CBI
The Loyang garrison forces an Independent Bde to retreat from the hex after it wandered in on the previous turn, Cannon probably forgot to turn it around after he got pushed out, either that or he's trying again and the Bde got there ahead of the rest, either way Loyang has proven to be a thorn in his side, taking into account FOW and being conservative, I reckon I've inflicted close to a division's worth of casualties on him in his attempt to wrest Loyang from my control.
The rest of China looks stable at the moment, heavy bombing at Kukong so he's probably going to try and clean up his lines, not a problem with me, I'm focusing my MLR from Nanning through Kweilin and onto Changsha. Central Reserve units are moving south from Chungking to shore up the defences at Kweilin. Ichang is not in immediate danger, ditto for Nanyang. Sian and Yenan further north have garrisons just a shade over 1k AV and Loyang has proven to be a good training ground for a couple of Army's worth of Chinese units. Apart from the attempt at Loyang I haven't seen any other schwerpunkt form yet but it's early days and the ball is much in Cannon's court. I'm also contemplating making a move on Hankow or Wuchang just to keep Cannon reacting to me instead of the other way around.
SWPAC
Marblehead and Mauritius together with their accompanying DDs engage a DESRON and it's CL at Manado, the Naka and a DD are set on fire while I lose the Thracian.
The 38th Div at Mersing launches a shock attack just as the other Aussie Bde comes up from Johore Bahru, the results are predictably ugly and the 2 Bdes are pushed back towards JB. One of the Indian Bdes has managed to rail itself down to JB in the same turn so the net result of getting 2 Bdes banged up to save 1 puts me right about where I started. The other remaining Indian Bde is still around the KL area about 5 hexes north of Singapore and unless the 38th takes it's time cutting the base of the peninsula off from Singapore I'm probably going to lose that Bde.
SUB ACTION
I'm getting a lot of Allied sub attacks these past few turns after I've set out my picket lines around the Home Islands, I've also got a sub parked outside Truk which has been very busy of late, a couple of subs need some tweaking to their final positions but I'm where I'm supposed to be for the most part, now if the subs can only do what they're paid to do but that's another story.
The focus of sub activity around the Home Islands to the detriment of just about every other command apart from the area around DEI means that for the most part I'm blind to any movement in CENPAC and SWPAC although I have some short ranged boats moving into position in the Solomons. As I see it, I really can't stop Cannon if he decides to make a determined effort to invade just about anywhere on the map and every merchie I sink now will only compound his supply problems later in the game which to me is a good trade off for losing say, Canton Island or even Christmas/Palmrya. Every point he invades he needs to sustain and the close he gets to PH the easier it is for me to use those bases as target practice. Well, that's the theory anyway.
FUTURE PLANS
Running 2 AARs kind of hobbles me from discussing too much about grand strategy as my opponents are not restricted from reading the other game I'm playing. As it is, I'm considering playing both games in much the same way in terms of my counter thrusts or trying out different options for each one. Trying to figure out a way to put my options out here without giving too much away. Anyone have any bright ideas?
Winged Horse vs Dutch Admiral - Arnhem (A) vs Cannonfodder (J)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
July 19, 1942
Erm, so it's been a while since the last update. A combination of laziness and real life work combined to put updating this AAR on a lower priority than just playing the game. Didn't miss much to be honest, quite a bit of the 1st half of '42 was spent in relative stalemate as Japan consolidated her gains and the Allies gathered their strength.
GETTING UP TO SPEED
In the Pacific, Port Moresby has fallen to an overland assault, Noumea, Lunga, Luganville have also fallen. Fiji, Pago Pago and New Zealand now constitute the front lines of SOPAC and SWPAC, The first 2 are being built up as hubs to support the construction and maintenance of minor bases in their immediate vicinity. In addition Auckland and Pago Pago are being used as fuel depots for tanker runs from the West Coast. I have significant land assets on Oz itself with more on the way from CONUS in anticipation of a landing attempt on the northern periphery of Oz. Short term targets include the retaking of Luganville and Efate as well as the isolation of Noumea to be retaken at leisure. In CENPAC, targets include Wake, Canton and Baker, I'm contemplating an invasion of Honshu in the long term, this last one will be a go for broke move if I do it so it will probably be in late '43 at the earliest if I do attempt this.
In China, the IJA has moved on Changsha but it's still friendly territory, in Burma the situation the much the same as it ever was for a while now, the IJA has taken Burma but has not made any moves, land or air into India proper short of a period of sustained fighter sweeps but that has died down for a while now.
BATTLE OF TRUK
And now the impetus for this update, the first CV v CV battle of the war.
It all started with me itching to do something with my CVs after months of inactivity and reacting to Japanese moves. Forming single CV TFs, the Wasp, Saratoga, Lexington, Enterprise and Yorktown made a run at Truk in order to raid shipping in the area but instead made contact with KB about 8 hexes east of Truk. The start of the morning phase saw both fleets just 3 hexes from each other. The previous turn saw some Bettys, probably out of Kwajalein, take a shot at my CVs as they made their way towards Truk but none made it through the fighter screen, it was a different story today.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,107
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
B5N2 Kate x 95
D3A1 Val x 64
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 41 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Conyngham
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
CL Helena
DD Downes, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Portland, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Clark
DD Cassin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 1
DD Tucker
CL Nashville
DD Mustin
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
22 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Downes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chicago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Portland
All 4 torp hits on the Yorktown came from 1 single flight of Kates, talk about sharpshooting. The response for the USN made a tough morning a little easier to swallow but I wish my TBs had a hit rate as good as the IJN's.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 118,104
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 84
SBD-3 Dauntless x 110
TBD-1 Devastator x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 54
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Ise
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 2
DD Ikazuchi
CA Tone, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chikuma
DD Kagero
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Makigumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese BB
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sazanami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hiei
I've lost both the Enterprise and Yorktown in addition to the North Carolina in exchange for claims of a sunk Hiryu as well as Nagato, Yamato and Mogami. I'll take the CA but I have doubts about the BBs. Hits on all 4 flattops of CarDiv 1 on the combat replay make me wish but looking at the results the best I'm hoping for is parity in terms of carrier decks lost (Hiryu and Soryu judging from the combat results, and even then they're the smaller pair of the 4 that I hit). At the very least I've scheduled the surviving IJN CVs for some major port time. I was seriously considering staying to duke it out with my remaining 3 CVs (not a scratch on them) but as I'm unsure of what I'm facing (scout planes put another fleet icon in the same hex with KB that showed another 4 CVs) and am at a disadvantage should a surface action occur, i'm withdrawing to fight another day. I'm curious to see who is left alive of the 2 CV wings that I lost, the hardware I can replace, the pilots not so easily.
So my questions to the gallery then,
Would you have stayed and duked it out for a all or nothing, winner takes all move? The fact that I'll have CVs coming out my arse in about a year and the IJN won't made me really consider just sacrificing my remaining decks for a chance at crippling the creme de la creme of the IJN. Reserves had I lost everything would consist of the Hornet and about half a dozen CVEs by the end of 1942.
What percentage of the CV wing's pilots survive if their ship goes down?
Was making a raid on Truk at this juncture in the war a smart thing to do? The outer islands seemed to be devoid of any significant presence and I was thinking KB might have withdrawn for ship upgrades seeing as I hadn't had a sniff for a while.
