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Posted: **Mon May 26, 2008 9:06 pm**

Well, I haven't played WitP in nearly two years, but since AE is coming soon, I figure I should get my feet wet!

Terminus has kindly consented to playing a short game with me on Nik Mod v 9.2 - Guadalcanal.
(Thanks to Nikademus for this scenario - it looks really great, and I'm eager to give it a play through.)

This will be at least as much for my reference and education as it will be for your entertainment, so don't expect too much, but I will try to provide for you, dear reader. [;)]

This will be a private AAR, so as to conceal my fear from Terminus.
--

Some information:
I am the noble Allies.
No historical first turn.
Two-day turns.
Sub doctrines on.

No concrete house rules, just common sense - I will limit myself from "gamey" actions, and I assume Terminus will do the same.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2008 9:39 pm**

All right, we've begun! D

Initial combat is very light.. The Japanese attack Gili Gili with Betties and Zeroes on both days. I lose 3 or 4 Kittyhawks, while they have half a dozen Betties damaged. I won't be able to hurt the elite Tainan Daitais for a while, but I have to keep fighters in the air. I've upped the cap for tomorrow and set the altitude to a few thousand feet over the Betties.

In the meantime, the Allied invasion fleet closes with Guadalcanal. The landings should begin this coming turn. All the other turn one stuff - sub position, supply and fuel shifts, aircraft redistribution - is occurring in the background.

SIGINT informs me that the Yokoyama Tai, Horii Force, and 144 Inf Regiment are all planning for an attack on Port Moresby. That is a tell! I don't have many units free for PM - I lack the political points. Right now I am busy upping the forts and shuttling in SeaBees.

Perhaps Terminus plans to invade Gili Gili as a prelude to Port Moresby. It's either that or overland, and no one likes marching across New Guinea.

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2008 10:23 pm**

My combat report entirely consists of landings and bombardments today, at Lunga and Tulagi. Everything is going smoothly and I should be able to take both bases with shock attacks in the next turn. I have Seabees and base forces on their way so as to set up an airbase within the week.

Strict orders have been issued to Fletcher forbidding withdrawal. The carriers will stay until everything that needs to be shipped in this week has been shipped in.

In an attempt to bring up the experience levels on my fighters, the P-39s at Port Moresby and the Kittyhawks at Gili Gili will attack the Japanese ground unit fighting my 30th Aussie Brigade in the mountains. Just for this one turn, mind - I don't want to be set up for an LRCAP ambush.

Speaking of New Guinea, from today onwards I am saving up political points to transfer one US division or other large ground unit from Australia Command to SWPAC. SIGINT continues to report various and sundry units preparing for Port Moresby. If only it was easier to reinforce.

(No, I'm not going to send a SOPAC unit over.. seems too cheap.)

Posted: **Mon May 26, 2008 11:19 pm**

A bit of action this turn!

On land, I underestimate the Japanese units garrisoning Lunga, and suffer a setback in my shock attack. Disruption is high now, and my Marines will revert to bombardment for ~4 days. At Tulagi, however, the Raiders and Paras succeed, and overrun the main part of the island.

I am thinking of leaving the Paras there to garrison and bringing the Raiders in to help at Lunga. I shall do this once the landings at Lunga are complete and I can bring the CVs to cover loading and unloading.

At sea, several sub attacks occur! I-121 torpedoes and sinks destroyer Worden off Guadalcanal, but receives a sound depth-charging in return. I am assuming that 121 will make it back to Truk or Rabaul. Japanese patrol craft hit S-38 near Rekata Bay several times, but she will remain on station a few days more before returning.

Unfortunately, the Japanese do not hold back their Betties and Zeroes in the face of my Wildcat CAP of the landings, as I had hoped. A large strike (17 Betties escorted by 31 Zeroes) attacks the landings at Tulagi - left uncovered by me, foolishly - and torpedoes three vessels, sinking AP Heywood outright. The others are withdrawing to Luganville or will disband in the port of Tulagi itself, depending on their damage level.

A similarly-sized strike hits the Lunga landings the following day. Three AKs take a torpedo each - I should be able to save two of the three. CAP does a fair amount of damage, though it is diminished from 48 to 36 by the end of the day.

