The Copperas Bowl: Allied Perspective

[Canoerebel]

9/25/42 - The battle continues to go well. More than half of the Allied reinforcements landed and another Jap shock attacked resulted in signficantly more Jap than Allied casualties. Unless John can get reinforcements in of his own, the Japs will be pushed out of PM.

I think the Japs have lost more than 40 ships although I haven't kept careful count. More imporantly, I think alot of Jap combat ships were damaged - enough perhaps to allow an Allied invasion to get on the ground.

Most of the Allied ships are heading back to Townsville with the exception of the surface combat TF and the reinforcement TF which will remain at PM this turn.

All Allied mediums and heavies are resting this turn.


Allied troops at Wau are still schedule to launch a shock attack. They don't seem to be making much progress and my troops are severely fatigued and disrupted, but something has to give there.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 09/25/42

Weather: Rain

Sub attack at 11,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
AP Leonard Wood, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
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Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 21
B-24D Liberator x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 345
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 42

Attacking Level Bombers:
6 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator at 1000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress at 1000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 29th Regiment, at 10,40


Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 7
Wirraway x 3
P-400 Airacobra x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 16
P-40E Kittyhawk x 8
B-26B Marauder x 21
A-20B Havoc x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 3 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder x 5 damaged
A-20B Havoc x 1 destroyed
A-20B Havoc x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 148

Attacking Level Bombers:
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
4 x A-20B Havoc at 100 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
2 x A-20B Havoc at 100 feet
3 x A-20B Havoc at 100 feet
3 x Beaufort at 100 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
3 x B-26B Marauder at 100 feet
4 x Beaufort at 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 16,44


Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
SBD Dauntless x 16

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Meiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sanko Maru, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 22
Vehicles lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 16,44

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Meiyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryuko Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Azumasan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 16,44

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 12
SBD Dauntless x 33
TBF Avenger x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Meiyo Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tatsuta Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Ryuko Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sanko Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Azumasan Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 18

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Unkai Maru #3
AP Mogamigawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Tamashima Maru
AP Unkai Maru #6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 12,44

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 3

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Taian Maru, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 47
TBF Avenger x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
AP Chowa Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 17, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 29, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Goyo Maru, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 12,44

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD Dauntless x 16


no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Mito Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shozan Maru, heavy damage
AP Taian Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 59
TBF Avenger x 12

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Tenryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shoho Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AP Mogamigawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Batavia Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AP Tamashima Maru
AP Unkai Maru #6, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PC Ch 6
PC Tama Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shirogane Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PC Toshi Maru #3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 13,44

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Montevideo Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kumagawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 14,44


Allied aircraft
TBF Avenger x 13

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Nako Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kyushu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 16,44

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16

no losses

Japanese Ships
AP Sasago Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kiyozumi Maru, on fire, heavy damage
AP Kinryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
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Ground combat at Port Moresby

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 40334 troops, 494 guns, 30 vehicles

Defending force 41614 troops, 254 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 1869
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 442
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6465 troops, 113 guns, 50 vehicles

Defending force 11683 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles


Allied ground losses:
Men lost 33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wau

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10493 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 14355 troops, 232 guns, 50 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)


Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 140

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 118
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Canoerebel]

9/26/42 - The Allies should win the battle. The Japs did not attack this turn. The Allies will try a shock attack next turn and see if the Japs are weak enough to handle with the force at hand. If not, reinforcements will be sent to PM from Australia.

The Battle of Wau did not go well. I've canceled further attacks and resumed air transporting the rest of the brigade from Cooktown (that was in the process of going to Wau when I stopped the operation in order to focus on PM).

Most of the Allied ships are heading for Townsville now. The large AK fleet that left Noumea four or five turns ago should arrive Brisbane in a couple of turns. It will load whatever is available there (probably 2 brigades and some engineers). The APs at Townsville will load the bulk of the invasion force that had been unloaded there ten turns ago while preparing for the Battle of Port Moresby.

Barring yet another surprise punch by John, the Allied invasion force should set sail in about ten turns.

PM's mediums and Cairns's heavies will hit GG this turn.

All remains quiet in SOPAC although a Jap CVL TF is cruising the waters south of New Caledonia (near Koumac). It won't find much in that area.

[Canoerebel]

9/27/42 - The Allied shock attack was a miserable failure. The Allies took 4x casualties. The PM garrison is going to need help and I also need to recapture Lea Lea. If I don't, the Japs could leave PM, head to Lea Lea, and then head to Wau where they would overwhelm the Allied troops.

