Since you ask so nicely I'll bear with you, but only this time!
[:)][:)][:)]
No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
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RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
7th Jan
PACIFIC
The Japanese forces have captured Savaii Island, still no sign of IJN carriers yet. This is most definitely a good thing with two large convoys not too far away. Allied search aircraft have located a small (5 ship) convoy north of the Samoas heading North-West.
In addition Japanese forces are ashore at Luganville, it looks like two small units currently including a JNAF AF unit. Does this mean that Japanese air patrols will follow soon?
NEW GUINEA AND THE SOLOMONS
A Japanese force has been spotted near the western end of New Britain, two seperate TFs but no clear indication of what is in them. It'll most likely be an Amphib TF covered by a light cruiser taskforce. The RAAF at Port Moresby have been ordered onto naval attack for tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath though.
EAST INDIES
More B-17 raids against Palembang today, although the damage was non-existent today. The bombers actually coordinated fairly well today with just one squadron missing the form up. The Nates appear to have been taken off of CAP duties but the Zeroes are still in action despite their inability to catch the US bombers.
Latest recce has 96 fighters and 92 auxiliary aircraft there. That's a lot of planes and I'm wondering if switching the big bombers to AF attack would be a worthwhile risk.
CHINA
It was a decent day for the AVG again today. A small sweep by Japanese Zeroes clashed with an AVG patrol above Wuchow and although the clash was, on the face of it, inconclusive it was a victory for the Americans. Despite having the altitude advantage the Japanese attack was defeated with the American pilots claiming all three Japanese fighters as probables. The air losses for today show two Zeroes lost to op loss so I'll claim that as a win.
Nevertheless, I've moved the 1st Sqn to another base. Aerial guerrilla warfare is probably the best hope for the Allies in China right now.
PACIFIC
The Japanese forces have captured Savaii Island, still no sign of IJN carriers yet. This is most definitely a good thing with two large convoys not too far away. Allied search aircraft have located a small (5 ship) convoy north of the Samoas heading North-West.
In addition Japanese forces are ashore at Luganville, it looks like two small units currently including a JNAF AF unit. Does this mean that Japanese air patrols will follow soon?
NEW GUINEA AND THE SOLOMONS
A Japanese force has been spotted near the western end of New Britain, two seperate TFs but no clear indication of what is in them. It'll most likely be an Amphib TF covered by a light cruiser taskforce. The RAAF at Port Moresby have been ordered onto naval attack for tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath though.
EAST INDIES
More B-17 raids against Palembang today, although the damage was non-existent today. The bombers actually coordinated fairly well today with just one squadron missing the form up. The Nates appear to have been taken off of CAP duties but the Zeroes are still in action despite their inability to catch the US bombers.
Latest recce has 96 fighters and 92 auxiliary aircraft there. That's a lot of planes and I'm wondering if switching the big bombers to AF attack would be a worthwhile risk.
CHINA
It was a decent day for the AVG again today. A small sweep by Japanese Zeroes clashed with an AVG patrol above Wuchow and although the clash was, on the face of it, inconclusive it was a victory for the Americans. Despite having the altitude advantage the Japanese attack was defeated with the American pilots claiming all three Japanese fighters as probables. The air losses for today show two Zeroes lost to op loss so I'll claim that as a win.
Nevertheless, I've moved the 1st Sqn to another base. Aerial guerrilla warfare is probably the best hope for the Allies in China right now.
[center]
Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
Strategical thinking, stand by for a wall of text!...
I'm still unsure exactly what to expect from GBL, he's already passed through this phase of the war as the Allies so he knows what the goodies are capable of, but it's his first time as Japan. However I'd hazard a guess at India/Burma tying up a majority of his forces.
GBL will be aware of the massive numbers of Indian troops available to steamroller back through the Japanese defences in the mid-part of the war. Because of this I'd expect most of his divisional forces to be tied up there with a few more in the East Indies to guard against a US/Australian amphibious op against Java. The possibility of an Australian invasion can't be fully ruled out, but IF one were to emerge I'm expecting it to be a localised affair in the Darwin and/or Perth areas in order to hinder Allied preparations. A full invasion past the Brisbane line is unlikely lest he pull the emergency reinforcements into the fray.
INDIA
I'm guarding against two potential outcomes here. Either an overland invasion from Burma in conjuction with an amphibious assault on Cox's Bazaar or an amphibious invasion of Ceylon or the Bengal coast.
Will GBL risk the ships required to land a significant force in India with a long unguarded supply line? My gut instinct is that a landing on the Indian mainland between Calcutta and Madras is unlikely. There's a big risk for GBL of losing a lot of ships and keeping the RN away would require the KB, thus opening the Pacific for USN carrier raids. By the time GBL is able to muster enough force to land on the coast there will be multiple Allied divisions holding the line, including a good Australian one.
An invasion of Ceylon is more likely, it's isolated from the mainland making it harder to shift Allied reinforcements to resist Japanese aggression. By the time I'd feel the mainland defences are strong enough to spare any extra troops the danger of invasion will be finished with the Japanese amphib bonus. An attack here would result in the likely destruction of the garrison, unlike an attack on the mainland where there is plenty of tactical fall back room and the potential for multiple lines of defence.
A third option for GBL would be invading Diego Garcia and Addu, both are lightly garrisoned at the start and sit in valuable positions to hinder the British sea lanes. The Winnipeg Grenadiers were rescued from HK in order to garrison DG and a US battalion is en route to Cape Town to either reinforce them or to garrison Addu.
