Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

More massed boming in Burma.

The Andaman Island invasion force is assembling at Columbo.

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

With the thunderstorms clearing in the SRA and y P38J's FG's fully rested it's time to pound Soerabaja again with the heavies. This time I will win and smite the place. 2 x P38J FG will escort 2 x B29 BG and 3 x PB4Y squadron. That is if the weather is clear over both Maumere and Koepang.

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

Heavy bombing throughout the Marshalls.

Ships finishing final repairs at PH. Awaiting Yorktown's Hellcats and then we move further ships from San Francisco to PH and then onto the Mariana's.

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

SS Queenfish played cat and mouse with a DD and 2 x PC 180 miles NE of Miri. Queenfish missed DD Oite with 6 torpedoes throughout the day.

SS Shark II heavily damaged the large transport Anyo Maru with 2 torpedoes 480 miles WNW of Iwo Jima. In return DD Suzukaze landed 1 x DC near miss and 1 x DC hit - 34/42/0. Coupled with low fuel she is back to Wake Island for repairs.

SS Tally ho hit DD Haurkaze with a torpedo 180 miles SE of Singapore. In return PC PC-15 landed 7 x DC near miss - 20/7/0.

SS Cabrilla missed AP Koshu Maru #2 with 4 torpedoes 240 miles south of Iwo Jima.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 1

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

An AK, SS, MSW and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a PBM squadron.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

22nd Chinese Corps is almost fully at Myitkyina now. 2 more Chinese Corps to go.

The Andaman Island invasion fleet will leave Columbo tomorrow. CL Newfoundland will lead the fleet. 3x CVE will provide air cover for the invasion which I expect to be a 'piece of cake'.

Quiet along the Irrawadi front except Allied air and artillery bombardments.

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

The raid against Soerabaja was a stunning success:

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 46
N1K1-J George x 18
J2M Jack x 37

Allied aircraft
Mosquito PR.IX x 5
P-38J Lightning x 94
PB4Y Liberator x 40
B-29 Superfortress x 85

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 51 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 21 destroyed
J2M Jack: 29 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged
PB4Y Liberator: 4 damaged
B-29 Superfortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 145

I lost 8 x P38J for 67 enemy fighters in the air. In total 31 planes were lost today for 131 Japanese.

We go again tomorrow, hopefully. We then go for the Oilfields and from them we try to push Japanese airpower out of the whole region.

A B25J BG has flown into Lautem to bomb Kendari. It means both Macassar and Kendari will receive B25J attention daily.

My CVE's should be at Darwin within 2-3 days.

AP Mayodono Maru sank today due to damage sustained from my CVE raids.

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

Faber won the ASW battle today.

SS Bonefish was sunk by 10 x DC 420 miles NW of the Mariana's.

SS Plaice was damaged by 7 x near miss DC 180 miles NE of Miri - 20/1/0.

SS Sturgeon was attacked by 5 x PC 60 miles east of Tori Shima - 10 x DC near miss - 34/7/0.

The price you pay for playing a turn last night whilst drinking beer![;)]

AK Kenryu Maru (damaged 2 days ago by SS Cobia) was confirmed sunk today.

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

An AK arrives in theatre tomorrow.

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: Speedy


The price you pay for playing a turn last night whilst drinking beer![;)]

hi, nothing to add to your AAR but this statement get my attention.

How much cost beer (0.5 litre) in the England (pubs and stores)?

[Speedysteve]

Hi dumbass,
 
Not sure how much 1/2 litre is in pint terms but a pint of beer costs about £2.50-£3.50 where I live.

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
I assume that the Andaman operation is intended to eventually cut off Rangoon from sea resupply.  If so I entirely approve.  It also means that you do not have to launch ground offensives in Burma to break the lines.  Use the LCUs to pin the penguins in situ and then attrite them by air.  The last significant penguin land resupply line to Burma can be cut with a limited 1 hex land advance NE from Moulmein.
 
Also your air success over Soerabaja supports what I anticipated would result when I posted about the Lombok operation.
 
Alfred

[pauk]

pint=0.57 litres

so, a big portion of beer cost about 3.75-5.25 €....

dumbass, out

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - The Andaman operation is being conducted for 3 reasons. Firstly, to maintain a clear channel for my forces to and from Moulmein (Faber hasn't attempted to interdict any shipping in the area but he could've). Secondly, to provde a scout base for any IJN assets. Thirdly, to provide a forward base IF I decided to go for Sebang for example. Rangoon has been cut off from sea supply for months. There is no chance any enemy shipping could reach Rangoon with the 100's or planes in the area and the RN camped at Moulmein.

