Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma -

The advance continues with Allied forces almost linking up between Tavoy and Victoria Point. The mass Allied army of British, Commonwealth and Chinese forces will reach Rahaeng within 3-4 days.

I will post a separate post for the plans of Burma and in conjunction with that SRA......

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

SRA -

Jesselton was taken today and the Japanese put up a weak defence. For the loss of 800 Allied lives and 3000 injured a strategically important bas has been taken on NE Borneo allowing numerous further offensives to be taken against Indo China, PI and Formosa.

The options will be discussed in the next post.

Support forces and supply will reach Jesselton within a day or 2. Then we patch the airfield up, fly in aircraft and begin constructing more airfields to max the SPS 3 base.

My British CV's moved down the Malacca Strait near Kuala Lumpur. An Avenger recon spotted a Japanese convoy near the east coast of Malaya. 2 raids were launched against this unprotected TF and the following ships were hit:

AR Satsuki Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Sekko Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Kotoku Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Nako Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AR Houn Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

AP Sekko Maru and AK Kotoku Maru were confirmed sunk by the end of the day. The AR's are a nice catch.

The Japanese responded with a Betty strike from Alor Star:

Day Air attack on TF at 22,46

Japanese aircraft
G4M2 Betty x 9
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 31

Allied aircraft
Corsair IV x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M2 Betty: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 21 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair IV: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CVE Begum
CV Indomitable

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M2 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

A lone AK was pounded with 12 bombs outside of Batavia by Mossie and Helldiver's from Pontianak.

SS Queenfish damaged AK Nitiyu Maru with a torpedo inbetween Camranh Bay and Saigon

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

CentPac -

Forces continue to embark at Saipan.

Iwo Jima bombed throughout the day.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Right it's now time to took about the future for Burma and linked into it the SRA.

I have attached the current situation in Burma.

The Japanese dispositions are as such:

1. Faber has 4000AV of Divisions trapped in the Jungle east of Rahaeng. My aim is to keep them there to starve and die. To enforce that 1000AV of Chinese troops are ot be kept behind to surround the Japanese in a huge concentration camp. If only I knew that starved units counted towards VP's.................

2. Faber's new line of defence is centered around Bangkok comprising of 49 units. Now bases on the AV which escaped Burma (2000) and the 1200AV assumed at Tavoy + other's from Indo China I would assume an AV of between 4000-6000 at Bangkok. This is pure conjecture and may be wildly innacurate.

3. Malaya - looks pretty bare. Other than a token force at Alor Star/Georgetown at least supporting air units everything seems to have fled towards Festung Singapore. Recon has identified 11 units comprising 80,000 men

4. Sumatra - not important to me and I will not invade here at this point int time unless it's to grab an empty base.

5. Indo China - Don't have a lot of info here but Saigon seems to house 8 units and Camranh Bay 5-6. In due course more recon will be flown over here.

Allied Dispositions are as such:

1. The main army is marching on Rahaeng comprising 6000AV with disablements. Fully fit would be 9500AV.

2. Tavoy/Victoria Point comprises about 3000AV and most of my ARM units.

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

My current thinking and plan:

1. Keep a substantial blocking force north and west of Bangkok. They will not assault Bangkok unless recon identifies a weaker force than expected.

2. A significant force of c.4000AV will take Malaya overland. The capture of Singapore will be signficant for a few reasons. Firstly, it gives me a non-malarial base essential for LCU rehabilitation. Secondly, it gives me a good ship repair port. Thirdly, it opens up the potential for further invasions towards Japan. Fourthly, it will provide 2000+ VP's for me.

3. With the capture of Singapore I will then use these forces combined with the northern Borneo forces (at present c.1800AV + 4 x Aus Divisions in Darwin that I need to use PPs for = 2 of these should be available to use by then) to conduct an amhpibious landings in Indo China to trap Faber at Bangkok.

4. A lot of assumption is in these plans depending on how Faber reacts. If he moves back from Bangkok it changes everything for example.

5. The capture of Jesselton opens up the possibility of PI/Hainan invasions for example. Recon from here over the next month will determine enemy oppositions in these areas which may be exploited independently of Burma operations. Interestingly the Jesselton capture puts Fabers 1400AV at Balikpapan in an even more precarious position as shipping to Balikpapan/Tarakan will be subject to Allied LBA now.

Let me know what you think of this?

Regards,

Steven

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

For what it's worth. Here's the SRA

[Capt. Harlock]

Let me know what you think of this?

