Babes AAR

[JWE]

Woof! This is our first AAR, so don’t hurt us, please. We play somewhat different and make up special scenarios for particular problems. This one is a Phib problem, and a Fleet problem. We built a scenarion that starts in 10/43 and runs for six months till 04/44. We play on an umpire based system, where operational plans (for both sides) control (within limits).

First post will be the op order for one side and the stuff they gots to work with (land, sea and air oob) and the op order for the other side and the stuff they gots to work with.

Patience is a virtue.

Ciao J

[Cap Mandrake]

Americna League umps or National League?

I heard they call the strike zones differently.

This sounds cool. Do you have additional maps or intelligence data to work with?

[Fletcher]

JWE,

Good Luck in your new game ! .. I will follow your AAR closely !.. Should be very interesting [:)]
Best wishes
Ramón

[Kitakami]

Just subscribed to the thread... which reminds me... I need to make my monthly post in our 2x2 DBB AAR...

The best of games to you!

[ny59giants]

This is our first AAR, so don’t hurt us, please.

[JWE]

Ok, so here is the Situation part that was written for the Allied planner.

General Situation:

It is August, 1943. Operation Musket has successfully concluded, taking positions in the Marshall Group on a line from the Kwajalein atoll to Jaluit. Third Expeditionary Force, comprising elements of 3rd Fleet and III Amphib Corps will immediately execute Operation Gator, to take the island of Ponape with subsequent operations against Eniwetok and an extension to Satawal/Woleai, if feasible.

The purpose of the Operation is to secure the airbases on Ponape to further isolate the main Japanese Naval/Air bases at Truk, and provide jumping-off positions for further advances by CentPac forces along the line Guam-Pagan in the Marianas.

A simultaneous operation will be conducted by SWPOA forces against Manus Island, in the Admiralty group, involving elements of 7th Fleet and 5th Air Force. Accordingly, support from SWPOA forces is not available.

Forces assigned, and their task organization, are given in Appendix A.

Japanese Situation:

Japanese forces were noticeably weaker than anticipated during the course of Musket. However, the Carolines have been under Japanese Mandate for a significant period, includes the main Japanese Naval base for establishing a presence in the Western Pacific, and is the front door to the Japanese ‘home’ defense line of the Marianas. As such, appreciably greater resistance can be expected.

Intelligence estimates of Japanese forces, and their task organization, are given in Appendix B.

The Japanese fleet remains a factor. Although CenPac Intelligence reports it is plagued by fuel and maintenance issues, combat summaries have reported sorties and operations by two or more CruDivs from Babelthuap, supported by at least a vestigal fleet train. 1st IJN Fleet HQ has been identified as Manila, with ancillary anchorages on Palawan and Mindanao. It is expected that the IJN will oppose operations in the Caroline group with all the resources they can muster. The IJN still commands significant CV and Surface components and is expected to deploy them.

Intelligence estimates of Japanese Naval forces, and their task organization, are given in Appendix C.

[Cap Mandrake]

May we see the appendices?

[witpqs]

Mine is gone since I was a kid.

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
May we see the appendices?

Surely can. Been fighting a flu, moving kinda slow just now.

Appendix A

TG 38.1
CTG RAdm A. Montgomery
CV Enterprise, Hornet
CVL Independence
BB BatDiv 9: South Dakota, Alabama
CA CruDiv 5: Salt Lake City, Pensacola
CL CruDiv 8: Boise, Nashville
CL CruDiv 10: San Diego, San Juan
TG 38.1.5 Screen
DesRon 46
- DesDiv 91 (4)
- DesDiv 92 (4)
DesRon 50
- DesDiv 99 (4)
- DesDiv 100 (4)

TG 38.2
CTG RAdm G. Bogan
CV Essex, Bunker Hill
CVL Princeton
BB BatDiv 8: North Carolina, Washington
CA CruDiv 6: Wichita
CL CruDiv 9: Denver, Santa Fe
CL CruDiv 11: Atlanta, Juneau
TG 38.2.5 Screen
DesRon 52
- DesDiv 103 (4)
- DesDiv 105 (4)
DesRon 53
- DesDiv 106 (4)
- DesDiv 108 (4)

TG 38.3
CTG RAdm F. Sherman
CV Yorktown
CVL Belleau Wood, Monterey (DO 10/43)
CA CruDiv 4: San Francisco, New Orleans
CL CruDiv 12: Helena, Honolulu, Cleveland
TG 38.3.5 Screen
DesRon 54
- DesDiv 107 (4)
- DesDiv 109 (4)
DesRon 55
- DesDiv 110 (4)
- DesDiv 111 (4)

TF 31 Joint Expeditionary Force
TG 31.1 Initial Landing Force
TransRon 9:
- TransDiv 28 – I Amphib Corps (+)
- TransDiv 29 – 3rd LC Tank Flotilla
TransRon 12:
- TransDiv 36 – 3rd Marines (3 MarDiv)
- TransDiv 37 – 9th Marines (3 MarDiv)