Therefore, my plan is to load up Allied troops at Townsville and Brisbane and send them to PM and Lea Lea. As soon as the Allies take care of those two positions, I will probably head to Buna, hoping to isolate the Jap units retreating from PM.

The Allies will receive significant surface ship reinforcements in 19 turns including two BBs.

Cairns's B-17s hit GG airfield hard. PM's mediums will hit GG port this turn, hoping to sink some of the damaged Jap ships that sought refuge there after the PM invasion.

[Canoerebel]

9/28/42 - No ground troop activity at PM today. A few Cooktown mediums inflicted minor casualties on the Jap infantry. PM's medium bombers and most of Cairns's heavies made devastating runs on GG's airfield and port facilities, inflicting 900+ casualties, destroying some planes on the ground, and sinking four or five damaged ships.

The first troops are loading at Townsville in connection with the operation to isolate and anihilate the Japs at PM. Saying that is alot easier than carrying it out.

[Canoerebel]

9/29/42 - John has had been tied up with work-related matters and this is the first turn we've played in three weeks. It has been so long that I had forgotten much of what was going on in the game. I remembered my overall plan, but had no recall about which ports needed what supplies, which units were fatigued, when reinforcements were coming and where I planned to put them, etc. etc.

Allied mediums and heavies hit GG hard again, sinking six or seven ships (primarily APs), inflicting well over 500 casualties, and further decimating the airfield and port. This turn most of the bombers will take a crack at the Jap troops at Wau.

The Lea Lea invasion force should depart Townsville this turn.

The Japs have lost around 120 ships (3 CVs, 2 BBs, 3 CS, alot of DDs and APs) while the Allies have lost 70 (1 CV, 1 BB, 1 CA, alot of SCs, APs, AKs). Overall the Allied position is pretty strong, especially if the Allies can isolate and destroy the Jap troops marooned (hopefully marooned I should say) at PM.

[Canoerebel]

9/30/42 - Allied bombers inflict about 200 casualties at Wau. Then the Japs launched a shock attack and lost another 100 troops (to 35 or so for the Allies). Next turn I am resting the heavies, but the mediums will hit Wau again.

One invasion fleet just left Townsville (heading for Lea Lea). A large fleet is loading at Townsville (probably heading to a target of opportunity of which there are several at the moment). Another fleet is loading at Brisbane (probably reinforcements for PM).

[Canoerebel]

October 1-2, 1942 - PM's mediums hit Wau on the 1st inflicting more than 100 casualties. The deliberate attack at PM inflicted slightly more Jap than Allied casualties - not enough to suggest that an all out attack would be successful. A sizeable portion of the Japs at PM moved a hex to the north on the 2nd, so I've ordered a shock attack hoping to hit the remnant hard. 72 B-17s hit GG on the 2nd inflicting 180 casualties. That base is shut down and I can concentrate on Wau and PM for awhile. The Lea Lea invasion force should arrive next turn. I'm probably going to land at Buna to try and cut off the Jap units, although I wish I could hit Lae which appears open. Allied subs have sunk a couple of Jap APs the past couple of turns.

[Canoerebel]

10/03/42 - The Battle of Port Moresby is over. The remainder of the Jap troops moved into the jungle, heading ultimately for Buna. The Jap garrison at Lea Lea may well join them. My invasion fleet arrived at Lea Lea but did not unload. Given the Jap movements, I pulled the fleet back. It will join the other forces and constitute the Buna (and possibly Lae invasion force. The invasion fleet will consist of three transport TFs, Long Island CVL TF (small), the main Allied CV TF, and Spruance's combat TF.

PM mediums inflicted 80 casualties at Wau. The exhausted Allied troops there are going to make another shock attack next turn. Something simply has to give at Wau. PMs mediums and Cairn's B-17s will hit Wau first (if the air corps sorties - never a sure thing). Some Australia-based mediums plus the B-24s will hit GG's airfield.

[Canoerebel]

10/4/42 - The Allied invasion fleets are rendezvouing south of GG next turn. Based upon a comment in his email, John believes the target is GG (a reasonable deduction on his part). However, the fleet will head to Buna and, if recon suggests Lae is a target of opportunity, that port also. The objective is to isolate the large Jap army heading for the Owen Stanley Range (the survivors of the Jap PM invasion force) and to possibly isolate the Jap army at Wau.