I set CAP at 30% but saw more fighters escorting the outbound raid than staying back to defend the CVs, is that normal?
Anything I'm doing wrong or could do better?
GETTING UP TO SPEED
In the Pacific, Port Moresby has fallen to an overland assault, Noumea, Lunga, Luganville have also fallen. Fiji, Pago Pago and New Zealand now constitute the front lines of SOPAC and SWPAC, The first 2 are being built up as hubs to support the construction and maintenance of minor bases in their immediate vicinity. In addition Auckland and Pago Pago are being used as fuel depots for tanker runs from the West Coast. I have significant land assets on Oz itself with more on the way from CONUS in anticipation of a landing attempt on the northern periphery of Oz. Short term targets include the retaking of Luganville and Efate as well as the isolation of Noumea to be retaken at leisure. In CENPAC, targets include Wake, Canton and Baker, I'm contemplating an invasion of Honshu in the long term, this last one will be a go for broke move if I do it so it will probably be in late '43 at the earliest if I do attempt this.
In China, the IJA has moved on Changsha but it's still friendly territory, in Burma the situation the much the same as it ever was for a while now, the IJA has taken Burma but has not made any moves, land or air into India proper short of a period of sustained fighter sweeps but that has died down for a while now.
BATTLE OF TRUK
And now the impetus for this update, the first CV v CV battle of the war.
It all started with me itching to do something with my CVs after months of inactivity and reacting to Japanese moves. Forming single CV TFs, the Wasp, Saratoga, Lexington, Enterprise and Yorktown made a run at Truk in order to raid shipping in the area but instead made contact with KB about 8 hexes east of Truk. The start of the morning phase saw both fleets just 3 hexes from each other. The previous turn saw some Bettys, probably out of Kwajalein, take a shot at my CVs as they made their way towards Truk but none made it through the fighter screen, it was a different story today.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 119,107
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
B5N2 Kate x 95
D3A1 Val x 64
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 38
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 41 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Conyngham
CV Yorktown, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
CL Helena
DD Downes, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CA Portland, Bomb hits 4, on fire
DD Clark
DD Cassin, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Indianapolis, Torpedo hits 1
DD Tucker
CL Nashville
DD Mustin
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
22 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
VF-3 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Downes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Enterprise
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chicago
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Portland
All 4 torp hits on the Yorktown came from 1 single flight of Kates, talk about sharpshooting. The response for the USN made a tough morning a little easier to swallow but I wish my TBs had a hit rate as good as the IJN's.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Truk at 118,104
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 84
SBD-3 Dauntless x 110
TBD-1 Devastator x 18
TBF-1 Avenger x 54
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 8, on fire
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Ise
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Yamashiro, Torpedo hits 1
BB Nagato, Torpedo hits 2
DD Ikazuchi
CA Tone, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Chikuma
DD Kagero
DD Sazanami, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Makigumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Yamato, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
18 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBD-1 Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
17 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
18 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Soryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Japanese BB
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Akagi
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Mogami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiryu
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sazanami
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring BB Hiei
I've lost both the Enterprise and Yorktown in addition to the North Carolina in exchange for claims of a sunk Hiryu as well as Nagato, Yamato and Mogami. I'll take the CA but I have doubts about the BBs. Hits on all 4 flattops of CarDiv 1 on the combat replay make me wish but looking at the results the best I'm hoping for is parity in terms of carrier decks lost (Hiryu and Soryu judging from the combat results, and even then they're the smaller pair of the 4 that I hit). At the very least I've scheduled the surviving IJN CVs for some major port time. I was seriously considering staying to duke it out with my remaining 3 CVs (not a scratch on them) but as I'm unsure of what I'm facing (scout planes put another fleet icon in the same hex with KB that showed another 4 CVs) and am at a disadvantage should a surface action occur, i'm withdrawing to fight another day. I'm curious to see who is left alive of the 2 CV wings that I lost, the hardware I can replace, the pilots not so easily.
So my questions to the gallery then,
Would you have stayed and duked it out for a all or nothing, winner takes all move? The fact that I'll have CVs coming out my arse in about a year and the IJN won't made me really consider just sacrificing my remaining decks for a chance at crippling the creme de la creme of the IJN. Reserves had I lost everything would consist of the Hornet and about half a dozen CVEs by the end of 1942.
What percentage of the CV wing's pilots survive if their ship goes down?
Was making a raid on Truk at this juncture in the war a smart thing to do? The outer islands seemed to be devoid of any significant presence and I was thinking KB might have withdrawn for ship upgrades seeing as I hadn't had a sniff for a while.
I set CAP at 30% but saw more fighters escorting the outbound raid than staying back to defend the CVs, is that normal?
Anything I'm doing wrong or could do better?
July 25, 1942
The pace of the game has slowed somewhat from 6 months ago so I'll be taking some time to do some detailed updates on the major theatres of war in the next few posts so readers can catch up to where the game is at. This one will focus on the Pacific commands.
NORPAC
A trio of bases centred around Adak have been built up in the months since Dec 7. the 11th Air Force flying mostly out of Adak provides most if not all of the protection for the Aleutians, naval assets permanently stationed in the area amount to nothing more than a DESRON. There is at least 1 Inf Reg on each of the 3 major land bases with plenty of engineer, AA and artillery support. There's not been any activity in the area and things don't look to change in that respect, just to be sure, a pair of old BBs will be sent up soon, as well as another fighter squadron or two and an tank Bn when I can spare them. These bases will be the primary jump off point if I make a lunge at the HI with Hokkaido is the primary target.
CENPAC
Canton, Baker and Wake Islands are the short term goals for this AO, units are in the process of prepping for these targets and landings are planned before the year is out. These landings will be good practice for what comes ahead, the targets themselves do not look to be heavily garrisoned, with little or no air cover present.
The Pacific Fleet is down to 4 fleet carriers after the loss of Enterprise and Yorktown, I still can't find what happened to the majority of the pilots of the 2 air wings that went down with the CVs, LCDR Massey has reappeared on the list of squadron leaders available for redeployment so I'm hoping I didn't lose as many pilots as I did hardware. I've lost the only modern BB I had, on the other hand with the sinking of the 2 CVs, I now have enough CAs and DDs freed up to establish a semblance of STF presence in areas like Pago Pago, Suva and the Aleutians. 6 CVEs are due to come into the theatre on Oct and Dec, their arrival will allow the fleet CVs to concentrate on their main task of raiding and striking while the CVEs cover the close-in escort duties of invasion convoys and the like.
Footnote: The 3 surviving CVs of the Battle of Truk have moved far enough from danger that the only worry for them now would be to eat a torpedo on the approaches to PH, a line of IJN boats has established itself 3 hexes SW of Pearl but thanks to ASW and Patrol plane efforts I have them marked out clear as day on the map, precautionary routes taking the returning TFs around the IJN subs have been implemented, my opponent is predictable in this sense, IJN fleet boats stalking SF and PH have not had a shot at anything I didn't want them to take a look at for months now, the boats have simply been bypassed by having TFs sail a couple of hexes out of the way before swinging back on their intended destinations.
