We ask no favours of the enemy. We seek from them no compunction. 1943

[Hortlund]

We have a HR that the two hexrows closest to the map-edge are untouchable for Jap surface or carrier units.
 
Last known location of the KB was two months ago near the Kuriles, I asked.

[Black Dog]

Hi all,

I'm ashamed for this game, but there was my first campaign scenario against human opponent. How can I help you with Jumper? Maybe any from history of game? IMHO is key to advance in the India.

Sorry, I'm from Czech republic and my english is very simply. I understand good, but i'm writing in English with errors. And grammar is not my cup of coffee

[Hortlund]

Hey there [:)]
 
Nice to see that you decided to join the forum. I hope you will find this place as funny and useful as the rest of us.
 
No need to feel ashamed, we have all done more misstakes in this game than we want to remember really, and it is very easy to lose big in the first game or two. We have all done those rookie misstakes. And I completely understand why you lost the will to continue the game after all those losses, in fact, I think many of us would ask for a new game after losing everything like that.
 
I took the game because I wanted a real challenge, and it will definitively not be easy to recapture India, Russia, China, Australia... Im not even sure it can be done. But I want to try.
 
Can you tell me some about how he uses his carriers? Do they operate in one big TF or are they split up? How does he use his surface combat ships? Large TFs or many small? Has he used his carriers to raid the sea-lines between the US and Australia? Does he use paratroopers alot?

[Black Dog]

1) Carriers operate in some few TF on one hex. Typical carrier TF have 2-3 CV + 1-2 CVL or CVE.
2) Combat surface - I don't know what is many small TFs for you. I think 2BB+2CA+1CL+6DD is his typical TF for surface battle. Sometimes fast TF - some CA/CL and DDs.
3) Sea lines are clear between USA and Australia. Carriers were in this area once and they ended without fuel
4) Japanese have any paratroopers? I haven't seen its since March 1942.

[Hortlund]

Today he regrouped much of his airforce to the immideate vincinity of Irkuts. This of cource means that I can expect a huge airbattle tomorrow when he comes to shut down my airfield. The last remaining airfield in the USSR... He moved 300+ fighters and 300+ bombers there, so tomorrow should be a big slaughter.

I am setting all my bombers on ground attack because I dont want them to be caught on the ground. I am setting all my fighters on LRCAP. B24s were flown out to Karachi.

In India Im going to launch a massive bomber strike against a stack of units between two cities. I dont think he has LRCAP over them, and they are two hexes from the nearest city, so the leaking cap should be small enough. Im sending all my bombers there, covered by a handful of P38s. I might not do too much damage, but it should force him to CAP his units, something that will cost ops-losses.

Meanwhile, the buildup for Natalie continues...

[Hortlund]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/18/43

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Irkutsk , at 59,6

Japanese aircraft
J2M Jack x 97
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 118
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 11
Ki-21 Sally x 119
Ki-49 Helen x 129
Ki-46-III Dinah x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 31
I-16 Type 24 x 35
MiG-3 x 94
LaGG-3 x 153
Yak-1 x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M Jack: 27 destroyed, 25 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 22 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 63 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 7 destroyed, 27 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 7 destroyed, 30 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 29 destroyed
I-16 Type 24: 39 destroyed
MiG-3: 96 destroyed
LaGG-3: 158 destroyed
Yak-1: 46 destroyed
IL-2 Shturmovik: 13 destroyed
Pe-2R: 4 destroyed
R-12: 2 destroyed
SB-2: 16 destroyed
Pe-2: 6 destroyed
Li-2: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
551 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 4

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 95

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 10000 feet

[Hortlund]

At the end, our fighters were overwhelmed. I had set all my fighter units to LRCAP over Irkutsk, while the bombers were ordered to attack a ground unit. I counted on getting the bounce because I was expecting to defend my own base against bombers escorted by fighters, not a sweep.

We got the bounce, and during the bounce we took a heavy heavy toll of the cursed japanese. Mostly Tojos and Oscars. But then, our forces were simply overwhelmed. My pilots have experience in the 50s and 60s, while the Japs most certainly dont.

In the end, we took higher casualties. But we managed to inflict heavy losses on those bastards, and I hope he lost alot of good pilots. I have to remind myself that I can afford an attrition rate like this, and he cannot.

I am ordering all my land units in china to assault, I want the units to dissappear as training targets.

[Hortlund]

Absolutely horrible results. But there is nothing else to do. I cannot rebase the fighters or bombers...because apparently the rest of the USSR has vanished. So, they must die.

[String]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

At the end, our fighters were overwhelmed. I had set all my fighter units to LRCAP over Irkutsk, while the bombers were ordered to attack a ground unit. I counted on getting the bounce because I was expecting to defend my own base against bombers escorted by fighters, not a sweep.

We got the bounce, and during the bounce we took a heavy heavy toll of the cursed japanese. Mostly Tojos and Oscars. But then, our forces were simply overwhelmed. My pilots have experience in the 50s and 60s, while the Japs most certainly dont.

In the end, we took higher casualties. But we managed to inflict heavy losses on those bastards, and I hope he lost alot of good pilots. I have to remind myself that I can afford an attrition rate like this, and he cannot.

