Bob-Bill Game #2

[wga8888]

This was the sequel to Game#1 on the ARR
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This was Scenario 17 with Bob as IJN; using 1day turns, and player-controlled subs. Game was stopped at 18May1942 to apply lessons learned to a new game. IJN captured Gili-Gili, Buna, Tulagi and GC. Allies strikes vs Lae at high altitude to raise B25/B26 experience. My B17s were withheld, groups disbanded to create 2 groups with 12-13 planes The two USN CVs relocated to the coast of Australia and started Allied supply transport runs to PM to increase its supply.
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The game was fast and furious. First the IJN landed at Buna and began a slow unloading process. The two IJN carriers appeared south of PM crushing one 10 ship supply convoy approaching PM. The USN CVs risked a sortie east of the last IJN position about 5 hexes away. All PM planes were set to naval attack as the primary mission (including B26s and A24s). Event the B17 groups were activated for naval strike at 22000+ altitudes.
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The initial two CV strikes were from the USN [in Pacific War terms achieved surprise] as the IJN TF did not seem to move. This was followed by an IJN counter-strike. The Zuikaku took 8+ bomb hits and few torpedoes; Shokaku only took a few bomb hits. The IJN strike crippled the Yorktown; the Lexington took a few hits but remained operational. All carriers's bombing forces were greatly depleted. The PM strikes accomplished nothing due to the IJN CAP with high damage/destruction to the PM bombers. No IJN bombers appeared. The B17s flew over the IJN TF to strike the stationary APs at Buna inflicting a few hits/sinking.
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In the successive days, the USN CVs attempted to move south but were leashed by the slow Yorktown speed, the IJN did not appear to move. After four days, both the Shokaku and Zuikaku were sunk. After the IJN CAP was unable to fly, the PM A24s and B26s started piling on the hits. The IJN airgroups flew off to the various land bases. The Yorktown and DD escort was at 96% system damage and 68% flotation damage; charging towards Cairns; having to move 9 hexes at the speed of ZERO. Fate was TBD. Although Nell & Mavis search planes found the crippled Yorktown, no attack ensured. The Lexington made it to Cairns with 28% system damage and two fires. The remnants of the Yorktown airgroups were found in PM and Australia; in the long term would be rebuild and I guess used as LBA or to equip the CVE Long Island.
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The net effect was each side lost two CVs for the campaign; although the USN gains in sinking points. Unknown if the Yorktown could be saved, if safe in Australian ports, or would be scuttled? The Shoho remains as the only carrier in the game at this time, until both sides are reinforced. The net result surpasses the historical Battle of Coral Sea. The IJN carriers were sunk [each with 20+ bomb hits and several torpedoes], the USN had historical results although it is the Lexington which could be patched up for the historical Battle of Midway.
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This play shows the IJN CVs not to be overwhelming superior but in this game were handicapped by staying in place and being boxed in by PM, Australia, USN CVs, and Subs for too many days. The big surprise is the IJ long range bombers not participating. Also the B17s ignored the crippled IJN CVs and pounded the stationary transports at Buna with success. Adding it up, B17s made 63 sorties, dropped 816 bombs (assume 12x500# each), achieved 14 hits with a number of sinkings, while attacking at 22000+ altitude. Bob did some research and found B17s/B24s historically sank 12 ships in 11 months. Bob’s view is B17s are too effective.
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Several questions remain, will the Yorktown make to port, could I send a few more DDs and combine TF to tow at greater speed [assuming program allows this] or should it be scuttled? What is the VP difference of the latter? The Lexington makes it to port with 28% damage and 2 fires. Will the fires be put out? Can I sent to Pearl Harbor from Cairns or do I need to send to Brisbane/Nomea first? Will Betty or IJN submarine torpedoes change either of these outcomes? Can the IJN used land based bombers in NG to negate PM and attempt a landing regardless of the CV battle. Is the Shoho an outstanding ship when it has no competition? The Allies wished the Beauforts were in the game at the time of the battles as seems to be a very effective torpedoe bomber when there is not CAP.
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We are presently to start a third game considering the following house rules between us. B17s/B24s cannot select Naval Attack as a primary mission or Naval Attack/Port attack as a secondary mission. This is based on the assumption they are too effective in the initial small numbers, and assumed a major threat to shipping when available in large numbers [if conserved] in 1943. The counter questions are does this tie the Allies hands too much given the inability of Allied LBA to hurt IJN CVs flying CAP. The likelihood the USN will win a ‘Midway’ result in a 4 CV vs 4 CV battle seems unlikely per the previous AAR. The trend is the USN navy is sunk and the IJN sweeps the map.