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

[niceguy2005]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/14/42

After getting pushed around for the better part of a week the Allies push back...hard!

Japan lost 2 cargo ships and probably 80 planes today. Woohoo!

The biggest battle of the day by far was in the skies over Changsa. a full strength fighter squadron flying p-40Bs and having an experience level of 70 flew CAP over Changsa. The enemy approached the city unaware of the maelstrom they were flying into.

Elsewhere, Thursday Is. is still realing from the bombardment it took yesterday. All fighters are damaged on the ground and supplies are at half strength. 70 B-17's finally flew another mission against PM, but only scored moderate damage on the airfiled.

Sigthed about 200 miles south of Christmas Is. was a Japanese TF consisting of several cruisers. I thought it might be raiding carriers so a scattered my cargo ships and sortied the fleet at Pearl.

My army is approaching Yunam on the coast of India to lay siege to the Japanese units trapped there. If the cursed rain will ever lift my bombers will soften the target for a couple of days before the assualt begins.

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Sub attack near Trimcomalee at 15,25
The Dutch sub that has been patrolling of Trimcom for the last 2 or 3 weeks scores what must be its 7th hit on a transport. After putting a shell into the surprised cargo ship, she submerged and fired 4 torpedos before scoring a hit.

Japanese Ships
AK Boko Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXII

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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
As the dawn raid approached Changsa, flights of P-40's swooped down out of the sky to engage the bombers. The experienced Japanese pilots fought back with feroucity. Twenty three bombers fought their way through the fighters to deliver their bombs, but nearly half of the bombers failed to return home that day.


Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-49 Helen x 97

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 64

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-49 Helen: 40 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed, 29 damaged

Manpower hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
1 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
No sooner had the first battle ended and the planes rearmed when another flight of bombers flew in from the east. The enemy had little stomach though for a fight and most of the bombers were quickly turned away.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-30 Ann x 78
Ki-36 Ida x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 22 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-36 Ida: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
With the weather finally favorable two bomber groups left Cooktown to attack Port Moresby. After several days of rain the enemy had ample time to repair the airfields so the bomers met stiff fighter resistance. Only moderate damage to the airfield occured. A follow-up attack has been ordered.


Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4
B-17E Fortress x 74

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 7 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 10 destroyed, 41 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 108,92
A squadron of LB-30s locates and attacks the Japanese raiders south of Christmas Is. No hits were scored but the TF was forced to turn back.

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Tatsuta

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25
more supplies being delivered to Trimcom. The ship is quickly hit and sunk

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 8
Hurricane II x 3
Vildebeest IV x 20


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Gyoun Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Vildebeest IV launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 16,26
An already damaged cargo ship tries to slip away. The aged bi-planes make quick work of her and as the planes fly off toward Colombo the freighter begins sinking beneath the waves.

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 12
Vildebeest IV x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Boko Maru, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Vildebeest IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Ground combat at 47,37
An orders snafu sends a poorly supplied Chinese corp marching off toward Nanchang. The unit is essentially destroyed.

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 39621 troops, 540 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1064

Defending force 3067 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 106

Japanese max assault: 746 - adjusted assault: 1568

Allied max defense: 104 - adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 1568 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
938 casualties reported
Guns lost 9


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at 44,30
more Japanese troops arrive in the mountains east of chunking. The attack will come anyday now.

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1404 troops, 46 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 4270

Defending force 71760 troops, 206 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2038



Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


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[niceguy2005]

Japan has opted for the nuclear option. Two giant bombardment strikes leveled the bases at Kai and Thursday Is. First the days highlights and then a map of the situation.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/16/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Aru Island at 39,80

Japanese raiders find the Cornwal and Java waiting for them at Aru, instead of a lone cargo ship. The two TFs close to torpedo range and the Crosby agressively fires at Harusame. The old Flush Decker scores 3 quick hits. The Japanese hastily retreat but not before the Cornwall lands 3 more hits from her 8" guns. The Japanese destroyer is surely wrecked.

