wneumann vs Jolly Pillager- the Allied perspective

[Alfred]

wneumann,
 
I am preparing a post to offer some suggestions.  I think it would be helpful to all who are following this AAR if you could post a screenshot of the following areas to show ownership of bases and where the front lines are:
 
1.  Northeast India/Burma
2.  Northeast Australia/Torres Strait
3.  Northern Territory of Australia/Kimberleys
4.  Arafura/Timor/Ceram Seas
 
As a preview to my post, I think you are far too negative regarding Pago Pago/Savaii - handled correctly and aggressively you should be able to crush your opponent here well before 1 March 1944.  You are also far too passive in central Australia with unjustified fears of enemy capabilities.
 
Alfred

[wneumann]

I've been following your AAR closely enough to understand your predicament.

I just wanted to make certain that you're aware that you can lift LCUs off of a contested beach.

Not so much a question of whether I can or not, it's whether or not they could be removed safely under the present circumstances. And one also can't exclude the possibility of leaving those LCU in there and finishing the job - though this option is certainly not within my current operational plans. The priority is getting Pago Pago airfield operational and U.S. LBA flying from it. The rest comes later...

Once you get your base force to Pago Pago and your LBA operational, you'll soon be able to wrestle control of the air and surrounding seas from your opponent. From all the AARs I've read, I've absolutely no doubt of that.

Once you manage that, extracting your LCUs from Upolu should be a breeze.

When the situation reaches that point (Pago Pago airfield is operating and U.S. LBA is flying from it), what to do with U.S. LCU's in this area can be explored. As stated above, who knows what the situation will be like at that time. Take of the business that needs to be done now, then see what things look like later.

If you can keep your opponent interested in fighting in the area, Pago Pago isn't really a bad place to start attriting his air power and getting it whittled down for the invasions you're considering for the future.

I have been whittling away at Japanese LBA over Pago Pago (mainly with the carriers), also having some recent success over NW Australia and Rangoon (especially after I started sending long-range fighter escorts with the 4E bombers).

What makes knocking down Jap LBA air power a challenge is that Pillager has concentrated much of his LBA (partilcularly fighters) in those three locations (Rangoon, Darwin, Pago Pago area) - though there is one advantage to this situation, if Japanese LBA starts weakening in one or more of those three places, the attrition causing this is likely affecting the entire Jap LBA force and not just the local situation.

I like your plan to get your CVs right back into the fight once they replenish at Penryhn.

As Canoerebel noted, you're getting to be the big dog on the block. While there's always attendant risk, getting your opponent to commit his air power is the first step in destroying it. I think the sort of CV drubbing at the hands of KB is, at this point in the game unlikely. So, I think it wise to get your carriers out there and, within reason, dare him to attack you.

I'd certainly like to knock off the KB, it would make life on the offensive a lot easier. Pillager is now using the KB mainly as a force-in-being, a deterrent. Both of us know the Allied fleets cannot stick their neck out too far as long as the KB continues to exist, it has to be accounted for in any Allied naval plans unless it is known to be elsewhere. The fact that Pillager has not sent the KB into action vs the U.S. Main Carrier Force somewhat confirms this, he can't afford to make a mistake with the KB, it's the biggest Japanese trump card. And I'm watching for a mistake.

The fact that Pillager has moved the KB southward into the Pago Pago area is significant in a number of ways. Most importantly the KB is stuck here facing the U.S. carriers as long as they are in the Pago Pago area (or Pillager thinks they are), which means the KB is here and not somewhere else. There's also the possibility that Japanese LBA alone is not (or soon will not be) sufficient to carry the load against U.S. forces at Pago Pago.

The primary mission of my carriers around Pago Pago has been escorting incoming transports to Pago Pago, for the moment the carriers are their only available escort. Jap LBA would be otherwise sinking most if not all of my transports long before reaching Pago Pago. Though my carriers can pursue other missions after the transports reach Pago Pago, they have to stick with the primary mission until they do. Also my VF squadron fighter pilots are getting some nice, relatively cheap combat experience.

I definately need to make one more sortie into Pago Pago with transports (sending in an Aviation Rgt to support plane ops once the airfield does get operational).

Good Luck.

Appreciate it.

[wneumann]

Alfred, will work on getting some maps done. It has been awhile since I posted maps on any of these areas.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 12/12/43

North Pacific: Jap recon flight over Attu Is. Otherwise quiet.


