Splashing the Divebomber

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

First quarter, we scored a touchdown and a field goal so were leading Dive 10-0, but before the half John Parker Wilson and the Bama offense put together some good drives bring the game to 10-7........Oooooops wrong game.





OK, I am celebrating at the moment.



AUBURN BEATS BAMA FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW!
WAR DAMN EAGLE!

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

We are getting ever closer to the October upgrades, and then things will speed up.

Aleutians:
Not much of note other than Dive has moved bombers within range of Adak Is. and is hitting it when weather allows. This turn, instead of running supplies into Adak, my warships are going to bombard the place.

SoPac:
My bombers on Luganville, although set to airfield attack haven't so much as stirred. Their Morale is maxed out, and the range is also maxed out. I don't understand why they won't fly.

India/Burma:
Dive has been flying troops into Imphal, although his transports ran into a welcoming committee last turn. My unit on the road to Imphal has progressed an inch since last turn. Very annoying.

China:
The weather is precluding any large attacks of aircraft, and the ground situation is unchanged.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

I will update tomorrow: My cousin is in town, and we are still celebrating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G3yIIJPGFM



Watch for #54 in the NFL next year - Quentin Groves (DE).

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

I apologize for my extended absence, and the delay in the game. I am at the end of my final semester for my (belated) Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's degree, and have been overwhelmed with school and work. As it turns out, against all odds, I will actually graduate this Saturday.[X(] I guess that proves that even a blind squirrel can get an acorn every now and then. Equally fortunate for me, the company I have been working for since early this summer has offered me a contract I couldn't turn down. I reckon it was a good thing to go to work for an ex-Navy Nuc. Considering I am one also it may have been a good career choice. [:D]

Anyway, the next couple of weeks may prove to be sporadic for me because I will be busy with a business trip to BFE, WV, and then a week of fishing in Florida. But after that, it will be back to the regular grind of beating on Dive Bomber.

It has been so long since I looked at a turn that I kind of forgot what was going on.

Aleutians:
My light surface combat TF was docked in Dutch Harbor, and has been disbanded, but I set 4 DMS' to clear mines there next turn.

SoPac: Little going on other that some transport TF's bearing oil are nearing OZ. The weather here, and everywhere else sucks so I have ordered no attacks with bombers.

Oz: Bad weather.

China: Dive hit Chungking with a large air attack but he only did slight damage. I am perplexed that my large CAP did nothing but watch the pretty Jap planes bomb the place. They didn't even take off apparently.

India/Burma: The weather prohibits anything worth mentioning.

It may take a couple of turns to get back in the swing of things. My mind is still full of Oblique Shock Equations for compressible fluids, Traveling Water Screen and Heavy Lift Crane Sheave stress analysis, Fluid Thermal Systems, etc. etc. One interesting thing I came across in the past week was a paper on Supersonic Wind Tunnels and a study of Oblique Shock effects in them written by one of the Peenemunde Germans - Rudolf Hermann. My fellow engineering students failed to understand my excitement about finding it. [8|]

Anyway, more to come!

[Canoerebel]

Congrats on graduating!  After weeks of studying, I'll bet you need a break to clear you mind of that "thick" feeling that usually sets in during exam week.  Your next duty is to make sure that Auburn beats Clemson. 

[ny59giants]

Dan,
You got it backwards. Clemson needs to beat the stuffing out of Auburn.  [:D][:D]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Dan,
You got it backwards. Clemson needs to beat the stuffing out of Auburn. [:D][:D]

There will be a decided lack of stuffing on either side in this game. If you like defensive struggles then this will be the game for you!

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

RL has kept me busy, and will continue for a bit, but in a better way: tomorrow I graduate, and then Sunday, drive to Florida for some fishing. I will manage to get some turns in I am sure.

Aleutians:
A couple of turns ago one of my DD's cleared a mine with its bow. It will be out of the fight a while. I have been sending supplies into Adak Island pretty regularly: it can hold out a while now I believe.

SoPac:
This area has become sleepy. I will be dropping it from daily updates unless something worth noticing comes up.

Oz:
I launched a major B-17 attack on Bulla's resources, and was disappointed when I scored no hits. It was then that I realized that all of the resources there are kaput already. I reckon it was good training against an undefended target.[8|] Some B-25C's hit Lautem for some 'ok' damage. Once again, it was training.

China:
Dive has been smacking Yenen around pretty hard on the ground (bombarding), and in the air. I would like to see him finally launch an attack there since he has only a couple of hundred more AV's than I, but I have level 9 forts. It would be fun to watch. Dive is keeping damage levels fairly high there lately, but if I can catch a slack moment, I intend to run nearly every fighter I own in the theater to Yenen to catch a slew of Japs with their collective trousers down. I am keeping an eye out for an opportunity.

