BB1.4 THE SHARP EDGE: India Saved...I Hope

[ny59giants]

Greetings,
I have taken over the Allies from Grognerd and his game against N01487477 (Damian) as they came to an impasse that couldn't be worked out - the invasion of Vietnam with Chinese troops still under Chinese Command and them not switched over to SE Asia or some other command.

I did so because I did not think India could be successfully invaded at this late a date. I may be proved wrong. [X(] India is the main fight with Fiji (Nandi/Suva) as the undercard. I will focus on India for now and then cover the other theaters in later postings.

The date was 31 May 42. What has happened between then and 15 June 42?? I will use this post to go over what happened in the Dacca/Calcutta area before switching over to the Ceylon/SW India section.

The first thing I noticed was the amount of units forward deployed to Burma and started sending them through Mandalay to Imphal back to India. The good thing is the amount of Chinese LCU's under SE Asia Command. [;)] I have 3 x Regional Army Divisions with an AV of 80 or less; 6 x Central Army Divisions with an AV of 190 or less; and 3 x Army Corp with an AV of 400 or less (one of these is less than 100). All of them are in India or have moved to less than 10 miles from Imphal and should be joining the rest of SE Asia by the end of June 42. In Big B's the Indians get 9 x District Bde with an AV of around 110. I still have most of the usual Indian and UK troops. However, I have 3 x Bde cut off in the woods/swamps between Ragoon and Akyab and most of 1 x Indian Division in the mountains east of Akyab. [:(]

Here is the link to another post in which I ask for feedback (which is always accepted). [&o]
tm.asp?m=1649847

[ny59giants]

Here is what I posted in the other threat about this area.

At Dacca, I have forts 4 and AV - 926. Just north over the river is 2 x Indian division (AV-622) with two Chinese divisions in reserve at Calcutta. At Rangpur I have the 3 x Armorer Bde. In the woods on the road east of Dacca is an Indian division and Chinese Corp with AV - 526. For 14 days plus, I have had Chinese and other forward deployed units heading back to India. The good thing is the amount of Chinese LCU's assigned to SE Asia. I have 6 Chinese Divisions within 10 miles of Imphal and/or moving to Dimapur.

I propose to try to drive hard from the woods 120 miles east of the road fork to cut off his troops north (probably 3 x divisions) with one down in Cox Bazaar. Is this a good strategy to try?? If not, why not?? What about ZOC around Dacca and area (I took screen shot showing who owns what hexes)?? Do I need to move something into those with no prior ownership before I attack (If I do)?? This is about another 2 weeks away, if it happens.

[ny59giants]

Now, back to the details of what has transpired in these 2 weeks plus.

I moved my Beauforts to Dacca and Calcutta and they feasted on his unprotected AP's around Chittagong and Cox Bazaar for the first few days. [;)] I had a deliberate attack in the hex just to the east of Dacca on 1 June which involved the following enemy troops - 5 Div, 18 Div, 19 Div, 21 Div, 21 Mixed Bde, 23 Mixed Bde, 6 Tank, 14 Tank, 1 x Eng, 1 x NLF (over 100,000 per recon flights). Part of 55 Division is now at Cox Bazaar (pushed the 15 Indian Division into the mountains and opened up the LOC north) and maybe the survivors of the 22 Division (those who could swim). [:D][:D]

Since the first few days. This area is quite. I have closed the AF at Chittagong down. However, 9 ships were spotted headed NE and are just NW of Akyab and another 3 ships just west of Akyab. My Beauforts and Swordfish are warming up at Diamond Harbor. [:)]

[ny59giants]

OK, now over to Ceylon and SW India.

On 5 June SigInt showed ships at 5,30. Panic moment. [X(][X(] I immediately move LB-30BG and B-17 squadron along with Beauforts and fighters to Colombo.

On the 6th, they move closer to Colombo and more ships show up.

