BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB
...
I'm sure Andy has his challenges but that he's taking his time to build his strength and strike when he's ready.

I think that is your benefit, and true, Andy is a careful planner. Actually so careful, that was slow enough in the past of this AAR to exploit some of his moves, particularly on the west coast of AUS. He behaves somewhat like a McClellan or Rosecrans, and is prone to cede initiative if you can again exploit holes in his plan by flexible and quick countermoves. The question is whether he will turn into a Grant when needed?
Lee in the Overland Campaign knew exactly that he had to beat Grant before reaching the James and Richmond, else it would just be a war of attrition and the definite end of the CSA. And thus he had to be aggressive and attack, win the initiative and dictate the moves, even though weaker in number and worse supplied and equipped.

The other night I thought about the pro's and con's of fighting in AUS. In the end, Japan has to fear only the battle of attrition once allied aircraft and pilots have become superior, and allied CV, CVL and CVE come in in large numbers. How, if at all can Japan win or gain a stalemate given that outlook? Avoid a battle of attrition, and draw the USN into pitched battles to annihilate its CV superiority and make amphibious moves in the CentPac and DEI forbiddingly expensive? I guess that's pretty much the only opportunity.

I have seen in the other AARs that "japanese people" avoided fighting a battle of attrition far forward like the Japanese did in Solomons and New Guinea, but many tried to pull into the areas of intelocking airbases in the DEI, or the Marinas, for example. However, to me it appears that played into the hands of the allied, since by then they had gained very cheaply serious strategic advantages, and the character of the battle of attrition and the result did not change -- the interlocking air bases were quickly taken out by 4E and the vast US CV air. Also the Japanese was forced to spread out his ground forces over too many islands and bases, knowing he could not react fast enough to the allied amphib moves to counter -- a bad violation of the concentration principle.
The Allied players, in contrast, without much sacrifice therefore was allowed to attack and take air bases near the oil and resource centers. And even worse, they could interdict Japanese naval movement in vast areas including the Philipine Sea, Singapore etc. They also had gained recon advantages at even greater ranges, being able to spot the remainders if the KB and IJN as far out as Hong Kong of the Chinese Sea! Not to mention the benefits for the US submarine warfare by squeezing the "patrol area" together into a smaller bag. So I wonder whether the "buffer zones" tactic actually can work?

My impression would be trying an early, forward "offensive defense". Early, when his equipment isn't top of the line yet (Hellcats, Corsairs, P47 etc), but only trickling in. The more time you make him pay until his gets over the Solomons/CentPac island chains/northern & eastern AUS etc, the later his (bombing) grip on the Japanese resources will be felt, the less efficient will the submarine campaign be (far approach, wide areas), and the more tactical freedom you will have for any ship movements and hiding the KB in your areas. And time also works for the Japanese if you consider your goal a ceasefire in this war.

If you could contest Andy and make the reconquest of AUS slow, expensive and tedious, you could gain a lot. The question is only: can this really be done? Can you supply the forces on the east coast through Darwin? If so, your lifeline would be far away from his access, and quite secure. At this time, the Tojo will give you some advantages, and it may be a good time to attrit also the US air a bit in return. The option to naval bombard his coastal airbases needs consideration and may help to rid of his medium and heavy bomber fleets. Also, if he pushes hard in AUS, there must be weak spots elsewhere in the AUS or Centpac theaters. Maybe the convoy routes and island in EastPac? If you can delay/contest him in AUS, then one or two hard surprise moves against his weak spots may force him to change plans and divert forces again. Maybe a mock invasion at the right time might also be good? When his trap springs, you could give him 8 days to get far north from his jump-off line and then sail KB plus an (empty) evacuation fleet towards Melbourne, in plain sight for a few days until you have them suddenly disappear? It is a gamble to invite his carriers for a party, too, and may disrupt his plans and initiative....

