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

[mc3744]

3rd January, 1943

BURMA

Before going back to the game AAR, I feel the need to take just a second to recall everybody that right now, in real life, the people of Burma/Birmania are fighting for their freedom against a military dictatorship.
I wish them to succeed in their struggle and that they won’t have to suffer too long or too much.

Now back to fiction.

The Betty I had relocated to Rangoon to intercept the potential threat decided to take a detour over Chittagong. That happened since I left the Zero’s range one hex too long.
I was seriously worried that the CAP would wipe them all away, but it turned out much better than expected.

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Day Air attack on TF, near Chittagong at 31,25

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 15
Hurricane II x 15
Spitfire Vb x 15
P-38G Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 3 destroyed
Hurricane II: 5 destroyed
Spitfire Vb: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Pakenham, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage – and sunk [:D]

In M. a shock attack eventually cleared away the Indian divisions.
I’m leaving a medium garrison in case I’ll have to repel the Chinese Corps stuck south of M.
The bulk of the forces is now moving back to the healthier Rangoon.

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Ground combat at Myitkyina

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 95134 troops, 928 guns, 301 vehicles, Assault Value = 1938

Defending force 15488 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 308

Japanese max assault: 3472 - adjusted assault: 3479

Allied max defense: 309 - adjusted defense: 375

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
1550 casualties reported
Guns lost 67
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
525 casualties reported
Guns lost 10

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

NEW GUINEA

Once again the 4E struck New Guinea. Lae this time.
This time I had no luck. [:(]
Left at the airfield was a segment of a damaged Zero Daitai. (11) damaged planes and over (20) elite pilots. The enemy bombers destroyed all the Zero and with them all the pilots! [X(] [:(]

Anyway the attrition on the enemy bombers is showing on the numbers [;)]

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Day Air attack on Lae , at 56,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 38
B-24D Liberator x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 30

Miscellanea

Today I eventually managed to sink two subs in the Pacific

[mc3744]

4th January, 1943

Very quiet turn.
As I was hoping New Guinea’s skies were free from enemy bombers today.
Attrition took its toll.

I have a very important question for you today.
And I REALLY need feed-back because I’m on uncharted ground as long as I’m concerned.

I’m thinking about attacking Russia. Does it make any sense?
What do you think? Any chance to succeed?
[&:][&:][&:]

I’ve attached a map of the current Russian border situation.

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Russian border