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

[Cribtop]

When does radar guided gunnery kick in? That's more important than surface search radar, IMHO, and could be the difference. I recall passages in Tin Can Sailors talking about salvo after salvo peppering the IJN from our DDs and DEs, and Japanese amazement at the unerring accuracy.

[Lomri]

Yeah, by 1944 USN DD's should have radar guided firing control for the 5inchers, I would say. At least that is what I remember from reading, and is not a reflection the game mechanics. I know that the Washington had radar controlled firing system in 1942 (by battle of guadalcanal).

(And actually I think 1944 was a big leap in radar guided fire with AA too - I don't recall exactly when it became common to have the bofors hooked up to radar controlled firing but I'd guess by Oct 44).

Not to pile on the woes of the late game JFB!

[SoliInvictus202]

[quote]ORIGINAL: Lomri

I know that the Washington had radar controlled firing system in 1942 (by battle of guadalcanal).
[quote\]

indeed - destroyed Kirishima with it!

[PzB74]

Well, we just have to grind on and hope that we can fight battles more on our terms in the future...

Last turn I forgot to move 2 large Tojo units back to Rangoon; Andy probably thought they would be gone to!
A huge number of Hurries went in to sweep them and met 62 in the air. In the end it was a costly battle, but even more
so for Allies.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 30, 44

ASW Attacks

Again, British ASW is deadly....sub sinks!

ASW attack near Calicut at 28,37
Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 32, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Cauvery
DMS Palmer
APA Monrovia
LSI(L) Brisbane Star
LST-123
LST-121
xAK Fort Dearborn
xAK Samcalia
xAK Samur
xAK Kiangsu
DD Pathfinder
DD Quiberon
DD Luce
DD Isherwood

SS I-9 is sighted by escort
DD Pathfinder fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Quiberon fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Luce attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isherwood fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Luce attacking submerged sub ....
DD Luce loses contact with SS I-9
DD Isherwood attacking submerged sub ....
DD Luce attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isherwood attacking submerged sub ....
DD Luce attacking submerged sub ....
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Isherwood attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isherwood is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Isherwood attacking submerged sub ....
DD Isherwood is out of ASW ammo
DD Isherwood is out of ASW ammo
DD Isherwood is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce attacking submerged sub ....
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Luce is out of ASW ammo
DD Isherwood fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Luce fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 62

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 67

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 13 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 40

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 26

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 111 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 70
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 60
PV-1 Ventura x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 6 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 18
Runway hits 490
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 136 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 27
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 15
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 112

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 50th Field AA Battalion, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16
Hurricane FR.IIb x 10

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 2 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hurricane FR.IIb bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 1st Ind.Mixed Regiment ...
Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Mixed Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th AA Regiment, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 15
Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Beaufort I bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 1st Ind.Mixed Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Mixed Regiment ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 1st Ind.Mixed Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th AA Regiment, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Blenheim VD x 16
Beaufort VIII x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Blenheim VD bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Beaufort VIII bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 5th Guards Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 107 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 35
B-25G Mitchell x 28

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 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
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 5th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 50th Field AA Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 16th AA Regiment, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

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

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

Air Combat over Burma

[PzB74]

We're now out of the basin in Burma...!
Got a bit costly because the 5th Guards Div had 2 miles left to move out of Meiktila when Allies attacked, so it got routed after its heroic rearguard actions.

I'm constantly annoyed about ground combat in this game; a division leaving a base with 2 miles to go to another hex should easily be able to disengage.
Getting caught in the revolving door and means that you get the full slap...just like our division trapped in a jungle hex with 6 hex sides were a much smaller enemy LCU easily can block any
attempt to move out.

...or the fact that enemies in a nearby hex cancells the strategic rail order; our 1st Ind. Mixed regiment ended up in the grinder again today because of this.
Its movement got cancelled when everyone was boarded on the train and since it took so long for everyone to get out they got routed for the 2nd time.

Not to forget that we now have 150 Allied units and ca 10k AV in Burma without supply problems (at least that can't be overcome by using 1500 supply planes).
And the jungle diseases and malaria? Doesn't upset the Chinks, Yanks or Brits a bit - they're all uber trained jungle soldiers.

There's just no end to the grief [:(]
Well, rant off I guess. The bottom line is that I just don't play WitP for the ground combat experience.

