Hi R,
Wouldn't have worked.
I've tested this. The power of uncontested/non-disrupted CD guns are immense. If I put 100 x MSW in a TF they would almost ALL get wiped out.
I have come to the conclusion that any invasion against an extensive CD/minefield you HAVE TO accept losses.
Thsi is why I am actually fairly happy with the results.
Ok I have lost 30 x MSW, 15-20 LCI/LST and may lose 20-30 x AK/AP aswell. BUT the troops are ashore in good order and Saipan is mine IMO. It will take time but it should fall.
No, i meant put 5 BBs, 15 CAs, + a bunch of DDs with MSWs, APs, AKs and trying landing troops that way... maybe the large number of heavy warships would be better able to suppress the CDs while the MSWs did their work. Alas, this would drastically cut down on the number of troops being landed. However, the MSWs might survive and quickly clear out the mines, and the CAs and BBs might suppress or destroy the CDs. Then, once the TF is unloaded (and mines swept), transfer the CAs and BBs into the next TF to unload.
i agree just putting MSWs into their own TF is a good way to get rid of unwanted MSWs... [X(] [8|] [:'(]
Could work.
My gut feeling knowing the game engine though would be that the MSW's would be swatted by the CD guns anyway. Almost like putting escorts TO bombard on.....KABLAMMO.
An idea though as you say...........[:)]
Hi guys - pfffft. Theorise all you want dumbasi. You're all gonna get it. We have devious plans.......muhahahahahha....right back to my game with Faber.
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Saipan was agian the focus today. Faber was amazed at the amount of force I have brought to bear against Saipan. The amazing thing is I still have another 8 x division back in PH/West Coast ready for a follow up deployment.
The landings continued in immense earnest today resulting in a further 24 x MSW, LCI, LST, AK, AP sinking today. The worst loss was CL Honolulu sinking due to mine/CD fire.
The good news is the troops are ashore in excellent condition. I heavily outnumber the Japanese and we attack tomorrow:
Ground combat at Saipan
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 30230 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 727
Defending force 213661 troops, 2599 guns, 1262 vehicles, Assault Value = 6175
Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
-----------------------
More mass bombings in Burma. Time to attack again soon.
-----------------------
In the SRA my transports reached Pontianak today under cover of P47D's and P38J's. Unfortunately for Faber these 60 veterans flying CAP were more than a match for inferior planes and pilots. IJN CV's lingered around 120 miles NW of Singkawang. They launched attacks (along with LBA from Batavia) against my transports but were all reoulsed. The Japanese lost 104 planes in the region (Zeke, Judy, Grace, Nick, Jack, Sally) vs my 9!
My mass of men and supply will unload tomorrow. NW Borneo should be mine now. With Kuching will go the convoy route to Sumatra and Java..............
The Japanese are sending reinforcments to Singkawang (2nd ARM Rgt has just landed) and a convoy has been reoported approaching Kuching.
Allied men have marched 130 miles east of Banja. They are now 170 miles away from Balikpapan chasing the Japanese in full retreat.
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SS Scamp was hunted by 4 x ASW craft 120 miles north of Jesselton. 12 x DC near miss - 39/10/0. Back to Darwin.
SS Seawolf missed AP Yuzan Maru with 4 torpedoes 180 miles east of Tarakan.
Hi Andy - it sure is overkill. I wanted to make sure though. I still have 6 x USA Division + ARM etc preparing for another location in the US. I have enough ready forces to follow up when i'm ready.
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2 main areas of action today.