GG airfield remains shut down after a relatively light attack by mediums and B-24s. PM's mediums and 62 B-17s hit the Japs at Wau, inflicting over 300 casualties. The Allied shock attack inflicted some 185 casualties (to 55 for the Allies) at 1:1 odds - hopefully an indication that cracks are beginning to appear in the Jap force there. I have at least 5 Allied brigades (maybe 6) plus an HQ unit at Wau and all but the 18th Brigade are now on fumes (almost entirely disorganized and fatigued). PM's mediums will hit Wau again followed by another shock attack. The B-17s will take the day off except for one squadron reconning Rossel Islands. Other air units will recon GG, Buna and Lae.

Fuel is going to be a problem for the invasion fleet. Several replenishment ships are joining the invasion TF, but things may still get hairy. I have no fuel at PM or Townsville, although Cairns does have about 15,000 units.

[Canoerebel]

10/5/42 - Most of the invasion fleets have joined up and will begin heading toward Buna. They should near GG next turn. Reconn shows Buna with one infantry unit (nothing else). Lae has two infantry units and a host of others (HQ, AA, ENG).

The air attack on Wau inflicted 80 casualties. The shock attack inflicted 400 (to 80 Allied) casualties. The Japs are beginning to give ground there.

All orders remain same this turn.

[Canoerebel]

10/6/42 - The Allied shock attack at Wau inflicted 2000 casualties to less than 100 - I think. At least the replay showed those results, but when I check the army loss statistics on the map, it didn't appear to me that it had changed dramatically. But the Allies will continue "on fumes" shock attacks and next turn should do it if the 2000 figure was indeed accurate.

The invasion fleet is going to pause a turn several hexes south of GG to allow a replenishment TF to join up.

John sent two PCs to a point near Basiliki Island and the incredibly stupid [:@][:@][:@] Allied fleet air commander sent wave after wave after wave [:@][:@][:@] of fighters, dive bombers and torpedo planes against the PCs. There must have been 400 missions flown against those two boats [:@] seriously fatiguing the pilots which of course was John's intention. The two PCs sank.

SOPAC remains very quiet with lone AKs on supply missions to Wunpuko, Gavigama and Nevea.

[Canoerebel]

10/7/42 - the never-ending Battle of Wau finally ended. The Allies expelled the Japs after inflicting another 1800 casualties. Just in time too. It appears that a strong Jap infantry unit was on it's way to reinforce the enemy garrison (it is just one hex north of Wau). Early in the game I announced my intention to defend Wau in hopes that it would turn into a vortex attracting Jap intentions and troops. That it did for awhile, but ultimately it probably worked in reverse. I have six very tired brigades and an HQ unit at Wau. They are desperately in need of R & R.

The invasion fleet is gassed up and ready to proceed. Should be near Basiliki Island next turn on it's way to Buna and/or Lae. I have detatched an AK carrying 5th Air HQ accompanied by two SCs to head to PM (originally, part of this invasion force was supposed to go to PM with reinforcements, but I cancelled those orders when the Japs retreated out of PM).

PMs bombers will divide their attentions between Lae and Buna next turn.

At this point Allies trail the Japs 7200 to 4900 points.

[Canoerebel]

10/8/42 - The Allied invasion fleet is due east of Basiliki excepting for two straggling TFs (the Long Island and Spruance's combat ships) that should rejoin the main force this turn. If John hasn't already guessed that GG isn't the target, he will know for certain next turn.

PM's mediums and Cairns's B-17s hit Lae a pretty good blow and two Dauntless squadrons based at PM hit Buna. Recon indicates that the infantry unit at Buna is very weak. The invasion force will probably divert a brigade and perhaps an engineer unit to Buna to capture that base while the remainder heads to Lae. I'll need more troops to secure Buna long term (when the worn out Jap invasion force recrosses the Owen Stanleys on the way home from PM). If my plan holds, a good number of the Lae expedition troops will reinforce Buna once Lae is secure.

It appears that Rossel and GG are also fairly lightly held, but I'll pick off those plums later. Right now it's time to leap-frog those bases.

5th Air HQ will arrive PM next turn.

[Canoerebel]

10/9/42 - As John noted, "It appears you missed the turn to Gili-Gili...."

