Hyper-War: ny59giants (A) vs. n01487477 (J)

[ny59giants]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/15/42
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TF 105 encounters mine field at Palembang [Sumatra] (20,55)

Japanese Ships
MSW RTN Chao Phya
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2

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Day Air attack on Heiho [Chosen] , at 66,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 15

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 30
R-12 x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
5 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
4 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
3 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
2 x MiG-3 bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Changsha [S China] , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 27

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Ye [Burma] , at 29,35

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 17
Lysander I x 2
Spitfire VB x 30

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Spitfire VB bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Spitfire VB bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on Batavia [Java] , at 20,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 46
G3M2 Nell x 22
G4M1 Betty x 37
Ki-21-II Sally x 30

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 3 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 7000 feet
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
12 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
8 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 7000 feet
4 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 7000 feet
7 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 7000 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 7000 feet

This base is being closed down. I'm slowly move LBA down to Soerabaja and the few AFs down there. Some Dutch LBA is being disbanded and they will come back in 90 days at Sydney.
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Day Air attack on Makassar [Celebes] , at 30,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 11
G4M1 Betty x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 4000 feet
2 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 4000 feet
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Day Air attack on IJA 14th Division, at 67,24

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 6

Allied aircraft
IL-2 Shturmovik x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-2 Shturmovik: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x IL-2 Shturmovik bombing at 2000 feet

Recon shows almost 100,000 Japanese troops across from Blagovyeshensk (one of the double bases midway up from Vladivostok for those, like me, are unfamiliar with Russia). I have a base with a fort almost to 5 and it is across a river in a woods hex. He may wait until the "Death Star" gets close before going across.
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Day Air attack on ROC 23rd Field Army , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 7
Ki-15II Babs x 5

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 15000 feet
3 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on ROC 23rd Field Army , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 24

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on ROC 44th Field Army , at 48,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-32 Mary x 20
Ki-15II Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 15000 feet
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Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on IA 22nd Brigade, at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 11
Ki-21-II Sally x 27
Ki-49 -I Helen x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 14000 feet
13 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 14000 feet
11 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 14000 feet
6 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 14000 feet
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Day Air attack on AA 27th Brigade AIF , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 12
Ki-21-II Sally x 10
Ki-49 -I Helen x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48-I Lily bombing at 14000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 14000 feet
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 14000 feet
4 x Ki-49 -I Helen bombing at 14000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 21,56

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 5
Martin 139 x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Martin 139: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 8000 feet
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Day Air attack on TF at 21,56

Allied aircraft
Martin 139 x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 8000 feet

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Ground combat at Iman [AMUR]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 200921 troops, 3095 guns, 1469 vehicles, Assault Value = 4909

Defending force 38906 troops, 648 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1282

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Ground combat at Sinyang [Cent China]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 32078 troops, 425 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 1011

Defending force 22208 troops, 311 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1066

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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Ground combat at 63,33

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16441 troops, 275 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 452

Defending force 1605 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Japanese max assault: 455 - adjusted assault: 435

Allied max defense: 24 - adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 87 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
99 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Ichang [C China]

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28021 troops, 331 guns, 25 vehicles, Assault Value = 1382

Defending force 9749 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 261

Allied max assault: 1099 - adjusted assault: 472

Japanese max defense: 228 - adjusted defense: 117

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
511 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
Vehicles lost 4

Comments:
Both CV Enterprise and Yorktown have upgraded their fighters to F4F-4 Wildcats and TBs to Avengers. This is important as the F4F-4 Wildcats have a range of 5/7 and the Avengers 6/8. These go along with the Dauntless 5/7. Thus, I can reach out to 7 hexes, but I have set them all for 6 hexes. I'm now on par with the Kates lethal range of 6 hexes with torpedoes and my Dauntless have one hex more than his Vals. Too bad I don't have Corsairs or Hellcats. [:D]

[ny59giants]

Damian has been working on the newest version of Tracker and forgot to enable to combat reports and animations for the turn. Thus, I have little to go on beyond what the report says. As an Allied player, I use Bodhi's Utility. This enables me to track ship movements and see trends that can be used later.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/16/42
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TF 105 encounters mine field at Muntok [Banka] (21,55)

Japanese Ships
MSW RTN Chao Phya
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2