3 Betties sneak through to one of the big task forces, however, and North Carolina takes one torpedo. [:(] System damage is 31, and flooding is containable, and so she heads towards Brisbane for a (hopefully) quick stay in the yards. A final strike of Betties comes in unescorted and gives me a fright when a few make runs on Wasp, but miss. CAP has been upped to 90% for the next turn if he tries pushing his luck again.

Hopefully tomorrow will see a few hits for my side.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 12:27 am**

There are no air operations today, other than some bombardments of Lunga by my Dauntlesses - rainy weather combined with some damage to Japanese long range attack assets, I suppose.

It becomes clear that the Japanese subs laid mines at both Tulagi and Lunga! AK Arided hits one off Lunga on the morning of the 11th, but receives no damage. A dud, I suppose. [8D]

I-122 takes multiple hits from my CV TF escorts, and is hopefully driven off.

The remainder of the turn is land combat. Successful attacks are delivered by the Raiders and Paras at Tulagi, further depleting the Japanese numbers. At Guadalcanal, the bombardments continue as engineers begin landing. I plan to bombard the next two days, and launch a deliberate attack on the 14th.

The 30th Australian Brigade begins bombarding the Yokoyama Tai in the mountains of New Guinea. Hopefully, once PM gets a bit more aviation support, I will be able to even the odds via Wirraway and B-26 attacks.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 12:40 am**

Some musings.

I have three "danger points" at this moment - Lunga, Gili Gili, and Port Moresby. Lunga is secure only as long as my carriers are there, and they certainly cannot stay on station indefinitely. Sorties are running low.

In the meantime, while my carriers are in the south, Port Moresby and Gili Gili are vulnerable. He could destroy the air power at both bases with a concerted push, and I have no LBA capable of really deterring a Japanese invasion fleet at either point. In fact, he does not necessarily need to invade by sea, since he could establish a fair preponderance of force by marching overland from Buin, but it is my impression that he intends to do a naval operation.

So, instead of Eastern Solomons, we could see Coral Sea 2.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 6:29 am**

Stock air graphics? Where's The Elf's plane tops?! [:D]

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 5:57 pm**

ORIGINAL: Feurer Krieg

Stock air graphics? Where's The Elf's plane tops?! [:D]

Ack! I forgot!! [X(] I shall install them now. [:)]

--

Exciting turn this morning! The Battle of Savo Island occurred.

Tanaka's force - the four Furutakas and the destroyers Mutsuki and Yayoi - came down the slot from Shortlands in the early morning of the twelfth, and met the historical forces of Crutchley and Riefkohl in the Savo Island hex.

Crutchley was encountered first, at very close range, and apparently at an unexpected angle, as he crossed Tanaka's T.

CA Australia and destroyer Selfridge each took a torpedo in this intial exchange, but Aoba and Mutsuki took damaging shellfire, and the other Japanese cruisers took hits as well.

Tanaka closed further in another combat, putting another torpedo into Australia and knocking her out of the battle, though not sinking her. The Japanese, however, got the worst against Crutchley's alerted force. Furutaka took half a dozen 8" shells and a 24" torpedo from Australia, dooming her. Kako was set aflame by several penetrating hits from light cruiser Hobart. Aoba and the destroyers were also hit, with only Kinugasa escaping major damage.

At this point Crutchley broke off to tend to Australia, and Riefkohl's force came around from the other side of Savo, with their targets beginning to slowly limp home, easily visible by their fires. Flagship Vincennes opened fire on Furutaka (already a nearly-helpless wreck) and pounded her under the waves, sinking her quickly.

Kako absorbed even more fire - 13 hits, nearly all large-calibre - while Mutsuki was sunk and Aoba's pain added to. Kinugasa, once again, avoided damage.

The following morning, Kinugasa and Yayoi had already sprinted back out of range of the American carriers. However, Aoba and Kako were caught limping away well within range of SBDs. They were quickly sunk as well.