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Harusame, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CL Java
DD Evertsen
DD Crosby

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Naval bombardment of Thursday Island, at 49,90

Massive bombardment

Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-35A: 4 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Murakumo
DD Ariake
DD Oyashio
CA Aoba
CA Mogami
CA Myoko
BB Fuso
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 24
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 15

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Naval bombardment of Kai Island, at 39,78

Severe allied casualties. All planes on the island are wrecked and only 79 supply points remain.

Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 4 destroyed
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 3 destroyed
Catalina I: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
CA Kumano
CA Ashigara
BB Yamashiro
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
1057 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 191
Port supply hits 1

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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Weary eyed bomber groups make another run on Port Moresby. All enemy fighters have pulled back to Lae and fly long range cap.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 2
B-17E Fortress x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 12000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91

Another bomer run from Cairn on PM. Airfield damage now at 35%

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25

These three Martin pilots are phenominal. My best bomber pilots in the Pacific. They were 3 for 3 today.


Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AK Fukuyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet

[niceguy2005]

The operations at Thursday Is and Kai Is are floundering. I feel certain that the enemy will counter invade at Thursday Is soon and the supply situation is terrible. Kai Island is not better, but has the fortune of being a lot closer to friendly bases.

AC TF2 and TF3 have sortied from Sydney and are now taking up station to support Thursday Is. I am planning a raid on Port Morseby. With the heavy bombers keeping the airfield heavily damaged 2 TFs will launch a raid against ships at PM. My hope is to damage the battleships that have been raiding Thursday Is and drive them off. I want to close the port at PM.

Threats include unknown location of the KB and large numbers of Nells at Lae.

SAG TF2 is forming up at Darwin. Warspite and Cornwall are already at Darwin with the Java. Idaho, Astoria, Achilles and Perth are joining. This group will take the Japanese bombardment TF head-on at Kai.

Goals are to finally secure Thursday and Kai and close PM.

Another SAG TF at Noumea will sortie in support of the carrier raid.

[ny59giants]

If he is going to invade Thursday and/or Kai, make it expensive for him!![:D]
What size are the AF's on those two bases??  It would be nice to be able to base Beauforts on Thursday to put some holes in those Jap ships. [&o]
Does he have planes based on that Jap base (3 or 4 hexes NW of Thursday)?? If not, can you run in a FT TF to Thursday from Darwin to bring in supplies??

These two islands may be your Guadalcanal...Send in Halsey!![:D]

[niceguy2005]

Any ship showing up at Thursday right now has to run a gauntlet of warships, subs and torpedo bombers from Lae.

Both airfields are size 1 and I haven't been able to get the supplies and engineers there to change it. My fighter cover over Thursday was hanging in there until the bombardments started. Once I stop those the base development will move forward.

Both islands are crucial as they are going to provide medium bomber support and air cover for future operations.

[niceguy2005]

7/17/42

A little quieter today.

Highlights
1. De Reuyter and DD Inconstant sunk a crippled AK at Trimcom

2. The Japanese have shifted to night bombing attacks at Changsa, 30 Ann bombers met 9 VIF Beufighters. The fighters downed 2 Anns and broke up the attack.

3. Japanese naval bombardment stayed at Kai island overnight and attacked again the next day. This could mean that an invasion fleet is on its way. The defenders are almost defenseless after the last bombardment.


Update China Theater
The situation in China is still pretty bad. I have moved in almost 200 fighters from India, and the aerial attacks have stopped. However, supplies being generated in the country are not sufficient to support the army and the air force. 4300 AV have assembled in the mountains just east of Chunking and the Chinese army there is about to be routed. Half my army is either around Chunking (level 7 fort) or around Changsa (level 9 fort). Half my units have morale so low they refuse to move from the cities. A Japanese army has crossed the river and is preparing to cut the road from Chunking to Changsa. If I call for a general retreat to consolidate my army the time to move is right now!

Below is a current map. Following are 2 more maps with possible defensive strategies. Please comment. I am seeking strategic advise at this point.