The rescue of 11th Indian Div was a lucky one and it's added an extra bit of steel to the Allied defence. It's a more experienced unit than the other Indian divisions and the British 18th. The 11th will have priority for new equipment over the other Indian divisions, although the low state of the Commonwealth reserves means that full strength is likely to be some way off as is the upgrade to '42 Infantry squads. There is a supply convoy at Cape Town which will hopefully alleviate some of the issues with the artillery devices.
Added to the 11th there are a few other smaller units rescued from Singapore, including the Australian 22nd Bde, unfortunately this unit is scattered around a few bases including Singapore (still). The section in Sumatra will have to remain there as Japanese bombers are making it impossible to move any ships to haul them out. Another section is in Java where hopefully it will be easier to keep my boats safe. A few more sections are in Indian waters now, so even in the worst case there should be enough left to rebuild the unit after Singapore falls.
The RAF (and FAA) are in intensive training, fighter squadrons are practicing escort (in order to increase their defence skills) whilst the two torpedo bomber squadrons in Ceylon are training in torpedo attacks. The rest of the RAF bomber squadrons are training in ground attack missions. The lack of built up airfields is a hindrance to the potential torpedo attacks, especially as I don't want to build any coastal airfields, just in case. The most likely position to build a torpedo capable base is Bezwada, between Madras and Vizagapatam. It's in the right position that both Swordfish and Vildebeest aircraft could cover Vizagpatam whilst Swordfish could cover Madras as well. The addition of another air HQ in a week, at Madras, simplifies things as I'd have a source of torpedoes ready to go. By mid-April I'll have half a dozen torpedo squadrons (plus a USN PBY squadron), enough to potentially make a mess of any invasion even if they take casualties from the KB.
In summary, I'm expecting the major effort from the IJA to fall in this area to tie up the potentially massive Indian army from storming through Burma and reopening the Burma road and giving the Allies airfields within striking range of the East Indies. An invasion of Ceylon is possible with attacks on Diego Garcia and Addu probable.
PACIFIC
(includes New Guinea and the Solomons)
The recent invasions by the Japanese in the Pacific have involved a relative handful of units, but the weakness of the Allied garrisons and potential danger from carrier aircraft makes defence here a tricky proposition.
The Japanese force that captured Savaii was the 52nd Naval Garrison Unit, this force was last seen on Ocean Island on the 29th December. I feel that GBL has made an error in taking this island without some AV support included. With aircraft support he could be spying on the Allied convoy routes already, the fact that he hasn't brought any along would suggest that carrier attacks are unlikely (not impossible).
Further West there has been a landing on Luganville, a prime position to take and build into an airbase to threaten New Caledonia. I'm expecting a Japanese assault on New Caledonia before the end of January, before mid-January in all probability.
An attack on Fiji cannot be ruled out, I'd expect a sizable force for such an endeavour in order to guard against any Allied reinforcements making life tricky for an invasion. If GBL wants the island he can take it with a larger attack than I can guard against. Because of this I'm tempted to withdraw the Kiwi troops to fight somewhere else, they are unrestricted which is a definite bonus for the Allies at the current stage of the war and could be part of an Allied counter strike. The other option is to reinforce the island with the Marines and Army tanks which are en route to SOPAC.
I'm expecting to hear from the Japanese 53rd Naval Gd, a unit that was last seen at Nauru Island at the same time as the 52nd were. In fact, the attack on Savaii has surprised me somewhat. There isn't much of an airfield there, no real port facilities, no shipyards and no resources. The only reason for taking it would appear to be the relative closeness of the probable (from GBL's view) proximity of the Allied convoy routes, but the lack of AV support with the assault seems at odds with that view.
There are a decent Allied reinforcements en route, 2nd Marine Rgt (AV 88) and 2nd Marine Tank Bn (AV 82) are at sea and a week or so away from Pago Pago. The 2nd USMC Parachute Bn is a couple of days out from the US West Coast and the US Army 193rd Tank Bn is on board transport and will depart with a destroyer escort. Do I send the boys to Fiji and attempt to hold it or send them to set up an Allied stronghold in Tahiti? The Tahiti plan is the current front-runner for the fact that it would secure the lines of communication to NZ and Australia. Landing in Fiji would perhaps stave off Japanese aggression there, or it could lose the units committed and leave the supply lines vulnerable. Playing it safe for now would mean trading more territory to be retaken later but would leave more Allied forces intact.
The campaign here would be most likely intended to tie up the USN and make supply of the ANZAC nations difficult. I'd suspect that the Japanese perimeter will include Fiji, New Caledonia, Canton Island, Baker Island and the rest of the Samoan Islands. An attack on the Line Islands cannot be ruled out, but GBL knows that some large troop ships have visited already and have probably dropped off some forces. There has to be a balancing act though, if GBL goes too far there is the potential for the US to write off the Pacific front and bolster the Brits in India.
The Indian airbase ideas. From this we can see the potential locations for an TB capable airbase. The position at Bezwada is a favourite as it is not on the coast, can be built to a good level and in conjunction with the AF at Madras allows Swordfish/Albacore torpedo attacks (solid white line) and Vildebeest (dotted line) against likely landing beaches along the Bengali coast line.
If you're still with me after all that reading, congratulations. [:D] If you can see some monumental flaw in the Cunning Plan MkI then feel free to speak up. I'm an airman, not a general (or an admiral, or even an Air Marshall) [;)]
I'm still unsure exactly what to expect from GBL, he's already passed through this phase of the war as the Allies so he knows what the goodies are capable of, but it's his first time as Japan. However I'd hazard a guess at India/Burma tying up a majority of his forces.
