Aussies v Aussies - Clubbing baby seals (no AOFFEN or Mark)

[jrcar]

19 Jul 1943
The quandry is solved, despite there being only two logical options, as usual the enemy choose the third!

Andrew has landed on all four of the islands in the chain from Port Blair to Sabang, and has split his CV forces into two to cover them.... see the image in the next post.

Indicators and Warnings
Its all in the DEI at the moment, the rest is quiet... although there is some action around Townsville.

Subs
We had Kaga, this CVE and two CS in a TF... because the CVE was slowing it down we split it off... it sucked a topr but should make Batavia.

Sub attack near Oosthaven at 46,97

Japanese Ships
CVE Kaiyo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Susuzuki

Allied Ships
SS Snapper

Burma
This turn he came for our main airbase, which is now closed, but we got a reasonable haul of bombers, B-25 in particular. Our fighters have now culminated and have been withdrawn. The Franks have concentrated in the DEI.

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 57
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 32
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 75



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 79


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 53
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 68



Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 68


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 43
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 28
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 55



Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 12
Wellington B.X x 15
Kittyhawk IV x 10
B-17E Fortress x 26
B-17F Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 79
B-25C Mitchell x 100
P-40K Warhawk x 90


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed, 42 damaged
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 21 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 45 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 11 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Wellington B.X: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Kittyhawk IV: 1 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed

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



Airbase hits 58
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 112

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 27
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 40



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 17
B-26 Marauder x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed

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



Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 2

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 22
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 18



Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 10
B-26 Marauder x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 7 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 2 destroyed


Runway hits 2

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 14



Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak



Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4



Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
P-38H Lightning x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 47,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 88


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



DEI
We launch a few small strikes, mainly to test the CAP. Now we have a good idea what we are facing. Next turn fighters from the bases along the coast will sweep the invasion hexes, while KB comes in from the south to destroy the TF... to late to stop the troops from unloading, but they should have limited supply.

OZ

Pacific

China

[jrcar]

Situation and Plan

As you can see he has landed on the four islands, the landing forcese are engineer/BF heavy, with about a Bde of combat troops each. I'm not sure he understands the impact of having level 0(0) ports yet... they are very tough to resupply. His intent is clear though, to isolate Burma by sea and threaten the long coast of Malaya/Burma.

Our plan is to sweep with fighters, send a couple of small strikes from the land, mainly to tire the CVE force.

KB should then come in and hit the southern most forces at long range.

Next turn we will launch Naval strike to try and clean up what remains....

We have two divs at sea that can counter land if we wish to.

Well that is the plan!

[jrcar]

Waiting for turn to come in... I had the option of alcohol and ladies of negotiable affection or reporting on the AAR...

Anyway here is China. We have him boxed in and keep the remaining airfields suppressed, gives our aircrew some experiance! We don't have enough force to advance. Supply was a problem a few weeks ago, but no longer. Looks like China needs about 20k in supply a week from Japan even when you own most of the place...

[jrcar]

SWPAC
Has gone quiet. We had been seeing a bit of movement aroun the place, and was looking like it would be an area he would advance to. With the ops in The Indian Ocean this has gone quite, except the movement of forces to Groote Eylandt.

We have decent force (Air, Sea and land)in the area and aren't too concerned.

Off Map Tulagi and Lunga are major well developed and dug in bases.

He is mostly using Townsville.

[SqzMyLemon]

Glad to see the updates happening again. [8D]

What kind of strength do you have at Merauke and Port Moresby? I'm trying to gage what constitutes something more than a roadblock defence. I had 141 AV on Lunga and it was adjusted down to 55 behind level four forts and rough terrain, yet fell in one day.

[Cribtop]

ORIGINAL: jrcar

Waiting for turn to come in... I had the option of alcohol and ladies of negotiable affection or reporting on the AAR...

Priorities, Rob. Priorities.

[jrcar]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Glad to see the updates happening again. [8D]

What kind of strength do you have at Merauke and Port Moresby? I'm trying to gage what constitutes something more than a roadblock defence. I had 141 AV on Lunga and it was adjusted down to 55 behind level four forts and rough terrain, yet fell in one day.

Sounds like you were a bit unlucky... but did you have supply, how disrupted and decent leaders?

Merauke is 250AV behind level 6 forts.