I'm afraid you're not going to get much in the way of feedback. Faber has also posted some thoughts on the Burma/Malaya/Indochina theater, and so we readers are going to have to be extra-cautious not to betray either side's secrets.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. - Ah I see. No problem[:)]

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

Burma -

Allied Tanks have reached the river dividing Japanese territory and Bangkok and the, now, Allied territory on the other side.

Over 100,000 tonnes of supply and fuel will begin to unload at Victoria Point tomorrow

Japanese airforces launched a successful small raid on RB heavy units outside of Victoria Point. They evaded the small number of Thunderbolts on CAP and a Betty torpedo hit home on BC Renown (20/24/2) and a Grace Kamikaze wrecked the superstructure of CL Durban (63/12/17). All warships are to retire to Columbo since no Japanese surface threat remains in the area.

A series of attack were launched again RN CV's near Georgetown area. Over 45 enemy planes were shot down throughout the day but despite this a few Betties did break through the Corsair CAP but failed to hit any of my ships. This force will also retire after hitting the last remaining enemy TF in the area - a PG TF at Medan. PG Taiko Maru and PG Nanpo Maru both sank quickly after multiple torpedo hits. 2 more PG's were damaged by a torpedo.

Allied Mediums and Heavies based in Burma are to target known active enemy airfields to remove the recently moved in air threat.

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

SRA -

Support and supply will begin unloading at Jesselton tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the last day these ships will be vulnerable to enemy action since planes will be flown in for cover tomorrow and PT's assembled from AK's.

2 more barges were sunk by Mossies near Palembang.

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

CentPac -

Operation Swift will be launched tomorrow - the invasion of Iwo Jima.

I will detail the forces once they are underway tomorrow. I expect to take Iwo Jima since recon identifies only 70,000 Japanese on the island. I have bombed the place for 6 weeks now but i'm not overly happy with the level and extent of the attacks.

[wernerpruckner]

 
Operation Swift

 
[X(]

[pauk]

ORIGINAL: swift

 
Operation Swift

[X(]

don't worry he named this operation in my honour... right Speedy?[:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

I decided upon Operation Swift for 2 reasons - firstly since i'm naming all of my operations i nthis after birds....ultimately leading to operation Emperor Penguin[;)]

Secondly, in honour of my former BTR opponent and co-tester.....

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

CentPac -

So we near towards the invasion of Iwo Jima. It's probably about 4-5 days away now. Iwo Jima was bombed again by my CV's. Recon has detectd a small convoy at Tori Shima to the north and CV4 is moving to intercept.

So onto the compostion of my forces for Operation Swift:

CV1 - CV Randolph, Ticonderoga + 2 x CVL
CV2 - CV Lexington, CV Saratoga, CV Wasp + 2 x CVL
CV3 - CV Essex, CV Bunker Hill + 2 x CVL
CV4 - CV Enterprise, CV Hornet, CV Yorktown + 2 x CVL

(Just for info: I have CV Hancock/Franklin in SRA. CV Shangri-La/Bon Homme Richard in San Fran and CV Intrepid repairing at PH - 9 SYS).

19 x CVE in 3 TF..................

BB1 - BB Idaho, BB Mississippi
BB2 - BB North Carolina, BB Washington
BB3 - BB South Dakota, BB Indiana
BB4 - BB Massachusetts, BB Alabama
BB5 - BB Iowa, BB New Jersey
BB6 - BB Nevada, BB California, BB Tenessee

Ground forces:

RADM Wilkinson's III Amphib Force will Command offshore.
XXIV Corps will command on the ground.

1st USMC
3rd USMC
4th USMC
6th USMC
Americal Division
81st USA Division
98th USA Division
77th USA Division
38th USA Division
41st USA Division
43rd USA Division
9th Australian Division
1st Phillipine RCT
187th USA Glider Rgt
18th USA Eng
19th USA Eng
34th USA Eng
5th Aus ARM Rgt
4th Aus ARM Rgt
8th Aus ARM Rgt
X USA Corps Art
XI USA Corps Art

I said before ever since Wake I have learnt my lesson. The game dictates, due to stacking, a sledgehammer is needed just in case.............

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

Burma -

Allied forces have met inbetween Tavoy and Victoria Point. An USA RCT is moving south into Malaya towards Bandou.

