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

[janh]

Looks actually good over Burma.  Given your low pilot losses, and the rather low fraction of modern airframes among your losses, my gut feel says Andy is actually making a mistake here.  He should wait a few more months until he can put bigger numbers of the 47's and 51's up and pursue a more coordinated effort of daily sweeps combined with day and night bombings. 
How are CENTPAC and SOPAC doing?  Any supicious buildups around New Guinea or the Solomons?  Do you still have a good recon of Pearl?

[PzB74]

True Janh, I don't feel stressed about losses or the situation; just the lack of cohesion in the game at times.
No more attacks today, Andy forgot that it's possible to rail out damaged aircraft.

In the future I will only have 0-1 reserve ac for frontline units; always these that are destroyed on the ground during 4E nuke attacks.
Imagine 15x4 reserve ac = 60, half of what we lost.

In due time Allies will rule the skies, but we will delay - delay - delay and fight over friendly turf.
Quiet in CentPac and SoPac; without naval supremacy I don't worry about these theatres until end 1st Quarter 44.

Carrier Shinano is ready for battle; we now field a mighty fleet of carriers with over 1000 elite pilots.
Will be 2 more months until further reinforcements arrive; still waiting for 1-2 CVs and 3-4 CVLs (producing and converting).
- In the next few days the air units from the CV Hiyo and 3 CVLs lost in Cent Pac will reform in Home Islands.
They will train as replacement pilots for KB. If - when KB is lost they will convert to George - Jacks.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 21, 43

Surface Combat

Indecisive attack; defending escorts launched lots of torps and drove the cruisers away.
Too bad, had hoped to shoot up a few ships.

Andy is using his LBA to bomb Ompa Lompa (or whatever its called) so I could walk in and out as I saw fit [;)]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Nuku Hiva at 191,167, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Yura
CL Tenryu

Allied Ships
DE Arrow
DE Bebas
DD Crane
DD Kilty
DD Humphreys, Shell hits 1
AM Vigilance
APA Cambria
SC PC-786
SC PC-1085
xAK Sea Barb
xAK Nisqually
xAK Singu
xAK Clan Macfadyen

Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 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...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 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...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 6,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 6,000 yards
Miyoshi, Teruhiko crosses the 'T'
DD Humphreys engages CL Yura at 6,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Kilty at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Humphreys at 8,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Kilty at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Humphreys at 5,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Kilty at 5,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Crane at 5,000 yards
CL Yura engages DE Arrow at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages DD Kilty at 2,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Kilty at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Humphreys at 3,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A few examples of today's air strikes; 22 enemy ac lost (10 flak, 12 ops) to only 1 Jap ac (ops).
Expensive to strafe AA units.

Morning Air attack on Yokosuka 6th SNLF, at 192,169 (Hiva Oa)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 8
SBD-5 Dauntless x 26


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x SBD-5 Dauntless bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 165 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IId Trop x 15
Hurricane FR.IIb x 11
Lysander II x 12
A-20A Havoc x 6
A-20G Havoc x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 20

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IId Trop: 8 damaged
Hurricane IId Trop: 1 destroyed by flak
Hurricane FR.IIb: 7 damaged
Hurricane FR.IIb: 1 destroyed by flak
A-20A Havoc: 2 damaged
A-20G Havoc: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Air Defense AA Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indecisive engagement

[inqistor]

Actually, that fight over Rangoon seems similar to situation, when you massacred Allied CVs near Australia. Almost NONE of aircraft is airborne, at the beginning. What was exact CAP settings? I was always wondering about Andys settings then.
It seems planes joined combat, but far too late to catch attackers.

ORIGINAL: PzB
Allied aircraft
Hurricane FR.IIb x 39

I thought they are recon planes?
Anyway, good luck trying shot armored planes, with .303 [:D]

Remember, that you have rough production equality, until March.
Also, 10 FlaK loses is pretty good result. What is the AA guns compositions in your units?

[Rob Brennan UK]

Flak losses and dead pilots to ground strafing seems a bit extravagant on Andy's part, Don't fret over the game mechanics too much as we all know S$%^t happens in war and in game occasionally.

