Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Things moving in Burma:

Troops have 50 more miles ot go to reach IJA positions north of Rangoon.

More massed bombings on IJA positions at Pagan, north of Rangoon and NOW 4th Division at Rangoon (in preparation for the upcoming landings).

I am starting to embark the 8 x ARM units at Moulmein for the invasion of Rangoon.

2/3 of the alloted Chinese units are at Mandalay now:

Ground combat at Mandalay

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 204343 troops, 1619 guns, 1460 vehicles, Assault Value = 5677

Defending force 181819 troops, 534 guns, 241 vehicles, Assault Value = 3618


Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported

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Quiet in the SRA.

Fighters detected Topsy's flying into Macassar. As such a P38J FG will fly LRCAP tomorrow to see what we can bag..........

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My CV's passed by Marcus Island today to unload some fury on their way back to PH. The airfield, port and 11th Ind. Mixed Rgt were hit hard.

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My Submarine's that stayed on station did well today.

SS Guavina evaded 5 x ASW craft 180 miles east of Balikpapan.

SS Sturdy sank PC CH1 with a torpedo 60 miles SW of Singapore. In return she received 1 x near miss DC - 4/0/0.

SS Dace heavily damaged PC Wakamiya with a torpedo 120 miles north of Brunei.

For once the hunters became the hunted. Probably 2 x PC sunk today[:)]

We relocate for tomorrow.

Air sightings = 14
Air attacks = 3

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An LST, APD and USA 98th Division arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

More bombing in Burma as all ARM elements are aboard AK's. An invasion TF has been formed including 2 x BB....we will not move out just yet. I want to wait until my men are nearer to approaching the Rangoon line from the north.............

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In the SRA P38's shot down 3 x Topsy over Macassar. We continue on patrol there.

I will start to bomb from Koeepang and Maumere over the next 3-4 days. A group of B29's has arrived to replace B24J's at Koepang.

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TBM's took one final swipe at Marcus Island as my CV's disappear towards PH. 6 x Japanese patrol planes were destroyed on the ground.

An AK sank at Osaka.

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SS Hackleback evaded 9 x convoy escorts 60 miles NE of Taytay.

SS I-29 tried to break through my CV escorts but faield and received 14 x DC near miss.

SS Piranha sank due to her wounds on her way back to Darwin.

Air sightings = 18
Air attacks = 3
Air hits = 1 - SS Pargo by a Helen 60 miles east of Balikpapan - 43/29/0. Returning to Darwin.

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2 x AK and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a F6F5(N) squadron.

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
The loss of 3 Topsy over Macassar strongly suggests to me that the penguin is reinforcing that base with air ferried troops/supplies.  If so you are not going to achieve surprise there as your timetable still requires about 2 months before you invade Macassar, thereby giving him plenty of time to organise his defence.  Therefore I would definitely be looking at other operations to bypass that stronghold whilst still maintaining the threat against Macassar and keeping up the air offensive.  Bulla and Babo look good, particularly as the latter can become a level 5 AF and not the level 4 previously stated.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - Too tue. I'm keeping my options open...........I will soon have the air, land AND sea force to do what I would like to do.

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Today was a relatively quiet day....the calm before the storm in Burma.

bombing on IJA troops at Mandalay and on positions north of Rangoon.

I am going to invade Rangoon tomororw with the African Bde + 8 x ARM units. I will also follow up with a division or so from Moulmein..........

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A further 4 x Topsy and a Tabby were shot down by P38J's over Macassar.

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Heavy bombing throughout the Marshalls.

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SS Burrfish evaded 5 x DD 120 miles SE of Shanghai.

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

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4 x AK will arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Rangoon has been invaded! I'm actually quite happy with it. Only 1/3 of my troops are ashore and already we're at even force levels:

Ground combat at Rangoon

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17703 troops, 154 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 308

Defending force 6103 troops, 33 guns, 249 vehicles, Assault Value = 299



Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

I am going to keep on smashing 4th IJA Division with airpower from Moulmein. Knowing Faber troops will somehow magically appear to reinforce Rangoon soon. As such I want to try and take it quickly....if I can. I have decided against moving a Division from Moulmein since I can't afford to leave this sector too weak.

More massed bombing throughout Burma.

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3 x Tabby were shot down by P38J's over Macassar today.

The bombing campaign will start tomorrow. PB4Y's, B24J's and B29's will fly from Koepang against Balikpapan's oilfields. P38J's will fly escort from Maumere.

B25J's will fly from Maumere to bomb Macassar. Corsairs will escort them.

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SS Bowfin heavily damaged the troop laden AP Buyo Maru with a torpedo 240 miles east of Pagan.

SS Dace sank PC Takunan Maru 5 with 2 torpedoes 60 miles NW of Brunei.

Air sightings = 14
Air attacks = 0

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BB Richelieu, an AK and a LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well the Armour is taking longer than expected to 'disemark' from the AK's at Rangoon. A further Japanese unit has been detected by recon approaching Rangoon..........

I may in the end evac Rangoon if Faber puts a lot of force towards me.

