The beginning of the end - Japan from Nov '42 (mc3744)

[veji1]

what who's talking ?

[;)]

[Lecivius]

I am [;)]

[Mistmatz]

Yep. [:)]

[mc3744]

It's nice to know I'm not alone [:)]

16th December, 1942

Burma under siege!

BURMA

I’ve prepared a detailed map with most of the units currently engaged on the Burma front.

The situation is very unstable.
M. has lost one more level of forts and is now at (2).
I hope the Indian Divisions will provide me with an additional couple of days to recover their own disruption.
While the 35th Bde presence in M. keeps growing thanks to the air convoys, the supply level is critical. And the more units I get there the more supplies they need.

The 33rd is not yet in position (see pic), I’ll have to wait one more day.

Clearly pushing back the 18th UK is pivotal to the whole front.
If it holds I lose M. and the units there, while he gains a “beachhead” in Burma.

The 38th Div is still days away and no additional reinforcements will be available for at least a couple of weeks. China being the key variable.

Allied air power is now relevant in the area and it is making a difference (in disruption terms).

Combat in Burma today
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 9
Hudson I x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 33
B-17E Fortress x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 38

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17328 troops, 137 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 412

Defending force 17247 troops, 188 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 328

Allied max assault: 379 - adjusted assault: 316

Japanese max defense: 205 - adjusted defense: 205

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
334 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

CHINA

The “following” troops from Hengchow to Changsha arrived one day before my expectation, because the leading unit is still in Hengchow. [:-]

This prompted a shock attack not coordinated with the units already besieging the city. [:@]

However the result has been better than expected and brought the forts down to (7). [8D]
Although those units are heavily disrupted I decided to order a general attack for tomorrow. In order to coordinate with the last division arriving from Hengchow. I’m hoping to bring the forts down to (6) before resting my troops for a couple of days.

The attack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 129577 troops, 1418 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8702

Defending force 117037 troops, 390 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3588

Japanese max assault: 2230 - adjusted assault: 1368

Allied max defense: 3274 - adjusted defense: 1055

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 7

Japanese ground losses:
3949 casualties reported
Guns lost 165

Allied ground losses:
1810 casualties reported
Guns lost 22

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Burma Front

[mc3744]

17th December, 1942

Burma under siege!

BURMA

M. is falling. [:(] The Indian divisions were much less disrupted than I hoped.
They launched a shock attack today and destroyed the last fortifications, while achieving a 2:1 ratio.
The attack has been preceded by heavy air bombings on the Imperial Guards and 35th Bde causing them a very high disruption.

I have one little tiny small chance. If I can interdict the air bombings and the Indians are disrupted and I get a good dice roll … and I push back the 18th UK! Well, then I might still hold. [8|]

I moved (12) Tony in Mandalay (hoping he won’t notice) and (12) in Lashio, both squadrons are on LRCAP on M. Their presence alone might make the LB fail the morale check as they’ve been flying unescorted.
If they do fly (there are thunderstorms all over Burma) then I’ll at least be able to take some down with me.

Meanwhile the 33rd has join the front line and I’ve order all my units to shock attack the 18th UK, they cannot afford to fail!!
(3) Sentai in Rangoon have been assigned to ground support with (2) Daitai of Zero (A6M3 and A6M3a) escorting them (target set).

If they push back the British the supply route will be soon open again and, obviously, the way for the ground reinforcements.

I have no illusions. M. will most probably fall and I may very well not be able to push the British back.
If I fail now, it’s the real beginning of the end. Once the dam is breached the flow keeps growing till you can’t hold any longer anywhere.
I must increase my efforts to repel the CW troops. The 38th will be in Rangoon in a few days.
I’m now loading the 23rd Mixed Bde in Manila and every turn I’ll start loading a new unit in Manila or Tokyo or wherever available: destination Rangoon.

Burma will be a bloodbath for both of us.