TG 31.2 Joint Reserve (afloat)
TransRon 14:
- TransDiv 42 – 21st Marines (3 MarDiv)
- TransDiv 43 – 17th Inf Rgt (RCT; 7th USID)

TG 31.3 General Reserve
TransRon 15:
- TransDiv 45 – 32nd Inf Rgt (RCT; 7th USID)
- TransDiv 46 – 53rd Inf Rgt (RCT; 7th USID)
TransRon 17:
- TransDiv 51 – Defense, Garrison Troops
- TransDiv 52 – Construction, Service Troops

TG 31.5 Support Force
TG 31.5.1
CVE Casablanca, Corregidor, Suwanee, Santee, Sangamon
Screen: DesRon 6:
- DesDiv 11 (3)
- DesDiv 12 (4)
- DesDiv 22 (4)

TG 31.5.2
BB BatDiv 4: California, Tennessee
BB BatDiv 5: New Mexico, Mississippi
CA CruDiv 2: Portland
CA CruDiv 3: Louisville, Chicago
DesRon 12
DesRon 14

[JWE]

Appendix B

Defensive Forces.

52nd IMB (+)
107th IR (-)(+)
42nd Naval Guard Unit
Ponape Fortress Unit

Intelligence estimates place total Japanese troop strength on Ponape at 8,000, of which 6,000 are mobile IJA units. Signals intelligence has identified the 52nd Independent Mixed Brigade and elements of the 107th Infantry Regiment (battalion strength). Both units appear to have been reinforced by light armor, but are believed to be deficient in artillery. However, Ponape has been fortified with numerous coast defense and anti-aircraft batteries which may be able to function in a ground role.

Naval units functioning in a ground role are nominally lightly armed. The 42nd Naval Guard unit is at battalion strength but units of this type are characteristically short of supporting arms.

Ponape is well fortified. Its defenses comprise 8 coast defense naval rifles of 3inch caliber, and up to 4 of 6inch caliber. These are either turreted or sheltered in concrete emplacements.

The eastern portion of the island is the most accessible to a landing force, but contains the heaviest concentration of coast defense weapons and prepared positions. The northern portion is accessible, but dominated by unsuitable hydrography. The western portion of the island contains two operational airstrips in the Palikir/Meilap region. AA defenses are concentrated in the Palikir region and include at least one section of high velocity 8cm guns.

[JWE]

But then, I lied like a bad toupee. Here’s the rundown on Ponape’s actual defenses. The 107th and the 23rd are somewhat short of TOE and a bit disabled; their reinforcement convoy had a bad time of it. Jiggered up a HQ unit (radius 1) so Watanabe could give some bennys to all the units under command. Tough nut to crack.

Ponape Defense HQ – MGen Watanabe, Masao
52nd IMB
- 4 Inf Bns
- 52nd Eng Cmbt Unit (2 Coys)
- 52nd Arty Bn (12x 75mm Type 38)
- 52nd Tank Unit (18x Type 95)
107th Inf Rgt
- I, II Bns
- Rgt Gun Coy (4x 70mm Type 92)
23rd Indep Mortar Bn (26x 81mm)
42nd Naval Guard Unit
- 42nd Defense Bn (2x 75mm Type 94, 6x 81mm)
- 42nd AA Coy (6x Type 98 Machine Cannons)

Ponape Fortress
2x 15cm/50 CD rifles (actually, a couple Armstrongs)
6x 15cm Type 41 CD rifles
2x 12.7cm Type 03 DP guns
8x 8cm Type 88 DP guns
2x 8cm Type 88 AA guns
12x 25mm AA

[witpqs]

John - what does "IMB" stand for (as in "52nd IMB")?

[JWE]

Independent Mixed Brigade. 4 to 5 Bns, usually without the Regimental support companies, maybe an Arty Bn (maybe not), maybe an Eng Coy or two. Could be chunky, could be thin. [;)]

[JWE]

Oh yeah. I wasn't all that forthcoming about what Japan had available in the Naval area either. Several Task Forces were hiding away in Malaya and the Home Islands, getting repaired, working up, and so forth. Seems Hiryu still has a bit of an engineering casualty, and some of the airgroups have more newlys than they would like, but Combined Fleet is still around and has managed to get enough gas together for a big push (if they want to). By opening day in October, here's what's on the Japanese side.

There's some new construction coming on line and one of the DesDivs are fully worked up Akizukis. Couple Yugumo DesDivs in there too. If they all come out to play (and they did) should be a wild Fleet Problem (and it was).