[PzB74]

It's possible that I can bomb Chinese from lower than 10000 feet, but hitting the mega army in Hengyang requires some caution
cause there are some bigger guns there. Also remember that level bombers and dive bombers have different optimal bombing altitudes; can anyone elaborate a bit on this?

Oh yes, using all the recon's I have; still looking for more [;)]

Well yes of course, focus on naval aviation was restricted to a minimum, not taking potential war losses and replacements into considerations.
Ordering 4 new carriers would have had to go hand in hand with an increased pilot training program for the navy. It would require lots of foresight to do so since the battleship
was still considered the queen of the seas.

A nice evaluation janh! Did you read my previous AAR were I also played against Andy?
Went through many of your considerations, tried many counterattacks and cunning plans. Offensive planning seems to have come to an end by mid 43. Then US might made it impossible.
- Counterattacks continued to work well into 44 though.

Andy knows he can expect me to be offensive minded and in general not be able to hold back when I see an opportunity to strike.
This has won many suprising victories but also cost me a lot. In the last game I pursued the US carrier fleet with the KB, got to close to LBA and lost hundreds of carrier ac and several carriers.
- In this game I gambled that the Mini KB would be a match for the remaining US carriers; Andy was game but had a trumph card in weather and a British carrier and I lost 1 (Junyo) fleet and 2 light carriers.

So while I must continue to launch surprise attacks I also need to become more unpredictable; getting close to Allied LBA in 43 is on the absolute NO list though!-)
I've been thinking what I can use the troops in Oz Zone 3 for; the entire Solomons and New Guinea chain can be fortified and a strong (2 division) counter attack force can be made available.
This will be such a potent combo that the Combined Fleet should be able to contest and defeat any Allied amphibious invasion until late 43 if I play the cards right.

I think I need to let Andy take the initiative now and come up with ways to defeat his offensives in various ways.
---------------------------

Lots of action today!!!

China

The Chinese Mega Army attacked in Hengyang and achieved a 5-1 odds, kicking us out [8|] Enemy losses were 50% heavier than ours with ca 1000 combat squads disabled.
We lost a lot of destroyed squads and equipment though, so I'm not sure staying was the best choice. Hopefully the cost to the Chinese in men and supplies was more costly than our losses.
- I'm now switching Army bombers to hit Chinese industries; want to reduce the Chinese ability to produce supplies.

On the positive side; No more attacks against Ichang and we got reinforcements in place.
So we won a few and lost a few and I'm now expecting the situation to calm down a bit in China.
- Launching an offensive in the Kweilin area that has been under planning for some time.

Oz

27 enemy units have moved out of Charleston!!
- Another 41 enemy units are still in Bundaberg. In total this is ca 30 LCU's more than we got in Zone 3 and it looks like Andy is launching the inland offensive as predicted, probably
to be supported by a trust along the coast.

I have initiated the planned countermeasures.
- The fleet is ready to support a massed evacuation within 3 weeks if required and 250 bombers prepare to hit enemy ground units as they advance over open land.

The challenge now will be to stay out of harms way while inflicting maximum casualties on the enemy.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 10, 42

Sub Attacks

An unescorted large tanker!!!
- The sub is hit by a 4" shell which cause moderate damage; the tanker is hit by a torpedo and 11 14cm shells and
should be done for. No fuel aboard.

Sub attack near Trivandrum at 27,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
TK Saidja, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS I-122 attacking on the surface
SS I-122 low on gun ammo, Nakajima A. breaks off surface engagement and submerges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 37th Chinese Corps, at 80,53 (Hengyang)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 20
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 3
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
I-15-III x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-15-III: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
20 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with I-15-III (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 56th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 100th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 56th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 100th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 53rd Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 37th Chinese Corps, at 80,53 (Hengyang)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 87th Chinese Corps, at 83,48 (Ichang)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 32nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Chinese Corps, at 80,53 (Hengyang)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 169223 troops, 1005 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 6895
Defending force 46305 troops, 411 guns, 152 vehicles, Assault Value = 1564