Interesting little experiment by me with the trapped Japanese force in the jungle. He attacked and kicked my ARM Bde out but look at his appaling adjusted AV:

Ground combat at 30,35

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 192245 troops, 815 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4015

Defending force 8310 troops, 11 guns, 467 vehicles, Assault Value = 222

Japanese max assault: 6248 - adjusted assault: 728

Allied max defense: 231 - adjusted defense: 39

Japanese assault odds: 18 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1167 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Guns lost 8
Vehicles lost 19


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

This force will be kept in their Jungle prison.

Allied LBA heavily hit both Alor Star and Bangkok destroying 70 enemy planes throughout the day. A small attack on my freighters at Victoria Point was repulsed by the Lightning CAP.

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

SRA -

Support forces and supply have started to disembark at Jesselton. It will take a day or 2 until the airfield is operational. I hope I can minimise force damage during that time.

A small 5 x IJN DD force attemoted to attack my ships in the night. CL Danae and DD Uhlmann intercepted and heavily damaged DD Akishimo and DD Minekaze. In return DD Uhlmann broke in two after a torpedo hit. They prevented the Japanese from attacking my unloading convoy though.

AK Kiyosumi Maru was attacked and sunk with 3 torpedoes 240 miles NW of Pontianak.

[Capt. Harlock]

I said before ever since Wake I have learnt my lesson. The game dictates, due to stacking, a sledgehammer is needed just in case.............

IIRC there were only 22,000 men on Iwo Jima historically -- about one-third of what your recon indicates. (Realistically I don't think such a force could be maintained on such a small island with such inhospitable terrain, but that's the game for you.)

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. I agree. I wish there was some kind of hard coded limit for each base but that would be hard to achieve I guess.

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

Burma -

The allies continue to advance south through Burma. The main Allied force has reached Rahaeng now and will continue south.

I forgot to mention that in China Faber is clearly having problems since 2days agao the force beseiging Kunming began to pull back towards Kweiyang. Some of the force was left behind though and I smshed them back towards Kweiyang today:

Ground combat at Kunming

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 155566 troops, 211 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5150

Defending force 47985 troops, 564 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 985

Allied max assault: 5649 - adjusted assault: 6143

Japanese max defense: 957 - adjusted defense: 23

Allied assault odds: 267 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
6791 casualties reported
Guns lost 221

Allied ground losses:
2994 casualties reported
Guns lost 65


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

I was debating whether to follow the Japanese into Kweiyang but for now will stay in Kunming. The reasons for this are:

1. The industry wil function in Kunming now = more supply[:)]
2. My units are beginning to fill out again. Keeping them in a friendly city with no enemy will accelerate that process.

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

SRA -

No enemy attacks by sea or air on Jesselton today. Good. By the end of the evening the runway was mainly cleared and the first allied planes touched down soon after - 23rd FG P51D's1 [:)]

I have decided to try a deliberate attack at Balikpapan. I don't expect success but it's important to test the enemy defences.

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

CentPac -

Forces continue towards Iwo Jima unolested by air or sea.

Recon detected enemy airforces had flown back into Pagan. As such they were dealt a smashing by heavies and mediums froim Saipan which destroyed 49 Zeries on the ground.

CV4 found no enemy ships at Tori Shima.

Both Iwo Jima and Bonin Island will be hit tomorrow.

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
I am experiencing technical difficulties in posting a response to your post of 26 June.  To overcome them I am going to make sequential mini posts.  In general I agree with your plans and refer you to my previous posts regarding SEAC and SWPac strategy.
 
Alfred

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
You may not need an army of 4000 AV to recapture the Malay peninsula.  Firstly, your screenshot shows only Singapore has a substantial garrison.  Therefore a small flying armoured column from Victoria Point may suffice to capture all the, excepting Singapore, Malay bases before reinforcements arrive.  Secondly, Moses's AAR v jwilkerson shows that the Port Moresby defenders AV was halved because a paradrop occurred simultaneously with the amphibious landing.  Therefore if you "borrow" a para unit from the Americans and drop it on Singapore on the same turn as you both land over the beach a brigade and cross the river with the main body, the Singapore defenders AV may be considerably reduced.
 
Alfred

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
For the reasons outlined in my post of 11 June, I am not convinced that you will move on Bangkok via Rahaeng that quickly, whereas you can approach Bangkok from the west (ie Victoria Point) quite quickly.  You should not stop west and north of Bangkok.  Instead blitz into Bangkok from the west and when the northern army arrive you can then redeploy the western army to the capture of Singapore.  Admittedly this will entail a river crossing into Bangkok but it has several advantages.
 
