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

[PzB74]

Oh yes, the B-24 is the only flying version in the world!
Was that an original He-111 or a Spanish one?

Can imagine CC [:)]
Still whining from not flying the P-51, getting the actually fly it not only being a passenger would be the culmination of all dreams.
Well, good to have something to look forward to I guess.

Ok, we're back into the war, November 43!

Kinda hard to get back after being away for so many weeks actually.
- Started using the evenings for other things...

Andy has sworn that he will destroy KB at all costs and has schemed out new plans and plots.
That's ok, I know what we have and what we have to deal with.

Shinano arrives in 24 days, that'll boost KB to 12 CVs and 4 CVLs with another 2 CVLs completing their conversions.

KB is 100% repaired and manned, we now need to repair our surface fleet and upgrade our army fighters
to the Frank. End 43 is a dangerous time for Japan, enemy Thids, Spits, Mustangs and Corsairs together with
hundreds of 4Es completely dominate the air. I think the best strategy is not to face the torrent before we have
large numbers of Franks, Georges and Jacks ready to meet them. Also want a sizeable reserve of pilots to meet
the next enemy assault when it comes. Andy can own the perimeters as long as we can achieve local superiority
at any chosen point when required. Kinda like a rattlesnake, pull back and wait and then strike fast and hard
from the rear.

Hundreds of air strikes over Burma and southern New Guinea.
Deleted em from the report, 12 enemy ac lost today including 3 Cats shot down by our CAP.
We loose a cople of recon planes.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 22, 43

Cleared hundreds of air-laid maines at Waingapoe.

TF 247 encounters mine field at Waingapoe (63,113)

Japanese Ships
AMc Toshi Maru #1
AMc Tamo Maru #6
AMc Takunan Maru #3
AMc Choun Maru #7

151 mines cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Sank an AS near Trinc.

Sub attack near Trincomalee at 32,49

Japanese Ships
SS I-32, hits 1

Allied Ships
AS Janssens, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AM Kathiawar
AVP Merel
AVP Orion
AGP Aldebaran
AM Kumaon
AM Kyber
AM Carnatic

SS I-32 launches 6 torpedoes at AS Janssens
I-32 diving deep ....
AM Kumaon fails to find sub and abandons search
AM Kyber attacking submerged sub ....
AM Carnatic attacking submerged sub ....
AM Kyber attacking submerged sub ....
AM Carnatic fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Kyber fails to find sub and abandons search
AM Carnatic fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Carnatic fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Carnatic fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attrition

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 23, 43

Sub Attacks

Sub attack near Lahaina at 187,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
xAK Willimoto, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage

SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Willimoto
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Moved a small AA LCU onto the road north of Schwebo and it was pummeled to death by
hundreds of enemy ac! Enemy LCUs moving south as well, looks like another Burma assault is in the making.
- Will be tougher to stop it this time with a 1000 enemy ac around.

We also hit an unescorted convoy moving to unload poor Kiwi troops on a small atoll no doubt [;)]

Morning Air attack on 47th AA Machinecannon Company, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D Mitchell x 12
Blenheim I x 12
Blenheim IV x 27
Blenheim VD x 18
Wellington Ic x 3
Wellington B.X x 15
A-20G Havoc x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-51A Mustang x 20

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 47th AA Machinecannon Company, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 15
Wellington B.X x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 47th AA Machinecannon Company, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IId Trop x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IId Trop: 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Hurricane IId Trop bombing from 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 47th AA Machinecannon Company, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 14
A-20G Havoc x 15

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (17 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 47th AA Machinecannon Company, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 21

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 121,145
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-46-IIIb Dinah x 6

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-46-IIIb Dinah sweeping at 15000 feet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vanikoro at 121,145
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Am. Packer, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAP Raranga, Torpedo hits 1

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Continued Attrition

[ADB123]

Sub attack near Lahaina at 187,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
xAK Willimoto, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage

SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Willimoto

Was this transport unescorted too?

(One would think that Andy would start learning...)

[Cribtop]

Welcome back, PzB. Think about where you are vs the historical situation in Nov. '43. Scenario 2 notwithstanding it's an impressive achievement.

Makes sense Andy would try again in Burma. Given surface and CV losses he has little choice for a while. As you say, with that many machines in the air this attack is a bit ominous, but we believe.

