Vettim89 vs Greasylake - Reversal of Fortunes

[vettim89]

25 January 1943

Got my dates messed up. This is the real 25th. Big air battle over Rangoon. Allies lost 28 P-38G and 18 P-40E to 28 Tojo and 8 Tony. What's worse is both the P-38 pool and P-40 E pool are now empty. Need to scale back my activities for a while. Would have helped if at least some of the Spits at Ramree Is would have joined in. I have almost 150 UK fighters there now. The bombers put 8 bombs into two IJN DD's and were relatively unscathed

Minor raid from Tarawa scored now hits with IJN losing 8 A6M3 and 5 Betties. No hits scored. Pushed up the cap level a bit here as I don't think the Japanese Carriers are at sea. Upgraded some CVE F4F to FM-1. I think F4F production will drop significantly when F6F production starts in 5 days.

Japanese sub torpedoes a UK CLAA off Diamond Harbor. She'll be fine but I have a massive problem with lots of UK ships with major Damage and not enough shipyards. Revenge FLOT damage went up to 61 while disbanded at Akyab (Level 3 port). I am sending her to Chittagong (Level 6 port).

[Capt. Harlock]

The TT hit on Nagato was probably correct as she was caught SW of Ramree Island and hit by 4 Bombs. But poor Kongo was caught WSW of Rangoon and hit with 67 bombs!!!! Now most of them bounce but many of them include nice tags like 6" Battery destroyed, 25 mm Battery destroyed, etc. She has also got to be aflame like Chicago after MRS. O'Leary's cow did her thing.

US SS now on offensive patroling Off Taiwan, Japan, Truk and other places.

Any chance some of the subs could hit the retreating IJN BB's?

[vettim89]

26 January 1943

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

The TT hit on Nagato was probably correct as she was caught SW of Ramree Island and hit by 4 Bombs. But poor Kongo was caught WSW of Rangoon and hit with 67 bombs!!!! Now most of them bounce but many of them include nice tags like 6" Battery destroyed, 25 mm Battery destroyed, etc. She has also got to be aflame like Chicago after MRS. O'Leary's cow did her thing.

US SS now on offensive patroling Off Taiwan, Japan, Truk and other places.

Any chance some of the subs could hit the retreating IJN BB's?

You mean like the eight UK/USN SS I have in the area. Here's hoping.

Big air battle over Rangoon with heavy losses on both sides. Still the Japanese lost 58 frontline fighters to my 39. I can live with those reseults. Sending the RAF in on a sweep from Ramree Island. I figure teh Japanese pilots might be a bit fatigued after two hard days of fighter. If I am happy with those results, I am sending in the 4E's.

Liberators and LB-30 from Chittagong and hit IJN TF off Tavoy. There were 16 bomb hits on BB Kongo most of which bounced. To my surprise the combat report then said Kongo sunk. FOW is not listing it on the Ships Sunk screen yet. Even if she isn't sunk, she has got to be in a bad way after the SCTF battle then absorbing 83 bomb hits.

Deliberate attack at Darwin came off at 11 to 1 and eliminated the Mortar BTN there. Just two fragments of 10th ID left. Five more days until Corsairs and Hellcats.

[vettim89]

27 January 1943

Capt. Harlock will be happy to know that SS Truant torpedoed and sank already damaged DD Hiyodori off Victoria Point. SS Guardfish scores the first hit of the new aggressive sub ops by putting two "fish" into AK Olympia Maru east of Formosa.

Nanumea simultaneously enlarges the AB and Port to Level 1. This should speed up unloading a little. WIll take the Port to 2 then the AB to 4 then the port to 4. VMF-121 Flies onto CVE Long Island inbound to Nanumea. Should have indigenous fighters at Duey in two days. This unit will be replaced with the first F4U sqaudron which should be available in about two weeks.

Deliberate attack at Darwin comes off at 56 to 1. Cursor intel says just 14 k Japanese troops here now.

I put the 4E's at Chittagong on Airfield attack mode. They are heading to Rangoon at 28,000 ft. I know accuracy will suffer but I bet Larry has his cap set low as my B-25's were going in at 6000 ft. RAF will fly a sweep out of Ramree Island - no go today due to weather.

I plan to post a big update on 1 February 1943 to recap the war and future plans. To me with the arrival of Corsairs and Hellcats, this opens a new stage of the war.

