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Author Topic: War in the Pacific: AE PBEM - July 1st 1942  (Read 93546 times)

Erkki

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May 23rd

China: Battleship Yamato bombards Foochow, before bombers attack and infantry assaults. Enemy casualties are estimated less than 100(out of a full Corps), and the fire control officer is forced to commit seppuku, shot and then pulled under the keel fired. Foochow at least falls easy, Chinese casualties are massive.

Elsewhere:

The British open the war in the air over Burma, with a squadron of Hurricane escorted Blenheims attacking Moulmein. They dont hit a thing, and as this attack is probably just to make me LRCAP over the city the only IJ response is 1/3 increase in CAP, stopping training flights and grounding Ki-21s until we know what the enemy is up to.

2 Fleet Oilers leaving Balikpapan to support CarDiv I are sunk by 3 Dutch and American submarines... There are 6 still in the task force with more than enough fuel but its annoying to lose those. They are vital for mobile operations and I cant afford to lose more of them.

B-26s bomb Medang again. LRCAP trap set for tomorrow... Wish me luck!
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Erkki

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Interesting action on 24th and 25th... Dont have the time to write yet, but heres something:


We found more than we expected this raid, and surprised the enemy pants down! The Prince of Wales was JUUST about too far for torpedo attack, but 11 x 250kg bombs hit and shes is now burning. Her escort cruiser Boise was also hit twice and will most likely not be able to escape even if (s)he chooses the right direction for escape. A submarine will be covering the Eastern flank but chances of interception are very low.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2011, 01:55:53 pm by Erkki »
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Erkki

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May 26th

Sumatra: Sibolga falls, all defenders surrendering... Sumatra is now 100% Japanese!

War in the air: Allies keep  bombing Medang and Gasmata. We have not interfered, but tomorrow, there are CAP-traps set up over both targets. Tainan Ku S-1 with its 15 pilots with 5 or more kills goes to Gasmata where 24 to 28 P-40s strafe Japanese troops daily. Should be easy kills!

Raiders:

Zuikaku & Shokaku struck Espiritu Santo and Luganville. In 2 days, they sunk a destroyer, a huge Esso-T class tanker, 2 fleet oilers and a big cargo ship with tanks aboard. 3 more destroyers have been hit hard(multiple bombs, heavy fires and damage reported) and while they are probably all down they havent been confirmed.

At Luganville port, USN CL Leander and a troop transport were hit, and all air groups are ordered to repeat the attack tomorrow. AAA fire today was only light, and there are still 9 ships reported in the harbor. Shokaku and Zuikaku are staying in position until they are either all dead or we are out of fuel or ordnance...


Akagi, Soryu and Hiryu hit Fiji some 500nm to the South East. BB Prince of Wales is now gone, but the carrier aircraft find 2 small cargo ships, a mine ship and a patrol gunboat that try to escape towards Australia and sink at least 2/4, hitting hard all 4. There are 4 more ships reported trying to escape but they are almost out of range and we are not going to burn more fuel trying to catch them... A "heavy cruiser" reported with them(possibly Prince of Wales) but I think its a misreport, and not worth the chase any way.

Suva's port is hit by D3As, Prince of Wale's escort cruiser CL Boise, that took 2 bomb hits yesterday, is hit twice again, reported now burning and heavily damaged. Also, AV Curtiss is hit and reported heavily damaged. The AAA fire at Suva was heavy, and we lost 5 planes and 4 crews... We are going to repeat that strike tomorrow, but with the B5Ns carrying torpedoes and 800kg bombs.

I think losing even 10 more planes and 7-8 crews is well worth 2 cruisers and up to 10 other ships. If theres nothing left to kill tomorrow, the carriers will regroup and head back to Truk. On their way to Truk they will pay a visit to Ocean Island, where our search planes have reported some ships for a few days. Probably a submarine/raider base the enemy is building up...
« Last Edit: May 12, 2011, 04:58:48 am by Erkki »
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Erkki

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May 27th, 28th

Indian Ocean: Carrier Divisions II and III will reach the Capetown-Mombasa-India shipping routes tomorrow. They will sweep South to North and hit ports of Ceylon. Any transport/cargo ship/tanker kills are welcome, but I'm really hunting down the battleships/surface combat assets, especially the British CVs...

China: Over 1,000 Chinese are reported KIA in aerial bombardment of 230 Japanese bombers at Amoy. Massive 30,000-man Army still overwhelms the defenders and the city is (temporarily) lost, but Chinese losses will be massive once this force concentration gets cut off, encircled and bombarded from both air and sea in the following weeks.