GBL will be aware of the massive numbers of Indian troops available to steamroller back through the Japanese defences in the mid-part of the war. Because of this I'd expect most of his divisional forces to be tied up there with a few more in the East Indies to guard against a US/Australian amphibious op against Java. The possibility of an Australian invasion can't be fully ruled out, but IF one were to emerge I'm expecting it to be a localised affair in the Darwin and/or Perth areas in order to hinder Allied preparations. A full invasion past the Brisbane line is unlikely lest he pull the emergency reinforcements into the fray.
INDIA
I'm guarding against two potential outcomes here. Either an overland invasion from Burma in conjuction with an amphibious assault on Cox's Bazaar or an amphibious invasion of Ceylon or the Bengal coast.
Will GBL risk the ships required to land a significant force in India with a long unguarded supply line? My gut instinct is that a landing on the Indian mainland between Calcutta and Madras is unlikely. There's a big risk for GBL of losing a lot of ships and keeping the RN away would require the KB, thus opening the Pacific for USN carrier raids. By the time GBL is able to muster enough force to land on the coast there will be multiple Allied divisions holding the line, including a good Australian one.
An invasion of Ceylon is more likely, it's isolated from the mainland making it harder to shift Allied reinforcements to resist Japanese aggression. By the time I'd feel the mainland defences are strong enough to spare any extra troops the danger of invasion will be finished with the Japanese amphib bonus. An attack here would result in the likely destruction of the garrison, unlike an attack on the mainland where there is plenty of tactical fall back room and the potential for multiple lines of defence.
A third option for GBL would be invading Diego Garcia and Addu, both are lightly garrisoned at the start and sit in valuable positions to hinder the British sea lanes. The Winnipeg Grenadiers were rescued from HK in order to garrison DG and a US battalion is en route to Cape Town to either reinforce them or to garrison Addu.
The rescue of 11th Indian Div was a lucky one and it's added an extra bit of steel to the Allied defence. It's a more experienced unit than the other Indian divisions and the British 18th. The 11th will have priority for new equipment over the other Indian divisions, although the low state of the Commonwealth reserves means that full strength is likely to be some way off as is the upgrade to '42 Infantry squads. There is a supply convoy at Cape Town which will hopefully alleviate some of the issues with the artillery devices.
Added to the 11th there are a few other smaller units rescued from Singapore, including the Australian 22nd Bde, unfortunately this unit is scattered around a few bases including Singapore (still). The section in Sumatra will have to remain there as Japanese bombers are making it impossible to move any ships to haul them out. Another section is in Java where hopefully it will be easier to keep my boats safe. A few more sections are in Indian waters now, so even in the worst case there should be enough left to rebuild the unit after Singapore falls.
The RAF (and FAA) are in intensive training, fighter squadrons are practicing escort (in order to increase their defence skills) whilst the two torpedo bomber squadrons in Ceylon are training in torpedo attacks. The rest of the RAF bomber squadrons are training in ground attack missions. The lack of built up airfields is a hindrance to the potential torpedo attacks, especially as I don't want to build any coastal airfields, just in case. The most likely position to build a torpedo capable base is Bezwada, between Madras and Vizagapatam. It's in the right position that both Swordfish and Vildebeest aircraft could cover Vizagpatam whilst Swordfish could cover Madras as well. The addition of another air HQ in a week, at Madras, simplifies things as I'd have a source of torpedoes ready to go. By mid-April I'll have half a dozen torpedo squadrons (plus a USN PBY squadron), enough to potentially make a mess of any invasion even if they take casualties from the KB.
In summary, I'm expecting the major effort from the IJA to fall in this area to tie up the potentially massive Indian army from storming through Burma and reopening the Burma road and giving the Allies airfields within striking range of the East Indies. An invasion of Ceylon is possible with attacks on Diego Garcia and Addu probable.
PACIFIC
(includes New Guinea and the Solomons)
The recent invasions by the Japanese in the Pacific have involved a relative handful of units, but the weakness of the Allied garrisons and potential danger from carrier aircraft makes defence here a tricky proposition.
The Japanese force that captured Savaii was the 52nd Naval Garrison Unit, this force was last seen on Ocean Island on the 29th December. I feel that GBL has made an error in taking this island without some AV support included. With aircraft support he could be spying on the Allied convoy routes already, the fact that he hasn't brought any along would suggest that carrier attacks are unlikely (not impossible).
Further West there has been a landing on Luganville, a prime position to take and build into an airbase to threaten New Caledonia. I'm expecting a Japanese assault on New Caledonia before the end of January, before mid-January in all probability.
An attack on Fiji cannot be ruled out, I'd expect a sizable force for such an endeavour in order to guard against any Allied reinforcements making life tricky for an invasion. If GBL wants the island he can take it with a larger attack than I can guard against. Because of this I'm tempted to withdraw the Kiwi troops to fight somewhere else, they are unrestricted which is a definite bonus for the Allies at the current stage of the war and could be part of an Allied counter strike. The other option is to reinforce the island with the Marines and Army tanks which are en route to SOPAC.
I'm expecting to hear from the Japanese 53rd Naval Gd, a unit that was last seen at Nauru Island at the same time as the 52nd were. In fact, the attack on Savaii has surprised me somewhat. There isn't much of an airfield there, no real port facilities, no shipyards and no resources. The only reason for taking it would appear to be the relative closeness of the probable (from GBL's view) proximity of the Allied convoy routes, but the lack of AV support with the assault seems at odds with that view.
