Aussies vs Amis - World Defence(no Joe or Nik)

[Flying Tiger]

out of interest, what is your AC replacement pool looking like at this stage?

[jrcar]

FT thanks for the question, we are waiting on the other guys, they have been a bit busy... a good thing as so have I.

Anyway as requested here are the fighter pools.

5 November 1942

[Alfred]

I note the Dutch Warhawks and Hurricanes are there in qunatity. Did you lose the Dutch squadrons before you could upgrade them?

Alfred

PS: I thought the lack of updating of the AAR might have been explained by you being either a Carlton or Hawthorne supporter and being sidelined by their recent "form"[:D]

[jrcar]

Here are the bomber pools, apart for the mighty Wirraway they are very slim. We have lots of bomber units short of suitable aircraft as well.

[jrcar]

On the Dutch aircraft the the DEI largely fell before we could use them, although I'm not sure if we optimised the squadrons as well as we could have.

Unfortunately just busy with work

ORIGINAL: Alfred

I note the Dutch Warhawks and Hurricanes are there in qunatity. Did you lose the Dutch squadrons before you could upgrade them?

Alfred

PS: I thought the lack of updating of the AAR might have been explained by you being either a Carlton or Hawthorne supporter and being sidelined by their recent "form"[:D]

[jrcar]

Here is Burma.

Last turn we routed units back north. We are sending some cav sth towards Bangkok, but the main army will complete the encirclement and distruction of the 8-9 units trapped in north Thailand, including the Imperial guards.

There is a Chinese div coming up to Tavoy. It will attack the turn after next with the three commonealth bdes.

Supply is flowing in, more convoys are coming from Madras. We are tracking a CV tf heading back south... I suspect it will circumnavigate Sumatra and may head towards Timor... The later could be bad as we have some large convoys heading into the area notrth of Darwin... will need to be careful.

[jrcar]

07-08 Nov
Subs
One of ours hits mines of Hakodate... it will sink

Indo China
All quiet as we both move. We are hitting the Imperial Guards as they try to get out of the Jungle. We have a Burmese Bde to stop them, but a Gurkha Bde is on the way... could be a close call.

SWPAC
Nth of Darwin on the island of Babar we begin unlodaing BF's from Townsville, Naval and air. They are being guarded by 4 CA's, 4 CL's an around 8 DD's. Searching Nells detect the TF and drop bombs on AM Mildura, which sinks.

Otherwise things as usual.

CENTPAC
At PH the last CVE arrives, the fleet will put to sea next turn, the attack against the Marshalls is about to commense.

Otherwise all is quiet. In China they have pulled back. Supply is coming in Ok at the moment, but it will be a while before we can do anything offesive wise... but maybe we can probe a bit.

Cheers
Rob

[jrcar]

09-10 Nov 1942

Subs
Another of our subs hits a mine at Hakodate, ther must be a convoy their and my guys are reacting in...

Off Rabaul we detect and prosecute for no real effect a sub contact believed to be I-10

Indo-China
We are mostly resting. At Uttarit we air attack the 5th div, that makes 2 Japanese divs and a Thai div "in the bag"

At Tavoy we shock attack...
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 19575 troops, 189 guns, 112 vehicles, Assault Value = 616

Defending force 4076 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Allied adjusted assault: 796

Japanese adjusted defense: 814

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
447 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
532 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Assaulting units:
46th Indian Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
16th British Brigade
28th New Chinese Division

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment
36th Field AA Battalion

Not what we expected. Need to rest and bomd more.

Phillipines
yes we still own a base here... and we still do

Ground combat at Zamboanga (75,89)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5173 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 180

Defending force 1647 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 79

Japanese adjusted assault: 81

Allied adjusted defense: 106

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
263 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
83rd Naval Guard Unit
85th Naval Guard Unit
23rd Nav Gd Unit

Defending units:
73rd PA Infantry Regiment
101st PA Infantry Division
4th PI Base Force

SWPAC
We are switching to attack ground troops. Otherwise quiet.

CENTPAC
The fleet will move out next turn escoting forces to hold in the Marshalls.

I wishe we could swap fighters for bombers, we have stacks of the former, and lack lots of the latter

While the Allied 4E is still very powerful the lack of replacements really limits their use.

