ENLIST TODAY (Docup (A) vs Koniu (J) No Koniu

[DOCUP]

PM My AV 200 0 forts Koniu's AV 400

[DOCUP]

I am begining to think it might be time to move some troops into Burma.  My MLR at the Indian and Burma border is pretty solid.  When I get another ID into the AO.  I might start to move a Div down into Burma. 
 
Luganville will soon have troops on it.  That is if Koniu dosen't do anything to stop this.  I am also prepping units for Ndeni and other smal islands.
 
I am begining to upgrade one Aussi ID to AIF 42 squads.  This will free up some CMF squads to fill out other units. 
 
I am still not seeing much movement in the Gilberts. So I am prepping units for other islands and looking for the best spots to invade.  If I can get his attention in Burma maybe I can sneak these guys in.

[zuluhour]

Thanks for putting the maps up. As you know I am heavily engaged in Burma-China as well as New Guinea. From a historical perspective I needed to find areas to make a stand. The game IMHO mimics the reality of the Pacific war exceptionally well geographically while allowing radical departures through mainly early war Japanese strategies for those games where the struggle is more of a chess match than a simulation. I enjoy both aspects greatly and look forward to "all out" Pacific war at some point. The tempo of my game coupled with Terry's understanding of the game (far better than mine, particularly the first several months) is allowing me to concentrate on the mechanics more than a "out of the box thinking" aggressive Emporer taking the game to its limits would allow.

[DOCUP]

2 turns to update
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
PM
We still hold it.
 
Java
We shot down 7 Sallys for no loses.  Koniu is about to cut off some of our troops.  He is at the perimeter of the base next to Kilidajiti.
 
Other than that not much else going on besides logistics stuff.
 
I am prepping units for my next ops.

[zuluhour]

Wish I could offer some advice, I developed a hold Port Morseby approach so I have 100 B17s watching for a landing as well as keeping 200+ fighters in the AO. Burma is another animal. IMHO conserve your airpower, use it sparingly in favorable situations. Squadrons will begin to arrive off map as well as substantial ground forces for the summer and may give you the opportunity to sweep and bomb to good effect. If you get this situation he will have to draw off 2Es and fighters from elsewhere. I gave up the airwar in China. I never used the AVG there. Itslate August though and squadrons have arrived albeit poorly trained ones.

[DOCUP]

Another turn done
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Derby Aus
His raiding forces sink 3 xAKs.
 
Java
He shock attacks that base and is repulsed.  Sending in more troops to try and hold this base.
 
PM
Still ours.
 
Zulu.  PM is going to be contested.  His landing bonus is getting ready to run out.  I'm getting stronger.   Lets see how much of his assest, I can tie up here.
 
China Hmm this area is giving me fits.  I can't seem to get the air war going.  I haven't pulled out but I'm not really fighting either.  On the ground he is having trouble with some of my outposts in the woods.
 
Burma I'm getting stronger by the day in this AO.  If I only had better figthers in this area.  If I did I would fight more forward.  The longer he waits the more supplies that get into China, the stronger my MLR is and the stronger I get.  If he dosen't push me back from here, I will be in a good position to launch my conter offensive.
 
Subs  nothing explodes.  I hope it gets better.
 
Gilberts its early here.  Lets see if he counter attacks my positions.  Couple more days I should have to lv 1 AFs. 
 
Overview
All in all, I think I'm in an ok position.  I know I haven't really hit him hard but he hasn't moved as far as he should have.  I might be able to have some forward bases to operate from.  lets see

[zuluhour]

Withdrawn dutch fighter groups will begin to appear as well as hurricanes and P40s where you can quickly ship them to Karchi. Are you AFB building on the frontier with Burma in India? Remember to hoard supplies at them (20M I think) and get at least two to level 8 for easy replacement aircraft. I aslo wished I had spent some more time getting triple A to the right places easrly as he can easily overwhelm your CAP when he decides to. Alfred?

[DOCUP]

Zulu.  Yes I am building up along the Burma Indian border. Forts and AFs.  I am working the AFs as high as I can get them.  I have all the AAA deployed in places I think they will be used the most.
 
20th Mar
 
KB unknown
MKB part of it is in the Gilberts.
 
PM
We still hold PM.
 
Luganville
Engs have landed and are working on the base.  A ID will land tonite.  CD unit is also on its way.
 
Gilberts
3 or 4 more days and we will have 2 AFs lv 1.  I see a TF with 20 fighters and 40 bombers. Nothing I can do about it right now.  It dosen't seem to be heading towards our new island bases.
 
China
I see an IR guarding a road.  I think I will send some troops to visit them.
 
Java
Troop movements for both sides.
 
Not much going on this turn.  We have been playing cat and mouse with each other.  Sooner or later we will get into a fight.
 
 

[DOCUP]

21st Mar
 
KB east of Gilberts?
MKB east of Gilberts?
 