[inqistor]

So, does RL 4E seems as tough, as in-game? Have you felt better protected, than in passenger flight? [:)]

It seems, that number of daily sorties is finally comparable. Is it weather, or Allies really got THAT MUCH loses?
What is your pilot loses, and untrained replacement pools? It seems in 1944 monthly surge of pilots rise to gigantic proportion.

ORIGINAL: PzB
Moved a small AA LCU onto the road north of Schwebo and it was pummeled to death by
hundreds of enemy ac!

At least it seems, that Japanese AA is working. Several last times loses were closer to none. Those 20mm machine-cannons must be better, than early AA weaponry.

[PzB74]

Not sure ADB, it could be a single unescorted ship or it could be that it was part of a convoy and was sunk without the sub being detected!

Thx Cribtop [:)]
Andy says he have schemed for weeks now and morale is obviously top notch.
So we have to keep on fighting to make progress slow and costly for our Scottish friend.

If we can continue to sink and damage enemy carriers without taking crippling losses to the KB we will force the Allies to support a single amph offensive at the time while continously striking back with surprise attacks and flanking manouvers. Flexible, resilient and tough as a coil of razor wire - that's what we have to be in 1944![8D]

Well, lots of aluminium, lots of guns and 4 reliable engines..walking the corridor over the bomb bay in flight was kinda exciting but indeed an impressive airplane Inq!

I'm actually holding back but next turn we will put up a fight.
I've sent a large number of Franks, Georges and Nicks on LRCAP to protect an LCU moving through the same hex were Andy destroyed our 20mm AA unit last turn. 170 fighters in all, flying from 4 to 9 hexes. If Andy doesn't sweep like he didn't last tur he should feel our sting!

[PzB74]

Let's hope this works....

[Xxzard]

I like how the "RE: The Empire Strikes Back!" subtitle continues to be valid over a period of months for this campaign! [:D][:D][:D]

[PzB74]

Hopefully it will continue like that for another few months [;)]

No ground strikes today and our LRCAP ac had enormous fatigue and had to stand down...
Our Merauke CAP claimed lots of kills though, Andy said 12 P-38s were lost and that it's back to sweeps as Escort clearly doesn't work.
...what else is new [:'(]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 24, 43

Surface Combat

Testing enemy defenses near Akyab and removing some MTBs:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 54,45, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Makigumo
DD Makinami
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio

Allied Ships
MTB 279, Shell hits 2, on fire
MTB 280
MTB 281
MTB 282
MTB 283, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 7% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 7% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
Range closes to 3,000 yards...
Range closes to 1,000 yards...
DD Hagikaze engages MTB 283 at 1,000 yards
DD Hagikaze engages MTB 282 at 1,000 yards
DD Makinami engages MTB 282 at 1,000 yards
MTB 283 sunk by DD Makigumo at 1,000 yards
DD Makinami engages MTB 279 at 1,000 yards
Range increases to 2,000 yards
DD Asashio engages MTB 279 at 2,000 yards
DD Asashio engages MTB 280 at 2,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

The sub is riddled by 20mm shells and the deck gun is destroyed.
1 shell hit and the AK is reported heavily damaged [&:]

Submarine attack near Lahaina at 187,105

Japanese Ships
SS I-164, hits 7

Allied Ships
xAK Alcoa Planter, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Alcoa Planter is sighted by SS I-164
SS I-164 attacking on the surface
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

This is the full air combat report for the day!

Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 3
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
B-24J Liberator x 38
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
P-51A Mustang x 20

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd Tank Division ...
Also attacking Mandalay ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 59,46 (Mandalay)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 9
Blenheim IV x 9
Blenheim VD x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Blenheim VD: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim I bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Merauke , at 89,124
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 3
Kittyhawk III x 11
PV-1 Ventura x 9
P-38H Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-38H Lightning: 2 destroyed

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Merauke , at 89,124
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 6
PV-1 Ventura x 6
P-38H Lightning x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minute
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Merauke , at 89,124
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 14

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 4000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 2000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Terapo , at 96,127
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Mitchell II bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson I bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 59,46 (Mandalay)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 6
Spitfire VIII x 13
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington B.X x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 2 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Wellington B.X bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Blenheim VD bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 15
B-17E Fortress x 15

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged
Liberator B.III: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 40

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Liberator II bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Liberator B.III bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 77
P-38H Lightning x 22

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 19
Runway hits 239

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mandalay , at 59,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 1 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 7

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 14
P-38E Lightning x 7
P-38F Lightning x 15

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116
Weather in hex: Light rain

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

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Roti , at 67,116
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 1000 feet
Airfield Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 8
P-38G Lightning x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Losses & Fatigue

Look at the fatigue...1 LRCAP mission!

