Toraq´s AAR: Defending the Empire

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/14/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Two days post. Yesterday there was no much action. Timtom Landed 3500 men at Vella Lavella, which is very bad for me. He sent (seems to me) 1 APDs/DMS TF and one SC TF (.maybe two). This time APD Dent and APD Sands hit mines [:'(]. I don´t know how many mines left there...but no capital ships have been damaged by mines.
Also I attacked Buna with betties, causing much destruction, for the cost of two betties (op. losses)

Today, saw one of my APs attacked by P-39 in Madang area. B17 over Buka and much recon missions.

Vella Lavella situation
In two days, I´m receiving 2 BBs. The more I think the more I see I have no option in Vella Lavella. I don´t like the idea of attacking Timtom´s BBs in his own terrain, close to Lambeti, but maybe there is no other possibility. If I lose Vela Lavella, Vila and Munda will run out of supplies soon (=no VP), which means that I lose the scenario[:(]
I´m still thinking...maybe I can surprise Timtom with my new BBs. He doesn´t expect them to come now [;)]

Carrier raid in the Coral Sea
The most important thing right now, is the carrier raid in this area. It is very dangerous because I fear Timtom´s response. He could send his CVs or CVEs...However, I believe they won´t come, probably because is a roll of dice. He could lose as much as me in a carrier battle and if he does the right thing in the other places (Lae, Vella, etc) no matter what I do with my fleet, he will win the scenario.
Tomorrow I recon Townsville and Rock. to see how many planes around. If they are many I´ll think about a major raid agains PM or something like that.

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/15/43

Weather: Rain

Another day. only one month until the end of the scenario. Situation is as difficult as you can imagine. I see three battlefields

Vella Lavella battle
I got one rgt there, while Timtom has landed at least 3 Rgts and 1 HQ unit. Moreover he has started to pound my ground forces with bomber. Supply level of the base (beach) is poor (red numbers) but my rgt still got enough ammunitions and food. Anyway, I decided to send supplies using the Emilys from Buin.

Air attack on 228th Regiment, at 31,36

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
SBD Dauntless x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 34

Timtom keeps sending his APDs and DMS to clean my minefields. None hit mines this time.
I´ve tried against the AI a naval battle. 5 IJN BBs and escorts against 4 US BBs and escorts. In every engagement, IJN fleet is more or less defeated, or get a draw at the most. If we add the effect of Subs and Naval bombers from Lambeti, I see no future in a night naval battle at Vella Lavella.[:(]

Lae is bombed everyday
Timtom has mustered 3 Rgts, 2 ENG units and 1 HQ unit. Supplies are going down [:(]. This worries me!. Resist! Resist!

Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 20
A-20G Havoc x 30
A-20G Boston x 15

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 3 damaged
A-20G Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 98

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 41

CV raid
Well I recon Townsville and Rockthampton. I found 40 P40 and 11 F4U over Townsville´s skies, guarding 45 ships on port. I could attack but it would cost me many planes. Ships in port usually do not sink (=no VP) so it´s stupid to attack and reduce my forces.
Since I have no other option that a retreat, I decided to attack GG. I don´t want planes there when my CVs reach that base [:-]

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 36
G4M1 Betty x 91 ***a miracle, no betty was lost during this raid***

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 25

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 49

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/16/43

Weather: Overcast

Another day and enemy APDs keep sending troops to Vella Lavella. 3 rgts present and one ARM unit. [:(]. No reason now to intercept the enemies battleship. Vella Lavella will fall anyway.