All these ships at Muntok and Palembang are within 4 hexes of my fully repaired base at Singapore. That happens to be the range of Pe-2 DBs with their 2 x 500kg AP bombs. Just some foreshadowing. [:D]
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TF 105 encounters mine field at Palembang [Sumatra] (20,55)

Japanese Ships
MSW RTN Chao Phya
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2

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TF 56 encounters mine field at Muntok [Banka] (21,55)

Japanese Ships
DD Amagiri

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Naval bombardment of Petropavlovsk [KAM], at 85,32 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Yura
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise
BB Nagato

Allied ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Nice to know where some of his BBs are.
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Coastal Guns at Petropavlovsk [KAM], 85,32, firing at TF 106
TF 106 troops unloading over beach at Petropavlovsk [KAM], 85,32

184 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Toho Maru
AK MomoKawa Maru
DD Hatsushimo
DD Shigure
DD Yugure
AP Tamaki Maru
AP La Plata Maru
CL Kinu
DD Yugumo
AP Kobe Maru

Japanese ground losses:
1061 casualties reported

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Coastal Guns at Petropavlovsk [KAM], 85,32, firing at TF 106
TF 106 troops unloading over beach at Petropavlovsk [KAM], 85,32

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AK Toho Maru, Shell hits 1
AK MomoKawa Maru

Japanese ground losses:
161 casualties reported

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TF 105 encounters mine field at Muntok [Banka] (21,55)

Japanese Ships
MSW RTN Chao Phya
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2

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TF 105 encounters mine field at Palembang [Sumatra] (20,55)

Japanese Ships
MSW RTN Chao Phya
MSW W.4
MSW W.3
MSW W.2

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Day Air attack on Heiho [Chosen] , at 66,25

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 15

Allied aircraft
MiG-3 x 26
R-12 x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

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Day Air attack on Changsha [S China] , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 2 damaged

Runway hits 5

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Day Air attack on Ye [Burma] , at 29,35

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 14
Lysander I x 3
Spitfire VB x 30

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 4

Another day, another training run. Thankfully, no airframes are lost.
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Day Air attack on Batavia [Java] , at 20,60

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 48
G3M2 Nell x 23
G4M1 Betty x 40
Ki-21-II Sally x 32

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 4 destroyed
Martin 139: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 74

All but the patrol planes have moved to Soerabaja and/or surrounding fields afterwards. All viable ships have left Java. The island will soon be used for hit and run attacks and the not so glorious death of the Dutch Air Force.
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Day Air attack on Makassar [Celebes] , at 30,70

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 11
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2

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Day Air attack on ROC 208th Division, at 46,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

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Day Air attack on AA 27th Brigade AIF , at 22,51

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-I Lily x 13
Ki-21-II Sally x 31
Ki-49 -I Helen x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-I Lily: 1 damaged
Ki-21-II Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49 -I Helen: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported

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ASW attack near Petropavlovsk [KAM] at 85,32

Japanese Ships
CLAA Nemo-san
AP Kobe Maru
DD Yugure
DD Hatsushimo
DD Shigure
DD Yugumo
CL Kinu

Allied Ships
SS SHCH128, hits 1, on fire Damage is 44/79. I don't think she will make is safely to Dutch Harbor.

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Ground combat at Iman [AMUR]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 201626 troops, 3102 guns, 1470 vehicles, Assault Value = 4937

Defending force 38889 troops, 647 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1280

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Sinyang [Cent China]

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 32219 troops, 428 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 1020

Defending force 22212 troops, 312 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1063

Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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Ground combat at 63,33

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16533 troops, 279 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 454

Defending force 1433 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Japanese max assault: 458 - adjusted assault: 898

Allied max defense: 16 - adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 299 to 1 Odds are getting worse.

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
3129 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

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Ground combat at Ichang [C China]

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22977 troops, 283 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 1330

Defending force 9417 troops, 83 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 247

Allied max assault: 997 - adjusted assault: 551

Japanese max defense: 209 - adjusted defense: 37 Out of supply and no place to retreat. Damian will not allow them to surrender. Fine! I still have half my LCUs with experience below 50 and I will now use my SB-2(M) to gain that valuable asset (experience).

