ALLIED ONLY: aztez (A) vs erstad (J) ...2nd ROUND

[LoBaron]

Did already have some engagements with the P40K? How does it compare to the E version in your opinion?

[Rob Brennan UK]

K vs E in the stats looks like a much better plane , faster and with much better manauvre in all the bands esp up high. Can't remember what the range differance is , if any.

If wasp gets to kodiak , barring a nasty sub attack she should be saveable. if you can get her to seattle, that repair dock works wonders on big ships, she'll be back sooner that 44 by a long way [;)]

[aztez]

Lets start by wishing an Happy New Year to all of readers following this campaign.

Yamato_Blitzer: We are fighting so we shall how that prediction goes. I'am not throwing in any towels.

Dave is advancing in Oz but that place is still VERY far from over since I have given him room to advance. If the game is modelled as it should than his supply lines are very streched and thus starting to hurt. Than again personally I feel this version favours japanese in so many ways that I'am not suprised that this would not be the case.

I think the engagement in aleutians was an victory. Not by that much but victory in any case. Even CV Wasp looks like that she will make it so none of the allied carriers were sunk.

Thanks! We still need some more positive happenings though.

LoBaron: None. I have just upgraded two squadrons into P40K's and neither have seen action as of yet.

Rob: I think their range was just about the same as with P40E's. Need to check that once turn arrives.

It seems Wasp is ok and should be back in action within few months time.

[aztez]

Burma (october 7th - 14th 1942)


Last turn RAF took heavy losses above the oilfields at Magwe.

RAF bombers went in unescorted since the planned escorts placed at Chittagong and Imphal refused to take off. This was due to bad weather.

Thus the end result was more than 50 bombers destroyed/damaged. The Blenheims took the most severe beating of them all.

Oh, well another thing that did go as planned. This is definately an old dilemma carrying from classic witp. Seen this so many times that didn't even blink an eye. Now that the allied replacements rates have been severely reduced than it will hurt a bit more.

Otherwise no action to report. The allies are preparing for advance towards Cox's Bazar. This base will be recaptured soon.

[aztez]

China (october 7th - 14th 1942)


The enemy is most like moving into another offensive phase here. Just too much recon missions flown all over the map.

There are few units moving towards our positions too. (Detailed on the map below).

The southern bases at Liuchow and Kweilin are now in enemy hands. Since we could not hold out at Changhsa these were abandoned in good order.

The question is where does he hit next?

[aztez]

Oz (october 7th - 14th 1942)


Japanese armoured units have seized the bases at Alice Springs and also entered the hex at Cairns.

I have so far withdrawn in good order towards southern strongholds.

If the game is properly modelled than his supply lines are now extremely streched here. Than again I'am not too sure this is the actual case.

Well, we shall see. I have plenty of bombers and ground units resting and waiting for him.

[Graymane]

Great strategic victory in Aleutians! If you had any other operations planned in the central or south pacific, now is the time to strike. Good luck, seems your luck is turning somewhat.

[LoBaron]

Hm seems the area around Cairns and Cooktown can already be used as training ground for your
light bomber formations? [:)]
Additional advantage would also be that it slows him down there.
I guess you will fight for Townsville right?

[aztez]

Graymane: Thank. Allthough a bit early to conclude the business at hand. All hell broke lose in the Aleutians last turn.
 
More on this when I get the actual turn file.
 
LoBaron: Maybe, I haven't decieded on this yet. The whole cairns is not that important so whether or not "waste" the effort his in another thing.
 
The training ground business is ok for me. Actually, knocked out maybe around 50 vehicles last turn in total. So, the further he comes the deadlier it will get.
 
The bulk of my airforce is still training and resting further down in the southern australia.

[offenseman]

My sense is that you are correct in Australia- you can use the Soviet retreat strategy of conserving your forces, stretching his supply lines, and then smacking him in the mouth when he goes a little too far south.  IMHO he has to have a commitment to taking all of Australia because he cannot afford a protracted land campaign there with his long supply lines and a lot of tank country that is favorable to the Allies once they start getting all those tank units. 

 

[aztez]

offenseman: Yeah, that is my reasoning too and really hoping that the game model this correctly.
 
I don't see an point of wasting scattered troops for no gains. Let him have few bases here and there.
 
I have already quite a few of those tank units in Oz so it wohn't be easy for him once we make an stand. For now though I will train my airforce with easy kills. Plus +50 vehicles lost in last turn alone. (Mostly disabled)

[aztez]

Aleutians (october 15th - 16th 1942)


The peaceful times didn't last for long. In the 15th KB showed up with the japanese battleship fleet.

KB launched two strikes againts our forces at Dutch Harbour.

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Morning Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 171,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed



CAP engaged:
343rd FG/18th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 13 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 21000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

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Afternoon Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 171,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
D3A1 Val x 145



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed, 53 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 9
Runway hits 22


The airfield is operational and that counts to even more carrier aircraft lost. Especially like to see those 53 damaged Vals. Eventhough it might be FOW. Game indicates 20 Vals downed by the Flak.