There are a decent Allied reinforcements en route, 2nd Marine Rgt (AV 88) and 2nd Marine Tank Bn (AV 82) are at sea and a week or so away from Pago Pago. The 2nd USMC Parachute Bn is a couple of days out from the US West Coast and the US Army 193rd Tank Bn is on board transport and will depart with a destroyer escort. Do I send the boys to Fiji and attempt to hold it or send them to set up an Allied stronghold in Tahiti? The Tahiti plan is the current front-runner for the fact that it would secure the lines of communication to NZ and Australia. Landing in Fiji would perhaps stave off Japanese aggression there, or it could lose the units committed and leave the supply lines vulnerable. Playing it safe for now would mean trading more territory to be retaken later but would leave more Allied forces intact.
The campaign here would be most likely intended to tie up the USN and make supply of the ANZAC nations difficult. I'd suspect that the Japanese perimeter will include Fiji, New Caledonia, Canton Island, Baker Island and the rest of the Samoan Islands. An attack on the Line Islands cannot be ruled out, but GBL knows that some large troop ships have visited already and have probably dropped off some forces. There has to be a balancing act though, if GBL goes too far there is the potential for the US to write off the Pacific front and bolster the Brits in India.
The Indian airbase ideas. From this we can see the potential locations for an TB capable airbase. The position at Bezwada is a favourite as it is not on the coast, can be built to a good level and in conjunction with the AF at Madras allows Swordfish/Albacore torpedo attacks (solid white line) and Vildebeest (dotted line) against likely landing beaches along the Bengali coast line.
If you're still with me after all that reading, congratulations. [:D] If you can see some monumental flaw in the Cunning Plan MkI then feel free to speak up. I'm an airman, not a general (or an admiral, or even an Air Marshall) [;)]
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Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Since you ask so nicely I'll bear with you, but only this time!
[:)][:)][:)]
You're too kind. [:D]
[center]
Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
GBL may plan to reinforce Savii with either a small AV support unit OR with one of the numerous AV ships. Recon the base and if you see an anchor symbol then you know what he's up to. Then again, he could just be grabbing with the intention to backfill later with a much more substantial force.
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: Cribtop
GBL may plan to reinforce Savii with either a small AV support unit OR with one of the numerous AV ships. Recon the base and if you see an anchor symbol then you know what he's up to. Then again, he could just be grabbing with the intention to backfill later with a much more substantial force.
It's a possibility, but possibly a bit risky unless the victory disease is setting in? Just in case though, the Fiji based B-17s can be set to port attack. All it'll take is a single lucky raid and his AV support would be sat on the seabed.
It's tempting to use the Marines to kick his door down and ruin his day, but they aren't prepped for action just now [:(]
EDIT:
A SCTF (1 CA, 2 CL plus DD escorts) has broken away from convoy escort and will be lurking until I can decide whether it's clear to strike or not. Unfortunately that will mean keeping them a good day or two sailing away from Savaii for now. I'd love for GBL to have left his carriers at home, but I can't believe it really. Hopefully they're safely far enough away from any carrier threat.
The Marines are going to Tahiti where they will unload and ready for combat. That will take some time however, and a week is a long time in war. If possible the plan is to get a strong forward position built up and work forwards from there.
[center]
Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
8th Jan 1942
PACIFIC
All quiet in the southern reaches today, Allied patrols have failed to spot evidence of Japanese aircraft near Savaii. With only two carriers available I suppose GBL has to prioritise and they may well be further west at Luganville where there's a threat from the Australian and Kiwi based naval forces.
Luganville was captured today, Japanese forces taking control unopposed by the Allies.
US WEST COAST
Three IJN subs are reported off the coast at San Francisco, this means that there are at least 5 subs operating in US/Canadian waters. More USN destroyers have arrived back on the WC though, so whilst the next wave of convoys prepares the DDs will go hunting.
NEW GUINEA & THE SOLOMONS
Japanese forces have landed at Lae, where Australian forces have already been evaced by air to Port Moresby.
USS Gudgeon engaged a Japanese freighter with gunfire near the Solomons, a lack of torpedoes meant her attack failed to destroy the ship but it has warned GBL that US subs are operating there and should force him to tie up more escorts with convoys in the region.
EAST INDIES
Combined Dutch and US forces again raided Palembang. The Dutch targeted the Japanese airfield during the night whilst the US heavy bombers continued the assault on the refineries. The Dutch bombers managed to destroy a Zero on the ground, iirc it's the first such aircraft they've managed to destroy [8D] The B-17s didn't cause much (any) damage, but the Japanese fighters weren't up today. Bad weather? Or is GBL trying to lure me into a trap? Either way, the bombers are staying high for now.
INDIA
232 have arrived with their Hurricanes, the squadron is resting at Bombay for now and undergoing some additional training. This brings the Allied fighter strength to 6 squadrons in India (1 Hurrican, 1 Mohawk, 2 Buffalo, 1 Blenheim and 1 H-81) so that's something...
Luckily it's less than a week before some squadrons arrive who may actually be an asset to the Allies rather than the liability that most of the current units represent.
CHINA
The AVG are still hanging in there. A Japanese sweep was fought off for no loss at Changsha, the aircraft defending the city were left behind previously as they were u/s. One Japanese Zero crashed on the way home, another slight victory for the AVG. Elsewhere in China, the AVG took their first offensive action with a sweep of their own over Wuchang and claiming 5 Nates and an Oscar in return for no American casualties.
