Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Docup(A)-Koniu(J)

[koniu]

13 OCT 42

China

Docup is sending suicidal chinis units to slow down my units. Today ID without AV block my 4 ID sourth of Sian. I have no chose - attack. That will cost me another two days

Marshlas
Battleships bombard Maloelap. Bombardment result is good but i lost DMS for CD hit and DD from mine[:(]. I have also sunk 8 PT defending waters around base
Naval bombardment of Maloelap at 136,117 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 17 damaged
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5A Catalina: 42 damaged
PBY-5A Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 87 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 26 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 21 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed on ground
F4F-3A Wildcat: 5 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 1
BB Fuso
BB Haruna
BB Kongo


Allied ground losses:
356 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 54 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 31 (16 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (9 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 47

20 Enemy planes reported destroyed. 120 more on island most of grounded i think

Singapore
Last devices upgraded in tank regiment. It will allow me to recombine 1 Tank Div. When last units arrive in few days.

Pilots
In last 3 days 6 japanise pilots escape capture.

[sj80]

Hey Koniu,
push forward and destroy the Chinese troops! I think the only way is to build a larger stack than your enemy. It's "Deathstar" time ...
Thanks for your hints with layered CAP. I will definitely use it. As usual I have more questions. How large did you built up your air bases in Burma around Mandalay? I'm unsure if level 4 is enough or level 6/7 is better.
Are you using low ground attacks against Chinese troops (because of their weak AA value)?

Sebastian

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: sj80

Hey Koniu,
push forward and destroy the Chinese troops! I think the only way is to build a larger stack than your enemy. It's "Deathstar" time ...
Thanks for your hints with layered CAP. I will definitely use it. As usual I have more questions. How large did you built up your air bases in Burma around Mandalay? I'm unsure if level 4 is enough or level 6/7 is better.
Are you using low ground attacks against Chinese troops (because of their weak AA value)?

Sebastian

First, i will push forward. I think they are big in numbers but poor combat units. Is looks like they are out of supplies also.

Second it not be easy for next turns like it was turn earlier. Later i will give report with details. But telling short. ~100 allied bombers escorted by 75 fighters attack Hankow last turn. The fly low and manage to sneak below my CAP. 50 bombers and 25 fighters destroyed on ground. After them P-38 seep. In total Japanese Air Force in China lost today 108 planes for only 35 on allied side. That mean 30% of force destroyed.
That hurt[:(]

Worst news is that Hankow is closed with AF damage ~95%. Hankow is lvl 9 AF and repair going to take few weeks). Bombers and Fighters move to reserve AFs. But it will take few days before i will be able to fight again.
At lest Docup is using many supllise using bombers in china i that big numbers

Good neews. After todays battle i lost only 3 KIA pilots but 14 is WIA.


As for Burma i build them to AF size 4 max. I think it is better to have more small AFs than few big-ones. You have example in Hankow. If allies want they can close any AF.

Also those open ground AF are hard to defend. He will destroy your ENG units there and who will repair them???

[koniu]

14 Oct 42

China
Heavy raid on Hankow. CAP out of position. Only few planes manage to intercept enemy.
75 planes lost on ground 32 in air
Allies loses 35 planes

Morning Air attack on Hankow , at 85,50

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 41
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 13
P-66 Vanguard x 12
Blenheim IV x 12
Hudson IIIa x 12
Wellington Ic x 10
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-26 Marauder x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 7 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 13 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-I Dinah: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-15-II Babs: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
C5M2 Babs: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak
Hudson IIIa: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 45
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 79

After bombers P-38 sweep shotting down 14 fighters for only 7 allied planes

15 OCT 42

China
Another ride on Hankow. This time base evacuated.
Runway damage 97
Airbase 76[/color]


Japanese AForce in China evacuated to safe airfields. I will return to fight in 5 days when all airframes going to be replaced. Reserve AF online so closing Hankow will not stop me.

[koniu]

16 OCT 42

Burma
Allied bombers raid Magwe. Probably biggest number of allied fighters spotted in single raid. Almost 180 enemy fighters sweeping or escorting bombers byt only 57 medium bombers.

ENG unit in Magwe in mess

Marshals
A6m3a sweep Wotje. 4 P-40E shot down without loses. Ki-49 attack Wotje AF. 5 enemy planes destroyed. Most important information P-40K detected on island

I have counted at lest 10 enemy subs around Truk and Marshals

China
Quiet

[JocMeister]

Don´t worry about the P-40K. Its just as useless as the E version!

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Don´t worry about the P-40K. Its just as useless as the E version!

I have check P-40K stats and lucky he is still worst than Tojo.
Probably only P-38 and "whistling death" going to be major concern in first half of `43.

For me as main fighters in next 8 months i will use Ki-44IIc and A6M5 so main factor will be pilot quality

[koniu]

17 OCT 42

Burma
Heavy allied sweep Over Magwe. But i have decide to chose my battles wisely. No CAP.