PM
Naval bombardment causes 430 casualities.
 
Java
troop movements
 
Turk
Spearfish puts a TT into an AKE heavy fires and heavy damage
 
Off Taraken
O23 puts a TT into 2 tankers.[:D]
 
Air war
We sweep a Chinese base with 40Bs vs Oscars Ic. We also sweep and Indo-China base with Hurri IIb vs Oscars Ic.  Final combat report says 6 Oscar Ic's shot down to 5 40bs and 4 Hurries.  Watching the report I think there were around 12 Oscars shot down.  We also bombed the base in Indo-China and got 19 Sallys.
 
Gilberts
So is it the KB or the MKB thats here. If its the MKB i would take it on with my carriers.  I am directing an AM to find out.  My 4 carriers are being directed to close in but not engage.
 
 

[DOCUP]

22nd Mar
 
KB unknown
MKB unknown
 
Which ever was traveling thru the Gilberts is in a no patrol zone.  I have ships going out to find them.
 
Air war
We lose a B17D and 10 Blenheim IV over Chiang Mai.  But we destroy 11 Sallys on the ground.  We lose some Dutch planes in Java.
 
Canton Is
An RO boat sinks an xAK then surfaces to attack an xAP and takes 3 deck gun hits for it.
 
Lots of Ground combat this turn.
 
China
He attacks one of my outposts in the woods. We lose 3400 to his 401.  He brought the Hammer to this fight.  3 Temp Div, IDiv, 2 IR, Mix Bde.
 
Near Tsinoto
Delib attack here cost us 450 to his 1800.  He had 3 IDs, 1 arm car unit, 2 IRs.
 
PM
Delib attack here 270 to 920.
 
I know where 13 Jap IDs are located.
 
I have been tracking a convoy at Mergui.  I now have a SAG 9 hexs out.  It says it can move 9 hexs, so I am putting it on max speed and sending it into this convoy.  Intel reports some warships with transports.  They have not been spotted yet.  Hopefully if they survive they will make it back to my LRCAP.
 
I am still haveing trouble with the Oscar Ic.  What can I do to take this plane down? 

[zuluhour]

I am still haveing trouble with the Oscar Ic. What can I do to take this plane down?

You are not alone. Its a combination for me. First as an example, I sent some trained P40s on a sweep (drop tanks) over Lashio where they had alt. and numbers. I lost half the squadron to one Oscar. Second, his bombers seem to fly every turn in Burma. I get 57 bombers over the east coast every single day followed by another twenty plus every day. These guys are real good as they kill hundreds.

ps. I am not accepting this carte blanche use of my air space. Triple A and ground crews are prepping for the defense of the coast, but it is not where I wanted to place these assets, particularly the AckAck.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

I am still haveing trouble with the Oscar Ic. What can I do to take this plane down?

You are not alone. Its a combination for me. First as an example, I sent some trained P40s on a sweep (drop tanks) over Lashio where they had alt. and numbers. I lost half the squadron to one Oscar. Second, his bombers seem to fly every turn in Burma. I get 57 bombers over the east coast every single day followed by another twenty plus every day. These guys are real good as they kill hundreds.

I found my IIc's with 70 - 80 experinced pilots quite adequate for the IJAAF to cease operations over Mandalay.His Oscars are now picking on the Aussie's [;)]

[DOCUP]

Zulu.  Yes same problems here.  Over the last few turns I hurt his bombers in Burma.  I am now going to try the same in China
 
Crackaces.  Thanks for the idea.  I dont have the Hurri IIc yet.  Can't wait for them.
 
23rd Mar
 
KB unknown
MKB broken down in 2 Divs (I believe) Small group near Miline Bay (20 fighters and 20 bombers reported)
 
PM
Bombed
 
NW coast of Oz
Series of naval battles happened here today.  CA Australia's TF attacked and Jap CL TF.  Australia was sunk by 5 TTs.  A CL and DD were damaged.  We sank the CL natari and DD Shirukumo.
 
Mergui
Our SAG found nothing and was not able to make it back under fighter cover.  A CA and CL were damaged.  I am trying to get them out of harms way.  I am routeing this TF as close as I can to our fighters as possible.  I left them on mission speed.  If I dont they won't make it within our fighter range.
 
Tomorrow
Sweep in China with 40B's and E's.
 
Merry Christmas everyone

[DOCUP]

2 turns to update you all about.
 
26th and 27th Mar
 
KB NE Baker Island
MKB unknown
 
Lets do Highlights
We lost a CA, Cl, and 3 xAKLs.
 
Port Blair
Bettys finished off the CA and CL here.  On this last turn, Koniu landed troops.  I am moving in a Brit CVTF to try and launch some air strikes.
 
Java
Imp Guards Div takes Tajiltapjap.
 
Canton Is
2nd turn KB is just north of it with a SAG and a DD TF.  Hmm attacking Canton?
 
