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

[TheLoneGunman_MatrixForum]

What about doing something a little riskier?

Like splitting the KB once you're near Kwajalein to make him think all of your carriers are in one place when they aren't?

I understand that such a move is dangerous, but it could help you catch Andy off guard if he thinks you have absolutely no carriers nearby.

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB
1. Keep KB around and build up Fanning Island and reinforce Christmas Island to enable LBA to truly threaten the enemy when he returns supported by all his carriers and capital ships.
1.1. If we chose this strategy how many fighters and bombers will we then need? Christmas Island is currently a size 5(5) airfield while Fanning Island is 1(3). Total aviation support is ca 160 but another Air Divisions with support for another 72 ac is being lifted into the area. Support for 220 LBA is not enough to face 500 enemy carrier ac. Bringing in yet another Air Division and some aditional base forces will however bring us to 320 and then we're starting to pose a serious threat.

2. If we can discourage an enemy expedition to Palmyra we can then deal with the 3rd Marines in due time.
There are several options here as well; I'm currently prepping 2 crack divisions and 1 Amph bde for Palmyra but it will take another 90 days to get them to 100.
I truly don't want to invade Palmyra and the 3rd Marines with anything less than fully prepped invasion forces. If the Marines run out of supplies it's another matter, but how can we know if and when they do run out of supplies? If we wait 3 months before invading Palmyra it's very likely that Andy will try to occupy Fanning Island as well - unless we manage to implement scenario 1 that is.

3. A last option is to do nothing but sit back and snipe at Palmyra and the efforts made by the Allies to support their troops there.
This option is probably best combined with scenario 1. We can base the Combined Fleet at Kwajalein after replenishing at Truk; then we can be at Palmyra in 4 days.
- If I bring in more fuel and another Naval HQ to Christmas Island it will also be possible to replenish carrier sorties.

A truly interesting situation and I don't think the most important thing is to recapture Palmyra but to delay the enemy for as long as possible and in the process inflict as many casualties as possible while taking as few as possible in return.

Hmmh, Nemo's comments are quite right. Generally the big picture to me appears to be: Andy tries to force the reconquest of the Line Islands, either to just secure the Convoy routes to OZ and enable a campaign through NG or Solomons, and/or as a jump-point for a march through CENTPAC. This is favorable since it is very close to Pearl, which also seems to make him look for a carrier battle here. Both sides use "carpets of subs" to nibble away the the edges of the CV groups.

Generally, either you retake Palmyra quickly, which would be my first intention, or you basically concede the whole Line Islands to Andy and the initiative of this war:

## Conceding Palmyra, could turn the Line Islands into your "Solomon's campaign", and would start a battle of attrition to both sides. No clue how much air power you'd need to keep it suppressed, but if Andy watches KB leave and brings his CV death star back, no LBA in the world will stop him from taking Christmas before the end of 3 months. You could attrit US air power, and pilot pools, but since they are essentially endless, I don't think it is worth much on the long run.

## Option "Retaking" would make Andy much more careful, and throw back all his plans substantially in CENTPAC, SOPAC, and OZ if successful. There are huge risks with that, but also huge potential gain, and a CV battle would likely also occur. But as Nemo pointed out, that may actually be a good thing if you can keep KB hidden, keep a good recon picture of his fleets, and organize an 8-hex surprise strike from the back-hand. Sort of like C&G.
I am not sure whether Andy uses his Catalinas to fly in supplies, units, or actually fly out the Marines. For sure the supply situation must be tight, else he would not risk so many transports if his CV's return to Pearl and KB is spotted. He will likely try to turn it into a fort ASAP, and then hope for a carrier battle where Palmyra could provide LBA cover.

So if you want to take it down, it must be done quickly and without 100% prepping. I assume a 90 day air war over it, and it will be impregnable. LBA probably wouldn't prevent that, and you'd probably need to waste KB to interdict convoys, suppress the air field, and thereby risk a CV battle on his terms. Could you test his supply situation with air strikes (AAA not firing if low on supply perhaps)? Or bombardments? I would embark the troops soon, add some armor regiment if possible, and hope that you can approach them while his CV are still at Pearl. Else, can you keep KB well fueled and supplied, and hidden for the reappearance of his CV and to counter possible reinforcement convoys? Putting a naval base force at Christmas island, and addtional fuel, might be an interesting though -- if you can do so without big risk of loosing it.