Hopefully the battle in Burma will slow down now as we're well into the jungle, but it's hard to tell with so many Allied LCUs opposing us.
What I'm currently considering is whether to keep our fighters in and around Rangoon! We got 800 dispersed in 4 bases so I guess they will stay until Andy can show that
he is able to steam roll Rangoon without loosing to much in the process.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 31, 44

Sub Attacks

Submarine attack near Eureka at 214,66

Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
xAK Anshun, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Anshun is sighted by SS I-22
SS I-22 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Anshun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 5th Guards Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 40
B-25G Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Guards Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Beaufort I bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combay

Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 60299 troops, 985 guns, 491 vehicles, Assault Value = 2400
Defending force 10260 troops, 202 guns, 47 vehicles, Assault Value = 227

Allied adjusted assault: 1960
Japanese adjusted defense: 74

Allied assault odds: 26 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied forces CAPTURE Meiktila !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), op mode(-), leaders(+), disruption(-)
preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4481 casualties reported
Squads: 128 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 214 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 96 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 110 (106 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
128 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
20th Indian Division
1st New Chinese Corps
18th British Division
23rd Indian Division
5th Chinese Corps
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
163rd Light AA Regiment
17th Indian Light AA Regiment
Burma Corps
97th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
56th Heavy AA Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Heavy AA Regiment
29th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
35th Light AA Regiment
95th Heavy AA Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
14th Indian Light AA Regiment
3rd Heavy AA Regiment

Defending units:
1st Ind.Mixed Regiment
5th Guards Division
16th Field AA Machinecannon Company
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma

[PzB74]

February....

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 01, 44

Sub / ASW Attacks

An amazing achievement by I-22!
First it was attacked and forced to the surface by a DE...on the surface it got fired upon by lots of ships including a merchant.
So in return the Surada was torpedoed before I-22 made good her escape and as you can see from the attached screen the boat should make it! [:)]

I-52 was not so luckyn ear San Francisco! Enemy heavy TF spotted there.

Submarine attack near San Francisco at 217,71

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 18, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DE Acree
xAK Iron Prince
xAK Surada, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Loch Ranz

SS I-22 is sighted by escort
DE Acree attacking submerged sub ....
DE Acree fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Acree fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Acree fails to find sub, continues to search...
DE Acree attacking submerged sub ....
DE Acree is out of ASW ammo
DE Acree is out of ASW ammo
DE Acree is out of ASW ammo
SS I-22 forced to surface!
xAK Iron Prince firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Surada firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Loch Ranza firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Iron Prince firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Surada firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Loch Ranza firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Iron Prince firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Surada firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Loch Ranza firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Iron Prince firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Surada firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Loch Ranza firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Acree firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Iron Prince firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Surada firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Loch Ranza firing on surfaced sub ....
DE Acree firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Iron Prince firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Surada firing on surfaced sub ....
xAK Loch Ranza firing on surfaced sub ....
Contact with submarine is lost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Los Angeles at 225,77

Japanese Ships
SS I-52, hits 24, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Marshall
DD Gatling

SS I-52 is sighted by escort
DD Marshall attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gatling attacking submerged sub ....
DD Marshall fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Gatling fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Gatling attacking submerged sub ....
DD Gatling attacking submerged sub ....
Underwater explosion, debris and oil appear on surface!
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A couple of sweeps back and forth..we claimed a few Thuds today.

Morning Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 36

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 15
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Pegu , at 55,53
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 174 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 8
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-61-Ic Tony x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 15

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Div Stats

A new E class patrol vessel will shortly be commissioned. Oh woe to Allied subs then, can't understand that Japan didn't erase all US subs with such vessels in their inventory [8|]

[Cribtop]

Never seen a sub survive being forced to surface. This game continues to amaze. Was the action at night or in heavy weather?

[Brock007]

The Yorktown CV-10 is in display at Patriots Point in Charleston South Carolina. I do not know which was more impressive the carrier or the planes. The ww2 Torpedo planes were a lot larger than I expected.

I also have explored the North Carolina in Wilmington. Hopefully the Alabama is next in Mobile harbor.

Equally fascinating is the Yankee oops Northern gunboat uneartth and restored in the Vicksburg Civil War site. You can see the hole that the shell made as it went thru her sending her to the mud on the bottom of the Mississippi River. Discovered when we had a major drought a few years ago.

I've seen the Hundley in Charseton also. Brave men died in her.

My great-great grandfather rode with the 4th Georgia calvary from start to finish in The real war to end all wars. My dad was at Pearl Harbor 75 years after my relatives surrender (decided to stop shooting) with Joe Johnson in North Carolina in 1865.

[inqistor]

I hope you are not working around the blast area. Who would guess, there will be bomb attacks in Norway?

ORIGINAL: PzB
I can easuly count 180 enemy LCUs in Burma now and 375 figthers swept Magwe before the bombers went in this turn.
800 Jap fighters have been deployed around Rangoon to counter the menace.

Sorties numbers are comparable, and since Allies are now on the open terrain, you must push air offensive. You have time till around April, when Allies begin getting even more planes (and, most important - B29). Keep them from building forts. It would be nice, if you could get air superiority in few weeks, and then rout some units on land.

No idea Inq, guess a shallow hex is 50~ meters or so?