The performance of the AVG has been particularly pleasing, in return for 1 aircraft lost to combat (plus 9 combat losses) they have destroyed 38 Japanese aircraft (plus more to ops causes). A 38:1 ratio is eclipsing even that of the Zero against the Buffaloes over Singapore [8D] How long can it last though? Currently, the AVG are outclassing the Nate (massively) and Oscar (slightly) fighters and matching the Zero and Tojo. Will GBL leave the IJAAF to take some more lumps? Or move more IJN Zeroes into the country to try and stem the tide?
For my part, the biggest issue facing the AVG is the lack of suitable airfields and support to keep them near the frontline. There are only a handful of friendly AFs that are suitable for offensive operations and they're all in the Southern districts.
8th Jan 1942
Have arrived in India, the Hurris were unloaded from the hold and put onto lorries. We're meant to be spending the next few days building the damn things, not great because none of us actually know how to and there's no M.U. at Bombay. Looks like we're stuck here with nothing to do until the A.P.s arrive. Still no idea where the rest of the squadron, or my kit, is.
-Diary of AC1, R Shoe, 232 Sqn
Lying in a den in Bombay,
With a slack jaw and not much to say.
PACIFIC
All quiet in the southern reaches today, Allied patrols have failed to spot evidence of Japanese aircraft near Savaii. With only two carriers available I suppose GBL has to prioritise and they may well be further west at Luganville where there's a threat from the Australian and Kiwi based naval forces.
Luganville was captured today, Japanese forces taking control unopposed by the Allies.
US WEST COAST
Three IJN subs are reported off the coast at San Francisco, this means that there are at least 5 subs operating in US/Canadian waters. More USN destroyers have arrived back on the WC though, so whilst the next wave of convoys prepares the DDs will go hunting.
NEW GUINEA & THE SOLOMONS
Japanese forces have landed at Lae, where Australian forces have already been evaced by air to Port Moresby.
USS Gudgeon engaged a Japanese freighter with gunfire near the Solomons, a lack of torpedoes meant her attack failed to destroy the ship but it has warned GBL that US subs are operating there and should force him to tie up more escorts with convoys in the region.
EAST INDIES
Combined Dutch and US forces again raided Palembang. The Dutch targeted the Japanese airfield during the night whilst the US heavy bombers continued the assault on the refineries. The Dutch bombers managed to destroy a Zero on the ground, iirc it's the first such aircraft they've managed to destroy [8D] The B-17s didn't cause much (any) damage, but the Japanese fighters weren't up today. Bad weather? Or is GBL trying to lure me into a trap? Either way, the bombers are staying high for now.
INDIA
232 have arrived with their Hurricanes, the squadron is resting at Bombay for now and undergoing some additional training. This brings the Allied fighter strength to 6 squadrons in India (1 Hurrican, 1 Mohawk, 2 Buffalo, 1 Blenheim and 1 H-81) so that's something...
Luckily it's less than a week before some squadrons arrive who may actually be an asset to the Allies rather than the liability that most of the current units represent.
CHINA
The AVG are still hanging in there. A Japanese sweep was fought off for no loss at Changsha, the aircraft defending the city were left behind previously as they were u/s. One Japanese Zero crashed on the way home, another slight victory for the AVG. Elsewhere in China, the AVG took their first offensive action with a sweep of their own over Wuchang and claiming 5 Nates and an Oscar in return for no American casualties.
The performance of the AVG has been particularly pleasing, in return for 1 aircraft lost to combat (plus 9 combat losses) they have destroyed 38 Japanese aircraft (plus more to ops causes). A 38:1 ratio is eclipsing even that of the Zero against the Buffaloes over Singapore [8D] How long can it last though? Currently, the AVG are outclassing the Nate (massively) and Oscar (slightly) fighters and matching the Zero and Tojo. Will GBL leave the IJAAF to take some more lumps? Or move more IJN Zeroes into the country to try and stem the tide?
For my part, the biggest issue facing the AVG is the lack of suitable airfields and support to keep them near the frontline. There are only a handful of friendly AFs that are suitable for offensive operations and they're all in the Southern districts.
8th Jan 1942
Have arrived in India, the Hurris were unloaded from the hold and put onto lorries. We're meant to be spending the next few days building the damn things, not great because none of us actually know how to and there's no M.U. at Bombay. Looks like we're stuck here with nothing to do until the A.P.s arrive. Still no idea where the rest of the squadron, or my kit, is.
-Diary of AC1, R Shoe, 232 Sqn
Lying in a den in Bombay,
With a slack jaw and not much to say.
[center]
Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
Hi Dixie,
Luganville is no big loss if you keep Noumea.
Are you going to try and fight for it or will you leave it?
An Aussie Div and a Motor Bde could be put up a decent defense and are quite cheap to reassign to the I Australian Corp.
With a couple of ART and ENG you can build up forts pretty fast.
Quick side question. I have a PBEM on Jan 15th. I believe my opponent will try to take PH. He has captured Midway and not advanced at all in Malaya, DEI, Rabaul or any other location, save for a couple of landings in the Philippines. And I spotted dozens of transports at Midway. Hence my guess.
Should he come for PH in the following days do you believe that a mini-AAR on the PH assault only could be interesting? I know I've never seen it happening before.
Luganville is no big loss if you keep Noumea.
Are you going to try and fight for it or will you leave it?
An Aussie Div and a Motor Bde could be put up a decent defense and are quite cheap to reassign to the I Australian Corp.