SOPAC
The Allies were ejected from Noumea sometime in Mar/Apr '42, the fragments of 2 US Inf Reg and the Aus 1st Div extracted before the base fell. Planning for landings on Efate and Luganville with a medium term goal of Lunga are in the works, Noumea will be deliberately bypassed and left to wither on the vine as I'm expecting my opponent to build it up and garrison it relatively strongly. Supply convoys to NZ and Oz have had to skirt around Noumea with it's taking but other than that i have not been harassed at all, I was expecting more of a vigorous presence to be honest.
On the Allied side Pago Pago and Suva are the main hubs in the area, supply and reinforcement convoys from WC via PH land at Pago Pago before they move on to points west. Fuel supplies are being built up at Pago Pago and Auckland, training of air units is ongoing, other than that I've not had to suffer the effects of IJN surface assets menacing my SLOCs in any way.
SWPAC
As mentioned, Port Moresby fell to an overland assault so that's a thorn in my side, short term goals for this AO would be to prep against a possible (though now looking increasingly unlikely) landing at either Darwin or Broome (latter has seen regular bombing) and support of SOPAC when the time comes for the counter blow. I do not have enough assets to impose myself over the airspace of PM in order to allow an invasion fleet to land safely in the numbers large enough to overcome any resistance there, Milne Bay looks like a good spot to establish a base but resupplying it will be opening another can of worms.
NORPAC
A trio of bases centred around Adak have been built up in the months since Dec 7. the 11th Air Force flying mostly out of Adak provides most if not all of the protection for the Aleutians, naval assets permanently stationed in the area amount to nothing more than a DESRON. There is at least 1 Inf Reg on each of the 3 major land bases with plenty of engineer, AA and artillery support. There's not been any activity in the area and things don't look to change in that respect, just to be sure, a pair of old BBs will be sent up soon, as well as another fighter squadron or two and an tank Bn when I can spare them. These bases will be the primary jump off point if I make a lunge at the HI with Hokkaido is the primary target.
CENPAC
Canton, Baker and Wake Islands are the short term goals for this AO, units are in the process of prepping for these targets and landings are planned before the year is out. These landings will be good practice for what comes ahead, the targets themselves do not look to be heavily garrisoned, with little or no air cover present.
The Pacific Fleet is down to 4 fleet carriers after the loss of Enterprise and Yorktown, I still can't find what happened to the majority of the pilots of the 2 air wings that went down with the CVs, LCDR Massey has reappeared on the list of squadron leaders available for redeployment so I'm hoping I didn't lose as many pilots as I did hardware. I've lost the only modern BB I had, on the other hand with the sinking of the 2 CVs, I now have enough CAs and DDs freed up to establish a semblance of STF presence in areas like Pago Pago, Suva and the Aleutians. 6 CVEs are due to come into the theatre on Oct and Dec, their arrival will allow the fleet CVs to concentrate on their main task of raiding and striking while the CVEs cover the close-in escort duties of invasion convoys and the like.
Footnote: The 3 surviving CVs of the Battle of Truk have moved far enough from danger that the only worry for them now would be to eat a torpedo on the approaches to PH, a line of IJN boats has established itself 3 hexes SW of Pearl but thanks to ASW and Patrol plane efforts I have them marked out clear as day on the map, precautionary routes taking the returning TFs around the IJN subs have been implemented, my opponent is predictable in this sense, IJN fleet boats stalking SF and PH have not had a shot at anything I didn't want them to take a look at for months now, the boats have simply been bypassed by having TFs sail a couple of hexes out of the way before swinging back on their intended destinations.
SOPAC
The Allies were ejected from Noumea sometime in Mar/Apr '42, the fragments of 2 US Inf Reg and the Aus 1st Div extracted before the base fell. Planning for landings on Efate and Luganville with a medium term goal of Lunga are in the works, Noumea will be deliberately bypassed and left to wither on the vine as I'm expecting my opponent to build it up and garrison it relatively strongly. Supply convoys to NZ and Oz have had to skirt around Noumea with it's taking but other than that i have not been harassed at all, I was expecting more of a vigorous presence to be honest.
On the Allied side Pago Pago and Suva are the main hubs in the area, supply and reinforcement convoys from WC via PH land at Pago Pago before they move on to points west. Fuel supplies are being built up at Pago Pago and Auckland, training of air units is ongoing, other than that I've not had to suffer the effects of IJN surface assets menacing my SLOCs in any way.
SWPAC
As mentioned, Port Moresby fell to an overland assault so that's a thorn in my side, short term goals for this AO would be to prep against a possible (though now looking increasingly unlikely) landing at either Darwin or Broome (latter has seen regular bombing) and support of SOPAC when the time comes for the counter blow. I do not have enough assets to impose myself over the airspace of PM in order to allow an invasion fleet to land safely in the numbers large enough to overcome any resistance there, Milne Bay looks like a good spot to establish a base but resupplying it will be opening another can of worms.
July 27, 1942
HIGH ALTITUDE FIGHTER SWEEPS
We've implemented a HR limiting fighter max ceiling to their best altitude/maneuver rating, Cannon has restarted his fighter sweeps over India with his Oscars flying at max altitude. I've had 30 Hurris of mainly the IIb type shot out of the sky over the course of just 2 days and he was nice enough to ask me if I minded him flying at max service ceiling, I suggested the HR as I've seen some people try that and we're giving it a go for the next couple of days to see how that affects gameplay.
CBI
China is relatively quiet, Changsha's defences were tested earlier in the game month but remains in Chinese hands. Daily bombings of Changsha and Kweilin are the only signs that there's even a war going on.
In Burma, a Chinese Corps is fighting alongside the 1st Burmese Division on the side of the Burma-Chinese border in a bid to stem the IJA advance, it's been holding off the better part of 4 IJA Divisions for a while now and it looks to be approaching breaking point soon. I don't really see the IJA advancing into China from Burma as it's just going to tie up troops in holding ground and if there's one thing I do not lack it's warm Chinese bodies.
Which brings us to India, apart from fighter sweeps and the stalking subs outside Colombo I've been left to build up strength and defences running from Akyab and Chittagong along the coast through Dimapur, Imphal, Kohima and finally anchored on the other end at Ledo, transport planes are flying in supplies over the hump from Ledo to Kunming but have sustained massive Ops losses, will probably aim for a shorter route in an attempt to save airframes. On land, Akyab, Chittagong, Imphal and Kohima are garrisoned by at least 1 Indian Division each with 2 Indian Armor Bdes coming along nicely in the TOE upgrade path. The Brit 2nd Division has just landed in Karachi and will shortly be making it's way down to Calcutta where it will join other units in theatre reserve.
We've implemented a HR limiting fighter max ceiling to their best altitude/maneuver rating, Cannon has restarted his fighter sweeps over India with his Oscars flying at max altitude. I've had 30 Hurris of mainly the IIb type shot out of the sky over the course of just 2 days and he was nice enough to ask me if I minded him flying at max service ceiling, I suggested the HR as I've seen some people try that and we're giving it a go for the next couple of days to see how that affects gameplay.
CBI
China is relatively quiet, Changsha's defences were tested earlier in the game month but remains in Chinese hands. Daily bombings of Changsha and Kweilin are the only signs that there's even a war going on.
