To hold or not to hold?

[Raverdave]

Currently playing SCEN #17, and we are upto move #6

Ok....well I thought that I was a some-what ok player, but in a PBEM game at the moment I am getting the shite kicked out of me in PM (as allies) and it has now reached the point where air-operations have now ceased due to damage to the airfield. Japanese bombers can now roam free over PM without fear of interception. The port is now suffering serious damage and will greatly slow down unloading operations, and thus exposing the transports to longer periods of air attack.
Trying to reinforce via air is costly, as there are now zeros flying LRcap over PM....and I have already lost 5 C-47's trying to get in.

I am loath to just abandon the troops.....it would NOT be good for moral (theirs AND mine!) but there must be a point at which one says 'enough is enough'.

Considering that I have now lost air superiority over PM, I really can't see how to regain the offensive.

I could comitt my two carriers but to be really effective they would have to stay on-station for an extended period, thus inviting attack from the IJN carriers....something which I am not yet ready for ( when I committ my carriers I want to pick the when and the where, not to be forced as it now seems that I am being).


Anyone got any thoughts on holding PM?

[Caltone]

Hi Dave,

In one of my pbem games (scen 19) I just lost PM in the 3rd week of July.

Even though I have sunk Shokaku and Zuikaku, and damaged Shoho, I was unable to hold the base after the IJN carrier armada arrived at the end of May. I have not lost any CV's but have sent some back to Pearl with damage.

My plan was to inflict as much pain as I could while losing the base. I was able to fly many of the airgroups out of PM in the last week in between bombardments.

I feel time is on the side of the Allies, (even in scen 19). Stage a fighting withdrawal, salvage what you can, and defend until late 42/early 43 when Allied assets start to shine. At this point you will have superior firepower. Looking ahead I think I will have at least 7 fleet CV's (IJN in my game will never have more than 4), tough long range fighters, lots of medium/heavy bombers, plenty of troops, and tranports to move them.

Some things to try at PM:

1. Mine the harbor and when you think you have mined it enough, send in some more DM's

2. Park several S boats there

3. I sent in a small DD surface force to try and break up the bombardment missions with limited success

4. Keep your CV's near Cairns/Townsville to pick off targets of opportunity

Good Luck

[Raverdave]

Hmmmm.....I am using my B-17s to try to supress the airfield at Lae, this should easy the the Zero problem over PM. I am still trying to get more engineers in to help speed up the repairs of the airfield and at least start getting air operations stated again.

I can feel another IJN Bombardment group is due anytime soon, will just have to use the RAN's CAs and a few DDs to try and easy the problem.

S boats are a good idea but most of them are being used as a covering force else where.....same with minelayers at this point.

[NorthStar]

If you create every PT Boat you can and put them in PM harbor, it might help with the Bombardment TFs.

Airpower pretty much ignores the PTs, and while they will take heavy losses (especially if the TF includes BBs) they do seem to occasionally get lucky. Besides, at one VP each, you can lose a lot of PTs without hurting your status. And if you put a torpedo in a BB (or even a CA) its worth it. Additionally, even if the PTs get creamed, they often stop the bombardment anyway (the combat probably takes up too much time), which will help you get your repairs done.