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
285 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
615 casualties reported
Guns lost 20
Vehicles lost 1

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Ground combat at Sinyang [Cent China]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15856 troops, 244 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1062

Defending force 39176 troops, 445 guns, 231 vehicles, Assault Value = 1020

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Ground combat at Petropavlovsk [KAM]

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3002 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Defending force 2917 troops, 42 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 88

[ny59giants]

17 Jan 42 - Air Raid Sydney

Japanese mine sweeping continues at Palembang, Muntok, and Canton island

I-169 who has been playing hide and seek with my patrol craft about 6 hexes NE of Pearl is sunk by 4 of my newly upgraded Clemson/Wilkes Class DDs with two direct hits.

CV Zuikaku, CVA Yamato, and CVL Warabite appear 4 hexes SE of Sydney. DD Bulmer is sunk, but thankfully no torpedoes are launched. I guess all those sacrifices to the Dice gods are paying off. [:D]

Day Air attack on Sydney [Australia] , at 38,125

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 9
D3A2 Val x 49
B5N2 Kate x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 6 destroyed, 14 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 6, on fire
DD Bulmer, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Perth, Bomb hits 3
CL Danae, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
DD John D. Edwards, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Stuart, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Paul Jones, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MSW Wollongong, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
ML Bungaree, Bomb hits 1
DD Edsall, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
22 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 7000 feet
24 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
26 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 7000 feet
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 7000 feet

7 Pe-2 use the fully repaired AF at Singapore to hit DE Hashidate at Muntok with 4 x 500kg AP bombs and sinks. I fully expect a counterstrike here next turn.

The ground "Death Star" attacks at Iman. I wonder how much he is prepping his LCUs for the next objective? He has 10 divisions, 3 brigades, 7 FA, 1 engineer, plus numerous support troops.

Ground combat at Iman [AMUR]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 202173 troops, 3110 guns, 1475 vehicles, Assault Value = 4954

Defending force 38900 troops, 647 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1282

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese max assault: 4779 - adjusted assault: 1748

Allied max defense: 1322 - adjusted defense: 2443

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese ground losses:
4700 casualties reported
Guns lost 212
Vehicles lost 19

Allied ground losses:
693 casualties reported
Guns lost 32

Shortland Island is captured

I get 15:1 odds at Ichang. The reduction of the trapped Japanese division will take some time.

A Mixed Brigade has landed at Petropavlovsk. I hope it has been prepping for this objective for some time as past AARs I've read show that combat in the north without significant prep points in Winter can be brutal.

[ny59giants]

18 Jan 41

The 303 EAB is landed at Pertopavlovsk (joins the Mixed Brigade).

Over Hengchow, Damian adds Zekes to the mix for the first time. 12 Zekes escort 12 Sonia, 7 Lily, 8 Sally vs 10 P-35 Hawks. I lose 4 Hawks.

The expected counterattacks happen at Singapore. Damian may say I'm predictable, but after almost everyone of my little hit and run attacks, the AF(s) get hit. First 27 Nates; then 24 Lily, 14 Helen, 47 Sally; and finally 53 Betty and 3 Angels hit the AF. The damage stands at Service - 29 and Runway - 54.

I knew that he would be using the AF at Balikpapan soon. Today, a strike from there hit Soerabaja - 41 Zekes, 14 Nell, 73 Betty, and 42 Sally vs 6 Demons and 6 Hawk 75 result in the loss of 16 planes from a2a and on the ground. The AF damage stands at Service 8 and Runway - 16.

Hit and Run: I expected the counterattack at Singapore, so I moved my Pe-2 to Palembang (the service damage was still 36, but there was no runway damage). They were joined by more Pe-2, Martins, T-IVa, and P-40E. They hit the ships at Muntok. A MSW was sunk by a single torpedo from the T-IVa. An AK was hit by 2 x 500lb GP from the Martins, while a large AP was hit by the Pe-2s. 9 hits from both 100kg AP and 500kg AP hit the large AP and she will probably sink in the next few days. Of course, I moved my planes out and Damian will probably hit it hard from Kuching next turn. I had hoped for more hits on his escorts, but I'll settle for this. These Pe-2s are now in the mid-60 in experience and are going to be hard to deal with. [:D]

I attacked his cut off troops at Ichang at 23:1 odds.

Comments:
Marvis from Canton Island are now Recon over Pago Pago. Is KB going to be used to cover an invasion soon??