Allied adjusted assault: 4961
Japanese adjusted defense: 875

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Hengyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
9182 casualties reported
Squads: 393 destroyed, 138 disabled
Non Combat: 436 destroyed, 203 disabled
Engineers: 141 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 75 (68 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 121 (117 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Allied ground losses:
14567 casualties reported
Squads: 56 destroyed, 958 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 707 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 75 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Construction Regiment
38th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese/A Corps
44th Chinese/B Corps
10th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
7th Construction Regiment
56th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese/C Corps
80th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
84th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese/C Corps
10th Construction Regiment
58th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
Jingcha War Area
3rd War Area
7th Artillery Regiment
19th Group Army
Central Reserve
24th Group Army
32nd Group Army
14th Group Army
18th Artillery Regiment
22nd Artillery Regiment
10th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
20th Artillery Regiment
15th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
21st Group Army
31st Group Army
39th Group Army
Lusu War Area
9th War Area
36th Group Army
4th Group Army
1st Chinese Base Force
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

Defending units:
35th Division
17th/C Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
22nd Division
37th Division
13th/B Division
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinese Mass Army Attacks

[pat.casey]

I'd say he won the exchange at Hengyang. Most of his casualties were disables. Yours were not.

Japanese ground losses:
9182 casualties reported
Squads: 393 destroyed, 138 disabled
Non Combat: 436 destroyed, 203 disabled
Engineers: 141 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 75 (68 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 121 (117 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 6

That's pretty much a division, an engineer regiment, and a tank regiment KIA.

[Mynok]

It's possible that I can bomb Chinese from lower than 10000 feet, but hitting the mega army in Hengyang requires some caution
cause there are some bigger guns there. Also remember that level bombers and dive bombers have different optimal bombing altitudes; can anyone elaborate a bit on this?

It's an altitude thing. Unfortunately I don't recall all the differences off the top of my head. Dive bombers are generally going to glide bomb on ground attack unless they are below 6000'. Not sure what they use then. Is there a LowG skill?

Level bombers should always level bomb on ground attack. Be careful going below 6k because they might use one of the Low skills instead of regular Gnd skill.

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: Mynok

It's possible that I can bomb Chinese from lower than 10000 feet, but hitting the mega army in Hengyang requires some caution
cause there are some bigger guns there. Also remember that level bombers and dive bombers have different optimal bombing altitudes; can anyone elaborate a bit on this?

It's an altitude thing. Unfortunately I don't recall all the differences off the top of my head. Dive bombers are generally going to glide bomb on ground attack unless they are below 6000'. Not sure what they use then. Is there a LowG skill?

Level bombers should always level bomb on ground attack. Be careful going below 6k because they might use one of the Low skills instead of regular Gnd skill.

Yup 6k is the limit on bombig skills .. under it and you use lowlvlbomb skill (which is usually poor imo ).. DB's ? dont they DB upto about 14k then 15k-19k its glide 20k+ level bombing .. or is that TB's ? sorry im not more informative.

[FatR]

Dive bombers attack as level bombers below 10k, divebomb from, IIRC, 10-15k, and glidebomb if set at higher altitude.

[PzB74]

Ok thx, dive and level bombers should stay between 6 and 20k feet depending on the expected levels of AA then!

Yes, it was a heavy loss of Jap squads; my hunch was to pull back after capturing the base.
The "experiement" related to Chink ability to move and attack with huge armies has therefore been concluded [8|]
- So the consequences is that we bomb enemy industry and resources and only engage massed Chink armies with major Jap armies.
Hopefully it will require a lot of Chink supplies to repair the many thousands damaged squads and units; maybe this will become
a critical factor later on.

A major enemy LCU formation is observed south of Impahl in Burma and Allied air strikes hit our forward base in Zone 3 in Oz.
Everything indicates that Andy will spend the next month doing what no one knows better than him; land combat on a major scale ala WitP [:'(]

I'm continuing my own preparations....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 11, 42

ASW Attacks

A direct hit on the damaged sub that engaged the tanker yesterday.
Creeping back to port.

