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Hey guys,

Just had my hat handed to me, and I think at this point I can only surrender, but I wanted to get some opinions on the combat results. The first wave is my chief concern, where I had 108 F6F and some Wildcats lead a strike and get completely wiped out without one attack on a ship..the entrie 2 day turn saw me land zero attacks on any IJN ship, despite my having 8 CV and 15 CVL/CVE in support of a landing in Shikka. take a peek below...


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Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 109
N1K1-J George x 52
J2M Jack x 45
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 8

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F Hellcat x 108
SB2C Helldiver x 86
TBM Avenger x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 16 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 108 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 62 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 68 destroyed

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Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 102
N1K1-J George x 52
J2M Jack x 40
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 29
TBM Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 24 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 14 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 102
N1K1-J George x 52
J2M Jack x 40
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 2 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 34 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 78
N1K1-J George x 39
J2M Jack x 27
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 8
TBM Avenger x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 9 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 77
N1K1-J George x 39
J2M Jack x 27
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 31
F6F Hellcat x 12
SB2C Helldiver x 31
TBM Avenger x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
J2M Jack: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 31 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 12 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 23 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 34 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 43
N1K1-J George x 25
J2M Jack x 17
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 60
N1K1-J George x 25
J2M Jack x 18
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 14
TBM Avenger x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 14 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 99
N1K1-J George x 51
J2M Jack x 36
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 87
TBM Avenger x 37

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 10 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 86 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 37 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 49
N1K1-J George x 25
J2M Jack x 17
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 13
TBM Avenger x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 1 damaged
J2M Jack: 1 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 13 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 21 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 78
N1K1-J George x 38
J2M Jack x 24
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 22
TBM Avenger x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
J2M Jack: 1 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 22 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 94
N1K1-J George x 51
J2M Jack x 36
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 16
SB2C Helldiver x 31
TBM Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 16 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBM Avenger: 18 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 90
N1K1-J George x 49
J2M Jack x 32
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 6
TBM Avenger x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 8 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 70
N1K1-J George x 36
J2M Jack x 24
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 28
TBM Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 1 destroyed
J2M Jack: 1 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 28 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 15 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 41
N1K1-J George x 24
J2M Jack x 17

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 30
TBM Avenger x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
J2M Jack: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 30 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 8 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 38
N1K1-J George x 24
J2M Jack x 16

Allied aircraft
TBM Avenger x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBM Avenger: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Samuel B. Roberts

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DE John C. Butler, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DE Thomason

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 484
D4Y Judy x 76
B7A Grace x 106

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 53
F6F Hellcat x 189

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 295 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed, 19 damaged
B7A Grace: 8 destroyed, 45 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 53 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 189 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Ticonderoga, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bennington, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crane
DD Kalk, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Cassin Young, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Windsor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
LCI LCI-625
LCI LCI-627, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD Lloyd, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LST LST-398, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 12 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 4, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Durham Victory, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,32

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 9

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
B7A Grace x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 10 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington
CV Randolph

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 60
P1Y Frances x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 22 damaged
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
DE LeRay Wilson
DE Swearer
AK Poyang
AK Murada
DD Cooper
AK Rhesus, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Octans, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Calamaries, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Lycaon, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Merkur
DE Hemminger, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Acubens, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DE Howard F. Clark, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Algorab, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AK Auriga
DE Snyder
AK Almaack, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,32

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 19

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 19 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
B6N Jill x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N Jill: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Barnes, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Suwannee, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
B7A Grace x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B7A Grace: 4 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Saginaw Bay, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Fanshaw Bay
CVE St. Lo
CVE Kadashan Bay, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet


Day two results (now that my entire air wing is gone..I actually got off lucky I think)


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Day Air attack on TF at 76,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 20
P1Y Frances x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Torpedo hits 1
DD Isherwood

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 3

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 2 damaged


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 4
P1Y Frances x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 4 damaged
P1Y Frances: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Intrepid

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 75,37

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 17
P1Y Frances x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Kalk, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
PBY Catalina x 1


Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina: 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 1


No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 74,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 47
N1K1-J George x 4
J2M Jack x 24
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
SB2C Helldiver x 14
TBM Avenger x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 7 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,38