Solomons: Air war over Solomons continue! Ki-45 makes its combat debut, and 3 pilots score a kill each to no loss. During the last 3 days, the losses to all reasons are 16 Zeros and a G3M2, while the enemy loses 15 B-25s(!!), a B-17, at least 20-ish P-40s and G4M+G3Ms bomb 1 P-40, 1 A-20, 1 Hudson and 1 Catalina at Buna(no flak, no fighter protection again!).

South Pacific carrier raid:
After 3 days of attacks, the carriers will now form up and egress to Truk. On their way there, they will hit Ocean Island, and the Zuikaku will head to Kure Yards where a radar set and several new AAA stations are installed. The upgrade will take a month, so she'll be out of action approximately 50 days.

So far, the Carrier Division I has lost 16 aircraft and 8 aircrew for


- 2 cruisers: Leander and Boise. Leander is confirmed, and Boise took 4 x penetrating 250kg hits + 2 x 800kg(!), so shes down, as well...
- 3 destroyers + 1 probable + 1 possible (1st 1 x torpedo hit, 2nd hit by 5 x 250 bombs, 3rd hit by 4 x 250kg, 4th hit by 2 x 250kg, 5th hit by 1 x 250kg but heavy damage and fires were reported, not sighted after day 1)
- 2 huge fleet oilers(10,000+ tons each, neither confirmed but not sighted after day 1, each received torpedo + 5+ bombs)
- 1 Esso-T class 11,000 ton tanker
- 1 AV, Curtiss, aircraft tender, 3 x 250kg bombs, heavy fires, heavy damage
- 2 big xAK cargo ships
- 2 big xAP troop transports hit: one with multiple bombs, second with 1 x 250kg + 1 x 800kg, heavy damage, heavy fires
- 2 xAKL small cargo ships
- 1 PG patrol ship
- 1 x AM mine layer

I expected to hit a lot more transports but the 2 confirmed cruiser kills easily make up for dozens of other ships. Prince of Wales got away with 11 bomb hits on her, but I dont think a prolonged chase would have been worth of it. The chances of catching her were small, and those 2 cruisers are as or nearly as important in their usefulness.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2011, 06:45:10 am by Erkki »
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Hyo

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... Wow, that is quite some kills you've racked up there...  :o

But er, how many troops do the Chinese have again? I'm too sure how to feel about cutting off 30k from them when I don't even know how many they have... What I do is that they have lots, lots and lots of manpower, but that's it..

Speaking of which, so exactly how are the Ki-45 compared to the current Allied aircraft? I do recall the list of planes you gave us earlier but... My brain hurts. :P
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Erkki

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... Wow, that is quite some kills you've racked up there...  :o

Not really, there are thousands and thousands of ships left in the Allied arsenal, and as you know they keep producing more... But losing those cruisers, oilers and the tanker hurt, even the Allies. Also some 30+ tanks aboard the other xAK, no idea what type, but they still do.

Quote
But er, how many troops do the Chinese have again? I'm too sure how to feel about cutting off 30k from them when I don't even know how many they have... What I do is that they have lots, lots and lots of manpower, but that's it..

My guess is about a million?  :) But like me they cant just throw them all to the frontline, they need garrisons too, and if they also have to spread that force. Theres now about 60,000 Chinese troops at Ankang, cut off with no supply... We are ready to throw them out in the woods within a week. There are 7 divisions and 3 separate regiments + an artillery battalion against them, plus an 8th division is blocking their supply route and has already thrown back a Chinese corps that tried to push through. I'm estimating that at least 30% of Chinese offensive power is in these 2 pockets, and the rest(in the middle mainly) cant do much. I think they have chronic lack of supply everywhere...

Quote
Speaking of which, so exactly how are the Ki-45 compared to the current Allied aircraft? I do recall the list of planes you gave us earlier but... My brain hurts. :P

For a twin engined "heavy fighter" its fast, very maneuverable, and unlike most Japanese designs its also durable, armored and has "heavy" armament of 2 HMGs and a 20mm cannon. Its drawbacks are double the cost of a single engine fighter and that it is worse than the "2nd generation" Allied fighters like the P-38, later versions of the P-40 and the Spitfire. Well, Ki-43 is too but they can be mass produced cheaper and have maneuverability to fight back with even if they are at disadvantage.

Hayabusa vs. Toryu:

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Erkki

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Also, in 3 days, the A6M3 becomes available and production is started immediately. A new airgroup, Hikotai size at 12 planes, is formed. It will receive at least 6 trained pilots from the reserves, and 8 "rookies" that will get a quick training, before the unit is transferred to New Britain, or Admiralties. The M3 is not carrier capable and with only mediocre range, for a Japanese fighter, the unit will only fly defensive missions, as in CAP, LRCAP over bases as well as intercepting enemy fighters and protecting naval units.