Burma/India:
I kicked some of Dive's paras out of Imphal a few turns ago, but I am not sure why I did. I should have let him keep it - Jap units are merely out of my way and suffering Malaria there. Oh well, I saw an opportunity, and took it.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

I have let my AAR slip for a few months now for a couple of reasons: I have been very busy and there hasn't been much to report in the game until recently. I will update everyone on the status of the game now:

India/Burma:
Dive's airforce has long been driven from Burma by Allied B-17's and B-24's. Until recently, I have been building up forces in Dacca for my upcoming offensive into Burma. The majority of the invasion is marching overland to Myitkyitina, and then will move on Mandalay. Additional, but far fewer troops are moving on Akyab down the sea road.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

China:

This theater has become stagnant, and will likely remain so for the forseeable future. Eventually these troops will kick up a fuss to keep pressure on Dive's resources. A while back I trapped a Jap Inf division North of Kweilin, and despite daily attacks by overwhelming Chinese forces, it has remained intact. This unit has been out of supply for several weeks, and has an AV of 2, but remains. This is frustrating to say the least.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

Timor:

Here is where my first counter-attack will take place in the near future. Presently the invasion force is finishing up loading aboard ship at Perth, and is being joined by a number of MSW's and upgraded US Destoyers. Unfortunately, the DD's will be the only Naval cover the invasion will get because all of my bigger warships are still far away, but enroute to the vicinity. Massive armadas will not be needed to conquer Timor because Dive has few defenders there, and the only Jap airbase worth the name is Kendari, but that airbase is in rubble, and will stay that way. God Bless Boeing!

My tactics for the invasion is to hit Koepang and Lautem simultaneously with well trained Australian divisions - one each. Follow on support troops, including Aviation Regiments, AA units, and Seabees, will follow the invasion. Dili, which is undefended, will be taken by a Marine Para unit. Unfortunately, this will not happen at the same time, because that unit is still several hundred miles from Darwin, but marching quickly along the rails.

My strategy:
I have decided to go ahead and take Timor quickly without CV and BB support because they are so far away, and I won't need them. Timor is lightly defended, and can be taken quickly I think. Also, by the "Big Boys" not taking part in the invasion, and the fact I am using Aussies for the invasion I hope leads Dive to think that this is a diversion, and he will be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The fact is I have decided to forego the Atoll hopping strategy in lieu of a march through Dive's "breadbasket" - the DEI. I liken this strategy to Sherman and his Bummers march through Georgia and the Carolinas. The first step in taking Timor gives me two bases with level 6 airbase potential, which I will use to base 4E bombers out of to subdue more bases further up the chain. I intend to starve Dive out by hammering resource production everywhere in reach. Hopefully Dive won't realize the DEI is my route to victory until The Marines land on Java.

[Alfred]

Nice to see your return.
 
Alfred

[ny59giants]

I was beginning to wonder if you had been abducted. [:D]
Go for the DEI/SRA area. Try to move in your TB to give him pause of trying to bring in a nuclear BB TF to one of your bases on Timor and beyond. They don't have the range of your LB, but most Japanese players hate to have the TB card turned against them. [;)]
 
Is that the schedule for next fall (08)??  If so, your toughest games are at home. Hopefully, that helps.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

Alfred: Thanks!

ny59giants: I was hesitant to post until I knew I would have time to keep it up, and yes, that is the '08 schedule. Unfortunately most of the tough games are at home, or what we call "Home Field Disadvantage". Auburn plays much better on the road that at home for some reason.

I spoke too soon about the isolated Jap div. in China. It went away this turn; there are many weeping mothers in dear old Nippon this night. I was hoping to launch my Timor TF's towards Wyndham this turn to coordinate my landings, but I had some AP loading headaches that should be rectified in a turn or three. My best P-39 unit in Oz (Exp. 59) just upgraded to P-38's, and were moved to Derby for assembly. These planes will provide cover for the landings on Timor.

The cat may be out of the bag in Burma because some Jap units have been spotted moving North towards the place.

To keep Dive honest, I moved some low experience B-24's to Midway, they have rested, and will now hit Wake's airfield this turn, cloud cover permitting.

Let the games begin!

[Canoerebel]

Glad you're back, Auburn! 
 
I hope Auburn will thump West Virginia.
 
Georgia has an awful road schedule this year, including Arizona State early in the year. 

[bradfordkay]

" Is that the schedule for next fall (08)?? If so, your toughest games are at home. Hopefully, that helps. "

History says that one of those home games does not favor the Tigers... [;)]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

Braadforkay: We don't call it "Homefield Disadvantage" for nothing.



Over the past few months Dive has reduced his presence in the Aleutians. I suppose he decided that attacking mountainous island bases in the far North was not a wise allocation of resources. My outpost on Adak Island held against superior Jap forces for a long time before Dive pulled them out. I suspect that Dive was suffering supply problems there because of mines and PT boat raids, as well as the occasional foray by Allied bombardment squadrons.

The Timor invasion TF’s departed Perth last turn to rendezvous at Derby. Here I will try to time landings on Timor to cooincide with each other. Reinforcing BB’s refueled at Auckland this turn and are continuing their journey towards Perth. The CV’s are further back, just passing Christmas Island at the moment. Eventually I will have to take some of those South Pacific Islands back so I can shorten my lines of communication some.