Firstly I was surprised that Faber continued to react aggresively at Pontianak in SRA. Not just with CV's but with major surface elements. It is fortunate that I had BB Valiant TF as protection. They performed admirably. Most of the ships were heavily damaged other than BB Valiant, CA Devonshire and DD Decoy. Some punishment was dished out to BB Ise and DD Minazuki:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
CA Myoko, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 4
DD Okinami
DD Asashimo
DD Satsuki
DD Minazuki
DD Hakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Kuri
DD Otori, Shell hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 4
CA Devonshire
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Birmingham
CL Newcastle
DD Arrow, Shell hits 2
DD Decoy
DD Nestor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Norman, Shell hits 3, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Myoko, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
CL Isuzu, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Okinami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Asashimo, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Satsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
DD Hakaze
DD Kuri, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Otori, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
BB Valiant, Shell hits 9, on fire
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Frobisher, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arrow, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Decoy, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Nestor, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Norman, Shell hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Pontianak at 25,58
Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 1
CA Chokai
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CL Yahagi
CL Nagara
CL Kiso
CL Tatsuta
DD Makinami
DD Usugumo
DD Isonami
DD Shirayuki
DD Fumizuki
Allied Ships
DD Longshaw, Shell hits 38, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Marshall, Shell hits 34, and is sunk
SC SC-1061, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
SC SC-1065
TK Topila, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
TK Papoose, Shell hits 12, on fire, heavy damage
TK Baldbutte
TK Baldhill
TK Chas Kurz
TK Muskogee, Shell hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Gulfdawn
TK Gulfgem
TK Gulfhawk
AK Seaman A. Knapp
AK Sheldon Jackson, Shell hits 2, on fire
AK Sherman O. Houghton
AK Sidney Edgerton
AK Smith Thompson
AK Stanford Newel
AK Stanley Matthews
AK Stephen H. Long
AK Stephen M. White
AK Stephen W. Kearny
AK Sylvester Pattie
AK Thomas Crawford
AK Uriah M. Rose
AK W. B. Ayer
AK W. B. Rodgers
AK Watson C. Squire
AK Wayne MacVeagh
AK William A. Coulter
AK William Ford Nichols
AK William Glackens
AK William H. Ashley, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
AK William J. Gray, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK William Kent
AK William L. Garrison
AK William Sharon
AK William Vaughn Moody
AK William W. Campbell
AK Hibbing Victory
MSW Outarde
Some damaged was sustained by my supply/fuel convoy but only a few ships were lost.
My heavily damaged ships (only DD Arrow and DD Nestor sank) will harbour in Pontianak.
BB Valiant and CA Devonshire were both hit by Sally dropped bombs during the day that achieved nothing notable.
Most of my troops are ashore at Pontianak which is key though. 2 x ARM Bn's are on their way to hold the line at Singkawang whilst the combat divisions form up at Pontianak.
-----------------------
Over in the Mariana's the Japanese moved in substantial air reinforcements including the first of a new type of attack: Kamikazi's!
A mass of air attacks were launched against my transport and CV TF's throughoiut the day.
Over 200 enemy planes were lost throughout the day vs my 40. The only damaged sustained by my ships was:
BB Idaho, Bomb hits 1
AK Naos, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Tabinta, Kamikaze hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
The heaviest attack was against CV Wasp TF:
Day Air attack on TF at 64,65
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22
N1K1-J George x 88
G4M2 Betty x 14
Hi Nik - Dumbass. It's called staging more troops at Saipan so I can strike quicker at Tinian.....dumbass[:'(]
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Another fun day in the war.
In Burma the time is nearing for an attack at both Mandalay and north of Rangoon. That position is pretty weak for the Japanese now with malaria and daily bombing.
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In the SRA all of my damaged ships made either Banja or Pontianak.....except CA Devonshire which took 3 torpedoes from Grace's NW of Banja. She quickly sank.
The Japanese also tried to attack BB Valiant over Banja but a mixed Hellcat, Spitfire, Thunderbolt, Wildcat and Lightning force saw 20 enemy planes show down for no loass.
Further air units are moving into the SRA - Corsairs and Spitfires.
IJN BB/CV's have moved away from Pontianak for now at least. This is good since tomorrow the last of the troops will disembark.
There are now a reported 6 enemy units at Singkawang. Should be a good arse kicking coming up when 2 x USA Division march from Pontianak[;)]
I have already established air superiority over Pontianak with Thunderbolts and Corsairs on the scene.
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Over at Saipan the unloading continues today. A further 3 ships sank due to CD/mine damage. Almost everyone is ashore now though and Saipan itself should fall soon:
Ground combat at Saipan
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 259643 troops, 2818 guns, 1242 vehicles, Assault Value =
5989
Defending force 45342 troops, 264 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 620
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 7
Allied max assault: 4992 - adjusted assault: 5898
Japanese max defense: 461 - adjusted defense: 2443
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 7)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 7
Japanese ground losses:
3365 casualties reported
Guns lost 41
Allied ground losses:
1877 casualties reported
Guns lost 74
Vehicles lost 11
Interestingly there are still 48 heavily damagaed invasion ships in the area - DD/DE/CL/AK/AP/LCI/LST/MSW! I need to capture Saipan port for these to have any chance of survival.
Even though I will take Saipan it has taken a toll on invasion shipping.
My CV's plastered Guam's airfields today after yesterday's enemy airstrikes. 50 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground and no attacks were made by the Japanese today.
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No submarine attacks today.
Air sightings = 6
Air attacks = 0
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CV Indomitable, 2 x AK, an AP, a DD, DE and LSD arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a Dakota TCG at Karachi.