M2 vs. M3:



Top speed rises a little, cruise speed by a lot(less important), marginal increase in rate of climb, but most importantly, high altitude performance is significantly improved. It will come handy, if not vital, against the growing numbers of allied fighters(P-40, P-39 mainly), the still to be seen P-38, as well as high flying bombers. P-40 and especially P-39 are already poor performers at higher altitudes, and I have high hopes when it comes to M3's performance against especially those 2 types, even if the new fighter is initially flown by not that well trained unit.

There are 2 size 8 factories already prepared, and they will both get expanded for combined monthly production of at least 30. Of the 2 Zero-M2 factories the smaller one(size 60) will also begin its conversion within a month.
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Hyo

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... A million. Well, guess conquering China's pretty much impossible... Geez, this 30k seems nothing compared to that amount.

In any case, it might be just me, but Ki-45 doesn't seem all that great, with less climb and much lower maneuver all-around. The M3 seems to be the standard upgrade, but not being carrier-capable really seems to downplay its worth.

By the way, how is it determined whether a plane is carrier-capable or not?
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gamefreak1

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The only thing the Ki-45 has is a cannon that's the only reason to use it. oh and it has armor.
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Erkki

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... A million. Well, guess conquering China's pretty much impossible... Geez, this 30k seems nothing compared to that amount.

In any case, it might be just me, but Ki-45 doesn't seem all that great, with less climb and much lower maneuver all-around.

The only thing the Ki-45 has is a cannon that's the only reason to use it. oh and it has armor.

Top speed is single most important performance area, and lacking maneuverability and climb doesnt matter that much if its used as a bomber interceptor.  ;) Having approximately 2,5 to 3 times the firepower of Ki-43 is imho well worth it. Speed means it receives less fire from the gunners, and armor means it doesnt need to abort due damage nearly as often, and keeps pilots alive. Durability helps too.

Quote
The M3 seems to be the standard upgrade, but not being carrier-capable really seems to downplay its worth.

By the way, how is it determined whether a plane is carrier-capable or not?

Its just a simple yes-no box in the editor. IRL, arrestor hook, strengthened landing gear, usually folding wings to make it fit elevators and use less hangar space. Not all planes were carrier suited even with the special equipment, ie. high stall speed --> high landing approach speed --> very dangereous situations... Combine poor cockpit visibility and massive engine torque to that and you get an F4U Corsair, "The Widowmaker".  8)

May 29th - June 1st

Bay of Bengal/Indian Ocean:

The British have started their suicide supply runs to Rangoon again. A 3-ship convoy is destroyed by G4Ms, while Hurricanes and P-400s skirmish with Ki-43s... Losses are light and even at both sides: 4-4, with no Japanese pilot losses.

Carrier Divisions II and III(CVs Kaga and Junyo, CVLs Zuiho and Shoho, CVEs Hosho, Ryujo and Unyo) flank Ceylon and hit Colombo's port: there are over 50(!!) ships there, of over 10 are tankers! In 2 days we lose 20 aircraft to AAA fire but also hit over 20 ships. Cruiser CL Colombo most likely sunk on May 31st, but bad weather has made confirming kills difficult: only one transport is actually confirmed to have sunk, despite heavy damage on at least 15. Also 2 destroyers take hits. We are going to repeat the port strike at least once more, but now attack altitudes are adjusted to cut down D3A1 casualties a little...

Colombo is the 21st or 22nd Allied cruise sunk. Japan has, so far, lost just 3: 2 light and an old heavy.

Solomons: war in the air keeps going. Ki-45 is proving to be a very capable machine of war: the 13th Sentai/A unit has now scored 6 kills(2 B-17s, 1 B-26, 3 B-25s) to 0 losses albeit the pilots are only moderately trained.

Kuriles: The enemy activity at Aleutians wasnt all smoke and mirrors: BB Mississippi and its escorts bombard Paramushiro-Jima. We lose 3 sub chaser boats and a pet bear, so nothing serious, and theres no sight of an invasion fleet. BB Huyga and her escorts are ready, however.

Production:

I'm running short on Ha-35 series engines... There are now 85 in pool, and 370/month are being built. Factories expanded to 20 more but it will take at least 10 days for the expansions to be built/come online.