Central Pacific: No Jap air patrol activity reported by U.S. subs operating near Kwajelain, Truk, or the Canton Is area. Jap air patrols (G5N Liz, Ki-46 Dinah, Ki-49 Helen, D4Y Judy) continue off Japanese home islands.

SS Scamp intercepts Jap Transport TF (four ships, moving on SE heading) south of Tokyo. AAR follows.

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Sub attack at 67,46

Japanese Ships
AK Asosan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PG Tatsumiya Maru
PG Tamo Maru #6
PG Okuyo Maru
PG Fukui Maru
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS Scamp

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180 ships detected in port at Tokyo.
3 Japanese ships detected at anchor in Kwajalein base, 3 ships detected in port at Truk.

F-5A recon over Canton Is reports 24 aircraft, 15 Jap LCU's.


Pago Pago, Day 87 of the Fiasco: Weather forecast for Pago Pago area is heavy precipitation. No reported naval activity or ground combat this game turn.

Air transport of supply into Pago Pago base continues - seems to be working as supply point stocks on Pago Pago are increasing despite the Japanese attacks. Japanese attempts to intercept air transport flights over Pago Pago are being reported though no U.S. planes were lost.

Air transport missions into Pago Pago from Penhryn are being carried out entirely with 4E bombers (currently 108 Liberators of various types engaged with this mission with more planes on the way). As no Japanese targets (worthwhile or otherwise) currently exist within either the normal or extended range of 4E bombers from any U.S. Pacific theatre base, supply transport for these planes may be the way to go for the moment.

Ample numbers of 4E bombers in Pacific theatres are available for supply missions while leaving adequate numbers of these planes on hand for other activities. It's something I can use to improve the situation on Pago Pago. As long as the bombers are not required for something else or I'm losing these planes in significant numbers, we go with this. I do have some transport planes (both C-47's and C-46's) on Penhryn but neither of these types have the range to reach Pago Pago.

Current status of Pago Pago base - runway damage 89, airfield service damage 76, port damage 2.
Current status of Savaii base - runway damage 99, airfield service damage 100, port damage 9 (no change).

Jap recon flight over Pago Pago. Jap LBA strike base facilities on Savaii. No Jap air attacks on U.S. LCU's on Upolu. All surviving U.S. transports now outside the range of Jap LBA naval attack strikes. AAR's follow.

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Day Air attack on Pago Pago , at 96,113

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

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

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Day Air attack on Savaii , at 95,112

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 48

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 9 damaged

Allied ground losses:
28 casualties reported

Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
12 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 12/12/43 - continued.

Australia: No reported ground or air activity.

Detected status of Jap base in Daly Waters - airfield damage 100, 27 Jap LCU's.
Allied recon flights over Darwin, Exmouth, Port Moresby all reporting no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


DEI: SS Snook off Singapore reporting Japanese air activity (Ki-21 Sally, Ki-48 Lily, E13A1 & F1M2 floatplanes). No reported contacts in the DEI area between U.S. subs and Japanese surface ships or ASW.


India: RAF planes attack airfield facilities at Magwe, this being the largest (size) Jap airfield in Burma outside Rangoon. Other Allied planes launch ground attack strikes against several Jap LCU targets. AAR's follow.

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Day Air attack on Magwe , at 31,29

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 75
Beaufighter VIC x 68

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 17 damaged
Beaufighter VIC: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
294 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 82

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
8 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
9 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
16 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
12 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
14 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
12 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
12 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
5 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Beaufighter VIC attacking at 100 feet

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Day Air attack on 11th Heavy AA Battalion, at 33,29 (Mandalay)

Allied aircraft
B-25G/H Mitchell x 24

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G/H Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 22 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25G/H Mitchell attacking at 100 feet
12 x B-25G/H Mitchell attacking at 100 feet

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Day Air attack on 33rd/B Division, at 35,30 (Lashio)

Allied aircraft
A-36A Apache x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x A-36A Apache attacking at 100 feet

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CW-22 Falcon recon over Magwe reporting airfield damage 18, 8 Jap LCU's.

F-5C recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's (+2 from last report), 1 ship in port, 714 aircraft (334 fighters, 51 bombers), 12 Jap LCU's (+3 from last report), heavy industry 55(138). As seen below, the Jap bombers in Rangoon are G4M Betty.

Tried sending in supply to Chittagong base by sea (not that I was running short there), didn't quite get away with it. AAR follows. A number of Allied Transport TF's in the last 10-15 game turns have arrived in Calcutta undetected and unloaded without incident - movement of these transports being done around Ceylon, then along the coast from Madras.