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Enterprise

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Shikka at 74,31

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 243
D4Y Judy x 33
B6N Jill x 7
B7A Grace x 43

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y Judy: 2 destroyed, 18 damaged
B6N Jill: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B7A Grace: 4 destroyed, 22 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 21 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Cape Esperance, Bomb hits 1
CVE Matanikau, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Savo Island, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CVE Steamer Bay, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Wake Island, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B6N Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 76,38

Japanese aircraft
P1Y Frances x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE St. Lo

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P1Y Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet




Anyhow, feel free to let me know this was completely fine and I just got my hat handed to me. I have lost, or will lose, the Cvs Intrepid, Hancock, Lexington, Enterprise, Wasp, Bennington, Ticondaroga, and Randolph. Ouch...

Oh man! Never seen something like that. What´s the date mid 44? Normally it should be the opposite! [X(][X(][X(][X(] I only can recommend you this: Other way your opponent will occupy the West Coast after sinking the rest of your fleet! [:)]

Is this a scenario, or a long term campaign that is ending?
If long term, I guess it could be remotely possible that he had some real tailkicking pilots left in 45. In a scenario, I don't think that they would be that good. Or, were they all land based? Were all your CV/CVE in one big group or split up in 2-3 per TF? Looks like a mega TF or two from this point of view.

I am more surprised that you not only didn't hit anything, it looks like you didn't even make it through to ATTACK anything.....split up attacks or not. Usually, something leaks through during an attack, even if out numbered badly.....

But, without more background, it is only supposition to say anything. You might have run your airgroups ragged earlier and they went in in really bad shape or something like that.
Do you know what you were trying to bomb? It would really stink if you were going after a giant barge TF or something.....

The Game is not designed to replicate the historical reality of WW II. You have to learn the subtle combination of factors that will allow you to be successful. At the same time you need to take a similar approach as was taken in WW II:

- Fight you enemy where you have an overwhelming advantage
- Eliminate your enemy's supplies prior to attacking
- Wear down your enemy in advance of attacking
- Isolate and go around your enemy's strongpoints

If you are playing against the AI, go back and replay that turn a number of times - each time changing some factors:

- The number of ships in the TFs
- The leaders
- The distance to the enemy
- The amount of experience and rest of your pilots
- The altitudes of your planes
- Your targets
- etc

Watch the differences closely.

If you are not playing the AI:

- set up a similar game against the AI and try similar things so that you can see the effects

- Surrender, ask you opponent for another game, and try things differently

Good luck -

Dave Baranyi

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 484
D4Y Judy x 76
B7A Grace x 106

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 53
F6F Hellcat x 189

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 295 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed, 19 damaged
B7A Grace: 8 destroyed, 45 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 53 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 189 destroyed

well, your aircrafts performed quite good during this engagement. strange...[X(]

Hmmm looks like your opponent had some 100 xp pilots in there you should have got some strike through with those numbers of aircraft

Andy

Well, you were invading Shikka, on japanese island of Sakhalin without LBA cover and faced approx. 1000 enemy a/c. what did you expect ?

well, your aircrafts performed quite good during this engagement. strange

He was outnumbered, so while his aircraft did well, they weren't "gods" and couldn't overcome the overwhelming odds.

Hey, I can shoot down Zeros with Brewsters when I get 2 or 3 to 1 odds too...[;)]

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 18 destroyed

Notice this ? The 8 Frank were probably in CAP but my guess is that this TF was in a base and many more Franks scrambled to meet the raid (Japanese radar is working... I can't believe it) and so your airmen faced scores of Franks and Georges, probably with excellent pilots... and they proved more than enough to defeat your Hellcats.

Since how many time did your airmen fly ? I think they should have some level of fatigue to be defeated like that... Also only CVs are shown as being attacked at the same time as your CV...