[niceguy2005]

The first possible defensive strategy calls for a retreat of some forces toward Chunking, but for most of the Armies around Chunking and Wuchow to remain. Two defensive zones are created. One to defend Chunking and one to defend the southern cities along the rail line.

Pros:
1. Keeps the enemy spread out with lots of cities to defend should my supply situation ever improve.
2. Changsa and Wuchow are at level 9 forts
3. If I can control the air over my major cities and I can keep Changsa I can produce enough supply to support the Chinese army.

Cons:
1. The army advancing across the river from Ichang could proceed to Kweiyang and cut supply/support for the Southern Area.
2. With mobility decreasing it is difficult to react.
3. With supply levels so low counter-attack is almost out of the question anyway.
4. The armies around Chunking may not be sufficient to defend the city against the monster army approaching from the east.

[niceguy2005]

The other strategy is to call for a general retreat concentrating my forces around Chunking and Kweiyang. This has the advantage of dramatically shortening and simplifying my supply lines. As well as consolidating an increasingly immobile army. Note however Kweiyang is only at level 4 fort.

Pros:
1. Consolidate defences
2. Shorten supply lines
3. Enough fighters to defend all my cities

Cons:
1. Can you say "back to the wall"? There is nowhere to go from there. If the Chinese loose that fight they will be suing for peace.
2. To pull it off the armies will have to leave their entrenched positions and become mobile enough to redeploy quickly.
3. I will lose a lot of flexibility in terms of counterattacking.

[niceguy2005]

AFTER ACTION REPORT FOR 7/18/42

Slow day over all. A little ASW action and my B-17s sunk an MSW. Highlight was the Japanese assault on my forces just east of Chungking. The Chinese held up better than expected and the hit on my supply level wasn't too bad. His adjusted AV suggest that his troops are either in poor supply or very highly fatigued.

Ground combat at 44,30

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 204218 troops, 2053 guns, 120 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 4329

Defending force 74447 troops, 261 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 2124

Japanese max assault: 8316 - adjusted assault: 1559

Allied max defense: 2106 - adjusted defense: 1102

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
11880 casualties reported
Guns lost 101
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
1205 casualties reported
Guns lost 27

Wasp has reached PH and is leaving for Palyrma under escort of several DD.

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: niceguy2005

I am seeking strategic advise at this point.

Tough call IMO. The withdrawal option would just about eliminate any possibility of future offensives for most if not all of the rest of the game. But it certainly seems safer.

OTOH, a more forward defense gives you more room to maneuver & possibly take back some ground later. There's obviously more chance of a complete collapse doing that, though.

Without knowing more, I'd opt for the defend both Chungking and the southern railline bases approach. Chungking should be very hard for him to take. Urban bonus, long Jap supply lines, etc.

Exactly how bad is the supply sit? Could you post a screenie of the bases in China with their supplies? Also, do you intend to re-open the Burma Road & if so, how soon do you think you can do that??

[niceguy2005]

Ctangus, this is the supply situation in China. I think this will cover most of the bases.

Supplies are actually slowly improving. I do intend to reopen the Burma road. That is critical to China's war effort.

[niceguy2005]

7/19 to 7/26, 1942

The last week of combat has brought almost no gains for either side. Indecisive air battles and duels between subs and ASW groups have dominated the action. Also, the UK's counter attack at Trimcom and Yunam are yielding slow but steady results.

The Allies have been suffering enough nicks and wounds though to loose ships at an alarming rate (about 1 a day).

Losses over the last week include
CL De Reuyter and DD Inconstant (to Japanese bombardment fleet)
AVD on ASW patrol (To sub)
DD (To sub)
AK and TK (To sub)

If anyone wants to know how to use Jap subs effectively contact Graycompany. He's brilliant with them. He seems to employ a wolf pack system, with a least one sub using Glens as a spotter. He will spot a TF, then move in for the kill.

