Speedy vs Fabertong - time to smack back the Penguin

[crsutton]

Speedy, if he has not got a lot of armor there at Tennant Creek, just take your armor and run around him and cut his supply. Japanese air is an problem but it really does not kill tanks, just motorized support.

[Speedysteve]

Only problem with that cr is that not all of my armour has upgraded in Aus yet and he'll have evac'd Tennant by the time I get there......

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet few days with little activity from the Japanese (except bombing of Chinese). On my part I continue to harass the retreating Japanese in Australia and IGD positions are bombed from Imphal.

In other news BB POW has reached Cape Town and will be out of action for 5 1/2 months repairing battle damage. Well done boys for making the journey!

2 x Brit CV's have reached Columbo as well maling the Brit strength upto 2 + CVL Hermes (1 x CV has just been sent home). With the Jap CV's split up (at least 2 chunks - 1 near Kwajalein and the other near Singapore)I may conduct a raid to keep Faber honest.

Now the really good news........

------------------------

Submarine warfare -

After 10 days of frustrating barren like behaviour my boys have a flurry of activity with the enemy, mainly inbetween Japan and Sakhalin Island (5 x missed/dud attacks) and also in the Malacca Strait (SS KXVI located the small AK Sakae Maru and decided to sink the bugger on the surface without using any torpedoes! 34 shell hits later bye bye 1900 tonne freighter).

Now for the main course.....

SS Growler located CVE Taiyo steaming south of Japan. 6 fish were fired.....1 dud hit! Not to be outdone the aggressive captain fired 6 more.....another dud hit....then 2 torpedoes exploded followed by a massive Ammo explosion.....Growler quickly fled the scene reporting the 17800 Tonne Escort Carrier sunk......

[crsutton]

Well, even the provisional stuff running around in his rear might make him nervous enough to leave. Which is really your primary objective. His recon won't tell him if he is facing maltidas or ford trucks with boiler plate welded to them. Just don't let him catch them. A commited Japanese player is hard to defeat in OZ with the limited Allied resources in mid 42., but your mobility is the key to making him nervous. Have you moved any US tank or marine tank units into OZ? If India is secure a British tank brigade is a big help as well. You get two Indian motorized brigades in the fall of 42 as well.
 
 
My only regret is that I did not send every tank and motorized unit I could get my hands on to OZ. These units are important to Allied counter blows later on
 but there is not much of that happening in 42, so why not employ them in the one spot on the whole game map where mobile units totally rule-Australia.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The quiet continues with the usual harrassment of Japanese units in Australia as the Allies slowly move forward to the North and NW.

IGD receives almost daily love from from LBA at Imphal. Minimal casualties sustained but good for experience. It appears as though the main Japanese aerodromes in Burma are at Myitkyina and Mandalay in the north.

----------------------------------

China -

I decided to move an 1800 AV force to the east of Chenchow, i.e. to Kaifeng. With the Japanese licking thier wounds further south (at Sinyang) and them being engaged fully at Loyang (stalemate) I thought let's see what they have on defence.....pretty good results:

Ground combat at Kaifeng (89,44)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47178 troops, 213 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1852

Defending force 15408 troops, 118 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 567

Allied adjusted assault: 775

Japanese adjusted defense: 389

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1324 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 93 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Allied ground losses:
3812 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 289 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 173 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled


Assaulting units:
87th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
14th Group Army
20th Group Army
21st Group Army

Defending units:
17th RGC Temp. Division
16th RGC Temp. Division
7th NCPC Infantry Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th NCPC Infantry Brigade
23rd JNAF AF Unit
68th JAAF AF Coy

Disruption is minimal and the men are still ready, despite casualties, so we attack again tomorrrow (before Japanese reinforcemetns arrive from the NW (from Tsiaotso).

-----------------------------

Submarine warfare -

A frustrating end to the month with a further 6 (!) missed/dud attacks, on escorts and freighters, near Sakhalin Island and Cam Ranh Bay. Sheesh[:@]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly docile month overall with what action there has been focussed on China (Japanese bombings in the south, stalemate at Loyang and Chinese advances to Kaifeng and take Kwesui in the north), Burma (bombinng of IGD near Kalemyo) and Australia (retreat of Japanese from Tennant Creek area and bombing of them).