In Burma, a Chinese Corps is fighting alongside the 1st Burmese Division on the side of the Burma-Chinese border in a bid to stem the IJA advance, it's been holding off the better part of 4 IJA Divisions for a while now and it looks to be approaching breaking point soon. I don't really see the IJA advancing into China from Burma as it's just going to tie up troops in holding ground and if there's one thing I do not lack it's warm Chinese bodies.
Which brings us to India, apart from fighter sweeps and the stalking subs outside Colombo I've been left to build up strength and defences running from Akyab and Chittagong along the coast through Dimapur, Imphal, Kohima and finally anchored on the other end at Ledo, transport planes are flying in supplies over the hump from Ledo to Kunming but have sustained massive Ops losses, will probably aim for a shorter route in an attempt to save airframes. On land, Akyab, Chittagong, Imphal and Kohima are garrisoned by at least 1 Indian Division each with 2 Indian Armor Bdes coming along nicely in the TOE upgrade path. The Brit 2nd Division has just landed in Karachi and will shortly be making it's way down to Calcutta where it will join other units in theatre reserve.
What now? Situation and Intentions
STATUS QUO
The fall of Noumea signalled the start of a period of relative peace in the game, apart from fighter sweeps over Indian bases I've been left to build up strength along the Indian-Burma border, Fiji and Oz.
Major LCUs in India include 7 Indian Divs in various states of readiness, 2 full strength Brit Divs (18th and 2nd) and 4 Armor Bdes, 1 at full strength. Most of these LCUs are concentrated along the India-Burma border. Air assets are predominantly British with the exception of the recent arrival of 2 US Fighter Groups. All told I have about 10 Brit fighter squadrons dispersed among the frontier bases and Colombo, these are my most experienced Allied pilots at the present with average experience levels of 60. Bombers squadrons are mostly Blenheims with a squadron or two of Wellingtons, most of these are training for airfield attack with a handful training for naval attack. Keeping the fighter squadrons up to strength has been my most challenging task to date and that's with Cannon not pushing very hard so I can't imagine if he pulls out all the stops as he seems to be starting to do.
In SOPAC, there are 2 US Divisions anchoring the defence in Pago Pago, the Australian 6th Division covers those duties in Fiji with the 7th joining the other Australian militia Divisions and substantial US artillery and armor in covering the NE of Australia against the possibility of invasion. If the IJA does indeed land at Darwin or further west at Broome I intend to fall back to Cloncurry and Normanton which is where the bulk of the units available in Oz are located and let the IJA have north Oz. The more places my opponent has to hold, the less troops he has to throw around.
The bulk of US Army/Marine strength is concentrated at either PH or SF. Units are prepping to take back targets mentioned 2 posts ago or in strategic reserve whilst at the same tie prepping for targets in Hokkaido.
INTENTIONS
I have to say right here now that I'm not contemplating a move on the DEI, I know it's every AFB's flavour of the month and making it my schwerpunkt would definitely trigger some sort of decisive battle eventually as it's THE region that Japan cannot afford to lose but in keeping with my spirit of play I don't see the US ever going out of their way to liberate a region that would on it's way to essentially taking the long way round to Japan so hey diddle diddle straight up the middle it is, though I might use ANZAC troops to probe Timor just to keep him honest.
My play style has been more or less of a historical slant, nothing too far from the reality as in US units have focused mainly on defending Oz and it's approaches and the Brits have kept to themselves as well (ie. RN more or less holed up in Colombo under RAF air cover) The current strategic picture dictates my next move to be either in the Solomons or the approaches to the Marshalls (which is what I'm doing by prepping to take Wake, Baker and Canton Islands back).
A move in CENPAC will rely heavily on the USN and by extension the 4 surviving US fleet CVs. Very dicey considering there are at least 4, possibly 5 CVs still out there together with God knows how many CVEs (I've made it a point to never look at the Japanese ORBAT). However a concurrent and slightly earlier move on say, Efate should distract the IJN long enough for that critical one or two turns for my transports to run in, unload and get the hell out of dodge. Least that's the thinking. I have enough surface and transport assets to pull landings off at Canton, Baker and Efate simultaneously but the CVs can only be in one place at a time.
Of course the one that's really out in left field would be a landing attempt on Hokkaido proper, I've been careful not to do anything too aggressive in NORPAC and I do not know if Cannon is getting reports of my building up of the bases in the Aleutians but I have 3 US Divisions prepping for a landing on Bihoro (or should it be some place with a bigger port?), assuming I make it all the way to landing the troops, I'll probably have my ass handed to me as landings there would trigger all sorts of nastiness from both him and the programmed reinforcements. It would defintely focus his attention, only thing is what I can do to capitalise on that?
Any comments?
The fall of Noumea signalled the start of a period of relative peace in the game, apart from fighter sweeps over Indian bases I've been left to build up strength along the Indian-Burma border, Fiji and Oz.
Major LCUs in India include 7 Indian Divs in various states of readiness, 2 full strength Brit Divs (18th and 2nd) and 4 Armor Bdes, 1 at full strength. Most of these LCUs are concentrated along the India-Burma border. Air assets are predominantly British with the exception of the recent arrival of 2 US Fighter Groups. All told I have about 10 Brit fighter squadrons dispersed among the frontier bases and Colombo, these are my most experienced Allied pilots at the present with average experience levels of 60. Bombers squadrons are mostly Blenheims with a squadron or two of Wellingtons, most of these are training for airfield attack with a handful training for naval attack. Keeping the fighter squadrons up to strength has been my most challenging task to date and that's with Cannon not pushing very hard so I can't imagine if he pulls out all the stops as he seems to be starting to do.
In SOPAC, there are 2 US Divisions anchoring the defence in Pago Pago, the Australian 6th Division covers those duties in Fiji with the 7th joining the other Australian militia Divisions and substantial US artillery and armor in covering the NE of Australia against the possibility of invasion. If the IJA does indeed land at Darwin or further west at Broome I intend to fall back to Cloncurry and Normanton which is where the bulk of the units available in Oz are located and let the IJA have north Oz. The more places my opponent has to hold, the less troops he has to throw around.
The bulk of US Army/Marine strength is concentrated at either PH or SF. Units are prepping to take back targets mentioned 2 posts ago or in strategic reserve whilst at the same tie prepping for targets in Hokkaido.
INTENTIONS
I have to say right here now that I'm not contemplating a move on the DEI, I know it's every AFB's flavour of the month and making it my schwerpunkt would definitely trigger some sort of decisive battle eventually as it's THE region that Japan cannot afford to lose but in keeping with my spirit of play I don't see the US ever going out of their way to liberate a region that would on it's way to essentially taking the long way round to Japan so hey diddle diddle straight up the middle it is, though I might use ANZAC troops to probe Timor just to keep him honest.
My play style has been more or less of a historical slant, nothing too far from the reality as in US units have focused mainly on defending Oz and it's approaches and the Brits have kept to themselves as well (ie. RN more or less holed up in Colombo under RAF air cover) The current strategic picture dictates my next move to be either in the Solomons or the approaches to the Marshalls (which is what I'm doing by prepping to take Wake, Baker and Canton Islands back).