Of the four cruisers and two destroyers sent, only Kinugasa and Yayoi escaped. A fair day's work, I would say. [:)]

Other events of note:
Tulagi finally cleared of Japanese. Tomorrow the Raiders will begin transferring to Lunga.
Gili Gili bombarded nastily by Japanese cruiser TF.
Allied naval forces at Lunga ordered to "jink" towards Tulagi, to cover the reloading of the Raiders.

I quote the combat report here, since it's actually interesting today..

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/12/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1004 encounters mine field at Lunga (67,97)

TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 67,97

Allied Ships
PG Sacramento
PG Tulsa

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 4
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 4
CA Kako
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Shell hits 1
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Canberra
CL Hobart
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1
DD Patterson, Shell hits 1
DD Jarvis, Shell hits 1
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 1
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
CA Chicago
CA Australia, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Canberra
CL Hobart
DD Mugford
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Patterson, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Jarvis

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kinugasa
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
CA Kako, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Quincy
CA Vincennes
DD Wilson
DD Dewey, Shell hits 1
DD Hull, Shell hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Lunga at 67,97

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 2
CA Kako, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Astoria, on fire
CA Quincy
CA Vincennes
DD Wilson
DD Dewey
DD Hull

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1004 encounters mine field at Lunga (67,97)

TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 67,97

Allied Ships
PG Tulsa

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 67,96

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 31

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CA Aoba, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 54,91

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2805 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Defending force 1629 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese max assault: 50 - adjusted assault: 27

Allied max defense: 42 - adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3928 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 89

Defending force 1548 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied max assault: 86 - adjusted assault: 56

Japanese max defense: 7 - adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 54,91

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1608 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 2485 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13746 troops, 167 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 288

Defending force 5319 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 116

Japanese ground losses:
77 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/13/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1004 encounters mine field at Lunga (67,97)

TF 1004 troops unloading over beach at Lunga, 67,97

Allied Ships
PG Tulsa
DD Russell

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Gili Gili, at 56,94

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
DD Oite
DD Yuzuki
DD Uzuki
CL Tatsuta
CL Tenryu

Allied ground losses:
213 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 47
Port fuel hits 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Shortlands at 63,93

Japanese Ships
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
SS S-38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tulagi

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3918 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 88

Defending force 1420 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied max assault: 84 - adjusted assault: 156

Japanese max defense: 2 - adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 22 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 54,91

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1596 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 2526 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 13830 troops, 170 guns, 19 vehicles, Assault Value = 294

Defending force 5187 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 112

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Tulagi

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 7:09 pm**

Aha! so that's why Chokai wasn't at Savo Island. Terminus must be kicking himself -- the bombardment results weren't nearly worth the lack of support against the Allied CA's.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 9:53 pm**

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Aha! so that's why Chokai wasn't at Savo Island. Terminus must be kicking himself -- the bombardment results weren't nearly worth the lack of support against the Allied CA's.

Precisely true. Who knows what could have happened if Yubari and Chokai had been available? As it is, I only lost one destroyer in the battle, with Australia heavily damaged but now safely at Luganville. [:)]

The bombardment did take out 8 Kittyhawks on the ground, admittedly, but I think it was just a quick shot, not a prelude to invasion.

--

This turn was another successful one for the Allies, for the most part.

All ships made it to Tulagi during the early morning of the 14th, where the transport force began loading the Raiders and the carrier force put up a heavy CAP of nearly 60 Wildcats. As expected, the Japanese launched from Rabaul in an attempt at reprisal for their losses of the previous two days. Four strikes of Betties and Zeroes appeared, two per day. The Wildcats handled them very well! 14 Zeroes and 9 Betties were downed for 6 Wildcats, though my CAP was further lessened by damaged aircraft. As Terminus admitted, his Betties were still recovering morale after their earlier strikes, and by the second day most of them were turning back.

On a side note, I have to admit that I'm very pleased with NikMod so far. Losses haven't been ridiculously high, or ridiculously low. Attrition seems very reasonable, and the supply gap further constrains my actions. I approve very much. [:)]

A few Nipponese managed to sneak in and drop bombs/torps against Enterprise, Wasp and Saratoga, thereby freaking me the hell out. However, all were misses, besides one 60kg bomb hit on Wasp, taking out a 5in/38 gun.