Gili Gili attacked
Tomorrow my carriers will dare to cross the sea very close to GG. Due to the importance of GG (airport 7 or so), is a very dangerous mission. That´s why I ordered two major attacks in the last two days. If he base there his beauforts and havocs, they will probably get through my CAP and damage one of my CVs. [:-]
In a few moments I will see the movie "Midway" I hope I don´t suffer such a terrible defeat[:'(]

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G4M1 Betty x 88

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 78

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 46

Vella Lavella battle
As I said before, more and more troops landed there. No opporunities to intercept the enemy. At least today a DD was hit by a mine[:'(]

Lae smashed, as well as Madang and Munda
The reason is to reduce the supply levels of my foward bases. That´s what I wanted to avoid...[:o]

Air attack on Madang , at 7,30

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 2
P-38G Lightning x 23
B-25J Mitchell x 44

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 92

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
A-20G Havoc x 29
A-20G Boston x 15

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 71

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda , at 31,37

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 5
P-38G Lightning x 17
B-25J Mitchell x 63

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 69

Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/17/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Mmmm, I lost one more DD. He hit a mine and afterwards was attacked by P39 which are now based at Salamaua and Nazdab. In some way I was lucky because I´ve sent one FT to Munda while Timtom sweep that area with his ships. My FT was aborted and the TF stopped in the middle of the sea. Then was attacked by SBDs and TBFs. One DD severely damaged, one more damaged
Enemy DD Bannon hit a type 88 mine [:)]

Gili Gili supressed
A complete success. First my betties and then my naval bombers attacked and found no opposition. GG is out of supplies cos Timtom´s base point have been reduced.

Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 87

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 90
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Gili Gili , at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A Val x 55
B5N Kate x 59

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 67
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 61

NG is burning. A big allied air offensive in the area
Timtom attacked Madang and Finsch. I suppose that he wants to reduce my ability to use that bases and to reduce my supplies.

Air attack on Madang , at 7,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 34
B-25J Mitchell x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 1 destroyed x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 138
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Finschhafen , at 11,33

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 9

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

New georgia attacked also
My rgt at Vella Lavella is being under attack, same as Buka. Finally my new BBs came, and I´m wondering if I should engage the enemy. I got 7 BBs and my enemy 4 in the front line. I´ll study the proposal of Tanaka

Air attack on 228th Regiment, at 31,36

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
P-38G Lightning x 7
B-25J Mitchell x 50

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buka , at 26,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed x 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress x 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AG 370, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2

DD lost today, others damaged
The first one, lost near Lae. The others near Munda

Air attack on TF at 12,32

Allied aircraft ***from Salamaua and Nazdab***
P-39D Airacobra x 22
P-39D Airacobra x 42

Japanese Ships
DD Wakazuki, Shell hits 28, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 29,33

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 28
SBD Dauntless x 13
TBF Avenger x 16
P-39D Airacobra x 21

Allied aircraft losses
TBF Avenger x 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra x 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Uranami, Shell hits 4
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 1
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 12, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage***surely will sink***
DD Urakaze
DD Shirayuki

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/18/43

Weather: Clear

Timtom keeps his bombings in New Guinea. Lae, Finsch, Wewak attacked. My Dobadura naval bombardment did some damage but didn´t destroy any aircraft. My BBs were attacked and by beauforts and B25. Fortunately, no hits were scored and 15 planes were shot down by AA fire during this day [;)].
I decided to build a base at Admiralty island, to get points. I think Munda and Vila will be VERY difficult to supply as soon as Vella Lavella is occupied by the enemy. Timtom sent his SC TFs to Munda again, trying to catch my FT. [:-]. I won´t til I think of a naval battle.
I suffered 6 air losses (naval search planes) and 7 op. losses. NO!!!!. My naval search planes are always shot up by Lambeti´s F4U. I´m trying to reduce these losses...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Dobadura, at 13,38

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 229
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 39
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 145
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on TF at 20,32 ***Bombardment TF attacked when retreating***

Allied aircraft
Beaufort x 12
P-38G Lightning x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort x 1 destroyed
Beaufort x 11 damaged
B-25J Mitchell x 3 destroyed x 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
DD Ushio
BB Yamato
DD Maikaze
CA Maya

Munda also attacked today
yes, he´s changed his strategy and my foward bases are being bombed almost everyday, draining my supply stocks, which are very difficult (and costly) to increase.

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
PBY Catalina x 2
P-38G Lightning x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 3
B-24D Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
PBY Catalina x 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator x 4 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3 ***not too many planes attacking but very good results***
Runway hits 7

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/19/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Weather forced my betties and naval bombers to abort a bomb raid over Vella Lavella. Tomorrow my CVs will retire to Rabaul for a quick replenishment. I have some plans for them.