A move in CENPAC will rely heavily on the USN and by extension the 4 surviving US fleet CVs. Very dicey considering there are at least 4, possibly 5 CVs still out there together with God knows how many CVEs (I've made it a point to never look at the Japanese ORBAT). However a concurrent and slightly earlier move on say, Efate should distract the IJN long enough for that critical one or two turns for my transports to run in, unload and get the hell out of dodge. Least that's the thinking. I have enough surface and transport assets to pull landings off at Canton, Baker and Efate simultaneously but the CVs can only be in one place at a time.
Of course the one that's really out in left field would be a landing attempt on Hokkaido proper, I've been careful not to do anything too aggressive in NORPAC and I do not know if Cannon is getting reports of my building up of the bases in the Aleutians but I have 3 US Divisions prepping for a landing on Bihoro (or should it be some place with a bigger port?), assuming I make it all the way to landing the troops, I'll probably have my ass handed to me as landings there would trigger all sorts of nastiness from both him and the programmed reinforcements. It would defintely focus his attention, only thing is what I can do to capitalise on that?
Any comments?
An overview of the war thus far
Sept 30, 1942
This game started back in Dec '09 and we've been averaging playing about a turn a day, Roel has been an excellent opponent and we've both learnt a lot from playing this game as it's our first PBEM game for both of us. I'd say our play styles are very much on the conservative side, we've not attempted anything more aggressive than comparable real life events and given that fact it's a good thing I'm not in any danger of being auto defeated come Jan 1 1943 cos I've gone and done some really stupid stuff these past 8 months, it's been a blast though and I can't wait to see how this game finishes. We'll break down the score down a little later.
THE STRATEGIC SITUATION
Pacific AO
We're at the point in the game the Allies are on the ascendency while the Japanese transition to defence. As I mentioned earlier we both have pretty much conservative play styles which explains why I'm still the law in Oz, Fiji and Samoa. The Japanese perimeter starts with Burma in the west through the whole of the DEI, Southeast Asia, the PI, Wake, the Gilberts, New Hebrides and Noumea in the east/southeast.
The last major offensive action of the Japanese in the Pacific was back when Noumea fell more than 3 months ago, since then apart from a CV battle off Truk we've both kept to our sides of the line with minor offensive actions on Roel's part and virtually nothing from me, not even fighter sweeps or bombing raids.
In the NORPAC AO there's been absolutely zero activity on the part of the enemy. Bases in Adak, Attu and Amchitka have been fully built up. The 11th AF is the principal defensive element in this AO.
China, Burma, India
Fairly quiet in China apart from an attempt on Changsha 2 game months ago, I think my opponent likes the China theatre as much as I do, which isn't much and that's fine by me. I've reciprocated by having most forces stand in place except for a handful of corps on the Chinese/Burmese border which got ejected from Lashio and have been chased back to the Chinese side of the border.
In India, apart from fighter sweeps and bombing raids there hasn't been any attempt on an advance, I've got a couple thousand AV massed on the Burmese border and substantial air assets including Tenth AF so I doubt I'll have to deal with any offensive moves in this part of the world.
SUPPLY
On my side, the supply situation overall is good, stockpiles of 1 million or more supply points are located in India, Oz and PH, smaller stockpiles (avg 100k) are being builts up in Colombo, Pago Pago, Auckland and Christmas Island.
On the fuel side of things it's not as rosy, lack of TK/AO has stymied buildup of forward stockpiles so I've recently completed a major redeployment of AKs that will help in moving fuel forward.
FUTURE PLANS (or hey diddle diddle, straight up the middle)
Much as trying to wrest the DEI from Roel will be fun and ultimately be his death knell if I succeed I don't see the US allowing themselves to be used to liberate colonial assets of the old European powers so that's that.
Thus, in keeping with the spirit of our game thus far, I've decided that the main thrust of the Allied counteroffensive will be up CENPAC with attendant landings on the larger land masses like PNG and PI if opportunities present themselves or some maskirovka is needed.
And since NORPAC bases are built up, landings on the northern most islands just to mess with Roel is something I'm considering as well.
This game started back in Dec '09 and we've been averaging playing about a turn a day, Roel has been an excellent opponent and we've both learnt a lot from playing this game as it's our first PBEM game for both of us. I'd say our play styles are very much on the conservative side, we've not attempted anything more aggressive than comparable real life events and given that fact it's a good thing I'm not in any danger of being auto defeated come Jan 1 1943 cos I've gone and done some really stupid stuff these past 8 months, it's been a blast though and I can't wait to see how this game finishes. We'll break down the score down a little later.
THE STRATEGIC SITUATION
Pacific AO
We're at the point in the game the Allies are on the ascendency while the Japanese transition to defence. As I mentioned earlier we both have pretty much conservative play styles which explains why I'm still the law in Oz, Fiji and Samoa. The Japanese perimeter starts with Burma in the west through the whole of the DEI, Southeast Asia, the PI, Wake, the Gilberts, New Hebrides and Noumea in the east/southeast.
The last major offensive action of the Japanese in the Pacific was back when Noumea fell more than 3 months ago, since then apart from a CV battle off Truk we've both kept to our sides of the line with minor offensive actions on Roel's part and virtually nothing from me, not even fighter sweeps or bombing raids.
In the NORPAC AO there's been absolutely zero activity on the part of the enemy. Bases in Adak, Attu and Amchitka have been fully built up. The 11th AF is the principal defensive element in this AO.
China, Burma, India
Fairly quiet in China apart from an attempt on Changsha 2 game months ago, I think my opponent likes the China theatre as much as I do, which isn't much and that's fine by me. I've reciprocated by having most forces stand in place except for a handful of corps on the Chinese/Burmese border which got ejected from Lashio and have been chased back to the Chinese side of the border.
In India, apart from fighter sweeps and bombing raids there hasn't been any attempt on an advance, I've got a couple thousand AV massed on the Burmese border and substantial air assets including Tenth AF so I doubt I'll have to deal with any offensive moves in this part of the world.
SUPPLY
On my side, the supply situation overall is good, stockpiles of 1 million or more supply points are located in India, Oz and PH, smaller stockpiles (avg 100k) are being builts up in Colombo, Pago Pago, Auckland and Christmas Island.
On the fuel side of things it's not as rosy, lack of TK/AO has stymied buildup of forward stockpiles so I've recently completed a major redeployment of AKs that will help in moving fuel forward.
FUTURE PLANS (or hey diddle diddle, straight up the middle)
Much as trying to wrest the DEI from Roel will be fun and ultimately be his death knell if I succeed I don't see the US allowing themselves to be used to liberate colonial assets of the old European powers so that's that.
Thus, in keeping with the spirit of our game thus far, I've decided that the main thrust of the Allied counteroffensive will be up CENPAC with attendant landings on the larger land masses like PNG and PI if opportunities present themselves or some maskirovka is needed.
And since NORPAC bases are built up, landings on the northern most islands just to mess with Roel is something I'm considering as well.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
AIR LOSSES
As can be seen from the numbers I've not come out to play as much as I'd like to, most of our air fights have been over the skies of CBI with the only signifcant PACAO actions being the CV vs CV battle off Truk in Aug 1942 where I lost 2 complete CV wings when Enterprise and Yorktown went down. I'm starting to get significant numbers of Allied fighters like the Hurri IIc and P-40K so that will go some way to sustaining CAP tempos, especially over CBI where raids on forward airfields are a daily occurrence.