Note the sharp drop in Wildcats available for CAP over the two days. It's now safe to worry that with sorties running low and my Wildcat force being depleted, Betties could leak through and put a torpedo in a carrier. Therefore, Fletcher's carriers begin withdrawing early tomorrow morning. I expect that they will return within two weeks - not under the command of Fletcher, though; I had to practically wring his neck to keep him on station as long as I did. [:'(]

Meanwhile, Lunga is captured finally by the Marines, making the transfer of the Raiders a bit superfluous - but I order them across anyways. Hopefully the transports will be able to bring them over quickly tomorrow and be out of Betty range by daylight, and not too far behind Fletcher.

I have two base forces and a fair amount of supplies loaded and waiting for air cover at Luganville. Henderson Field should be operating Wildcats and SBDs within 10 days. [:)] As it is, I have an AVD docked at Tulagi that is supporting a small force of Catalinas. It will retreat after next turn - but I think it is safe at the moment. Terminus will have stood down his Betties for rest and morale reasons. In the meantime the PBY intel could be useful.

Also: Cooktown hits level 3 airfield, and Port Moresby approaches level 2 forts. An AT regiment moves up to reinforce the 30th Australian Brigade in the Owen Stanleys.

Ship and AC losses so far:

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 11:00 pm**

A relatively quiet turn. My ships pull out of Guadalcanal during the night, even as fast transport forces from Luganville dump supplies and SeaBees on the beachhead. Fletcher is halfway to Noumea, with the carriers seemingly safe. CVE Long Island arrived today. Once I have aviation support at Lunga, she'll land her aircraft at Henderson. [:)]

Speaking of Lunga, the Raiders arrived safely, and I know have 200+ engineers sitting idly. They are put to work upgrading the airfield (currently level 2). Vandegrift's marines are about 40 miles from Tassafaronga, where they will hopefully annihilate the Guadalcanal garrison.

The Yokoyama Tai tried shock-attacking my 30th Australian Brigade in New Guinea but only succeeded in losing half it's assault value. The 30th will counter attack tomorrow and hopefully drive them out of the hex. [:D]

Oh, and finally, RO-34 was heavily damaged by depth charges today, with several direct hits.

Posted: **Tue May 27, 2008 11:41 pm**

Again, fairly quiet. My shock attack in the Owen Stanleys fails as well, and we are back where we started. A-20s have been flown into Port Moresby and begin strafing and bombing the Japanese here today, in cooperation with P-39s.

A Japanese cruiser force (Chokai and pals again) bombards Gili Gili once more, again doing fair damage to the airbase and destroying Kittyhawks. I am considering pulling them out, but I don't want to leave GG vulnerable.

Finally, the carriers arrived safely at Noumea today. [8D] They will rest next turn, then move to escort further convoys to Guadalcanal. I believe that Terminus has gotten Shokaku, Zuikaku and a CVL by now (if this conforms to the old Guadalcanal scenario) - so I must be careful.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 1:23 am**

Arrrgghh..

Methinks there is little else to say about this picture.

Well, some context. The Japanese carriers are in force, as I surmised, and it looks like I withdrew from the Guadalcanal area just in time, or I would have been caught very low on sorties and supplies. Along with the CVs, a surface force led by Mutsu, and including Takao, Atago, Tenryu, and 5 destroyers, ran down the slot and bombarded Lunga Point during the night. S-40 took a potshot at Takao as she sped by, and missed.

Now, as for the carriers. They appeared thusly:

Their strike was against the port of Lunga, seemingly aiming for supplies, which they did a fair amount of damage to. More importantly, though, they lost something like 5 Vals and 3 Kates to flak, with close to twice that number damaged.

With 3 CVs versus his two and one CVL, this further increases my superiority (or sense of it), and my CV force under Spruance (with a covering cruiser force) is ordered to make 30 knots so as to be parked at Lunga tomorrow. Long Island and multiple supply and troop forces will be arriving during the same turn, carrying the two eagerly-awaited base forces, some 8000 tons of supplies, the remainder of the SeaBees, and several other bits and pieces required.