Otherwise, the battles at Kai and Thursday Is. seem to have subsided after the Japanese bombardments put them pretty well out of commission. Graycompany appears content to let me keep the islands as long as I don't base air units there...interesting. Thursday Is is completely isoloated except for air lift. Bettys and Nells cover the skies and the port is mined. An APD on fast transport just struck a mine forcing the TF to turn back. I can get just enough supply in by air to keep the bases going but not enough to develop the bases into what I need. I have 4 B-17 BGs opperating out of Cooktown and Cairn and they are doing enough damage to Lae and PM to keep the situation stalemated, i.e. he can't launch many offensive missions against Thursday.

The situation in China is stable. Supplies are low, but not dropping. Units are slowly rebuilding. With 3 P-40 FG and 2 Kittyhawk FS I have enough fighter protection to fight off enemy bombers.

In other areas, North Pac is totally quiet...several companies from the 24th RCT occupied Funafuti in an upopposed operation...several Marine squadrons equipped with Wildcats are making their way to SouthPac to relieve the 49th FG.

Across the Pacific supplies are adequate but hardly plentiful. Graycompany's subs have forced me to either take very long circular routes with my convoys or use fewer convoys with heavy duty escort.

Beyond getting Kai and Thursday back on their feet the Allies must find and engage the IJN on favorable terms.

[niceguy2005]

7/27/42

Mostly a quiet turn, but a surprise assault by Japanese forces overwhelmed the Chinese troops blocking the pass to Chunking. Though a pitched battle the Chinese, low on supply were forced to give way, as the war shifts now to Chunking.

Ground combat at 44,30

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 200047 troops, 1822 guns, 112 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3838

Defending force 55741 troops, 201 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1533

Japanese max assault: 7554 - adjusted assault: 3279

Allied max defense: 1544 - adjusted defense: 1138

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2034 casualties reported
Guns lost 82
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
1695 casualties reported
Guns lost 19


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

[ny59giants]

What are your plans to build up either/or Thursday and Kai Island?? It sounds like you may have to sacrifice some ships to get supplies through and/or send in some of those re-spawnable Aussie MSW to get rid of those mines.

[niceguy2005]

The only thing stopping me from building up the islands are the roving Japanese seaborne artillery (aka bombardment fleets). If they aren't knocking out my airfields I can get supplies and troops in with acceptable losses. No recourse there other than to use surface or air combat assets.

Once my airfields are back operational I can put up enough cap to slip in small groups of ships.

Stay tuned, there could be some action coming up.

[niceguy2005]

7/29/42

The war grinds on. Over the last two days there has been a fair amount of action, but still nothing decisive.

Subs and ASW fleets traded shots.

I sank one PC and damaged an RO class sub. SS Trusty took minor damage spying on Rangoon.

The SC TF waiting at Kai island was spotted and the approaching IJN bombardment fleet declined to engage. The Japs sent Nells instead. Flak killed 3 and damaged another 14. Warspite took a torpedo hit with only minor damage. The Allies and Japs have both withdrawn. Still no Naval engagement but the Allies bought the defenders on Kai a few more days to get the airfield up and running again.

Allied bombing of PM has paused to allow one BG to upgrade to B-24s. During that time the Japs have rebuilt the runways and are now flying a 60 zero strong cap over the base. Bombing will resume again shortly.

Five corp are still blocking the road to Chunking, but probably won't last another day.

Attacks at Yanam dropped the fort levels to 1. I have paused to allow supply levels to replenish before the final push.

Finally! UK forces trying to eliminate the final Jap forces at the failed Trimcom invasion got 87:1 odds and forced a few elements to Banzaii. They too have paused to regroup.

The endless flow of Allied supplies and materials to South Pac and Oz continues.

[niceguy2005]

This is what you call throwing everything at the enemy including the kitchen sink...

[niceguy2005]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/30/42

Very busy day for the war, few decisive battles, lots of tit-for-tat.

The Allies sink CL Isuzu and an AK at Sorong, damage a Tanker full of oil. Japanese Nells and Bettys sink DD Eversten and badly damage DD Crosby (will sink). DD Chew is also badly damaged.