1.  It cuts off the supply line to Rahaeng
 
2.  It prevents the penguin from putting up a delaying rearguard on the jungle hexes west and north of Bangkok
 
3.  It neutralises the local Bangkok rresource centres
 
4.  It forces the penguin to strongly garrison Bangkok, thereby making it easier for you to outflank him by landing, say at Camranh Bay.
 
Alfred

[Capt. Harlock]

Faber is posting the results of a monster Cv clash near Jesselton, including heavy damage to at least two USN fleet carriers. [X(] What can you tell us from the Allied side?

[pauk]

Yes, we want to hear about this battle[:'(]

[wernerpruckner]

Steven seems to be shell-shocked [:D]

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: swift

Steven seems to be shell-shocked [:D]

Speedy is out of town - perhaps he will post later tonight.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - thanks for your thoughts[:)]

Regarding Malaya - I could do the former but further recon has identified 5 units at Alor Star comprising 23,000 troops. Probably a Bde/Division here. I will need ot mass a force to get through them first. You're right though beyond that there appears to be nothing until Singapore.

I would have an ethical problem in performing the para drop thingy though. I don't see it as being right in defenders AV halving due to that. Don't you think?

As for Bangkok I see a few problems with your plan. Firstly I need to wait until all of my forcves are either - next to Bangkok or moving into it together. The reason I say that is that there are 50 units here. If I move in piecemeal my forces will be shattered and he could actually kick me out and attempt to move back into Burma! There is only 1 unit inbetween Rahaeng and Bangkok so no Rearguard is happening. Rahaeng has been taken by me and my forces are 30 miles SW of it already.

Bangkok has virtually no industry. Basically anything within B29 range is dead. Even Hanoi has been smashed. As I see it Faber has moved back everything (except the 4000AV trapped in the Burmese jungle) to Bangkok and I have to either move into them en masse, secure a perimeter north and west of them and/or flank them.

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

Hi guys - yes Faber is correct. The first CV battle for months and I suppose it shows Allied overconfidence in that I didnt think he would dare venture out again!

I was surprised for sure. Basically CV Hancock/Bennington TF was patrolling 120 miles north of Jesselton to cover the unloading of men and material there.

Un-announced 2 x Japanese CV TF's appeared 300 miles NNE of my position.

Several raids were launched by both fleets and mine struck first in lightly damaging CV Kaga and Hiyo. CVL Chitose looks screwed though with 2 bomb and 2 torpedo hits.

Then the Japanese struck with a mixture of conventional and Kamikazi attacks from both CV TF's. My CAP performed miracles and most of my ships are virtually out of AA but they were simply overwhelmed by the afternoon. By sunset the following hits had been achieved:

CV Hancock - 1 x Kamikazi, 6 x bombs, 4 x torpedoes.
CV Bennington - 4 x Kamikazi, 7 x bombs.

Amazingly they are both still afloat and I am HOPING to save them by a miracle. They are damn sturdy ships. Attached screenshot of damage. What is even more amazing is that CV Hancock already had 22 SYS damage before this battle due ot earlier Kamikazi hits[X(]

The good news (if any) from this is that 232 enemy aircraft were lost today. As such his CV's must be down to perhaps 50-60% strength.

I have numerous P38J's, P51D's and now Corsairs at Jesselton. My aim is to send all of my shipping (including CVE TF) just north of Jesselton into Jesselton whereby all available P51D/P38J fighters will fly CAP from Kuching/Jesselton.

It is a risk I know since being near land will reduce flying capacity by 1/2 but it will allow me to manage all ships in a 60 miles hex under a (hopeful) mass of CAP. At the same time the (former) CA/CL/DD CV escorts are now formed into a sC TF to protect the ships from Japanese sea attack.

Hopefully I can blunt any Japanese air attack enough to allow my damaged ships to somehow survive and move back through Kuching.

Note I am not hopeful either CV will survive but I will try my hardest.

A good fun battle over all and nice see Faber still fighting.

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

CentPac -

The invasion fleets detected SS I-29 today and a couple of DE's cornered her and sank her.

All being well my invasion forces will reach Iwo Jima tomorrow or the day after at the latest. 2 x BB TF's will attempt to shell the place overnight.

[BrucePowers]

Ouch!!!![:D]

[Speedysteve]

We'll see who's saying ouch at wars end Bruce.....each of these 'events' makes me even more determined to wipe out every (game) meatball related thing[;)]