In time IF I achieve no direct success at Mandalay, Pagan and north of Rangoon I will reinfoirce Moulmein and move some forces north across the river, as you say, to cut the last road supply line to Burma.

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

The 1st New Chinese Corps is being airlifted to Myitkyina.

More of the same bombing at Pagan and north of Rangoon. Interestingly Faber has reinforced Pagan with 35th Bde and a Const. Bn (to build the forts back up). Liberators will now bomb the airfields to prevent that.

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

The Heavies hit Soerabaja agin but the escorts were socked in. Fortunately there was no enemy CAP present. The Heavies plastered the airfiedls destroying 104 enemy fighters on the ground (Zeke, George and Tony). Tomorrow we go for the oilfields at Soerabaja.

CVE's at Darwin tomorrow. The nwe can begin more offensive operations in the SRA.

PM and Gili Gili still being bombed by a Liberator BG to keep them interdicted at least.

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

I've noticed a Submarine at Tarawa which is clearly taking troops out. Also a small 2 ship TF moved in and out of Eniwetok (a unit has disappeared from recon) despite the place being surrounded by submarines[8|].

It's pretty clear to me Faber expects me to go for HI or Mariana's IMO. He will get his wish.

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

SS Queenfish was hunted by 3 x ASW vessels 120 miles NE of Brunei. Annoyingly she hit DD Oite with dud torpedoes. 7 x DC near miss - 13/18/0.

SS Dorado capsized the large transport Buenos Aires Maru with 2 torpedoes 240 miles south of Iwo Jima.

Air sightings = 15
Air attacks = 1

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

An LCI, 2 x LCI(G), an AK and an AV arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Allied airpower is once more demonstrated over Burma. I would hate to be in the Japanese front lines. For example north of Rangoon:

Day Air attack on 10th Ind. Brigade, at 30,32


Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 24
Liberator VI x 43
P-38J Lightning x 191
P-47D Thunderbolt x 43
B-25J Mitchell x 20
B-24J Liberator x 79


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
649 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

The Andaman Invasion force is 3-4 days out.

It's attached a Sit Rep of the region for you all to see the current battle lines and the Andaman Invasion force in the NW.

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

My CVE's have docked at Darwin, taken on board fuel and a couple of replacements planes and pilots. I'm now ready to move again in the SRA. I will outline my next invasions soon but want to keep them secret for now. Thank you to Alfred for prompting the next invasions[:)]

I am embarking 4 x SeeBee, 2 x EAB and 6 x air group in San Francisco bound for the SRA.

The Heavies took off and bombed Soerabaja's oilfields - 75% disabled. Luckily no enemy CAP flew since my escort was again grounded. They will rest for now.

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

Lots of tag today between my submarines and Japanese ASW forces.

SS Sawfish received 2 x near miss DC by 3 x PC + 1 x MSW 60 miles SE of Balikpapan - 16/0/0.

SS Queenfish was again hunted by 2 x PC + DD Oite 240 miles ENE of Miri. She later on hit DD Oite with a torpedo which sank the git. In return she received 5 x near miss DC's - 35/12/0. Back to Darwin for repairs. It's been a fun battle between these guys. 3 lots of cat and mouse games.

SS Clyde was attacked by 4 x PC 60 miles east of Singapore - 1 x DC near miss. She was later on attacked by a Sally and hit.

SS Tunny was attacked by 5 x MSW convoy escorts 360 miles east of Luzon.

Air sightings = 11
Air attacks = 2
Air hits = 1 - SS Clyde by a Sally 60 miles east of Singapore - 30/43/0. Returning to Columbo for repairs.

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

4 x AK, an AO and a TK arrive in theatre tomorrow as does 511th USA Glider Rgt and a PBM squadron.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

More of the same in Burma.

Andaman Island appears lightly defended with only 1 unit. We will probably land tomororw.

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

In the SRA all troops are aboard at Darwin. Just awaiting vital supplies to be loaded and then we set sail.

As my Heavies rest for another day i've ordered my P38J's to sweep Soerabaja just to see if Faber is still trying to protect here.

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

SS Ray and SS Seahorse attacked the same convoy during the day deep in the Phillipine Sea.

SS Ray damaged AP Heito Maru with a torpedo. She reeceived 3 x DC near miss from the 5 x DD escorts - 12/0/0.