Under the sea it's been a month of 2 halves. The first half saw several attacks and reported sinkings, then there was a lull until CVE Taiyo was reported sunk and a spate of dud/missed attacks over the last 3 days of the month!

July sees the arrival of BB Valiant a couple of CL's and a couple of SS's. In the air a couple of USA FG's a BG and on land the rest of 2nd British Div (Aden) and a Marine Rgt are the highlights. This month also sees the arrival of B24's and A29's and P66's in China.

----------------------------------

Points:

Allies: +279
Japanese: +508


Bases:

Allies: -8 (+36 points)
Japanese: +9 (+53 points)


Planes:

Allies: +167 lost
Japanese: +105 lost


Troops:

Allies: +126 lost
Japanese: +90 lost


Ships:

Allies: +16 (+165 points - all from convoys ambushed by Japanese CV's near India and Funafuti).
Japanese: +18 (+ 147 points - almost all from submarines).

-----------------------------------

Sub Kills:

Dutch Boats:

AK - 21 (+4)
TK - 3 (+2)
CM - 2
PB - 2
TB - 1
DD - 2
DMS - 3
APD - 1

-----------------------------------

British Boats:

DD - 1 (Mine)
SC - 1

------------------------------------

Fleet Boats:

SC - 2 (+2)
AP - 1
PB - 2
AK - 26 (+1)
CM - 1
ACM - 1 (+1)
E - 1
APD - 1 (+1)
DD - 2
CVE - 1 (+1) (Taiyo)

-----------------------------------

S-Boats:

AK - 6
DMS - 1
CM - 1
PB - 1

Total = 84 ships = 47.73% of reported sunk ships total.

[ckammp]

Stalemate in China plus retreat of Japanese in Australia = nice month for Allies.
 
Despite the annoying dud rate, good job by your subs. Any idea if Taiyo was carrying planes?
 
It's July, are the US CVs going to come out and play? Or are you still upgrading to Avengers?
 
Any intel on your opponents' plans? Quiet, sneaky penguins are deadly enemies!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

ckammp - No planes reported as ops losses so I assume either sinking her was FOW or she was empty!

Afraid Enterprise and Lexington still require Avengers to replace their TBD's. It's estimated to take the month of July to receive the necessary amount. During July additional AA mounts will be installed on the Enterprise Class as well.

No real ideas on if Faber is going to try anythig else defensive. My gut feel (and SigInt backed up) is that Faber is shifting to defence with several units being reported in SRA locations. It does appear as though a Division is also at Darwin and that BF units are on board AK's on their way to Darwin too.

-----------------------

CBI -

July's off to a bang with a Chinese offensive and a long planned sweep over Japanese held Myitkyina.........

The past 6 days have seen intense fighting in and around Kaifeng, China. 6 Chinese Corps had made good ground against 6 x low grade Divisions/Bde's. The 3rd almost saw the Chinese capture Kaifeng and rout the enemy (literally 2 Adjusted AV's points away from 2-1 odds and victory. Grrr[:@]). Faber reacted swiftly and the 4th saw the arrival of 2 Japanese Divisions (35th and 37th) which have stabilised the area (both on 1400 AV).....so close.......

Over Burma the long planned sweep of Myitkyina occured on the 5th. 73 x P40/Hurri flew in over the taret area, in 7 sweeps! Claims were wild and exhuberant (17 x Zero, 5 x Oscar claimed). It however seems that 8 enemy fighters were downed for about 15 friendly. The AVG is now disbanded.

Intel detected and local spies spotted a Japanese CV force in Singapore. A Dutch sub reported seeing DD's moving up the Malacca Strait on the 5th...I wonder if a KB sortie is on it's way to India? This could make sense due to an I-Boat contact on the 4th......

A Brit CV Force is in the Ceylon area and LBA is present too to provide resistance to an incursion.