Gilberts
4 small 2 or 3 ship TFS near our island bases here.  There is also 1 10 ship TF here. I have a CV TF in the area.  They need fuel though so they will top off there bunkers and might move againist them.  A sqd of DBs will attack if they get to close.
 
Noumea
2 xAKs sunk by an RO boat.  we damage that same RO boat.
 
Tahti
We have multi sub attacks on our tankers here.  Only one is sunk though.
 
Carnes
A lone DD TF attacks our transport TF does mild damage.

[DOCUP]

Couple questions for you guys.
 
I remember reading what you needed to bring along for an Atoll invasion.  But I can not remember them all.  Does anyone remember the thread for it?  I can't find it. 
 
Also is it 43 when you can invace Indo-China without setting off reinforcements?

[DOCUP]

3 Days to update.  Dang RL delaying me here
 
KB Gilberts
MKB unknown
 
PM
Falls.  I am prepping units to retake PM, but it will take time to get everything ready.
 
Port Blair
Falls.  I had a CVTF close by but planes didn't fly.  I would assume due to weather.  I did see clouds over the TF and Is hex
 
Tabiteauea
Falls. I had a DB unit close by and it didn't fly either.  Weather was good here.
 
Bativia
Its under seige.  3 IDs attacked yesterday and suffered more caus than we did.  Koniu also naval bombarded and 2 of his DDs hit mines.  My sunk ship list states I sunk both of them.  I would say one.  I did hear the sinking ship sound.
 
Darwin
Jap sub layed mines.  A tanker struck one after returning form one of the small Dutch bases with oil. 
 
 

[Crackaces]

Tabiteauea
Falls. I had a DB unit close by and it didn't fly either. Weather was good here.

IMHO) That is the problem with the KB and the CAP .. pilots say .. "hey no escort to get me through the CAP .. I would rather play pinochle" I had teh same exact problem in many locations ... Thus I concluded that CD's and enough Dogfaces and/or Marines to resist where I thought it was important. The good news is that soon enough you will have what it takes to take it back and more ..[;)]

[zuluhour]

soon enough you will have what it takes to take it back and more

Not soon enough for me![:D]

[DOCUP]

31st Mar
 
KB Gilberts
MKB unknown
 
Rangoon
Good day in the air war.  Hurris meet the dreaded Oscar Ic.  We lost 2 IIa and 1 IIb.  The japs lost 16 [:D].
 
A jap sub gets hammered off the coast of India.  It might make it back to port.
 
Future ops
 
Troops are prepping and moving to various locations.
 
PM. 2 IDs, engs, AAA and BFs are prepping and moving to areas close to launch points.  It will be awhile before this can happen.
 
Gilberts
I am prepping for Wotje and Maloelap.  I am going here because I still have Wake and believe this move will be unexpected.  I have an ID, Combat Eng, AA and BFs prepping for these bases.
 
Burma
I am moving Inf Bdes south to blocking positions incase I need to evac Rangoon. 
 
Thailand Chang Mai
Fighter sweep and AF bombing planned for tom.
 
Ambon
3 TFs are to the east.  Hmm invasion TFs?
 
 

[Alfred]

A move on the Marshall islands, anchored on your continued retention of Wake could be a good move, but I think there are better targets than Wotje and Maloelap.

The problems with your current targets are:

1. The forces you have indicated for this operation are not really sufficient for 2 targets. At this stage you should only concentrate on one of the two nominated targets.

2. You will be landing close to other significant Japanese air bases. Japan will be able to launch short range aircraft.

3. Most of your 4E will only be able to support the operation at extended range. This will have an impact on operational losses, at a time when your 4E replacement rate is quite low, as well as the quantity of ordnance which can be delivered.

4. Even with both Wotje and Maloelap secured, the Japanese position in the Marshalls will remain stronger than the Allied position. You may be dragged into (a) a defensive siege and (b) you will still have to fight through the other Japanese bases in the area to derive any real strategic benefit from the invasion.

I would instead recommend you look at Eniwetok. It has several advantages:

(1) Far superior port facilities which you will need for subsequent unloading and ship repair triage

(2) Is significantly removed from the Japanese air bases. Japanese short range aircraft will not reach Eniwetok from Roi-Namur. The Zero will be flying at extended range with all that it entails for operational losses.

(3) Securing Eniwetok opens up much more promising opportunities for future exploitation. From Eniwetok you can head south to Ponape and the dot base (but with excellent development potential) Kusaie. Eniwetok starts to close the door, Ponape and Kusaie shut the door on the Japanese SLOC to all of the Marshall islands.

(4) Your 4E can reach Eniwetok from Wake on normal range. From an operational losses POV this is quite beneficial whether they are used to drop ordnance upon a Japanese counter attack or in flying supply.

(5) Eniwetok is just within a days steaming at flank from Wake. Your nominated targets are not plus in egressing your ships will run the gauntlet of enemy air power.

Alfred