PM is 380 AV (and dropping, we are starting to pull back a bit) behind level 6 forts.

Both have resonable units, PM has 2/3 of the 21st Div.

Cheers
Rob

[jrcar]

20 July 1943 Defeated by the weather

Bad weather in the AO and none of our land based air flew, and only about 1/2 of KB... the enemy has fled though (the torp in the CVE last turn probably gave the game away). We did get some minor ships, see below, for no loss, but the area is thick with subs...

So now Andrew has four islands, each with a Brit Bde, 2-4 US engineer units and BF. They are all level 0 ports, which will make them very problematic to supply. All are within range of our land based air, which despite the battles in central Burma are in reasonable shape (fighters) or good shape (bombers).

So now the battle will be on for us to interdict his resupply/build up, and him to advance in Burma so his Long Range bombers can hit our airfields. Should shape up into some really nice battles in the future!

Indicators and Warnings
The enemy tpt fleets have fled back towards Ceylon. The CV and CVE forces have joined up and are covering the withdrawel. There is no other movement detected elsewhere on the map.

Subs

ASW attack near Great Nicobar at 34,68

Japanese Ships
SS I-27, hits 7, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Rotherham
DD Tenedos
DD Allen
DD Relentless
DD Redoubt

ASW attack near Little Andaman at 42,58

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
DD McCalla
CL Sumatra
APA Bolivar
APA Crescent City
APA Heywood
APA W.A. Holbrook
APA Henry T. Allen
APA Zeilin
LSI(L) Australia Star
LSI(L) Empire Battleaxe
AKA Alchiba
AKA Alhena
AKA Bellatrix
DD Kalk
DD Barton

Submarine attack near Fraser Island at 97,156

Japanese Ships
SS I-176

Allied Ships
xAKL Ngakuta, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage

ASW attack near Toyohara at 126,46

Japanese Ships
DD Mikazuki

Allied Ships
SS Lapon, hits 11, heavy damage



Burma
His fighters sweep and the bombers hit Mandalay against no opposition.

DEI
As noted abovethe weather impacts with only the following missions flow.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 41,68

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
A6M5 Zero x 37
A6M5b Zero x 33
B6N1 Jill x 26
B6N2 Jill x 6
D4Y1 Judy x 15



Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 2 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
B6N2 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Benham, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Allen
DD Tenedos

Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 41,68

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Tenedos, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Allen
DD Relentless
DD Benham, heavy fires

The following shows what has landed on each of the islands.

Ground combat at Car Nicobar (44,62)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2622 troops, 42 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 162

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 131

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 131 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Car Nicobar !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
14th British Brigade
45th USN Naval Construction Battalion
145th USA Base Force
48th USN Naval Construction Battalion
Rabaul Det. Base Force


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Trinkat (44,64)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2602 troops, 40 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 170

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 127

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 127 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Trinkat !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
16th British Brigade
143rd USA Base Force
38th USN Naval Construction Battalion
40th USN Naval Construction Battalion
39th USN Naval Construction Battalion
142nd USA Base Force
9 RAAF Aviation Rgt


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Great Nicobar (43,66)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2207 troops, 40 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 180

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 120

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 120 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Great Nicobar !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
23rd British Brigade
20th RAAF Base Force
141st USA Base Force
43rd USN Naval Construction Battalion
81st RAAF Wing
41st USN Naval Construction Battalion
144th USA Base Force
44th USN Naval Construction Battalion
XIII US Fighter Cmd


OZ

Pacific

China
We batter some Chinese units trying to get back behind their lines.

Ground combat at 69,45 (near Tsuyung)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3962 troops, 31 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 148

Defending force 1237 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Japanese adjusted assault: 129

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

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


Allied ground losses:
409 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
35th/B Division

Defending units:
16th Chinese Base Force
13th Construction Regiment

[jrcar]

20 Jul 1943 Burma

The enemy is advancing on Shwebo. The plan to to make him prepare for Shwebo (which is mostly held by Armour and AT units, behind level 6 forts), then retire on the main defensive location of Mandalay. Our real intent is then to defend back in the jungle/rough... timing this move will be the challange!

Most of our air has moved south to prepare to attack the islands, and to recover. IJN airgroups are converting to Frank, some will remain Tojo IIC.