FYI , in WOT i'm Harlequininnine .. ok its a silly name ( a Harlequin with a cure for malaria [;)].. and from your stats Pzb i have a ways to go and catch you up before we even think about having a go together. )

Carry on the good job !

[Cribtop]

Just popping in to say I'm still reading intently. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged. Very hard to stop the enemy air/ground steamroller in Burma but remember you've done it once before and now you have much better planes than last time. I think the key at the moment is coming up with a ground plan as fighting in the clear terrain near Mandalay won't work. Are you planning to counterattack as suggested by other posters?

[PzB74]

Yes, I noticed that Inq; CAP settings were 30-40 and later 50-60%. Seems like air combat just evaporated - and that hurt us as the bomber just sailed through,
just like our KB bombers sailed through to kill the enemy fleets. Feels very strange, ghost game attimes.

Andy used some Wildcats in Burma, they died in droves.... [:)]

Thx Rob, I know that to be true and Andy is really driving his bomber guys hard to punish our LCU in northern Burma.
Added you to my contact list in WoT! If you have an SPG it doesn't matter much what level!

I know Cribtop, but there isn't much I can do in northern Burma at the moment. Andy is using a small army supported by 600 aircraft that pounds our positions to dust.
Any counterattack would have to go through that grinder first - but I do have initiated some countermeasures. As the enemy army moved into the open hex north of Schwebo I'm marching an army division to
move into the jungle hex to the rear that we just got routed from. That should stress Andy a bit.

I've posted a sit map for the events of the last few days instead of all the combat reports.
Looks like an enemy trust towards Ramree Island and our flank, another reason I can't committ to heavily in the northern part of the basin.
2 more division unloading at Rangoon to meet these new threats; no choice but to reinforce.

Strategic Map: Burma

[PzB74]

Been pondering over the next turn tonight and I need a discussion on how to best handle the situation in Burma!

Enemy ground troops are slowly moving to cut of our troops norths of Schwebo while more troops are moving south towards Ramree Island region.
- While enemy air attacks only cause major damage in open hexes they do have the capability of reducing supply levels for even highly entrenched units, thus making them vulnerable to attack.
Mounting counterattacks with ground troops is kinda hopeless as long as we don't have air supremacy in the region and this proves difficult as we need to keep most of our fighters in the Rangoon
area to ensure local air superiority there.

Our last attack at the enemy 4E base hit the enemy base hard but _all_ enemy bombers had taken off to bomb Jap bases.
Andy is using Akyab as a hub for his coastal drive and is desperately feeding it with almost suicidal convoys and constant air lift of supplies.

We now need to make a plan for how to handle this situation!
We have 12-13 divisions worth of troops in Burma, currently 40% are on the frontlines so we have reserves but need to take action to stabilize the situation.

1. Is the Burma basin still defendable - if so, how?
2. How should we handle Ramree Island and enemy trust here?
3. How should we deploy our airforce to reduce enemy air attacks on our frontline LCUs?

We do have one ace that can be used with effect; The Japanese Fleet, including KB.
Using bombardments and 1000 ac as a sledge hammer we can efficiently blunt enemy offensives in Ramree area, re-occupy the island and hit enemy LCU formations if they
move into the open. This can be achieved by positioning fleet south of Rangoon and in cover of LBA.

Is the situation critical - and important enough - in Burma to justify the use of our most valuable asset?

Burma

[Mynok]

Probably not IMO. It's all about resources and oil now for the Jap. Burma has few. You should defend wisely and efficiently but expect to be dislodged at some point. It's not a great loss. Anything he puts in this theatre is unavailable for use in far more profitable areas.

[Cribtop]

My two cents:

Option 1 - Use KB and 1 Division to recapture Ramree Island and the coastal zone. KB will also be used to bomb the enemy 4E bases continuously. Rail and fly in boatloads of troops and supply to Scwebo and use the whole IJAAF to defend it from myriad bases in the basin. Counterattack into the woods and hold there.

Option 2 - Still use 1 Division to retake Ramree (amphib supported by KB or march it in via wooded hexes - your choice). IJA falls back to a line Toungoo - Prome.

