy carrier based aircraft in the late afternoon 10 miles northeast of Tulagi. The Commander radioed Shortland but reported that he intended to continue the tonight’s minelaying mission and then beat a quick escape. Yamamoto is both excited by the news and concerned. He speaks quickly, “We cannot well afford to lose one of the two available minelayers and what about Nishimura’s cruisers and the marine landing to secure Lunga?” The Operations Officer’s posture tells the story. He salutes sharply and continues, “RADM Nishimura reports he successfully landed the marines last evening against no resistance and he was back in Shortland in time for breakfast.”
An Operations Officer provided the following intelligence and operations summary:
MacArthur apparently ordered his air commander at Port Moresby to attack Lau. 9 Hudsons and 8 Dauntless with an escort of 10 Aircobras bombed the airfield at Lau. The bombers came in at 6000 feet. 7 hits caused damage to the runways. 2 Dauntless dive bombers were brought down by flak while all the remaining bombers were damaged according to the BDA cell in Army Intelligence.
Claudes patrolling from Lau above Buna did not site any evidence the enemy is attempting to fly reinforcements to this base. The squadron leader asked guidance on whether to provide CAP for the airbase tomorrow or continue to scout for transport aircraft at Buna? Yamamoto considers for a moment and then directs continued overflights of Buna. “I doubt those Hudson and Dauntless pilots have any more stomach for daylight raids against Lau—at least for a day or two. I need to see if he will try an reinforce Buna.”
Enemy submarines were sighted 60 miles south of Rabual. Nells attacked S-47. No BDA. Enemy submarine S-38 was sighted prowling outside the mouth of Rabaul harbor! S-38 attacked by Mavis and Nell ASW patrols. S-38 also was spotted and attacked by Vals from Yamaguchi’s carriers on full ASW alert as they began to transit the gap between New Ireland and Bougainville east of Rabual. S-38 assumed sunk, but no confirmation.
RADM Yamada’s 25th airfleet launched a small nighttime Betty attack against Port Moresby. 10 Bettys at 6,000 feet caused minor damage (2 hits) to the Port Moresby airfield. All aircraft returned to Rabual safely.
We began establishing a small Float Fighter base on the atolls 210 miles east-northeast of Gili Gili. Troops and supplies were dropped and an AV is enroute. We have two squadrons for Rufe float fighters at Kavieng that will transfer tomorrow. The float fighters will be in range to provide some additional CAP for the upcoming landing at Gili Gili.
Minelayer Tsugaru was sighted by enemy carrier based aircraft in the late afternoon 10 miles northeast of Tulagi. The Commander radioed Shortland but reported that he intended to continue the tonight’s minelaying mission and then beat a quick escape. Yamamoto is both excited by the news and concerned. He speaks quickly, “We cannot well afford to lose one of the two available minelayers and what about Nishimura’s cruisers and the marine landing to secure Lunga?” The Operations Officer’s posture tells the story. He salutes sharply and continues, “RADM Nishimura reports he successfully landed the marines last evening against no resistance and he was back in Shortland in time for breakfast.”
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Wirraway_Ace
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RE: Unproven Leaders
3 May 42 End of Day staff update.
Yamamoto could tell from the briefing officer’s quick step and bearing that he had good news to report.
“Sir, you were right. Our fighters intercepted enemy transports flying in to Buna! He is reinforcing the base. He may have been trying to draw our patrols back to Lau with yesterday’s strike. He doesn’t know how patient you are”
“Also, a flight of B17s bombed Rabaul from 35,000 feet. They did not hit the airfield”
Yamamoto let a hint of a smile cross his face. “Order RADM Tanaka to bombard the Port Moresby Airfield in preparation for the landings”
The staff officer continued after a quick nod to his aide scribbling notes. “Sir, Minelayer Tsugaru conducted its mission under the nose of the enemy carriers and escaped back towards Truk.”
“Another enemy submarine (S-40) was sighted in the costal waters off New Ireland by escort destroyers of Tanaka’s cruiser TF. No enemy torpedoes were observed. Nells from Rabaul attacked S-47 again just 30 miles from the harbor. No reliable BDA.”