The 3 CVs from Sydney seem to be headed for Nz. My ships at Auckland flee to the southern map edge.
Due to the attack at Sydney, I've spent the PP to have one of the Aviation Rgt assigned to SW Pacific. They are loading at San Fran and will follow the map edge shipping channel all the way around to Perth.

For those of the readers unfamiliar with Empire's Ablaze, he has the original KB. Plus, the CVA Yamato with 96 planes and add in the 5 x CVLs and 4 x CVEs, that gives him a lot of carrier strength to make raids. There are more carrier becoming available soon. Thus, most reinforcements will take the safer, but longer route to Australia.

[ny59giants]

1/19/42 - Luzon Situation Updated
After the initial lands, not much has happened combat wise except the Allied Air Force was driven from the skies. The screen shot below show my defensive positions.
Baguio/Balinta Pass: Forts - 4, AV - 316, in a mtn hex vs 10 LCU 35480/402/257 that have just moved there this last turn from the coast. Reserves have been sent here and "if" he takes his time, I can double the AV within a few days.
Lingayen: Forts - 1 (93%), AV - 751, in a woods hex. 2 LCUs are moved back from here to Clark before going to Baguio.
Naga: Forts - 2 (17%), AV - 498, in a woods hex.
Manila: Forts - 1 (34%), AV - 68, Supply - 85,000, both Oil and Resources over 23,000.
Overall: I have over 1900 AV on Luzon with plenty of supply. The siege here will take some time (I expect to hold out to March/April '42). I'm evac a fragment of a Philippine Division and BF by subs from the islands to Darwin.


Another attack over Hengchow results in 5 more P-35 Hawks lost. They are taken out of this base afterwards.

Singapore - Japan losses 10 planes to flak from two separate attacks and the AF continues to gather more damage. It looks like this potential base for further hit and run attacks is closed for the foreseeable future. [:(]

Palembang - The expected counter strike happens as 45 Zekes, 30 Nells, 53 Betty, and 36 Sally from Kuching hit the AF. The big AP sinks from yesterdays attacks.

Makassar - the daily runs of 10 Zekes and 11 Betty hit the AF. There is no damage to the AF and "if" he leaves Balikpapan without sufficient LRCAP, then this base will be able to handle some DB/TB.

Kendari - I-158 sinks a small AK (600 capacity). I have 3 of these very small AKs transporting supplies to Koepang.

Ichang - my attacks go off at 11:1.

[Nemo121]

Well, you're doing really well here ny59giants. If you can continue to hold Manilla etc then you should be able to fly in loads of long-range American and British and Soviet bombers ( Il-4s, B-25s, Wellingtons, beauforts) etc and create a veritable hornets nest for the enemy.
 
One suggestion, I found it essential to hold bases in Southern China if I wanted to be able to fly replacement fighters into Manilla - The Chinese and Allied P-43s are essential to this effort as they have great range.
 
I think he's made a major mistake here as while he can certainly take the DEI and Malaysia with just the forces readily at hand he absolutely cannot move on to India until the Phillipines is fully taken as:
a) it'll tie down troops desperately needed in India otherwise and
b) your bombers operating from Clarke and Manilla can attrit his forces unacceptably.
 
What are your naval plans, if you don't mind me asking?

[ny59giants]

Naval plans are:
US CVs will escorting the reinforcements for Hawaii and picking up the extra fighter squadrons that I had sent there before I realized I wanted them on my CVs. I need to make Hawaii defensible as the CVs will be needed to escort the South Pacific transports. The early loss of Palmrya and Christmas Islands has forced me to take the long way to and from the WC (via Panama). The APs from Nz/Oz have had to take the southern channels to Panama and now some have past Panama and are heading to San Fran (usually they would be at San Fran by now). Most of my PPs are now getting various LCUs commands changed to SP and some to SW Pacific. Tentatively, I would like to reinforce the Suva/Pago Pago islands groups, but my fall back position will be French Polynesia. With KB off the radar, I cannot afford to send out my transports without escorts.

I get my 3rd British CV and it will join the others down near Perth. Force Z and the American/Dutch from the SRA are off of Broome right now. With this mod, the defense of Perth is a high priority and 2 BF are building up Exmouth right now. I've been looking for places I could use these forces, but he has kept his forces close to Borneo to date and moved Nell/Betty to his bases.

