Niceguy vs Graycompany: Death to the Meatball....Strategy talk

[ny59giants]

You still may want to use your air superiority to transport out a cadre of your major LCU's (division size, large aviation BF, combat engineer, and armor units) and sent them back to Karachi just in case they get killed off. For non-Chinese Allied units, it's nice to have them once the counter attack happens (hopefully in '43).
I'm taking out a cadre of my units from Malaya by fast transport or sub transport back to India to ensure that when '43 comes, I have the troops. It doesn't decrease the effectiveness of them much while defending Singapore.
The Germans were very good at rebuilding their cadres and sending them back against the Russians.[:D]

[niceguy2005]

I will defintery consider that for the combat troops should the end appear near.

[niceguy2005]

It just occured to me earlier, but I need to decide what to do with my air power in Calcutta. I have about 4 Hurri squadrons, a 72 plane p-40E fighter group and the AVG. If i don't pull the hurris out now they won't have the range to make it out later. How much to risk it?

[ny59giants]

That Hurricane thing is funny [:D]
I send a squadron of Wirraways to PM from Oz and then convert them to Hurricanes because of their short transfer distance. [&:]

You cannot afford to lose them, so pull out when you have to, not before.

[niceguy2005]

Im looking forward to getting the Spits, which still don't have a lot of range IIRC, but it will be better. The Hurris have not performed well against the massed zero attacks. However, the AVG have been gods. They are down to just 12 planes, but have accounted for about 40 zero kills so far. I have a FO Daley with 17 kills so far.

[niceguy2005]

Theater Update.
30 March 1942

Its been a bad three or four days for the Allies as they have had set backs across the Pacific. The fall of Bataan several weeks ago has had a ripple effect throughout the Pacific. This is most evident in the DEI and troops continue to poor in.

Theater: China
Allied units were finally pushed from Homan today. Two Hurri squadrons were lost. Still, the defense of Homan was seen as a victory for the allies as it took the IJA two months and great force to overwhelm the defenders. The defenders are now making their way to Sian.

A force of approximately 8 corps are moving from Chunking to try and clear the road to Sian and restore normal supplies.

An offensive mission against 1.75 IJA Divisions just outside of Canton has failed so far. Chinese forces hope to continue the offensive but time is running out. China command is considering a massive withdrawl to areas around Chunking.

[niceguy2005]

Operational Updates:

Operation Rapier is underway. Several Transport TFs left PH in the last two days and will rendevous just east of Midway. Three Carriers (Big E, Hornet and Yorktown) and escorts will leave PH tomorrow. Spraunce is in command. The battle plan will be to begin recon of Wake with Coronados from Midway in four days time, when the the armada is assembled. A surface recon fleet consisting of 2 CLs and 2 DDs will steam west and slightly south of Wake where they will use their seaplanes to screen for advancing enemy ships. Spraunce will use his CVs to provide air cover for the advancing troops ships. The 25th Division is prepped and loaded into 1 TF. The 193rd Tank Battalion will be in a follow on TF. A third TF is carrying additional supplies. Also escorting the Armada will be a surface fleet. Containg the Battleships New Mexico and Mississippi and the heavy Cruisers Chester, New Orleans and San Fransisco. When the Armada is one day away from Wake this force will be dispatched to commence bombardment. Intellegence believes Wake is mostly garrisoned by IJN base force units. Nells will probably be encountered.

Operation Dod door (the recapture of Koepang) has hit a major road block. Recon planes spotted a unit there today. LB-30s are planning an attack mission. The 6th Aus Cav Bde was originally tasked with the occupation of Koepang, but with the presence of enemy troops this may no longer be enough. The 30th Aus Bde is aboard ship and could be rerouted to Koepang within a few days. For the defensive action at Java to work, Koepang MUST be retaken.

Operation Pickel Barrel (Naval Attacks in the Java Sea): With the heavy bombing of allied airfields on Java and Sumatra and at Macassar, allied flights have been limited to a handful of sorties a day. The operation will continue as long as possible as it still brings valuable reconissance.

Operation Castle (Defensive of Java): My carrier force was sited today off Java, but I don't think the siting revealed much. I am moving them out of LBA range.