“RADM Yamaguchi reported linking up with the transports southwest of Rabaul; however, half of Nishimura’s destroyers failed to rendezvous. They were a follow-on TF loaded with supplies for Lunga that apparently over-reacted to the enemy carrier aircraft sighting and ended up almost 300 miles out of position. The supplies were never delivered. Shortland ordered two destroyers to deliver supplies to the marines.”
The Operations Officer stopped speaking to let Yamamoto absorb this information. Yamamoto, hiding his annoyance, says, “How many Mutsuki and Kamikaze class destroyers does Nishimura have to transfer to Yamaguchi?”
The staff officer checks his notes. He anticipated the venerable admiral’s question due to the lack of anti-aircraft capability on the Fubuki class destroyers currently escorting the carrier task-force. “Sir, four.”
Yamamoto nods his head and says, “Proceed with the change in task organization. Order Yamaguchi to give four Fubukis to Nishimura for his Mutsukis and Kamikazes.”
That night, RADM Nishimura detached four destroyers to the carrier task force in exchange for four different destroyers. Shaking his head for a moment at the seemingly unnecessary complexities Yamamoto forced on the operations, he ordered the light cruiser Tenryu and four destroyers of his errant fast supply taskforce to scout Gili Gili ahead of the invasion fleet while he briefed his new destroyer captains on their mission to screen the transports from enemy submarine and night surface attack. As dawn came to the Coral Sea, he looked up to see Rufe fighters operating out of the temporary base at Woodlark Island flying CAP over the transports.
Yamamoto could tell from the briefing officer’s quick step and bearing that he had good news to report.
“Sir, you were right. Our fighters intercepted enemy transports flying in to Buna! He is reinforcing the base. He may have been trying to draw our patrols back to Lau with yesterday’s strike. He doesn’t know how patient you are”
“Also, a flight of B17s bombed Rabaul from 35,000 feet. They did not hit the airfield”
Yamamoto let a hint of a smile cross his face. “Order RADM Tanaka to bombard the Port Moresby Airfield in preparation for the landings”
The staff officer continued after a quick nod to his aide scribbling notes. “Sir, Minelayer Tsugaru conducted its mission under the nose of the enemy carriers and escaped back towards Truk.”
“Another enemy submarine (S-40) was sighted in the costal waters off New Ireland by escort destroyers of Tanaka’s cruiser TF. No enemy torpedoes were observed. Nells from Rabaul attacked S-47 again just 30 miles from the harbor. No reliable BDA.”
“RADM Yamaguchi reported linking up with the transports southwest of Rabaul; however, half of Nishimura’s destroyers failed to rendezvous. They were a follow-on TF loaded with supplies for Lunga that apparently over-reacted to the enemy carrier aircraft sighting and ended up almost 300 miles out of position. The supplies were never delivered. Shortland ordered two destroyers to deliver supplies to the marines.”
The Operations Officer stopped speaking to let Yamamoto absorb this information. Yamamoto, hiding his annoyance, says, “How many Mutsuki and Kamikaze class destroyers does Nishimura have to transfer to Yamaguchi?”
The staff officer checks his notes. He anticipated the venerable admiral’s question due to the lack of anti-aircraft capability on the Fubuki class destroyers currently escorting the carrier task-force. “Sir, four.”
Yamamoto nods his head and says, “Proceed with the change in task organization. Order Yamaguchi to give four Fubukis to Nishimura for his Mutsukis and Kamikazes.”
That night, RADM Nishimura detached four destroyers to the carrier task force in exchange for four different destroyers. Shaking his head for a moment at the seemingly unnecessary complexities Yamamoto forced on the operations, he ordered the light cruiser Tenryu and four destroyers of his errant fast supply taskforce to scout Gili Gili ahead of the invasion fleet while he briefed his new destroyer captains on their mission to screen the transports from enemy submarine and night surface attack. As dawn came to the Coral Sea, he looked up to see Rufe fighters operating out of the temporary base at Woodlark Island flying CAP over the transports.