---------------------------------

Australia -

Allied fores are nearing an abandoned Tennant Creek and should occupy it within 10 days. Allied LBA harrasses the retreating Japanese to the north of Tennant.

2 x Wolverine Bn's are unloading at Sydney along with an HB BG and PRS Sqn.

----------------------------------

Submarine Warfare -

2 dud/missed attacks.

SS Trusty reporting the only success near Keppel Harbour, Singapore. Her skillful commander reportedly sinking the large PB Eiko Maru with a torpedo on the 2nd.

DD Tucker reportedly chased and sank SS I-24 NE of Attu Island on the 5th.

SS I-153 blew up AMC Pansy SW of Calcutta on the 4th (maybe KB has sortied to intercept this large empty Convoy on it's return journey past Ceylon?)

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

CBI -

The Japanese counter attacked violently at Kaifeng on the 8th rushing the Chinese positions. With stout hearts my men held firm:

Ground combat at Kaifeng (89,44)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 36876 troops, 329 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 1322

Defending force 44511 troops, 213 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1449

Japanese adjusted assault: 1520

Allied adjusted defense: 913

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4559 casualties reported
Squads: 66 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 68 destroyed, 203 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 20 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2289 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 195 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 154 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled

On the 7th the Japanese tried their luck, after reinforcing their positions, further west at Paoshan but met a similar fate....well done men. The next time they try their luck they'll find 2 x AT Rgt's in play with their 37mm guns.....:

Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 22083 troops, 188 guns, 685 vehicles, Assault Value = 957

Defending force 22432 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 902

Japanese adjusted assault: 984

Allied adjusted defense: 3448

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
5164 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 324 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 375 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 162 (4 destroyed, 158 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2440 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 221 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 125 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Assaulting units:
38th Division
14th Tank Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
15th Army
55th Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
200th Chinese Division
96th Chinese Division
36th Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
56th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Division
71st Chinese/A Corps
11th Group Army

False alarm over near Ceylon it seems as the returning convoy passes south of Ceylon un-opposed with my CV force standing guard.

2nd British Division has fully arrived at Aden...now where to send her........

--------------------------------------

Australia -

Allied forces continue to press on Tennant Creek....current dispositions are shown below.

--------------------------------------

Submarine warfare -

3 days and 3 successful attacks (along with 4 dud ones).

SS Truant reportedly sank the troop laden AK Kotoku Maru with 2 torpeodes off the island of Phuket.

SS KXVII heavily damaged troop laden AK Izumo Maru south of Bandjermasin.

SS Seawolf left the fuel laden AK Toa Maru heavily burning with a torpedo hit off Groot Natoena.

[ckammp]

re: China

I think Fabertong's "Panzer" force is a good idea, but attacking Paoshan in the mountains with it is the wrong target. If he had that force at Kaifeng, he would roll right through your defences. (Although it looks like the balance at Kaifeng is now in his favor, do you have any re-inforcements available?)


re:subs

How do you rate Fabertong's ASW efforts?
Are most of your sinkings coming vs. lone targets, or are you hitting his convoys?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi ckammp - Yeah I have reinforcements in and around Kaifeng. Faber has moved 1000 AV worth from Loyang to Kaifeng. This has freed up some of my force also at Loyang + I have 1800 AV in Chengchow. A further Japanese attack has weakend their position at Kaifeng.........

Japanese ASW - interesting question. Every sinking I get is from a convoy. Everything has several escorts (from PB-DD). No weakness on that part. Over the past month or 2 there's definitely been a massive increase in the number of sightings and attacks by Japanese aircraft vs my Subs. There's been no hits so far though. No doubt they'll have reduced the effectiveness of my boys but overall I'm still getting about 2 successful attacks every 3 days which I'm happy enough with at this stage of the war.

--------------------------

CBI -

IGD, that was near Kalemyo is reportedly retreating back to Katha. Other than raids on it and by Wellington's on Akyab (from Calcutta) Burma is quiet.

