Dark Side of the Moon

[tekk]

I wouldn't get to cocky Raver, that's still gonna be a really hard fight...what if you do reclaim OZ but there were no major battles for you to have won? that's as good as nothing isn't it? Australia can be used by Honda to gain time, he can just use it that way, it isn't much of a loss at all to him to lose it. Pouring resources and manpower into re-capturing it in 1944 is a waste imo, you could have moved elsewhere, closer to Japan and inflicted much worse losses on him.

[witpqs]

'Tis a matter of honor for the Raver.

[1275psi]

yes, for an Aussie to think that a japanese occupier is drinking HIS Beer -is unthinkable!

[wdolson]

I think Honda invaded Australia deliberately to get Raver's goat.  I think he was relying on Raver being honor bound to recapture his homeland and fight a big land battle thousands of miles from Tokyo.  Fight a delaying action in Australia and run the clock out.

Bill

[USSAmerica]

All good reasons, Bill, but I think there was one more significant reason that Honda invaded Australia.  There was nothing left for him to capture, except Karachi, Hawaii, and North America.  [:D]
 
Honda crushed a ton of ships and eliminated a ton of LCU's when he captured Oz.  Dave is retaking all of it, but he's now on the offensive with a lot less to work with than he might have had.

[Honda]

I was a bit lazy updating the AAR as of late, but this sudden surge of opinion has spured me on to report the latest developments[:)]

We are now in early February, but I'll first give you the highlights from the last three weeks.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/22/44

KURILES:
A major unprotected strike reaches Onnekaton Jima. The P-38 sweep fails to locate its taret and what ensues is a bloodbath:
Day Air attack on Onnekotan Jima , at 81,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 35
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 43

Allied aircraft
F-5C Lightning x 6
B-24J Liberator x 435

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 8 destroyed, 27 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 26 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 4 destroyed, 33 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F-5C Lightning: 5 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 104 destroyed, 167 damaged


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/23/44

KURILES:
A follow-up strike just goes to show whta problems I'm having with the Lightnings:
Day Air attack on Onnekotan Jima , at 81,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 34
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 28
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 26

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 151
B-24J Liberator x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 26 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 10 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 29 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 26 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 28 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 23


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/24/44

KURILES:
This was the first occasion where Raver sent his P-38s on a sweep for the second consecutive day (without resting them). Even so, my diminishing fighter defences struggle and fail to get positive odds:
Day Air attack on Onnekotan Jima , at 81,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 13
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 82

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 9 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 8 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 20 destroyed, 6 damaged

At this point I have only some 100 fighters on Onnekaton (Parmushiro being abandoned before in favour of concentrating the defences). BTW, Oscars have been unable to take down more then 1 or 2 Lightnings during the whole northern air campaign. Although given slightly better characteristics, they are still hopelessly outmatched by any Allied modern fighter. I can only hope Oscar III will perform somewhat better.

INDIA:
In here the defence is centered around Bombay. Other two front-line bases have been left unproteced from the air. As a result, both Delhi and Lahore are regularly targeted by Raver's bombers. His modern fighters are based at Ahmadabd and make a sweep, much like this one, every 10 days or so:
Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 55
N1K1-J George x 48
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 27
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 57

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 35
Thunderbolt II x 40
P-40N Warhawk x 40
P-47C Thunderbolt x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 23 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 11 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 13 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 27 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 34 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 28 destroyed
Thunderbolt II: 17 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 22 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 11 destroyed, 5 damaged

The India air campaign has been a genuine ace maker for my elite fighter corps, but with the arrival of Thunderbolts it's fast becoming thier graveyard. Namely, the leading navy ace, Oyama flying on a Zeke, has lost his lfe in this engaement, stopped after claiming 19 kills. The undisputed ace of aces, army's Fukudome of 65th Sentai flying Tonys, has, after scoring his 26th victory, been wounded and rescued. Again.[:D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/28/44