Japanese: - 3 bases (+264 points)
Allied: + 3 bases (- 26 points). I don't understand how this can be though?[&:]
Planes:
Allies lost: 729
Japanese lost: 2244
Troops:
Allies lost: 318 points
Japanese lost: 317 points
Ships:
Allies lost: 147 - 905 points - woah! More than I thought here. Shows the effet of invasions. 100 of these must be from Saipan. The rest from SRA invasions. Woah............
Japanese lost: 58 - 541 points - also a substantial amount reflecting the intense sea battles around Banja/Pontianak. Submarines have accounted for about 1/2 of these.......
Strategic points: 0
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Thoughts - I am surprised at the amount of shipping lost. It's worth it though since Saipan will net me a lot of points and more importantly will allow:
1.) Night bombing of Japan by B29's.
2.) Subjugation of Mariana's.
3.) Base for further operations.
4.) Base for Navy for deep attacks in the Empire.
I have plans for all 4 of these points..............
The continuing disparity between Allied and Jpanese airforces is apparent. This will only deepen IMO.
Saipan's defenders are weakening and will fall over the next few days. CV's still on station for support although fuel is getting low (AO's will replenish soon).
4 more ships sank around Saipan today.
20 enemy planes were blown up on Guam's airfields.
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In the SRA the last of the troops have disembarked at Pontianak and 2 x USA division (31st/93rd) are marching to Singkawang to take the decent sized airbase.
I have refuelled my transports and they will leave for the safer waters of Banja within 2 days.
44 x Zeke flew from Singkawang today on a Kamikazi mission against my shipping at Pontianak. My Corsairs and Thunderbolts shot down 90% of them. The 10% that made it through did not hit any shipping.
Batavia's airfields were hit by B29's today. I figured he'd be housing planes to hit my shipping here. 30 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground.
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SS Spadefish blew up AK Chinkai Maru with 2 shells and 3 torpedoes 60 miles NE of Jesselton.
SS I-41 hit BB California with 6 dud torpedoes inbetween Saipan and Wake. Phew. In return DD LaVallette pummelled the enemy submarine with 12 x DC hits leaving her heavily damaged.
Faber slipped in BB Yamashiro TF amongst my transports at Pontianak. A day before they were due to leave. Grrrrr. He sank 4 x SC, 1 x DD, 1 x DE and 4 x AK.
Allied units are now 60 miles NW of Balikpapan.
Other than that there were no enemy air attacks in the region today.
---------------------
5 more ships sank at Saipan today.
Every day the enemy defences become weaker:
Ground combat at Saipan
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 258764 troops, 2650 guns, 1230 vehicles, Assault Value = 5682
Defending force 37609 troops, 170 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 508
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 5
Allied max assault: 5220 - adjusted assault: 6923
Japanese max defense: 338 - adjusted defense: 2245
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 5)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 5
Japanese ground losses:
2232 casualties reported
Guns lost 42
Allied ground losses:
1044 casualties reported
Guns lost 49
Vehicles lost 3
15 x George were destroyed on the ground at Guam today.
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SS Mingo evaded convoy escorts 60 miles west of Singkawang.
SS Tarpon evaded 3 x ASW craft 60 miles NE of Morotai.
SS Drum sank AK Nagoya Maru with 3 torpedoes 180 miles east of Tarakan.
SS O24 missed AK Terukawa Maru with 2 torpedoes 120 miles east of Tarakan.
Air sightings = 8
Air attacks = 0
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2 x LST and an AK arrive in theatre tomorrow as does 1st Phillipine RCT.
The time is right to attack again in Burma. IJA positions north of Rangoon APPEAR very weak. I've attahced a screenshot of our forces.
I'm also going to attack tomorrow at Mandalay. Although I don't expect success here.
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It was fairly quiet in SRA today other than the Japanese tried to push back my Para's on the edge of Singkawang. They attacked using a mixture of Para's, army, SNLF and ARM. The attack failed though:
Ground combat at Singkawang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 6777 troops, 10 guns, 141 vehicles, Assault Value = 332
Defending force 833 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55
Japanese max assault: 182 - adjusted assault: 80
Allied max defense: 52 - adjusted defense: 41
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
He will succeed here though. Reinforcements are coming from Pontianak but have many miles to go. Even if he does it's only a minor blip until the main force arrives.
Allied ARM is 60 miles west of Balikpapan now. Recon indicates 8 enemy units in Balikpapan. Will be interesting to see what he has there.