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Day Air attack on TF at Chittagong - 31,25

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships (five AK total in this TF)
AK Empire Might, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (system damage 91, float 69, fire 9)
AK Empire Mariott, Torpedo hits 1 (system damage 6, float 11, no fire)
AK Empire Miranda, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage (system damage 83, float 72, fire 9)

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

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China: Jap recon flights over Tuyun, Chungking, Kweiyang. AAR's of latest Jap air strikes in China follow.

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Day Air attack on 23rd Chinese Corps, at 42,33 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 21

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet

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Day Air attack on 62nd Chinese Corps, at 41,35 (Tuyun)

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 17
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 6
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19
Ki-51 Sonia x 72
Ki-21-II Sally x 6
Ki-48-II Lily x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
15 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
18 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
17 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
13 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
17 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet

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Day Air attack on 64th Chinese Corps, at 41,35 (Tuyun)

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-51 Sonia x 10
Ki-21-II Sally x 4
Ki-48-II Lily x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
2 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet

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Day Air attack on 64th Chinese Corps, at 41,35 (Tuyun)

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
13 x G4M1 Betty bombing at 6000 feet

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Day Air attack on 60th Chinese Corps, at 41,35 (Tuyun)

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 3
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 26
Ki-21-II Sally x 7
Ki-48-II Lily x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-48-II Lily bombing at 10000 feet
3 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Ki-21-II Sally bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet

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Japanese ground forces launching bombardment attacks at Tuyun and near Chungking. AAR's follow.

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Ground combat at Tuyun

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 269647 troops, 1076 guns, 239 vehicles, Assault Value = 5679
3rd, 6th, 13th, 22nd, 29th, 34th, 36th, 40th, 41st, 60th, 65th, 104th, 110th & 116th Infantry Divisions; 3rd Tank Division;
1 Independent Brigade; 1 Yobi Ebi Rgt, 2, 8, 19, 20,& 27 Engineer Rgts; 2 Mountain Gun Rgt, 2 RF Gun Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, HQ 23rd Army
Defending force 38381 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 993
37th, 46th, 60th, 62nd, 64th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps; 71st Chinese Division;
27th Chinese Guerilla Corps; HQ 1st, 2nd, 16th & 20th Group Armies

Allied ground losses:
95 casualties reported

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Ground combat at 42,33

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 868 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 960
32nd & 47th Infantry Divisions, 1 Mortar Bn
Defending force 35019 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 983
21st, 23rd, 63rd, 75th, 86th & 96th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported

[ny59giants]

Current status of Pago Pago base - runway damage 89, airfield service damage 76, port damage 2.
Current status of Savaii base - runway damage 99, airfield service damage 100, port damage 9 (no change).

What is the total number of engineer and engineer vehicles at each base that are not disabled?? Engineer squads are for combat so I don't need that info. You will need to go to each LCU to get that info. Each engineer vehicle counts as 5 engineers. If your total is over 200, your bases have a good chance to eventually repair as long as more damage doesn't happen. If its below 100, any damage to the AF will make repairs very difficult.

You can air lift in engineers, but not their vehicles. Your American patrol planes should be able to make the trip and could be added to your lift efforts.

[wneumann]

This post lists British, Indian, U.S. and Australian combat LCU's in the India/Burma theatre.

Cox’s Bazar: 63 Indian & Burma Frontier Force Brigades
Chittagong: 14th & 23rd Indian Divisions, 115 Gurkha Brigade,
3 Carabineers Rgt (armored), HQ XV Indian Corps
Dacca: 55th Prov Chinese Division; 6 British, 21, 24 & 25 Indian Med Artillery Rgts; 7 Armored Brigade, 19 KGVO Tank Rgt,
4 & 5 US Provisional Tank Bns, HQ British 14th Army
Imphal: 1 Burma, 13 & 15 Indian Brigades; HQ Indian III Corps
Outpost position E of Imphal: 2 Burma Rifle Brigade
Kohima: 15 Indian & 16 Chindit Brigades, 1 Assam Rifles
Dimapur: 20th Indian Division
Ledo: 46 Indian & 1 Burma Rifle Brigades