On the 7th, Akagi along with the rest of KB (180 miles NWW of Colombo) are spotted by LB-30's on 20% Naval Search. The LB-30's hit Akagi during the search function and Damian writes he will have to send her home for repairs. [X(] Beauforts from Colombo hit BB Yamashiro with 4 torpedoes and she slides under the waves on the 8th. [&o][:D][&o]

On the 9th, the other 3 x BB's - Ise, Nagato, and Fuso bombard Colombo with troops landing afterwards. Over the next few days the 2 Division, 68 Division, and 2 x Tank are landed. However, on the first combat report, it states that over 1800 guns reply. [:D] Again, more AP/DD are hit and eventually sunk (details to follow). Meanwhile, 3 x BB, 4 x CA, 3 x CL bombard Trincomalee.

On the 11th, Trivandrum is invaded and captured by 4 Division, 48 Division, and 2 x Engineer

On the 13th, Mannargudi is captured by the 56 Bde, 6 Tank, and 5 x BF and Zeros flown in immediately afterwards

On the 14th, an Engineer and a Special BF land at Colombo and it finally falls to a final shock attack

On the 15th, he lands further up the west coast of India at Mangalore. See link to thread in the War Room to see how much damage that caused. [X(][X(]

[ny59giants]

Maybe a Japanese player can enlighten me on his naval losses to date.
 
Here they are: 227 ships [X(][X(] to Allied 73 (1 CVL, 2 BB - WV & Penn, 2 CA - British, 2 DD, etc.).
35 AK
5 AO
88 AP  [X(]
5 APD
1 AV
1 BB  [:D]
3 CL
1 CS
18 DD (Includes Hibiki) [:(]
2 ML
44 MSW
4 PC
9 PG
9 SS
1 TK
 
My math may be off, but you get a general feel.  

[ny59giants]

16 & 17 June 42

India: Elements of the 4th & 48th Division with 2 x Engineers attempt to take Mangalore after many of their AP's are full of holes from the coastal guns and fails miserably. [:D] On the 17th, the 18th & 21st Division along with one tank shock attack across the river near Dacca and survive against my two divisions stationed there. However, at Rangur is 3 x Tank Bde and a Chinese division (total AV - 800) that will march the short 60 miles to throw the imperialist back across the river. To keep the attackers busy and their disruption high, my Wellingtons, Hurricanes, and Mitchells will change into dry clothing after their success adventure over the water near Akyab (1 DD and 2 APD sunk and another 2 x DD hit with some nice 1000lb from my highly experienced Mitchells - all three squadrons are over 70 [:D]).
The 223 RAF Aviation (270 aviation support) is only 90 miles away from Madras. A large BF (90 aviation support) has just arrived at Vizagapatam and Beauforts, P-38's, and some Hurricanes have stopped over for a short rest before going to Madras. There is a lot of shipping around Ceylon and along with some of my Mitchells and Wellingtons, I hope to continue the sinking of his AP's. [;)]

China: [>:][>:] Plans are in motion for action here since the attack into Vietnam were cancelled and the reason I have taken over the Allied player's side.

Luzon: The starving garrison at Manila survives another deliberate assault by the 9thDivision, 38th Division, 16th Division, 56th Division, 65th Brigade, 3 x Engineers, 2 x Tank, and 5 x FA. Meanwhile, most, but not all, of the American large fleet subs are running into Manila to evac units at full speed. Right now, the large PAF Aviation unit and 803 EAB are heading to Townsville, piece by piece. [:D] "IF" Manila continues to hold, the 1st Marine AA, 14 PS Engr Rgt, Asiatic Fleet HQ, and 4th Marine Rgt will make their way to Australia. Got to love that Urban bonus when its for your side. [:D]

Australia: [>:][>:] Troops are moving up the road/trail from Cooktown to build up the empty base at Coen before they take the next leap to Portland Roads dot base (a potential 7 AF that is only 6 hexes away from Port Moresby).