Combat in Burma
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards/A Division, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 7
Hudson I x 7
B-25C Mitchell x 7
B-17E Fortress x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imperial Guards/A Division, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 24

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 6
Hudson I x 4
B-25C Mitchell x 22
B-17E Fortress x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 35th Brigade, at 36,28

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 16882 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 381

Defending force 17889 troops, 187 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 333

Allied max assault: 680 - adjusted assault: 468

Japanese max defense: 197 - adjusted defense: 181

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Japanese ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
541 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

CHINA

The attack has been successful! Good news here at least.
My troops achieved a 5:1 and brought the forts down to (6). [:D]

As expected disruption is very high, I’ll have to let them rest for 2-3 days. But Changsha will fall before the end of the year.
The auto victory and the release of a few troops is now closer.

Changsha attack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 445068 troops, 4898 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 8684

Defending force 114524 troops, 338 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3513

Japanese max assault: 7515 - adjusted assault: 3309

Allied max defense: 3096 - adjusted defense: 561

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 7)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 6

Japanese ground losses:
15198 casualties reported
Guns lost 370
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
4817 casualties reported
Guns lost 75

NEW GUINEA

The A6M3a escorted a new Betty strike over Thursday Island.
The losses ratio (fighter vs. fighter) has been no better (however the enemy fighters were much more than before): (10) Zero lost vs. (8) enemy fighters.
But I also lost (6) Betty.

The Zero losses brought the pilots of the A6M3a Daitai below (27), I’ve therefore joined the two Daitai and sent one back to resume training.
It’ll take a while before the resulting squadron will have the Zero operational.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Thursday Island at 49,91

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 24
G4M1 Betty x 22

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 11
Kittyhawk I x 10
P-40B Tomahawk x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Empire Razorbill, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (sunk)
AK Empire Prairie, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 3

Do you think it is worth it? Or should I just ground my Betty?

[bbbf]

Hi Max,
 
You see what a hole Burma is for Japan.  It doesn't matter how much force you get there, supply is shocking.
 
You well know from our game what happens once this front folds!  But you are way better placed than I was.  Fight hard for every cm up there.  Have you got any spare bomber's hanging around (good joke, I know)- get em flying supply in there too.
 
With the betties, fly them.  Soon you won't have much of a chance to sink anything with them.  Take what you can now.  The fighter losses are more critical, as you can't send them in at low experience.
 
 

[mc3744]

Hi Rob [:)]

I surely agree, Burma must be held as long as possible.

My overall situation is much better then what you found when you stepped in.
Supplies are not an issue and I shall be able to keep stockpiling for some more time.

Fighter pilots are also not a problem at this stage. I have at least (3) Sentai (36 Tony) in reserve, with double the pilots.

Since I still have all the carriers and he doesn't, I believe the Betty's could still be useful in anti-shipping role once he'll mount the first amphibious invasion.

The one difficult thing now is using bombers for ground support. P-38 are killers away from my bases.

.... got to go!!!

Cheers [:)]

[mc3744]

18th December, 1942

A great day for the Empire of Japan.

BURMA

I was aiming for a 2:1 against the British troops of the 18th UK.
Against all hope my glorious troops achieved a devastating 23:1!
The enemy forces melted away, it wasn’t a battle, it was a massacre!!

The road to M. is now open. Whether the base falls or not I should be able to recapture it … probably. [:'(]

The attack has been preceded by the bombing of my LB. While they inflicted little losses, I believe the increased significantly the disruption level of the enemy.

My cargo ships are pouring supplies in Rangoon. Java, Malaya and Sumatra are devoted to stockpiling Burma.

The combat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 18th UK Division, at 34,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-49 Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 34,28

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 49546 troops, 496 guns, 464 vehicles, Assault Value = 1222

Defending force 13202 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 295

Japanese max assault: 2156 - adjusted assault: 2743

Allied max defense: 196 - adjusted defense: 119

Japanese assault odds: 23 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
203 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
389 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Defeated Allied Units Retreating! [8D]

NEW GUINEA

After several days of R&R Allied LBA launched a massive offensive all over New Guinea.
Several hundred enemy bombers and fighters stormed the ADN of Southern New Guinea!

As the air alarms went off, dozens of Imperial Army fighters scrambled to intercept the enemy swarm.

It’s been a glorious day!

Since most of my planes were in the air the enemy bombers found little to destroy on the ground, while my fighters had ample choice in the air.

At the end of a bloody day the Allies lost (42) planes in air-to-air amongst which over (20) Liberators. [:D]
Japanese Air Force losses were only (10) in air-to-air and (11) on the ground.