[jrcar]

20 Jul 1943 West DEI
This shows the current situation with the strikes from KB noted, and our main airbases circled. We have three Air HQ supporting at Sabang, Chumpun, and one split in south Sumatra. Another air HQ 2-3 days away and a fith about 8 days away. We have two divs at sea that are capable of conducting counter landings. This means we can probably take one of the islands back at a time.

Enemy forces are noted.

[jrcar]

Strategic Thoughts
We have some hard decisions to make now. These include:

Abandon central Burma.
Counter Land.
Move in more containment forces.
Commit all our CV's.
Commit only KB.

First we need to start with the end in mind...

We want Japan to still be fighting in mid 1945.

To do that we need to keep the war industry going. We have heaps of resources, oil and fuel are our weakness.

Therefore the key to us is keeping Palembang undamaged for at least 9 months. Therfore anything map north of 21 hex of Palembang is expendable. How to do that while creating the delay will keep us amused for a while.


At this point the rest of the map is almost irrelevant, in particular the SOPAC and SWPAC. As the bulk of his CV force is in the Indian Ocean; he only has a couple of CVE elsehwre (but more are coming) this will make it slow going for him to advance in the Pacific... if he even bothers.

[Olorin]

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you must crush his forces as soon as possible, before he manages to build up those bases. I would use the two reserve divs to crush his Brit brigades piecemeal and keep 3/5 of my carriers to blockade him.

Right now, you have a shorter SLOC and air supremacy. Use your advantage, before it vanishes. If you let those bases grow, an invasion into Malaya or northern Sumatra is inevitable sooner or later.

Just my humble opinion. [:)]

[jrcar]

21 Jul 1943

Indicators and Warnings
Australian Div advancing on Port Hedland has turned around and is beginning the long march out.

Bit of movement in North East Australia coast.

Subs
The area around Sabang is thick we subs, we have moved in a lot of good ASW aircraft groups and have formed some ASW Tf to take advantage of the opportunity to kill Allied subs. But Our cbt TF are in the area... we are getting out, but not quick enough...

Sub attack near Nias at 41,79

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Torpedo hits 1 [She is Ok and will get to port fine, only recently came out of the yards!]
DD Maikaze
DD Hayashio
DD Ariake
DD Wakaba
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
SS Haddock, hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Okinoerabushima at 96,65

Japanese Ships
xAK Teishun Maru
xAK Zenoa Maru
PB Seki Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Drum, hits 3



Burma
He sweeps against no opposition. We are building up the fighter force with Franks, and have concentrated at Toungoo, Rangoon and Pegu.

DEI
We start the reduction of the islands. We are building up a counter invasion force of 2 div, 2 Tk Regt and an Assult Eng Regt.

KB finishes off the ships we damaged last turn.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 39,67

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
A6M5b Zero x 11
B6N2 Jill x 12



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 39,67

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 10
A6M5b Zero x 11
B6N2 Jill x 12



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Benham, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Tenedos, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

And then supports the attacks on the islands.

Afternoon Air attack on 41st USN Naval Construction Battalion, at 43,66 (Great Nicobar)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
A6M5 Zero x 26
A6M5b Zero x 22
D4Y1 Judy x 132



Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged


Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

OZ
Not much change.

Pacific
We are pulling back the troops still on Pago Pago to Suva, then will pull back to Rabaul.

China
No change.



We have decided to fight hard in Burma, and to counter land on the islands.

For the later we have 2 div unloading at Singapore, 2 Tk regts on the way to Singapore and a HQ (25th Army) and an Eng Regt about to head to Singapore. It will take us about 7-10 days to get them all assembled with plenty of good assault shipping. We can go earlier if the opportunity arises.

[jrcar]

Olorin thanks for the thoughts!

After much consideration/discussion we agree. It will just get worse from here on in!

We are moving 2 div into map south Burma at Tavoy and Moulmein in case he tries to land on the mainland, leaving 7-8 Div in central Burma.

ORIGINAL: Olorin

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that you must crush his forces as soon as possible, before he manages to build up those bases. I would use the two reserve divs to crush his Brit brigades piecemeal and keep 3/5 of my carriers to blockade him.

Right now, you have a shorter SLOC and air supremacy. Use your advantage, before it vanishes. If you let those bases grow, an invasion into Malaya or northern Sumatra is inevitable sooner or later.