MARSHALLS:
This island chain is being held by the Japanese. After invading empty Gilberts, Raver has starting moving up the ladder. So far uncontested, this has been the only engagement of the campaign:
Day Air attack on TF, near Makin at 85,89

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AK Empire Audacity, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK West Cawthon, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/30/44

KURILES:
This attack finds Onnekaton Jima empty...
Day Air attack on Onnekotan Jima , at 81,34

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 125
B-24J Liberator x 111

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 19 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 20
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 47

...but only just because the local fighters were protecting Paramushiro.
Day Air attack on Paramushiro Jima , at 82,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 35
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 16
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 24
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 34

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 74
B-24J Liberator x 262

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 9 destroyed, 16 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 13 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 24 destroyed, 11 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 12 destroyed, 68 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Port hits 10
Port supply hits 13

The losses ratio is not even that bad, but the situation is becoming untenable.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/31/44

KURILES:
And here's the last Japanese victory over Onnekaton for some time, at least:
Day Air attack on Onnekotan Jima , at 81,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 17
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 20
B-24J Liberator x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged

No point in having less then 50 fighters on CAP waiting for possible 400+ ac raids, now is there?
Remaining fighters withdrawn from Onnekaton. Japanese fighters will return to Onnekaton again when both quantity and quality can be paired together, and not a moment sonner.

INDIA:
A good performance by Nicks:
Night Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 31

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 14
Mosquito FB.VI x 18
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIC: 3 destroyed, 8 damaged
Mosquito FB.VI: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/01/44

INDIA:
This is the latest raid on Bombay:
Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 98
N1K1-J George x 37
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 37

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 23
Thunderbolt II x 33
Liberator VI x 41
P-40N Warhawk x 29
P-47C Thunderbolt x 36
B-25J Mitchell x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 44 destroyed, 10 damaged
N1K1-J George: 9 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 12 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 21 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 23 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 19 destroyed
Thunderbolt II: 16 destroyed, 1 damaged
Liberator VI: 5 destroyed, 22 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 17 destroyed
P-47C Thunderbolt: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28

Still, I manage to hold on in Bombay. A great morale booster cam with the report of the death of one of the leading enemy aces. FLT Stones, D. W. has been shot down and captured (feel free to calcuate the odds of him escaping[:D]) after scoring 16 kills. The morale booster here lies in the fact that he was a exp 97 pilot flying a Thunderbolt II. So, if I can shoot him down, I can shoot everybody down.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/04/44

INDIA:
Here's a little treat. This is where range means more then overall performance. LRCAP trap over Delhi:
Day Air attack on Delhi , at 27,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29

Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 30
B-24J Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 13 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Liberator VI bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Liberator VI bombing at 6000 feet

Let me just add that I didn't invade Oz because there was nothing left to invade. Had it been like that, I'm sure it would have failed. My Oz operaion has been planned and put into action long before I knew if I would have all the prerequisites met. And Karachi I left alone only because I think that kicking the Brits out of the war that way is unrealistic. My India-Oz plan, however optimistic, was a result of an economy oriented expansion policy. The Pacific held no real value to my industry. Strategicaly, I profited enormously from that, and in the Pacific I set up a favourable and defendable defensive line, formed so there would be no contact points withing the enemy fighters' range to eliminate the impact Corsair would normaly have made. Just to illustrate, I have not yet had a dogfight with the Corsair, and I consider that one of my greates achievments. All credit to Raver, of course, for not using them in India and role-playing the unit-theater-command structure.

[veji1]

Very nice, when do you get the Oscar III and what are its stats ? and the Franks ? I know this is a joint AAR so you can't tell us too much if you want to surprise Raver with an early deployment of Franks for example..

If I remenber well you have lost only 2 CVs right ?