Option 3 - Given massive naval superiority, use KB and Combined Fleet to hook him. Move like you are preparing for Option 2 while you execute an amphibious & paratrooper assault on his bases in the Assam region of India. Goal is to seize his 4E and supply bases and leave his whole army in Burma cut off and FUBAR.

Not sure whether you have the combat power for Option 3, but I bet you do IF you sucker him halfway down the basin BEFORE executing the amphib. Failing that, Option 2 seems more sensible. I feel like Option 1 plays into his strengths and your weaknesses.

[ny59giants]

You look to be at risk of getting those two hexes due North and NE of Shwebo totally cut off. Then, you will have those in the jungle (above Lashio) too far away from trails/roads to get back into the action quickly and once he can get to Mandalay, they will be out of action and subject to minimal air attacks to keep their disruption high enough to slow their movement down. I would shorten your line to be Shwebo and Lashio plus the two jungle hexes between them that are off the road.

If he has armor in any of those stacks headed down the middle of Burma, then once he breaks out he will roll through those bases regardless of your fort levels quickly until he gets back to jungle hexes.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Probably not IMO. It's all about resources and oil now for the Jap. Burma has few. You should defend wisely and efficiently but expect to be dislodged at some point. It's not a great loss. Anything he puts in this theatre is unavailable for use in far more profitable areas.

+1

Stepping back for a second, you are in a dream position far ahead of historical outcome. IMO your major concern is preventing Andy from making a fast thrust to Okinawa.

Unless your defenses fail entirely, he can't walk from Rangoon to Fusan in the game time left. So, the asian land war is about delay and resource recovery.

Ditto DEI. You've held onto this for far longer than most already. You should have plenty of fuel to last through '46 now and you still have 3 - 6 months more of draining. Maybe more.

North Pacific - As long as you don't lose Hokkaido, it's pretty much moot. There just aren't enough other bases that can develop big enough to support the 4E's in numbers. And with the winter effects, a few LCU's with high Forts and LBA support should be able to hold out.

This leaves the Central Pacific. Only through here can Andy move fast enough to change the game outcome now. He's got to get his 4E's in range of the HI by the end of the year and he won't have the navy to do that for another few months. So he has a very tight timetable. Like the beginning game in reverse now. I would really focus on getting my defenses set in depth in the Pacific. That means the KB has to be out of sight, rested, and lurking.

[inqistor]

A while ago, we could call it success, when you shot down 3 planes by FlaK, and here, again, 7!

Remember, that British squad replacements are none (like 12)?
I do not know why, but you still have MORE sorties, than Allies, and your production can match theirs until March.
So, you have more planes, better pilots, and same replacement rate.
They have definite firepower advantage on land.

You should have no problem in getting air superiority, but you should probably wait, until they advance toward plains (like Mandalay).
Get all your Tank Divisions, to quickly counter Allied breach. Defend on the hard-terrain on the coast, and prepare counterattack in the middle, but be sure to have air-superiority first.
When you push them back, you can turn toward Akyab, and cut some troops on the coast.
It is Japan, you should have more ground troops, than Allies, no matter the game-time.
Oh, and this is the only way to use your short-legged planes. The next occasion will be defending of Japan from B-29.


Actually, whole operation seems identical to last Allied push in Burma.
Last time you tried to attack in difficult terrain, and it ended in stalemate. Now they have even more firepower, so plains are your only option.

Just look closer to your pilot training. Time to cut experience, and increase output.

[janh]

Tough situation now, but I agree that Burma's resources are not worth much.  Yet once the basin falls, you might see a steamroller towards Singapore and Vietnam, which would lead to great troubles for your shipping lines from Java and Sumatra, and probably bring major ports in 4EB range -- which would be catastrophic. 

I would think of these priorities:

1. extract units north of Schwebo that are in danger to be cut off.

2. regain air superiority: i. CAP/air fields in the basin,  ii. CAP/LCU  What air assets have you presently stationed in Burma, and can you strip other areas of fighters even for a short while?  I would try to set up a surprise for him, if possible.  It probably would take a week of extended fights, if Andy choose not to stand down. Daily sweeps, CAP, perhaps be prepared for bombing of his 4E fields the day and night after he catches his bloody nose and likely gives his bombers a rest.

