Speedy vs Swift - Jap perspective. Fight to the death

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well an interesting 2 days in Burma. The Allies mamahged to rout the 33rd Division at Kohima! This was unexpected but the recent heavy bombings have clearly weakened my men. A quarter of the men were lost in the rout and a third disabled.

As such it is time to accelerate my plans and Imphal was assaulted from the air on 23rd. Para units overwhelemd the non-existant defences and captured the important town and airbase. There is no doubt with 33rd Divisions retreat it will be tough to hold this place but I have to try and keep a foot hold there. 4th Mixed Rgt units are now being airlifted in also. Once fully transported an Aviation Rgt will be lifted in and Fighters flown in.

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Noumea was attacked on both days and 60 enemy planes were destroyed for my 10 lost.

[Rob Brennan UK]

I am utterly bemused as to his continuing attempt to re-build the sqds at noumea [&:].

Humm Kohima loss will hurt big time , ouch. The british bombers when concentrated vs 1 division can really hurt disruption and disablements esp. when at the end of a trail. I did a similar thing to Joe in my game. However they are innefectual against multiple units because when one gets hurt they target the next strongest allowing the initial victim to recover( assuming adequate supply) the routine does seem to like hitting HQ's however so you might want to airlift an HQ to imphal as 'target practise'.

my 2p

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Rob - I too am unsure why he is doing it. Good point on the HQ. I coincidentally started marching 25th Army from Saigon to Rangoon 2 days.

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A series of fantastic air battles took place over Imphal today. I assumed correctly that Werner would try to bomb Imphal and the newly landed 1st Parachute Rgt and 4th Mixed Brigade troops.

As such I flew CAP from Akyab and Mandalay. My men performed well with 11th and 24th Sentai's, flying Tony's and Tojo's, performing particularly well. The 77th was mauled pretty bad though and 16 Tony's were lost to them today.

Here's the snapshot of the battles:

Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 9
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 3
Wellington III x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 destroyed
Wellington III: 13 destroyed

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 12

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 12
Wellington III x 47
Hudson I x 3
P-36A Mohawk x 10
P-40B Tomahawk x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 21 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 12 destroyed
Wellington III: 10 destroyed, 11 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 10 destroyed
P-40B Tomahawk: 19 destroyed

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

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Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 4
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

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Noumea was also smacked. The enemy lost 100 planes to my 34 today[:)]

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4th Ind. Mixed Rgt is embarking at Singapore for Rangoon for use in the Imphal/Kohima campaign.

All CV's (except Akagi) are fully operational and will mass at Tokyo before deployment to the South Pacific and Noumea..............

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A good day for the Japanese in Burma.

60% of 4th Mixed Rgt. has been airlifted to Imphal as has 50% of 23rd Aviation Rgt.

A6M3's, Tojo's and Tony's kept the enemy at bay in the skies. Fragmented enemy airstrieks were dealt with by te mixture of Veterans and Novices. By the end of the 25 enemy planes hasd been shot down (P40E's, Hurricane's, Hudsons, IL4's, Wellingtons) for no loss by my men. Well done lads[:)]

With air support at Imphal elements of 11th and 24th Sentai's have been flown in. A further Tojo Sentai has just entered the region to lend its support.

The situation is still tense due to a lack of supply and strong ground forces but it's a foothold which is growing every day.

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Noumea bombed again and 20 more enemy planes torched on the ground.

I lost 10 planes for the day against the enemy's 46

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

2 more days pass with the build up at Imphal xontinuing. The 26th saw further Allied air attacks but the CAP of Zero's, Tojo's and Tony's saw them off. The men on the ground wait at Imphal until further reinforcements arrive from Rangoon (currently on ship moving up the Malacca Strait) Furthe planes will be flown in though from the surrounding region.

The 27th saw reduced air action with a few bombers trying to bomb Imhpal.

With Noumea being bombed on the 26th Allied air losses were 40 to my 9 for the 2 days.

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KB is at Tokyo and is refuelling now. We move out to Truk and the South Pacific tomorrow...............

[Rob Brennan UK]

out of curiosity what is the total plane losses per side ? poor old swift must be getting hammered badly

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Rob - in short yes he is losing there. I will post the intel screen at the end of the month to show you the status.

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the past 2 days have mainly focussed on Burma once more.........

More IJAAF fighters are being flown into Imphal on a daily basis. 6 more on ther 29th for example.

The Allies have flown token raids against Imphal over the 2 days resulting in the loss of 30 enemy planes to my 10. My Tony's and Tojo's are doing wel so far.

My fear at present is on the groun. On the rai lline upto Dacca he can clearly mass superior force to me and quicker. He has 2800 AV to my 1800 and his bombardments are murderous. I must try to rectify this whislt 2 divisions are en route from Akyab to the rail. The key here will be Imphal airfield. Very soon I will base Sallies/Helens out of there to bomb the enemy troops on the rail.

At the same time bombers and fighters must operate out of Mandalay against the airfields of Kohima and Ledo.