If a carrier battle comes tomorrow, I am eager for it! I think he will have withdrawn his CVs after yesterday's attack though. Flak is a pain. [:)]

Oh, one further thing. He managed to get ten Zeroes up against my Bostons and P-39s in New Guinea this turn.

Predictably I got the worse of it, but I did damage a couple Zeroes. The P-39 drivers need experience, so while I may have a rather lopsided win/loss ratio here, I should have some battle hardened pilots available to upgrade to better aircraft when available.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 9:06 am**

S-40 took a potshot at Takao as she sped by, and missed.

Hi Alikchi,
in my game against Spence (Ambush Coral Sea) almost all torpedos launched from american subs missed the targets...
In the last turn I missed the CV Zuikaku and the CA Myoko [:(]
Good luck!

Compliments for the Battle of Savo Island [:)]

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 7:48 pm**

ORIGINAL: Saso

S-40 took a potshot at Takao as she sped by, and missed.

Hi Alikchi,
in my game against Spence (Ambush Coral Sea) almost all torpedos launched from american subs missed the targets...
In the last turn I missed the CV Zuikaku and the CA Myoko [:(]
Good luck!

Compliments for the Battle of Savo Island [:)]

Thank you for the luck and compliments sir [:)]

I can only hope my subs have a better record in the following turn. There is a strong opportunity for me to pick off a few stragglers.

Also, I am too tired to do the AAR for the next turn now, but the carrier battle happened!! Two damaged American carriers traded for HIJMS Zuikaku definitively SUNK [&o] and Shokaku lightly damaged. A Kongo also took a torpedo.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 7:55 pm**

Also, I am too tired to do the AAR for the next turn now, but the carrier battle happened!! Two damaged American carriers traded for HIJMS Zuikaku definitively SUNK and Shokaku lightly damaged. A Kongo also took a torpedo.

A hearty "well done" to your flyboys! In spite of the Kongo, however, it looks like Terminus has the edge in surface forces for the time being. How's the progress on the airfield?

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 7:59 pm**

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Also, I am too tired to do the AAR for the next turn now, but the carrier battle happened!! Two damaged American carriers traded for HIJMS Zuikaku definitively SUNK and Shokaku lightly damaged. A Kongo also took a torpedo.

A hearty "well done" to your flyboys! In spite of the Kongo, however, it looks like Terminus has the edge in surface forces for the time being. How's the progress on the airfield?

Under the cover of the CV battle, two base forces were landed. With the large number of engineers already there, the airfield has shot up to 15%. We should hit level 3 within a few turns.

In the meantime, Lunga has accepted Long Island's SBDs and Wildcats, along with remnants of Enterprise and Wasp's carry groups (all damaged and waiting to be flown south to Noumea). I hope to have a strong, 20 Wildcat CAP over Lunga within a couple of turns. (Another squadron of Wildcats is waiting at Luganville to transfer.) [:)]

Terminus will have the edge in surface forces indefinitely, as far as I can tell.. he has a LOT of heavy cruisers and the two Kongos and Mutsu at least. BB Washington will arrive in a few days, but North Carolina is still in Brisbane recovering from that torpedo damage.

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 9:55 pm**

Okay, here's a fuller description of the turn's events.. I shall hurry, because I just received the next turn in the mail from Terminus. [:)] He is not very pleased with these events, and justifiably so I think.

Well, I'm certain which of my carriers won't make it home. Sorry, not meaning to sound petulant, but the performance hasn't been satisfactory. My subs aren't doing anything, my Betties are all over the place (when they fly), and my carriers weren't good enough.

Hmph... Oh, well... Onward!

In any case, here's the turn.

All three carriers and their covering cruiser force sprinted up to Guadalcanal and then reacted to IJN CVs after spotting them in the morning. During the night, Pensacola was hit by one 21in torpedo from I-17. In response, I-17 was pummeled with depth charges and sunk by daylight on the 22nd.

The carriers, at this point, had reached a point north of Tassafaronga. A Dauntless on recon spotted the Japanese carriers just 60 miles away. The First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal commences as both sides launch their planes, will the Allied aircraft arriving first.