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Wirraway_Ace
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RE: Unproven Leaders
[font="times new roman"]4 May End of Day staff update.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Operations Officer only has a single piece of paper in his hands and quickly goes down the list of updates.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“Nishimura’s destroyers found no sign of enemy activity at Gili Gili. Enemy transport aircraft continue to ferry troops into Buna. Enemy B17s conducted another high altitude strike against Rabaul, this time apparently targeting the port. A single bomb hit was recorded. Yamaguchi’s carriers are positioned less than 100 miles south of Gili Gili. Tanaka’s cruisers are poised to bombard Port Moresby tonight.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yamamoto simple nods and takes a sip of his tea.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Darkness has fallen over the Coral Sea. Six heavy cruisers with two escorting destroyers make speed northward towards Port Moresby. It is a clear night. RADM Tanaka can clearly see the Southern Cross hanging in the firmament. He begins to compose a haiku, but then stops and grins. He speaks quietly to the bridge staff instead. 1,500 yards to starboard, the crew on deck of the destroyer Shiratsuyu watch the main guns of the flagship train towards the looming coastline. The rest of the cruisers follow suit. Still many miles distant, a handful of lights wink from Port Moresby[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Operations Officer only has a single piece of paper in his hands and quickly goes down the list of updates.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“Nishimura’s destroyers found no sign of enemy activity at Gili Gili. Enemy transport aircraft continue to ferry troops into Buna. Enemy B17s conducted another high altitude strike against Rabaul, this time apparently targeting the port. A single bomb hit was recorded. Yamaguchi’s carriers are positioned less than 100 miles south of Gili Gili. Tanaka’s cruisers are poised to bombard Port Moresby tonight.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yamamoto simple nods and takes a sip of his tea.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Darkness has fallen over the Coral Sea. Six heavy cruisers with two escorting destroyers make speed northward towards Port Moresby. It is a clear night. RADM Tanaka can clearly see the Southern Cross hanging in the firmament. He begins to compose a haiku, but then stops and grins. He speaks quietly to the bridge staff instead. 1,500 yards to starboard, the crew on deck of the destroyer Shiratsuyu watch the main guns of the flagship train towards the looming coastline. The rest of the cruisers follow suit. Still many miles distant, a handful of lights wink from Port Moresby[/font]
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
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RE: Unproven Leaders
[font="times new roman"]5 May 1942[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]MGEN Horii swears vehemently as the sun begins to rise over the eastern headlands of Milne Bay. The first rays of light begin to turn the sky from purple to blue. There is not a cloud in the sky. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]He can just begin to make out the transports unloading his troops and the patrolling destroyers within the wide arms of the bay. So far, the lead elements of his brigade have met no resistance from the Gili Gili base. Then he hears the drone of aircraft engines…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]Sixty miles to the south, RADM Yamaguchi is pacing the open bridge of Zuikaku waiting for the first flight of Kate’s to report in from their searches to the south and west
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]MGEN Horii swears vehemently as the sun begins to rise over the eastern headlands of Milne Bay. The first rays of light begin to turn the sky from purple to blue. There is not a cloud in the sky. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]He can just begin to make out the transports unloading his troops and the patrolling destroyers within the wide arms of the bay. So far, the lead elements of his brigade have met no resistance from the Gili Gili base. Then he hears the drone of aircraft engines…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]Sixty miles to the south, RADM Yamaguchi is pacing the open bridge of Zuikaku waiting for the first flight of Kate’s to report in from their searches to the south and west
RE: Unproven Leaders
Mario
Do you mean that "real men" can't toy with the game settings? Why?
Hi Todd, hypotheticals are always interesting and could have been. I was refering more to the no house rules setup.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
RE: Unproven Leaders
1. Threaten Port Moresby while occupying the southern Solomons.
Hi Wirraray.
Don´t just threaten Port Moresby. Isolate it as much as possible and take it as soon as possible. The Solomon Island chain should take 2nd place in priority.
Port Moresby is priority one. No matter what anyone else says....If the Allies get established in there it is possible you won´t be able to capture it. The faster you capture PM the better as this will give you that much longer to establish your own position.
If you can get Port Moresby, establish strong defensive positions and keep your early losses relatively low you should be in good shape for the long stretch.