I have not forgotten about Luzon. I did move in British and Dutch TB for some time and then he cut them off from Borneo/Java. The defense of the southern bases in China is going on and has been a priority since the beginning. Another 35 plus Pe-2s are training in western Russia while some Chinese are around SE India training. I'm hoping he feels he can move on and leave minimal air power to deal with Luzon.

Most of my subs that operated in the SRA have damage and many of the Russian subs sent that way have 20 to 30 sys damage and after refueling at Perth have headed to Capetown/South Atlantic Entry Base for repairs.

Overall, he sent 2 divisions (200 & 201) plus a brigade to Russia. He moved 2 divisions from Canton over to Shanghai for the defense of Nanchang. He has control of the skies in the SRA, but I can still conduct hit and run attacks (but those are shrinking). IMO, he doesn't have enough ground forces to take Luzon or Singapore. He may take Java, but I have Malang over fort level 4 and building (its a mtn hex, but malaria). Most of my Dutch LCUs have been prepping for this base and should be near 100%, if and when, he gets there.

I've played the Allies enough to know that my major liability early on is the lack of sufficient aviation support. I've gotten out most of 1 BF from Luzon and part of another to Perth. I got 1/2 of the two armor bn safely through his LBA to Perth. I'm evac a part of 4 BF out of Singapore. Each of them build up to 90 aviation support each. Since he just hit Sydney with 2CV, 1CVL; 2 Av Rgt and 1 large BF are taking the long way to Australia.

I'm trying to sting him when I can, but know that this a long game and I want him to pay attention to his flanks.

I hoped this answered some of your  questions. [8D]

[ny59giants]

20 Jan 42

Landings take place at Buin & Port Moresby

Coastal Guns at Port Moresby [NG], 54,93, firing at TF 58
TF 58 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby [NG], 54,93

173 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Katori, Shell hits 1
LCM AG-1758N, Shell hits 1
LCM AG-1757N
LCM AG-1754N, Shell hits 1
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
LCM AG-1751N, Shell hits 4, on fire
AK Uzan Maru, Shell hits 1
AK Ushio Maru
CA Kinugasa
AK Korei Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Chikuma
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
AK Hiteru Maru

Japanese ground losses:
551 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Kendari: I-158 puts 2 torpedoes in another very small AK. It joins its sister in the port disbanded.

Singapore: Another air attack leaves the AF at service 53 and runway at 89 damage.

Palembang: Another air attack leaves the AF service 45 and runway at 35 damage. Meanwhile 10 LCUs have crossed over from Muntok. No attacks yet.

Djambi (Sumatra): Para units take this base to eliminate a retreat rout north from Palembang

Ichang: I get 14:1 odds. He has moved a LCU into the hex next to it where I have an Chinese Field Army. I hope this doesn't allow his division trapped an escape route.

Comments:
It would have been nice to put up more of a defense for Port Moresby, but I don't have the forces to do so. Australia has few BF and those are the small 30 aviation support size when they have filled out their full TO&E. I had moved one of the Catalina squadrons to Auckland with the other at Cairns, but that one missed the invasion TF(s).

A screen shot of my growing list of damaged subs.
Trusty is close to Rangoon and should survive.
Skipjack had to leave Soerabaja early for Perth and her flt damage hasn't gotten worse.
S 124 will not make Dutch Harbor.

[ny59giants]

21 Jan 42

Milk Runs (unopposed bombing attacks that happen on a regular basis [:D]): the usual daily air attacks happen at Hengchow, Changsha, Singapore, Palembang, and Batavia.

Sydney: Damian had headed towards Nz after the last attack and seemed to change his mind. I had sent those ships with low damage and speeds over 20 at full speed west past Melbourne. Those left are hit and many are sitting on the bottom on Sydney harbor.

Day Air attack on Sydney [Australia] , at 38,125

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 29
A6M2-N Rufe-FF x 1
D3A2 Val x 43
B5N2 Kate x 57

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12
Wirraway CA-1 x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed
Wirraway CA-1: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Sumatra, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Danae, Bomb hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Whyalla, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
ML Bungaree, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Edsall, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Toowoomba, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Port hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
22 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 7000 feet
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing at 7000 feet

Petropavlovsk: His first attack does not do so well. [:D]Ground combat in the north during winter is not easy.