Vella Lavella triangle
In the Vella Lavella triangle, Timtom is moving ships, sweeping Vila and Munda, and reaching Vella sometimes. I decided to move my BBs again to Buka to threaten his naval operations in the area. Tanaka has told me that he is unable to find a way to defeat allied fleet in a night engagement. As soon as Tidsdale is in charge, Tanaka never gets surprise and allied BBs are quite more accurate than Jap. ones, using their radar.
Fortunately DD Chevalier hit a minewhile APD Dent (previously damaged by a mine) is torpedoed by one of my subs-

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
APD Dent, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage


Lae troops attacked
One of my rgts, the 115 is being bombed almost everyday, suffering some casualities. But I can´t avoid it. At least now

Air attack on 115th Regiment, at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 14
A-20G Havoc x 23
B-25J Mitchell x 66

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 56

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/20/43

Weather: Rain

A bad day for the ML Hirashima. Surprised by enemy PTs, was sunk by torpedoes. [:(]. The good news are that CL Hobart hit a mine and if we believe our secret service, the damage could be severe, as it seems it has to be separated from the main TF. [:'(]
Also, today no aircraft was lost by any cause. First time in 2 months.

Japanese Ships
ML Hirashima, 2 Torpedoes and is sunk

Allied Ships
PT 36
PT 38
PT 39
PT 40
PT 46
PT 48

A poor attack by Betties, over Salamaua
My intentions were to cause much damage, drain supplies and delay the base construction. It seems that my pilots were unable to locate the airport and bombed the jungle [:@]

Air attack on Salamaua , at 9,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 91

Allied ground losses:
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/21/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

A bad day for the Empire. Vella Lavella garrison was outnumbered and retreated from beaches. Vela Lavella is now an allied island. [:(]. I thought my men could resist a couple of more days...
The good news: BB North Carolina hit type 88 mine (although I think the damage is minimun, due to the heavy armour of this ship) and 2 FT TF went undetected to Finsch. I decided to send the supplies to Finchs. They automatically are sent to Lae, thus I can avoid the mines and subs placed in Lae. [:'(]. Good tactic!

New Guinea in flames
There are little things I can do to avoid this air raids. Madang has 100 engineers but they´re not enough to keep the base open always. Wewak attacked and almost closed. If I send permanently my Zero datais there they will be destroyed on the ground.

Air attack on Madang , at 7,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
P-38G Lightning x 10
B-25J Mitchell x 39

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 162
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10
P-38G Lightning x 17
A-20G Havoc x 25
A-20G Boston x 15

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 2 damaged
A-20G Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 49
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment, at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 16
P-38G Lightning x 6
B-25J Mitchell x 38

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Vella Lavella

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13990 troops, 204 guns, 78 vehicles

Defending force 5319 troops, 95 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Vella Lavella base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 424
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 61

Lambeti situation
Tanaka, my best commander keeps studying recon missions, maps and every little clue that my enemy share with me, in order to plan a successful attack to the allied fleet that operates in the Vela Lavella triangle. Here is a recon report.

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/22/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

All my battleships have been sent to Buka. 7 BBs including the Yamato, Musashi, and the two with 16.1 inches guns /Nagato and Mutsu)

Submarine warfare
A terrible disappointment. My subs have been unable to threaten his supply lines. Timtom is working hard to avoid my sub contacts. Also my subs are quite ineffective. They miss the targets quite often. And his DDs, SCs and PBY-24 just destroy my subs whenever they locate them. I´ve lost 2, plus 3 heavily damage. One, the RO-103 will probably sink soon.