[vettim89]

28 January 1943

Air battle over Rangoon yields 19 Tojo and 7 A6M3 for 17 Spit V and 2 Hurricane II's. The 4e didn't launch due to weather. Forecast is for Thuderstorms tomorrow too so here's hoping. After the successful sweep, CAP over Rangoon was down to 3 A6M3. Currsor intel says 120 fighters at Rangoon. I have a hunch there are huge numbers of damaged a/c there. Cross your fingers.

SS Trout torpedoes and finishes off AK Olympia Maru who was hit by SS Guardsish yesterday. Moving those subs around like crazy to avoid an easy target for any ASW TF's

Deliberate attack at Darwin goes off at 182 to 1! Just a few more days left for the IJA I think.

TF's are heading back to Pago Pago from Nanumea. I have devised a plan for the next operation. I will load three groups of Transports: one with supplies for Nanumea (about 7 k there now), one with the 1st MAW for Nanumea, and the assualt force for Abemama. Once those TF's are at Nanumea, I will send the CV's up to Tarawa to neutralize the AB there. Then I will move on Abemama

[Capt. Harlock]

To me with the arrival of Corsairs and Hellcats, this opens a new stage of the war.

I won't disagree with that -- but it sounds like your current fleet of fighters is doing alright for themselves. Gotta feel a little sorry for the Japanese pilots . . .[:D]

[vettim89]

29 January 1943

Another big battle in the skies over Rangoon. This time the RAF took heavy losses but Larry's Cap is shot. The 4E's form Chittagon moved in and mauled the damaged a/s on the ground. Cursor intel now says only 11 fighters left at Rangoon. I am sending the Mitchells in plus the 4E. I will not make the mistake of letting Larry rebuild his force here. Even though my losses have been high over the past week, his have been worse. I suspect the pilot pools are empty and his airframe counts have got to be low for Tojo and Tony. I even have a hinch teh various mods of the A6M are hurting too. My P-38 and P-40E pools are empty built my units are nearly back to the full TOE even if a lot of airframes are damaged.

Deliberate attack at Darwin came off at 808 to 1 with Japanese losses 6500 to 19 (OUCH!!!) Cursor intel says only 7200 troops are left. I suspect they will die tomorrow or the next day. I need to get a whole bunch of supplies into Darwin. I am thinking of making a run in from Perth with a big TF of AK's. Problem is I have no surface forces to intervene if the IJN comes calling and they will be exposed to air attack from Timor. I am debating trying to send like 10 2 or 3 ship TF's in thinking even if half make it it will be a big help.

SS Trout puts a fish into two separate TK's today! She is almost out of TT's and has hit three separate ships over the past three days. SHip will be heading home soon with a broom in her mast. I have devised a sub tactic that seems to be working. I won't say what it is until I get some more time using it.

[vettim89]

30 January 1943

A National Holiday is declared in Australia as the last remaining Japanese invaders have been eliminated. Deliberate attack at Darwin came off at 1406 to 1. Losses were 6500 Japanese to 12 Allied. Timor is next!

The second air battle for Rangoon has concluded with another Allied vitory. This one cost me quite a few fighters and pilots but the RAF units are already rebuilt and both the AVG and 51st FG are over 80% rebuilt (but only 50% combat effective). Should have the problem solved in a fortnight. Larry lost probably over 200 fighters all of which were Tony, Tojo, or A6M models. I have no idea of what his replacement rate might be with these airframes but I have to beleive he is hurting. Just waiting for the Chinese troops to arrive at Meiktila before heading south. I do have a question for those who would offer an opinion. I am considering going after the HI at Rangoon to both lower Larry's pool and turn off the automatic supply building going on there. Of course that means I will not have the HI myself when I take the base. Not really concerned too much about that as I have well over two million supply points scattered around the BoB. WOuld you do it?

Numerous TRANS TF's are exiting the northern end of the Malacca Strait. Are these reinforcements or is Larry going to try to evacuate troops from Burma. SS Pickeral torpedoed an AK in this area. Eight more subs are now lined up to take their shots.

[Capt. Harlock]

I do have a question for those who would offer an opinion. I am considering going after the HI at Rangoon to both lower Larry's pool and turn off the automatic supply building going on there. Of course that means I will not have the HI myself when I take the base. Not really concerned too much about that as I have well over two million supply points scattered around the BoB. WOuld you do it?

For whatever it's worth, I personally would bomb away. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, after all: there's always the chance the campaign for Rangoon could take longer than you expect. If Larry has engineer units there, the HI could be wrecked anyway by the time you capture it.