Ground combat at Petropavlovsk [KAM]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5319 troops, 70 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Defending force 2982 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 69

Japanese max assault: 138 - adjusted assault: 32

Allied max defense: 65 - adjusted defense: 65

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Iman: The Japanese ground "Death Star" attacks at 1:1 odds (2017:1617) and reduces the forts to 1. My forces are ordered to retreat.

Buna: He drops in 1 Yoko Para and takes the base.

Ichang: I launch a shock attack and get 23:1 odds. The AI has moved in plenty of supply to the base.

Buin: He captures the base with a SNLF.

Port Moresby: He launches just a bombardment attack with the 1 Gds Mixed Bde and 144 South Sea Det/144 RCT.

Comments:
I write Damian that he has these extra carriers that allow him to conduct raids with minimal risk. He can do so for a few months, I tell him I will soon have over 150 4e bombers that can fly above his Zekes and with 8 x 500lb GP bombs, I'm bound to hit something. [:D]

[ny59giants]

Nemo,
I think you need to increase the number of Australian pilots to either 35 or 40 per month. Either that or have a larger starting pool for them. I'm giving them out in such small numbers now. I have squadrons without enough pilots but with enough planes in the pool which is usually the opposite of what happens early in the game. The Australians take up a good portion of the Allied air forces early in the war.
Thanks!

[ny59giants]

22 Jan 42

Daily Milk Runs: Heiho (my MIGs-3 training above his fighters); Singapore, and now at Makassar (23 Zekes, 81 Bettys, 31 Sallys from Balikpapan).

Ichang: 37:1 shock attack

Iman: captured by the "Death Star." I took a closer look at the troops and more from the Home Islands were included. A couple of Rgt are added.

Comments:
I'm starting to get a feeling that KB is in hiding until I try to land troops in Pago Pago and/or Suva area and will try to come in at full speed to hit me as I will not be able to run away. I know it may be some time until I get troop to the general area, but my "spider senses" are tingling. [:D]

[Nemo121]

Mike,
 
The paucity of Ozzie and Nz pilots is an intentional issue. I, personally, never ran out of them completely but I made it a high priority to put US pilots in the front lines ASAP. I don't have a problem with tweaking it upward a little if others feel it is also required ( and holistically it makes sense ) but this mod is ALL about dealing with inadequacies for both sides.

Japan has to deal with economic, supply and productive inadequacy and a severe shortage of PPs. The Allies get more than enough supplies, more than enough ships, don't have to worry about an economy, double the PP and between double and triple the combat-useful pilots ( double in 1942 rising to triple by 1944 ).
 
Sure, in some key areas the Allies have shortages but dealing with those shortages is eminently possible and something I see as part of the challenge of playing the Allies. Also, don't forget that a lot of those NZ squadrons are the first units which can upgrade to Corsairs and so their combat capability and survivability is damned good ( as I wouldn't expect Allied players to be losing too many Corsairs to IJA planes ). Of course not all players are going to be subtle enough to think about survivability of plane types as it relates to their pilot pools when upgrading squadrons but, again, the mod rewards those who do and penalises those who don't --- which I, personally, think is the right way to go.
 
I am, however, definitely open to ideas and I think adding another 10 pilots or 15 pilots a month to each of these groups wouldn't unbalance things too much at all. I don't think it'll help players too much either though but that's a different issue.

[Nemo121]

Oh as far as those units at Iman go...
 
1. How come you have so few defenders?
 
2. He is really stripping the Home Islands of troops and sending them to the Soviet Union - which is great in that he isn't forming them into a Mobile Group for deployment along another strategic direction - but which means that he maintains enough combat power in the Soviet Union to mount a second thrust. I haven't sent any reinforcements from Tokyo and am just about managing to push the Soviets back but I don't really have the power for 2 consecutive thrusts. I think your opponent might.
 
Now you have to decide if he is subtle enough to try that or not.

[ny59giants]

It looks like he has added about another 1000 AV to his Russian forces at Iman (started game in Japan). Here are my forces and what my recon flights have told me. These are from the south going north.

His next objective will be my base at Khabarovsk - Forts 3 (31%) and AV - 633. He wants the 300 HI there.

Next is the double bases of Blagovyeschevsk - Forts 5 (39%) and AV - 1509 and Kuysyshevka - fort 4 (40%) and AV - 581. Across the river from Blagovyeschensk are 19 LCUs (154240/1680/646). These seem to be pulled from all over Manchuria and may be the second thrust that Nemo speaks about. This is why no troops have been sent south. I hope to stop him here, but I think he wants these bases to act as a buffer for the HI to be captured in bases further south. There has been a steady build up by him and I have pulled troops from further bases.