Cheers

Rob

[jrcar]

11-12 Nov 1942

Subs
Off Rabaul we detect a sub and attack for litte damage

Indo-China
We attack the Imperial Guards and the other trapped units from the air...

SWPAC
Usual air attacks.

Mostly quiet turn overall.

[jrcar]

13-14 Nov 1942

Subs
We find the sub off Rabaul again, no real effect.

SS Blackfish put two toprs into an xAK off Aogashima.

Indo-China
Continue to air attack the Imperial guards.
On Day two the Imperial Guards cross the river against the Burma Bde...

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 15174 troops, 106 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 460

Defending force 1927 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Japanese adjusted assault: 45

Allied adjusted defense: 196

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

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

Japanese ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Allied ground losses:
321 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 32 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division

Defending units:
2nd Burma Brigade

Well done the Burmese troops! Although mass will probably win in the next battle... but we will continue the air attacks.

China

They attack one of our blocking forces.

Ground combat at 80,60

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4176 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 336

Defending force 5656 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 187

Japanese adjusted assault: 125

Allied adjusted defense: 493

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
102nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps

[jrcar]

15-16 Nov 1942

Very quiet. Trying to catch up on the reports.

[jrcar]

17-18 Nov 1942

Subs
Sometimes it is all good

We now have identified two CV groups, one off the Andamans and now this one of TRUK.

Sub attack near Truk at 112,104

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Haguro
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago
CL Yura
DD Hakaze
DD Sanae
DD Yukaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS Greenling
ASW attack near Truk at 112,104

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Haguro
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago
CL Yura
DD Hakaze
DD Sanae
DD Yukaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS Greenling
Sub attack near Truk at 112,104

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo, heavy damage
CA Chokai

Allied Ships
SS Greenling

ASW attack near Truk at 110,102

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Haguro
CA Maya
CA Atago
CL Yura
DD Hakaze
DD Sanae
DD Yukaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44

Sub attack near Truk at 110,102

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Haguro
CA Maya
CA Atago
CL Yura
DD Hakaze
DD Sanae
DD Yukaze
DD Yakaze
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
SS S-44, hits 1

Indo-China
Numbers win

Ground combat at 59,55

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 15076 troops, 106 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 460

Defending force 1755 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 73

Japanese adjusted assault: 89

Allied adjusted defense: 40

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
230 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
521 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division

Defending units:
2nd Burma Brigade

Not much longer for Tavoy, another unit is about to get there to support the attack.


Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19457 troops, 189 guns, 112 vehicles, Assault Value = 614

Defending force 3698 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Allied adjusted assault: 341

Japanese adjusted defense: 151

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
382 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
16th British Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
28th New Chinese Division
Burma Corps

Defending units:
112th Infantry Regiment
36th Field AA Battalion





Cleaning up inland as well:

Ground combat at 59,54

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4406 troops, 38 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 158

Defending force 616 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Allied adjusted assault: 169

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 42 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1


Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd King Own YLI Battalion
48th Ghurka Brigade

Defending units:
55th Cavalry Regiment


Analysis
Confirming the two lots of KB is a great outcome.

Our CV force is concentrated in the Central Pacific where we are about to land in a few days.

We now will have CV superiority in this area, there are 2 damaged CV's and the others are split.

But we don't need to risk a CV battle at all, except defensively... although it is tempting to raid TRUK!

[jrcar]

Also on the 18th we begin sweeping the skies of Bangkok from Raheng:

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 44



Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 4 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Bangkok , at 56,62

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30



Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 28
P-38F Lightning x 22
P-38G Lightning x 21


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 7 destroyed


Depending on weather we can generate superiority... but aircraft damage will errode this.

Cheers
Rob

[jrcar]

Burma as at 19 Nov 1942.

[jrcar]

Industry (40) at Rangoon is now fully repaired, the refinery is up to 30 (170 to go). This should help stabilise the locals

Importantly it gives us a source of ongoing supply, and Rangoon will be an important forward fueling stop in the future. We are also rebuilding the refinery and oil fields at Magwe.

We are really pumping supply in here via ship, over 300,000 tons so far since the port was cleared.

[jrcar]

In the SWPAC area... left to right.

BABAR has now built nicely and offers us a flank guard for future moves. It also dominates TIMOR, and we can invade when ever we choose...

