Andy Mac v PZB This time India will Stand !!!!

[traskott]

Will rhis modify your plans about Hidra II ?? 

[Andy Mac]

Nope in fact I was counting on it...
 
He is also trying to retake Schwebo.
 
I will probably let him as I am not willing to get tied up in the open - I want to keep it but not enough

[Andy Mac]

The whole reason I risked my carriers at the Marquesas was to cover a massive Tanker TF that was transitioning back from Australia - I prepositioned 400k of fuel for the attack on PM but given my tanker losses to date I didnt want to risk allowing KB to lunge south of the Marquesas and finding the convoy so my carriers were brought into play to hold his attention.
 
Now that the convoy is safe and in the home strait I dont need to risk my carriers.
 
As I said when Hornet, Victorious, Indomitable and 4 more CVE's join the Pacific Fleet that will give me
 
9 Fleet CV's (5 USN and 4 RN) and 7 CVE's....at that point I stop dancing around and can go looking for KB for a toe to toe fight my training sqns are almost finished producing the pilots I need my ships are ready (almost)
 
With that kind of force the Line Islands can be taken

[Andy Mac]

Fleet Air Arm
 
As my Fleet Air Arm is about to be a major part of the fleet I thought I would run down my carefull force preservation
 
I have the following
6 RN Torpedo Bomber Sqns with 79 Albacores and 40 Swordfish available so as the average sqn strength in 15 I have enough plus reserves to equip all 4 RN CV's with them
 
3 FAA Fighter Sqns currently equipped with Martlet II's and Sea Hurricanes (60 SH and 55 Martlet II's available) so enough to equip all three sqns as the average size is 20 aircraft
 
3 FAA Fighter Bomber Sqns all with Fulmers of which I have 91 currently in reserve acting as training sqns for pilots for the FAA
 
When Victorious arrives it brings a TB Sqn with TBF's (50% dud rate !!!) and 3 small fighter sqns with Martlet IV's by end of Feb I will have 27 of them in the pool
 
By carefull reorganising of my sqns I think I can give each of my RN carriers 1 fighter sqn and 1 good torpedo bomber sqn.
 
There isnt a lot to choose between the sea hurricane and the martlets 8 x .303 v 4 x .50 although the martlet range is far better so I will mix and match
To maximise my ship killing ability I think I will bench the TBF's from USN and RN Sqns 50% dud rate...
 
I will give the USN Carriers 1 F4F Sqn and 2 SBD Sqns
The RN Sqns will get 1 Fighter and 1 TB Sqn
 
 
 
 

[sprior]

[Andy Mac]

PZB hit a convoy north of Colombo with Mini KB he does like these deep raids I estimate 3 CVL's or 1 CV and 2 C VL's
 
I have a strong SCTF and weak carrier TF with Hermes and Indomitable off Bombay total only 60 carrier aircraft if he gives me a shot by getting into a fight with my LBA I will go for him

[Andy Mac]

He also sent an entire armoured div to attack my troops at Myktina...
 
In rough jungle terrain against well dug in infantry
 
The bases garrison had the Grodons dug in backed up by a column of Chindits of the 77th Indian Bde with a 2nd Bn being flown in during the attack.
 
the 3rd Bn conducted a forced landing to recapture Bhamo in his rear.
 
Overall between the base force the Gordons 2/3 of the 77th Bde and the remnants of the Viper Force the Japanese were rebuffed with relative ease.
 
Its bad terrain and lvl 3 forts and resolute defenders doing the job.
 
2 Divisions are en route and will be in place in a few days
 
Armour not a great choice for that kind of fight
Andy

[Andy Mac]

managed to get a few 1,000lb's into a jap CA no idea why they went that close to trivandrum....
 
Anyway I was railing my troops out of Schwebo 4 units got left behind which is why you cannot rely on strategic mode on the front line.
 
His Tank Div seems to be pulling back out of Myktina

[Andy Mac]

Its been interesting I lost the Marqhuesas but the fortification of Tahiti is progressing.

PZB's raid on Bombay will probably push back Hydra II by 2 - 3 weeks until Mid March.

Andy

[traskott]

Any photo of the fronts, please ? [:)]

[sprior]

Any photo of the fronts, please

I bet you say that to all the girls.

[traskott]

I hope have more luck with Andy [:D]. 

[Andy Mac]

In reserve I also have 3 Chindit Bdes a Chinese Army (66th) and a few Armoured units

All others have been pulled out ready for Hydra phase 4

[Andy Mac]

At present I have 6 CV's and 5 CVE's at PH
 
Hornet is  en route as is another 2 x CVE
 
I have 12 Battleships, 20 Heavy Cruisers, 16 Light or AA Cruisers and 44 Destroyers at Pearl
 
2 USN CL's and about 15 Destoyers are en route
 
The RN Eastern Fleet of 1 CV, 1 CVL, 2 BB's, 11 CL's and about 20 Destroyers is en route with some all important AO ships (what I am actually waiting on is the AO ships)
 
1 x BB is in dry dock and may not be out in time I also recieve  HMS Victorious, 15 Destroyers, 2 CL's a CLAA and a CA before the go date as reinforcements

[Andy Mac]

massive losses in Burma today 60 Tojos for 40 of mine but thats ok I want him focussed in Burma for another 40 to 50 days so I need to keep the pressure up the RAF and USAAF will be able to rest and retrain after May 43 but I must keep the pressure on for now and keep him always watching the indian Ocean while my re deployment proceeds...

[Andy Mac]

Another day of air sweeps in Burma shooting down another 40 odd Tojos
 
The plan is to go downtown to Rangoon and cripple damaged aircraft on the ground rthat have been rotated back I am assembling my heavies at Calcutta and fighter sqns are moving to Akyab in order to get ready for the sweep

[Andy Mac]

Japanese timing was perfect my resting Heavies were hit ont eh ground by 50+ Sallies scratch that plan he beat me to the punch !!!!
 
No one ever said PZB was easy to get one over on [:D][:D]

[janh]

You guys are playing out a very interesting AAR -- very evenly matched opponents I would say!  Couldn't be better.  Keep it going!

[d0mbo]

w00ps, wrong thread!

[Andy Mac]

I am getting itchy feet so I may try to accelerate the line Islands portion of Hydra it will mean I lose a little immediacy in the follow up operations but on reflection I think I have enough.
 
Operation 1 Assault Palmyra
 
In the next 6 days I get four more LST's that brings me up to 8 LST's and more thasn enough AP's I can assault land the 3rd Marine Div which is 100% prepped for the atoll as are the two supporting tank Bns
 
Thats enough force to get the job done and I have a fully prepped Inf Regt able to support if required
 
When Hornet arrives at Pearl I will have a full complement
 
Waiting 60 days for Indomitable and Victorious to arrive is probably a waste of time.
 
I will have 5 USN Fleet Carriers (430), 2 RN Fleet Carriers (70) and 5 Escort Carriers (160) that should be enough to keep KB off my back the extra (100) of the RN Eastern Fleet can be used to supplement and reinforce the fleet in time for later operations So I am aiming to load up for Line Island Operations inside of two weeks and aiming to be putting Marines on the ground no later than end of January 43