[Q-Ball]

From a JFB, you bomb away on those resources. If you're really lucky, he'll try to repair them. But you need to destroy all resources within range.

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

From a JFB, you bomb away on those resources. If you're really lucky, he'll try to repair them. But you need to destroy all resources within range.

31 January 1943

A very slow turn. AB damage at Rangoon climbs to 66. Once at 100, I will switch over to Strategic Bombing. When Rangoon falls, Bankock's 600 resource points will be in range of 4E from Rangoon.

Everybody is back in Samoa. Switching everything around for Louey. I will have 3 CVE plus 5 CV's for this operation. Wasp is heading for SF with 29 SYST damage. I will let her repair there. By the time she is ready, I should have two if not three CVL's.

Once Louey is complete, I will prepare for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - the first of these ops Tarawa. We'll call it Happy. 1 March 1943 is the target date for that operation. I have 2nd Marines, 1st Cav Rgt, a CBT Eng btna and a tank regiment all for this plus three arty BTN's

Can't wait for those F4U and F6F numbers to start rising.

[vettim89]

1-7 February 1943

No posts as things went into a lull after the big airbattles over Rangoon. Today was a bad day to be a Japanese bomber pilot as you can see. Larry put a blocking force between Randoon and Moulmein. Yesterday he mistakening put the 65 Ind Brigade on Shock Attck. Losses were 1900 to 0 with the IJA on the short end. Massive force about to move on Moulmein. I will secure this base then move back to Rangoon. I have a large supply convoy forming up. This TF will creep down the Burma coast like another run into Akyab, but will keep on moving to bring about 80 k supply to Moulmein once it falls. I have Av Support in place to quickly lift into Moulmein. I should be able to put a nice CAP up immediately. Both the AVG and 51st FG are now at 100% strength. I am sending Larry a little surprise. Lets see how it goes.

All TF are departing today for Louey. Three stage process where I will reinforce Nanumea, raid Tarawa, and then garrison Abemama. Once done, I will move back to Samoa and upgrade my fighters to F6F as much as possible. Production is now at 50 per month with more F4F-4 due to upgrade.

Working on some plans to get some lift anf supplies into Darwin to facillitate amphibious operations towards Timor. I may need to put some fighters into Thurday Island to provide LRCAP to protect transports from LBA in PNG>

[vettim89]

Just an update as to situation in Burma. Cannot get my subs to get at Kongo

[vettim89]

8 February 1943

Troops storm across the Salween River and rout the defenders of Moulmein in the follow-on Shock Attack. Defeated troop retreating to Rahang. AV support being flown in now. Rest of troops heading into Rangoon. This should be a much tougher nut to crack but the defenders have been under constant air bombardment plus an effective sub/air blockade for months. Will allow units to rest and rebuild once Rangoon is mine and then decide if I want to wait fot the UK CV's to finish repairing before trying an amphibious op or just slog through the jungle towards Tavoy.

Units for Louey are two days out of Nanumea. Last units for Happy are almost in place. Lets see how much of a fight Larry puts up.

Snuck some Liberator III's into Kumming and launched an attack against the AB at Canton. I destroyed over 30 fighters plu about 10 bombers on the ground for the loss of three RAF a/c. Units have shifted back to CHittangon in case Larry decides to try a reprisal attack.

Not a bad day

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: vettim89

Snuck some Liberator III's into Kumming and launched an attack against the AB at Canton. I destroyed over 30 fighters plu about 10 bombers on the ground for the loss of three RAF a/c. Units have shifted back to CHittangon in case Larry decides to try a reprisal attack.

Not a bad day

Not bad at all. And your march on Rangoon is much ahead of the historical schedule. Do you think you're making inroads into Larry's resource and oil pools?

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: vettim89

Snuck some Liberator III's into Kumming and launched an attack against the AB at Canton. I destroyed over 30 fighters plu about 10 bombers on the ground for the loss of three RAF a/c. Units have shifted back to CHittangon in case Larry decides to try a reprisal attack.

Not a bad day

Not bad at all. And your march on Rangoon is much ahead of the historical schedule. Do you think you're making inroads into Larry's resource and oil pools?

