a USN commander (ret.) overflows to the IJN

[bigbaba]

thats right. i have the honor to play against a real USN commander playing the IJN-side.

we play #17 and try to play a historical game.

the first month is over without any big clash. the only highlight was a IJN carrier-attack on PM, which cost the japs 17 vals.

he is building a network in the solomon-area and i wait for more carriers and avengers to replace the outclassed devestators. i realy dont like a carrier-battle without the avengers.

here is a summary of the first month:



and the aircraft loses:



thanks to ike99, i avoided some errors i made in my learning-game against him.

[Popeye USN]

I am flattered, however, although I spent almost 17 years on sea duty, we're talking two different Navy's. Some tactics used in WWII are still relevant today, but other than that I have no major advantage in this scenario.
 
I have played a few long PBEM scenarios and have come to the conclusion that in other for the IJN to win they must score an Auto-Victory. If they choose a protracted hit and run tactic they will enventually lose because of the massive build up of US forces.
 
So to this end the IJN has only four choices in their attack strategy...Attack and hold either:
1. Townsville
2. Brisbane
3. Noumea
4. Luganville and EPV
 
If anybody has a different opinion let me know....[&o]

[RGIJN]

Steering a certain strategy, with alot of luck and some significant settings (commitment level) you can even aim for victory on points as Japanese, at least in Sc19. See recent AAR "Late Bloomer"... Though in this game of course my initial goal was the AutoVictory. But my opponent re-took Luaganville mid December 1942. [:(]

[bigbaba]

we had our first bigger action N from luganville. my carrier aircrafts attacked a japanese convoy, which was building a strong presence south of guadalcanal.

i only risked the carriers because i knew from intel-reports, that there are no bombers at the guadalcanal AF and his carriers are in rabaul. he has now for sure more carriers then the zuikaku, shokaku and shoho and things will become very intresting now.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/13/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 23,77
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-29, Shell hits 1
 
Allied Ships
SC 517, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
SC 520
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
SBD Dauntless x 67
TBD Devastator x 28
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AV Kimikawa Maru, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kembu Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Hakonesan Maru, Bomb hits 9,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Ceylon Maru
AP Meiyo Maru, Bomb hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: bigbaba


Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
SBD Dauntless x 67
TBD Devastator x 28

you deployed quite alot escorting wildcats against them...

[RGIJN]

ORIGINAL: bigbaba

i have the honor to play against a real USN commander playing the IJN-side.

we play #17 and try to play a historical game.

Wish you guys good luck and a good game. Looking forward to the AAR...! [:)]

[bigbaba]

ORIGINAL: RGIJN

ORIGINAL: bigbaba


Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
SBD Dauntless x 67
TBD Devastator x 28

you deployed quite alot escorting wildcats against them...

i have just millers very usefull hints in mind. setting the CAP on a low % when no air combat is expected and to set a strong escort for the strike force when a fight is anticipated so the deadly planes (kates for the japs and SBD for the USN) can break through the enemy CAP and do their job.

[RGIJN]

Ahhh... I see!

[bigbaba]

our navy and army pilots went through the japanese transport-TFs like a warm knife through butter.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/14/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack at 21,29
 
Japanese Ships
CA Myoko
DD Ariake
 
Allied Ships
SS S-38
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 57
SBD Dauntless x 69
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
AV Sanyo Maru, Bomb hits 10,  on fire,  heavy damage
AV Sanuki Maru, Bomb hits 13,  on fire,  heavy damage
APD 1, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW W21, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 57
SBD Dauntless x 11
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP China Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
MSW Fumi Maru #2, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Lunga at 38,40
 
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 33
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Tenryu Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Hakozaki Maru, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kimishima Maru, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kaito Maru, Bomb hits 3,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 194
Guns lost 2
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/15/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Air attack on TF, near Nevea at 50,43
 
 
Allied aircraft
Hudson x 21
B-25D Mitchell x 10
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D Mitchell x 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
AP Kembu Maru, Bomb hits 10,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Ceylon Maru, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Gosei Maru, Bomb hits 8,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Attacking Level Bombers:
 3 x Hudson at 3000 feet
 2 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet
 4 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet
 4 x Hudson at 3000 feet
 4 x B-25D Mitchell at 1000 feet
 4 x Hudson at 3000 feet
 2 x Hudson at 3000 feet
 4 x Hudson at 3000 feet
 4 x Hudson at 3000 feet
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i think soon the only available vessels to the IJN will be
be this ones:

[RGIJN]

oooppsss... The Emperor won´t be amused to hear about. Especially the AV/APD losses and the drowned troops can cause some pain in the a*** [X(]

But at this stage of the conflict Japan has tons of lift capacity on hand, so the AP wrecks will have rather marginal impact on future operations.