3. establish blocking positions behind the Irrawaddy, particularly securing the rail hubs Mandalay and Magwe.  I am not sure whether it is possible to cover a line of 3 hexes, plus a hex flank cover into the jungle.  It is open terrain, so the question is whether you can provide enough air cover to survive the poundings.  But defense behind a river would be a major benefit.  On the positive side -- the more targets you present to Andy's bombers, the less he seems to focus on one mission (LCU vs. air fields).

4. If possible, Andy should be prevented to secure any foothold in the basin, i.e. also holding Shwebo would be of major use. however, feasibility?

5. Ramree island must be retaken, but perhaps there is an alternative to doing so immediately:  Cribtrops idea is a great one, and seems to have a chance to stop Andy cold in the basin without fighting it out with your LCUs there.  Cox's Basar, Chittagong, Akyab would make nice targets to bomb in conjunction with the LBA battles. 
But moreover, do you know what forces Andy has stationed at these bases?  I would think of an amphib op against a supply center, Akyab or Cox Basar, which if successful would put his forces on Ramree island in an untenable position and hurt his supplies in the basin.  After taking it, there would be two real choices: (a)  given your naval superiority and assuming you can regain air superiority, you LCU could threaten a move towards Imphal, which would hopefully force Andy to retire from the basin towards the north; (b) use port (are both build up to 4?) facilities and get the heck out again.   The major questions are... what LCU strength would this require, how much can his LBA in the area hurt an amphib ops (covered by KB), and how about afterwards supplying a base so close to India?
Hmmh, you could put together an amphib ops while the fight for air superiority lasts, and once the outcome is clear, you could still decide to risk Cox's Basar, or take a smaller risk and reroute it to Ramree island?

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

It is Japan, you should have more ground troops, than Allies, no matter the game-time.

From Tracker for the Dec 08 GC.

IJ:

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL:  inqistor
It is Japan, you should have more ground troops, than Allies, no matter the game-time.

From Tracker for the Dec 08 GC. 
Allies:

[traskott]

@PaxMondo:
Uuh, call me noob, bt what those images meaning ?

[:o]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: traskott

@PaxMondo:
Uuh, call me noob, bt what those images meaning ?

[:o]

he has posted both the ground units for the Japanese and Allied for this campaign.

[traskott]

Thank you !!! [&o][&o]

However, I think problem is not only LCUs availables but the devices required to fill them: If I destroy enough commowealth ( british, aussies and nz ) infantry squads, the allied player has no way to rearm them. If I destroy several japanese divisions, the japanese player will always can rearm them.

[PzB74]

Very good discussion and excellent input guys, appreciate it [:)]
- I've evaluated the pros and cons and here are some considerations:

1. Yes, we need to extract our troops north of Schwebo. Could be difficult but I will work on something.
2. It is difficult to fight in the open terrain in the basin but Allied troops also become vulnerable here.
I have decided to gather a Panzer Army that can match and Allied trust into this strategic important region.
3. The KB will not be used unless absolutely necessary, but a guest appearence may be considered before or during
a major counterstrike.
4. Surface elements of the Combined fleet will support the Burma Area Army; the planning of a counterstrike against
Ramree has already commenced.
5. A major offensive aginast India is to dangerous because:
a) We have to committ KB against LBA
b) Enemy LCU in region is strong and dug into the jungle and reinforcements can easily be railed in
c) Enemy LBA is too strong and can easily disrupt and destroy our ships and troops, making any land offensive impossible
- Offensive action will only be taken within range of LBA

Whether to deploy more air units; This is an open question, do we want to deploy Zekes and Tojos?
I want to rest these experienced units flying older ac models until we can upgrade them with Georges, Jacks and Franks.
Only in an emergency will they be deployed. The less well trained Tojo units may be deployed as base CAP and "expendables".

