Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[BrucePowers]

It sounds like the RN could be in aposition to seriously disrupt Japanese shipping in the western DEI.

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

Speedy;
What kind of disruption do casuality figures like that cost a unit? How long can they keep it up or are units being rotated?

Hi Bruce,

You mean on my CV units?

CAP wise no real problem. At 50% CAP disruption is about 10-15 points.

As for the bombers also not a huge problem since they are not flying a long distance and it's against light opposition. Against heavily defended bases with high losses you will see morale plummet and fatigue rise.

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

It sounds like the RN could be in aposition to seriously disrupt Japanese shipping in the western DEI.

Yes and no my friend.

Yes since they now have decent CV aircraft - Corsairs and Avengers BUT they are limited in numbers (33 planes per CV IIRC).

I wish I had more transports here too. It would allow a seaborne invasion (mind you that was the historical problem anyway).

As it stands I don't plan on commiting more to the land war in Burma unless necessary. I am going to build up forces and try a seaborne attack when I have the capability. Looking down the road i'm getting some nice US ARM BN's over the next 3-4 months at Karachi[8D]

[niceguy2005]

Read the outcome of the Burma battle above. It seems that you had about a 10:1 kill ratio where tanks are concerned.

[Speedysteve]

Roger. I can't guarantee all of those from land combat but at least a 5:1 ratio on the ground. The rest maybe air related.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The war grinds on...........

To make matters worse all of a sudden we are MAJORLY out of sync. Virtually nothing that happened in reality showed in my CR. As such I won't be watching these much anymore.

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My RN CV group does NOT attack Palembang oil depots. I remember someone posting about CV air not attacking City targets before. I'll be posting this too[8|].

An unescorted flight of Sallies and Betties tried to sneak through my Corsairs on CAP. They failed:

Day Air attack on TF at 17,54

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 13

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 9 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 15 damaged

-----------------

The out of sync is really annoying me.

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Speedy
My RN CV group does NOT attack Palembang oil depots. I remember someone posting about CV air not attacking City targets before. I'll be posting this too[8|].

Worked in my PBEM. But you have to be within range of the target when setting carrier planes to city attack (that is, you cannot set it before you're actually within range - no fast move-in-move-out raid).

K

[Speedysteve]

My boys were already within range. Maybe they were socked in but couldn't see it (with my CR being totally out of whack). Nonetheless they are ordered to bomb the port tomorrow. If they net some tankers that all helps.

[DuckofTindalos]

CV air groups can most definitely attack city targets. I've done a few Doolittle-style raids on the northern Home Islands...

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

The war grinds on...........

To make matters worse all of a sudden we are MAJORLY out of sync. Virtually nothing that happened in reality showed in my CR. As such I won't be watching these much anymore.

-----------------

My RN CV group does NOT attack Palembang oil depots. I remember someone posting about CV air not attacking City targets before. I'll be posting this too[8|].

An unescorted flight of Sallies and Betties tried to sneak through my Corsairs on CAP. They failed:

Day Air attack on TF at 17,54

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 9
Ki-21 Sally x 13

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 9 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 15 damaged

-----------------

The out of sync is really annoying me.

You need to use Pompack's Patented Method (for resyncing!!)

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Robert - i've thought about that. Luckily this turn we were in sync! I'll keep an eye on it.

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Still no attack by my RN CV's. This time against the port. Must have been the weather. We're staying another day to hopefully attack the oilfields and then off for refuelling.

--------------

My sub arm let me down today. So many attacks and so many misses:

SS Gunnel missed TK San Diego Maru
SS Sawfish missed AK Muroran Maru
SS Paddle missed AP Taizin Maru
SS Grenadier missed AP Taibun Maru

[:-]

----------------

Preparation for the next operation continues. It'as frustrating to have to wait for so long for enough Hellcats to arrive. Still got about 2/3 of my CV force to equip. As such I may cancel the strike raid and focus fully on the next operation.

Most troops have been loaded at Sydney, San Francisco and Midway for this. Today over 500,000 tonnes of fuel and supply were beginning to be loaded at San Francisco as were 12 airgroups.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Ah good news. It seems my sub skippers listened to my furious radio message......

SS Salmon missed AK Tyoko Maru NW of Luzon.

SS Grenadier heavily damaged the freighter Maebasi Maru with 2 torpedo's in the middle of the Phillipine Sea. She will probably sink.

SS Crevalle heavily damaged the large tanker Omurosan Maru 180 miles north of Yap.

SS Snook hit the empty transport Keisho Maru 300 miles east of Saipan.

SS Seal hit AK Awata MAru with a torpedo off SW Borneo.

SS Runner hit AP Taiho Maru but unfortunately the fish were duds.

A couple of DC's fell nearby some of these subs but damage was minimal.

All in all a good days work[8D]

--------------

Finally my RN CV's attacked Palembang. The strike was poor though and IJA CAP did well:

Day Air attack on Palembang , at 20,55

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 26
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 25

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 28
Avenger I x 14
Avenger II x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
Avenger I: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Avenger II: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged

Oil hits 7

Aircraft bombing at 10000 feet

They are to retire to Columbo now.

-----------------

Things are starting to move now in preparation for my next invasion. Most of the San Francisco based troops left today bound for PH.