Some suggestions:
_ don't remain too much time near enemy bases
_ use Corsairs aboard CVs. It is gamey in 1943 but was done in 1944. They are better than F6F.
_ put BB and cruisers in your CV TF, the additionnal AA will decimate Japanese aircraft and also divert some attacking AC. May do the difference between a sunk CV and a damaged CV.

what was the experience level of your pilots?

with those results it looks like yours were 60s and the Japs were 90+s [&:]

yeah, very interesting. If you surrender, please discuss with your opponent and bring here details (pilots exp level; fatigue; morale... etc, for both sides)

Why surrender ? Nuke them... this defeat probably extends the war by 6 months but war is not lost.

Context

The combat replay shows what happened to you, but it does not show how you got there.

A map showing your forces, not just little green TF markers but something that shows whats in the TFs and the CAP is helpful.

Also experience levels of your pilots, any intel you had about the Japanese, the date (very important) is this Vs. the AI or a human, what altitude your CAP was set at, anything else you can provide. Did you know how many planes the Japanese had in the area? Did you recon the area? Did you telegraph that you were coming? When did the Japanese see your ships coming, today? two days ago? 4 days ago?

Just for starters it looks like you attacked at 1 to 2 odds (or worse) in aircraft which is something that no historical commander was willing to do, and now you have some idea why.

I just opened up my game to find out where Shikka is.

Its on Sakhalin Island (due North of Japan) and its completely surrounded by Japanese bases.

There must have been days of warning, maybe well over a week. The entire Japanese airforce could base within range of the place or within a days flight.

LBA cover for the Allies is impossible at Shikka even if the Kuriles are Allied.

The more I learn the more I think this combat result was fine. I would not surrender if I were you, I would go back to the drawing board and launch a campaign coming up from the South using LBA to cover the advance. Your opponent beat you up pretty good but the game is not over by a long shot. Put it down to a learning experience and try something else.

Very interesting! Until Gilligan chimes in with more information to satisfy our collective curiosity, I'll play forensics (CSI: North Pacific) and try to conclude how this happened.

- You went directly to North Japan (Shikka is I believe on Sakhalin island). You wanted to skip attritional fights in Solomons, New Guinea, Marshalls, Marianas... and went directly Midway => Wake => Marcus => North Japan, perhaps even Alaska => North Japan. What you got is a good lesson in why you can't skip the attritional fights if you want to win as Allies.

- Most battles were fought at extreme range for fighters, probably on both sides, but certainly so for USN. As evidenced by huge losses for attacker's fighters in every case (again, being more painful for USN in this case)

This attack below:

Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 484
D4Y Judy x 76
B7A Grace x 106

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 53
F6F Hellcat x 189

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 295 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed, 19 damaged
B7A Grace: 8 destroyed, 45 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 53 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 189 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Ticonderoga, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bennington, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crane
DD Kalk, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Cassin Young, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

...was by far the most important melee of the whole two day battle, the one that decided the outcome. You lost 2,5 CVs with all their planes and that was it. Without theit bombers and CAP fighters battle was lost right then and there. You shot *enormous* number of his aircraft, but with his strike being so massive, many still managed to break through. Where this strike was launched from - landbase or CVs? I haven't had the opportunity to try B7A in my games, but obviously it's very sturdy aircraft (many were damaged but managed to attack anyway I guess, and obtain hits), here's what happens when IJN is able to deploy them in some numbers...

Oleg

Another point may be the CV TF capacity ceiling. I forget exactly what is is for each year, but if you exceed that amount (in number of hulls), strikes (and CAP?) become less coordinated.

If you massed all your CV's in one or two TF's, you may have given yourself an additional negative modifier to your combats.

Fighting at extreme range causes undue pilot fatigue and losses.

Day Air attack on TF at 73,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 109
N1K1-J George x 52
J2M Jack x 45
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 8

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 16
F6F Hellcat x 108
SB2C Helldiver x 86
TBM Avenger x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
J2M Jack: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 16 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 108 destroyed
SB2C Helldiver: 62 destroyed
TBM Avenger: 68 destroyed

Georges, Jacks, and Franks are good planes if they have decent pilots. Even Zekes can do ok with experienced pilots. I think that is probably what happened here. Also the Allies seem to be suffering from massive CV over concentration penalties.