The major risk with retaking Palmyra, besides a failed CV battle (which can occur anywhere else as well, and presently with Sara hit, you probably would find it a good timing), would be a forth an back over it: You counterinvade with KB cover, put 3 divs on the island, but have to withdraw to replenish -- and Andy awaits the moment to bring in his reinforcements. Then it would get tight, and would need gain naval superiority...

[inqistor]

Does Japan have enough land based planes (not including BETTies) to succesfully attack Allied CVs? There should be two large KATE units in Japan, and one small in China. There is one, small, unrestricted VAL unit, and another, large, in Japan. How many of them non-permanently restricted? If all, that should be around 100 anti-ship planes - not enough. Sending more BETTies is throwing out map coverage, so first proposition would generate too much unnecessary loses, and will halt pilot training.

There are troops in Palmyra, but they can not start building forts, before they repair base first. It would be easy to keep base damaged all the time.

Firstly, as an experiment:
Anchor KB in Palmyra. Lets see how many CATALINAs get through 300 strong KB CAP

I checked 3rd Marine Division composition in WITP sheet, maybe it is different in AE. Anyway, largest guns are only 105mm (in case of defending from bombardments), and they have no organic AA defence.

Loses so far, for three days of combat (first include tank unit):
Squads: 29 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 96 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 64 (63 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Squads: 36 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 45 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (9 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Squads: 7 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

So, around 100 squads destroyed (that is 1/3rd of original 300), and 50 disabled. Division is at half infantry strength, not counting loses during landing. 150 non-combat destroyed, and 100 disabled - this is half of support. Engineer loses are deepening repair problems. So Division have now less than 50% AV.
Overstack demands 20% more supply for every 10% overstacking people. So they are eating 300-400% now.
You can not turn off repairs, so until then - no forts. Repairs use supplies, and to ensure they will never repair completely, and make sure to keep airfield closed...
BOMBARD
There should be no mines. The only danger is organic artillery (12*105mm, and some 75mm guns, and 81mm mortars), so...
Detach all heavy ships from nearby fleets (including KB), and bombard. If there are heavy ships you can go point-blank. If you want to get little risk, use also Destroyers at point-blank. Actually Christmas Island should be big enough to rearm those Destroyers main guns.
Now, when KB is done hunting remnants, unleash full complement onto Palmyra. There are no AA defence anyway, so maybe strafing? Does squads, or artillery have any buildup AA capability?

In few days, Palmyra will use ALL supply because of bombardments, and defenders should have most squads disabled, because of it. So in short time, there will be unsupplied Marine Division, with most squads disabled, and with gigantic Fatigue, and Disruption. So why actually waiting with counter-invasion? Get those Divisions onboard immediately. KB will rearm, and while it will be back, it should accompany invasion fleet. Remember of constant bombardments (mostly unopposed). Land just ONE DIVISION, it should be enough. If not, exchange it for other. You only need to take LOTS of supplies. In two-three weeks, there will be 10k new workers at River Kwai bridge

[aprezto]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

You can not turn off repairs, so until then - no forts. Repairs use supplies, and to ensure they will never repair completely,

Repairs no longer use supplies, only construction uses supplies. Also, he has stated why he's waiting: his troops are only prepared to about 10 (of 100) preparation. If he attacks now this inadequate preparation will severely damage his attacking units in the surf, let alone against opposition.

[PzB74]

Yep, I didn't know that; repairs doesn't cost supplies in AE...that was in WitP!
So troops can starve, but they can still work [;)]

Appreciate the input everyone; much valuable advice here.

Very good summary of 3rd Marine losses Inquistor! [:)]
We can indeed bomb the Marines, if not to death at least to Heck to regroup!-)
I observed a DM, so have to send in a minesweeper when the ground has been cleared.

LoneGun; if we can trick Andy into believing the KB has retired we could indeed win a major victory.
Maybe we can find a way without actually splitting up the KB.

A few points to your comments Jahn;

*) We should be able to re-arm heavy cruisers at Christmas Island using our AKE and naval support.
- I'm moving more naval support in from Rabaul

*) If we land with unprepped divisions 50% of the troops landing will become casualties.
You saw what happened to Andy's 100% prepped division; he failed most of his rolls and got 2x35 AV assaults plus one good one with some 230 AV.
If we land and shatter our division it's not likely that we will get much fight out of them.

*) If the 3rd Marines remain on Palmyra they will not be able to improve their position; they will only burn supplies and try to fix damage we make sure stay up.
Continous attacks and bombardments will slowly reduce the division until Andy returns.