The 102nd RCT is unloading at Tjilitjap and the 12th Aus Bde is already there. Their first mission will be to immediatley engage 3 Japanese NLF just southeast of Tjilitjap and clear the road to Sorebaja. Sorebaja MUST hold for at least another week while this occurs. The 30th Aus Bde may provide support. The 7th Aus Div has just arrived at Perth and will be preparing to depart for Java. This is the critical few days of this operation. If java is to be defended these things must occur. In conjunction with a successful conclusion to Operation DogDoor. If I am successful the next phase will be to transport in Base forces followed by serious fighter support and more supplies. Can the Allies actually pull this one off?

[niceguy2005]

FLASH!

Yesterday the IJN conducted a carrier raid of Suva. Several large cargo TFs were in the area at the time. A DD a DMS and an MSW were sunk, about a dozen AKs were moderately damaged.

[niceguy2005]

UH-OH! My opponent just figured out that I have been landing troops on Java, not taking them off. It is now going to be a lot harder to get forces in and out.

The landing of forces on Koepang needs to be pushed forward. I hope that from there I can airlift troops into Sorebaja. The 7th Aus Div is loading now at Perth, but it may be to difficult to get them to Java. I may divert them to the invasion of Koepang.

I will update more after I have had a chance to review this turn.

[niceguy2005]

First of April so its a good time for an update.

Here's a breakdown of the score. The worst of it for the Allies has been the loss of the BBs, which I think total 6 sunk so far. Also Im sure I took a big point hit for losing Diamond Harbor, Chandpur and Dacca.

[niceguy2005]

Operational Update:

Operation Castle (Defense of India): Operation Castle is preparing to hit a new stage. With the fall of Dimapur about one week ago the Japanese army, as expected has set its sights on Ansonal, I believe (map reference 2). Yesterday, nearly two divisions shock attacked Ansonal with little luck. The UK 255th armor bde is being deployed to protect the flank just west of the base (map reference 1). The intent of Southeast Asia command is to force the Japanese into another long siege. Within 60 days the UK will have one more division and one more Bde at its disposal. The RAF has done a fine job of controlling the air and B-25s and Blen IVs are making daily attacks against Japanese forces inflicting considerable damage.

Operation Castle Combat Reports:





Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 31,22

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 32
B-25C Mitchell x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet

Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 31,21


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 33
B-25C Mitchell x 17


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 31,21


Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 2
Blenheim IV x 41


Japanese ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Asansol

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14132 troops, 159 guns, 5 vehicles

Defending force 35001 troops, 420 guns, 270 vehicles

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


Japanese ground losses:
1034 casualties reported
Guns lost 32
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

[niceguy2005]

Operational Update: Operation Castle (Defense of Java)

The Japanese continue to build up their forces in the DEI. This has become their major theater of operation and still holds the best hope for the allies to slow or halt Japanese aggression. The operation is still in jeporady because of the tremendous numbers of trooops that have been dedicated to the attack. The Japanese are in the process of landing the 4th mixed bde at Palembang(map reference 3). Also, 23,000 troops have been spotted at Kragen (map reference 1). Intelligence believes that this may be another Japanese Division. Allied forces at Sorebaja are barely holding on. A relief force is starting out from Tjilitjap now to try and open the road to Sorebaja. The 12th Aus bde engaged two Japanese NLFs and a tank RGT just east of Tjilitjap yesterday (map reference 2). The 102nd RCT will move tomorrow to assist. The force already may not be sufficient to clear a path to sorebaja. If the enemy does have a division at Kragen, the effort is almost certainly doomed.

The enemy is continuing daily bombings of airfields and flys almost unopposed over Java.

The transport TF departing Tjilitjap was attacked by over 100 bombers. Losing one destroyer and heavily damaging all but one transport. ALthough the Saratoga and Lexington were in the area they have been ordered away to prevent detection.

[niceguy2005]

Combat reports for Operation Castle

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 66

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged


Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 27

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet

Day Air attack on 4th DAF Base Force, at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-49 Helen x 42
Ki-15 Babs x 1

Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 4
Brewster 339D x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed
Brewster 339D: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 9000 feet
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 9000 feet
20 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 9000 feet

Day Air attack on TF at 19,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
Ki-21 Sally x 48

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence
AP President Monroe
AP Empire Pride
AP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP President Polk, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hatfield, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet

Day Air attack on TF at 19,66

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hatfield, on fire, heavy damage
DD Lawrence
AP President Polk, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Henderson

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M Nell bombing at 9000 feet

Day Air attack on TF at 19,66

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 27
Ki-21 Sally x 49

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence, Bomb hits 11, on fire, heavy damage
AP President Monroe
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Empire Pride, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Moreton Bay, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 8000 feet

Ground combat at 20,62
12th Aus Bde encounters 2 Japanese NLF and one Arm Rgt

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3538 troops, 13 guns, 124 vehicles

Defending force 4890 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
123 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
96 casualties reported

[fabertong]

Niceguy....sorry.....I've lost track of what is happening in Cen./South Pac.........is there any way to hurt him there?
Don't worry about holding bases in southern China.....if a base has no Resc/Oil/Man....it's just another base......it looks as though in south China...you have the upper hand....bleed him........