Japanese Ships
SS RO-107, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Drayton

On the other hand, my Betties and Nells were quite effective today attacking enemy SS. No damage done but a lot of attcks (which reduce the fuel level)

New Guinea bases burning and burning [:(]
Air attack on Wewak , at 2,26

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 4
P-38G Lightning x 9
B-24D Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Madang , at 7,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22
B-25J Mitchell x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 81
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment, at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 19
P-38G Lightning x 6
A-20G Havoc x 26
B-25J Mitchell x 21
A-20G Boston x 16

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 1 damaged
A-20G Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Buka , at 26,30

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 20

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda , at 31,37

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 20
B-25J Mitchell x 60

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 20
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Vella Lavella

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14591 troops, 203 guns, 78 vehicles

Defending force 4423 troops, 63 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 439
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 35

[TAIL GUNNER]

Don't know if you're asking for possible strategies or not but I'm gonna give mine anyways....[:D]

I think you have an excellent opportunity to wreak havoc on his TFs at Lambeti!
It appears his Battlewagons are split into two task forces.....that's good!

I suggest forming all your BBs into one TF, with a couple of CAs and about four DDs, and the most important part, picking a TF commander that is cautious...

I would then wait for crap weather and then storm down to Lambeti....in broad daylight!


Now theoretically your cautious commander will take some shots at the enemy, and then flee....
Why is that good? Well I've found that aggressive commanders keep closing the distance, without regards to damage or losses.....but in your case, you'd want to keep the distance and maximize your awesome firepower...

It's good his BBs are split up...you should be able to engage and damage or destroy each one systematically...7 BBs versus 3 BBs? I'll take those odds any day!
And if he has aggressive commanders...they may keep trying to re-engage your TF...

I would LRCAP this TF with any and all available fighters of course....but with the amount of AA this TF could throw up, I honestly don't see airstrikes as a huge source of concern...

Also make absolutely sure your TF is set to RETIRE....

I say give it a shot! Are you gonna just sit at Buka and shake your fists at him?
HELL NO! It's Sho-Go time!!!!

Chad

[toraq]

Thanks Juggalo, I see you´re an aggresive player. [8D]. Your plan seems superb, but remember that Tanaka spends hours and hours planning so he knows some drawbacks also. Here is his first report about wargames simulating a night battle between IJN BBs and US BBs:

Enemy has his 4 BBs together in one TF. Recon may be wrong in his reports. Tidslade is probably the commander of this TF. Operating with them there is another TF with CAs and DDs. Some conclusions/advises of a night engagement are:

1) Only best IJN commanders should command our TFs. Thus, Tanaka and Komatsu are the proper leaders. They are aggresive (and the best), but if we choose a cautious leader, Matsuyama?, he could be surprised by Tidsdale easily, with high posibilities of a major defeat.

2) We recommend to form 2 TF, one with 4 to 5 BBs, one with 2 BB and 5 CAs. Tanaka gets the best results when launching Long lance torpedo with CAs.

3) In the wargames played, without surprises on both sides, usually 1 or 2 IJN are severely damaged, while one USN BB is with severe damage while the three others suffer from minor damage to moderate damage. This occurs only in a few cases. Enemy CLs are able to penetrate the armour of jap. CAs. We believe that US Radar makes the difference.

4) Usually one IJN BB is so severely damaged that has to separate from the rest of the TF and thus without the Zero umbrella. Because it doesn´t reach a IJ base, it is subsequently attacked and sunk by naval bombers from Lambeti.

5) In many cases, USN subs add one or two torpedoes on damaged ships. However, USN ships get the protection of Lambeti, where no subs or jap. planes are able to reach damaged ships. That means that even severely damaged ships have great survival chances.

6) Many IJN DDs are lost/severely damaged during the battle. USN DDs are tougher, get more hits and his torpedoes often hit jap. DDs.

In conclusion, there are very few chances to defeat the enemy. In any case IJN lose more VP than the US, due to the fact that many damaged IJN ships are latter on attacked by subs or naval bombers, while the USN ships reach a safe port.

R. Tanaka
Chief Staff Officer

[TAIL GUNNER]

please re-read my post....I was talking about attacking during THE DAY!!

Even I know you'd get slaughtered at night...