Always keep this in your line of thinking when planning and making your moves. You don´t have to beat him. He has to beat you.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
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RE: Unproven Leaders
[font="times new roman"]5 May 1942, continued[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]MGEN Horii isolates the engine noise. The aircraft are coming from the south. Zeros! 25 of the sleek fighters begin circling and stacked a protective CAP from 6,000 to 15,000 feet. He notes with a practiced eye that these are carrier based A6M3s. There must have been a change of plan. Where are the Rufes and the Zeros from Rabaul?[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yamaguchi nods to his air operations section. No enemy surface ships have been sighted within 300 miles. He orders Zuikaku’s fighters to reinforce Shoho’s CAP over Gili Gili while withdrawing the TF to the northeast. In the early afternoon, the CAP reports an enemy PBY sniffing around the taskforce. 90 minutes later, 4 Hudson bombers bravely approach the Taskforce. The CAP jumps them but still they come on. But the Australian pilots, as experienced as any in the enemy force, are still unprepared for the difficulty of attacking enemy carriers at speed, protected by numerous escorts. Two of the enemy aircraft are shot down and the others drop there bombs well astern of the flagship.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Admiral Tanaka is not far from Yamaguchi’s carriers when he hears of the attack. He clenches his fist, then forces himself to relax. He detaches his two destroyers that are low on fuel and attaches two of Yamaguchi’s escorts, then turns back north again.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]As the sun sets, MGEN Horii begins to relax. Enemy air strikes have been coming in all day from Port Moresby. Apparently last night’s air attacks and bombardments failed to close the field; however, the enemy attacks have been disjointed. Three B17s bombed twice from very high altitudes. Hudsons and Dauntless aircraft came in small packets and enemy Kittyhawk fighters made two sweeps. Four enemy aircraft were downed by the CAP and no bombs hit either men or transports. The General’s tired eyes scan the horizon and note the heavy line of thunderclouds building on the horizon. Maybe the weather will help cover tomorrow’s landings? [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]MGEN Horii isolates the engine noise. The aircraft are coming from the south. Zeros! 25 of the sleek fighters begin circling and stacked a protective CAP from 6,000 to 15,000 feet. He notes with a practiced eye that these are carrier based A6M3s. There must have been a change of plan. Where are the Rufes and the Zeros from Rabaul?[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yamaguchi nods to his air operations section. No enemy surface ships have been sighted within 300 miles. He orders Zuikaku’s fighters to reinforce Shoho’s CAP over Gili Gili while withdrawing the TF to the northeast. In the early afternoon, the CAP reports an enemy PBY sniffing around the taskforce. 90 minutes later, 4 Hudson bombers bravely approach the Taskforce. The CAP jumps them but still they come on. But the Australian pilots, as experienced as any in the enemy force, are still unprepared for the difficulty of attacking enemy carriers at speed, protected by numerous escorts. Two of the enemy aircraft are shot down and the others drop there bombs well astern of the flagship.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Admiral Tanaka is not far from Yamaguchi’s carriers when he hears of the attack. He clenches his fist, then forces himself to relax. He detaches his two destroyers that are low on fuel and attaches two of Yamaguchi’s escorts, then turns back north again.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]As the sun sets, MGEN Horii begins to relax. Enemy air strikes have been coming in all day from Port Moresby. Apparently last night’s air attacks and bombardments failed to close the field; however, the enemy attacks have been disjointed. Three B17s bombed twice from very high altitudes. Hudsons and Dauntless aircraft came in small packets and enemy Kittyhawk fighters made two sweeps. Four enemy aircraft were downed by the CAP and no bombs hit either men or transports. The General’s tired eyes scan the horizon and note the heavy line of thunderclouds building on the horizon. Maybe the weather will help cover tomorrow’s landings? [/font]
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Wirraway_Ace
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RE: Unproven Leaders
ORIGINAL: Ike99
1. Threaten Port Moresby while occupying the southern Solomons.
Hi Wirraray.
Don´t just threaten Port Moresby. Isolate it as much as possible and take it as soon as possible. The Solomon Island chain should take 2nd place in priority.
Port Moresby is priority one. No matter what anyone else says....If the Allies get established in there it is possible you won´t be able to capture it. The faster you capture PM the better as this will give you that much longer to establish your own position.
If you can get Port Moresby, establish strong defensive positions and keep your early losses relatively low you should be in good shape for the long stretch.
Always keep this in your line of thinking when planning and making your moves. You don´t have to beat him. He has to beat you.