South Pacific: The Japanese troops stranded at Nandi and Suva have stopped attacking and my Hudsons and Beauforts at Suva have begun daily bombing runs against them. The 1st Marine Division is less than a week away from Bora Bora as it is being escorted by 2 CV TF (Enterprise and Hornet) which will be joined by Wasp (which arrives at Panama in 4 days to join up with her escorts that are either there now or scheduled to arrive during that time). The Wasp and escorts will arrive in the South Pacific in time to escort more troops into Fiji and the islands back to the SE towards Bora Bora (5 RCAF BF - 100 aviation support; 4 RCAF BF; 33rd RCT; 47th Engr Rgt; 30 BF - 90 aviation support; 37th Division; 5th RCT; 14th RCT; 24th RCT; 11th Engr Rgt; 2nd Marine Division, and 6th Australian Division that is now between Melbourne and NZ). More BF, SB, and other support troops will be going either to this theater and/or to Australia to get ready for the eventual counteroffensive.
Plans are to crush his forces at Fiji and "if" things stay quite, take back the 3 Samoa Islands - Pago Pago, Upolu, and Savaii along with Wallis Island before moving up to the Ellice Islands - Nukutetau and Funatuti to threaten the Gilbert to the North and effectively cut off his troops at Canton Island and Palmrya along with making a move to Efate and Luganville to cut of New Calendonia. This should keep me busy for the rest of '42. [:D] Almost all of my S-boats are headed to this area and will make him have to step across a lot of subs to either reinforce and/or counterattack.

Central Pacific: [>:][>:] The Lexington, Saratoga, and Yorktown are completing their long overdue upgrades and after the expansion of their fighter groups in 7/42, they will rotate with the Enterprise and Hornet (both who need their 4/42 upgrades [X(]). BB Colorado and Idaho are here.

North Pacific: The Japanese have an unknown amount of forces on Adak Island. I have Umnak Island being built up with the 75th AA, 111 Aviation Rgt, 802 EAB, and 201st RCT there. At Dutch Harbor there is 108th USN BF, 813 EAB, 37th RCT, and 153 RCT. Cold Bay has a BF with 2 x Canadian RCT on their way there. Kodaik was build up to a major base (plus has level 9 forts) with 7th Division, 4th RCT, 58th RCT, and 159th RCT.
Plans are to move most of the RCT's and support units up to Umnak and Dutch Harbor and build them up before any offensive action is taken.

West Coast: At Seattle, the damaged BB's from Pearl are recovering: Oklahoma - 59; Maryland - 44; Nevada - 43; California - 37; Arizona - 37; and Tennessee - 25. BB New Mexico and Missisippi are heading up the shipping channel for some minor repairs. BB North Carolina is at Panama awaiting Wasp. More AR's are arriving soon and I will have extra's to place all over the map. [&o][&o]

This is a detailed post to get everyone up to date from the Allied perspective. I feel overall, I'm in a favorable position (except India which isn't as bad as it may seem) due to the amount of naval assest he has lost.

Admiral Benoit,
Allied CNO

[ny59giants]

Current Score - please note his ships lost. [X(]

[ny59giants]

18 thru 21 June 42

Western India: Up to 80 Betty's hit Trincomalee 2 days from Andamann Island in a row and with a shock attack on the 20th by the 2nd & 68th Division along with 2nd & 8th Tank it falls. However, I was able to use Dakota's at Madras to get most of the 44th Indian Bde, Colombo BF, and 10th Indian BF over. They along with a lot of other units will need significant time rebuilding. Wellingtons, Beauforts, and Mitchells out of Madras continue to hit AK's off of Trivandrum with minimal CAP. Got to like the range of my Flying Tigers and P-38's to escort them out to 9 hexes. [;)] Bangalore falls on the 19th.