ASW attack near Koggala at 28,50

Japanese Ships
SS I-122, hits 3, heavy damage

Allied Ships
xAK Steaua Romania
ML No. 310

SS I-122 is sighted by escort
ML No. 310 attacking submerged sub ....
ML No. 310 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 310 attacking submerged sub ....
ML No. 310 fails to find sub, continues to search...
ML No. 310 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

We sweep Chittagong and claim 21 kills for 1 loss...!


Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
Kittyhawk IA x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
Kittyhawk IA: 6 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet *
27 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.242 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Kittyhawk IA (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 10 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 10 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.453 Sqn RAF with Kittyhawk IA (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First strat bombing attacks against Changsa and China.

Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 9 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 20

No Japanese losses

Heavy Industry hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First enemy air attacks in Oz Zone 3 against our frontier base at Emerald.
Fine little to destroy there.


Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 12000 feet
7 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-18A Bolo x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 12000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 17000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 10

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 17000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 76,56

Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5044 troops, 40 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 184

Defending force 1883 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34
Japanese adjusted assault: 172

Allied adjusted defense: 25
Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
51st Recon Regiment
116th/A Division

Defending units:
16th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweep against Chittagong

[bklooste]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: PzB

I think an increased focus on carriers would also have been reflected in an increased naval pilot training pilot as well, not?

they couldn´t even equip their existing carriers with pilots and aircraft, what would you make sure they would with an additional four CVs?

All the existing CVs had enough planes and spares as well as some spare squadrons ..

They couldnt have many planes because all the money went on accelerating building the 4 Yamatos ... Remember Hull 111 was also 30% built whne the war started and Shinano more than that.

The problem was they ( just like the US) has no reserves as both expected a short and sharp decisive battle.

[PzB74]

Yes, there have been many short decisive world wars during history [8|]

Australia

Today saw massive air attacks in Oz, Zone 3 against Emerald, Rockhampton and Bowen.
Multiple sweeps hit all bases but met no resistance except from in Bowen were "leaky CAP" from Townsville put 10-12 Tojo's and Zero's in the air.
- 2 waves of Beaufighters sweeping Bowen suffered 14 A2A losses and 5 ops losses. The final sweep waves over Bowen compromised Lightnings.

Enemy heavy bombers hit Bowen and destroyed a single ac on the ground. Medium bombers hit Emerald and Rockhampton.
We lost 3 Tojo's and 2 Zero's in A2A combat today.

It would have been insanity to defend the forward bases, so of course we don't but a massive LRCAP effort could be tempting if Andy
returns regularly.

India - Burma

In India 3 waves of Army bombers and fighter bombers hit troop concentrations south of Imphal.

General

Preparing a reinforcement convoy for Christmas Island and Palmyra.
- Base unit for Palmyra and a tank regiment, artillery and Naval unit for Christmas; that should top the defenses there.
Still looking for a suitable Army HQ but don't have any available.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 12, 42

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Rockhampton , at 95,152
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 13
Hudson III (LR) x 27
Mitchell II x 3
Hudson III (LR) x 7
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-26 Marauder x 32
B-26B Marauder x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
7 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Mitchell II bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
13 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Beaufort V bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort V bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rockhampton , at 95,152
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 9
Hudson III (LR) x 6

No Allied losses


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson III (LR) bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Beaufort V bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rockhampton , at 95,152
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 6

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 2000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
6 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 3000'
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 7
B-18A Bolo x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rockhampton , at 95,152
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x A-20A Havoc bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rockhampton , at 95,152
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bowen , at 93,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
4th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bowen , at 93,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter Ic: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
4th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bowen , at 93,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 12000 feet

CAP engaged:
4th Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Bowen , at 93,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 29
B-17F Fortress x 3
LB-30 Liberator x 4
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 87

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 60,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 36

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,41
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
8 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: PzB

I think an increased focus on carriers would also have been reflected in an increased naval pilot training pilot as well, not?

they couldn´t even equip their existing carriers with pilots and aircraft, what would you make sure they would with an additional four CVs?