Allied PT squadron was heavily involved in action and managed to put an torpedo into BB Haruna.

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Dutch Harbor at 171,50, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Torpedo hits 1
DD Yugumo
DD Makinami
DD Naganami
DD Maikaze
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
PT-68
PT-73, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-74
PT-75, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-76, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT-77, Shell hits 1
PT-78, Shell hits 2, and is sunk



Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms

Dave said that the battleship is hit but it was involved in action later on so I'am still skeptical on this issue. The later japanese naval bombardment didn't cause much damage at all.

Sad news is that BB New Mexico was sunk in Aleutians. She was trying to escape towards safety but was swiftly overwhelmed by 3 separate enemy submarine attacks.

My lba bombers were resting last turn so they didn't take into action but now they are set on naval strikes with more aircraft flown into the area immediately.

[aztez]

Burma (october 15th - 16th 1942)


The weather cleared and allied fighters finally took off.

RAF along with US fighter command launched sweep missions againts Magwe.

There were fierce fighting and the enemy CAP was overrun due to greater forces put into action by allied side.

This was the 1st battle were we faced off againts Tojo fighters.

We managed to shoot down around 45 fighters and which 30 of them were Tojos.

[Smeulders]

What's the status of Wasp at the moment ?

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

What's the status of Wasp at the moment ?

The CV Wasp is alive. Floatation damage has dropped into 81% and no apparent fires aboard the ship.

Currently under very heavy fighter umbrella so she will most likely make it or it will become very costly affair to try and sink her.

[LoBaron]

Great decision not patching up Wasp at Cold Bay! [&o]

[aztez]

LoBaron: [:D]


Aleutians (october 17th - 18th 1942)


Dave insist that BB Haruna was damaged by those PT boats. According to the "enemy" she will need quite a bit time to repair yards.

KB continued their "tour" of northern pacific. This time they visited Dutch Harbour & Cold Bay.

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Morning Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 171,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 22
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Cold Bay , at 174,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 151



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 8 destroyed, 7 damaged



Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 82

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Morning Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 171,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 16
F4F-3A Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cold Bay , at 174,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 136



Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
F4F-3A Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 70


...that concluded japanese carrier operations of the past turn. We shot down few more aircraft and our losses were not bad at all.

The enemy battleships continue their naval bombardment runs againts Dutch Harbour. No sign of BB Haruna so she might be damaged.

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Naval bombardment of Dutch Harbor at 171,50 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Yamashiro
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)


...not too bad at all. Now, it getting to winter time within next two weeks so if Rob is correct the unloading anykind of amphibitious force will take a lot of time.

US airforce was heavily involved too. LBA bombers made several runs past enemy carrier CAP but unfortunately were not able to score any hits.

The below one is the largest strike reported... (There were 6-7 more of these with a bit less aircraft involved)

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cold Bay at 174,49

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 17


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo
CV Hiryu
CV Akagi



Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
Kaga-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
Hiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

That is how things went here. Now it is time increase the pressure. CV Wasp might be in safety but her squadrons are left in the Aleutians to fight it out. Also, more allied airpower is arriving daily with better fighters and more bombers will be diverted here too.

[aztez]

Burma (october 17th - 18th 1942)


The combined effort of RAF and US Airforce continued here againts Magwe.

The weather made the sweep missions more dispersed so instead of few large raids we managed to put together several smaller ones.

Our pilots did ok and I think these losses are hurting him more than me. Those Tojo's were withdrawn and instead of them we bumped into some 40 Zero fighters.

Here the action reported...

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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 23


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
P-38F Lightning x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


....that concluded the turn business here. The Zero fighter squadron he send into action was pretty much toasted too. Our losses are mounting but our pilot experience is looking good.

I wonder how many rounds he wants to go here since his pilots are also in action at Aleutians. The total losses must be hurting him.

[aztez]

Aleutians (october 19th - 20th 1942)

The battle raged on with KB hitting Dutch Harbour last turn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 171,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 62



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 20 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Dutch Harbor , at 171,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
B5N2 Kate x 59



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 13


US heavy bombers made few attacking runs againts the enemy fleet. Unfortunately only near misses on CV Akagi and CV Kaga were reported.

The enemy fleet has "withdrawn" into Umnak Island. I guess they are getting fuel and supplies.

The battle for the Aleutians has been raging for weeks now. I never expected this to be such an bloodbath.

Another good thing is that since Aleutians is tied to West Coast defense you can move aircraft around without paying PP.

[aztez]

Burma (october 19th - 20th 1942)


Another bloody day here too. The enemy rotated new fighters into action at Magwe.

This time around there were some +40 Oscars scrambled. Either these are starting to be low experience pilots or what but our fighters caused a lot destruction.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 9
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 5
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed


..in total enemy intel screen showed +40 Oscars shot down. That number might not be too far off either.