The airfields have been damaged only slightly and Lae is intact.

I great result in December ’42.

The fight!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 15 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Buna , at 56,92

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 7
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 121

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 26 destroyed, 33 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 28
Wellington III x 28
Hudson I x 12
P-38G Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 38

TIMOR

Now Fortress Timor!
While the action is now hot in Burma and New Guinea, Timor has been left quiet.
My men haven’t been idle. Supplies from Borneo and Sulawesi are being stockpiled on the Island, while forts are growing all over the front, from Koepang to Amboina and Sorong.

He’ll have to pay dearly to get into DEI!

CENTRAL PACIFIC

There’s a tiny atoll south of Penrhyn. The Allies are – quite understandably – trying to build it up.
They hadn’t considered my Betty in Pago Pago.
Two transport ships were spotted, unescorted … and duly sank! [8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Sydney Island at 100,102

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AP St. Mihel, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Manunda, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

P.S. My opponent will be very busy with his job during the next month. Hence turns will be less frequent.

[mc3744]

19th December, 1942

BURMA

The Indian Divisions made a last attempt at crushing my defenders … they didn’t succeed. [:D]
Supplies have already flowed in and base and troops are now fully supplied.
I think I made it by a day or two. Just a tiny bit longer and M. would’ve have been lost.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 16334 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Defending force 18790 troops, 186 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 343

Allied max assault: 610 - adjusted assault: 48

Japanese max defense: 235 - adjusted defense: 361

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese ground losses:
281 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
867 casualties reported
Guns lost 21

With the additional reinforcements under way I believe that Burma will be secure for a while now.
Even though the 2nd UK might be a only few days from crossing the Irrawaddy she’ll just get a spank by my troops if she actually crosses.

Miscellanea

Sub attacks around the Japanese coastline continue. While I have lots of ships and planes on ASW, their effect is very limited. [:(]
As long as he hits an AK here and there no much harm done anyway.

All in all the situation looks good enough, though I know it’s only an illusion. Catastrophe awaits just behind the corner.

[mc3744]

20th December, 1942

BURMA

No big news.
The 91st Naval Guard Unit has crossed the Irrawaddy. The shock attack vs. the 2nd and 18th UK disrupted her pretty badly, but she has achieved her goal. No British division will cross the river anytime soon.

CHINA

A general attack on Changsha has been ordered for tomorrow!
May the Emperor be pleased.

[mc3744]

21st December, 1942

Great victory in China!!

CHINA

Today the Imperial troops belonging to the Army of China have achieved an historical victory.
Never before in this long and glorious war had the Empire of Japan subjugated so many enemies at once.

On the morning of the December 21st the China Command HQ gave green like for the planned shock attack on Changsha.
In the first hours of the afternoon, after a long and ferocious fight, almost 150k Chinese troops surrendered unconditionally! Changsha is now entirely under Japanese control!!!
Long live the Emperor!!!

Soon China as we knew it will no longer exist!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 437345 troops, 4347 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 7954

Defending force 106255 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3237

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese max assault: 15376 - adjusted assault: 6396

Allied max defense: 3038 - adjusted defense: 306

Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Changsha base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
19213 casualties reported
Guns lost 305
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
147200 casualties reported [:D][:D]
Guns lost 239

BURMA

The puny British and Indian troops are retreating from Akyab!
They have learnt the lesson. There’s no passing through the Imperial defenses. [:D]

M. will soon be rid of any remnants of enemy troops.

The 91st Naval Guard Unit has been pushed back again - as expected - but she has done her duty.
The men will be sent back to the more healthy Rangoon for some deserved R&R while their colleagues will clean up M.

------------------------------------------------------------------
The attack on Changsha

[mc3744]

22th December, 1942

BURMA

Unexpectedly my attack in M. to push back the Indian divisions didn’t succeed. They held the position. [8|]
Anyway it’s no big deal, now that the 38th has arrived in Rangoon it won’t be a problem to repel the Indians.
The main part of the 35th Bde is also on its way to M.