DEI
Two big CV leave Soerobaja today. Mission - Indian Ocean patrol

Three BB leave Soerobaja today - destination Singapore. They will meet they Yamato and second BB and sail toward Burma coast. Orders bombard Akyab

Coral Sea
Convoy will supplies is sailing from Rabaul to Guadalcanal. 40 Fighters will give air cover to them. Docup have habit of sending low flying 4E against those convoys. I hoping to shutdown few.

Marshals
Zero and Tojo fighters sweep Wotje today. 16 fighters lost for 12 enemy planes.
Time to be more aggressive. More sweeps tomorrow.

China
Docup is bombing ground troops around Changsha. Minimal damage to them. 4 more days before i will be redy to return to fight.

Ground troops finally capture enemy SE of Sian. Tomorrow i will bombard. 9 enemy units (70k troops) in hex. Probably to much to win without reinforcements and air support.

[koniu]

18 Oct 42

Singapore
5 BBs sailing north toward Rangoon. They will take position and will wait when Akyab will be full of planes

Truk
35 newly converted AK arrive to Truk. They transport 150k supplies to base. After unload they will load troops and sail toward Marshals.

Plan is to have invasion force loaded in way allowing me to unload in single day. That will give me chance to capture atoll in day 1

Cocos Islands
Something is going on Cocos Islands.

ASW attack near Cocos Islands at 33,101

Japanese Ships
SS I-166, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Foxhound
CA Devonshire
DD Monaghan
DD Lamson
DD Aylwin

and

Submarine attack near Cocos Islands at 33,101

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAK Michael Goulandris, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage (sunk later)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Don´t worry about the P-40K. Its just as useless as the E version!

I have check P-40K stats and lucky he is still worst than Tojo.
Probably only P-38 and "whistling death" going to be major concern in first half of `43.

For me as main fighters in next 8 months i will use Ki-44IIc and A6M5 so main factor will be pilot quality

P40Ks will stand no chance at all against Tojos. If you have good pilots you can expect to achieve 10-1 or even more in the air!

The P38 is the only usable US army fighter until the Thunderbolt arrives. It will only arrive in small numbers though. About 20 per month! You can probably outproduce that! [;)]

[koniu]

Battle of Cocos Islands - 19 Oct 42

After last turn my subs detect enemy ships unloading in Cocos Islands there could be only one decision. Attack.

Map before and after


I have CV TF (Soryu and Hiryu) 550nm SE. They get order to move on full speed and intercept enemy landing.
Ships arrive to position on morning. No air opposition was expected but on morning search planes have report enemy fighters flying CAP over Cocos and one of TF.

And that happen in next few h.

Firs bombers from Java attack Cocos
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 33,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAK Coquina

And finally carrier based planes launch
Firs wave attack Cosos

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 33,101

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 95 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
D3A1 Val x 7

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Foxhound
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1, on fire

More planes decide to attack enemy TF finding British CV

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 30,101

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 45 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3a Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 11

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 3

and finally attack of a day

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 30,101

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 17
D3A1 Val x 38

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 6, and is sunk
CLAA Van Heemskerck, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

There was also attack on small TF flying north

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 30,98

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Glenaffric, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Mugford, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Mahsud, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

It was last of British carriers on Indian Ocean. Right now allies have only 4 big ones in Pacific

Now i need to think what to do. I know that alles have few CA in island hex. they will probably try to intercept me or runn asap from area. Must rethink next movements

[koniu]

Battle of Cocos Islands Day 2 - 20 Oct 42

After firs day i was forced to guess i what direction enemy will run. I have decide to send SC TF south whili CVs will stay north of Cocos. It was bad decision.
Docup split forces to small TF and run S and SW

In night engagement Japanese cruisers sunk Big xAK and DD Mugford(damage day earlier by TT)

On morning Big enemy TF(9 ships) was detected near Japanise cruiser byt they whwerre aout of bomber range from CVs.

Battle of Cocos Islands Day 3 - 21 Oct 42
Cruiser get order to try to intercept enemy TF(covering south escape path) and CV TF sail lite south hoping to be in range on morning if enemy ships will chose to run north.

As suspected enamy ships change direction to north trying to avoid Cruisers. Bad decisoon on mornig they where 150nm from carriers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cocos Islands at 23,103

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
A6M3a Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Macwhirter, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Coquina, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Gorgon
xAK Edgar Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Clan Mactaggart
xAK Gamaria, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Andrea Luckenbach, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Delawarean, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk



For lose of 15 planes Japanise force sunk enemy CV, DD and 9 xAK, We also damage CLAA and DD
Time to back home.

[obvert]

You most likely sunk that Dutch CLAA. Not a very sturdy ship and it showed a lot of damage.

Well done. Now for the Marshalls invasion! Banzai! [:)]

[koniu]

Cocos is not end yet.
I have low reckon there but i know that there is ~15-20k troops. Without air cover they are going to be easy target.

I am already start bombing campaign against island. I thinking also about naval bombardment from cruisers i have near bur reckon is showing 180 guns on island. Probably i will give order to shot island from long/medium range


As for Marshals. I am almost ready. Divisions 100% prepared, i have enough ships, supplies and fuel.
First i will land in Wotje. Maloelap few days later

[koniu]

22 OCT 42

Cocos Islands
15k enemy troops on island. Tomorrow i will bombard them from sea. Air campaign started.