I am ordering all my land units in china to assault, I want the units to dissappear as training targets.

If you are a fan of gameyness then you can change the more attrited units to SEAC and have them appear in karachi in 60 days.

[Hortlund]

ORIGINAL: String

If you are a fan of gameyness then you can change the more attrited units to SEAC and have them appear in karachi in 60 days.

I might. It seems Irkutsk will be lost soon enough anyway. I cant defend the airbase...the last airbase in the entire Soviet Union btw...no other airfield, dirt-strip or flat surface where aircraft can be based exists in all of the USSR apparently... and I cant move my units out.

At the same time, all the replacement pools for the Soviets are empty. Except the I-16s. I have less than 10 LaGGs avaliable, less than 10 Mig3s, less than 10 Yak-1s. One has to marvel at the mighty soviet industry...

So, tomorrow he will return with 300 bombers and 300 fighters, and tomorrow I will face him with perhaps 50 fighters. The day after that I wont be facing him at all.

Im no fan of gameyness, but the idea that the USSR can be completely conquered like this pisses me off something severely, and if he decides to knock the USSR out of the war, then I will move the units to Karachi. I think it is more realistic to have them appear there, than to have them all just vanish.

[Hortlund]

Heh...
 
I moved my only CV TF into port at Sydney to repair some sys-damage on the Essex. Today when I checked the status of the repairs, I was kinda surprised. At first I could not understand what had happened...had there been a gigantic port strike that I missed in the combat report? Then I realized that I must have had allow upgrades on...all 23 DDs were at 15-20 sys-damage. I guess we'll remain in port a little while longer than expected.
 
But our AAA has improved [:D]

[Hortlund]

Nothing much to report. I am still gathering forces for NATALIE. Most of these units will not be in place for another month or so.

This will be a huge operation. I am counting on two divisions in the initial wave, and then three more in phase two. Apart from these combat units I will have to use at least 15 SeeBees-units and 5 aviation units. Add to that approximately 1000 bombers, 1000 fighters, hundreds of transport ships, my entire sub fleet...

I am also allocating two air HQs, three land HQs and one pacific command to this operation.

The only downside of NATALIE is that I have to do it completely without carrier cover. I will have two fleet carriers avaliable, a handful of CVLs and a dozen CVEs. Nothing you want to face the KB with. So...land based aircover is the key here.

[Hortlund]

I might have to launch phase 1 of Natalie sooner rather than later. He has been focusing recon flights to the main departure port for Natalie, so he should see the forces building up there.

Today he attacked Irkutsk. over 500 000 Jap soldiers are attacking, I have 300 000 defenders. Looks like its merely a matter of time before the USSR falls then.

[Hortlund]

Im starting a small offensive in India. Its not as much an offensive as a test of his base-defences. Im moving a chindit brigade on a fast transport to Panaij. We shall see what happens.

Natalie is a go. Troops are embarking the ships for phase 1.

[Hortlund]

Troops have finished boarding. Ships are moving to the jump-off point. Today is D-9.

I'll post a map of natalie soon.

[Hortlund]

There are two things going on right now.

1) NATALIE has kicked off. Phase 1 is aimed at closing off the straights between Australia and New Guniea to enemy shipping. Im building a huge blockade with all my subs in the marked area. The reason is that I dont want any surprises from this area when Im starting with the land-phase of NATALIE.

2) India. I want to try a Maskirovka here to see what sort of response I get. Im going to try to land one brigade at Panaij, and at the same time fake an attack out from Karachi. I want to see if he flies in reinforcements or if he tries something else. This will be useful in the future when I might try a real offensive here.

[Hortlund]

Well, the Panjii adventure was a slaughter. No more attempts like that in India for a while.

Natalie is doing somewhat better. I think Ive managed to sink or badly damage 4-5 MLs. Cant be sure because of the synch-bug, but it seems he tried to mine Thursday Island after I mined it myself. 5 of MLs hit mines, and are retiring with heavy damage.

Here is what the sub blockade looks like right now.

[Hortlund]

I am waiting for the turn. Ive launched a small invasion of a dot-base off Gilli Gilli, and the ships should arrive tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. The dot-base is 0 (1) for airfield, so it should be relatively quick to build it up to an airfield. at the same time I dont want to commit a too large force there, so Im just sending a see bee unit and a small garrison force. Will be interesting to see his reply on that.
 

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Panzerjaeger Hortlund

Well, the Panjii adventure was a slaughter. No more attempts like that in India for a while.

Natalie is doing somewhat better. I think Ive managed to sink or badly damage 4-5 MLs. Cant be sure because of the synch-bug, but it seems he tried to mine Thursday Island after I mined it myself. 5 of MLs hit mines, and are retiring with heavy damage.

Here is what the sub blockade looks like right now.

a hundred Helens in this area would wreck havoc on your subs I guess...[;)]

are you sure it makes sense to have more than one sub in a hex?

[Hortlund]

Hehe, there is a reason Im basing all those subs pretty far away from Darwin you know... [;)]
 
But no, there is no point to have more than one sub in a hex, the reason it looks like that is because they are still moving to their respective patrol areas...