Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi guys - Agreed. Uber CAP is OTT and I like the Nik Mod approach better. Having said that both sides can use these things - The Japanese with KB until mid-43 anmd the US from then on. From playing many games of WiTP it is clear to me that for a happy game you need House Rules from game start or just accept these things. I have a game going where my opponent is using China as a mass training ground and has even bombed Darwin's resources. I hate it infact but we didn't agree on this before game start as such I can't complain IMO. I will be using Corsairs everywhere mind you[;)]

In this game Faber has moved several units to Burma that are Home Defense or Kwantung units artificially boosting his strength there.....as such I will use West Coast units freely....tit for tat[;)]

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Onto 3rd January...........

Faber slipped his SC TF into Lautem and sank an MSW and 4 x AK there. A 5th will sink but the 5 remaining are ok. I knew this may happen but was hoping my LBA would get him. I've now flown in a Beaufort Squadron to Lautem. Please come back with Hiei and Kirishima fish breath[:'(] I repsect his agressiveness though so kudos there.

I've accelerated plans for reinforcements for the region. A resupply convoy at Efate has been tasked to pick up 25th USA Division, 2 x Marine Para's, 2 x Marine Raiders + 2 x BF in the Noumea region. They will move to Darwin.

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Talking of troops.........I can now disclose the operational details of Operation Buzzard: The invasion of Moulmein! I was tempted to go for either Georgetwon. Sabang or Moulmein. I chose Moulmein for th efact it can more immediately trap Faber's troops at Mandalay and is under air cover from Akyab and Imphal.

The following troops are involved in the landings:

20th Indian Division
268th Indian Bde
5307th USA RCT
72nd UK Bde
29th UK Bde
1st USA Prov. Tk Bn
2nd USA Prov. Tk Bn
3rd USA Prov. Tk Bn
4th USA Prov. Tk Bn
5th USA Prov. Tk Bn
6th USA Prov. Tk Bn
116th RAC Tk Rgt
9th RDH Cavalry
28th Dragoons Tk Rgt

As you can see there are a lot of tanks here giving me quick access to the rail network....screenshot below.

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SS Robalo (participant in the sinking of CVL Chiyoda) sank the small Minelayer Ukishima 120 miles west of Palau.

SS Seal missed AK Kinkai Maru with 4 torpedoes 120 miles north of Taytay.

Air sightings = 17
Air attacks = 1

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My CV's launched the first Allied air attack on Marcus Island. I'll let the CR show itself:

Day Air attack on Marcus Island , at 75,56

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 2
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 10
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 156
SB2C Helldiver x 237

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 26 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 15 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 3 destroyed
B5N Kate: 10 destroyed
D3A Val: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 6 destroyed, 1 damaged
SB2C Helldiver: 4 destroyed, 52 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 110

In total 110 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground or in the air. My CV's are to move back to Wake now and pound it again and again.

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

A minor setback over PM. I have noticed Faber seems to be pulling out of the region - lower units numbers due to recon lower 'Air Bal' numbers at his bases. 91 x B24J attacked the base but were met by a determined group of CAP that shot down 39 of my planes.

Losses for the day:

Allied = 55
Japanese = 129

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Wake was shelled by a BB Division. 500+ casualties were caused but DD Nicholas hit a mine (minor damage).

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2 x MSW, and AK and DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

In this game Faber has moved several units to Burma that are Home Defense or Kwantung units artificially boosting his strength there.....as such I will use West Coast units freely....tit for tat[;)]

hi,

You meant CAA or Kwantung units? HD units can't be transfered outside Home islands without paying PP..?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Pauk - Kwantung units. The Tank Division from there for example has been bought out and placed in Burma as has Guards Brigade from HI. Home Defence forces need to pay PP's to move out.

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Ah this is exciting to have 3 fronts active[:)]

Operation Buzzard moves closer ot Moulmein and has not been spotted as yet. If I can just get ashore and capture the place I have several Thunderbolt II Squadrons standing by for air support.