Other note worthy events. An IJN bombardment fleet is approaching Kai Island. Japan has a new aircraft flying CAP over the Banda Sea. At long last Tonies are making an appearance. Ten flew over Kai Is.

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Night Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36
Japan has switched to Night time air attacks. This is a representative attack, I'm not certain if they are really doing any supply damage.

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 18

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIF x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91
Two B-17 bomber groups attack Port Morseby and encounter heavy CAP. Fairly heavy losses on both sides.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3 Zero x 33

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3
B-17E Fortress x 68

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed, 18 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 8 destroyed, 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 9 destroyed, 31 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on 18th Mixed Brigade, at 44,30
Representative attack on forces approaching Chunking.

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 3
Wellington III x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 3
B-17E Fortress x 3
SB-2c x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x SB-2c bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 7000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 7000 feet
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Day Air attack on 2nd Division, at 15,25


Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 12
Wirraway x 16
Mohawk IV x 16
Hawk 75A x 4
Brewster 339D x 7
Hurricane II x 8
Spitfire Vb x 9
Vildebeest IV x 24
Hudson I x 12
Beaufort V-IX x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Brewster 339D bombing at 2000 feet

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Day Air attack on TF, near Sorong at 42,74
Heavies from Darwin attack shipping at Sorong. Sink Toyohara and badly damage TK Moji

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 21


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Moji Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Toyohara Maru, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 105,94
CL Isuzu, daring to intrude on Allied shipping lanes near Canton, had been spotted by an SBD on patrol. The pilot dropped from out of the sun and scored a hit. As the call went out, lone raiding cruiser spotted, first Big E than Yorktown launched their planes. The pilots had no problem following the smoke to the damaged vessel.

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBD Devastator x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Aru Island at 39,80
An ASW squadron at Aru should have been ordered clear of the island, but somehow orders were not recieved. Two destroyers are struck by torpedos.

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Evertsen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crosby
DD Chew, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G3M Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
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Day Air attack on TF, near Aru Island at 39,80
Already badly damaged by an earlier attach the squadron manuevers, but is struck again. Eversten quickly sinks and Crosby is badly damaged.

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Alden
DD Chew, on fire, heavy damage
DD Evertsen, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Crosby, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

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Ground combat at 44,30
Last of the Chinese units in the mountains near Chunking are forced to withdraw.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 195285 troops, 1705 guns, 110 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3612

Defending force 37079 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 996

Japanese max assault: 6218 - adjusted assault: 3496

Allied max defense: 1000 - adjusted defense: 763

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
4252 casualties reported
Guns lost 45
Vehicles lost 9

Allied ground losses:
610 casualties reported
Guns lost 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

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Ground combat at 44,33
Chinese forces are massed south of Chunking. The 40th Division advances to take up position and block the road to Changsa. The Chinese counter attack, but low supplies and poor moral lead to an uncoordinated ineffective result. While Japanese losses are considerable, they easily hold their position.

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53735 troops, 290 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 1629

Defending force 22367 troops, 266 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 462

Allied max assault: 1598 - adjusted assault: 249

Japanese max defense: 457 - adjusted defense: 451

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
852 casualties reported
Guns lost 16

Allied ground losses:
371 casualties reported
Guns lost 11

[niceguy2005]

7/31 - 8/2/42

Last several days have been more quite, however I have made some major strategic and tactical decisions, discussed at the end of the post.

Flush deckers in the Aleutians sunk I-19 off Cold Harbor.

Bombing raids on PM now have the AF about half disabled. I have been losing about 8 B-17s a day to Japans 8-10 Zeros. Surely I am bleeding his pilot pool badly.

Kuma and Kitamari (spelling) attacked two unescorted tankers near Norfolk Is. I have been wondering when IJN raiders would show up off the east coast of Japan. I'm not sure how he tracked down my ships though and engaged them in the middle of the ocean.

The UK force at Yanam is in the final mop up stages of the assault. So far I have destroyed.