The Japanese reinforced Kaifeng with another Division (35th) from Loyang and conducted an all out attack on the 12th which failed miserably:

Ground combat at Kaifeng (89,44)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 33735 troops, 329 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 1396

Defending force 39022 troops, 186 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1202

Japanese adjusted assault: 1403

Allied adjusted defense: 893

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
6585 casualties reported
Squads: 167 destroyed, 118 disabled
Non Combat: 191 destroyed, 88 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled


Allied ground losses:
3735 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 219 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 282 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled

As mentioned I have reinforcements on the way and a plan of counter-attack in the area.

Elsewhere China is relatively quiet except bombings by IJAAF across the board.

--------------------------------

Australia -

An empty Tennant Creek was re-occupied on the 9th. Allied Fighters are on their way there (ETA 14th July). Forces are meeting there and will pursue the Japanese to the north.

The Japanese finally have an air presence in Australia. My ARM units chasing Japanese ARM have been attacked for the past 3 days (3 tanks lost).

---------------------------------

Submarine Warfare -

SS Sculpin blew up the 830 tonne PB Kensyo Maru off Wakkanai on the 9th.

SS KXI heavily damaged AK Tsukuba Maru near Phuket.

On the other side....CV Illustrious had a tough couple of days! Outside of Columbo SS I-29 put a fish into her port bow on the 9th (12-38-0).....I ordered the Captain to head to Bombay for now.......on the 10th SS I-156 found her and put another fish into her (16-48-0)! She should be ok unless other I-Boats find her.

[anarchyintheuk]

The penguinistas are getting a little shock attack crazy.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

I've been away for a long weekend and now Faber is on holiday until next week with the family...in short no more updates after this one for about a week!

Hi anarchy - long may it continue.....well as long as I always win[;)]

--------------------------------

A quiet couple of days with Japanese air attacks across China and in Australia (against US Tk Bn's moving NW towards Daly Waters) and with Allied air attacks in Australia and in Burma (against IGD which has reatreated to the Katha region now) and against Japanese held Akyab. No air losses on either side.

--------------------------------

Submarine warfare -

Just the one dud attack near Sakhalin Island.

--------------------------------

I'll be using this week to conduct a comprehensive review of each theatre.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

CBI -

Little action over Burma.

In China an ambush was planned for Japanese bombers conducting Milk Runs over Kanshien. On the 16th a mixture iof P43 and A81's met the Japanese bombers reportedly shooting down 4 of them. Unfortunately some Oscar's were sweeping nearby and intercepted some of my returning fighters downing 3 of them. Not a good exchange overall.

On the ground little Japanese offensive action seems to be in the offing. Just plenty of stalemates around the country....fine by me.....I have a little secret offensive in the offing which should kick off in 3 days time[;)]

----------------------------

Australia -

Allied forces are massing at Katherine (awaitign 2 x USA Division - ETA 14 days tops.) Then we advance north on Daly Waters where the retreating Japanese forces have almost reached.

P38's are now operating out of Katherine and flew covers over Allied ARM formations NE advancing on Daly. Enemy Sally's flew their milk run on the 15th....7 of them failed to return home. End of that Milk Run.

-----------------------------

Submarine Warfare -

4 missed/dud attacks over the 3 days but..............

SS Snapper struck gold on the 16th sighting the massive Tonan Class Tanker Tonan Maru 2 east of Balikpapan. She fired 4 torpedoes. 2 hit (1 dud) but it reportedly left the empty TK heavily damaged. Get in!

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

CBI -

Little action over Burma.

In China an ambush was planned for Japanese bombers conducting Milk Runs over Kanshien. On the 16th a mixture iof P43 and A81's met the Japanese bombers reportedly shooting down 4 of them. Unfortunately some Oscar's were sweeping nearby and intercepted some of my returning fighters downing 3 of them. Not a good exchange overall.

On the ground little Japanese offensive action seems to be in the offing. Just plenty of stalemates around the country....fine by me.....I have a little secret offensive in the offing which should kick off in 3 days time[;)]

----------------------------

Australia -

Allied forces are massing at Katherine (awaitign 2 x USA Division - ETA 14 days tops.) Then we advance north on Daly Waters where the retreating Japanese forces have almost reached.