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The 25th USA Division is embarking at Luganville today.

A USA RCT, Para Rgt, 2 x Canadian Bde, 2 x Tk Bn, 4 x BF, 4 x SeeBee unit + supply and fuel were ordered to load up at San Francisco today bound for Australia and then the Sourthern SRA.

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CV's return to Wake area tomorrow and will bomb it some more. Soon it will be time to see what effect this has had when my troops land.

2 x BB Divisions bombarded Wake overnight causing 600+ casualties.

DMS Howey sank after reaching Midway....cruel irony.

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SS Aspro evaded 4 x ASW craft 300 miles west of Tinian in the morning and later turned the tables on them by blowing up PC Seki Maru #2 with a torpedo.

SS Archerfish had a rough day 120 miles SE of Okinawa. 4 x DD hunted her throughout the day causing 1 x DC hit and 4 x DC near miss. Surprisingly light damage - 16/0/0. She will relocate.

SS Pampanito got in her first hit today. She hit the empty large transport Arizona Maru with a torpedo 420 miles west of Saipan. The escort failed to find her.

Air sioghtings = 18
Air attacks = 2
Air hits = 1 - SS Lancetfish by a Lilly. Light damage - 13/0/0

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3 x AK, a TK and a DD arrive in threatre tomorrow as does a Corsair Squadron.

[pauk]

hi, understand now - it's ok. He bought his units you bought units from WC. Nothing controversional about spending PP for restricted units.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

SS Raton survied a hellish day VERY skillfuly........she was hunted by 3 x 'new' type PC craft, a DD and an APD 300 miles west of Saipan.....1 hit and 9 were near misses though....she's tough though 16/13/0

SS Trusty followe up on yesterday's attack by daringly tracking the convoy into Palembang harbour. She lined up and hit the small tanker Choran Maru with a torpedo. She had a tough time leaving the port though and was attacked several times - 1 x DC hit, 3 x DC near miss - 39/36/0. SS Templar is en route to replace her.

SS Paddle heavily damaged the empty transport Kumakawa Maru with 2 torpedoes 360 WNW of Pagan. She evaded the escorts.

SS Gunnel fired her last 4 torpedoes at AK Syozin Maru. 1 hit leaving her heavily damaged whilst she slipt away to Darwin. SS Grunion is on her way to replace her.

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Wake was attacked by my CV's today very heavily:

Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63


Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 15
SB2C Helldiver x 217
TBM Avenger x 193


Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
TBM Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 140
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 7

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Dinah recon aircraft spotted the SEAC invasion force today 240 miles WNW of the Andaman Islands. A tokwn raid was launched against enemy airfields. The 39 x Corsair shot down a Tony and the 9 x Avenger dropped a few bombs on the airbase. Just a warning for Faber[;)]

I would've liked to remain hidden for another day or 2 to prevent him reacting but so be it. I feel I have the strength to deal with him.

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2 x AK, an LCI and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Capt. Harlock]

No further word about Faber's Surface TF that hit Lautem -- does it look like they got away?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. - No. It has never been spotted since. My remaining AK's are leaving for Darwin tomorrow anyway. Over 30,000 tonnes of supply ashore at Lautem now. Beaufort's are present as are Vengeance's.

In due course 2 x NZ TBM ssquadrons will be moved to the SRA.

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Operation Buzzard moved closer to it's target without enemy interference. They are constantly being tracked by Dinah's though and intel indicates hordes of enemy planes have moved into Victoria Point and Bangkok.

As such I have moved 3 x 72 Plane P38J FG's into Akyab to provide LRCAP to supplement the CV based Corsairs.

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Is this a better strike on Wake T?[;)]:

Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
FM-2 Wildcat x 9
F6F Hellcat x 15
SB2C Helldiver x 221
TBM Avenger x 248

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBM Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 171
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

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SS Narwhal found the stricken AP Arizona Maru today and 2 more torpedoes sent her to the seabed.