With a couple of ART and ENG you can build up forts pretty fast.
Quick side question. I have a PBEM on Jan 15th. I believe my opponent will try to take PH. He has captured Midway and not advanced at all in Malaya, DEI, Rabaul or any other location, save for a couple of landings in the Philippines. And I spotted dozens of transports at Midway. Hence my guess.
Should he come for PH in the following days do you believe that a mini-AAR on the PH assault only could be interesting? I know I've never seen it happening before.
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RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Hi Dixie,
Luganville is no big loss if you keep Noumea.
Are you going to try and fight for it or will you leave it?
An Aussie Div and a Motor Bde could be put up a decent defense and are quite cheap to reassign to the I Australian Corp.
With a couple of ART and ENG you can build up forts pretty fast.
Quick side question. I have a PBEM on Jan 15th. I believe my opponent will try to take PH. He has captured Midway and not advanced at all in Malaya, DEI, Rabaul or any other location, save for a couple of landings in the Philippines. And I spotted dozens of transports at Midway. Hence my guess.
Should he come for PH in the following days do you believe that a mini-AAR on the PH assault only could be interesting? I know I've never seen it happening before.
I can't speak for Dixie, but I would LOVE to read and follow that! [:)]
Mike
"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett
"They need more rum punch" - Me
Artwork by The Amazing Dixie
"Good times will set you free" - Jimmy Buffett
"They need more rum punch" - Me
Artwork by The Amazing Dixie
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Hi Dixie,
Luganville is no big loss if you keep Noumea.
Are you going to try and fight for it or will you leave it?
An Aussie Div and a Motor Bde could be put up a decent defense and are quite cheap to reassign to the I Australian Corp.
With a couple of ART and ENG you can build up forts pretty fast.
Quick side question. I have a PBEM on Jan 15th. I believe my opponent will try to take PH. He has captured Midway and not advanced at all in Malaya, DEI, Rabaul or any other location, save for a couple of landings in the Philippines. And I spotted dozens of transports at Midway. Hence my guess.
Should he come for PH in the following days do you believe that a mini-AAR on the PH assault only could be interesting? I know I've never seen it happening before.
Absolutely! [;)]
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
Quick side question. I have a PBEM on Jan 15th. I believe my opponent will try to take PH. He has captured Midway and not advanced at all in Malaya, DEI, Rabaul or any other location, save for a couple of landings in the Philippines. And I spotted dozens of transports at Midway. Hence my guess.
Should he come for PH in the following days do you believe that a mini-AAR on the PH assault only could be interesting? I know I've never seen it happening before.
Yes again!
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
Hi Dixie [:)]
Sorry, I did not intend to hijack your thread [8|]
As soon as he knows that I know I'll start the thread.
Apologies again [:)]
Sorry, I did not intend to hijack your thread [8|]
As soon as he knows that I know I'll start the thread.
Apologies again [:)]
Nec recisa recedit
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Hi Dixie [:)]
Sorry, I did not intend to hijack your thread [8|]
As soon as he knows that I know I'll start the thread.
Apologies again [:)]
No worries mate. Apologies are not needed [:)]
It would be interesting to see how things go if your oppo does invade PH. Are you sure he's going for PH? Could it be that he's holding back for a landing on Australia?
[center]
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RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Hi Dixie,
Luganville is no big loss if you keep Noumea.
Are you going to try and fight for it or will you leave it?
An Aussie Div and a Motor Bde could be put up a decent defense and are quite cheap to reassign to the I Australian Corp.
With a couple of ART and ENG you can build up forts pretty fast.
Interesting idea, I'm not sold on a particular course of action yet but I hadn't considered using the Australians. I'd been relocating units to garrison the Perth, Townsville and Darwin regions, I've probably got enough PP to buy out a couple of Aussie LCUs for now. Another option could be to shift the NZ Bde across from Fiji as well, they're already unrestricted. A full division would be a nasty surprise for GBL given that he's mainly been using Nav Gd units for his offensive in the South Pacific. Even better if I can get some decent air support in there, although base forces are limited right now.
I feel an evaluation of shipping available in Brisbane/Sydney is in order, a lot of the merchant fleet was sent to the US to haul supplies back home. See what we've got and report back...
[center]
Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: Dixie
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Hi Dixie [:)]
Sorry, I did not intend to hijack your thread [8|]
As soon as he knows that I know I'll start the thread.
Apologies again [:)]
No worries mate. Apologies are not needed [:)]
It would be interesting to see how things go if your oppo does invade PH. Are you sure he's going for PH? Could it be that he's holding back for a landing on Australia?
Thanks
If he wanted Australia he would have at least captured Rabaul, Port Moresby, Luganville (which are all empty by he way). He only captured Tulagi and went no farther.
Maybe he is going for the West Coast! That might be quite interesting too!
Also why so many ships in Midway. My subs intercepted several convoys of dozens of ships.
What else is close to Midway worth of any attention? Alaska? He can have it if he wants, no resources, no point, no oil, no troops.
I can see no other worthy objective.
Anyway I'll start writing the mini AAR and will post it later.
Nec recisa recedit
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: Dixie
ORIGINAL: mc3744
Hi Dixie,
Luganville is no big loss if you keep Noumea.
Are you going to try and fight for it or will you leave it?
An Aussie Div and a Motor Bde could be put up a decent defense and are quite cheap to reassign to the I Australian Corp.
With a couple of ART and ENG you can build up forts pretty fast.