We'll see. LBA from Moulmein pounded 4th Division's positions at Rangoon today.

Further Chinese units are being transported by air from Lashio to Myitkyina for the march to Mandalay.

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The raid on Balikpapan was a partial success. The Heavies took off on schedule from Koepang but the P38J's were socked in at Maumere. 52 enemy fighters were on CAP to meet my 133 Heavies. My gunners did well though in shooting down 3 fighters for the loss of 13 bombers. Good news is that 1/2 of the oil production was disabled today.

Faber will probably bring in further fighters tomorrow. As such I will rest the bombers and sweep with the P38J's from Maumere.

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My CV's are about 5 days out of PH.

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SS Spearfish heavily damaged AK Kano Maru with 2 torpedoes 120 miles east of Tarakan. The escorts failed to locate her.

SS Sawfish was attacked by 5 x ASW vessels 120 miles north of Macassar. 3 x DC near miss - 10/2/0.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 2

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SS Razorback and an LCI arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Well Faber is bringing troops to Rangoon faster than I can even unload my Armour.

Enough is enough in Burma. Time to withdraw from Rangoon now since Faber has nearly 700 AV there now and more is coming. I wll redeploy these units to Moulmein and continue to slowly but surely bomb the sh*t out of the Japanese until either:

a.) I breakthrough at Mandalay, Pagan or north of Rangoon.

b.) I receive enough reinforcements to move somewhere else.

VERY disappointing..............

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My fighter sweep performed well over Balikpapan. As predicted Faber flew in further fighters. The Japanese lost 52 planes to my 9 x P38J. The avergae experience of the unit rose from 59 to 65....veterans in the making......tomorrow the Heavies have been ordered back to finish off the Oilfields with the P38J's as escort.

I may not go for Macassar now. Infact I am tempted to not disclose where I will go for next in the SRA. I know I go on about this from time to time but isn't ist amazing that only Macassar was receiving reinforcements. Bali hasn't, Kendari hasn't, Menado hasn't, Amboina hasn't, Babo hasn't[8|]

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SS Devlifish evaded convoy escorts 300 miles east of Palembang.

All in all it's been a quiet few days for my submarines which I don't like. Probably time to relocate my patrols............

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

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All in all this day leaves me frustrated and with a sour taste in my mouth..........

Until tomorrow everyone night night.

[witpqs]

Speedy,

I read both AAR's, which is why I withhold comment on operations. I can say that no 'opsec violations' have been posted in Fabertong's AAR. I hope that is some comfort.

[Capt. Harlock]

When you study the map, an amphib assault at Rangoon wasn't that hard to guess. I'm afraid your situation is now much like what Grant faced trying to take Richmond. The enemy has a well-thought-out line of defense. There will be no brilliant manuever that can give you a breakthrough. You'll just have to find the weakest spot and hammer it until it gives.

[tabpub]

I may not go for Macassar now. Infact I am tempted to not disclose where I will go for next in the SRA. I know I go on about this from time to time but isn't ist amazing that only Macassar was receiving reinforcements. Bali hasn't, Kendari hasn't, Menado hasn't, Amboina hasn't, Babo hasn't

They're all against you....against you I say....next it will be the strawberries....

[Speedysteve]

Morning all,

Hi witpqs - thanks. If someone was doing this though I doubt they would do it publically. I just think bit of a coincidence I plan to invade Bali = he brings along an Amphibious Bde. I plan to invade Macassar = he brings in a further unit there. All of the other places I mentioned received nothing extra. Also interesting to note I have treated all of these places the same = no special bombing/recon anywhere. Either way i'm going to keep my next move in the SRA a secret. I may still invasde Macassar but I may not[;)]

Hi Capt. - Agreed. Burma is a quagmire again until I receive further reinforcements.

Hi Tabpub - LOL. It's a conspiracy I tell you[;)]

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The evacuation of Rangoon was ordered today. With 2 x IJA Bde and 1 x IJA Division mannign the defences it's too much for my Bde + 8 x ARM units to take. Hopefully I can extricate without additional losses.

Heavy bombing against Pagan and north of Rangoon.

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Balikpapan's Oilfields were attacked again today. They are down to 30% operational now. 9 x Nick FB tried to intercept my force but were dealt with by escorting P38J's.

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Some CVE's met my returning CV's to ferry replacement aircraft out to them. They are all fully stocked with Hellcat's again now.

Usual air raids against Tarawa, Maloelap, Eniwetok and Kwajalein.

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SS Drum was attacked by 3 x ASW vessels 60 miels NW of Miri. 1 x DC hit, 2 x DC near miss - 16/24/0. Returning to Darwin. SS Plaice SS Guitarro (The veteran at 74/75 experience) en route.

I am not seeing enemy ships at present. I will keep on station since it may just be a quiet period in his convoys. There are few places he can traverse without bumbing into a submarine.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 3

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An AK, LCI, LCI(G) and an LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[kilowatts]

ORIGINAL: tabpub
They're all against you....against you I say....next it will be the strawberries....