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Japanese positions on Saipan are assaulted by the Allies again. They are resisting bravely but are being pushed further and further back. I should capture the base within 2 more days of attacks:
Ground combat at Saipan
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 258626 troops, 2612 guns, 1247 vehicles, Assault Value = 5639
Defending force 34666 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 446
Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4
Allied max assault: 5192 - adjusted assault: 7572
Japanese max defense: 276 - adjusted defense: 2212
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4
Japanese ground losses:
1807 casualties reported
Guns lost 41
Allied ground losses:
582 casualties reported
Guns lost 49
Vehicles lost 8
A further 2 Allied ships sank at Saipan today.
----------------------
SS I-26 heavily damaged the empty AK Indianan inbetween Saipan and Wake Island. In return I-26 was damaged by 7 x DC.
Air sightings = 8
Air attacks = 1
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2 x LST, an LCI(G) and an AK arrive in theatre tomorrow.
In Burma. My attack at Mandalay failed (mostly disablements in the 15,000 casualties) but my attack north of Rangoon pushed back the majority of Japanese defenders. Only 1 unit remains opposite my men. I have ordered a massive effort tomorrow ordering all troops to shock attack and follow............
This could be decisive. As you can see from the map above Faber either moves troops NE of Moulmein to stop the rout or he pulls out of Burma. IF he pulls troops from NE of Moulmein I will advance from here again to cut his supply..............
The evidence of my attack:
Ground combat at 30,32
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 49936 troops, 279 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1141
Defending force 28815 troops, 35 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 584
Allied max assault: 1124 - adjusted assault: 1142
Japanese max defense: 344 - adjusted defense: 243
Allied assault odds: 4 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
367 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
909 casualties reported
Guns lost 22
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
-----------------
In the SRA it was a quiet day with Allied LCU's advancing on both Balikpapan and Singkawang.
My damaged ships are either in Pontianak or on their way back to Darwin (including my British BB's) before moving to southern Australia for major repair.
Interestingly CVE Gambier Bay (passing 240 miles SW of PM) located an enemy AK approaching PM and launched 6 x TBM to attack it. They all missed but I guess this is to either bring supplies to PM or evacuate some of the few remaining Japanese troops there.
CVE Gambier Bay (SYS 34) will move towards PM to try and sink the git before moving tio Sydney for repair.
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Saipan was finally taken today as Allied infantry routed the Japanese into the caves and hills.............
This is a CRUCIAL day in the war. Mark it. 5th July 1944.
60 damaged ships enter the harbour..............AO's and airgroups will be unloaded tomorrow.........Base Forces will unload tomorrow..............soon B29's will operate here against Japan.
Plans are already afoot for my next Operation.
I have lost more Auxilliary/transport ships than I wanted BUT my CV/BB Fleet is totally untouched..............
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No submarine attacks today.
I am expecting fewer submarine attacks from now on due to a shorter Japanese Line of Supply - he has no Mariana's to navigate now and Borneo is virtually off limits (except Miri/Brunei) as is Java and soon to be Sumatra...............
Air sightings = 10
Air attacks = 0
SS Pompon sank due to her wounds sustained in South China Sea just short of Darwin.
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An AK and an AV will arrive in theatre tomoorw as does a B29 BG in San Francisco.
The 35th Ind. Mixed Bde was routed opposite the Allies north of Rangoon. The Allies rapidly pursued the Japanese south towards Rangoon.
Could this be the breakthrough I need to rout the Japanese for good here? Japanese elements are leaving Mandalay as well. There are still 90,000 there but my weary troops will attack here tomorrow.
A Sit Rep is attached below.
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In SRA BB Yamashiro TF bombarded Pontianak with little effect (60 Allied casualties). Annoyingly my 6" CD guns did not fire back.
Allied forces have assembled west of Balikpapan and have started the march towards it.
Reinforcements are 30 miles away from Singkawang.
To mop up empty bases in the region 2nd USMC Para Bn started this process today by taking Pamakasan off the east coast of Java.
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A mass of unloading took place at Saipan today. The Engineers have already repaired the airbases and runways.
Airgroups and fuel should be ashore tomorrow.
A further 2 ships sank at Saipan Port today.
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SS Flounder was attacked by 6 x DD 180 miles SW of Hong Kong - 3 x DC near miss - 10/0/0.
SS Haddock missed AK Nitiai Maru with 4 torpedoes 120 miles SE of Letye.
Air sightings = 8
Air attacks = 0
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An LCI, LCI(G) and an AO arrive in theatre tomorrow.