Ike, what are your thoughts on Buna? He is using his Dakotas to fly in what I suspect is a Bde of the New Guinea Force our of Cooktown. I have been harrassing his transports with Claudes out of Lae, but I am planning on letting him get most of the Bde in and then hammer his little airfield. Of course, he may be also flying in the Engineer Bn...
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
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RE: Unproven Leaders
[font="times new roman"]6 May 1942 End of Day[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Before the Operations Officer can begin, Yamamoto holds up his hand and says quietly, “CPT Hasegawa, start with the explosions I heard today?”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The veteran Captain, still not comfortable passing on bad news to one of the most esteemed men in the Empire, pauses, tilts his head slightly as if to hear better, and then says, “An enemy Gato class submarine, we believe the Greenling, sank two of our minesweepers just outside the harbor mouth.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“They were outside the nets?”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“Yes Admiral, they were just returning from a shake-down cruise.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“Hmmm, well Captain, continue with your report.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Operations Officer, now back on firmer ground, continues. “Sir, MGEN Horii reports the landings at Gili Gili have gone very well. Naval carrier aircraft provided excellent cover and so far there has yet to be a single casualty reported.” Yamamoto thinks this is wildly optimistic, but notes to himself the General’s carefully chosen words. I wonder what has not been ‘reported’?[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Operations Officer continues. “Reports from RADM Yamaguchi indicate that his fighters shot down four enemy bombers during numerous raids against the transports. Half of the transports have already finished unloading and are returning to Shortland.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Again Yamamoto holds up his hand and in response, CPT Hasegawa tilts his head. “I note the careful omission of fighters from Rabaul and float fighters from Woodlark. Please Captain, tell me of their successes.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CPT Hasegawa, his head still tilting like a destroyer in a tight turn, says, “Ah, RADM Yamada’s fighters from Rabaul were too exhausted to cover the actual landings after flying long-range CAP over the advancing transports.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]He continues, “The staff work that led us to conclude that our Rufe fighters from Woodlark could cover the landing proved to be in error. The fighters were out of range. The staff officer who prepared the estimate has done his duty. I was his Second sir. The ceremony went well.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yamamoto is momentarily saddened. “I am glad he took the road of honor. May his Ka not find the distance to great to reach Japan for rebirth.” [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Before the Operations Officer can begin, Yamamoto holds up his hand and says quietly, “CPT Hasegawa, start with the explosions I heard today?”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The veteran Captain, still not comfortable passing on bad news to one of the most esteemed men in the Empire, pauses, tilts his head slightly as if to hear better, and then says, “An enemy Gato class submarine, we believe the Greenling, sank two of our minesweepers just outside the harbor mouth.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“They were outside the nets?”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“Yes Admiral, they were just returning from a shake-down cruise.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]“Hmmm, well Captain, continue with your report.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Operations Officer, now back on firmer ground, continues. “Sir, MGEN Horii reports the landings at Gili Gili have gone very well. Naval carrier aircraft provided excellent cover and so far there has yet to be a single casualty reported.” Yamamoto thinks this is wildly optimistic, but notes to himself the General’s carefully chosen words. I wonder what has not been ‘reported’?[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Operations Officer continues. “Reports from RADM Yamaguchi indicate that his fighters shot down four enemy bombers during numerous raids against the transports. Half of the transports have already finished unloading and are returning to Shortland.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Again Yamamoto holds up his hand and in response, CPT Hasegawa tilts his head. “I note the careful omission of fighters from Rabaul and float fighters from Woodlark. Please Captain, tell me of their successes.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CPT Hasegawa, his head still tilting like a destroyer in a tight turn, says, “Ah, RADM Yamada’s fighters from Rabaul were too exhausted to cover the actual landings after flying long-range CAP over the advancing transports.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]He continues, “The staff work that led us to conclude that our Rufe fighters from Woodlark could cover the landing proved to be in error. The fighters were out of range. The staff officer who prepared the estimate has done his duty. I was his Second sir. The ceremony went well.”[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Yamamoto is momentarily saddened. “I am glad he took the road of honor. May his Ka not find the distance to great to reach Japan for rebirth.” [/font]
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
- Location: Austin / Brisbane
RE: Unproven Leaders
Editors note. On 5 may 42, MGEN Horii apparantly correctly identified the CAP Zeros as carrier based aircraft but mislabeled them as A6M3s. They were actually A6M2s...