SS Angler had her first action today. Newly arrived as part of the patreol line south of Japan she hit not 1 but 2 x AK throughout the day. Firstly in the morning she hit AK Shiranesan Maru with 2 torpedoes which didn't leave her heavily damaged! In the afternoon she hit AK Tamahime Maru with a torpedo. This took place 180 miles WNW of Tori Shima. The escorts failed o locate her.

SS Cero evaded 5 x ASW craft 120 miles SE of Leyte.

Air sightings = 14
Air attacks = 0

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An AK, LST and MSW arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[DuckofTindalos]

With almost 500 aircraft? No...[:'(]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Tensions are rising again with Operation Buzzard nearing D-Day. Today we neared the Burmese coast abnd still no air reaction by Faber. It stil appears that Victoria Point and Bangkok are full of aircraft. All COrsairs are readied for CAP as are the P38J's LRCAP (which are now fatigued).

I anticipate landfall in 2-3 days.

Just to give you my quick thoughts on this. Recon of the entire area indicates only 2 units at Moulmein but there appear to be Infantry formations around the region (Victoria Point looks like one). I also spotted troops moving away from Mandalay. Good just what I want. Sicne I will have 6 LCU's moving past Mandalay to Pagan in due course.

If I can land quickly and then base planes at Moulmein I do not think i'll be dislodged. Airpower can supress any troops or airfields in the region.

The question I am not sure of is will Faber react with naval forces. It's clear with air IMO but not naval.

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A Sunderland spotted a further IJN Tf 300 miles NW of Lautem.....I assume another SC TF?!? Either way no transports remain at Lautem. Just a Beaufort and Vengeance squadron...almost at level 4 airfields......

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Wake was smashed again by my CV's. After tomorrow we move back to Midway for the final re-arming and refuelling before the troops also go in.

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SS Flounder hit jackpot today. ML Ikitsushima was damaged with a torpedo 240 miles east of Morotai. Same she probably won't sink.

SS Skipjack damaged AK Tuyama Maru with a torpedo 60 miles east of Balikpapan.

Air sightings = 23
Air attacks = 3

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Tomororw could bne a big day if Faber reacts in the air near Burma.

2 xAK, an AP, LCI and AO arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a Dakota Squadron at Columbo.

[Mike Solli]

Getting interesting, Speedy.  Can't wait to see what happens.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

What a day! WiTP is great with days like these. The best gaming experience out there.........

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Operation Buzzard is a day out from Moulmein now. Enemy aircraft attacked the slowest convoy....lagging 60 miles behind the main body. A P38J FG was flying cover from Akyab though. these 80 experience veterans performed very well today:

46 of them met 162 enemey fighters (Zeke, Tojo, Tony) and 50 x G4M2 over the convoy. Almost 1/2 of my brave boys were shot down but they took 49 x Tojo, 45 x Tony, 15 x Zeke and 9 x G4M2 with them.

40 x G4M broke through though but the performed very poorly or my ships performed magnificently. Only 1 torpedo hit home on AK Empire Conrad, carrying 20th Indian Division troops. This left her heavily damaged though and hopefully she can unload before sinking - 78/75/13

Tomorrow should be a big day as SEAC forces land on enemy beaches in Burma for the first time. Other good news is that Recon and Liberators hit Moulmein today (somehow) identifying troops of 133rd IJN Base Force and 47th Construction Battalion = old men and boys [;)] Let's hope thats all that there tomorrow when we go ashore.

In all 55 Allied planes were lost today to 121 Japanese.
-----------------

Meanwhile at Lautem the IJN has developed NUCLEAR shells:

Naval bombardment of Lautem, at 33,78


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-47D Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed
Sunderland: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed
Vengeance I: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi
DD Oshio
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
CL Yura
CL Noshiro
CL Agano
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
17376 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 24

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 15
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 10

WTF[8|]

I am not angry at this or going to moan but more bemused how that TF can cause 17,000 casualties whilst my constant bombardments of Wake rarely cause 500-1000 casualties DESPITE Wake being reconned for a month solid AND containing 8-9 units to my 4 at Lautem...........no biggie though.