Although taking some damage from the Zero CAP, nearly all the bombers made it through, mostly over Zuikaku. A four-plane element of Dauntlesses scored three 1000lb bomb hits on the carrier within the first five minutes, effectively dooming her. The massive fires attracted further attackings, who hit her with two more thousand-pounders in the first strike. Shokaku also received a bomb, doing some damage, but she quickly gained distance on the wounded Zuikaku and vanished under a squall with her destroyer escort.

A second strike was drawn like moths to Zuikaku's flames and hit her with SEVEN more 1000lb bombs and causing many secondary explosions of AV fuel and stores.

The combined Japanese strike arrived over the American carriers just as the third attack was being launched. I am not sure why there was such a delay.

The flak they faced was extraordinary. I had grouped all three CVs and two CLAAs into the task force, along with some other vessels. I had not experienced how powerful it could be in Nik Mod before. Something like 15 Vals were destroyed, and many more Kates and Vals damaged. Nevertheless, a few got through:

This hit was followed up by another torpedo strike on Enterprise a few minutes later, and a 250kg bomb did severe damage to Wasp's flight deck. Both were unable to land aircraft for the time being, with Enterprise's heavy list and Wasp's aforementioned difficulties (read: 40+ sys damage). Enterprise and Wasp's aircraft diverted to the barely functional Henderson Field, and from there to Luganville.

In the meantime the American third strike had hit Kirishima with six 1000lb bombs and the only Avenger-dropped torpedo hit of the day. Hiei was also lightly damaged. At this point, the carrier battle basically ended, with both sides only left one carrier. Shokaku and Saratoga launched a few desultory strikes at each other as they both withdrew out of range.

This is the situation now:

1. This I believe to be Zuikaku's hulk, soon to sink, with minor escort detached from the rest of CarDiv 5 (possibly including the damaged Kirishima).
2. Shokaku, Hiei, and their escorts, retiring to Shortlands and thence probably Truk for Shokaku's repairs.
3. The large transport force unloading supplies and two base forces at Lunga. The other TF is a Val-damaged DM that will move to take temporary shelter in Tulagi harbor tomorrow.
4. Enterprise and her destroyer escort, capable of making about 3 hexes per 12 hour pulse. If Betties find her, I am afraid she is doomed. But god willing, she'll be out of range by tomorrow morning.
5. CVE Long Island and her escorts, a minesweeping task force, and another fast transport supply force. Returning to Luganville, the minesweepers prematurely.
6. Wasp, Saratoga, their escorts, and the covering cruiser force, retiring to Noumea.
7. Damaged cruiser Pensacola, retiring to Noumea at best speed. She'll survive.

I have the turn, so I'd best run it now. Here are a last few shots:

Posted: **Wed May 28, 2008 9:57 pm**

On a side note, I had forgotten just how fragile Wasp is. That damage was done by a single 250kg bomb.

Posted: **Thu May 29, 2008 3:08 am**

This is a short 4-day update. I lost the combat report for 08/24-08/25, so I'm squeezing this period together.

Not a whole lot to say, though! His carriers and mine beat a hasty retreat. Zuikaku has probably sunk by now. There has been some minor sparring over the Owen Stanleys between my P-39s and his A6M3s, and I have successfully unloaded both base forces at Lunga. Supplies are being flown in by Catalina to Tulagi. Also, BB Washington arrives tomorrow. That is all..

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Nik's GuadMod - Alikchi v. Terminus

Nik's GuadMod - Alikchi v. Terminus

08/04/42 - 08/05/42

08/06/42 - 08/07/42

08/08/42 - 08/09/42

08/10/42 - 08/11/42

RE: 08/10/42 - 08/11/42

RE: 08/10/42 - 08/11/42

08/12/42 - 08/13/42 - Savo Island

RE: 08/12/42 - 08/13/42 - Savo Island

08/14/42 - 08/15/42

08/16/42 - 08/17/42

08/18/42 - 08/19/42

08/20/42 - 08/21/42

RE: 08/20/42 - 08/21/42

RE: 08/20/42 - 08/21/42

RE: 08/20/42 - 08/21/42

RE: 08/20/42 - 08/21/42

08/22/42 - 08/23/42

RE: 08/22/42 - 08/23/42

08/24/42 - 08/27/42