Losses of PBYs in the early days were stopped by simply setting their search ranges to normal radius, that cut their ops losses significantly, I can't remember where I read it on the forums but thank you whoever you are.
As can be seen from the numbers I've not come out to play as much as I'd like to, most of our air fights have been over the skies of CBI with the only signifcant PACAO actions being the CV vs CV battle off Truk in Aug 1942 where I lost 2 complete CV wings when Enterprise and Yorktown went down. I'm starting to get significant numbers of Allied fighters like the Hurri IIc and P-40K so that will go some way to sustaining CAP tempos, especially over CBI where raids on forward airfields are a daily occurrence.
Losses of PBYs in the early days were stopped by simply setting their search ranges to normal radius, that cut their ops losses significantly, I can't remember where I read it on the forums but thank you whoever you are.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
IJN SHIP LOSSES
Hiryu and Kaga I'm pretty sure are in the bag FOW wise, Mutsu too due to the 6 month lag, the other BBs I'm not too sure about. From our post battle conversations I know I've hurt Akagi and Soryu too although how bad I do not know, Zuikaku and Shokaku weren't involved in our tangle off Truk. Apart from that, probably in most part to my noobishness I've not been too successful in hitting IJN ship assets as Roel advanced in the DEI and other areas.
I've had arse luck trying to destroy IJN subs, I can suppress them via patrols and ASW air but sinking them is another thing, they're mostly parked off my supply hubs like PH, Pago Pago, Brisbane and the West Coast and Roel is probably getting good intel from the embarked Glens. They don't get past escorts much but when they do it's usually bad news for me. I guess the good news is since I can spot them on just about every turn I can route my ships around them.
TKs are another area I'm a little disappointed with myself in as well, camping chokepoints doesn't help much when Killer Kates are overhead, more on the effects of Japanese ASW air later.
Hiryu and Kaga I'm pretty sure are in the bag FOW wise, Mutsu too due to the 6 month lag, the other BBs I'm not too sure about. From our post battle conversations I know I've hurt Akagi and Soryu too although how bad I do not know, Zuikaku and Shokaku weren't involved in our tangle off Truk. Apart from that, probably in most part to my noobishness I've not been too successful in hitting IJN ship assets as Roel advanced in the DEI and other areas.
I've had arse luck trying to destroy IJN subs, I can suppress them via patrols and ASW air but sinking them is another thing, they're mostly parked off my supply hubs like PH, Pago Pago, Brisbane and the West Coast and Roel is probably getting good intel from the embarked Glens. They don't get past escorts much but when they do it's usually bad news for me. I guess the good news is since I can spot them on just about every turn I can route my ships around them.
TKs are another area I'm a little disappointed with myself in as well, camping chokepoints doesn't help much when Killer Kates are overhead, more on the effects of Japanese ASW air later.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
ALLIED SHIP LOSSES
The American CVs you already know about, the Illustrious I lost off Sumatra cos I was a little slow (read: forgot to move) her away from Palembang after I successfully snuck up sank a handful of smallish TKs in port. IJN SAG got to her and damaged her badly enough she sank on the way back to Colombo. Apart from that, I put the Allied TK/AO in here just to give a feel for the losses I've taken thus far, the sextet of TKs sunk of Ta'u were the work of what was left of KB as it made it's way around Pago Pago and Suva looking for things to sink.
The American CVs you already know about, the Illustrious I lost off Sumatra cos I was a little slow (read: forgot to move) her away from Palembang after I successfully snuck up sank a handful of smallish TKs in port. IJN SAG got to her and damaged her badly enough she sank on the way back to Colombo. Apart from that, I put the Allied TK/AO in here just to give a feel for the losses I've taken thus far, the sextet of TKs sunk of Ta'u were the work of what was left of KB as it made it's way around Pago Pago and Suva looking for things to sink.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
ALLIED SHIP LOSSES
Most of my CA losses have been during the earlier part of the war, I did not use them more aggressively in opposing the Japanese advance and it's something I rue, a snapshot of Allied DDs lost will also show most of the sinkings in the first half of '42.
Most of my CA losses have been during the earlier part of the war, I did not use them more aggressively in opposing the Japanese advance and it's something I rue, a snapshot of Allied DDs lost will also show most of the sinkings in the first half of '42.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
ALLIED SUB LOSSES
From the very beginning most of the US boats were vectored towards the waters off the HIs to interdict homeward bound resource/oil convoys, probably not a very good idea given the dud rate of the American torpedos, apart from the TK/AO claimed a couple of posts above, i estimate I've gotten another 2 dozen AKs of various sizes thus far, and not all of them were sunk cos of the subs.
Now this would not have been difficult to swallow if not for the losses (the 250kg GP bombs) I've incurred due to ASW air over the past couple of months, Roel tells me he's been training a couple of dedicated ASW air groups and their training shows, air attacks are frequent and deadly to any sub within range of these groups. He tells me most of them are 70ish in ASW skill and man the training is paying off in spades, I've taken to moving my subs at least 5 hexes away from the HI and setting up my picket lines closer to Formosa.
Off to dinner, I'll come back with a closer look at selected areas on the map later tonight.
From the very beginning most of the US boats were vectored towards the waters off the HIs to interdict homeward bound resource/oil convoys, probably not a very good idea given the dud rate of the American torpedos, apart from the TK/AO claimed a couple of posts above, i estimate I've gotten another 2 dozen AKs of various sizes thus far, and not all of them were sunk cos of the subs.
Now this would not have been difficult to swallow if not for the losses (the 250kg GP bombs) I've incurred due to ASW air over the past couple of months, Roel tells me he's been training a couple of dedicated ASW air groups and their training shows, air attacks are frequent and deadly to any sub within range of these groups. He tells me most of them are 70ish in ASW skill and man the training is paying off in spades, I've taken to moving my subs at least 5 hexes away from the HI and setting up my picket lines closer to Formosa.
Off to dinner, I'll come back with a closer look at selected areas on the map later tonight.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
Arnhem, just read through this. In answer to your question on whether you should have hung out at Truk, tough to answer without seeing all the details. If you were within LBA range, I would say no. You also did not spot any CVLs, if they were the mystery TF, that would have been some fresh planes to throw in. Better to take your draw and move on. The Allies win in an even exchange in 1942.
I am immediately PM-ing your opponent to find out what he is doing on ASW. He is getting GREAT results! You were probably hurt by hanging around the Home Islands; the Japanese get alot of air units that are perm restricted to the Home Islands, with nothing to do other than Training or ASW, so you are likely to run into a ton of ASW assets there.
I am immediately PM-ing your opponent to find out what he is doing on ASW. He is getting GREAT results! You were probably hurt by hanging around the Home Islands; the Japanese get alot of air units that are perm restricted to the Home Islands, with nothing to do other than Training or ASW, so you are likely to run into a ton of ASW assets there.
RE: An overview of the war thus far
ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
Arnhem, just read through this. In answer to your question on whether you should have hung out at Truk, tough to answer without seeing all the details. If you were within LBA range, I would say no. You also did not spot any CVLs, if they were the mystery TF, that would have been some fresh planes to throw in. Better to take your draw and move on. The Allies win in an even exchange in 1942.