But I do agree that we should continue with our preparations for a counterattack; I'm loading 2 crack divisions prepped for Palmyra and moving them closer to
the Line Islands. There they will continue to prep and be available if needed.

Regarding the USS Saratoga; I never saw anything more to hear after we hit her with 3 torps.
Would there be a massive OP loss report even if Andy pulled the plug on her?
- If not I would be inclined to believe that the 3 torps and fuel storage explosion was enough to rip her apar.
So let's place a bet; who think's she's a gonner and who think's she'll be back? [:)]

Ok todays AAR:

We clean up most of the remaining enemy shipping around Palmyra.
Potent flak is coming from the Island, especially against low flying dive bombers.

Todays "surprise attack" came in Burma; after reorganizing our armies a strong contingent moved against the enemy's flank SSE of Kalemyo
and routed the Indian division there. Our armored elements pursued the fleeing enemy into Kalemyo and we're now threatening to un-hinge his defenses.
- Andy now has to decide whether to retain his presece south of the river or reinforce Kalemyo to provent us from threatening Imphal and thus cutting of his troops! [8D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 27, 43

Sub Attacks

We had numerous encounters with strong enemy forces around PH and didn't score any hits.
Another of our subs is damaged and has to RTB in the Home Islands for repairs.

Submarine attack near Palmyra at 172,130

Japanese Ships
SS I-28

Allied Ships
xAKL Kailua, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAKL Kailua is sighted by SS I-28
SS I-28 launches 6 torpedoes at xAKL Kailua
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-34, hits 5

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
CA Australia
CA Quincy
CA Louisville
CA Portland
CLAA Oakland
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
DD Dewey
DD Carmick
DD Saufley
DD Thracian
DD Scout
DD Voyager
DD Worden

SS I-34 is sighted by escort
DD Thracian fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Scout fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Voyager fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Worden fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Voyager attacking submerged sub ....
DD Worden fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 169,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CL Kuma
CL Tama
DD Oshio
DD Yamagumo
DD Minegumo

Allied Ships
PT-148
PT-149, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-150, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT-151, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 171,134, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Shiratsuyu, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 1
DD Tadeshiwa
DD Katsutade

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 1
DD Tucker, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Downes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G3M2 Nell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Wear
xAKL Island Mail
xAKL Malama, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Recon Regiment, at 58,42
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 6
B-17E Fortress x 5

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Recon Regiment, at 58,42
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Recon Regiment, at 58,42
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 13

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,132
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Tucker, on fire
DD Downes, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,132
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M3a Zero x 9
D4Y1 Judy x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 172,132
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
D4Y1 Judy x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Palmyra at 170,133
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
B5N2 Kate x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Tennessean, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 37
A6M3a Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 11
D3A1 Val x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Island Mail, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
LCT-60, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AM Herald, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Heed, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
LCT-59, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Wear, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 59,43
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 74768 troops, 749 guns, 770 vehicles, Assault Value = 3388
Defending force 9778 troops, 129 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 394

Japanese adjusted assault: 1598
Allied adjusted defense: 393

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2845 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 130 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Vehicles lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Units pursuing 8

Allied ground losses:
3368 casualties reported
Squads: 74 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 135 destroyed, 121 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 28 disabled
Guns lost 12 (8 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 70 (25 destroyed, 45 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
33rd Division
79th Infantry Regiment
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
1st Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
38th Division
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
2nd Recon Battalion
1st Recon Battalion
2nd Mobile Engineer Regiment
6th Guards Division
65th Brigade
14th Tank Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
Guards Tank Division
16th Field AA Machinecannon Company
55th Field AA Battalion
21st Army

Defending units:
14th Indian Division
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma

Many of our damaged units have now been restituted in Rangoon and are ready to return to the front.
Let's try to shake the tree and see what happens.

[Cribtop]

Great job at Kalemyo! He is in danger here and may have to start all over a year later. Delaying is winning for JFBs.

I'd suggest CVEs with fighters and dive bombers getting spotted overflying Allied bases if you want to try Lone Gunman's plan.

PS - LG, ignore this as I'd NEVER try it against you in our PBEM. [:D]

[castor troy]

repairs never needed supplies, they also didn´t in WITP. Base repairs that is, HI/oil/ressources repairs of course always used supplies

[TheLoneGunman_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: PzB

LoneGun; if we can trick Andy into believing the KB has retired we could indeed win a major victory.
Maybe we can find a way without actually splitting up the KB.