Heh, I checked SSXs, and it seems they have 12 (!) durability! I was counting on maybe 2? Smaller ROs have 20, and Is tends to have 24-33, so not much difference. It seems shallow is around 12-19 feet. Or less, and Midgets could have disadvantages even there.

With no air unit withdrawals I guess Allies got more squadrons than modern ac to man them with - much like us.

I was thinking about it. Generally, Allies should have been stronger in 1942-43, because they have to keep all units, but I am not sure about late war. Withdrawn air units tends to return in bigger size, and without withdrawals, I am guessing they will not resize, so remain small. So it is possible, that Allies will be actually weaker in late war, that they could have been WITH withdrawals. Also, quite a lots of British ships remained in the area, but again, some of them would return.
Anyway, this was advantage in early war, and since Allies position is still stalemate, opportunity was wasted, and you should have actually easier situation from now.

Allied destroyers attacked Rangoon for the first time; 4 of them engaged 6 of ours.
Has been a severe drop in efficiency lately, again we could hardly hit the enemy ships while on of ours was set on fire and later sank.
Another old destroyer that was lost, but 4 were modern.

Strange situation, but battle was on very short distances, so we will see, what will happen under normal condiions.
Anyway, you should not allow raids into Rangoon. Are there mines there? Maybe you should also leave some on the access path?

What do you think, how should we deploy our divisions in Burma now?
Have to bottle up the left flank with 4000 enemy AV - this is their main force.
It will be possible for 3000 enemy AV to move both east and south from basin, but this should be easier to contain.
So I think our reserves should be positioned at or near Toungoo.

You should try to deblockade this cut-off Division. Maybe dropping para unit, and marching, to reclaim hexside?
Also, you should keep substantial forces east of Mandalay, to be ready to reclaim whole base cluster. The more heavy airplanes Allies keep in Burma, the less can be used to support invasion on some island.

Also, am I seeing BOLO as operational loss? BOLO in 1944?

[Rainer79]

ORIGINAL: PzB
A new E class patrol vessel will shortly be commissioned. Oh woe to Allied subs then, can't understand that Japan didn't erase all US subs with such vessels in their inventory [8|]

While I am also disgusted about how easily they sink US subs, without them (at least) I would not have come even close to sinking the historical number. I applaud the efforts to nerf them though the more I think about it the more I would like to see a slight boost to mid-war ASW in general.

If you want to know why the Allies can supply their offensives into Burma so easily and you are playing one of the recent betas, there is something you can do. Select Bombay, scroll to Burma and press the button that shows supply paths (IIRC "5"). Instant enlightenment.

[PzB74]

A tragedy never before witnessed in our quiet part of the world...
People of all cultures should unite against the increasing madness and extremist attitudes that now arise!

Condolances to all victims of this tragedy[:(]

Ps! I live on the west coast 500km from Oslo, thx for asking!

[traskott]

+1 to the condolences...  [:(][:(]

[PaxMondo]

Really sad.  Condolences to the families affected.

[Rainer79]

Just saw it on the news.

RIP.

[Cribtop]

Awful news. We stand with Norway today and offer our condolences.

[PzB74]

Thx guys,

Has been a not so great weekend with all this horrible news coming in.
Looks like ~100 killed and 65 wounded, all caused by a single gunman [:(]
Of course we had to have a nutcrack like that here in Norway as well...

The fronts in Burma now stabilized and Andy start probing for weakspots..
The I-22 sank today, pump failure and straight down she went.

The game becomes a bit too easy for Japan when Allies can't run a decent sub campaign.
Not sure it would have been this easy to put a lid on their subs in rl.

That's awesome Brock, I planned to see the Yorktown when I was in Texas but the schedule clogged up.
Would definetly be taking a complete tour if I lived around there [:)]
So were were you 75 years after WJ day? [;)]

Really don't have much for an air offensive in Burma Inq. Medium bombers are too few, too fragile, too far away from targets and too difficult to escort
properly. Results from bombing enemy LCU is merely a nuisance. Midgets is another micro-niche weapon, not something to put a lot of faith in. Will stack em until enemy start their
another amph operation and move on key areas like Marianas, Philippines, SRA etc.

Not allowed to drop paras on open hexes, but it is tempting to drop 100 AV to free our division. Maybe Andy would forgive such an action...what do you think?
Marching a unit to free it will take months. Keeping to strong forces up north is asking for trouble as bulk of enemy force is to the south.
Since we can't attack efficiently into clear terrain / base hexes there isn't much to do up north but block.

Lots of mines at Rangoon, laid a new field just before the last battles but didn't notice any enemy units being hit.
Could have needed some CD guns...but they're in uber short supply.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 02, 44

Air Combat

Allied air power now concentrating on Taung Gyu, the names will continue to be awful throughout the Burma-Indo China campaign I'm afraid.

Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 114 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 10
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 71
PV-1 Ventura x 10

Allied aircraft losses
PV-1 Ventura: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 223

Also attacking 6th Guards Division ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking 4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion ...
Also attacking Taung Gyi ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 96 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 32

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking Taung Gyi ...
Also attacking 16th AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking Taung Gyi ...
Also attacking 21st Division ...
Also attacking Taung Gyi ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 135 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 16

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 90

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 79

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th Ind.Tank Brigade, at 59,48 (Taung Gyi)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 39

No Allied losses

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

Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 38th Division ...
Also attacking 7th Ind.Tank Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma Fronts

The areas marked in red is now our frontline bases in Burma - for fighters mostly.
Our rear areas marked in yellow will provide required ground support. I'm boosting construction of Helen IIbs, especially engines needs to be upped.
Can never keep up with demand and got 100s of lesser ac types I'd like to convert.

Between January and March I'm going to move no less than 10 brigade units to bolster our defenses in SRA and Marianas.
Marianas has already been fleshed out and I'm moving freshly trained navy air units in long range A6M2 Zeros and convert them to Jacks and Georges.

[Encircled]

Cracking AAR

Thought I'd wander over from WITE forum to check out WITP:AE

It looks great!

[PzB74]

Thx for dropping a few lines Encircled!
The old bunch still slug it out here [;)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 03, 44

Ground Combat

Andy advanced past Bhamo without leaving a garrison...we seized the opportunity.

Ground combat at Bhamo (63,44)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 102 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 8
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Bhamo !!!

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Combined Fleet HQ

I'm planning to move Combined Fleet HQ to Mindanao and Davao.
I've been building a strong infrastructure here and Manila has 360k units of fuel, size 9 / 9 AF - Ports.
Other supporting bases are also being expanded to size 9.

Plan is to have our full strength fleet in a safe and central location that will enable it to quickly react to any Allied incursions into our primary defense zones.
- SRA, Philippines, Marianas

What do you think about such a move?

[PzB74]

A nice battle at Rangoon this turn were all our forces played their part!
5 Allied destroyers swept in and met our MTB boat flotillas.

The slow (22knot) boats were easy kills for the fast destroyers but the fast 38knot boats did better.
They only scored gun hits and 7 boats were sunk.

In return a destroyer found a mine and another was first hit and slowed by a 250kg bomb dropped by a low flying Helen.
This enabled Nells to strike and sink the HMS Relentless with a torpedo.

Even our night bombers took of to attack the enemy, was onyl the midget sub in Rangoon that remained passive - maybe just as well!-)


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 04, 44

Surface Combat

Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-151
MTB G-152, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-153, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-154, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-155, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
MTB G-156
MTB G-157, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-158, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Bullard, Shell hits 2
DD Guest
DD Sproston, Shell hits 1
DD Relentless

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms with 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 78% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-538
MTB G-539
MTB G-540
MTB G-541

Allied Ships
DD Black
DD Bullard
DD Guest
DD Sproston
DD Relentless

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 78% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
Doubleman, E.D. crosses the 'T'

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Rangoon at 54,53, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
MTB G-538
MTB G-539, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB G-540
MTB G-541

Allied Ships
DD Black, Shell hits 1
DD Bullard
DD Guest
DD Sproston
DD Relentless, Shell hits 1

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 85% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards

Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 119 encounters mine field at Rangoon (54,53)

Allied Ships
DD Bullard, Mine hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Night Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-S Irving x 2
P1Y1 Frances x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y1 Frances: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sproston
DD Relentless
DD Bullard

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P1Y1 Frances launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bassein at 53,50
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 26
N1K1-J George x 33
Ki-84a Frank x 7

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
7 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 30000 feet
24 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
18 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bassein at 53,50
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 208 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 66 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 9
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 8 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Bullard
DD Black
DD Relentless, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bassein at 53,50
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 15000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Bassein at 53,50
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 13

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Relentless, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Sproston

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

Sea & Air Battles

[inqistor]

Have you seen this topic? Your game is few weeks ahead, but Andy have lost 100 planes more already. Quite a lots of it gone down, with his Carriers, but still, his pools can not look much better. You can break his airpower.
Establishing new defence line now gives you nothing in long term. You have to strike on-land before monsoon, after that it will be too late, with Allied production. It is really last chance for offensive.

ORIGINAL: PzB
I'm planning to move Combined Fleet HQ to Mindanao and Davao.
I've been building a strong infrastructure here and Manila has 360k units of fuel, size 9 / 9 AF - Ports.
Other supporting bases are also being expanded to size 9.

Plan is to have our full strength fleet in a safe and central location that will enable it to quickly react to any Allied incursions into our primary defense zones.
- SRA, Philippines, Marianas

What do you think about such a move?

Optimally you should use an island (Ambon?), but keeping fuel not at land mass is pretty risky, so Davao seems to be best option.