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Rangpur: 49th, 93rd, 96th & 200th Chinese Divisions; 6 & 8 Indian Brigades; 77 & 111 Chindit Brigades; 25 Gurkha Rifles, 5307 US RCT,
254 Indian Tank Brigade
Asansol: 2nd British & 5th Indian Divisions, HQ Indian IV Corps, 28 British FA Rgt
Calcutta: 45 Indian Brigade, 50 Indian Para Brigade, 116 RAC Tank Rgt, 1 & 6 US Provisional Tank Bns
Diamond Harbor: 26th Indian Division, 44th Indian Brigade
Cuttack: 18th British Division, 1 & 15 British Field Artillery Rgts
Vigasapatam: 3 Indian & 48 Gurkha Brigades
Madras: 25th Indian Division, 12 & 99 Indian Brigades, 1 Medium & A’Indian FA Rgts, 9 RDH Indian Tank Rgt, 2 & 3 US Provisional Tank Bns
Mannargudi: 14 Chindit & 29 British Brigades

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Colombo: 7th Australian Division AIF, 28 Indian & 72 British Brigades
Trincomalee: Ceylon Infantry & SSVF Brigades

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Bombay: 75 & 268 Indian Brigades
Delhi: HQ USAFFE (30% of full TOE strength)
Karachi: 255 Indian Tank Brigade

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LCU’s enroute from Aden to Indian mainland: 3 Special Service Brigade, 25 Dragoons Tank Rgt

British/Indian reinforcements due to enter game within 120 Days: 7th Indian Division;
22 East African, 150 & 155 Indian Brigades

[wneumann]

Situation map of Burma & NE India follows along with known locations of Japanese LCU's as of 12/13/43.

Rangoon: 12 detected LCU's including 31st Infantry Division, HQ 28th Army, two other HQ (one air, one naval), one Construction Bn, one IJA Aviation Rgt, six other unidentified LCU's (possibly includes flak and/or engineers).

Moulmein: 2 detected LCU's including 33rd Infantry Division/A and one IJN Base Force
Meiktila: HQ Burma Area Army, one IJA Aviation Rgt, one AA Rgt, one Heavy AA Bn, exact number of LCU's unknown
Taung Gyi: no known Jap LCU's in this location

Lashio: 33rd Infantry Division/b, one AA Rgt, one IJAAF & one IJA Base Force, one IJA Aviation Rgt, exact number of LCU's unknown
Myitkyina: one detected LCU probably 1 Reserve Tank Rgt, other possible LCU's include 28 Engineer Rgt, one Heavy AA Bn (these may have moved elsewhere)
Mandalay: 9 detected LCU's including 33rd Infantry Division/C, HQ 15th Army, one AA Rgt, one Heavy AA Bn, one IJA Base Force, four other unidentitified LCU's
Magwe: 8 detected LCU's including 55th Infantry Division, one AA Rgt, one Light AA Bn, five other unidentified LCU's.


Jap LCU's known to be in India but last known location is not a base hex: one Heavy AA Bn & two IJA Base Forces. No known Infantry, Artillery, or Tank LCU's are in this category.

If detected base information is correct, a net number of estimated 8 detected Jap LCU's in Burma are unidentified. Based on known Jap LCU locations elsewhere, it is a good possiblity most or all of these are non-combat units.

[wneumann]

The following is a re-post of Allied combat LCU's presently in Australia.

Adelaide: 6 Australian Cavalry Brigade
Melbourne: 9th Australian Division AIF, Sparrow Force Bn, 2/6 Armored Rgt, Makassar Garrison Bn (Dutch)
Sydney: 2nd Australian Division
Newcastle: NGVR Infantry Bn
Brisbane: 7 Australian Brigade
Rockhampton: 29 Australian Brigade
Townsville: 1st Australian Division
Cairns: 1st Australian Cavalry Division

Cooktown: US 40th Infantry Division; 11, 22 AIF, 27 AIF, 31 Australian Brigades; Lark Force Bn, 2/5 Independent Co, HQ US III Corps,
US 148 FA Bn, US 82 CM Bn, 1 1 Australian Artillery Rgt, 3 Australian AT Rgt, 4 Australian Tank Rgt, 2 & 3 Australian Tank Bns,
2/4 & 2/8 Armored Rgts, US 632 TD Bn

Coen: 1 Australian Motor Brigade, 2/1 & 2/3 Independent Cos

LCU’s in Cooktown and Coen plus 32 Australian Brigade now prepping for attack on Jap base at Portland Roads.