Sneakier, and a lot less risky. I like it! Now let's see how you pull it off! [:D]

[PzB74]

Thx Crib, only 2.5 months left of the fighting season in Burma; we're in no hurry to see that happen anymore!-)
Hm, I do have a trick up my sleeve; not sure it'll work but maybe - it's at least semi cunning [:)]

I'm having problems getting TFs remaining on stations even though told to.
Continously they RTB with topped fuel tanks.

This turn we sweep Chittagong but only some of our bombers fly. We claim quite a few enemy fighters plus 3 Wellingtons on the ground.
Air intel shows heavy concentration of enemy fighters and bombers.

Suddenly enemy fighters sweep Rangoon! Many of our fighters are resting but the ones on CAP duty at 30k feet handle the attackers quite well.
Possible that Andy wanted to bomb Rangoon this turn but bombers stayed home because of poor weather. It's seldom large number of bombers stay in Chittagong
for more than 1 turn without being used.

Near the Line Islands our escort carrier bomb a retreating enemy TF and score hits on a destroyer and a cargo ship.
The dull thing about escort carriers is that they don't carry torpedoes; thus it would be much better to equip them with Judy dive bombers with 500kg bombs.
Unfortunately I don't have that many available dive bomber units.

It was quite satisfying to watch the Judy's plant 500kg bombs into enemy destroyers some turns ago; finally we have a counter to the US SBDS! [8D]
With the coming of March we're ready to start production of the Jill TBD.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 28, 43

Surface Combat

The Yamato group reacts 4 hexes against a lone PT boat [8|]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 170,133, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CL Kitakami
DD Arikaze
DD Takakaze
DD Satsukaze
DD Susukaze

Allied Ships
PT-148, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 46
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 7 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 43
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 30
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 178,123
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Perth
DD Chevalier, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Betelgeuse, Bomb hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 32
Spitfire Vc Trop x 4
Kittyhawk III x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 5 destroyed
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 15000 feet *
4 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
19 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 78

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
Kittyhawk III x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
41 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
36 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 15

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
Wellington Ic: 2 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Hilo at 178,123
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N2 Kate x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD O'Bannon
DD DeHaven
CL Perth
DD Chevalier
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Line Islands

[PzB74]

A most incredible turn!!!!

Last turn I observed lots of enemy ac at Chittagong but fail to bomb them properly.
So I decided to try again; with good results we swept and bombed the place, destroying numerous CAP fighters and bombers on the ground.

Amazingly Andy decides to bomb Rangoon; he should know that he has to strike immediately and not wait. Yesterdays sweeps and intel reports made me take
precautionary actions; bombers and surplus ac were moved out of Rangoon and all fighters put on CAP at high alert.

What happens? 165 enemy heavy and medium bombers attack Rangoon helter skelter with insufficient escorts and sweeps.
We have 125 Tojo's and 35 Nicks airborne and they inflict Schweinfurt kind of casualties upon the enemy. Granted, they destroy 20 ac on the ground and rough up the facilities
but at what cost!! Including the heavies destroyed on the ground ca 55 are destroyed today including 27 B-17's

136 enemy to 51 friendly ac losses is the total for the day; only 12 Jap pilots were reported KIA though and most of the enemy losses were 2 or 4 engine fighters and bombers.

This is enough to cripple the enemy heavy bomber force in Burma.
Will be interesting to see if Andy comes back tomorrow [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 01, 43

Surface Combat

An armed merchant cruiser intercepts a massive enemy convoy between PH and the West Coast with NO escorts; Andy must be mad.
The AMC fires only a few shells before the enemy convoy escapes [8|] BUT look at this:

xAK Havildar collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK Hurricane collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK West Camargo collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
xAK Mormacrio collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
xAK Clan Macquarrie collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK West Ira collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
xAK Hauraki collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK Makiki collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
YMS-134 collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
YMS-133 collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape

Hahaha, half the convoy smashes into each other as they madly rush to escape our impotent assailant! [:D]
We finish of 2 crippled AM's at Palmyra..