Aircraft production using the engine, are now, online(being expanded):

150 x A6M2
21(11) x A6M3
30 x A6M2-N
130 x Ki-43-Ic
50 x Ki-45 KAIa (2-engined)
32 x B5N2
6 x Ki-56 (2-engined)
-------
486

B5N2 and A6M2-N production dont need to be always online but thats still over 50 engines/month short... As an A6M2 factory soon begins its conversion to M3 the engine need will temporarily drop but until the Ki-44 arrives the Ki-43-Ic and Ki-45 have to remain in full production.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2011, 11:02:57 am by Erkki »
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Sheb

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You lost a pet bear?
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inteuniso

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Patrol Boat, I'm guessing.
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Erkki

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Patrol boat. I dont think it was worth of it(for the Allies) to sail a battleship and its escorts that far and back, fuel wise...  ;)

June 2nd

Indian Ocean:

The enemy finally reacts: Wellingtons, Blenheims escorted by P-40s sortie naval attack, approximately 30 bomber sorties in all. They dont go after the carriers, but a cruiser sweep supporting them, and score 5 hits on CA Haguro. Shes now heavily damaged and afire, but will probably make it... I'm sending in more destroyers from Andamans and Sumatra at flank speed to escort her home and help with the fires. The force already has 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers but theres nothing to lose.

Carrier planes strike Colombo's port again. CL Colombo was not sunk before, but is now hit by 2 x 250kg + 2 x 800kg more...

3 days hits on enemy shipping(I combined reports) at Colombo, Ceylon, and near it are(including fog of war):

Spoiler: wall of text! (click to show/hide)

Not much action elsewhere... In China, Chinese casualties(1/3 of them to aerial bombardments) are estimated over 4,000 but the spearhead in the South is still strong, but it is supply is now cut off and its, in practice, isolated and cut off.
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Erkki

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June 3rd

Quote
      xAK Governor, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      xAK African Prince, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      TK Ferncastle, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires
      DD Isaac Sweers, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AS Lucia, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      AS Colombia, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
      xAK Shirala, Bomb hits 2
      TK Athelmonarch, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAK Islami, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAKL Louisianan, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
      xAK Clan Lamont, Bomb hits 1
      xAK Steaua Romania, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      TK British Colonel, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
      xAP Largs Bay, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DD Nizam, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAKL Haiyang, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      xAK Maldive, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      AMC Cornwallis, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAKL Shan Tung, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
      xAK Clan Macneil, Bomb hits 1
      xAP Esperance Bay, Bomb hits 1,  on fire

If those 2 DDs arent dead enough yet... Notice that theres still at least one unhit tanker. 5th and last attack ordered for tomorrow, we are not out of fuel, ordnance or aircraft yet but the AAA is steadily attriting and I want the carriers to have the hitting power to deal with the Allied CVs. Biplane torpedo bombers, Blenheims and Wellingtons are no problem, as there are still over 80 Zeros left. I'm keeping the carriers just out of P-40's range so they cant hit back with escorted land-based bombers until they find better fighters somewhere.

EDIT: Haguro survives, theres no 2nd attack, and fires are out. Heavy escort now so she should make it to Sabang for emergency repairs before she continues to Singapore.

One A6M2 factory converted to M3.... M2 stays in production at 90/month, while M3 is now 25/month and being increased to 85/month within 30 days.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2011, 03:40:50 pm by Erkki »
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Erkki

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June 4th

Quote
Japanese aircraft losses
      A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
      B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
      D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
      P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
 
Allied Ships
      xAP Esperance Bay, Bomb hits 1
      DD Nizam, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAK Shirala, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAK African Prince, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      TK British Commodore, Bomb hits 1,  on fire
      DD Isaac Sweers, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      TK Ferncastle, Bomb hits 3,  on fire
      xAK Anglo Canadian, Bomb hits 2,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAK Islami, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      TK British Confidence, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
      xAKL Elout, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAKL Memphis City, Bomb hits 1,  heavy fires,  heavy damage
      xAKL Buijskes, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
      xAKL Dumra, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
      TK Athelmonarch, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage
      AMC Cornwallis, Bomb hits 1,  heavy damage

22 P-40s took off against Zeroes.. We lost 2 Zeros to 3 P-40s + 3 Zeros damaged to 10 P-40s.

The final results of the raid are...

Spoiler: Ships... (click to show/hide)

As you can see 38 individual(identified) ships have been hit + probably one unhit. The port is reported to have 30 ships, cruiser Colombo disappeared after 3rd attack.  :)


Also, the enemy bombs Kavieng again... Ki-45s and Zeros do a good job and losing just 1 Zero (pilot OK), shoot down 4 B-17s, AAA fire from the heavy flak unit I just moved in shoots 5th, and many B-17s and B-24s are damaged(about 40 of them in this attack) - 2 more are believed to not have made it home. They also dont hit too well, attacking the airfield again but failing to hit the few parked aircraft.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2011, 01:59:00 am by Erkki »
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