Chad

[toraq]

General Juggalo has pointed out a new strategy. Even so it appears to me that is just committing suicide, Tanaka decides to reproduce it and play the wargame.
More or less the general situation is this.
IJN ships; two TF, one with 4 BBs and 2 CAs. The other with 5 CAs. Good commanders, cautios leader in the first one, aggresive in the last.
USN: two TF, one with 4 BBs, the other with CLs and DDs

This was the result:
No mines were hit by IJN ships---luck
Weather avoided ANY air operation in the area---luck
Combat occured during DAYLIGHT

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/11/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

1st IJN TF engage 1st allied TF, two times.
The second time, IJN surprise Tisdale. Even so very poor results

Day Time Surface Combat,

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Haruna
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 3
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Makinami
DD Onami
DD Hayanami
DD Isokaze
PC Ch 30 ***I had to include this ship cos everytime, my BBs attacked at night, no matter the orders***

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BB Washington
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 1
BB Indiana, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 2
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
DD Chevalier
DD Waller
DD Strong, Shell hits 1
DD Taylor, Shell hits 1

IJN Second TF engage Allied second TF.
In one engagement, IJN get surprise over USN ships, launching a Long Lance torpedo attack. Very poor results. In the second engagement, Allied got the surprise. Also poor results.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat,

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 3
CA Atago, Shell hits 5
CA Maya, Shell hits 4
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 3
DD Shimakaze
DD Yugumo
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL Cleveland
CL Columbia, Shell hits 1
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 1
DD Stack, Shell hits 1
DD Sterett
DD Wilson
DD Gridley
DD Farragut
DD Dale
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 1, on fire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 6
CA Atago, Shell hits 9
CA Maya, Shell hits 8
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 7
DD Shimakaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 3

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu, Shell hits 5, on fire
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 1
CL Columbia, Shell hits 1
CL Montpelier, Shell hits 3
DD Stack, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sterett
DD Wilson, Shell hits 1
DD Gridley, Shell hits 1
DD Farragut
DD Dale, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Monaghan, Shell hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conclusions
IJN has risked his entire fleet for nothing. Even with luck,(no planes over the targets and no sub contact, no mines) the results are very poor.
Tanaka promises that he will try again and again and will show the results if they´re interesting.

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/23/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

A bitter taste in my mouth. Again my subs were able to launch torpedoes against one enemy BBs, but failed
On the other hand my mines force Timtom to pay a price [:'(]. One CL and one CA hit type 93 mines. Good!

Submarine warfare
Japanese Ships
DD Hatsuyuki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 33,36

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota
BB Washington
DD McCalla
DD Gridley

Betties attack Salamaua
Timtom is reinforcing/resupplying GG, so he has LCAP it with P38. Today I decided to attack Salamaua. Good results and no losses [:'(]

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 92

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 182
Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 25

Fighter sweep over Russel island
These kind of little combats are good to see. I expected to find only P-40, an easy prey for my A6M3. But instead of that, F4U were present. Even so my pilots got the first F4U shot down!!!![;)]

Air attack on Russell Islands , at 35,39

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
P-40E Kittyhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero x 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair x 1 destroyed
P-40E Kittyhawk x 1 destroyed x 1 damaged

Other fronts
New Guinea still being bombed. Finsch, and Lae troops bombed. Also, Vila and troops at Vela Lavella bombed. I can´t do anything to stop it. I´ll try to open Wewak and Madang but I doubt of it. 2 AA Field Units will be sent to Wewak ASAP.
Tomorrow two big FT to Finsch (supplies)

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/24/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Not a very good day. I forgot to LCAP one of my retreating TF and it was "bounced" or "assaulted" by B25 from PM. This is the first time one of my transport TF have been surprised in the Kavieng area.
I lost one AP (2000 cargo ship) and the others are damaged, but will not sink. One PG probably lost.
More bad news: 228 Rgt surrender at Vela Lavella. 4000 men lost [:(]

Good news: [:)] I only lost one plane, while Timtom lost 10 or so. Also my attack to GG was a partial success.
More good news: enemy attacked Lae´s fortress and was defeated clearly. Also my FT mission arrived at Finsch without losses. Lae is fully supplied now.