The Allied invasion fleet is midway between GG and Buna. The Jap units are moving closer to Buna (some now two hexes north of PM). I have to make up my mind quickly whether I have the troops to take both Buna and Lae or whether I should concentrate only on the latter. I'm still planning to send the bulk of the force to Lae with a few troops to Buna.

[Canoerebel]

10/10/42 - The invasion fleet is two hexes north of Buna. Time to decide whether Buna or Lae or both is the goal. I prefer Lae except that a large Jap army is isolated in the Owen Stanleys and will arrive back in Buna in about six turns or so. Decisions, decisions....

Bettys from Rabaul sortied but didn't make it through the fleet's CAP. No sign of stiff Jap opposition yet. I don't know if John will risk his CVs since he's lost Zu, Sho, and Junyo (while I've only lost the Sara).

[Canoerebel]

10/11/42 - When I opened John's most recent email it featured this alarming message: "It has been over a month of game time since I could claim a clean victory!
This day is one!!" [&:] I immediately assumed that my invasion fleet had somehow managed to duplicate "Kincaid's Folly" (a gaffe early in the game in which an Allied combat fleet walked face first into a hornet's nest). [:(]

To my considerable relief, I discovered that John was referring to a sortie by Rabaul's Betty's that whacked one of my tanker fleets at Cairns sinking a TK, MSW, and two SCs. Another TK was damaged and should make it to Townsville. The Jap strike force consisted of 49 Bettys. After the first strike against Cairns, the Bettys sortied again, half against Cairns and half against the invasion fleet. The second strike didn't accomplish anything. The Japs lost 18 Bettys which considerably assuages Allied feelings about the day's events.

The invasion force is two hexes from Lae. I have decided to commit everything to Lae. I'm choosing the bigger, more important base and deeper penetration over isolating a big Jap army. If everything comes off well at Lae, I may be able to later commit combat ships to blockade Buna (the two BB TF reinforcements will arrive at Noumea in 5 days) and try to destroy the retreating Jap army.

[Canoerebel]

10/12/42 - John's comment regarding this invasion: "Of all the places I might expect you to invade, Lae is LAST on the list. For that, I am thankful!" [8|]

The troops are unloading and will feel out the opposition with a deliberate attack next turn. PM's mediums pummeled Lae and next turn will turn their attention to the Jap army nearing Buna.

No signs of concerted opposition against the invasion fleet. The naval air squadons hit a small Jap TF well to the NW of Lae sinking a MSW, PC and AP with a number of other transports damaged.

[Canoerebel]

10/13/42 - Allied deliberate attack liberates Lae and inflicts 1500 casualties (no Allied casualties). Lae capitulated much easier than anticipated. Most of my transports aren't even half-unloaded. To take advantage of the situation, I've ordered the invasion fleet to Finchshafen (which I believe is lightly held or unoccupied).

The airfield at Lae is 75/75 damage, but that should be quickly repaired. Then I will transport in a base force or two and begin offensive operations from the Allies' newest forward base.

The Wau garrision is ordered forward to Marilan. Eventually I hope to move them to Lae where they will be evacuated for much earned R & R.

There are several Jap units between Wau and Lae. They may flee west or stick around and fight.

[Canoerebel]

10/14/42 - Somebody miscalculated. I thought the invasion force still had half the troops when I sent them to Finchshafen, but it turns out there are only a few troops and all of them may be support. The TFs arrived at Finchshafen but didn't unload a single soldier or any supplies. If that happens again, I'll send them back to Lae to finish unloading. Still no signs of significant Jap opposition. I hope that continues until the operation is complete.


The quiet continues elsewhere on the map. A small supply TF is unloading at PM. Nothing is happening in SOPAC. [>:]

[Canoerebel]

10/15/42 - Finchshafen is indeed a foul-up. The Allies landed about 500 support troops that cannot attack. I've recalled the invasion fleet to Lae to finish unloading supplies. In the meantime, the meat of the 186th Regiment is ordered to march to Finchs (it already has 8 miles under its belt) to join the 186th's 20 support troops there. The other unit at Finchs is ordered to march to Lae to join the rest of its unit.

Lae airfield should be operational next turn (airfield damage 42, airfield operations damage 75).

I've detailed two 3rd Division brigades and an engineer unit to march south from Lae and attack the Jap infantry unit there.

The Allied garrison at Wau is two turns out of Marilan.

PM's bombers are hitting the Jap forces at Buna and in the nearby jungles.

In SOPAC, Allied FT convoy sank I-33.