Eastern India: AK's and PG's have to deal with the Beauforts out of Diamond Harbor as the weather gods are on their side and many are added to the artifical reef being build off this coast of Akyab and Chittagong. [:D] My 3 x Tank Bde and a Chinese Division are added to the 2 x Indian Division just over the river from Dacca and their AV - 1280 is enough with deliberate attacks to send the 2 x Divisions and 1 x Tank back across the riverat 3:1 odds. Damian then write that he may have launched this attack into India too late in the game and with not enough force to succeed. I agree. [:D] On the 21st, I have a bombardment attack go off at Dacca at his forces to see what is there (see screen shot below). I will continue to do so as to pin those troops there. He has the 2 battered Divisions near the river along with the Tank Rgt. At the cross roads, is one unit (unknown strength) and 5 units at Chittagong (13380 troops, 11 guns, and 0 vehicles) with the AF still at 100% damage. Air units continue to hit his troops and now my Beauforts and Swordfish will join in as the shipping has dried up. I have converted 2 x 12 plane squardrons of Wellingtons to Liberators III (more range and greater payloads).

China:[>:][>:] I have a plan being developed to hit the 5 units at Nanchang and cut them off as he has only 1 unit across the river at Kiukiang, but has 22 at Hankow. These are mainly the ones he (previous opponent) was going to use to invaded Vietnam. Some of these Chinese Corps have an AV over 400. This is about a month or longer away as they move to Changsha for slight rebuilding and to allow prep points to get at least over 50.

Luzon:There was IRL the "Battling Bastards of Bataan." Now, I have the "Maniacs at Manila" as they have ZERO supply and he fails on a deliberate attack on the 20th with less than 1:2 odds. Thus, my subs continue their evacs. [;)] On the 21st, 19 Zeros & 121 Nates hit Bataan. I guess this is his new training area. [:D]

Australia:[>:][>:]

South Pacific:15 Betty's make the trip to Suva on the 19th and miss the 3 AK's unloading in port. On the 20th, CVE Hosho, CVL Zuiho, & CV Junyo cruise by Fiji about 300 miles SW and cruise across for the next few days before being lost on the 21st (may be due to bad weather since I have Coronado's based there). On the first day, I lose 10 planes to 0 as my P-40C's are unable to protect my Hudson and Beauforts from Suva. I then shorten their range to only three hexes to add my Wildcats to the mix if he come closer. He doesn't launch any attacks. [:(] The 1st Marine and 2 CV's are now less than 3 days out of Bora Bora and will refuel there before pressing on to Suva.

Central Pacific:[>:][>:]

North Pacific:[>:][>:]

Comments:
KB ends up these turns 420 miles (7 hexes due west) of Bombay heading NE with the weather being rain all over that part of India.
224 Aviation is off loaded at Bombay while 224 BF (90 aviation support) is almost done there. 80 Hurricanes are flying CAP just in case I get "visitors."
I have the 29th UK Bde loading at Aden. I get 3 x Chindits Bde in the next month at Karachi. [:)]
CV Wasp arrives at Panama and her escorts to the South Pacific are: BB North Carolina, 3 x CA, 2 X CL, 2 X CLAA, 8 x DD.

Here is a screen shot of the current forces at Dacca

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Maybe a Japanese player can enlighten me on his naval losses to date.

Here they are: 227 ships [X(][X(] to Allied 73 (1 CVL, 2 BB - WV & Penn, 2 CA - British, 2 DD, etc.).
35 AK
5 AO
88 AP  [X(]
5 APD
1 AV
1 BB  [:D]
3 CL
1 CS
18 DD (Includes Hibiki) [:(]
2 ML
44 MSW
4 PC
9 PG
9 SS
1 TK

My math may be off, but you get a general feel.  

Hi Michael,

Can you post the sips sunk list but just show the Japanese ships sunk so I can see which BB and CLs Japan has lost? It looks like Japan has lost a lot of escort ships. If U haven't already done so, U might consider deploying an aggressive sub deployment on behalf of the allies...