B25 surprise a transport TF near Kavieng

Allied aircraft
B-25J Mitchell x 46 ***none damaged due to flak [:@]***

Japanese Ships
TK Shinkoku Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Chihaya Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Nikkai Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage ***surely will sink***
AP Daifuku Maru
AP Meiten Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Akashisan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Akibasan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage***Scuttled***
TK Fujisan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Troops at Vela Lavella Surrender
The good news are that one US division is trapped at Vella.

Ground combat at Vella Lavella

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 14479 troops, 203 guns, 78 vehicles

Defending force 3801 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 25 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 4333
Guns lost 80

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 29

GG attacked by betties
Yesterday, it was defended by 23 P-38. today, clear skies [;)]. The question is. what are those C-47 doing there?. Getting out troop to reduce supply requirements?

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
G4M1 Betty x 86

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Dakota x 4 destroyed x 5 damaged
Beaufort x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 16

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 48

Lae attacked
Even with a massive air support, Lae garrison is ready to resist a long time. Supplies are OK and support point are enough to increase troops morale.

Ground combat at Lae

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19330 troops, 159 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 32145 troops, 289 guns, 8 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 9)

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 107

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 500 [;)]
Guns lost 2

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/25/43

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Again quite a lot of air activity, specially in NG and also Vila and Munda. It seems that Timtom wants to reduce the supply levels of my front bases, and thus decrease my VPs. In NG I think I can easily resupply my bases but in the case of Munda and Vila, it is another problem. To resupply them is quite dangerous, and to do it, I´ll have to risk my whole fleet.
With this situation and considering the last reports, the aggresive party defending a major engagement against the USN is gaining power...

Submarine warfare
Today I decided to attack with my betties (on ASW patrol) and we sunk SS Grampus and SS Spearsifh was hit two times. In all the cases, betties played the main role. Good![:)]
On the other hand, Ro-107 sunk due to the damage received a couple of days ago by a depth charge. ...[:(]

New Guinea still in flames
Lae airport attacked, and also 115 Rgt. (part of the the IJ garrison) also received a few bombs. I decided to sent two good datais to Madang. First to gain air supperiority over Madang skies. Second, if possible to attack bombers flying in that area.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Lae , at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 24
A-20G Havoc x 27
A-20G Boston x 9

Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc x 2 damaged
A-20G Boston x 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 154
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on 115th Regiment, at 9,33

Allied aircraft
P-40E Kittyhawk x 12
B-25J Mitchell x 76

Allied aircraft losses
B-25J Mitchell x 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 14

Munda and Vila attacked
I wonder where Timtom will strike next. He doesn´t have much time left, but he could try to invade Miunda, Vila or Shortland. My main mission is to keep supplied these bases, cos they provide me a lot of points. Nowadays, supplies are in orange colour. If he keeps on (I´m sure he will), there is no option, I should send supplies and my fleet there.
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Air attack on Vila , at 32,36

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 20
B-24D Liberator x 12
SBD Dauntless x 60
P-40E Kittyhawk x 11

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 46
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 30

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless x 2 destroyed ***AA fire is heavy in these bases***
SBD Dauntless x 16 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air attack on Munda , at 31,37

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 20
PBY Catalina x 2
B-25J Mitchell x 57

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 39
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 32

[toraq]

Tanaka has been working. Today, the results were more or less the same. In today´s wargames, to simulate a possible engagement between IJN and US, both sides got poor reuslts. But at least IJN managed to inflict a minor defeat to the allies. Again, luck was on the IJN side: no mines, no n¡planes, etc, were able to harm the imperial fleet.
Moreover, IJN surprised allied ships in both battles.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 03/11/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Day Time Surface Combat, near Russell Islands at 35,39

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Haruna
BB Nagato, Shell hits 3, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CA Takao, Shell hits 2
CA Atago, Shell hits 2
CA Maya, Shell hits 3
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 2
CA Kumano, Shell hits 1
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
DD Kazegumo
DD Makinami, Shell hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 30, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Shell hits 5, on fire
BB Washington, Shell hits 2
BB Indiana
CL St. Louis, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Helena, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
DD Chevalier
DD Waller
DD Strong, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Taylor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Russell Islands at 35,39