[Honda]

Yup, Akagi and Hiryu. Midway syndrome. Soryu made a heroic recovery from 99/99 and has been again a part of the KB for months now. Kaga was at the time leading the CVLs in their support of the India landings. Lucky B.
Oscar III arrives in 5/44, stats:
speed: 352
mvr: 37
dur: 27
armor: 1
The rest is like stock Oscar II. So still undergunned and underpowered. Just the way I like 'em.[8D]
Since this is PD off, Franks won't arrive in large numbers, which, I guess, makes them even more precious.
Possible, if any, r&d advances on those to fighters will, of course, remain undisclosed in this AAR[:)]

[veji1]

Whaow, PDU off, that's nice... Well it will be tough then. I guess all depends on KB living long enough to be equipped with Reppus...

[Honda]

Here's something for kindergarten age: combine words to produce a coherent sentence
In
Park
For the next year and a half
Port Arthur
KB
[:D]


Mental note: start Reppu r&d[;)]
(oops, done that already...)
Strong economy rules!

[Honda]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/08/44

INDIA:
Today, the game of cat and mouse in India has ended with mouse getting eaten by the aforementioned feline creature. Several times before I gambled by not putting up CAP to avoid sweeps by superior fighters. This time, I made a huge mistake:

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 10
Thunderbolt II x 3
Liberator VI x 99
P-40N Warhawk x 39
B-25J Mitchell x 43
B-24J Liberator x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 15 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 18 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 14 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 12 destroyed
H8K Emily: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator VI: 15 damaged
B-25J Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
881 casualties reported
Guns lost 28

Airbase hits 38
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 116

The good news is 4 enemy bombers will never, I repeat NEVER, fly again! BUahahaha * caugh,caugh*...
Where's the beer!? I'm running out!

[trollelite]

I think our dear PZB has eaten many times such results, but his empire still survives and continues to fight, seems quite healthy...[;)]

[Honda]

Nah, I'm just faking it[:D]
Ouch, ow, ow *rolling on the floor in a fetal position* ...

[Raverdave]

Well here is a look at what I own as of the 12/2/44. And as you can see I am also showing where my current and future operations are. No real big secrets, as Honda would have figured it out anyhow.

By far the biggest op is going to be the encirclement of the sub-continent which will trap the better part of 50 jap units. Planning for this op has been going on now for the last year, and I nearly have all the transports in place. *Evil laugh*

[Honda]

Bull...

[BrucePowers]

Tell us how you really feel Honda[:D]

I remember Raver pulled a fast one on Luskan back in 2004 by lieing through his teeth about what was in Java[:D]

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: pauk

Ahhh, that means we can expect Allied offensive in India![:D]

Leave them there, they will be a continued drain on their supply. make some threats against Ceylon to grab some attention. (Aren't I smart, I just saw Ravers last map)

Likewise a push in the north to threaten to shorter approach to Japan (and be within B24 range of Tokyo)

[Raverdave]

Well I HAD to take Australia back....national pride was at stake and now that mission is nearing completion i can move on to the next couple of operations that were outlined in the map posted above.
First a few words about here and there:-

KURILES: well I have forced our hero, Honda, to concede the skies to me.  His losses  were starting to mount to the point where he cannot continue to meet my air fleets. 

INDIA:  I have managed to force his vaulted airfarce south to Lucknow which now puts them out of reach of my fighters.  This guy has a yellow stripe so wide you could use him to guide the space shuttle to earth.  Come out and fight you black-hearted coward!

AUSTRALIA:  His troops are running so fast that they are leaving a swath of equipment that makes it much to easy to follow.  I hope to pin him against the North coast but to tell you the truth, he is running faster than I expected.

HOME Islands:  I have for the last 6 to 8 months been fighting a nasty little ASW war in and around his Home Islands.  There have been times that I have lost a number of subs for little gain, but this now seems to be changing to the point where I am hitting a target at least one every two turns.  Even better his ASW Tf have tappered right off and he is simply using aircraft which are as useful as a brains in a statue.  I can and will strangle his supply and SLOC.

[Raverdave]

BP, you have a long and good memory.  No such time for tricks in this game....the clock is running and I have to push forward.

[tekk]

well as usual, everything will depend on the next carrier clash