[ny59giants]

Michael,
Here is the latest list of sunk ships. He now has lost 19 DD's and 6 APD's. [:D][:D]

Right now, I'm using my big fleet subs to conduct evacs at Manila of the PAF Aviation, EAB, PS Eng, and Marine AA units. I hope to get the the Fleet HQ and Marine Rgt out afterwards. Once this is done, they will go back to the WC for their 10/42 upgrades and then its unrestricted sub warfare. [&o][&o]
My S-boats are now begininng to put a ring around the Fiji Island chain and then over around Pago Pago area to interdict any reinforcement efforts there. This area has a lot of reinforcements headed there and operations may be excellerated as KB is now 420 miles NW of Bombay. [;)]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Michael,
Here is the latest list of sunk ships. He now has lost 19 DD's and 6 APD's. [:D][:D]

Right now, I'm using my big fleet subs to conduct evacs at Manila of the PAF Aviation, EAB, PS Eng, and Marine AA units. I hope to get the the Fleet HQ and Marine Rgt out afterwards. Once this is done, they will go back to the WC for their 10/42 upgrades and then its unrestricted sub warfare. [&o][&o]
My S-boats are now begininng to put a ring around the Fiji Island chain and then over around Pago Pago area to interdict any reinforcement efforts there. This area has a lot of reinforcements headed there and operations may be excellerated as KB is now 420 miles NW of Bombay. [;)]

I´m amazed to see that Yamashiro was sunk with a 500lb bomb. I know that 500lb GP bombs can penetrate the armor of CAs in BigB´s mod but I didn´t know they are also such a threat to BBs!!! [X(]

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Michael,
Here is the latest list of sunk ships. He now has lost 19 DD's and 6 APD's. [:D][:D]

Right now, I'm using my big fleet subs to conduct evacs at Manila of the PAF Aviation, EAB, PS Eng, and Marine AA units. I hope to get the the Fleet HQ and Marine Rgt out afterwards. Once this is done, they will go back to the WC for their 10/42 upgrades and then its unrestricted sub warfare. [&o][&o]
My S-boats are now begininng to put a ring around the Fiji Island chain and then over around Pago Pago area to interdict any reinforcement efforts there. This area has a lot of reinforcements headed there and operations may be excellerated as KB is now 420 miles NW of Bombay. [;)]

He's probably running oil/resources to Japan like crazy... I'd run a lot of patrols from the west coast of Japan (Kagoshima) to Brunie and then down past Java to OZ... 19 DDs plus 13 PC/PG plus 6 APDs is one heck of a hole in his ASW capable naval forces...

I wanna hear him say "I fear I've awakened a sleeping NY59Giant..." [:D]

[ny59giants]

I´m amazed to see that Yamashiro was sunk with a 500lb bomb. I know that 500lb GP bombs can penetrate the armor of CAs in BigB´s mod but I didn´t know they are also such a threat to BBs!!! [X(]

Actually, the day before 4 torpedoes from Beauforts did her in. The 500lb was just the final hit before she slipped beneath the waves. [:D]

[ny59giants]

22 to 24 June 42

Western India: The a2a war over the SW corner of India is started with a bang.
At Madras -
22nd 60 Zeros come in for a sweep from Colombo and are met by 19 Curtis of the Flying Tigers and 19 Hurricanes IIb. All my pilots are in the 70's or higher. The combat replay shows I get the bounce in every action over Madras for these three days. The losses - 28 Zeros to 2 Curtis & 2 Hurricanes....7:1 ratio!![X(][X(] I have never seen this for an Allied player, especially so early in the war. The second wave consist of 8 Zero from nearby Mannargudi and 125 Bettys from Port Blair. Losses are - 6 Zero and 13 Betty to 13 planes (including those lost on the ground).
23rd 25 Zero from those two bases escort in 139 Bettys and 14 Curtis and 10 Hurricane rise up. Losses are 9 for him and 15 for me. More normal results, IMO
24th 37 Zero and 131 Betty vs. 42 Hurricane and 8 Kittyhawks (I moved out my depleted Flying Tigers and 2 Hurricane squadrons for rest and moved in fresh planes). Losses are - 25 Zeros and 20 Bettys to 2 Hurricanes and 2 Kittyhawks....10:1 ratio!![X(][X(] I haven't played enough PBEM's to say much, but this seems abnormal to me. Any seasoned veterans got an explanation for this??[&:]

Mangalore is captured on the 22nd to the 4th & 48th Divisions along with 2 x Engineer Rgt. By the 24th, there seems to be 10 transports there and planes based there. An F-4 squadron (4 planes) are moved to Hyderabad and will start making flights over the various bases in the area to get a better picture.