Yes I do as he has already mentioned it. From Rangoon I will be able to hit both Hanoi and Bangkok. I understand now why the Japanese kept pushing so hard in Burma as late as 1944. They needed to protect their resources from Allied 4E's. You did touch on my strategy for this game though. I will destroy as much HI, Oil, and resources from Rangoon as I can while building towards an invasion further down the coast. I am building at Darwin for an invasion of Timor where I can hit a large portion of the SRA. By the end of 1943, I hope to have Larry's economy in aweful shape. I wonder where it may be already

PS: Quiet turn today. Larry has huge numbers of a/c training in Malaya and China but has not opposed me anywhere. Just brief fights at Rangoon but he neither commited large enough units nor had the stomach for a sustained campaign. He had me on the ropes a little bit as my P-40 and P-38 pools were empty. Then he pulled out. I think he is falling back on the historical Japanese Strategy of the Decisive Battle

[vettim89]

10-11 February 1943

Two turns today and was so happy to finally get the confirmation I was waiting for: BB Kongo is sunk. SHe succombed to the wounds at Ramree Island plus all the bomb hits. The IJA tried a bombardment attack at Rangoon doin me the favor of seeing what is there. We are looking at three full ID's - ouch. Well It will take a while but it will be nice to add these three Divisions to the tally. I already killed 10th ID in Oz. This battle may flip the score. I currently trail by about 8000 points. The switching of the base along will mean about a 2000 point switch. Add the army losses in and I should be closing to an even score.


My blob of ships arrived at Nanumea and low and behold Japanese CV's are lurking nearby. I already planned on sending my CV's north tomorrow except now they will be hunting bigger game than a few a/c at Tarawa. Wonder if Larry will accept the challenge. Unfortunately only CV Essex has F6F's onboard. Nanumea is at 99% to level 3 AB. I shuttled in SBD's and part of a F4U squadron. Those units will be active not the next turn but the one after (HR - units transfering more than 9 hexes must stand down one day). I killed two IJN subs on the way. There are well over 50 DD's, DM's MSW, etc in these TF's. Larry has several more subs in the area. Wonder if he has learned his lesson about staying away from the blob.

Rangoon screenie first then the situation at Nanumea.

[vettim89]

here's hoping. If I could pull off another CV battle win, it should speed my advancement through the Gilberts and Marshall

[vettim89]

12 February 1943

The IJN gave battle. Combat text is included becuase it was a biggie. I may lose Sara but I think Yorktown will be okay. Both those CV's are making for Pago Pago at best speed. CV Junyo is already confirmed sunk. I think Hiryu and Soryu have got to be hurting. Nice to get those torp hits on Yamato. Trying to pursue the remanants but need to be careful of LBA from Tarawa. Worse case scenario I lose Sara in exchange for Junyo and two other carriers out for a really long time. CVL Princeton arrives in 4 days. Not exactly a trade off for Sara but better than nothing. Probably more important is the fact that every a/c I lost will be replaced within days. I know the same is not true for Larry

Day Air attack on TF at 83,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3 Zero x 21
A6M3a Zero x 54
F1M2 Pete x 7

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 30
F6F-3 Hellcat x 11
SBD Dauntless x 120
TBF Avenger x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 6 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged
F1M2 Pete : 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 26 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 24 destroyed, 50 damaged
TBF Avenger: 6 destroyed, 33 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 15, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 10, on fire, heavy damage
BB Yamato, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
5 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
8 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 83,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 6
A6M3a Zero x 23
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 83,98

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
A6M3a Zero x 36
F1M2 Pete x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8
SBD Dauntless x 15
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
F1M2 Pete : 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 12 damaged
TBF Avenger: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Yamato, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,99

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 21
A6M3a Zero x 9
B5N Kate x 21

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 85
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 19 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 9 destroyed
B5N Kate: 21 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,99

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3 Zero x 11
D3A Val x 77
A6M3a Zero x 23
B5N Kate x 62

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 84
F6F-3 Hellcat x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 3 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 9 destroyed
D3A Val: 31 destroyed, 15 damaged
A6M3a Zero: 18 destroyed
B5N Kate: 45 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 14 destroyed, 11 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Diego
CA Pensacola
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 3
BB South Dakota
CA Astoria, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CLAA Atlanta

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,99

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4
A6M3a Zero x 7
B5N Kate x 11

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N Kate: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, Torpedo hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 84,99

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 14
G4M1 Betty x 15

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
F6F-3 Hellcat x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed, 4 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown, on fire
BB South Dakota

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[ny59giants]

If you were close enough to land 1000 lb vs 500 lb bombs from your SBDs, he could out on the short end of the battle. Sara may survive, but be out of the war through most of '43. Do you have any ARs near by to help her out??

Send all your subs at max speed to Kwajalein area to see if you can get lucky.