Brit Surface Combat ships have left Chandpur this turn going to Diamond Harbor. Under cover of Allied P-40B’s they will bombard Akyab to soften it up, and hopefully to distract Dive’s attention from the DEI some. Beaucoup troops are slogging south through Northern Burma jungles to Akyab and Myit.

I have been conducting regular 4E bomber raids in Northern Burma, in the far Southern DEI, Solomon Islands I can reach, and occasionally in China. This turn only Tulagi has been tasked.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

Tulagi's air strike amounted to little. This squadron needs more training.

My Timor invasion TF's are turning the Northwestern corner of Oz. I estimate about 8 or 9 days before the invasions take place.

Dive hasn't appeared to have noticed the Northern Burma invasion forces yet, which is good. But as soon as he starts building up airforces in the region, my Fortresses and Liberators will take to the air once again.

For the first time this game, SF is empty of AK's and TK's. Empties are heading there now.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

The last two days have been eventful to say the least.

Troops landed at Lautem starting two turns ago, and Seabees/auxiliary forces began lasting last turn. The 6th Oz Inf Div kicked out Dive's one wee little base force defending the place. This turn i managed to complete the 6th's landings but only managed to land small fragments of the auxiliaries I wanted to. Fortunately, Dive's air presence in the region has been slight, probably because I have been hammering Kendari's AF pretty regularly by B-17's and B-24's. Once the landings began Dive moved in air reinforcements to Amboina, but more on that later.

Apparently my "surprise" landings on Timor didn't turn out to be as much of a surprise as I had hoped. Dive had a CA TF loitering about at Koepang, and one near Lautem. The Koepang landings were turned back after it's covering DD squadron was totally wiped out (7 DD's), but the Lautem landings went in unopposed, at least for a turn that is. Last turn Dive attacked the landings with yet another CA TF and were turned back themselves inexplicably, but at a loss of 3 DD's and one badly damaged. I decided to retreat with all Naval forces and transports from Eastern Timor although many badly needed rear echelon troops remain on board ship. I have elected to do so because the supply situation in Lautem is not good, and I will be able to land more troops than supplies there next turn because the port level is only 1 and its damage is in the low forties. IF, and I repeat IF the unloading went on unopposed I would primarily only worsen the supply situation there. Enough AV support went in to support three fighter squadrons and three are based there now - one P-40E and two F4F squadrons are operating in Lautem. Supplies are to ferried in by three C-47 squadrons, not to mention more help is on the way in the form of APD's leaving Perth now.

I intend to continue with my landings when more support arrives, in the way of pre-war Heavies enroute to Perth from Melbourne. Unfortunately, all of my available US CA's are escorting my four operational CV's whom are about a week or so out from Auckland, and are running low on fuel, so an accelerated pace is out of the question for the moment.

Last turn my 4E's operating out of Darwin hammered Amboina, destroying about 31 Zeros, Bettys, and Sallys. Usually, after a hazardous mission, like that one, I will stand down the bombers to recover damage and morale, but I imagine there are a large number of damaged airplanes strewn about the airfield, AND the weather is forecast to be clear, so i have ordered another attack on the place this turn. After this attack, I expect the 4E's will be Hors de Combat for a while. Because of this The two B-17 wings based at Luganville transferred to Brisbane this turn. They will rest a little, then head to Darwin to reinforce the effort.

In the Alietians I had hoped to quietly unload supplies and a Seabee unit on Adak Island, but Jap mines there announced my TF's arrival this turn. i figure I will have one more turn to unload there before I have to skedaddle the boats. C'est La Vie.

The next little bit should be entertaining.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

Aleutians:
Dive has beau coup warships at Kodiak Is. My transports at Adak Is. are retreating to Dutch. Unfortunately the port level at Adak Is. is level one so it it is taking too long to unload and I feel I have overstayed my welcome. Now that some Seabees are there maybe we can make some progress on the facilities.

DEI:
It appears I retreated too soon from Lautem - no Jap ships appeared to contest the unloading, but unfortunately the process was taking too long so I had to run. This turn Dive sent a fairly small attack against the base with some Bettys and 37 Zeros. My aircraft (P-40E's and F4F's perform to poorly to do much against them. All fighters have been pulled out, at least until I can get some more Av support into the place, which I will be able to do easily enough by air soon. After I do, i can load the place up with fighters, and will. I REALLY need to get more supplies into the place though. My second airstrike at Amboina destroyed 19 more Jap planes on the ground - worth tiring out the 4E's too badly to fly again for a few turns. Fortunately some more B-17's have arrived in Darwin to help out.

Burma:
My troops on the Akyab road are about 40 miles from the place and are expected to get there sometime before Christmas (I hope). Troops are still snaking down the trails to Myit. Perhaps in a month or so I will be able to mount an assault on Mandalay.

China:
Little of note.