Interesting idea, I'm not sold on a particular course of action yet but I hadn't considered using the Australians. I'd been relocating units to garrison the Perth, Townsville and Darwin regions, I've probably got enough PP to buy out a couple of Aussie LCUs for now. Another option could be to shift the NZ Bde across from Fiji as well, they're already unrestricted. A full division would be a nasty surprise for GBL given that he's mainly been using Nav Gd units for his offensive in the South Pacific. Even better if I can get some decent air support in there, although base forces are limited right now.
I feel an evaluation of shipping available in Brisbane/Sydney is in order, a lot of the merchant fleet was sent to the US to haul supplies back home. See what we've got and report back...
If you hold Noumea firmly Luganville (and nearby islands) become an trap for Japanese troops as they are all within 2E and 4E range, not to mention night naval bombardment. If you lose Noumea it's a completely different ball game. You need to cross the open see and need the carriers.
Also an Aussie Div and a Motor Bde converted before setting replacements on are cheaper and smaller, but as soon as they start getting replacements they grow enough to stand up to at least two enemy divisions, and that's a lot to bring down to Noumea.
Initially you just build forts and replacements, no need for air force, ships or increasing the size of the airport/port.
Due to the "small" size with just a few ships you can ferry them to Noumea.
Let us know and good luck! [:)]
Nec recisa recedit
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
9th & 10th Jan
Seeing as I'd already run a turn and sent it back to GBL before I posted last night and the fact that things have slowed temporarily I'm combining two days into one post.
PACIFIC
Still no sign of the Japanese fleet in the South Pacific, although coast watcher reports are received of a ship in port at Savaii. Fiji based B-17s will attempt to bomb the ship just in case it's an AV ship.
USS Kingfisher was sunk near Pago Pago by a Japanese submarine attack, no great loss in itself but GBL seems to think that I have plans for PP. I don't. Allied convoys are routed far away from the Samoan Islands and I'm not risking my few unrestricted troops to hold the area just yet.
The advance force of the American support fleet has arrived in the South Pacific, the convoy is being split with half unloading at Tahiti and the rest proceeding to Australia with fuel and supplies. Until there are decent LCUs in place with some fighter cover I don't want to risk too many ships giving away their position.
SOUTH/SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
After consideration, and a review of available shipping in Australia, the Australian 1st Div has been bought out and will form the key component of the New Caledonia garrison force. Two brigades are in SE Oz (Melbourne and Sale) and should be loaded on board their transport in two-three days. The final bde has been recalled from a planned assignment to Perth and will journey across to Brisbane to board more ships.
2/4th Armoured Rgt will join them, as soon as their Matilda tanks arrive. Other forces will be assigned, in the form of US Army artillery and base forces and (probably) New Zealand infantry. There's too much island to defend properly right now, so it's Noumea that'll get the main share of the troops. Reinforcements from the US will follow as time, PPs and shipping allow.
I'm doing this following advice from certain readers, so if it all goes tits up I'm blaming you! [:'(]
DUTCH EAST INDIES
The Japanese are pushing west from Palembang, two parts of the 38th Div are at Lahat. Presumably the third part is heading south towards Oosthaven.
GBL has moved Oscars in to Palembang, not quite the trap I had in mind the other day. Whilst they are reaching the B-17s they aren't doing much damage to the big bombers. The temptation, now that GBL has put his Zeroes on offensive ops, is to fly in at a lower altitude and clobber the refineries good and proper. The Oscar is too lightly armed to make much impact on a B-17 so it would seem like a worthwhile risk?.....
The Dutch air force has been busy too, while they aren't capable of daytime raids they have been performing nighttime attacks on the crowded field at Palembang. With 129 aircraft reported there, even in the dark the Martins are managing to destroy an aircraft a night. Hardly ground breaking stuff but every little helps, especially as the Oscars aren't much cop at night meaning the Dutch bombers can hold their own.
A small force of MLs has worked into position at Toabali. They haven't reported being spotted so I'm hopeful that their arrival at Palembang tomorrow will be a nasty surprise for GBL. The heavy covering forces are reported to have left Palembang several days ago, so if I'm lucky (yeah right) the Dutch vessels will find some vulnerable transports. Just sinking something would be nice. In any case, there are a few bases that can support the modest needs of these PT boats. Singapore will have to suffice for major rearmament but there are three-four other bases where they can refuel and skulk around, generally being a nuisance. In conjunction with a four-sub wolf pack hopefully this will cause GBL issues getting in and out of Palembang.
Seeing as I'd already run a turn and sent it back to GBL before I posted last night and the fact that things have slowed temporarily I'm combining two days into one post.
PACIFIC
Still no sign of the Japanese fleet in the South Pacific, although coast watcher reports are received of a ship in port at Savaii. Fiji based B-17s will attempt to bomb the ship just in case it's an AV ship.
USS Kingfisher was sunk near Pago Pago by a Japanese submarine attack, no great loss in itself but GBL seems to think that I have plans for PP. I don't. Allied convoys are routed far away from the Samoan Islands and I'm not risking my few unrestricted troops to hold the area just yet.
The advance force of the American support fleet has arrived in the South Pacific, the convoy is being split with half unloading at Tahiti and the rest proceeding to Australia with fuel and supplies. Until there are decent LCUs in place with some fighter cover I don't want to risk too many ships giving away their position.