KB is 420 miles NW of Bombay on the 22nd and ends up 360 miles E of Karachi on the 24th after hitting 4 AKs on the north map edge on the 23rd sinking 3 of them with the other one limping towards Karachi. I don't have the Aviation Support in Karachi to send up LBA to counter his potential attack and thus, all but the Catalina's have been moved inland

Eastern India: Hurricanes out of Rangpur on ground attacks on the 2 x Divisions and 1 x Tank 60 miles to the east of Dacca find a new target on the 22nd - Imperial Division is now there. [X(] He has not put up LRCAP over these troops and the 2 hex distance from Rangpur to these troops will continue to be my training grounds for my Hurricanes. Squadrons of Hurricanes and other fighters will go there to build up their experience cheaply, I hope. LBA attack on Dacca continue from Calcutta and neighboring bases. He tries a deliberate attack on Dacca on the 23rd and only gets 1:4 odds!! [:D]

China: [>:][>:] Nothing but occasional training flights

Luzon: Over 100 Nates hit Bataan when weather permits. On the 23rd, he gets 1:1 odds at Manila, but tries to shock attack on the 24th and gets only 1:2 odds (345:365). He has at Manila - 4 x Divisions, 3 x Bde, 3 x Eng, 5 x FA, 2 x Tank, 1 x Naval Gds.

Australia: [>:][>:] The first of my forces from Cooktown have reached Coen and will start to build up my AF. Eventually, I will move fighters there to cover an expansion to Portland Roads and building up that dot base to start my bombing of Port Morseby.

South Pacific: 6th Australian Division reaches Wellington and is refueled. It is now heading for Suva. However, on the 23th, CV Hiyo hits 1 out of 2 AKs carrying an EAB to Suva (sunk the smaller fragment). Hiyo was 600 miles (10 hexes) SW of Nandi. Thus, my Australian Division may take a more southern route and/or go back to NZ until I can can a better handle on the battle that will soon develop down here. 2nd Marine and CV Hornet & Enterprise are now 4 hexes west of Bora Bora after refueling and are heading for Suva. My 4 AKs at Suva continue to unload in peace and the supply situation on Suva is now 1 day away from 20k (thus, I can fill out my fighters) and should hit 34k when done. [:D] CV Wasp is about 12 days out from Bora Bora and should get there in time for the second reinfocenment convoy for Suva/Nandi.

Central Pacific: [>:][>:] My 3 other CVs are getting their sys damage down and will leave Pearl after 7/1 when their fighter squadrons expand (except Yorktown who is due her upgrade then). They will head south to take on the 2 CV, 2 CVL, and 1 CVE that he seems to have running around the South Pacific

North Pacific: [>:][>:] Still running LCU's to Umnak, Ducth, and Cold Bay from Kodiak. No opposition...yet. [;)]

Comments: I moved the Flying Tigers to Calcutta and broke the FG into 3 squadrons - 2 of P-40E and 1 of Curtis (I have just enough Curtis for one squadron). They will need some training before they are ready for the fur balls over in the SW part of India. It's nice to see KB still patrolling so far away from the South Pacific. With the Wasp, I feel I am at least even with he carrier strength in that area.
My fleet at Aden consist of 5 BB, 1 BC, 7 CL, 4 CLAA, 3 CV, & 22 DD. It will come out again, but right now they are getting system damage down.