RE: Unproven Leaders
I see you are playing the US this time IKE. Good Luck.
RE: Unproven Leaders
CAP over Buna can prevent this. I would let him fly as much as he wants in. More POW's for you later
RE: Unproven Leaders
I see you are playing the US this time IKE. Good Luck.
Me playing the Allies? No way, that´s against my religion. Borner is right, a LRCAP can intercept the air supply runs but keep rotating the groups or you´ll wear them out fast.
On the submarines hanging around Rabaul...put those high experience bomber groups on ASW at 100ft...not 1,000...100ft works best and you can get them out of there.
¨If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.¨ Che Guevara
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
The more I know people, the more I like my dog.
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
- Location: Austin / Brisbane
RE: Unproven Leaders
As background:
Borner has been my mentor so far. We played the first three weeks of Scenario 12 before the Allies (me) had to surrender; however, I learned a good bit and he agreed kindly to have another go (I am not doing an AAr for that one--it is likely to be ugly). I also have played close attention to Ike's various threads and aspire to truly being able to test his theories on Japanese victory.
I have used Claudes on LRCAP out of Lae to keep harrassing his transports going in to Buna. That squadron has more pilots than aircraft, so it does not fatigue much, but the very light guns on the Claudes don't shoot down much either. However, the LRCAP helps keeps him honest and provides a good trainng opportunity for my pilots. The average pilot experience is 90 which should serve them well when they convert to zeros.
I will try setting my Nells to 100ft and see if I have any better luck against his submarines.
thanks
Borner has been my mentor so far. We played the first three weeks of Scenario 12 before the Allies (me) had to surrender; however, I learned a good bit and he agreed kindly to have another go (I am not doing an AAr for that one--it is likely to be ugly). I also have played close attention to Ike's various threads and aspire to truly being able to test his theories on Japanese victory.
I have used Claudes on LRCAP out of Lae to keep harrassing his transports going in to Buna. That squadron has more pilots than aircraft, so it does not fatigue much, but the very light guns on the Claudes don't shoot down much either. However, the LRCAP helps keeps him honest and provides a good trainng opportunity for my pilots. The average pilot experience is 90 which should serve them well when they convert to zeros.
I will try setting my Nells to 100ft and see if I have any better luck against his submarines.
thanks
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Wirraway_Ace
- Posts: 1509
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
- Location: Austin / Brisbane
RE: Unproven Leaders
[font="times new roman"]7 May 1942 End of Day Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]An enemy carrier TF crossed our submarine picket 300 miles southwest of Gili Gili. S21 was able to put two torpedoes into CV Yorktown; however, small raids by 15 carrier based dive-bombers struck our transports that had just completed off loading. One AP was heavily damaged and will probably sink. Two others were lightly damaged. Our assessment is that the enemy has two carriers. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]15 barges have arrived at Rabaul via transport. The will move on their own power to Shortland [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Our carrier and land based bombers struck the small airfield at Buna.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Submarines are dropped of a small recon team at Tulagi.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]We are mining Irau.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Transports have loaded another Bde at Truk and are enroute to Kavieng. The Bde will then be moved to Lae by fast transport. Its mission is to destroy the enemy battalion at Wau to open the northern route to Port Moresby.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]An enemy carrier TF crossed our submarine picket 300 miles southwest of Gili Gili. S21 was able to put two torpedoes into CV Yorktown; however, small raids by 15 carrier based dive-bombers struck our transports that had just completed off loading. One AP was heavily damaged and will probably sink. Two others were lightly damaged. Our assessment is that the enemy has two carriers. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]15 barges have arrived at Rabaul via transport. The will move on their own power to Shortland [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Our carrier and land based bombers struck the small airfield at Buna.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Submarines are dropped of a small recon team at Tulagi.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]We are mining Irau.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Transports have loaded another Bde at Truk and are enroute to Kavieng. The Bde will then be moved to Lae by fast transport. Its mission is to destroy the enemy battalion at Wau to open the northern route to Port Moresby.[/font]