Looks like I’ll have to wait a few more days before restoring peace and quiet in Burma.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Myitkyina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 60076 troops, 570 guns, 299 vehicles, Assault Value = 1200

Defending force 14874 troops, 65 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 240

Japanese max assault: 1860 - adjusted assault: 717

Allied max defense: 227 - adjusted defense: 423

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
2017 casualties reported
Guns lost 55
Vehicles lost 11

Allied ground losses:
376 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

CHINA

The amount of supplies that has been sucked by Changsha capture was impressive. [X(][X(]
I’ll need to carry more supplies to China because they are now just barely enough to stay in the “white”.

[mc3744]

24th December, 1942

Nothing much is going on.

Clearly the Allies are reorganizing and I expect I’ll soon have the pleasure of welcoming P-38s and 4Es over my airfields again.

Sub attacks around Japan are starting to annoy me. My ASW TFs are really ineffective. They score once a week and only lightly.
I moved an experienced (27) Sally’s Sentai to Japan on Naval Search at 1.000 ft. but in over a week they didn’t attack one sub.
I now moved two more highly experienced (27) Sally’s Sentai’s in two different Japan bases. I’ve set them to ASW attack at 1.000 ft. Hopefully they’ll score a hit now and then. Any suggestion here?

With China and Burma pretty much under control I can stop risking bombers and pilots and I’ll turn them to ASW duties. More useful to me now and less dangerous for my men.
Only those with exp below (80) will keep running bombing missions. Chungking will be still bombed daily to keep the airfield closed. It’s the only Allied AS6 airfield in China.

The supplies level is worrying me. The overall supply level keeps moving between 3.290… and 3.260…
While I have no more factory expansions going on (only some -rd planes are on repair) supplies still won’t keep growing as they did till a couple of months ago. [:(]
Most engine factories are now halted (I’ve plenty of engines, approx. 1k per type) and almost half of the planes factories are halted (big pools).
Naval and Merchant shipyards are running at no more than 70% capacity.
Still supplies won’t increase!?! [&:]
HI is however growing steadily. Why not supplies?!?
Any idea?

--------------------------------------------------
Industrial situation

[mc3744]

29th December, 1942

Slow motion. [>:]
My opponent is busy in RL and nothing much is happening anyway in the game.

In Burma the 38th Div is still moving towards M. to push back the two Indian divisions. Another two three days probably.
Allied raids over the base are intercepted by a few (12+12) Tony’s on LRCAP. I score a few kills each turn. It’s good for pilot’s experience and morale, but the actual interdiction effect is very limited.

In China Changsha’s heroes are now moving on Tuyun, hopefully I’ll be able to capture that base too before deciding where exactly I’ll draw the no crossing line.

A few days ago my patrol planes spotted a couple of enemy ships west of Java and I sent a baby KB to intercept them. I sank a TK and an AK.

The biggest action right now is the ASW war. Not really all that exciting! We each score a hit now and then. [8|]

Btw: anybody on the ASW war?

[mc3744]

30th December, 1942

NEW GUINEA

My attempts at attacking the ships unloading troops and supplies at Thursday in Australia with Betty’s have been quite unsuccessful. The air loss ratio too bad for continuing a costly attack on a not-strategic objective. [:-]

However it did bother me to let him happily come and go. Hence I decided to throw him a little surprise party … at night of course! [:D]

A small and fast surface TF, headed by the CL Yura and Abukuma, ambushed in the middle of the night the Allied transports unloading at the base.
Two AK are now on the bottom of the sea! A successful party!! [:D][:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Thursday Island at 49,91

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Abukuma
DD Hamakaze
DD Yamagumo
DD Arare
DD Kasumi
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
AK Boero, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk [:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Thursday Island at 49,91

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Abukuma
DD Hamakaze
DD Yamagumo
DD Arare
DD Kasumi
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
AK Empire Oryx, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk [:)]
--------------------------------------------------------------
New Guinea

[mc3744]

31st December, 1942

AUTO-VICTORY! [:D]

“Decisive Japanese Victory” [:D][:D]
I’ve been playing for over three years and this is the first time I get to see the victory screen.
I think I might cry for the emotion!!! [:'(]
It’s not deserved because my opponent was too green in PBEM and I took advantage of it. But I’m still glad I got to see it.