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Tennant Creek: 3rd & 4th Australian Divisions, 2nd Australian Cavalry Division, 23 Australian Brigade AIF, 31 US RCT, 4 USMC Rgt, Gull Force Bn, 2/2 & 2/4 Independent Cos, HQ I Australian Corps, HQ Australian 1st Army, 131 US FA Bn, 147 US FA Rgt; 1, 2, 101 & 106 Australian AT Rgts, 2/9 Armored Rgt, 1 Australian Army Tank Bn


Perth: 6th Australian Division AIF, 3 Australian Brigade
Geraldton: 13 Australian Brigade

7th Australian Division AIF located at Colombo

Australian reinforcements due to enter game within 120 Days: none

[wneumann]

Situation map of NW Australia along with known locations of Jap LCU's as of 12/13/43.

Pillager has recently shifted many LCU's between bases within NW Australia - therefore exact locations are likely to be incorrect. However, this still does give a somewhat accurate picture of Jap LCU's identified as being somewhere in NW Australia - these LCU are likely to be in the general area though current locations may or may not be correct.

Darwin: 8 Jap LCU's currently detected in Darwin. Jap LCU's with last known location in Darwin include 21 Mixed Brigade, one Heavy AA Bn, 1 Engineer Rgt,
5 Engineer Bn, HQ 14th Army, two Construction Bns, one IJA Aviation Unit, 5 Mortar Rgt.

Daly Waters: 27 Jap LCU's currently detected in Daly Waters. Jap LCU's with last known location in Daly Waters include 2nd & 5th Infantry Divisions; 14 Tank Rgt;
HQ 2nd Area Army; 3, 5 & 14 Mortar Rgts; 18 Heavy FA Rgt, 3 Mountain Gun Rgt, four AA Rgts, two Heavy AA Bns,

Katherine: No Jap LCU's currently detected in Katherine. Jap LCU's with last known location in Katherine include Yokosuka 2 SNLF, 1 Tank Rgt, one Heavy AA Bn.

Broome: No Jap LCU's currently detected in Broome. One IJN Base Force unit has last known location in Broome.

Wyndham: No Jap LCU's currently detected in Wyndham. Two Jap LCU's have a last known location in Wyndham - 22 NLF & 3 Mortar Rgt.

Jap LCU's known to be in NW Australia but last known location is not a base hex: 6 Tank Rgt, three AA Rgts, one Heavy AA Rgt, two Heavy AA Bns, one IJN Base Force, one IJA Base Force, one Air HQ. No known Infantry or Artillery LCU's are in this category.

A total of 35 Jap LCU's are detected in NW Australia (all in Darwin or Daly Waters) - 31 of these are identified (last known locations may or may not be correct). That leaves four unidentified Jap LCU's if all other information is correct.

[wneumann]

The following is a current situation map and disposition of known Jap LCU's in NE Australia & Port Moresby as of 12/13/43.

Portland Roads: No Jap LCU's detected in this base. Jap LCU's identified as being in Portland Roads include 8 NLF, three Construction Bns, one IJN Base Force.

Thursday Island: No Jap LCU's detected in this base. Jap LCU's identified as being at Thursday Is include Kure 6 SNLF & 6 Reserve Tank Rgt. 6 Reserve Tank Rgt is likely to be in Thursday Is base, information on Kure 6 SNLF is old and possibly unreliable.

One Jap LCU (Yokosuka 5 SNLF) has been identified in NE Australia outside of either Portland Roads or Thursday Island bases. It is likely that Yokosuka 5 SNLF is now in Portland Roads.

Port Moresby: 7 Jap LCU's detected in Port Moresby (this figure is continuously reported and very likely correct) including 5th Mongolian Cavalry Division, Kure 3 SNLF, 87 Naval Gd, HQ 17th Army. At least one base force LCU (unidentified) is very likely present in Port Moresby as a small number of aircraft have been observed operating from there.

[wneumann]

Current situation map of Timor Sea area as of 12/13/43.

[wneumann]

ny59giants,

The two CBT Engineer Rgts on Pago Pago shown below contain a total of 162 (assault) engineer squads. Practically all construction engineer squads in the five Seabee units, both base forces, and also some in 3rd Marine Division are operational (not disrupted). Overall condition of LCU elements on Pago Pago is quite good considering all the pounding.

The supply airlift from Penhryn into Pago Pago seems to be working - number of supply points on hand in Pago Pago is gradually increasing despite Jap LBA air attacks.