Skovorodino - Forts 4 (47%) and AV - 317. This is at the bend in the river and where I feel I can hold.

Borzya - Forts 6 (47%) and AV - 931. This is where I expected him to come across in strengh, but he didn't. Three hexes away at Hailar he has 9 LCUs (41180/380/62).

Overall: I have one or at the most two divisions I can pull from the west, but will continue a slow pull back in the home i can build up some forts enough to stop him.

[Nemo121]

Just one piece of advice... Don't forget that if he besieges Blago and Kuyshy that the troops at Kuyshy will be trapped there and annihilated ( because they won't be able to move from one enemy contested hex to another. I know that's what I plan in my game so probably your best move is to simply abandon Kuyshy just before the enemy reaches Blago.

As to Skovorodino - Yeah, that's a good place to hold. That's where I eventually managed to hold jagdfluger in my game as the Allies. You also have shorted LOCs and can switch forces between Skovo and Borzya quicker than the Japanese can - in essence you've created a little pocket where YOU have the interior lines of communication.


It looks to me like you've analysed things very shrewdly both in the Soviet and other theatres and have drawn the correct conclusions. Kudos.

[goodboyladdie]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Nemo,
I think you need to increase the number of Australian pilots to either 35 or 40 per month. Either that or have a larger starting pool for them. I'm giving them out in such small numbers now. I have squadrons without enough pilots but with enough planes in the pool which is usually the opposite of what happens early in the game. The Australians take up a good portion of the Allied air forces early in the war.
Thanks!

I agree the numbers seem a little low. The Brits set up a massive training scheme across the Empire to provide pilots and a huge number of Commonwealth pilots were available throughout the war. Many RAF squadrons were bulked out with these pilots and it was usual to have a range of nationalities in the same squadron. Although historically the "beast" that was being fed was the ETO, the fact that the schemes were well established by the time the War in the Pacific began would mean a larger starting pool was available than features in the game in general. If Australia had been threatened more resources would have become available as ANZAC pilots and instructors would have been used to face the threat instead of heading to Europe. I feel a larger starting pool, or an increased replacement rate would reflect this. Replacement rate would probably be the better way of dealing with it, especially as in this game the Jap pilot pools and rates are so large.

[ny59giants]

23 Jan 42

2 DMS & 9 DDs get 1 direct hit on Dutch sub KVIII (damage - 26/37) at Merek (one hex NW of Batavia). She will join the growing number of lightly damaged subs at either Capetown or South Atlantic Entry bases for repairs.

Growing air attacks at:
Heiho - 5 out of 11 Nates are lost to 31 I-16s flying CAP for my MIG-3s. [:D]
Singapore - 27 Lily, 45 Sally, 17 Helen leave the AF damage at Service - 69 & Runway - 97
Tijilitjap - 61 Zekes escort 21 Nell, 36 Betty leaves the AF damage at Service - 10 & Runway - 13.
Makassar - 65 Betty, 23 Nell, 30 Sally leaves the AF damage at Service - 45 & Runway - 69.
Clark - 54 Nell, 17 Sally leaves the AF damage at Service - 14 & Runway - 26.
Martins from bases outside of Soeabaja are unable to hit any of the ASW TF north of Batavia.

Ground combat goes both ways.
For Damian, a deliberate attack at Palembang.

Ground combat at Palembang [Sumatra]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11288 troops, 180 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 437

Defending force 3653 troops, 61 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 64

Japanese max assault: 395 - adjusted assault: 232

Allied max defense: 55 - adjusted defense: 124

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Japanese ground losses:
192 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

For me, the end of the trapped Japanese division at Ichang is hopefully drawing closer.

Ground combat at Ichang [C China]

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 25611 troops, 257 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 1180

Defending force 6368 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Allied max assault: 2364 - adjusted assault: 2488

Japanese max defense: 81 - adjusted defense: 9

Allied assault odds: 276 to 1 [&o]

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
279 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 2

Comments:
The AF(4) at Batavia has it's Service at 46 and Runway at 10. Thus, my hit and run force of 30 Pe-2, 10 Martins, and 5 T-IVa are moved in with some Dutch fighters to try to inflict some damage on his ASW TF one hex away.
He seems to have an invasion TF moving from Balikpapan heading for Makassar. I have 8 Hudsons, 24 Beauforts set on naval attack with 18 P-40E and 14 Wirra-coffins flying CAP over the Koepang. He has not recon this base and it is beyond the range of his Zekes. Hopefully, I can get in a few strikes before he tries to attack this base.