SS Seahorse blew up AP Hasuna Maru with 5 torpedoes over 2 attacks. In return she received 1 x DC near miss - 4/0/0.

Air sightings = 8
Air attacks = 0

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

An SS, AK and a TK arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
Your outlined reasons for the Andaman operation are very sound.
 
Are you certain that you are getting the best return on your air assets in the SRA by going after oil/resource centres rather than concentrating exclusively on closing down airfields or even ports to reduce CD effectiveness?  Your overall sub operations have been quite effective in sinking penguin tankers/freighters.  Does the penguin have enough tankers to transport the oil back to Japan, and if he does, wouldn't the tankers provide better point targets than IJN PCs.  Each time you smash penguin airfields, either with 4E or Lightning sweeps, you do seem to accrue a lot of points for destroyed aircraft - perhaps even more points than you are currently gaining by sub operations.  Also by smashing airfields/air groups you reduce the capacity to interfere with your offensive operations.
 
Of course, your sigint may indicate that attacking his oil/resource centres is the optimal use of your air assets.  It is just that I wonder whether you have an up to date cost benefit analysis.  Would it not be nice to find that in a few months when you move to occupy Borneo (I assume that is still an objective), you could fairly quickly ship oil/resources to Australia (because the centres are captured largely intact) and not be so dependent on importing supplies/fuel from the USA west coast.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - once more your suggestions are very thoughful and well put. It's a tough one to know if i'm honest. I guess Faber has 20-30 operational Tankers and can still move some oil. I don't intend on going for resurce centres since I see no real benefit to reducing something he already has millions of. I do intend on going for Borneo. As such now i've smashed Balikpapan and Soerabaja's oil i'm out of targets within P38J range. I am conducting one more special oil op to keep Faber thinking but from then on it's going to be as you say smashing all active airfields in the area.

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

Andaman Island was stormed today by men of 11th East African Division. Resistance was ligth but the lack of experience i nthe men showed in the actual invasion itself (80 disbaled Infantry squads for example). It is mine though and only remnants of an IJN BF remained on the place. An AK was scuttled in the port to prevent capture.

The men will move to Dacca to recuperate.

A BF will move into position tomorrow and Catalina's will be flown in.

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

My P38J's once more performed fantastically over Soerabaja. They met enemy fighters on a 1:1 ratio but shot down 100+ enemy planes for the loss of 14 x P38. These men are veterans now and are all between 70-99 experience.

Supplies still loading up for my next invasion.

I've ordered a little sneak attack by B29's from Koepang to Palembang's oilfields to see what Faber has on defence there. It's just a little attack and won't be followed up.

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

SS Pargo missed AK Kibi Maru with 6 torpedoes 60 miles NW of Tori Shima.

SS Tally Ho hit AK Shinju Maru with dud torpedoes 240 miles NW of Kuching. In return she received 1 x near miss DC - 12/0/0.

SS Steelhead probably blew up oil laden AO Ondo with a torpedo 420 miles WNW of Iwo Jima. In return she received 1 x DC near miss - 8/0/0.

SS Billfish damaged AK Katuragi Maru with a torpedo 60 miles east of Soerabaja. In return she received 1 x DC near miss - 4/0/0.

SS Hackleback missed TK Kyuei Maru 60 miles NE of Taytay. In return she received 3 x DC near miss - 14/2/0.

Air sightings = 10
Air attacks = 0

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

A DD arrives in theatre tomorrow.

[Terminus]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

80 disbaled Infantry squads for example)

"disbaled"? You mean you have your infantry in hay bales?

[witpqs]

It's camouflage. [:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

LOL guys. It's a new experiment we're trying. Has failed so far on Andaman Island. Also there appears to be a ghost unit there since my men keep shock attacking[8|]:

Ground combat at Andaman Island

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 11022 troops, 101 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 285

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied max assault: 544 - adjusted assault: 126

Japanese max defense: 0 - adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 126 to 1

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

More of the same in Burma. I'm looking forward to see what (if any) effect the Chinese will have at Mandalay. When all of the Chinese troops assigned to Burma are there they will more than double my AV there. Of course they have limited amounts of artillery and their combat value per squad is low but we'll see.

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

The attack at Palembang can be termed a failure. 66 x Superfort foudn the massive target and met 37 x enemy fighters on CAP. These shot down 14 x Superfort at the cost of 4 x enemy fighters. The rest of the bombers dropped their load on the Oilfields but only disabled 19 out of 700 centres.