Day Air attack on TF at 75,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 484
D4Y Judy x 76
B7A Grace x 106

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 53
F6F Hellcat x 189

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 295 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed, 19 damaged
B7A Grace: 8 destroyed, 45 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
FM-2 Wildcat: 53 destroyed
F6F Hellcat: 189 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Ticonderoga, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bennington, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crane
DD Kalk, Bomb hits 2, on fire
DD Cassin Young, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
1 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
2 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B7A Grace launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Good tactics by the Japanese side. 300 Zekes are fed to the Allied CAP so the bombers can get through.

ORIGINAL: WiTP_Dude

Also the Allies seem to be suffering from massive CV over concentration penalties.


CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Ticonderoga, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bennington, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

If so, then why only 2.5 CV's in this task force?

ORIGINAL: Bradley7735

ORIGINAL: WiTP_Dude

Also the Allies seem to be suffering from massive CV over concentration penalties.


CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Ticonderoga, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bennington, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

If so, then why only 2.5 CV's in this task force?

You can't always tell from the attack how many ships are in a task force. Not all ships show up each time.



Edit: Never mind, these results show attacks on multiple days.

ORIGINAL: Bradley7735

ORIGINAL: WiTP_Dude

Also the Allies seem to be suffering from massive CV over concentration penalties.


CVL Belleau Wood, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
CV Ticonderoga, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Bennington, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 7, on fire, heavy damage

If so, then why only 2.5 CV's in this task force?

73,35

Agree with Bradley, in this case the problem is not concentration. From the above post you find that in hex 75,34, there were several CV TF:
1) CVL Belleau Wood, CV Ticonderoga, CV Bennington
2) CV Enterprise, CV Wasp
3) CV Lexington, CV Randolph
4) CVE Barnes, CVE Suwannee
5) CVE Saginaw Bay, CVE Fanshaw Bay, CVE St. Lo, CVE Kadashan Bay

With 63 Wildcats flying CAP over 75, 32

The target hex for USN strikes was at 73, 35, only 3 hexes away.

As I see that, both sides had many TFs in two hexes 3 hexes away. The Allied AC went by small groups while the IJN first wave was massive. I don't know if luck or bad vs good leaders was the most important. But I think the Japanese deploiement was better.

15 US waves went against Japanese CAP with a total of 235 FM-2 Wildcat, 136 F6F Hellcat, 177 SB2C Helldiver, 288 TBM Avenger... the bad luck was that the F6F arrived first and met the CAP before it get fatigued. Then against FM-2 and bombers the tired IJN pilots still ruled the day.

The return raid by IJN was done by 493 A6M5, 99 Judy, 128 Grace, 15 Jill but 484 of the escort flew with the first wave and destroyed or repulsed or the CAP.
43 P1Y Frances, 19 Judies and 69 Betties flew against other targets.

The main Allied problems were:
_ too much FM-2 Wildcat and too few Hellcats and Corsairs.
_ bigger problem is that the number of bombers was more important than the number of escort. The ratio for Allied is 465 bombers for 371 escort while for IJN it is 232 bombers for 493 escorts. It is always better to have more fighters in raids, so you fly less raids with better escort.
_ another big error is, as I said, to have apparently no AA escort in CV groups. BB and CLAA, if available, should always escort CV. Also the date is probably late 44 or 1945 and putting 4 CV by TF will give higher AA ratings.

The settings of Japanese airgroups was better and they also probably were less tired and had higher morale as they arrived on the scene of the battle just the day of the battle. I guess that the raids against the US CV were launched by IJN CVs and that all IJN CV aircraft flew the raid, while the CVs were LRCAPed from nearby Japanese bases, using at his best the great number of Japanese bases available. Land-based fighters have maluses to LRCAP TFs but I you put 600 on LRCAP you will have 150-200 over the ships.
I bet the Japanese admiral here was willing to sacrifice his ships to hit hard the US Death Star. It works better than he planend probably. By the way I did the same in UV last year and the result was a draw with both CV airgroups decimated (80-90% losses) but no ship sunk. Around 100 Japanese bombers reached a CV TF escorted by 4 BBs and 2 CLAA and 50-75 fell to AA. But I bet the Grace is a better plane (durability and speed) than the Kate.