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Very little elsewhere. KB + SC + Transports will leave Tokyo within 2-3 days for Truk, Luganville and New Caledonia.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The Allies suffered substantial losses in the air and on the ground today. Noumea was smacked as usal but over Imphal:

Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 30
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 50

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 30
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 50

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 38
Hudson I x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 9 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 34 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Wellington III bombing at 1000 feet
1 x Wellington III bombing at 15000 feet
2 x Wellington III bombing at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 25

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 2 destroyed

Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mixed Regiment, at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 15
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 50

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 18 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 15000 feet

Screenshot attached.............

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A further Allied division moved into Ledo. As I fear he has better lines of communication on the ground allowing him to move LCU's faster where they are needed.

I am under pressure of losing ground at Ledo and on the Dacca rail line. Imphal is pretty safe though and further air units are due to arrive (1 x Tony, 1 x Tojo, 1 x Sally and 1 x Helen unit). When they do I will begin to attack Allied airfields in the area.

[Onime No Kyo]

[X(][X(][X(]
 
Why are they unescorted?

[Rob Brennan UK]

I don't think swift has truly grasped the game [;)] yet. but he's learning the hard way. speedy are you helping him at all ? i.e pointing out some serious errors he's making (not gameplaywise but game rules and how the mechanics work).

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Onime - you'll have to ask swift on that[;)]

Hi Rob - i've never explained stuff but i'm fairly sure he knows how it works. This is his 2/3rd game he's got going AFAIK

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A mixed day today.

Noumea was hit again destroying 15 planes on the ground.

LBA attempted to bomb Imphal again (unescorted). Lower morale caused most of them to break for home. Still another 10 LBA were shot down over Imphal.

I did lose 8 planes to ops though (mainly transports flying in supplies to Imphal)

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AP Hawaii Maru hit a mine whilst disembarking troops at Rangoon. She'll be ok.

AP Aikoku Maru was torpedoed by SS KXV 60 miles SW of Rangoon. Samage is moderate but she'll make Rangoon and will unload. a 5 x DD TF has been formed at Singapore to head for the area.

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KB + SC TF + transports left Tokyo today for Truk and then New Caledonia..........

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The 1st day of November brings much the same for swift with 35 more planes being destroyed on the ground at Noumea.

No enemy air raids over Burma today. Fine by me. Every day more material moves into Imphal.

Yesterday for example a Construction Bn was flown in. Today 4th Mixed Bde will begin air transport from Rangoon to Imphal.

Scores on the door:

[Rob Brennan UK]

4-1 already eh [:D].

I hope yo don't stop in jan 43, but i do wonder if Swift will have the staying power for this one, i definately hope so.

good luck speedy ( not that you need it). how much longer for the invasion of noumea?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Rob - Thanks. We always need luck in war though[:)]

Noumea is probably 4-6 weeks away. At least New Caledonia is. I will not invade Noumea directly.

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A pretty quiet day with bad weather preventing Luganville bombing Noumea.

Only 1 attack by swift in Burma against IJA troops on the Dacca rail line. A Hurricane was shot down by a Tony.

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Most of the 4th Mixed Rgt was flown into Imphal yesterday.

Every day more and more Tony/Tojo's are being produced allowing more former Oscar Squadrons to be deployed foir offensive/defensive missions.

I think over the next week i'll have 8 x Tony/Tojo Sentai at Mandalay/Imphal and 4-6 IJA bomber Sentai in place. Then we start to bomb Ledo/Kohima to bring the fight in the air to swift.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A very quiet day with bad weather preventing air ops over Noumea and no raids by the Allies in Burma.

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Most of 4th Mixed Bde is at Imphal. 22nd Ind. Mixed Bde awaits transportation at Rangoon.

I have decided to mount an air op from Mandalay/Imphal tomorrow. 3 x LBA Sentai escorted by 2 x Tony Sentai (Mandalay) and 3 x Tony/2 x Tojo Sentai (Imphal) will try to hit Ledo's airfields.

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Werner mentioned in his e-mail about the end of 42 and it bringing 1 of 3 options:

1. 4:1 AV
2. We continue
3. A Jutland around Noumea where we both mass our forces.

I have said to him it depends on how he feels. All 3 options are open to and winnable by me[;)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The first co-ordinated air strike was launched by the IJAAF in Burma today. The numerous recent arrivals took off from Mandalay and Imphal:

Day Air attack on Ledo , at 36,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 93
Ki-21 Sally x 84
Ki-49 Helen x 21
Ki-46-II Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 37
Spitfire Vb x 12
I-153c x 19
I-16c x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 21 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 21 destroyed
Spitfire Vb: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
I-153c: 18 destroyed
I-16c: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 41

Aircraft bombing at 12000 feet

We go again tomorrow.

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A nice little intercept over my troops on the Dacca rail line:

Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 31,25

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 31
Spitfire Vb x 10
Hudson I x 1
P-36A Mohawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 8 destroyed
P-36A Mohawk: 6 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Also Noumea was hit again with 15 enemy planes lost on the ground.

All in all not a bad day.

KB + SC TF's + Transports are moving past Iwo Jima now on their way to Truk.

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Werner has mentioned that he isn't sure which of the 3 above options he is going to take but he says either way he wants to play another game since this is his first etc.............

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,
 
Just to let you know i've heard nothing from Werner concerning our WiTP game so as such not sure if just is on hold due to BTR/BoB testing or whether it is kaput.
 
I'm off soon for Christmas travels so take care all and happy holidays.
 
Steven