All the existing CVs had enough planes and spares as well as some spare squadrons ..

They couldnt have many planes because all the money went on accelerating building the 4 Yamatos ... Remember Hull 111 was also 30% built whne the war started and Shinano more than that.

The problem was they ( just like the US) has no reserves as both expected a short and sharp decisive battle.

that´s just not true, the Japanese CVs went into action more than once without having their full complement of aircraft, let alone pilots.

[pauk]

Hey PZB, glad to see you still going on... keep the good work, and pls dont force terminus dibidus and co to make UAE - ultimate allied adition, since you are going great job [;)]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: pauk


Hey PZB, glad to see you still going on... keep the good work, and pls dont force terminus dibidus and co to make UAE - ultimate allied adition, since you are going great job [;)]

lol Pauk... [:D] it´s not that biased as you would think it is

[bklooste]

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: bklooste

ORIGINAL: castor troy





they couldn´t even equip their existing carriers with pilots and aircraft, what would you make sure they would with an additional four CVs?

All the existing CVs had enough planes and spares as well as some spare squadrons ..

They couldnt have many planes because all the money went on accelerating building the 4 Yamatos ... Remember Hull 111 was also 30% built whne the war started and Shinano more than that.

The problem was they ( just like the US) has no reserves as both expected a short and sharp decisive battle.

that´s just not true, the Japanese CVs went into action more than once without having their full complement of aircraft, let alone pilots.

Not in 41-42 unless they took losses and were unable to come back for replacements just like the allies . In 44 it was more common but we are talking about the start of the war..

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: bklooste




All the existing CVs had enough planes and spares as well as some spare squadrons ..

They couldnt have many planes because all the money went on accelerating building the 4 Yamatos ... Remember Hull 111 was also 30% built whne the war started and Shinano more than that.

The problem was they ( just like the US) has no reserves as both expected a short and sharp decisive battle.

that´s just not true, the Japanese CVs went into action more than once without having their full complement of aircraft, let alone pilots.

Not in 41-42 unless they took losses and were unable to come back for replacements just like the allies . In 44 it was more common but we are talking about the start of the war..

I´m not talking about 41 and I can´t figure out why you are, because how should they have built four more fleet carriers until 41?

[PzB74]

Hi Pauk, good to see you! The glorious Imperial Fanboy Faction still has the Chairman seat waiting for you you know [:D]

After the KB's strike against PH in 12/41 and the cruises and operations against Northern Oz and Ceylon the carriers lacked replacements
and therefore fought at Midway with only 3/4 of their full ac capacity. I don't see any problems replacing the Yamato series with 4 Shokaku and or Hiryu type carriers.
- This would have required an increase in pilot training but of course it could have been achieved but it would have been difficult to get high command backing for this.

More major troop movements in Burma and south of Rockhampton.
- Major offensive are clearly being prepared.

AFTER ACTION REPOR

Sub Attacks

We score 3 hits against unescorted troopships and a tanker between Bombay and Ceylon today.
Hey, Thorshavn is a norwegian vessel; sending her out without an escort.... [:-]

Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 27,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-123

Allied Ships
TK Thorshavn, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

TK Thorshavn is sighted by SS I-123
SS I-123 launches 4 torpedoes at TK Thorshavn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Bombay at 35,23

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
xAP Hong Peng, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAP Hong Peng is sighted by SS I-158
SS I-158 launches 8 torpedoes at xAP Hong Peng
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Bombay at 35,23

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
xAP Van Riebeek, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

xAP Van Riebeek is sighted by SS I-158
SS I-158 launches 8 torpedoes at xAP Van Riebeek
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat


Again major sweeps and air attacks against Rockhampton and Emerald.
- They were all unopposed so I'm only showing the biggest attack by the 4E's!

Over China our bombers encounter some Vanguard fighters but they are too few to make any impact.