I am immediately PM-ing your opponent to find out what he is doing on ASW. He is getting GREAT results! You were probably hurt by hanging around the Home Islands; the Japanese get alot of air units that are perm restricted to the Home Islands, with nothing to do other than Training or ASW, so you are likely to run into a ton of ASW assets there.
Hey Q-Ball, yeah I heartily agree that I got out smelling like roses with regards to Truk, Roel let on a couple of weeks ago well after the battle that if I had pressed on I would have easily sunk all of CARDIV 1, the remaining 2 CVs were damaged enough that their airgroups had to divert to Truk and and apparently Turk itself was an empty shell. Hindsight's a bitch, but again as you said even stevens in '42 is as good as a win for me.
I'll post up a screenie of the HI in a few with my dispositions and where most of the subs bought it, I'm basically ceding the Yellow Sea to him as well.
1 Oct 1942
October brings with it a couple of goodies to look forward to. On the reinforcement front, 3 CVEs (replenishment groups embarked) will come online before the end of the month. I'll be chucking the replenishment groups in exchange for Marine squadrons. That'll make 5 CVEs, 4 Bogues and 1 Long Island that I'll be using to fly close cover for my invasion TFs. Assuming I can find enough Marine squadrons, each of the Bogues will carry 18 F4Fs and 9 SBD/TBF. Long Island is carrying 1 squadron of F4Fs. Notable airframes that come online in Oct include torpedo armed Beaufort VIIs for the Commonwealth air forces, Spitfires as well as P-38Gs. Build rates are crappy across the board though.
Notable upgrades for most of my major naval assets are also in the pipeline. All my US CVs, CAs go into refit for 21 days to throw out their pom-poms in exchange for the deadlier 40mm Bofors.
SUB WARS
Will try to keep a running total of tonnage sunk by subs, always wanted to see which one of my subs was pulling in the numbers.
SS-34 - AMC Asaka Maru (6,825)
Notable upgrades for most of my major naval assets are also in the pipeline. All my US CVs, CAs go into refit for 21 days to throw out their pom-poms in exchange for the deadlier 40mm Bofors.
SUB WARS
Will try to keep a running total of tonnage sunk by subs, always wanted to see which one of my subs was pulling in the numbers.
SS-34 - AMC Asaka Maru (6,825)
RE: 1 Oct 1942
We begin the first of several close looks at specific parts of the map with where I'll probably initiate the first Allied counteroffensive.
As mentioned earlier, I'll be taking the CENPAC route on my way to the Home Islands. The planned route of advance is Gilberts/Marshalls - Marianas - Bonin - Okinawa/Formosa. I'm gaming that King and Nimitz had their way over MacArthur and we'll bypass the PI for a shot at Formosa. This last pair of objectives will bring the full brunt of LBA on my fleet as I advance, given the stockpile of airframes that I expect Roel to have by now the tempo of ops will be brutal.
Back to the Marshalls/Gilberts, this area has generally been quiet and enemy air activity has been minimal. I'm hoping that I haven't spooked Roel into massively reinforcing the place since our CV battle in August '42. The relative lack of LBA will mean parity if his CVs come out to play. I'm fairly confident of the abilities of my 4 remaining fleet CVs in taking the fight to what's left of KB. Hopefully I'll be able to establish operational airfields relatively quickly and have some friendly LBA up before KB comes into play. My ace in the hole are my CVEs, he knows I have them but not how many, I'm hoping that all 5 CVEs available to me will be in position to support the fleet CVs by the time the hammer falls. An additional 5 VMFs and about 2.5 VMBs should go a long way.
Major combatants for the initial phases of the advance will mainly be Army, I don't expect much resistance in the first wave of objectives so the Marines will be used in an attempt to pull the wool over my opponents eyes. More on maskirovka options in the next post.
As a sidenote, the logistical nightmare that is moving everything into place while on a timetable makes me just want to tear my hair out sometimes. It's a wonder how Japanese players get through the first turn.
As mentioned earlier, I'll be taking the CENPAC route on my way to the Home Islands. The planned route of advance is Gilberts/Marshalls - Marianas - Bonin - Okinawa/Formosa. I'm gaming that King and Nimitz had their way over MacArthur and we'll bypass the PI for a shot at Formosa. This last pair of objectives will bring the full brunt of LBA on my fleet as I advance, given the stockpile of airframes that I expect Roel to have by now the tempo of ops will be brutal.
Back to the Marshalls/Gilberts, this area has generally been quiet and enemy air activity has been minimal. I'm hoping that I haven't spooked Roel into massively reinforcing the place since our CV battle in August '42. The relative lack of LBA will mean parity if his CVs come out to play. I'm fairly confident of the abilities of my 4 remaining fleet CVs in taking the fight to what's left of KB. Hopefully I'll be able to establish operational airfields relatively quickly and have some friendly LBA up before KB comes into play. My ace in the hole are my CVEs, he knows I have them but not how many, I'm hoping that all 5 CVEs available to me will be in position to support the fleet CVs by the time the hammer falls. An additional 5 VMFs and about 2.5 VMBs should go a long way.
Major combatants for the initial phases of the advance will mainly be Army, I don't expect much resistance in the first wave of objectives so the Marines will be used in an attempt to pull the wool over my opponents eyes. More on maskirovka options in the next post.
As a sidenote, the logistical nightmare that is moving everything into place while on a timetable makes me just want to tear my hair out sometimes. It's a wonder how Japanese players get through the first turn.
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RE: 1 Oct 1942
Last post before bed. In this post I'll be discussing the various alternate options in my quest to defeat the Empire of Japan. Since I've already stated my intended schwerpunkt, most of these plans will be secondary to the main effort unless 1) an opportunity to destroy a significant portion of the enemy war machine presents itself, 2) or by moving on a secondary objective I take pressure off my main axis of advance 3) or I aid in said axis of advance)
We'll take a look at these options with an eye towards point 2 as their reason d'etre.
As laid out below an early move on Efate and Luganville will go some way to masking my schwerpunkt. I'll probably gun for Ndeni too as it hasn't been taken and can be built up on the cheap. I won't be taking Noumea as I don't really see a need for it in my current plans. From Efate through to Ndeni I'll be within bombing range of Guadalcanal and Noumea, in concert with bombing of PM from NE Oz and perhaps some ship movements off the waters off PM this should buy me a crucial week or two of diverting Roel's attention to this part of the map and away from my next leap up the island chains if I time my move correctly.
Another option is the Kurile Islands, I remember reading someone's AAR about taking some of the Kurile Islands and it intrigues me to see how intense a response I'll trigger if I take just a couple of islands, namely Paramushiro-jima and maybe Onnekota-jima. Don't want to trigger early kamis. Apart from the dicey prospect of having to deal with Paramushiro's CD guns there's also the limited mileage I can get from pulling this particular stunt as Roel will be literally be defending at his doorstep and can bring substantial air and naval assets to bear. I don't really want to fritter away LCUs for no major gain so this one is kind of in the air. A feint might tie down some assets though so maybe i'll sneak in a bombardment or two just to keep him honest.
A move on the DEI from the north of Oz is highly unlikely at the moment given the lack of infrastructure, supplies and units in place to make a serious feint but a move on Timor should spook Roel sufficiently to have him commit assets to ensure his supplies aren't threatened so this is something I'll be looking into come '43.