[niceguy2005]

Operation Dog Door: Recapture of Koepang

B-25s are flying from Derby to make daily attacks against the 16th Naval Guard unit at Koepang. The 6th Aus Cav Bde and the 30th Aus Bde are preparing for an invasion. Saratoga and Lexington will provide support for the invasion. The 7th Aus Division is loading in Perth now and will provide either reinforcement to Koepang or will head to Tjilitjap. Southwest Pac Bombers are packed into Darwin, Derby and Wyndham waiting for the invasion. The invasion is planned to take place in 4 days.

[niceguy2005]

ORIGINAL: fabertong

Niceguy....sorry.....I've lost track of what is happening in Cen./South Pac.........is there any way to hurt him there?
Don't worry about holding bases in southern China.....if a base has no Resc/Oil/Man....it's just another base......it looks as though in south China...you have the upper hand....bleed him........

Operation Rapier (The invasion of Wake) is underway. The armada is almost formed up 120 miles east of Midway. I believe I have sufficient force to take Wake very quickly. I hope this will draw some of his forces off of the DEI.

In China I have a huge force massed to move on Canton, but can't the supply I need for a successful attack. Also, I don't have the bombers available to soften his defenses. China is a complete mess for the both of us. Its like a giant pile of sand. He pushes in one spot and all the sand spills over around him but doesn't really go anywhere. He won't win China, but I can't do much to hurt him without supplies.

[niceguy2005]

The date is now 4/3/42.

The Allies are still in a spot. While most areas of the Pacific are actually relatively quiet. SouPac is still building up the supply lines to Australia. In 2-3 more weeks though the lines will be so secure it will be virtually impossible for Japan to threaten them. Northern Australias buildup is also going well. I have at least 1 Bde in every town and all fort levels are at 5 and above. With Japan's troop commitments in other areas Australia is virtually secure.

Operational Updates
Operation Rapier (Wake) is still staging, but should be ready to steam at full speed tomorrow for Wake. That would put the invasion commensing in about 4 days. I just need my Coranados from Midway to fly Recon.

Operation Castle (Defense of India) I am overall very pleased with the results. I have been conducting daily air raids on his forces at Ansonal. He has responded by sending in a large group of zeros. Look for a bloody fighter battle between the AVG and the zeros in the days to come. We are jockying for position around Ansonal now.

Operation Badgers Den (Defense of Java) Things go less well here. As predicted, after learning that I have been landing troops at Tjilitjap, the IJN dispatched three carriers (map reference 1). I have the Lex and Saratoga refueling at Broome. It looks like we may have the first carrier clash of the war coming up - more on that in a moment. 1 division has been spotted at map reference 2. This is going to make the relief of Sorebaja almost impossible. A battle will take place tomorrow at map reference 3 in which allied forces attempt to break through the Japanese seige. At map reference 4 (Palembang) my enemy has landed 1 Bde, this is not nearly enough force to take the base. Finally, at map reference 5 (Pomala) JPN is landing a division. For the last 2 weeks I have had a sqn of Empires here scouting the area. They have scored over 12 hits on enemy shipping. JPN is going to eliminate that threat.

[niceguy2005]

Operation Back Door(Invasion of Koepang) Despite set backs in operation Badgers Den, I am going forward with trying to recapture Koepang. The allies must have the base to provide support for Java. I have 2 Aus Bdes prepped and ready to invade, with landings expected to commence in 3 days. My carriers are refueling now. I have air superiority over the Timor sea, with the 12 BG conducting daily raids on Koepang. The plan for the invasion is to have the transports sprint to the landing area with Cap being flown for as long as possible from Derby. I will hold my carriers back hoping that JPN will dispatch her carrier fleet near Tjilitjap. Hopefully, I can fight a carrier battle within fighter range of Broome or Derby. The RN has an air combat TF which is trying to make its way south to link up with the USN.

[niceguy2005]

seems to be a problem

[niceguy2005]

Map of Timor