P38's are now operating out of Katherine and flew covers over Allied ARM formations NE advancing on Daly. Enemy Sally's flew their milk run on the 15th....7 of them failed to return home. End of that Milk Run.

-----------------------------

Submarine Warfare -

4 missed/dud attacks over the 3 days but..............

SS Snapper struck gold on the 16th sighting the massive Tonan Class Tanker Tonan Maru 2 east of Balikpapan. She fired 4 torpedoes. 2 hit (1 dud) but it reportedly left the empty TK heavily damaged. Get in!

Well, I suppose the patches worked so just be aware that it is very hard to get supplies up overland in Oz to support your offensive. I got a heavy force in and around Daily Waters ready to push on Katherine and supply "is" an issue.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi crsutton - Aye. My supply is constantly in the red at Daly Springs. I will 'test' the model by moving my forces into the country north of Daly (in due course when 2 x USA Divisions arrive at Daly in 2 days time.)

------------------------------

CBI -

Overall not a good few days for the Allies.

The local Allied commander in Calcutta became complacent with the Milk Runs by Wellies of Akyab. On the 21st over 20 x A6M were in the air to greet them! 16 of 32 failed to come home. RIP men.

The rest of Burma and India is fairly quiet. My aims here are just to build up the area and my bases in the forward area in preparation for a future offensive (the new patch has just made any mass offensive overland into Burma untenable at the moment).

China has been relatively quiet except an ambush my Lancers on the 19th failed when Oscars showed up over Kanshien - 2 x Lancers were lost for an Oscar.

My 'Secret' attack launched on the 20th and it failed straight away! I ordered 8 x Chinese corps NE of Chengchow to take a road junction before hopefully reinforcing my men to the SE and NW:

Ground combat at 88,43

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 45633 troops, 369 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1741

Defending force 13582 troops, 106 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 516

Allied adjusted assault: 1220

Japanese adjusted defense: 975

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1224 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
5102 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 453 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 275 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled

----------------------------------

Australia -

I have beeen out foxed by Faber SE of Katherine. Rather than chasing a couple of battered ARM Rgt's my 2 x ARM units ran into the 8th IJA Division east of Katherine. Losses were heavy and about 1/2 of the tanks in the units were destroyed.

----------------------------------

Submarine Warfare -

A quiet few days under the sea for my boys.

SS Snapper (victor of the other day) tracked the TK Convoy into Balikpapan and fired duds at TK Okigawa Maru. In return DD Minekaze cornered my sub and left is heavily damaged with DC's....she's limping back to Perth.

[Mynok]

local Allied commander in Calcutta

Should that be translated a "doofus behind the keyboard"? [:'(]

[Mynok]

If so, would you please post the name of that commander? He's apparently in my game too...be nice to know not to put him in charge anywhere.......

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Mynok - Why of course. He's called Major Dumbass [;)]

A fairly inocuous day overall however SigInt has, potentially, revealed some interesting information - specifically that part of the 4th Division is preparing to attack Attu Island. Of course it could be a feint (since most players plan units for random enemy bases to keep them off guard). However, the fact it's a fraction of the unit implies it's on board a ship! Meaning it's more likely to be real IMO.

This is interesting. I will keep an eye on this. There are some forts and units there so will be interesting if Faber does go for it. I am organising some plans to potentially counter this.....more in due course.

-------------------------------

I'm also starting to prepare forces for future operations in both Australia and Burma. Once more, as these develop nearer the time I'll provide more details of what's involved.

In Australia - I'm thinking of how to recapture all of Northenr Aus. Not just on land north of Daly.....

In Burma - the initial focus will be on Akyab.

-------------------------------

Submarine warfare -

1 Dud attack by SS Seadragon on TK San Ramon Maru south of Tawi Tawi. Grrr.

[BrucePowers]

Long live Emperor Fabertong[:D]

How is he? He never writes any more either.

I hope all is well in Reading.[:)]