Just my humble opinion. [:)]

[jrcar]

22 Jul 1943

Indicators and Warnings
The first island, the one below Port Blair, becomes a level 1 airfield.

Mines
Intersting mine toll this turn:
TF 281 encounters mine field at Little Andaman (44,59)

Japanese Ships
SS I-157, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

TF 322 encounters mine field at Horn Island (91,128)

Allied Ships
CA Exeter, Mine hits 1


Subs
Bugger, it later sinks

Sub attack near Enggano at 43,95

Japanese Ships
AO Ken'yo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AO Shinkoku Maru
E W-4

Allied Ships
SS Swordfish

Burma
We sweep over his advancing forces to see what is there... next turn Frank will be used for the first time on a sweep mission.

Morning Air attack on XXXIII Indian Corps, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

The light flak tears up the Huricanes.

Morning Air attack on 1st Mobile Infantry Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IId Trop x 31


Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IId Trop: 8 damaged
Hurricane IId Trop: 2 destroyed by flak

DEI
Andrew has put out some YMS as a screen force, we go around killing them. This DD now has a good gunnery officer!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sabang at 36,70, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
YMS BYMS-2061, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Day Time Surface Combat, near Sinabang at 35,72, Range 18,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
YMS BYMS-2168, Shell hits 4, and is sunk


We bomb the ground forces on Trinkat island and on Great Nicobar.


At the other end of the DEI Andrew hits Merauke causing light damage:

Night Naval bombardment of Merauke at 89,124

Allied Ships
CA Portland

Japanese ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 18
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 4

CA Portland firing at Merauke

OZ

Pacific

China



We will continue to hunt down the YMS ships, Next turn KB will join up with the fuelers and AKE's to rearm. Mini KB is well on the way as well, as is most of the fleet. Another few days and it will get really interesting...

[jrcar]

23 Jul 1943 The Frank goes into combat!

Indicators and Warnings

Subs

Sub attack near Ominato at 118,52

Japanese Ships
xAK Shirashika Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sumiyoshi Maru
xAKL Nitiyu Maru
xAKL Nitian Maru
xAKL Shinnan Maru
SC CHa-57

Allied Ships
SS Sunfish

Burma
We kill some Thunderbolts!

Morning Air attack on XXXIII Indian Corps, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 36



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

Morning Air attack on XXXIII Indian Corps, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 26



Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 3


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

We then bomb the advancing Allied troops;

Morning Air attack on 150th RAC Regiment, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 23
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 51
Ki-84a Frank x 13



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
29 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 9th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...
Also attacking 150th RAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 6th Medium Regiment ...

DEI
We continue to hunt down YMS intel ships.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sinabang at 33,72, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
YMS BYMS-2217, Shell hits 2, and is sunk

Day Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 37,67, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Wakaba

Allied Ships
YMS BYMS-2181, Shell hits 5, and is sunk

We Bomb the southern two most islands for light effect. However the top island goes to level 2, the next two to 1, but the bottom one doesn't progress (see screenshot below).

OZ

Pacific

China


Here is the curent situation. Our 100+ ASW aircraft and ASW Tf have damaged a lot of subs, and the way is now getting clearer. Another couple of turns and the risk will have dropped a lot. You can see where our DD has been hunting YMS, it has done a great job.

The enemy islands are building fast, as you can see the top one has fighters already No enemy TF are detected.

The extra air HQ has arived at Chumphun with two more BF Units, one of which is moving to Victoria Point (level 4 airfield). So we now have decent levels of AS in the area, with more on the way.

KB has rearmed, refuled and upgraded more TB units to Jill N2.

[jrcar]

24 Jul 1943 A fairly good turn

Indicators and Warnings
No sign of a second wave of ships into the Indian Ocean.

Subs
We are "winning" the sub battle near Sabang, his subs are pulling back and we have freedom of movement again.

On the second attack run we get a hit on an APD, should sink it.

Sub attack near Newcastle at 93,169

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 1

Allied Ships
APD Gilmer, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Litchfield
APD Rathburne
APD Sands
APD Brooks

Burma
We sweep his forward troops and hit them lightly against no opposition, Japanese aircraft again rule the skies over central Burma...

11 units, including about 3 div have moved into Shwebo. We have about 340AV, mostly armour, with lots of AT guns dug in behind lvl 6 forts. Should get interesting.