(Palawan and Luzon)
CarDiv 2: CV Hriyu, Soryu, CVL Ryujo
CarDiv 3: CV Shokaku, Zuikaku
Sentai 3: Kongo, Kirishima
Sentai 8: Tone, Chikuma
DesRon 1:
- Abukuma (F)
- 4 DesDivs
DesRon 3:
- Sendai (F)
- 4 DesDivs

(enroute, Singapore – Manila)
CarDiv 4: CV Junyo, CVL Shoho, Zuiho
DesRon 5:
- Agano (F)
- 2 DesDivs
DesRon 6:
- Noshiro (F)
- 2 DesDivs

(enroute, Nagasaki – Manila)
Sentai 1: Yamato, Nagato
Sentai 2: Fuso, Yamashiro
Sentai 4: Atago, Takao, Chokai, Maya
Sentai 5: Myoko, Haguro, Nachi
DesRon 2:
- Jintsu (F)
- 4 DesDivs
DesRon 4:
- Naka (F)
- 4 DesDivs

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: JWE

Surely can. Been fighting a flu, moving kinda slow just now.

Probably from sucking in contaminated creek water off Doheny [:)]

Are you the umpire for this thing? There is quite a discrepancy between the US estimate of opposing forces and the real situation....4 1/2 CV's and 3 CVL [:)]

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
Probably from sucking in contaminated creek water off Doheny [:)]

I wish. Ex-wife unit pulled the house out, so moving self and Mom to Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, to Fairhope, for the time being. It gets cold here !! Damn, forgot about the cold and wet thing, and bugs, and no beer on Sunday, and having to be either a 'Bama or an Auburn fan, and no futball on ESPN even. Heck, even the good fish places advertise "we fry, too!!". My Sister thinks hush puppies are a vegetable. I forsee a bit more Lipitor in my future.[;)]

Are you the umpire for this thing? There is quite a discrepancy between the US estimate of opposing forces and the real situation....4 1/2 CV's and 3 CVL [:)]

Yes, I was. I usually get picked because I can throw some good breaking balls (arh, arh, arh). Land forces aren't too far off the mark; IJA managed to get a reinforcement convoy through, but had losses. IJN stuff was suitably vague. I mean, Combined Fleet was still out there, but had got whacked here and there, and spread out due to the fuel issue. This particular Fleet Problem was predicated on a decision to have the "Decisive Encounter" before the Allies reached the final defense line in the Marianas, in the hope that it would slow the machine down to where the Marianas could be adequately fortified.

It's also the last realistic opportunity for a real H-2-H, put-the-nads-on-the-table kinda encounter engagement. Assumed IJN would use typical commo security and do prep orders by land line and use the Flag Code for op orders.

They were also set up to put their cohones in the chopper. They got intel saying there was only a CarDiv or two looking to gobble up Eniwetok. They had no idea it was a push into the Carolines.

A true meeting engagement from both side's perspective. Allies had Spruance's orders; TF 38 may be released, if the opportunity arises to engage and defeat a substantial portion of the Japanese Fleet. Japanese had Kurita's orders; Allied naval forces are to be annihilated.

[ed] But then, I do get to throw some fewmets into the windmill. Maybe it's my sunny disposition, maybe my je ne sais quoi attitude, but folks have learned to learned to read between the lines, because I am a devious, lying, sack. Most of the group knows there's something very nasty lying in wait, and plans accordingly. Players can modify the OpOrd, and often do (as they did in this Problem).

[JWE]

And the playing field.

Lots of stuff happens off-board. We have a nice (at least I think so) system of folding in ancillary things that happen. It also lets the umpire help out (or scar) each side here and there.

[FatR]

An interesting scenario. I'll definitely follow this AAR.

[JWE]

Ok, so the first thing that happened was TF 38 hit Truk with 3 days of air strikes against ships in harbor and air fields. Kinda fun, except the US lost some planes to AAA. Brother Sherman whacked Ponape as an aside (it hurt; they had hard AAA). Meanwhile, McCain and Williamson are grinding furiously to build up the Marshall airstrips to host AAC bombers that will (may) pound Ponape into toast.

So TF 38 got hurt a bit; 6 VF, 2 VT, 9 VB, for a garner of 1 ML/CL, 4 DD/PB, 6 TK(Sm), 7 AK, with significant runway damage on the airfields. Japan reports substantially the same, but puts operational planes at 26 out of 137; and the base maint sqdns are non-op.

Tf 38 will retire for two days, and return for a second series of strikes (player running Sherman was one aggressive sone of a gun).

[Cap Mandrake]

By TF 38 I presume you mean all three USN carrier groups operating in concert?

Seems to me the US needed to shut down the Truk airfields or at least dent the planes. It's only 400 miles to Ponape which means the Japs could counterattack the landing vessels with Bettys and Zero escorts or maybe even Kates. I do wonder if they might have better timed it closer to their planned landing.

It also seems to me Truk would be the spot for the Japs to engage the US carriers. If they go back again, the Jap carriers should show up on day 2 or 3 while half the US carrier planes are on airfield attack. Planes from sunk Jap carriers can retire to Truk. The situation is unlikely to be more favorable at Ponape for a carrier engagement.