SOUTH/SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
After consideration, and a review of available shipping in Australia, the Australian 1st Div has been bought out and will form the key component of the New Caledonia garrison force. Two brigades are in SE Oz (Melbourne and Sale) and should be loaded on board their transport in two-three days. The final bde has been recalled from a planned assignment to Perth and will journey across to Brisbane to board more ships.
2/4th Armoured Rgt will join them, as soon as their Matilda tanks arrive. Other forces will be assigned, in the form of US Army artillery and base forces and (probably) New Zealand infantry. There's too much island to defend properly right now, so it's Noumea that'll get the main share of the troops. Reinforcements from the US will follow as time, PPs and shipping allow.
I'm doing this following advice from certain readers, so if it all goes tits up I'm blaming you! [:'(]
DUTCH EAST INDIES
The Japanese are pushing west from Palembang, two parts of the 38th Div are at Lahat. Presumably the third part is heading south towards Oosthaven.
GBL has moved Oscars in to Palembang, not quite the trap I had in mind the other day. Whilst they are reaching the B-17s they aren't doing much damage to the big bombers. The temptation, now that GBL has put his Zeroes on offensive ops, is to fly in at a lower altitude and clobber the refineries good and proper. The Oscar is too lightly armed to make much impact on a B-17 so it would seem like a worthwhile risk?.....
The Dutch air force has been busy too, while they aren't capable of daytime raids they have been performing nighttime attacks on the crowded field at Palembang. With 129 aircraft reported there, even in the dark the Martins are managing to destroy an aircraft a night. Hardly ground breaking stuff but every little helps, especially as the Oscars aren't much cop at night meaning the Dutch bombers can hold their own.
A small force of MLs has worked into position at Toabali. They haven't reported being spotted so I'm hopeful that their arrival at Palembang tomorrow will be a nasty surprise for GBL. The heavy covering forces are reported to have left Palembang several days ago, so if I'm lucky (yeah right) the Dutch vessels will find some vulnerable transports. Just sinking something would be nice. In any case, there are a few bases that can support the modest needs of these PT boats. Singapore will have to suffice for major rearmament but there are three-four other bases where they can refuel and skulk around, generally being a nuisance. In conjunction with a four-sub wolf pack hopefully this will cause GBL issues getting in and out of Palembang.
[center]
Bigger boys stole my sig
Bigger boys stole my sig
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: Dixie
SOUTH/SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
After consideration, and a review of available shipping in Australia, the Australian 1st Div has been bought out and will form the key component of the New Caledonia garrison force. Two brigades are in SE Oz (Melbourne and Sale) and should be loaded on board their transport in two-three days. The final bde has been recalled from a planned assignment to Perth and will journey across to Brisbane to board more ships.
2/4th Armoured Rgt will join them, as soon as their Matilda tanks arrive. Other forces will be assigned, in the form of US Army artillery and base forces and (probably) New Zealand infantry. There's too much island to defend properly right now, so it's Noumea that'll get the main share of the troops. Reinforcements from the US will follow as time, PPs and shipping allow.
I'm doing this following advice from certain readers, so if it all goes tits up I'm blaming you! [:'(]
Guilty as charged! [:D][:D]
If I may be so bold [;)] I find that reassigning NZ units is very expensive as you don't get the1/4 "discount" you get with Australian or US units. I'd leave them as a last resort.
I'd go with the units located inTasmania (not very likely to be attacked, is it? [;)]), you have a Bde and a nice Base force there (once recombined) and they are much cheaper in PPs than the NZ troops.
Also there's a small island in front of August IIRC, another BF there at low cost.
B-17s are great Oscar killers if you have enough of them [;)]
Aussie Motor Bde's are also cheap as they are not at full TOE, but once replacements are on they can grow into nice fighting units, it takes approximately a month.
Nec recisa recedit
RE: No Way to Fight a War (Dixie vs GBL)
ORIGINAL: mc3744
ORIGINAL: Dixie
SOUTH/SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
After consideration, and a review of available shipping in Australia, the Australian 1st Div has been bought out and will form the key component of the New Caledonia garrison force. Two brigades are in SE Oz (Melbourne and Sale) and should be loaded on board their transport in two-three days. The final bde has been recalled from a planned assignment to Perth and will journey across to Brisbane to board more ships.
2/4th Armoured Rgt will join them, as soon as their Matilda tanks arrive. Other forces will be assigned, in the form of US Army artillery and base forces and (probably) New Zealand infantry. There's too much island to defend properly right now, so it's Noumea that'll get the main share of the troops. Reinforcements from the US will follow as time, PPs and shipping allow.
I'm doing this following advice from certain readers, so if it all goes tits up I'm blaming you! [:'(]
Guilty as charged! [:D][:D]
If I may be so bold [;)] I find that reassigning NZ units is very expensive as you don't get the1/4 "discount" you get with Australian or US units. I'd leave them as a last resort.
I'd go with the units located inTasmania (not very likely to be attacked, is it? [;)]), you have a Bde and a nice Base force there (once recombined) and they are much cheaper in PPs than the NZ troops.
Also there's a small island in front of August IIRC, another BF there at low cost.
B-17s are great Oscar killers if you have enough of them [;)]
Aussie Motor Bde's are also cheap as they are not at full TOE, but once replacements are on they can grow into nice fighting units, it takes approximately a month.
There are three NZ Bns in Fiji. Those are the guys I was thinking about moving. I'm not sure if it'll be worth the effort or whether they'll be better off staying where they are. If GBL wants to take Fiji he'll be bringing a force big enough to take it from the Kiwis. So moving them to Noumea might throw a spanner into any plans he has in that direction.
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Mike Solli
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