Still a little surprise that will hopefully keep Faber on his toes.

My boys will rest now before smashing more airfields in Java and Borneo.

About 1/2 of the supplies are aboard freighters for the next invasion.

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

A further AK sank due to Helldiver damage at Kwajalein.

I believe the bombing of the infrastructure and supplies is beginning to take effect on the Japanese since. Recon identifies fewer active enemy troops and guns on Tarawa and Maloelap.

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

SS Grouper damaged AK Matue Maru with a torpedo 120 miles NE of Soerabaja. In return 1 x DC near miss - 12/0/0.

Air sightings = 16
Air attacks = 2

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet day.....at least quiet as in nothing out of the ordinary happened. Massive bombing in Burma weakening enemy positions in preparations for our future attacks. I will probably try at Mandalay within 2 weeks. Pagan and north of Rangoon probably a little longer since my Infantry and Combat Engineers are still too disabled.

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

Quiet in SRA except the bombing of Macassar and Kendari by Mitchells.

I'm looking forward to my next invasions. I really would like to share with you what I have decided but i'm not going to until my ships are underway[:'(]

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

SS Billfish missed MSW Shintohoku Maru with 6 torpedoes 60 miles east of Soerabaja.

SS Trepang scored her first kill of the war by sinking the empty AP Hakka Maru with 2 torpedoes 420 miles NNW of Truk.

AO Ondo was confirmed sunk today............

Air sightings = 11
Air attacks = 0

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

3 x AK, 2 x LST and an SS arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A good day in the submarine war with 2 x enemy troop carrying ships sinking.

SS Grenadier surfaced and put 6 shells and 4 torpedoes into AK Mito Maru. It sank carrying 6th Fleet personnel. This occured 480 miles WNW of Saipan.

SS Perch II probably sank her first ship on her first ever patrol. She hit AP Sanura Maru with 2 out of 4 torpedoes 420 miles WNW of Iwo Jima..

SS Lionfish evaded convoy escorts 180 miles ESE of Batan Island.

Air sightings = 13
Air attacks = 3
Air hits = 1 - SS Salmon by a Helen 180 miles east of Balikpapan - 52/38/0. Moving back to Darwin for repairs.

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

More of the usual air raids against IJA positions in Burma, Macassar, the Marshalls etc.

AK Boko Maru confirmed sunk at Kwajalein today by Helldivers.

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

4 x SS moving from San Francisco to Darwin. I have a nice sub reserve in Darwin now. 55 x Submarines at all stages in Darwin - damaged and ready for combat! I plan to launch a new battle group for the South China Sea soon.............

3 x AK and 2 x LST arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,
 
Well the vacation time of Christmas is looming.
 
Faber is snowed under with work at present and he thniks he may not get a turn back to me before I head off. That being the case I wanted to thank you all for reading and contributing to my AAR. I wouldn't do this if there wasn't interest/support so thank you.
 
I will be away seeing family from tomorrow until Boxing Day and then i'm in Istanbul with GF until New Years Eve.
 
All the best everyone,
 
Steven

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Speedy


Faber is snowed under with work at present and he thniks he may not get a turn back to me before I head off. That being the case I wanted to thank you all for reading and contributing to my AAR. I wouldn't do this if there wasn't interest/support so thank you.

I will be away seeing family from tomorrow until Boxing Day and then i'm in Istanbul with GF until New Years Eve.

Too bad -- Burma is really getting interesting. You're off to Istanbul, eh? Just don't quote any Byzantine Emperors . . . [;)]

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
Enjoy the R&R.
 
Really, at least 90% of the value of this AAR stems from your endeavours alone.  It is succinct, concentrating on the strategic issues.  Avoids the padding of listing interminable combat reports.  Pays due deference to logistics, primarily through detailing your submarine operations.  Includes appropriate eye candy (ie map displays).  Overall it reads as if it were a report on a real life struggle and not an AAR of an electronic game.  I don't see anyone else responsible for these elements other than yourself.  In fact I think you did make a good case for receiving that 30% discount from Matrix just for this AAR which must provide good publicity for WITP.
 
BTW, there is nothing wrong with quoting Byzantine emperors.  Having read the Regensburg address I am certain that all those who criticised the speech did not actually read the speech.
 
Alfred

[Terminus]

Of course not... They'd not have a leg to stand on if they had...