[HansBolter]

KB missing in action?

Many heads will roll over this fiasco.

[bigbaba]

KB was in the area for some turns and went back to rabaul then. i had luck with 2 turns of bad weather, so his recon-flights from gili-gili and the solomons were not able to find my carriers. but actualy the KB is coming to the south at full speed furiously and is W of louganville actualy. the next turns should be intresting.

[bigbaba]

special announcement from Commander South Pacific Area:

navy pilots from a carrier TF under the command of adm. mitcher attacked several japanese TF in the area N of luganville with great success:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/22/42

Weather: Clear

Sub attack at 33,36
 
Japanese Ships
AP Unkai Maru #6, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
Allied Ships
SS S-40, Shell hits 1
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 52,68
 
Japanese Ships
SS I-28
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Rabaul , at 21,28
 
Japanese aircraft
 
Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 5
B-17E Fortress x 15
 
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 2 destroyed
A6M2 Zero x 3 damaged
 
 
Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 5
 
Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 13
 
Attacking Level Bombers:
 3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
 3 x B-17E Fortress at 15000 feet
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 33
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kenyo Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 25
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
SBD Dauntless x 31
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru, Bomb hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kenyo Maru, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kano Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 17
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
AP Manju Maru,  on fire,  heavy damage
APD 36, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 29
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
SBD Dauntless x 30
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 9 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
DD Yugure, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
DD Shigure, Bomb hits 9,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 28
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 7 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
DD Akebono, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
DD Shigure,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
SBD Dauntless x 17
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
SBD Dauntless x 8 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
DD Ushio, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
DD Uzuki, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 18
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
APD 36, Bomb hits 7,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Kano Maru, Bomb hits 4,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,42
 
 
Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 28
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Cuba Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Florida Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,42
 
 
Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 15
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Florida Maru, Bomb hits 8,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 49,42
 
 
Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 13
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Florida Maru,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Cuba Maru,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

we expect that the majority of the damaged ships will sink in the next hours, since they are far away from a japanese port.

[Popeye USN]

KB will a become a significant TF in a few turns as the last of the CV's arrive. Biggie has had some success with his hit and run manuvers. [&o]
 
However, in a few days, I will open a huge can of "Wup Ass." I would strongly suggest getting the woman and children on Luganville and EPV to safety cuz I'm going to let the junk yard dog off his chain.... 
                                         

[bigbaba]

aye, i am digging in and waiting for the floods like lee at fredericksburg.[;)]

more aerial action from the solomon area:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/23/42

Weather: Thunderstorms

Sub attack near Lunga  at 38,40
 
Japanese Ships
AP Arizona Maru, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire
 
Allied Ships
SS S-46
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Lunga  at 38,40
 
Japanese Ships
DD Yuzuki
 
Allied Ships
SS S-46
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
TBD Devastator x 15
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
DD Uzuki, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 15
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
DD Uzuki,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,35
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 42
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 destroyed
 
Japanese Ships
AP Akashisan Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
PC Ch 24, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Hagoromo Maru, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,35
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 26
SBD Dauntless x 35
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Hagoromo Maru,  on fire,  heavy damage
PC Ch 29, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
AP Akashisan Maru, Bomb hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage
PC Ch 24, Bomb hits 5,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,35
 
 
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
MSW Toshi Maru #2, Bomb hits 6,  on fire,  heavy damage
PC Ch 5
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,35
 
 
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23
SBD Dauntless x 17
 
 
Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 1 damaged
 
Japanese Ships
AP Akashisan Maru, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Hagoromo Maru,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 47,41
 
 
Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 30
 
 
no losses
 
Japanese Ships
AP Cuba Maru, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[tocaff]

Popeye isn't joking as he'll bring the kitchen sink.  I learned the lesson from him the hard way.  

[Popeye USN]

On the way with the kitchen sink...where do you think I'm headed?
* PM
* Townsville
* Brisbane
* Noumea
* Luganville & EPV
* Your "secret base at Shangri La." (Anybody know the origin of that quote?)  [&:]
 

[Popeye USN]

TOCAFF: Sorry buddy, don't remember our battle, or your name. "Old timers disease!"  LOL 
What was the outcome?

[tocaff]

Which time?

You're the only 1 who beat me with an auto victory in Oz.  You need PM for that one though.

[bigbaba]

ok, popeye is coming to the south.

i think, he makes a huge mistake fighting so far away from japanese bases and LBA and inside the range of over more then 300 allied bombers and fighters and also several carriers with rested pilots staying there ready to strike.