Morning Air attack on Emerald , at 91,151
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 38
B-17F Fortress x 8
LB-30 Liberator x 7
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 1

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 68

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
1 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 18th Chinese/C Corps, at 82,49
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 20

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd FG/32nd FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 14, 42

Night Air Attacks

I order night air disruption attacks against Allied airfields in Zone 3.
2 Hurries are destroyed, not a lot but a nuisance.

Night Air attack on Bundaberg , at 96,155
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 15
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
20 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 16000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Charleville , at 88,154
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 46

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------'

Sub - ASW Attacks

Our submarines face really heavy ASW attacks today; fortune stood us by - no serious damage!

ASW attack near Lanai at 181,110

Japanese Ships
SS RO-60, hits 2

Allied Ships
DD Farragut
DD Wilson

SS RO-60 is sighted by escort
DD Farragut attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Farragut fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Goa at 30,31

Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
DD Nizam
DD Nestor

SS I-158 is sighted by escort
DD Nizam fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Nestor fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Goa at 30,31
Japanese Ships
SS I-158

Allied Ships
DD Vampire
DD Tenedos
DD Tjerk Hiddes

SS I-158 is sighted by escort
DD Tenedos fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tjerk Hiddes fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instead the I-23, just recently arrived in its assigned patrol zone, puts 2 torps into the escort carrier Copahee! [:D]
This is great news, our ownly potent offensive weapons score an important strike. Another 20 subs will now take up their
patrol areas in the Central Pacific.

The I-23 is again straddled with DC's but no serious damage suffered.

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 184,100
Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 1

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Buchanan
DD Aaron Ward
SC-638
AP President Jackson
AP Barnett
DD Pakenham
DD Gansevoort
DD Bancroft

SS I-23 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Copahee
I-23 diving deep ....
DD Pakenham attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gansevoort fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Bancroft fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Pakenham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Pakenham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Pakenham attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-23 eludes DD Pakenham by diving deep
SS I-23 eludes DD Pakenham by diving deep
DD Pakenham attacking submerged sub ....
DD Pakenham cannot establish contact with SS I-23
DD Pakenham cannot reach attack position over SS I-23
SS I-23 eludes DD Pakenham by diving deep
DD Pakenham fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Pakenham fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instead it is our hardly capable (that's to be nice) ASW units that score against the old S-43.
2 direct DC hits sends her reeling!

ASW attack near Roi-Namur at 132,113

Japanese Ships
PB Nichi Maru #1

Allied Ships
SS S-43, hits 3, heavy damage

SS S-43 is sighted by escort
PB Nichi Maru #1 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Nichi Maru #1 attacking submerged sub ....
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
PB Nichi Maru #1 is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

More Allied air attacks in Zone 3, but no serious damage.
Several ground unit stacks have dissappeared from sight though, that's a bit worrying.

In China we punish Chinese units retreating from the siege.

Morning Air attack on 68th Chinese Corps, at 82,49
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25
Ki-27b Nate x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
172 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 45th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 68th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 45th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 68th Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Escort Carrier Down!

The Cophaee hadn't even arrived at Pearl before getting sunk...

USS Copahee (CVE-12)
Career
Laid down: 18 June 1941
Launched: 21 October 1941
Commissioned: 15 June 1942
Decommissioned: 5 July 1946
Struck: 1 March 1959
Fate: Scrapped in 1961
General characteristics
Class and type: Bogue-class escort carrier
Displacement: 7,800 tons
Length: 495.7 ft (151.1 m)
Beam: 111.5 ft (34.0 m)
Draft: 26 ft (7.9 m)
Propulsion: 2 boilers (285 psi); 1 steam turbine; 1 shaft; 8,500 shp (6.3 MW)
Speed: 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)
Complement: 890 officers and men
Armament: 2 × 4 in (102 mm), 8 twin x 40 mm, 27 × 20 mm guns
Aircraft carried: 24

The USS Copahee (CVE-12) was a Bogue-class escort carrier that served in the United States Navy during World War II. Originally classified AVG-12, was changed to ACV-12, 20 August 1942; CVE-12, 15 July 1943; and CVHE-12, 12 June 1955.