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Shell hits 3
BB Nagato, Shell hits 4, on fire
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 1
CA Takao, Shell hits 1
CA Atago, Shell hits 3
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CA Aoba
DD Kazegumo
DD Makinami, on fire, heavy damage
PC Ch 30, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Cleveland, Shell hits 1
CL Columbia, Shell hits 2
CL Montpelier
DD Stack, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Sterett
DD Wilson, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Gridley, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Farragut, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Dale
DD Monaghan

[TAIL GUNNER]

I still say group all your BBs in one TF....7BBs, 1CA, 4DD...

It's been my experience that smaller TFs are prone to do more damage than larger ones....

I recently had a day surface engagement in my scen. 19 vs. AI where I had 4BBs, 2CA, 4DD vs 5CA, 3CL, and 6DD near Lunga...

Good ol' Tanaka was in command, and before he closed the range, the BBs absolutely pummeled the Allied CAs with multiple 14" and 16" shell hits...(this is why I suggested to you to use cautious commander...I thought maybe they would be less willing to close in)

I had some ships damaged, I think Kongo had 30sys, but I didn't lose a single ship.....
The allies lost half their TF outright....a few more sank on the way home to Noumea...

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/26/43

Weather: Thunderstorms

Most of our planes grounded. More supplies ferried to Finschafen where they are automatically sent to Lae.[;)]. Timtom has now placed some PTs in Dobadura. I guess I´ll never return to that place with my fleet. Too risky and it seems to me that Dobadura is like Lae: it drains the supply from PM. No way no turn it to red [:@].

So I´ll concentrate in his foward and far bases: GG, Salamaua Nazdab...
Today showed another drawback for the Japanese player. AA from allied ships is deadly. A handful of DDs destroyed 7 vals without being hit [:(]

Air attack on TF, near Gili Gili at 17,42

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val x 5 destroyed x 11 damaged ***100% damaged or shot down***

Allied Ships ***what are they doing here?, A SC TF to avoid my FT to Finschafen?***
DD Drayton
DD Farragut

[toraq]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/27/43

Weather: Rain

Quite a different day!. I guess both wanted some action and we had!. Many losses on both sides. Again, op. losses were very heavy (6). Most of my planes are grounded. Jakes, Petes, Irvings, Vals, Nells and Dinahs are all grounded to avoid op. losses.

Submarine warfare
Good news today. SS Spearfish, previously damaged two times by betties sunk today!. I didn´t expect that, since one of his subs received 3 hist some time ago and it didn´t sunk.
But more good news [;)]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 53,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
CL Hobart, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage ***previously damaged by a mine, caught by SS-27 near Noumea***

Air battle over Madang
I would like to know why Timtom realized that I had based fighters at Madang. My Zeroes were covering an AP (unloading supplies) and Timtom attacked with everything he´s got. Terrible!. Madang is completely destroyed, trapping all my planes there.
Tomorrow is thunderstorms...if I´m lucky, I could retreat my planes to Wewak.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson x 5
P-38G Lightning x 72
B-25J Mitchell x 84
B-17E Fortress x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero x 8 destroyed x 1 damaged ***9 lost***

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning x 7 destroyed x 10 damaged ***10 lost***
B-25J Mitchell x 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress x 2 damaged

CPO S. Ishihara of F1/251st Daitai is credited with kill number 3

Japanese ground losses:
Men lost 250
Guns lost 4
Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 5[X(]
Runway hits 122[X(]

Betties strike back
I want to reduce supply levels of this base

Air attack on Salamaua , at 9,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 91

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra x 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
Men lost 239
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 39

Tomorrow plans
My carriers are about to launch and air attack in New Guinea, while my betties are ordered to attack again. My BBs sails out from Buka in an attempt to distract Timtom´s resources and maybe surprise him at Vella, which reached airport 1.[X(]. In only three days!!!!!!!!!