Night Time Surface Combat, near Palmyra at 170,133, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Naganami
DD Kiyonami
DD Hikokaze
DD Ishikaze

Allied Ships
AM Heed, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
AM Herald, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near San Francisco at 211,83, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Bankok Maru

Allied Ships
LST-452
LST-457
xAK Mahukona
xAK Makawao
xAK Makena
xAK Makiki
xAK Makua
xAK Maliko
xAK Manulani
xAK Mokihana
xAK Olopana
xAK Onomea
xAK Waimea
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK Donald McKay
xAK Mormacdove
xAK Mormachawk
xAK Mormacmar
xAK Mormacrio
xAK Mormacsul
xAK Mormacwren
xAK Jefferson Myers
xAK San Angelo
xAK San Felipe
xAK San Gabriel
xAK San Simeon
xAK San Vincente
xAK Admiral Wiley
xAK Admiral Cole
xAK Admiral Gove
xAK Admiral Laws
xAK Admiral Senn
xAK Admiral Wood
xAK Admiral Williams
xAK President Quezon
xAK Sidney Hauptmann
xAK West Cape
xAK Hollywood
xAK West Cactus
xAK West Camargo
xAK West Ira
xAK West Nilus
xAK West Portal
xAK West Shipper
xAK Sea Fox
xAK Cape Alava
xAK Cape Flattery
xAK Colbert
xAK Ruth Alexander
xAK Alcoa Pioneer
xAK Defiance
xAK Exchange
xAK Fairland, heavy damage
xAK Golden Gate
xAK Hurricane
xAK Santa Isabel
xAK Lipscomb Lykes
xAK Masaya
xAK Nisqually

Reduced sighting due to 25% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 25% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
xAK Havildar collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK Hurricane collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK West Camargo collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
xAK Mormacrio collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
Range closes to 8,000 yards
xAK Clan Macquarrie collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
Range increases to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
xAK West Ira collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
Range increases to 12,000 yards
xAK Hauraki collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
xAK Makiki collides with xAK Fairland at 211 , 83
AMC Bankok Maru engages xAK Santa Isabel at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
YMS-134 collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
Range closes to 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
YMS-133 collides with xAK Exchange at 211 , 83
Range increases to 10,000 yards
AMC Bankok Maru engages LST-457 at 10,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

Our heavy cruisers easily replenished their main guns at Christmas Island; let the Tokyo Express begin [8D]

Night Naval bombardment of Palmyra at 170,133

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Haguro
CA Maya
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Oshio

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 2

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mikuma
CA Mikuma firing at 3rd Marine Division
CA Haguro firing at 3rd Marine Division
CA Maya firing at 3rd Marine Division
DD Minegumo firing at 3rd Marine Division
DD Yamagumo firing at Palmyra
DD Oshio firing at 3rd Marine Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A handful of Corsairs have already campted at Palmyra. Don't think the place is open, another quite desperate move.
I'll be delighted to destroy them piecemeal here.

Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 26
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 26
Kittyhawk IA x 1
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
Kittyhawk III x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 4 destroyed
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 28
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 48
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 36

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
Spitfire Vc Trop x 1
Kittyhawk III x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed, 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 damaged
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
PBY-5A Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
Liberator II: 1 destroyed on ground
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 125
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 35

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 7
Liberator II x 11
Wellington Ic x 10
B-17E Fortress x 40
B-24D Liberator x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 54 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 2 destroyed
Liberator II: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Wellington Ic: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 21 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Japanese Ships
AKE Kato Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

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

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 46
Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 94
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 24

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 9
Wellington Ic x 9
B-17D Fortress x 4
B-17E Fortress x 8
P-38G Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 10 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 17
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 68
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 12000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 65
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 8 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 54
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 16

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 9
B-17E Fortress x 8

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 5 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 39
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 10
B-25C Mitchell x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 3 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged

Japanese 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 6

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Runway hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
G3M2 Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 5

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Port hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 19
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 14

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

The Marines don't have any supplies.....
Quite hopeless; a barge convoy created at Palmyra takes of 1400 troops to reduce the overstacking of the island
and invades the dot 0-0 atoll Washington Island. The Yamato et al battle group and 2 other TFs put on react at Fanning Island plus all the bombers nearby
do nothing. Crazy, desperate tactics - I hope!-)

Ground combat at Washington Island (171,135)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 1440 troops, 48 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 107
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 25
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 25 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Washington Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), supply(-)

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Div /7
------------------------------------------------------------

Air Victory in Burma

Our ace list is growing and we now have 3 top aces with 10 kills each.
Notice Cpt Bond of the US Army Air Force with 7 kills; did he get fed up with Roosevelts lies?

[PzB74]

Our AMC posed little danger to the enemy convoy...panic did!