[PzB74]

Set up a bombardment run on Darwin but was spotted 9 hexes away; Andy has learned the naval search rule...
I was quite sure he would move his heavies out of Darwin but decided to hit the place anyway.

Worked ok - no major losses to the enemy but 4Es on naval bombing missions met a wall of steel as well as a CAP.
In Burma the Tank Bde moving to the front took a heavy pummeling. 130 enemy fighters swept followed by hundreds of ground bombers.
- Have to take the hits since I need to reinforce the front after spotting the massive enemy buildup.

Will have to move in bulk in the future, dozens of AA and support units following the LCUs will limit serious losses.
Andy loves the Burma theatre and with his Navy licking its wounds I know we're in for another round...like it or not.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 25, 43

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kinugasa
CA Mogami
CA Atago
CA Takao
CL Isuzu
CL Oyodo

Allied ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 64 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 38
Port hits 1

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Kirishima
BB Kirishima firing at 41st Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Hiei
BB Hiei firing at 40th Infantry Division
E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Haruna
BB Haruna firing at 3rd Australian Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at 27th Infantry Division
CA Kinugasa firing at 3rd Australian Division
CA Mogami firing at 40th Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Atago
CA Atago firing at Darwin
CA Takao firing at 27th Infantry Division
CL Isuzu firing at 41st Infantry Division
CL Oyodo firing at 27th Infantry Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7
N1K1-J George x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 21
B-24J Liberator x 6
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo
DD Natsushio
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Takao
CL Oyodo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 12
Blenheim IV x 15
Blenheim VD x 24
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Blenheim VD: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 30

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 32 (3 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-20A Havoc x 12
A-20G Havoc x 29

Allied aircraft losses
A-20A Havoc: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
N1K1-J George x 4

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
N1K1-J George x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kazegumo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
N1K1-J George x 4

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
B-24J Liberator x 9
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
DD Hayanami
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Atago
BB Haruna
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 11
P-38G Lightning x 19

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Moa at 74,116
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 41 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
N1K1-J George x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet *
Naval Attack: 5 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Stats

[Mynok]

Was that an original He-111 or a Spanish one?

Probably Spanish considering the plane was phased out by the Germans pretty early in the war. I was too enthralled at how small it was to remember whether it smelled like tapas or beer. [:D]

[PzB74]

There's only one still flying...maybe it was this one? [:)]

CASA (Spanish Built) He-111
The Spanish built version of the famous He-111, actually a CASA 2111 H-16, this aircraft is based at the Arizona Wing of The Commemorative Air Force and was photographed in February 2000. This machine was the personal transport of General Franco and is the last one of its type still flying regularly. It has visited Vancouver, Canada a couple of times in recent years. The aircraft is powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines because of the non availability of original German engines at the end of World War II. In the background is the Wing's example of the North American SNJ.

Adolf said he'd rather pull a tooth than have another meeting with Franco, so much for that Alliance [:D]

[Fishbed]

Hey PzB old buddy,

been reading your AAR after quite a pause in my playing life, not quite finished yet (I am just done with the big SRA yet-another-Allied-genocide right now), seriously, I am surprised Andy even finds any ship left to fight after those blows?! Great job on your side anyway, I guess we won't be using saucepans as scrap metal as early in the war as we had to in your WitP game, even though that was already years later than everyone else [;)]

Makes me willing to post my own AAR, but I definitely lack your courage. Although it's most inspiring. I learned a lot from watching you playing over the years [8D]

[castor troy]

Long ago I´ve ranted about fat in LRCAP missions as it was like flying one mission means death due to fatigue. Lots of rants about it in my AAR and back then I even dared to start a thread about it and was told all is well.