[1EyedJacks]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

22 to 24 June 42

Western India: The a2a war over the SW corner of India is started with a bang.
At Madras -
22nd 60 Zeros come in for a sweep from Colombo and are met by 19 Curtis of the Flying Tigers and 19 Hurricanes IIb. All my pilots are in the 70's or higher. The combat replay shows I get the bounce in every action over Madras for these three days. The losses - 28 Zeros to 2 Curtis & 2 Hurricanes....7:1 ratio!![X(][X(] I have never seen this for an Allied player, especially so early in the war. The second wave consist of 8 Zero from nearby Mannargudi and 125 Bettys from Port Blair. Losses are - 6 Zero and 13 Betty to 13 planes (including those lost on the ground).
23rd 25 Zero from those two bases escort in 139 Bettys and 14 Curtis and 10 Hurricane rise up. Losses are 9 for him and 15 for me. More normal results, IMO

24th 37 Zero and 131 Betty vs. 42 Hurricane and 8 Kittyhawks (I moved out my depleted Flying Tigers and 2 Hurricane squadrons for rest and moved in fresh planes). Losses are - 25 Zeros and 20 Bettys to 2 Hurricanes and 2 Kittyhawks....10:1 ratio!![X(][X(] I haven't played enough PBEM's to say much, but this seems abnormal to me. Any seasoned veterans got an explanation for this??[&:]

Did the Hurricanes get the bounce? I think you said your pilot experience levels were in the low 70s but that was for your AVG - right? Maybe your oponent upgraded a crappy unit with Zeroes and threw them in to defend the Bettys? How far is the base the zeroes fly from? Maybe they are at the far end of their range?

[ny59giants]

Even on the last day, my Hurricanes got the bounce. Most have 65 to 75 experience. My Kittyhawks didn't (experience at 60). I'm just surprised at the ratio of losses. Good for me, not for him. Colombo to Madras is 8 hexes.

[ny59giants]

Allied forces in India

Here is what I have and will be getting shortly in India. IMO, I feel that in a short time I can switch over to a more offensive posture, but right now I have the last of the LCU's coming back through Burma. A Chinese Division is almost at Imphal with a Burma Bde about 2 weeks away. I have parts of 3 Bde down near Ragoon (subs working on evac) and an Indian Division in the mountains near Akyab. Subtract them from the list to follow.

UK/Indian Division - 8
UK/Indian/CW Bde - 18
Chinese Corp - 3 (about the same as an UK/Indian Division in AV)
Chinese Divisions - 8 (equal to a Bde)
Armored Bde - 3

I have an UK Bde on transports waiting for KB to go away near Aden. I get the 3 x Chindit Bde over the next 32 days and another Indian division in 48 days. Many of my units need to get built back up. So, I will continue to dig in where the line is now and try to get some of these units closer to full strenght as my LBA continues to harass his forces. Right now, its a draw in India, but he has over 10 divisions committed and may try to add more, if and when, Manila falls. I get the Hurricane IIc in 8/42 and Spitfires in 9/42. [:D]

[okami]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

22 to 24 June 42

Western India: The a2a war over the SW corner of India is started with a bang.
At Madras -
22nd 60 Zeros come in for a sweep from Colombo and are met by 19 Curtis of the Flying Tigers and 19 Hurricanes IIb. All my pilots are in the 70's or higher. The combat replay shows I get the bounce in every action over Madras for these three days. The losses - 28 Zeros to 2 Curtis & 2 Hurricanes....7:1 ratio!![X(][X(] I have never seen this for an Allied player, especially so early in the war. The second wave consist of 8 Zero from nearby Mannargudi and 125 Bettys from Port Blair. Losses are - 6 Zero and 13 Betty to 13 planes (including those lost on the ground).
23rd 25 Zero from those two bases escort in 139 Bettys and 14 Curtis and 10 Hurricane rise up. Losses are 9 for him and 15 for me. More normal results, IMO
24th 37 Zero and 131 Betty vs. 42 Hurricane and 8 Kittyhawks (I moved out my depleted Flying Tigers and 2 Hurricane squadrons for rest and moved in fresh planes). Losses are - 25 Zeros and 20 Bettys to 2 Hurricanes and 2 Kittyhawks....10:1 ratio!![X(][X(] I haven't played enough PBEM's to say much, but this seems abnormal to me. Any seasoned veterans got an explanation for this??[&:]