[PzB74]

Enemy barges invade Washington Island...next to the Yamato et al that were busy sinking a PT boat last turn [8|]

[janh]

Unbelievable.  Imagine the surface raider had been a CA or CL...

Andy must be fuming after the last two turns.  Even after taking off 1/3-1/2 of the bomber losses as fog of war, you probably treat yourself with a good whiskey tonight...

[Cribtop]

Schweinfurt indeed. Banzai!

[CapAndGown]

You should have 3 land based dive bomber groups that are fully resizeable, plus one or two others that will not resize to fit the ship, but can be used anyway. Judy's were my first choice for the CVEs. Nice plane. Better in some ways than the Jill since dive bombers seems to have a higher hit percentage, and with those 250kg bombs, they really pack a wallop. Indeed, during my battle of Ponape, the 250kg bombs were able to score penetrating hits on the Maryland and West Virginia (deck armor 108).

If you want a clearer picture of enemy plane losses, check out tracker, it seems to not use FOW. Either way, that is a lot of B-17s. I have gotten up to 10%+ kill rates, but never that much.

[PzB74]

A good Heineken at least

Yep, I got 2 large dive bomber groups at Rabaul; one has been upgraded with Judys.
There are 3 more in the Home Islands, one restricted. Using them to train KB pilots; may place some on the new CVL's when they are converted.
- There is a siz 9 Val unit at Noko Hiva, will check if this one can be expanded.

500kg bombs you mean [8D]

My experience is that tracker shows much the same as the air loss menu...
I think the 3-1 in favor of friendly fighters manned by crack pilots caused havoc with the enemy bomber formations this time.

Less action today; enemy air force withdrawn from front lines in Burma.
We bomb Akyab with little effect.

At Fannington Island airfield size will be increased to 2 tomorrow.
36 Oscar IIbs are already operating out of there; will base 27 Helen II bombers here as well to continue suppressing Palmyra.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 02, 43

Surface Combat

The biggest overkill ever; the Yamato and sister nukes a barge convoy...
The comfort is that the convoy was loaded with Marines!
- Was Andy re-embarking these troops from Washington Island or bringing in more from Palmyra?
There are no more ships at Palmyra so I think the first is the case, but why?

Night Time Surface Combat, near Washington Island at 171,135, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Yamato
BB Musashi
CL Kitakami
DD Arikaze
DD Takakaze
DD Satsukaze
DD Susukaze

Allied Ships
AM Skylark, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AM Starling, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
AM Kingfisher, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
LCT-58, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-61, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-64, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LCT-65, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-128, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-129, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1945 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 110 (84 destroyed, 26 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 28
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 20

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G3M2 Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses

Runway hits 16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Palmyra , at 170,133
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 10

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goodbye Cruel World

Al, I expect more civilized behaviour from you when you start ferry your Marines around the Pacific [;)]

[PzB74]

This is Trackers stats for Allied air losses during the "Rangoon Raid".
Almost the same as in game air stats; 136 ac lost including 49 heavy bombers.
- Andy should now have learned that the LibII is unarmored and very vulnerable; to be used for search and anti ship duties only.

I've now destroyed some 165 B-17s, someone said the Allies don't get too many of them; how many is exactly "not too many"? [:'(]

[Mynok]

not too many

It's always "more than you've destroyed". Funny how that is.

[ckammp]

In Scenario 02, the Allied player has the following numbers of B-17s available:

B-17D - 54
B-17E - 223
B-17F - 48
Total - 325

These totals include all B-17s in at-start pools, at-start squadrons, replacement rates, and re-inforcement squadrons. Please note, many of the replacement squadrons and at-start squadrons equipped with B-17s have withdraw dates, so the effective total will be less than shown.

[janh]

Andy is shuffling his poor marines around... hmmh, maybe soon engineers as well (though none reported lost)?  Maybe he saw that opening Palmyra might be tough without parking his USN CVs there until the damage is repaired and the airfield can sustain its own covering operations, so he thought building an airfield on Washington island could be an alternative?

My gut feeling tells me that if you can keep an eye on the position of the US CV's and make sure KB can safely cover a landing convoy from a hidden position (for the beautiful surprise attack from the rear), you should throw two divisions onto Palmyra now.  The situation might be much worse there than so far considered, and Andy might be frantically rushing to get his CVs resupplied and back into a covering position to resupply/reinforce the island before you can react.  He has been so determined to take it, I doubt he would withdraw the Marines now to safety.