She was laid down on 18 June 1941, as Steel Architect, under Maritime Commission contract (hull 169) in Tacoma, Washington by Todd Pacific Shipyards, launched 21 October 1941; sponsored by Mrs. W. M. Wells; acquired by the United States Navy on 8 February 1942; and commissioned 15 June 1942, Commander J. G. Farrell in command.
[edit] Service history

Sailing from Alameda 5 September 1942, Copahee arrived at Nouméa 28 September with her cargo of planes, stores and passengers. From 7 October to 11 October, she cruised toward Guadalcanal to launch 20 marine fighter planes for Henderson Field, then returned to San Diego, California 29 October for overhaul.

[PaxMondo]

nice hit.  2 torps, yeah should be enough.

[PzB74]

They're tough those Allied ships, but we settled the issue today [:)]

Been looking into the Asian Fleet; possible I need to transfer parts of it to the Central Pacific.

At Soerabaja there is the 8th Fleet:
1 CA, 2 CL and 4 DD's.
- This is a rapid reaction force for Northern Oz.

In Singapore we got the SRA Fleet:
4 BBs, 1 CA, 4 CL and 29 DD's.
- Half of the destroyers are second rate.

There's also a submarine command based at Singapore of about 12 boats.

I've been saving political points; got some 1200. When we got 1800 I will release a Xmas gift for the Burma Theater:
the crack 14th Division from Manchukuo. A full sized 80 exp division! [&o]

Most of the new construction and Garrison units have now been re-slated for the SRA.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 15, 42

Night Air Attacks

A couple more night dupers...

Night Air attack on Bundaberg , at 96,155
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 20

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

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

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bundaberg , at 96,155
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 16000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Well, if 2 torps didn't do it another 2 certainly did!

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 184,100

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
CVE Copahee, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Pakenham

SS I-23 launches 6 torpedoes at CVE Copahee
DD Pakenham fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Heavy Allied air attacks on Rockhampton again.
- We bomb Changsa industry and manage a big nice multi coordinated strike.

Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 10
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 33
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 19
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
I-16-III: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
19 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 15000 feet *
City Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th FG/42nd FS CAF with I-16-III (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 15
Ki-27b Nate x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are actually a few Chink fighters left, even a few AVG ones.
- They all opposed our attack on the retiring ground troops today and shot down a Nate and a Sally but couldn't
prevent us from bombing the grunts.

Afternoon Air attack on 67th Chinese Corps, at 82,49
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 20
Ki-27b Nate x 10

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 1
I-15-III x 2
H81-A3 x 3
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3
P-66 Vanguard x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
97 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disable

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th FG/42nd FS CAF with I-16-III (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
3rd FG/32nd FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
11th FG/41st FS CAF with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with I-15-III (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
11th FG/44th FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
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Ground Combat

A huge Chink corps marches into Lashio and repels our recon unit there.
Probably part of Andy's Burma plan. I won't defend in force that far from the main
force, will only become cut of.

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 13791 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 672
Defending force 1025 troops, 4 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Allied adjusted assault: 1300
Japanese adjusted defense: 28

Allied assault odds: 46 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (19 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
66th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
56th Recon Regiment
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Coupe de Grace

Isn't this the best way to dispose of 61 crack carrier ac! [8D]

[PaxMondo]

Wow, really good damamge control  2 torps should have been enough for a CVE.  as you say, 2 more for good measure.  Give that sub skipper a medal for perseverence.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

ORIGINAL: castor troy

that´s just not true, the Japanese CVs went into action more than once without having their full complement of aircraft, let alone pilots.

Not in 41-42 unless they took losses and were unable to come back for replacements just like the allies . In 44 it was more common but we are talking about the start of the war..

At Midway KB carriers did not have 100% of their aircraft.