I have 100% called off my CV penetration strike. There won't be enough time to perform this before the next invasion. My CV's stilll need blimming Hellcats! The Bunker Hill CV group should arrive at PH tomorrow.

An SS and 3 x AK arrive at San Francisco tomorrow.

Here's a snapshot of upcoming Capitol Ships. CA Baltimore in 6 days and BB Alabama in 9 days. These will participate in the next invasion. My first British CVE in 58 days - CVE Battler. Next Essex class CV - Franklin in 98 days[8D]

[BrucePowers]

Serious question. How fast can you burn thru 500,000 tons of fuel? Is that enough for a major op or do you need to have more in the logistics pipeline. I have the feeling this game is going to come down to logistics in some way, so.... I ask questions when the opportunity presents itself.

[rtrapasso]

Sitting on Wake Island --
eyeing Speedy’s ships with bad intent.
Snot is running down his beak --
greasy flippers smearing shabby clothes.
Hey fabertong!
Drying in the cold sun --
Watching as the silly penguins run.
Hey fabertong!
Feeling like a dead duck --
spitting out pieces of his broken luck.
Oh fabertong!

Sun streaking cold --
an old bird wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
VPs hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a hand grenade --
he goes down to the shore
and warms his feet.

Feeling alone --
the army's up the road
salvation à la mode and
a cup of tea.
Fabertong my friend --
don't start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
Do you still remember
Aleutian's foggy freeze --
when the ice that
clings on to your beak was
screaming agony.
And you snatch your rat ‘til he last breaths
with deep-sea-diver sounds,
and explosions bloom like
flowers in the spring.

(sung/hummed to another song that i'll leave the reader to guess)

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

LOL Robert[:D] Where do you ocme up with these? Afraid i'm not good at picking these kind of things. Which song is it hummed to?

Bruce - Good question. The Allies, especially, can burn through fuel from mid-43 onwards at a prodigous rate. The main drain is SC and CV forces on bombardments/long air combat cruises. An SC TF of regular size (a couple of BB/CA/CL/10ish DD's) can easily burn 30-50,000 fuel if needed to replenish when empty.

More fuel and supply are to follow. These will be used to supply my invasion area.

---------------

More sub fun today:

SS Tautog tagged the empty transport Meigen Maru with a fish NE of Sorong.

SS S-18 had had a fairly quiet patrol up utnil today. She is assigned to the lowr Kuriles and today she attacked and hit 2 x AP's in the same empty convoy. Neither will probably sink but well done lads[:)]

Unfortunately SS Barb and SS Bluefish both missed TK's near Okinawa and Tori Shima today.

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Usual air raids across Burma.

My Chinese forces have reached the outskirts of Lashio. 4 enemy units are present but my tired men are to attempt a deliberate assault tomorrow with 3 x Corps and 2 x HQ units. CAS is to be provided by heavies and FB's from Imphal.

Interestingly Faber did NOT land bombard at Myitkyina today! I wonder is this is temporary or if he is out of supply or moving out.

-------------

Tomorrow an AK, LST, SC and DD arrive in theatre.

I start to receive USA Prov. Tk Bn's at Karachi in the next month or so [8D]

[BrucePowers]

Good luck!

[rtrapasso]

LOL Robert Where do you ocme up with these? Afraid i'm not good at picking these kind of things. Which song is it hummed to?

Aqualung (by Jethro Tull...)

[BrucePowers]

I haven't listened to Aqualung in ages. I haven't listened to Jethro Tull in ages (at least 15 years). I never would have gotten that one.

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

I haven't listened to Aqualung in ages. I haven't listened to Jethro Tull in ages (at least 15 years). I never would have gotten that one.

Well they just had the (arrrgh...) 35th Anniversary of it... so it's been getting some airplay recently.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well it seems The IJA is retreating in Burma. IJA elements were observed moving away from Myitkyina and the rail line. Excellent. My attack at Lashio went well. The Chinese moved through some strongpoints and inflicted losses on the enemy. Only BF are present so if I can be quick before reinforcements arrive I may take Lashio:

Ground combat at Lashio

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34933 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 926

Defending force 9636 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 118

Allied max assault: 796 - adjusted assault: 152

Japanese max defense: 108 - adjusted defense: 112

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8


Japanese ground losses:
527 casualties reported
Guns lost 12

Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported

Due to the enemy retreat I will be hot on his heels. My men are ordered to attack at Myitkyina tomorrow.

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SS Skipjack encountered any enemy convoy 120 miles NE of Jesselton but the escorting MSW's kept her under the water.

SS Greenling encountered the first enemy ship inbetween Truk and Rabaul for a long time! AK Akaisisan Maru was left heavily damaged after a torpedo hit in the bow.

SS Trout hit an oil laden TK east of Mindanao, TK Toho Maru was left burning heavily.

3 ships recently hit by subs were confirmed sunk today - an AK, AP and a TK.

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Further preparations were made today for the next invasions. 2 x USA Divisions and a TD Bn were ordered to move from Brisbane to Sydney for embarkation on AK's.

2 more supply convoys were formed in San Francisco to load supply and fuel for future destinations.

BB Idaho now almost fully repaired is to set sail from San Diego for San Francisco. She will soon be joined by CA Baltimore and BB Alabama for active service.

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The below screenie shows the Lashio attack and the IJA retreat in Burma.