Hm, thought more could upgrade to the A6M3 - need to check this out.
The Hiyo arrived and we now got a strong fist to wield.
Went over all CAG commanders and carrier captains and ensured we only got the best in place.
The 50th Sentai has now been equipped with 36(+2) Tojo II fighters.
Moving in only highly experienced pilots; will send it to Burma.
Burma always turn into a hell hole for the Japs, even more so in WitP / AE than in real life.
Probably because the Allies can send in more troops at an early stage. In 42-43 Japanese soldiers should have
a clear bonus when fighting in the jungle.
I'm going to put more attention towards Burma in this game than I've done before.
If Andy notice that I'm to strong he might be tempted to land in Sumatra or Malaya, but he won't be able to do that
before he got supremacy at sea and that won't happy on this side of the KB [;)]
Expect that 42 -> mid 43 will see the Allies, slowly at first, take to the offensive in Australia.
I will only fall back when I have to and by the time we leave altogether the troops must be sent to man the line in New Guinea - Solomons and DEI.
I can't see that Andy will try other offensive with the first, would be to much of a risk.
In the mean time I need to find ways to take the war to him; sent out the largest force of subs thus far.
Over 20 boats sailed together on various missions and will patrol the sea lanes to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jun 25, 42
Surface Combat
This was a funny one; a Jap AP meets 2 Allied AO's - both unescorted SSE of Perth.
The AO's sling a few shots against the AP before they depart. How can Andy be moving AO's without escorts [&:]
Day Time Surface Combat, near Busselton at 42,159, Range 14,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
xAP Yasaka Maru
Allied Ships
AO Brazos
AO Tippecanoe
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 12,000 yards...
Range increases to 13,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 13,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards...
AO Brazos engages xAP Yasaka Maru at 14,000 yards
Range increases to 15,000 yards
xAP Yasaka Maru engages AO Tippecanoe at 15,000 yards
AO Brazos engages xAP Yasaka Maru at 15,000 yards
Task forces break off...
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ASW Attacks
Number of sub spottings have increased after I went over my asw ac dispositions.
By operating a number of ASW TFs around key bases like Truk they efficiently intercept and attack
the hidden enemies!
Not sure ASW capabilities rocks for any side in AE; only 1 sub has been sunk by depth charges in this game - and that
boat was "moored" up in Soerabaja for ages before I finally got the drop on it!!
ASW attack near Truk at 115,110
Japanese Ships
PB Katsuragisan Maru
PB Teibo Maru #2
PB Kaimyo Maru
Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 1
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Air Combat
Andy has been night bombing me with little effect...
Anyone know why there isn't a night bombing skill for pilots?
Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 6
Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 3 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wellington Ic bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
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I've started to return the favor...with a slightly heavier hand as it should be!-)
Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 20
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed on ground
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
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Put some CAP over my troops and this first engagement went well;
Morning Air attack on 15th Ind. Engineer Regiment, at 57,150
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
15th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
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This second combat was not a good one; 5 Zero's knocked out of the air.
Despite having great pilots I seldom find the Zero superior even to Kittyhawks.
- Think it's slightly more right in stock.
Morning Air attack on 21st Infantry Regiment, at 57,150
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
CAP engaged:
15th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
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Slugfest...err maybe not!
Not sure I would have manouvered a loaded fleet oiler near anything with even a pop gun!