The #1 item I'm working on to get into Pago Pago is an Aviation Rgt to service enough planes once the airfield is capable of supporting air ops. Any additional supply points above or over that is a plus. Sending another Seabeee unit or two is an option depending on need. That's pretty much my current short-range plans for Pago Pago.

Once the airbase comes up, then we'll see what can be done next. Below is the ground unit display on Pago Pago as of the 12/13 game turn.

Appreciate your comments.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 12/13/43

North Pacific: Jap recon flight over Attu. Otherwise quiet.


Central Pacific: No change in Jap air patrols reported by U.S. operating near Kwajalein, Canton Is area, off Japanese home islands from activity reported on 12/12.

SS Barb intercepts Jap transport TF south of Tokyo, torpedoes AK in a night action. AAR follows.

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Sub attack at 67,47 (E of Tori Shima)

Japanese Ships
AK Nichiran Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AK Asosan Maru
PG Tatsumiya Maru
PG Tamo Maru #6
PG Okuyo Maru
PG Fukui Maru
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS Barb

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196 ships detected in port at Tokyo.

SS Cero also torpedoes a Jap transport north of Eniewetok. AAR follows.

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Sub attack at 72,74

Japanese Ships
AK Sasako Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 30
PC Showa Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Cero

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15 Japanese ships detected at anchor in Kwajalein, 5 ships detected in port at Truk.
F-5A recon over Canton Is reports 6 aircraft, 15 Jap LCU's.


Pago Pago, Day 88 of the Fiasco: Weather forecast for Pago Pago area is more heavy precipitation. No reported naval activity this game turn.

Jap recon flight over Pago Pago. Jap LBA strikes against base facilities on Savaii, no attacks on Pago Pago or U.S. LCU's on Upolu. AAR's follow.

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Day Air attack on Pago Pago , at 96,113

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-III Dinah x 1

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

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Day Air attack on Savaii , at 95,112

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 25
B6N2 Jill x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 33

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
18 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 6000 feet
4 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B6N2 Jill bombing at 6000 feet

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Day Air attack on Savaii , at 95,112

Japanese aircraft
D4Y Judy x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y Judy: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
11 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
6 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
5 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet
3 x D4Y Judy bombing at 2000 feet

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Jap ground forces bombard U.S. LCU's on Upolu. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Upolu

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3334 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 612
41st, 42nd, 51st, 53rd & 61st Naval Gd; Sasebo 7 SNLF, 51 Independent Mixed Brigade (-), 9 & 11 Independent Mixed Rgts,
Arshan Garrison Rgt, 7 Field Artillery Brigade,140 IJN Base Force, 127 IJNAF Base Force (-), 5 AF Construction Bn (-),
9 AF Construction Bn, 24 Aviation Unit, 2 Aviation Rgt, 10 Special Base Force (-)

Defending force 61478 troops, 216 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 1198
1st Cavalry, Americal, 32nd, 37th & 1st Marine Divisions, HQ I Amphibious Corps

Allied ground losses:
104 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 12/13/43 - part deux

South Pacific: SS Ray patrolling Suva base hex comes across an interesting development... The KB and Jap BB's returning home. AAR's follow.

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Sub attack at Suva - 83,117

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Torpedo hits 1
BB Nagato
CL Tama
DD Ariake
DD Wakaba
DD Murasame
DD Shigure

Allied Ships
SS Ray

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ASW attack at Suva - 83,117

Japanese Ships
DD Okikaze
DD Sawakaze
DD Minekaze
DD Wakazuki
CV Shokaku

Allied Ships
SS Ray

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ASW attack at Suva - 83,117

Japanese Ships
DD Karukaya
DD Asagao
DD Kuretake
DD Takanami
DD Niizuki
CL Agano
CV Amagi

Allied Ships
SS Ray, hits 3 (system damage 10, no float or fire)

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SS Paddle at Rabaul reports one Jap TF, five Japanese ships at anchor in Rabaul base.


Australia: No air or ground combat reported this game turn.

Detected status of Jap base in Daly Waters - airfield damage 100, 27 Jap LCU's.
Hudson I recon over Darwin reporting fighters on CAP, 2 Jap TF's, 8 Jap LCU's.
Allied recon flights over Port Moresby and Exmouth both report no detected activity or change in Jap forces.