4th Engr Rgt
9th Engt Rgt
11th SNLF
4th Mixed Bde

The 4th Tank Rgt banzied last turn and I expect to finish them off this round. I am dispatching some of the armor from this operation to join the Trimcomalee mop up. So far at the Trimcom operation I have destroyed:

Shuzn Guard
one Engr Rgt

I have pinned down
2nd Div
56th Ind (or mixed) Bde.

I am ambandoning my operation at Kai Island. My forces are far to exposed and the level of risk is not worth the gain. I have decided that I need carrier support to continue operations and to operate carriers in the Banda Sea for any length of time is to invite disaster.

I am also pulling back in China. I will include a map shortly. I have determined that to keep forces at Changsa would be surely lead to China's collapse. Further, by pulling back and consolidating I may free up chinese units which could enter Burma and help open the Burma road. It's a gamble because I also allow the enemy to consolidate his attacking forces. However, it's only a matter of time if I don't reopen the Burma road and link up Chinese and UK forces. Once I have air transport to China and enough supplies I plan on using the Chindit Bdes there to shore up Chinese forces. I must also eventually get a large supply of heavy bombers there.

I am also working on my plan for my next operation in India. This will be the first push to retake some of Bangladesh. I will try and work up a map of this operation also.

[niceguy2005]

8/3/42 to 8/9/42

The war continues on mostly a slow simmer. This last week in the war.

Chinese forces began a full scale withdrawl from the Changsa, Wuchow and Hengchow to Kweiyang. My hope is that the new defensive position will allow me to hold out long enough to get the Burma road opened and support from India. My new position makes much better use of terrain.

The first Japanese troops advanced on Chunking and got slaughtered.
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Ground combat at Chungking

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 32336 troops, 246 guns, 0 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 582

Defending force 152471 troops, 355 guns, 44 vehicles, Beginning Assault Value = 3702

Japanese max assault: 556 - adjusted assault: 0

Allied max defense: 3766 - adjusted defense: 10637

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 8)


Japanese ground losses:
7840 casualties reported
Guns lost 76

Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
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Allied subs are patrolling in greater numbers. I have a group off the HI and a group of Burma.

S-27 put a torpedo in an AK...Arganaught making a minelaying run to Saipan surfaced and put 3 shells in a TK, which also put 2 3" shells in Arganaught. A Japanese cargo ship hit a mine at Wake.

Recon aircraft detected cruisers at PM. I sent Yorktown and Formidable to raid shipping, but 48 hours after the initial report, I found no one at home.

Two Japanese remnant units escaped the seige at Yanam (not sure how they moved without a supply path from a hex where my units were attacking them). They are roaming the Indian country side, but I will not spare units to run them down. Looks like a free training op for my pilots.

I am about to finish off the Trimcom invaders. The 2nd Dutch Rgt just arrived providing fresh troops.

I am planning my next operation for the India theater. I think this is going to be called Operation Hail Mary. The goal is to seriously dislodge/weaken Japan's hold on eastern India. Forces will cross the river east of Asansol and drive to Dimapur. A second force needs to advance on and take Dacca. Enemy force in the area are estimated at 4-6 Divisions, 2 armor rgts, at least 3 Art units and 6-12 base forces. The heaviest concentration of units is at Chandpur and Dacca. I must proceed with caution as there is a significant chance that Japan is setting a trap...leaving Dimapur and the road to Ledo weak...hoping that the allies will move on it and a much larger than anticipated army at Chandpur moves in to cut off advancing forces. No matter what, an avenue of retreat must be maintained.

I am still deciding on Southeast Asian forces to commit to the operation but so far it looks like under the command of III Corp:

2nd and 5th UK divisions
17th Indian Div
2 Chindit Bdes
3 Chinese divisions (70% strength).
255th Arm Bde
251st UK Bde
23rd Indian Div
2 ENG Rgt
3 ART and 6 Base forces.

My plan of attack is undecide at this point. I will publish a map of the area shortly.


I will also publish a map of China, hopefully today.