Our airfields are all now operational, although still damaged. The enemies North Burma airfields are now operational [:(]

DEI
We attack Trinkat, it made level 1 and we were expecting fighters. Unfortunately our missions didn't happen as we would have liked, however he was at max altitude, and we managed to get in underneath while our fighters held the enemy back. In the end a goon result and the airfield at Trinkat is showing 50% damaged at the end of the turn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 7
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 83



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 34


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled


Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 44

Afternoon Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21
N1K1-J George x 21



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 29 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 10

Afternoon Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 8
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 4



Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 2 damaged


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


Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1



He hits Port Blair, he has to, which is good for us as we have no intention of using it, and it uses some of his 4E sorties!

Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 46
B-24D1 Liberator x 35


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 36
OZ

Pacific

China
A good bombardment in the trench lines in front of Chunking.

Ground combat at 76,46 (near Chungking)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2275 troops, 254 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 3542

Defending force 138505 troops, 674 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4399


Allied ground losses:
243 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
41st Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
51st Infantry Brigade
102nd Infantry Regiment
34th Division
13th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Division
39th Division
138th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
31st Tankette Co
26th Engineer Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Army
31st Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/A Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
51st Chinese Corps
26th Chinese/A Corps
36th Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
6th Construction Regiment
73rd Chinese Corps
12th Group Army
20th Group Army
7th Chinese Base Force
3rd War Area
3rd New Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
7th Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Base Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
2nd Chinese Base Force
4th War Area
10th Group Army
9th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment



A lesson that I have picked up from this is that establishing 4 bases at once is probably the minimum for the type of mission that Andrew is conducting to almost guarantee success. It is one more than we can handle at the moment [:(]

[Cribtop]

A Bridge Too Far, so to speak?

Don't forget that suppression is only half the battle. There's interdiction of the SLoC and counter-invasion. IMHO you don't need to close all four bases. You need to close the bases that you neither take nor isolate. Kapische?

[jrcar]

25 Jul 1943 Today went to Japan, see Burma.

Indicators and Warnings
A small swarm of subs detected off Samulaki, either going to mine or in preperation for a move in this area?

Subs
Most of the allied subs have pulled well back.

Burma
Today we went on the counteroffensive. We sweep, bomb and LRCAP Katha for very good result, in addition to the losses below we claim 13 transport aircraft!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 54



Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 25
P-40N5 Warhawk x 24
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40N1 Warhawk: 6 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 2 destroyed
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 78
Ki-84a Frank x 57



Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 10
P-40N5 Warhawk x 16
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 63


Then there was this very nice ground bombardment by the allies. We have some heavy gun un units, lots of AT assets, behind level 6 forts and his troops may be low on supplies and in the open...

Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 41524 troops, 746 guns, 1048 vehicles, Assault Value = 2549

Defending force 9752 troops, 264 guns, 609 vehicles, Assault Value = 332


Allied ground losses:
1229 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 118 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 59 (13 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (7 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Assaulting units:
2nd British Division
27th Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division
268th Motorised Brigade
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
254th Armoured Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
6th Australian Division
9th Indian Division
2/13th Field Regiment
XXXIII Indian Corps
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Regiment

Defending units:
5th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Battalion
1st Tank Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
1st Mobile AA Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mobile Field Artillery Regiment
31st Field AA Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion



DEI
The initial attack on Trinkat doesn't do much... but does chew up his planes for the bombers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 30
N1K1-J George x 4
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 88



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 13 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 7 destroyed on ground
Spitfire Vc Trop: 4 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 19

Morning Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 17
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 23



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

Morning Air attack on Trinkat , at 44,64

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21
N1K1-J George x 4



Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 1


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 damaged
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground



Airbase hits 1


The northern most of the four islands makes Level 3 airfield.

OZ

Pacific

China




Tony is now taking command of all Naval assets and the counter landing forces in the DEI. I do the land based air and defensive ground troop. Requires a bit of coordination and discussion, which we both enjoy!


Here are the overall air losses.

[DTurtle]

Wow, I don't think I've seen such a small force incur such large anti-bombardment losses. I'm guessing you have substantial reinforcements on the way? Do you intend to just hold out or try for a counterattack once reinforcements arrive? Though that is obviously also dependent on their further actions.