Kaimana performs a similar role on the other side, P-38 from here dominate the sky and can LRCAP the future invasion forces as they go into SORONG.

Hollianda is out on its own a bit but is now very strong. Movement forward from here can be intercepted from forces at TRUK through to BABELDOAB. We are droping supply at BIAK and will soon move more forces in to build the base.

In the rear at Townsville we have the following available for invasions:

2 CVE
5 BB
7 CA
7 CL
21 DD
14 AP
11 AKA
16 xAP
4 AK/xAK
Lots short range 16kn escorts. The invasion force can move at 16 kn.

We have the following forces preping:

Boela
32nd USA Inf Div (390 Asslt)
632 TD Bn
205 FA Bn
Base force.

Ambon
25th USA Inf Div (390 Asslt)
3 TD Bn
2 FA Bn
Baseforces
HQ.

Sorong
8th Oz Div (420 Asslt)
3 Oz Artry Regts
Baseforce and Aviation Oz

We have enough shipping for two simultaneous landings, and there is more shipping at Rabaul that will be heading back to Townsville to support the second wave.

The plan at the moment is to land at Boela with both USA divs (even though one is preping for Ambon) then quickly follow up with a landing at Sorong.

Ambon will probably be by-passed and isolated by air.

Now we know where the two elements of KB is I'm tempted to move early, and not wait for our CV's to support. With the 2 CVE (48 fighters) and around 150 aircraft from supporting bases I'm pretty happy I can protect the invasion forces.

Just need to start loading

[jrcar]

[center]Planning Update[/center]

[center]Enemy[/center]

Strategic Situation
The enemy are firmly on the defensive in all areas bar China, no offensive preperations have been identified. Actions in China have largely been stopped and are mostly aimed at tidying up.

The KB is currently split in two, one off Sumatra one off Turk. 2 CV's are probably in the yards undergoing repair from submarine attacks.

The submarine fleet location is largely unkown and is probably deployed in an information gathering role, rather than as an instrument of attack. It is likely that a fair proportion is in the North Pacific area.

Overall the enemy have been quite passive, however they have recently deployed KB to a more agressive posture and may commit to the next series of bases.

Key Information Requirements:
What is the intention of the Japanese sub fleet.

What is the line in the sand where they will become agresive.


SEAsia
Enemy forces have been forced out of Burma (less Mergui). A single regiment has been detected in the area, a second may be at Mergui.

Enemy forces in Divisional strength (Imperial Guards) are trapped in North Thailand, and are attempting to move east towards Vietnam). A strong force (around 3 Divs) is currently rebuilding/moving to Bangkok.

Forces on the Malay peninsula and Sumatra are unknown.

A large concentration of aircraft is supporting forces in Thailand.

Apart from KB a small surface combat fleet has been detected off Burma at times; probably recovering forces from Port Blair.

Key Information Requirement: Strength, in particular out of theatre forces, at Bangkok.

SWPAC
Kendari, Babeldoab and Truk are the main hubs in this area. In addition several regimental groups have been detected at Koepang, Dili, Ambon, Boela and Manokowari. It is estimated that bases, apart from Kendari and Truk are normally of regimental strength or less.

A small surface fleet and support vessels are based out of Kendari. Truk has some support vessels.
Part of KB including a large concentration of BB's was recently detected off Truk.

Kendari, Ambon, Babeldoab and Truk are the main airbases.

Key Information Requirement: Bases with a combat strength greater than 1 regiment.

CENTPAC
Apart from small island garrisons, and the part of KB at Truk, no significant forces have been detected in the CENTPAC region.

Logistics
Limited logistics traffic has been detected south of Borneo through to the Southern Phillipines. It is assessed that shipping from the DEI is using the South China Sea routes. Davao appears to be a hub supporting the back of the SWPAC/DEI area, but even here shipping is limited.

Lots of convoys are detected and intercepted in the North Japan/Kurile area.

Key Information Requirement: Convoy routes for submarine interception.

[witpqs]

Could you give us a strategic map with only bases showing (red & green)?

[jrcar]

Certainly

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Could you give us a strategic map with only bases showing (red & green)?

[witpqs]

Thanks!

My goodness, it's like the IJ train went off the tracks.