Looking to China I won't be doing much of anything here, screaming hordes of light infantry bumping against each other excites me as much as watching paint dry.
With the CBI, I won't be doing much here till maybe '44, I intend to invade Rangoon from the sea and retake the country by moving inland from the coast. I don't know if pulling supplies over the Burmese/Indian border via the supply request feature is still possible but if it is it's a gamebreaker for me so I'd rather skip that and retake Burma the hard way. Once Burma is secured, landings on Malaya with an eye on Singapore would be the next major step.
That's about all I can think of at the moment, I'll be revisiting this angle again as the game moves ahead to review my options.
We'll take a look at these options with an eye towards point 2 as their reason d'etre.
As laid out below an early move on Efate and Luganville will go some way to masking my schwerpunkt. I'll probably gun for Ndeni too as it hasn't been taken and can be built up on the cheap. I won't be taking Noumea as I don't really see a need for it in my current plans. From Efate through to Ndeni I'll be within bombing range of Guadalcanal and Noumea, in concert with bombing of PM from NE Oz and perhaps some ship movements off the waters off PM this should buy me a crucial week or two of diverting Roel's attention to this part of the map and away from my next leap up the island chains if I time my move correctly.
Another option is the Kurile Islands, I remember reading someone's AAR about taking some of the Kurile Islands and it intrigues me to see how intense a response I'll trigger if I take just a couple of islands, namely Paramushiro-jima and maybe Onnekota-jima. Don't want to trigger early kamis. Apart from the dicey prospect of having to deal with Paramushiro's CD guns there's also the limited mileage I can get from pulling this particular stunt as Roel will be literally be defending at his doorstep and can bring substantial air and naval assets to bear. I don't really want to fritter away LCUs for no major gain so this one is kind of in the air. A feint might tie down some assets though so maybe i'll sneak in a bombardment or two just to keep him honest.
A move on the DEI from the north of Oz is highly unlikely at the moment given the lack of infrastructure, supplies and units in place to make a serious feint but a move on Timor should spook Roel sufficiently to have him commit assets to ensure his supplies aren't threatened so this is something I'll be looking into come '43.
Looking to China I won't be doing much of anything here, screaming hordes of light infantry bumping against each other excites me as much as watching paint dry.
With the CBI, I won't be doing much here till maybe '44, I intend to invade Rangoon from the sea and retake the country by moving inland from the coast. I don't know if pulling supplies over the Burmese/Indian border via the supply request feature is still possible but if it is it's a gamebreaker for me so I'd rather skip that and retake Burma the hard way. Once Burma is secured, landings on Malaya with an eye on Singapore would be the next major step.
That's about all I can think of at the moment, I'll be revisiting this angle again as the game moves ahead to review my options.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
Further west of PI, fleeing from Japanese tyranny, the last ship out of HK before they closed the port, the Beneevis, leads a ragtag, furtive fleet, on a lonely quest, for a big, shiny port known as Soerabaja. Alas, it was not to be, a pair of TBs chanced on the fleet and tore it to pieces over the course of 2 night engagements, sinking half of the merchies and badly damaging a couple more, the survivors are fleeing south at a speed of 8 knots, oh look, a nun in a sailboat just passed us.
You about made me spew my tea with this! I suddenly heard Lorne Greene's voice...
You about made me spew my tea with this! I suddenly heard Lorne Greene's voice...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
1-2 Oct, 1942
1-2 OCT 1942
MURPHY VISITS
One thing I forgot to mention, a light SAG wandered into LBA range near Suva 2 turns back, turns out Roel was gunning for a DMS group I had on ASW duty just 1 hex SE of Suva. His approach run was great, stopping just outside my LBA range on the previous turn in prep for a run to the target under the cover of night. Turns out during the night turn one of his screening DDs collides with a CL and the group fragments with daylight showing both TFs just 2 hexes off Suva. All of 7 medium bombing squadrons and 2 dive bomber squadrons and all I got was a Tenryu class CL, the mediums were especially disappointing considering I had them training for a while now and all were at NAVB 70 skill. On the flip side, that's a freebie I got courtesy of Roel's e-Captains.
Other than that little adventure off Suva the past 2 turns have been quiet, with sweeps of CBI airfields resuming on the last turn.
ON THE INDIAN-BURMESE BORDER
Here's a little screenie of the situation on the India-Burma border. As can be seen it's more or less a "quiet CBI" game we're playing and I'm happy to play it that way for the moment. The major Brit and Indian LCUs are nicely settled in and slowly building up strength unmolested.
Most of the Brit fleet is holed up in Colombo under LBA cover after the loss of Illustrious. The majority are spending their time escorting AKs and TKs to and from off-map ports, fuel stockpiles are being built up in Colombo before shipment to SWPAC while supplies are being landed on the Indian sub-continent at Karachi and Cochin.
The airforces present in theatre are broadly divided into the US Tenth AF and Brit elements. Most of the US elements are raw and training hard to reach levels at which they'll be useful. The Brits are faring a little better with most fighter squadrons in the high 60s XP due to having tangled with the IJAAF the past couple of game months. I've also just gotten a handful of Brit Engineer units called Wings which have 75 AV each. These will help in further populating the border airfields so I can spread out my squadrons a little more.
Screenie of China situation coming up.
MURPHY VISITS
One thing I forgot to mention, a light SAG wandered into LBA range near Suva 2 turns back, turns out Roel was gunning for a DMS group I had on ASW duty just 1 hex SE of Suva. His approach run was great, stopping just outside my LBA range on the previous turn in prep for a run to the target under the cover of night. Turns out during the night turn one of his screening DDs collides with a CL and the group fragments with daylight showing both TFs just 2 hexes off Suva. All of 7 medium bombing squadrons and 2 dive bomber squadrons and all I got was a Tenryu class CL, the mediums were especially disappointing considering I had them training for a while now and all were at NAVB 70 skill. On the flip side, that's a freebie I got courtesy of Roel's e-Captains.
Other than that little adventure off Suva the past 2 turns have been quiet, with sweeps of CBI airfields resuming on the last turn.
ON THE INDIAN-BURMESE BORDER
Here's a little screenie of the situation on the India-Burma border. As can be seen it's more or less a "quiet CBI" game we're playing and I'm happy to play it that way for the moment. The major Brit and Indian LCUs are nicely settled in and slowly building up strength unmolested.
Most of the Brit fleet is holed up in Colombo under LBA cover after the loss of Illustrious. The majority are spending their time escorting AKs and TKs to and from off-map ports, fuel stockpiles are being built up in Colombo before shipment to SWPAC while supplies are being landed on the Indian sub-continent at Karachi and Cochin.
The airforces present in theatre are broadly divided into the US Tenth AF and Brit elements. Most of the US elements are raw and training hard to reach levels at which they'll be useful. The Brits are faring a little better with most fighter squadrons in the high 60s XP due to having tangled with the IJAAF the past couple of game months. I've also just gotten a handful of Brit Engineer units called Wings which have 75 AV each. These will help in further populating the border airfields so I can spread out my squadrons a little more.
Screenie of China situation coming up.
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RE: An overview of the war thus far
ORIGINAL: Cribtop
Thanks for dropping by and the comment Cribtop, I too am looking forward to seeing how things turn out.