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No Submarine contacts today.

SS I-159 (damaged by DD's near Wake a few days ago) was reported sunk today.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 1

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Tomorrow should be fun.

A DE arrives in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well what a day......crazy shootin' above Moulmein as wave after wave of enemy aircraft fall prey to my Corsairs and Lightnings. It's OTT IMO. The CR has tio be seen:

Day Air attack on 5307th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 29,35

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 24

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 38
P-38J Lightning x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 22 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged

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Day Air attack on 5307th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 29,35

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 31

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 38
P-38J Lightning x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 22 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

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Day Air attack on TF, near Moulmein at 29,35

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14
G4M2 Betty x 31
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 68
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 77

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 38
P-38J Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 25 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 68 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 72 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 5 destroyed, 9 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 12 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable
CV Illustrious
CV Victorious
CLAA Ceres

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 29,35


Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 1


No Allied losses

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Day Air attack on 5307th USA Regimental Combat Team, at 29,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 18

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 25
P-38J Lightning x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 18 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

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Below the dogfights SEAC troops disembarked whilst the heavy guns of the Royal Navy pounded away. Casualties were pretty low and no mines are present [:)]

By the end of the day 1/3 of the offensive troops are ashore and things are looking good. Recon elements encountered supprot troops but also troops of 4th Mixed Regiment. We continue to unload tomorrow before advancing on Moulmein itself - 20th Indian Division + 2 x UK Bde should wade ashore tomorrow.

Thee's no doubting the slaughter of enemy aircraft helpsa lot. I think the invasion should be relatively safe now. Just to capture the place quikcly. Troops at Mandalay report Lashio based troops retreating past Mandalay....probably to Moulmein.

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Wake is pounded from air and sea - 2 x BB bombardments cause 1200 casualties. Massive airstrike again.

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SS Mingo missed PC Kyo Maru #6 with 6 torpedoes 60 miles east of Batavia. 2 x near miss DC's - 6/0/0.

SS Ling was detecetd by 3 x ASW vessels 240 miles NE of Pagan. DD Sagi dropped DC's nearby - 1 x hit, 1 x near miss - 34/59/0. Returning to Midway.

SS Triton hit the oil laden TK Ichiyu Maru with a torpedo 180 miles WNW of Brunei...go on sink[;)]

SS Dorado blew up the large transport Gokoku Maru with 3 out of 4 torpedo hits 60 miles NE of Tori Shima.

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

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CVE Natoma Bay, SS Surf, 2 x AK and a DE arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

What a day! WiTP is great with days like these. The best gaming experience out there.........

I'll bet faber would beg to differ..... [X(]

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Speedy


Meanwhile at Lautem the IJN has developed NUCLEAR shells:

Naval bombardment of Lautem, at 33,78


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-47D Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed
Sunderland: 1 destroyed
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed
Vengeance I: 3 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Nenohi
DD Oshio
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
CL Yura
CL Noshiro
CL Agano
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
17376 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 24

That is VERY impressive, especially considering that the "Kongo" class are the weakest-gunned BB's in the IJN arsenal. Is it possible the game considered your forces to be moving in the open, and thus scattered and disrupted rather than killed?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. - don't know about that. I've discussed how etc this may have happened on the main forum. It seems DL and Fort level are possible answers. Either way when those b*stards turn turtle due to my actions I will not regret it.

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A quieter day today but a crucial one for SEAC forces. 80% of my men are ashore at Moulmein. Tomorrow they attack. Recon has identified enemy postions and the platoons have been briefied. I am confident of success. It's important we take Moulmein quickly since Allied troops have spotted enemy troops leaving Lashio/Mandalay........presumably for Moulmein. A screenie of present troops is below.