India/Burma: USAAF and RAF Liberators with fighter escort attack Rangoon airfield. All Allied planes returned to base (none destroyed in action) though many were damaged. Very light pilot losses. Jap plane losses and airfield damage to Rangoon shown in the Japanese version (below) of this AAR and the Allied AAR of this action differ considerably. Later recon flights over Rangoon may provide more of a picture of what actually happened or didn't.

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Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 28
N1K1-J George x 9
J2M Jack x 13
J1N1-S Irving x 15
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 30
Ki-45 KAIb Nick x 24
Ki-61-Ib Tony x 32

Allied aircraft
Liberator III x 53
P-38J Lightning x 12
P-47D Thunderbolt x 29
P-51B Mustang x 6
B-24D Liberator x 30
B-24J Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 4 destroyed, 20 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
J2M Jack: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
J1N1-S Irving: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 destroyed, 18 damaged
Ki-45 KAIb Nick: 1 destroyed, 23 damaged
Ki-61-Ib Tony: 9 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator III: 35 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged
P-47D Thunderbolt: 15 destroyed
P-51B Mustang: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 8 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 89

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
6 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
4 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
2 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
3 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet
2 x Liberator III bombing at 13000 feet

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F-5C recon over Rangoon reports 3 Jap TF's, airfield damage 20, 564 aircraft (239 fighters, 51 bombers), 12 Jap LCU's, heavy industry 56(137).
CW-22 Falcon recon over Magwe reporting airfield damage 22, 8 Jap LCU's.

RAF fighters launch ground attack strike on Jap LCU's in Magwe. AAR follows.

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Day Air attack on 55th Division, at 31,29 (Magwe)

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vb x 62

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vb: 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Spitfire Vb attacking at 100 feet
9 x Spitfire Vb attacking at 100 feet
7 x Spitfire Vb attacking at 100 feet
12 x Spitfire Vb attacking at 100 feet
10 x Spitfire Vb attacking at 100 feet
12 x Spitfire Vb attacking at 100 feet

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China: Jap recon flights over Tuyun, Chungking, Kweiyang. AAR's of the latest Jap air strike in China follows.

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Day Air attack on 5th Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 41,34 (Kweiyang)

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing at 2000 feet

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Jap ground forces continue bombardment attacks on Tuyun and near Chungking. AAR's follow.

I've seen occasional entries in Sigint where various Jap LCU's are prepping to attack Kweiyang. Given the distribution of Jap LCU's in China (half or more of Japanese combat units in China now engaged at Tuyun), Pillager's major thrust is most definately in the south via Tuyun and Kweiyang - either to outflank Chungking from the south, or to march towards Kunming and eventually link up with Japanese forces in northern Burma.

As stated in one of my recent reports, offensive capability of Chinese ground forces is practically zero. Defensively I can keep the Japanese army in China clogged up in Tuyun and later at Kweiyang. The large number of Jap LCU's that are now attacking at Tuyun and their slow rate of progress could reflect these Jap LCU's are worn down and not in very good shape. Pillager has several times fed fresh Jap LCU's into the battle at Tuyun only to apparently have them worn down.

Tuyun has not been fun for the Jap army. In the event Tuyun falls, a similar battle awaits them at Kweiyang.

Current situation map also follows this report.

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Ground combat at Tuyun

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 270861 troops, 1082 guns, 240 vehicles, Assault Value = 5433
3rd, 6th, 13th, 22nd, 29th, 34th, 36th, 40th, 41st, 60th, 65th, 104th, 110th & 116th Infantry Divisions; 3rd Tank Division;
1 Independent Brigade; 1 Yobi Ebi Rgt, 2, 8, 19, 20,& 27 Engineer Rgts; 2 Mountain Gun Rgt, 2 RF Gun Bn, 6 & 15 FA Rgts,
13 & 15 Tank Rgts, HQ 23rd Army

Defending force 38873 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1021
37th, 46th, 60th, 62nd, 64th, 74th, 79th & 99th Chinese Corps; 71st Chinese Division;
27th Chinese Guerilla Corps; HQ 1st, 2nd, 16th & 20th Group Armies

Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported

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Ground combat at 42,33 (SE of Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 868 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 961
32nd & 47th Infantry Divisions, 1 Mortar Bn
Defending force 34772 troops, 127 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 974
21st, 23rd, 63rd, 75th, 86th & 96th Chinese Corps

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported

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[wneumann]

Current situation map of Kuriles and Jap northern areas as 12/14/43. Further operations and planning in this theatre will be henceforth referenced as Operation Bulldog.