Air raid on Cocos port
Morning Air attack on Cocos Islands , at 33,101

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1

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

Port hits 15
Port supply hits 4

Massive explosion on DD Aylwin

Raid was on 3000ft so flak lokks wery low.
Cocos port lvl 1, cocos AF lvl 0 So no chance for CAP. Very ggod

[koniu]

23 Oct 42

Burma
Naval bombardment of Akyab. Good result. Akyab AF closed with 97 damage, and at lest 60 enemy planes stuck there.

Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 24 damaged
Mohawk IV: 6 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 102 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 8 destroyed on ground
Hudson IIIa: 3 damaged
Mitchell PR.II: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Yamato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei

Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 62 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 19 (12 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (11 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Airbase hits 38
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 58
Port supply hits 1

24 enemy fighters destroyed on ground. But it cost me 10 search planes and 10 pilots because i give order to fly as sporter and i forget about enemy CAP in day[:'(].

Cocos Islands
Cruisers at night bombard Island. Minor damage but that whey i holding it from expending. 2nd (East African) Brigade dis on island.

Night Naval bombardment of Cocos Islands at 33,101 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Kinugasa
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Takao

Allied ground losses:
252 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Port hits 25
Port supply hits 8

On morning bombers from CV attack

Morning Air attack on Cocos Islands , at 33,101

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 31
D3A1 Val x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 5 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Port hits 8
Port supply hits 4

Tabiteuea
Cargo TF arrive today wit supplies(was detected day ealier). Its look like Docup is sending CA TF to intercept. They are currently 12 hex south.
All torpedo bombers in full alert. Even if he decide to intercept those cargo ships or bombard Tabiteuea he will need survive day air phase. I am sending few fighters to protect air over base in case bomber raid

Norht Pacific
American CV planes sunk two xAKL from picket line in north Pacific. Enemy ships currently 15 hexes south East of Paramushiro-jima.
I do not know what they where doing there but i do not thin docup send CV vs xAKL.
I have counted 44 SBD-3 in air and fer F4F-4 as escort

Marshals
I am very angry. Second day i am sweeping Wotje to find nothing and second time my bombers are caught by training groups.
To avoid that i even sweep on high and low attitude and nothing. 8 Zeros lost and 6 pilots KIA[:@]

Morning Air attack on Wotje , at 135,115

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25


Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 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
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 3000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
18th FG/44th FS with P-40K Warhawk (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000

Training flight from 18th FG/44th FS has been caught up in attack

Almost 30 planes was engining my raid.

Time to recapture that island

[obvert]

Would fighters on a bombing or a strafing mission also get engaged by the training fighters? Might be a way to get better engagements with them.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Would fighters on a bombing or a strafing mission also get engaged by the training fighters? Might be a way to get better engagements with them.

Maybe it will help, but for now i have better idea.
Invasion fleet is sailing toward it Time to end this madnes. Ther will be no American soldiers on Japanese soil.

[koniu]

24 Oct 42

Burama
Ki-44 Tojo sweep Akyab and Cox's Bazar . Empty air found.
Bombers not fly against Akyab. Bad whether.

At night BB TF manage to shoot few more shells against Akyab AF. One fighter destroyed 5 more planes damage. Also xAK Empire Glade sunk in Akyab port. Akyab 100% damaged.

Yamaato TF 150nm west of Rangoon returning Singer.

Akyab AF is empty - strange. Or my intel is wrong or allies manage to repair all planes and evacuate them.

Tabiteuea
Enemy cruisers try to intercept my cargo ships but they manage to avoid that. Unlucky allied cruiser where in range but Bombers from Tabiteuea not manage to find targets.

Marshals
Invasion fleet 4-5 days from d-day

"Lucky" for me docup decide to raid north pacific with CV so even if he detect that KB leave Truk i hope he will think that KB is sailing north to intercept him

Norht Pacific
Enemy carriers 12 hex from Paramushiro-jima. Again bomber not manage to find targets.
Allied CV bombers sunk another xAKL from Picket line

R&D
Ki-44IIc advance to 8/43

[koniu]

25,26,27 Oct 42

Burma
Quiet. Nothing was happen. Nada.

DEI
G4M are flying to bomb Cocos with poor result. Bad whether, low DL level and not best trained pilots in ground bombing. As soon as Yamato rearm in Singer he will sail toward Cocos to practice shooting

CV TF 1 day from Batavia.

Marshals
Invasion fleet is moveing slow. More two days needed to arrive to landing point.

I have counted at lest 15 allied subs hunting around. One of them score hit on Akagi but lucky no explosion.

Docup know what i am doing now. Reckon planes from Woje found my forces. At lest i manage to disrepair with KB. Safenesses of KB is my Major concern so KB will sail longer path to avoid enemy subs.

D-day -2 days

Jonhston Island
6 subs in single TF sailing to Hawaii hunting ground lucky found enemy cargo TF near island two xAK sunk, another one damaged

China
I back with fighters. This time i am operating from Wuchang.

Docup send 40 P-38 on sweep mission. On end Japan lose 14 fighters for 8 P-38