On the bright side. The unfair advantage I got so far will probably make for a much more interesting game in ’43 and maybe ’44 too.

I have a couple of questions, which will probably go unanswered as usual [;)]: now that I have a production capacity of almost (120) Oscar II, what do I do with them?
I’ve faced them only once as Allied and they didn’t strike me as very useful.
I’ve got plenty of Oscar I and Nate for training purposes. So what do you think?

What about the Nick b? I can’t find any squadron that upgrades to it.

I’m sending back to shipyard to upgrade a couple of CVE, one CL and some DD. I think it’s important to keep all my ships in top conditions as the fight will become harder and harder.

----------------------------------------------------------
The auto-victory screen!

[AmiralLaurent]

In a PDU game I don't think Oscar II will be really useful.

In a non-PDU game I use them where their long range is useful. Their usual mission are one of the following:
_ long-range escort for bombers, where Oscar will be sacrificed to open the way by drawing CAP away from bombers
_ LRCAP over Allied bases suspected to receive transport aircraft, especially in China
_ LRCAP over units/TF that might be attacked by unescorted fighter-bombers or medium bombers
_ reinforcing CAP in a big base. The old Oscar units have a small number in the database so will usually be commited first in battles. They will suffer heavily, but then the Allied airmen will have more fatigue and maybe some damage when battling the important Japanese units.

[mc3744]

Yes it is a PDU game.

I still have to check their range. But if it's better than the Tony's I guess your suggestions are quite good even in PDU.
I could keep a couple of Sentai as LRCAP units to interdict supplies and/or unescorted raids.

Thanks [:)]

[mc3744]

1st January, 1943

Here we are, 1943.
This is the real beginning of the end.
The Allies are getting better torpedo’s for their subs, better pilot replacements, much better planes and lots and lots of ships and troops.

I’ll soon have to be content with minor defeats, victorious engagements in the sky will be very rare if any at all!

The Allies have decided to immediately let me taste the new flavor of the year.

NEW GUINEA

A heavy bombers attack all over New Guinea has seriously stressed the Air Defense Network.
4Es, 2Es and P-38 have attacked PM and Lae. While my fighters managed to achieve an encouraging 2:1 ratio in the sky (15:31), I lost over 30 planes on the ground and Lae airfield is heavily damaged.

On the bright side Buna and GiliGili are still perfectly operational and PM is only slightly damaged.
I’m moving a reserve (36) Tony Sentai from Java to Rabaul. While I have to move one (36) Tony Sentai back to Java to replenish the pilots. Only (40) left.

As expected the Tojo performed best vs. the P-38 while the Tony better vs. bombers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 105
B-24D Liberator x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 9 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 14 destroyed, 45 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 84

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 destroyed, 16 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 78
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 14

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 22
Wellington III x 28
Hudson I x 12
P-38G Lightning x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 44

[mc3744]

2nd January, 1943

BURMA

My patrol planes have spotted an apparently big (big ships) enemy TF west of Akyab, moving west !?! [&:]
I don’t understand what it is. If it’s coming to Rangoon they are in for a nasty welcome. But I doubt it.
They may be going to bombard Akyab, but they left from Chittagong, hence it’d be a pretty odd route.
Port Blair is a meaningless target (and full of mines! [;)]).
I guess we’ll see. I’m taking a few precautions anyway, just in case. [:D]

NEW GUINEA

As expected the pressure on PM continued today too.
Yesterday I moved a (27) A6M3a Daitai to Gili Gili and I put it on LRCAP on PM. If I were him I would have probably bombed PM again, the closest target.
The fighters on LRCAP from Buna and Gili Gili performed quite well. Air-to-air 27:13 in my favor and I lost none on the ground. [8D]
The only bad side of 4Es is their high damage rate. Especially when facing heavy CAP and AA.

I believe that he won’t be able to keep the bombings much longer. Soon he’ll need to rest the bombers. We’ll see who ends up with the short stick of the attrition, my fighters or his bombers.

The P-38 had a bad day. [:D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 11
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
Wellington III x 26
Hudson I x 9
P-38G Lightning x 28
B-17E Fortress x 53
B-24D Liberator x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 12 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 50
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 54,93

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 50

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

---------------------------------------------------------
Where are they going?