Only thing you can do is to set them to 50% LRCAP and 50% rest and you will stay in a perfect area of fatigue.

[Fishbed]

ORIGINAL: PzB


Air Losses & Fatigue

Look at the fatigue...1 LRCAP mission!

Were they more or less at zero before? That's strange, it doesn't happen to me (even though sometime ago it felt like Japanese pilots seemed to get tired much quicker than their allied counterparts, but maybe that's due to their longer-legged planes and average flight time). If it skyrocketed from zero to 99, it's a bug. Had some Beaufighter pilots in their 60s after forgetting them on 100% LRCAP for 5 or 6 days, but never had something like that, even with so few extra pilots.

[inqistor]

OMIGOD! Japan have 300 sorties more, than Allies! Probably first time, since 1941.

Do I actually see there Blenheims I, and Hudsons I? The same crap Allies begin war with? They are vulnerable even to NATEs! A CAP trap should bag lots of planes.
It seems that currently only Mandalay area is anywhere, within bombers range, with railroad, so you should get there all possible TONY units. They fly, they CAP, airfield gets bombarded, you rail them back to Rangoon, base is opened again, you fly fresh unit. Repeat.

ORIGINAL: PzB
Look at the fatigue...1 LRCAP mission!

99 fatigue is far too much. The top I have seen were early-60s. Were they using drop-tanks?
Also, what the he.., some guys have over 100 missions, and Defence still at mid-30s?
And actually, it seems that it did not improved during last month. Have you set any percentage for training?
I like this Hazawa guy. He have every skill above 40, now THAT IS AN INSTRUCTOR!

There are, at least, 4 Divisions at Darwin. It will be hard to get them somewhere else, beside northern-Australia.

[beppi]

Your situation in Burma is quite good. Especialy the Lashio/Mandalay/Schwebo triangle is very good to defend. Lashio guards the eastern approach to mandalay as it is the only non river hex where you can realy assault as allied without Schwebo undern allied control.

You can shift units quite qickly and in good strength between this three cities if neccesary as the Mandalay->Lashio Rail is in Jungle. And hex defense adds to defense against air attack.

Try to get the forts as high as possible. They do offer a very good protection against air attacks for you units and especialy if you have the forts hight in the Lashio/Mandalay/Schwebo triangle and if you can shift around 2-3k Av units between them it is almost impossible to loose them without flanking operations. In my current game it is a little different as we play a map without the supply restrictions in burm but even with 9k allied av i am not able to kick 5k japanese av out. He just moves to fast between the cities if i try to assault them.

For the fighters, the George is an superb plane which most players underestime as everyone whants to have the Frank. The repair rates for both planes suck without any doubt but the 4x20mm the George mounts and the good seed/alt and mvr ratings from my experience i would rate it > Hellcat,P38G/H/L, = P38J,F4U,F4U-1 and weaker than the P47. It is the perfect bomber killer as it eats even the 4E alive but it is a very good fighter too. Has to fight around 300 Georges in the rabaul area with good trained pilots and the allied losses where way more than 200.

[janh]

Hmmh, with that FAT the ops losses must skyrock?!  LRCAP/Rest = 50/50 is the usual combination that I also employ, yet even then I find I can sustain that rate only for a few days.  Depends also on the distance, though.

Can you post a screen of your economy?

[FatR]

Don't see any point in holding Schwebo against a serious Allied assault. It's always better to force a river crossing attack.

[beppi]

ORIGINAL: FatR

Don't see any point in holding Schwebo against a serious Allied assault. It's always better to force a river crossing attack.

If you lose Schwebo Lashio can be easily cut off and mandalay can be assaulted from the east and the west without any river crossing and without any danger to the allieds beeing cut off. Defending the open hex west of Mandalay is close to impossible. Any division parked there will be reduced to dust with a few days/weeks of bombing. 1944+ any attempt to defend an open hex field is pure sucicide even if you bring a lot of flak units. Only cities with forts 4-5+ and heavy terrain hex offers protection against the bombers. So that hex is more or less undefendable and exactly that is the open way to Mandalay and the rest of central Burma. In addition Schwebo blocks the access to the road leading down to the SW which is very good for any fast armor assaults to cut off central Burma. And the brtish armored Bdes get very strong with their tank upgrades in late 1943 and 1944.