Little Japanese movement of any kind appears to be occurring in this area other than a small reinforcement of Paramushiro immediately after U.S. planes from Attu recently began air strikes on this base. If the size and frequency of U.S. air strikes on Paramushiro is maintained at their current level, I do not see Pillager giving this area a great deal of attention. They're nuisance strikes, period.

Known Japanese force deployments in this region follow.

Shikuka: Two Jap ships detected in port. 2 Jap LCU's detected in Shikuka including Karafuto Mixed Brigade and a IJN Base Force.
Toyohara: No detected Jap LCU's. However, Sigint reports indicate 7 Coastal Gun Rgt, one Construction Bn, and an IJA Aviation unit are located in Toyohara.
Paramushiro Jima: 3 Jap LCU's detected in Paramushiro including North Chishima Fortress, one Construction Bn, and an IJN Base Force.
Onnekotan Jima: No detected Jap LCU's. However, Sigint reports indicate one IJA Base Force.
Ketoi Jima: No detected Jap LCU's. Sigint reports also indicate no Jap LCU's, though Jap planes appear to be based on Ketoi Jima suggesting presence of a possible Jap Base Force unit.
Shimushiri Jima: No detected Jap LCU's. Sigint reports also indicating no Jap LCU's here.
Uruppu Jima: No detected Jap LCU's. Sigint reports also indicating no Jap LCU's here.
Etorofu: No detected Jap LCU's. However, Sigint reports indicate Ankei SNLF and a IJN Base Force are located on Etorofu.
Kunashiri: No detected Jap LCU's. Sigint reports also indicating no Jap LCU's here.

It may be a bit ambitious given the recent fiasco on Pago Pago, but creation of the largest possible U.S. foothold as possible in this area should be considered.

An advance to Sakhalin should certainly include the capture of Paramushiro Jima for several reasons. One, to insure a line of communication between Sakhalin and the Aleutians. Secondly, Paramushiro airfield is useful as a transfer point for U.S. plane movements to and from Sakhalin, particularly for fighters and 2E bombers. Paramushiro airfield itself can also be used to launch bombing attacks on Japan proper.

How far southward into the Kuriles? Best possible outcome would be to push the Japanese back onto Hokkaido. Doing this would limit the ability of Jap LBA to interdict U.S shipping through the bottleneck at Paramushiro. This would also limit the number of Japanese bombers that can reach U.S. bases on Paramushiro or Sakhalin and also reduce the fighter escort that can fly with them.

Occupation of the southern Kuriles as far as Etorofu might be done with a series of small invasions using forces no larger than USMC Raider or Para Bns on unoccupied islands, RCT strength or greater against islands that are occupied. Capture of Etorofu itself would be a plus, though the decision on that may be deferred for later in the planning process.

[wneumann]

This is a game mechanics question.... How do you get excess planes and pilots out of an air unit. Withdrawing or disbanding this squadron does not appear to work - both these functions dump the planes and pilots into another F4U-1 squadron located in the same base, leaving an even bigger mess.

Any ideas (if there are any) are appreciated.

Judging from information in the display, the 17 damaged & one reserve F4U in VMF-311 can never be operational as the squadron can only have 24 planes operational at a given time (that maximum already being reached).

[ny59giants]

The adverse affects for the Cold Zone don't expire until 1 March 44, so I wouldn't plan to do much in that area until that date is reached. This area should be monitored (recon flights and subs) and exploited once your Pago Pago fiasco is done. [;)]  Read Nemo's latest AAR to see how it can be done with very little CVs availiable.
 
Thanks for the info on your engineers on Pago Pago. I'm doing my first adventures playing as Japan and I truly miss all those damn SeaBees! 

[DivePac88]

Have you tried the AK method; load the airgroup/sqaudron onto a AK, then disinbark, and most of the aircraft air damaged/crated after the unloading turn. Then you fly off the flyable aircraft to another airfield, then you can dispand the componant unit left with damaged aircraft and pilots into unit of your choice.

[Feinder]

If you want to get rid of the extra planes in the unit, you can downgrade-upgrade the aircraft.  If the unit is an F4U, swap them to WildCats or HellCats, then switch them back to F4Us.  This will reset the number of AC in the squadron, and dump the extras back into the pool (of course, they're all damaged, but you've reset to 24x AC).

The extra pilots in your squadron - can't do much about that.  Extra pilots in a squadron are rarely something to complain about, unless you're up againt the max-pilot issue.

-F-