No enemy air attacks today which is good.

Fighters intercepted enemy air transports over Moulmein shooting down 18 x Topsy and 7 x Sally.

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

Wake was hit heavily again by my CV's and a BB division. The CV's are retiring to Midway now to refuel and re-arm. Next time we come with transports and invasion......

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

SS Angler was hunted by 5 x ASW vessels which she evaded near Tori Shima.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 2

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

An AK, AP and an AV arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Hi speedy, sorry long time since catching up with you here, looks like your having fun, but bombardments like that are rare fortunately and it'll make faber happy (i.e longer game) [;)]

slightly OT .. but whats happened to your hammering of swift ? i was following that one more so than here (whisper ---sorry)..

good luck in both though [:D]

[Mike Solli]

Wishing Speedy luck??!! He's the Allied player! He's got so much stuff he's probably lost a few CVs. [X(] [;)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all

Moulmein fell to SEAC forces today! A major victory for the Allies that could lead to the end of the Japanese occupation of Burma.. I still feel speed is of the essence. As mentioned recon and Allied troops report masses of Japanese troops passing from Lashio through Mandalay. It is assumed these are heading for Moulmein.

The place was captured but needs some sorting out with both the airfields and port heavily damaged. As suich planes will not be flown in tomororw but hopefully the day after.

Also complicatign matetr is the IJN. Walrus FP's spotted 2 x TF heading towards the region. It is assumed these are both SC's/CV TF's. As such my CV's and transports have been ordered to disperse 120 miles west of Moulmein whilst my 2 x SC TF's have been ordered to stay off Moulmein in case enemy TF's approcach my new base.

If he moves to Moulmeim I have 6 x BB to meet him and my Avenger's have been ordered to attack enemy shipping tomorrow. P38J's will fly cover over the area also.

Either way it does disrupt the landing of supplies, fuel and support units which is not good.

Here's the attack on Moulmein:

Ground combat at Moulmein

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42592 troops, 236 guns, 925 vehicles, Assault Value = 1199

Defending force 10251 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 192

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Allied max assault: 1095 - adjusted assault: 749

Japanese max defense: 118 - adjusted defense: 18

Allied assault odds: 41 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
2140 casualties reported
Guns lost 41

Allied ground losses:
191 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Vehicles lost 2


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

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Fabertong launched a nice raid against Akyab today. Some Spitfire's were flying cover but 50 x Sally bombed the airfield destroying 20 planes (18 x P38J). Nice raid.

Enemy planes have bneen reported at Tavoy. These may be fighters or bombers but Liberators at Imphal have been ordered to bomb the airfields there.

More enemy Topsy's were shot down over Moulmein today (20).

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BB New Mexico was torpedoed by I-42 300 miles east of Wake. 2 torpedoes hi home leaving her heavily damaged - 51/33/16. She will return to Midway and then PH. I-42 was hunted to extinction after her indiscretion.

SS I-158 was also heavily damaged by CVE DE's escorts.

SS Shark II heavily damaged the empty transport Kyushu Maru with a torpedo 240 miles WNW of Iwo Jima.

SS S-38 was hit by a Judy off Menado - 7/20/0.

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A DD arrives in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

Hi speedy, sorry long time since catching up with you here, looks like your having fun, but bombardments like that are rare fortunately and it'll make faber happy (i.e longer game) [;)]

slightly OT .. but whats happened to your hammering of swift ? i was following that one more so than here (whisper ---sorry)..

good luck in both though [:D]

Hi Rob,

Good to hear from you. Game against swift is still going but has a slower pace due to RL both ends (and BTR testing both ends).

Mike - tut tut. Heathen[:'(]

[Mike Solli]

Speedy - Pfftt! Edit: [:D]

Did this last turn incorporate your CAP limits?