[ny59giants]

24 Jan 42

4 Nates are shot down over Heiho by 41 I-16. I seem to do well here.

Singapore, Makassar, and Clark are hit by the usual suspects. [:D]

38 SB-2s from Chungking "finally" attack the trapped 39th Division at Ichang. They have been ordered to do so for over one week, but had not flown until today. [8|] Later, another shock attack goes off at 145:1.

Muntok - Pe-2 and Martins from Batavia attack the CAs at Muntok (distance 5 hexes). CA Suzuya gets hit with 3 x 500lb GP bombs in both attacks while the CA Atago gets 3 x 500lb GP bombs and the CA Mikuma get 2 x 500lb GP bombs. Thankfully, an AP get hits once. Damain comments that they do little actual damage to his CAs. Which is true. [:(] However, does that mean he will leave them there?? I hope so, as 14 Pe-2 and 10 Martins are moved into the damaged AF at Palembang. He had launched a deliberate attack that got 151:94 odds and reduced the forts to 1. Pe-2 carry 2 x 500kg AP bombs and 2 x 100kg AP bombs out to 4 hexes. Hopefully, I can make him pay a small price. [:D] Then run away as he will surely do a shock attack next turn to rid me of another AF for my hit and run raids.

CVL Zuiho, CVL Taiyo, CVE Unyo, and CVE Chuyo are 2 hexes due west of Makassar and their Kates sink all 3 small AK at Memboro.

Russian sub 109 hits an AK 1 hex away from Makassar, but her sys damage is now 12. Thus, she is off to Perth for repairs.

OUCH!!

Ground combat at Baguio/Balinta Pass

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 45595 troops, 655 guns, 603 vehicles, Assault Value = 1173

Defending force 18187 troops, 373 guns, 124 vehicles, Assault Value = 788

Japanese max assault: 1768 - adjusted assault: 618

Allied max defense: 821 - adjusted defense: 2671

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese ground losses:
5181 casualties reported
Guns lost 113
Vehicles lost 6

Allied ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 1

Comments:
Why he is attacking the only mtn hex on Luzon where I have forts 4 plus the mtn hex combat bonus is beyond me. He has left the coast lightly defended and a Rgt/Div will push their way up.

[Nemo121]

I personally think the trick with the Pe-2s is to use them for naval attacks only at range 4 or less. Hit the airfields out to range 5 or 6 but those 500lb GP bombs aren't the best for tackling enemy warships. The 500Kg AP bombs do the trick nicely though. Also don't neglect your A-24s or SBD-3 USMC squadrons ( I think you have 1 x A-24 and 1 X SBD squadron within the first couple of weeks ) and those planes can be lethal. I've used them to sunk a few IJN CAs.

[ny59giants]

It was a mistake of mine to sent the range to 5 vs the 4 I truly wanted. He has an ASW TF with in 1 or 2 hexes of Batavia that I wanted to hit. Instead, the AI said, "Let's go hit those CAs at extended range where the 500lb GP bombs will bounce off the armor and leave those little DDs that we could launch two strikes against alone."  [8|][8|]

Lesson learned (I hope).

My three squadrons of Pe-2s in the Java area now have experience in the mid-60s. They are starting to show that they can get numerous hits. Hopefully, I will have the chance. I just moved the Chinese IL-4 squadron down to Java. I will see if the longe range with torpedoes adds something before the Celebes and the SRA are captured.  

EDIT: I looked up the penetration values and the A-24 carries the 500lb GP bombs while the SBD Dauntless does carry the 1000lb GP.
500lb GP is 45
1000lb GP is 70
2000lb GP is 110
100kg AP is 53
250kg AP is 132
500kg AP is 164
Conclusion: My non-English speaking pilots have planes that are more lethal than the English speaking pilots/planes vs Japanese CA/BB. I'll gladly take off the 1000lb GP off the Dauntless and replace it with 250kg AP. [;)]