ROFLMAO

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet day overall.

The evacuation at Rangoon has gone well. All troops and armour are safely on their weay back to Moulmein.

Further Chinese elements are being ferried itno Myitkyina from Lashio whilst 4 x Chinese Corps march from Chungking to Yunan for air transport. When everyine is at Mandalay we will go again here and at Pagan.

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Balikpapan's oilfields are virtually no more. I will not go for the respirces since I feel Oil is the key weakness for Faber. My Heavies will rest for a few days. Especially since some new Superforts have arrived to replace the 2nd B24J squadron in the region.

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Quiet at CentPac whilst the CV's are 3 days out from PH.

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SS Burrfish was attacked by 5 x DD 120 miles SE of Shanghai. 4 x DC near miss - 20/1/0.

SS Pomfret strangely sank on the way back to Darwin today. I don't recall her being that heavily damaged. Weird.

I've noticed 2 subs that have sunk on the way back to port after suffering what I would not deem serious damage. Will keep an eye on this.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 0

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An AK arrives in theatre tomorrow.

Here's a look at the total air losses for us. Not great reading for Faber:

[kilowatts]

Wow ! Although he's lost almost twice as many a/c he still flew nearly 1,000 more sorties than you today.

[comander]

Hi speedy frist time reader it looks to me  from i read your OP may have pulled a lot off stuff out off places like PNG to stop you in bruma you may pick up bases from in the SWP if im rigth like PM RB and GC on the chep .

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi kilowatts - right. Those missions are training or ASW missions. They have to be since Faber flys no offensive missions for months!

Hi comander - welcome. Agreed. Faber probably has pulled out of the south Pacific. The only visibly active bases are PM, Gili Gili, Lunga, Tulagi and Rabaul. The focus remains as is but if the CentPac Operation goes well I may divert a CV division + 3 x Divisions down there at the end of 44 to 'clean up'.

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Massive airstrikes in Burma again. 32nd Ind. Mixed Bde on the Rangoon rail line for example sustained over 1000 casualties with 30+ guns...........My focres are 30 miles away from the Rangoon rail defences. I don't expect to beat him here yet (shock attack across the river of course) but he has been heavily interdicted by LBA and in time I will wear him down at some location.

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Kendai bombed by Mitchells from Maumere. A Tabby and Myrt destroyed on the ground.

An FS is planned with P38J's over Balikpapan tomorrow. Heavies continue to rest.

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SS Salmon blew up AK Asuka Maru with 5 shells and 3 torpedoes 120 miles east of Balikpapan.

SS Pipefish had a new encounter today against 'new type PC' craft 60 miles NE of Lingayen. These puppies carrying 14 x Type 2 DC and an AS Mortar launcher. Pipefish sank PC PC-6 with a torpedo but sustained 18 x near miss DC and 2 x hit DC - 81/66/0. Knowing how things have gone with damaged subs recently I doubt she'll make Darwin but they'll try.

Air sightings = 15
Air attacks = 1

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CVE Fanshaw Bay, SS Sirdar, an LCI and an LCI(G) arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

More of the same throughout Burma. The following units sustained 1000+ casualties north of Rangoon:

6th Ind. Bde
21st Mixed Bde
32nd Ind. Mixed Bde

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Kendari was bombed by Mitchells from Maumere which destroyed Tabby's, Myrt's and Dinah's on the ground.

My FS of Balikpapan found no enemy fighters on patrol.

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Bombing throught the Marshalls and at Gili Gili and PM (as per norm).

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SS S-43 evaded 4 x DD 180 miles east of Aomori.

Air sightings = 18
Air attacks = 1

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CVE Marcus Island, an SS and an LST arrive in theatre tomorrow as does 6th USMC Division and a B25J Squadron.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

This is the quiet period at the moment whilst troops move on Rangoon and Chinese form up in Burma. In SRA i'm awaiting my CVE's before attacking anymore. In CentPac we're goign to move off in the next month for the BIG operation.....

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More of the same in Burma......bombing of IJA troops....Chinese troops being ferried to Myitkyina........men are 25 miles to the Japanese defences north of Rangoon.

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Kendari airfields bombed and 2 x Tabby are destroyed.

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My CV's have reached PH and have refuelled, taken on board planes and pilots. They have docked so CLAA's, CL's anmd DD's can receive a 4/44 upgrade.

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I feel Faber is being quiet at the moment with his convoys. I just don't believe they could avoid ALL of my submarine hotspots. A couple of Japanese Convoys have been tracked in the Phillipine Sea of late. Maybe he's more active here.

AK Koki Maru sank due to submarine damage today at Jolo.

Air sightings = 15
Air attacks = 1

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An AK, AE, LCI and DE arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a Catalina Squadron.

[Terminus]

How's the Pipefish holding up?

[Speedysteve]

Up to 81/80/0 now T.
 
I really wonder if something happened to SS survivability or just bad die rolls for me of late. Normally subs don't seem to sink even if in 70ish FLT range. They seem to stay there until port is made. Mine just keep going up and up nowadays..............