Here's the full combat report for last turn in Burma so you can see what's happening in detail:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 26, 43

Surface Combat

Day Time Surface Combat, near Akyab at 54,46, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Mutsuki
DD Kisaragi
DD Yayoi
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
MTB 276
MTB 277, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

Sub attack near Bassein at 52,50

Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki
DD Yayoi

Allied Ships
SS Balao

SS Balao launches 6 torpedoes at DD Mochizuki
Balao diving deep ....
DD Yayoi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yayoi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yayoi attacking submerged sub ....
DD Yayoi fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yayoi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat


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

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Army, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Army, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-51A Mustang x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P-51A Mustang sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th Army, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38H Lightning x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Akyab at 54,45
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 113 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2
FM-1 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Glenbank, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DE Godavari


Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 22

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 1 destroyed


Aircraft Attacking:
22 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 77th Chindit Brigade, at 54,48 (Ramree Island)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 3 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 33

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick bombing from 100 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 18

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Vengeance I bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Vengeance I bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
1 x Vengeance I bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 6
Ventura GR.V x 12
B-25G Mitchell x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Ventura GR.V: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ventura GR.V bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 133 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 61 minutes

Allied aircraft
Lysander II x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 29

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Lysander II bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 33rd Ind.Mixed Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 33rd Ind.Mixed Brigade ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 185 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 55 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Mohawk IV sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 24

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 24

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Beaufort I bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x Beaufort I bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 28

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
16 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 14

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Vengeance I bombing from 4000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Vengeance I bombing from 3000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Division, at 59,43 , near Kalemyo
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
Vengeance I x 14

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Spitfire Vc Trop sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 88 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim VD x 11

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Tank Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 48

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Tank Division ...
Also attacking 11th Division ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 14

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 25,100 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-36 Mustang x 22

Allied aircraft losses
A-36 Mustang: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x A-36 Mustang bombing from 100 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Guards Tank Division, at 54,47 , near Ramree Island
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at 54,47 (near Ramree Island)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4171 troops, 64 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 394
Defending force 8545 troops, 128 guns, 668 vehicles, Assault Value = 412

Assaulting units:
75th IAC Regiment
Gardner's Horse Regiment
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
268th Motorised Brigade
8th KGV Light Cav Regiment
Guides Cavalry Regiment
1st Indian Light AA Regiment
77th Coast AA Regiment
23rd Indian Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
Guards Tank Division
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma

Here is an overview of hex controll in Burma; the fact that you can only sweep enemy owned hexes makes it all
a bit more difficult when you are on the defensive. If I want to bomb enemy LCU in a friendly hex I have to rely on the fragile
escorts only and more often then not they fail to materialize which again leads to certain death for our bombers.
- As soon as the situation switches, like Ramree Island, we can turn things around.

Some good news; All the air groups from the Hiyo and 3 CVLs lost a long time ago have now returned.
The majority (but not all, especially not bombers) returned with trained carrier pilots [8D]

We have a lot of reserve pilots and pilots in training; what I'm struggling with is to produce enough HA-45 engines.
The Frank, George as well as the Peggy soon going into production, all use the HA-45 engine. While we are producing 330 engines frame output
equals almost 400 per month and this number will only increase if we produce Peggys. Most likely I will hold back Peggy production until the (t) version
becomes available.

In total we have 8100 ac of all types in service now.

[viberpol]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Here is an overview of hex controll in Burma; the fact that you can only sweep enemy owned hexes makes it all
a bit more difficult when you are on the defensive. If I want to bomb enemy LCU in a friendly hex I have to rely on the fragile
escorts only and more often then not they fail to materialize which again leads to certain death for our bombers.

Are you sure PzB?
I have no problem sweeping friendly hex if only there is an enemy unit in it.

What's more, quite by chance I was learnt a clever trick.
Set your fighter group to escort, max altitude (if limited by HR) and 10% LRCAP over a destination hex.
This way if your daitai misses the escort duty, it will sweep and if in escort, it'll accompany your bombers with good height advantage/equality.

ORIGINAL: PzB
Some good news; All the air groups from the Hiyo and 3 CVLs lost a long time ago have now returned.
The majority (but not all, especially not bombers) returned with trained carrier pilots [8D]

I asked some time ago if you could elaborate a bit on that (sorry if I missed the explanation)?
Did you rebuy those units? Well, so it's better to lose/withdraw the squadron than save it?
I've heard something about the CVE/CVL groups reappearing when the ship is disbanded in port, but frankly, I'think I missed the point. How come? [&:]