In the first encounter which was a Japanese sweep he should have shreded you, bounce or no bounce. As he did not there are only a few reasons that he did not. His experience must be close to or lowere than yours. When you bounced him you got lucky and probably shotdown the squadron leader. As for that last battle were he is escorting and you actually out number him in fighters that is as it should be given that he probably does have experience close to or lower than your. Escorts always get hosed. But again you must have gone through them quickly to get that many bombers. Nicely done.

[ny59giants]

25 to 27 June 42

Western India: KB (or what is left of it) is now 8 hexes NW of Bombay. Seems to be making circles in the ocean and also preventing any reinforcement (a UK Bde is loaded in the channels, but far enough away to not get attacked). 9 transports are spotted moving up the coast (without escorts) from Mangalore on the 26th. I thought he was going to try to land at Pangim, but he seems to be headed for Bombay. [X(] On the 27th Wellingtons, B-17's, and Mitchells moved to Hyperabad hit 4 of the APs. Beauforts await him at Bombay while KB remains 6 hexes to the NW.

Eastern India: [>:] Just my daily training runs by my fighters at Rangpur on his troops east of Dacca.

China: [>:][>:] He seems to be moving some troops around. Will give details after the dust settles. [:D]

Luzon: A shock attack on Manila on the 26th gets close to the magic 2:1 odds (393:512) to put a huge number of troops into captivity.
Note: He does need 2:1 odds for them to surrender?? Correct??

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific: My 2 CVs and the 2nd Marines end up 6 hexes south of Tongatapu on the 27th. The first CV vs. CV battle happens. Planes from Enterprise and Hornet (16 Wildcats, 72 SBD, 15TBD, 18 TBF) try to get through his CAP of 62 Zeros. I lose 28 planes to his 4 from the CAP and flak. I put in 1 torpedo and 1 x 500lb bomb on BB Hyuga, 2 x bombs on CV Junyo, 2 x bombs on CV Hiyo, 1 x bomb & 2 x torpedoes in CVE Hosho, 1 x bomb on CVE Taiyo, and 2 x bombs on CVL Zuiho. The are a couple of explosions, but none are sunk. [:(][:(] Meanwhile, his planes (18 Zeros, 54 Vals, & 91 Kates) vs. 36 Wildcats result in losses (including CAP of 41 to 1 in my favor). Unfortuneately, the Big "E" takes 6 x bomb hits and 6 x torpedo hits and is sunk. [:@] [:@] Included in his attack are planes from the Kaga, which may mean other elements of KB have made a high speed run from India over the last week or so. The APs/APD's carrying the Marines are now split into 5 TF and going to various points on the compass to escape or at least get most of the division to safety. Most of the area has rain forecasted, so we shall see.

Central Pacific: [>:][>:]

North Pacific: On the 26th, 8 Zeros, 6 Betty, & 24 Helens from Adak attack my SC TF just SE of Dutch Harbor, but no hits were recorded.

Comments - Intel on the 25th reports 1 Guards Mixed Bde is prepping for Suva. Intel on the 27th reports 23 Engineer is prepping for Diamond Harbor. I had hoped to get this first reinforcement convoy to Suva with only 2 CVs while Wasp made it from Panama to join up for the next. Now, I will regroup around Bora Bora and wait for 2 out of 3 CVs at Pearl to get their expanded fighter squadrons on 7/1/42 (Yorktown is due her upgrade and will follow south afterwards). I have over 10 S-boats around Suva and hopefully I can move them around to get a shot at a damaged CV. [:D]

[BrucePowers]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Luzon: A shock attack on Manila on the 26th gets close to the magic 2:1 odds (393:512) to put a huge number of troops into captivity.
Note: He does need 2:1 odds for them to surrender?? Correct??

Not neccesarily. It depends on the die roll.