Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

If you can hold until May, monsoon kicks in.  He will have trouble advancing against you in any jungle hexes.  That lasts until Nov.  Once Monsoon ends, he will just run all over you though, so be ready for that.

Hi all. Question to Pax. I dont see any movement reduction in jungle during monsoon. So i figure you must mean that something happens to the efficiency of allied airpower. Could you comment please. Sorry if i hijack the thread for one post.

[PaxMondo]

Supply movement is heavily curtailed.  So the overland supply movement from india will drop to the point that the allies will struggle just to keep forces supplied at rest.  Offensive op's are just not going to happen.

[bigred]

Worse than the battle, which could have been survived by all but the Urakaze, was that the ships stayed in that hex for the rest of the day. They were at full speed, they were set to retire, and yet they sat just outside of my LR CAP and got annihilated. His DDs apparently reacted after this to Umboi, while my TF stayed put in enemy waters.

regarding post 1391. It looks as if you expended all 9 of your 18 full speed movement points at night and when you had a battle at the end of the move the battle used 9 full move points which caused your ships to get left in daylight allied air cover. Could you have had designated LRCAP to this TF?

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Supply movement is heavily curtailed.  So the overland supply movement from india will drop to the point that the allies will struggle just to keep forces supplied at rest.  Offensive op's are just not going to happen.

thanks Pax. Interesting...So if the allies want to take rangoon in 44 they need to be into the irrawaddy plain by February.

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: bigred

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Supply movement is heavily curtailed.  So the overland supply movement from india will drop to the point that the allies will struggle just to keep forces supplied at rest.  Offensive op's are just not going to happen.

thanks Pax. Interesting...So if the allies want to take rangoon in 44 they need to be into the irrawaddy plain by February.

Is the monsoon area the same as the malaria area as shown on the weather map?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: bigred

Worse than the battle, which could have been survived by all but the Urakaze, was that the ships stayed in that hex for the rest of the day. They were at full speed, they were set to retire, and yet they sat just outside of my LR CAP and got annihilated. His DDs apparently reacted after this to Umboi, while my TF stayed put in enemy waters.

regarding post 1391. It looks as if you expended all 9 of your 18 full speed movement points at night and when you had a battle at the end of the move the battle used 9 full move points which caused your ships to get left in daylight allied air cover. Could you have had designated LRCAP to this TF?

It was odd (in my experience, but of course I still consider myself a rookie around here) to use 9 movement points to go 7 hexes, then use another 9 to go one hex and fight the battle. I did have LR CAP for them (about 200 fighters) but at 7 hexes from Rabaul, not at 8 where they ended up after reacting and staying there. The only ones at 8 hexes were Oscars that got swept by Hellcats over Umboi Island, thus taking them out before the strike arrived.

I've never seen a TF use all of it's movement points on full speed in the battle and not even get back to the point they were first ordered. We learn as we go, I guess.

So a few poor choices on my part and some things I had just never experienced.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: bigred

ORIGINAL: bigred

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Supply movement is heavily curtailed.  So the overland supply movement from india will drop to the point that the allies will struggle just to keep forces supplied at rest.  Offensive op's are just not going to happen.

thanks Pax. Interesting...So if the allies want to take rangoon in 44 they need to be into the irrawaddy plain by February.

Is the monsoon area the same as the malaria area as shown on the weather map?

I think the monsoon only affects supply movement in the Burma area, even though it obviously would have influenced other parts of the map in reality.

Thinking about it now, I'm not sure it will be a big factor in this game, as he is just bringing supply through Ramree Island. Not far to go down a yellow road from there to the troops.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]3 - 4 February 1944[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] A few minor skirmishes. There are about 15 subs now near the Northern tip of Sumatra and Malaya, into the area near the Andamans. Obviously he's not wanting reinforcements to come this way. I have about 150 2E ASW and search planes in the area though, so they might not be very effective subs here.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SOUTH PACIFIC:[/font] Still getting some good launches from night TT bombers, but no joy so far. Good intel on what is out there though, in spite of the pilots getting a chance to practice their breaststroke. They're all recently training, not uber-TT pilots that started on the IJN MBs. As he disperses forces I'll look for opportunities to put a lot these on day attacks combined with sweeps and DBs up high. One bad day of CAP and he could lose some very good ships. Worth a shot in a few days once my pools have gotten back to normal levels. Burma is killing them right now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]WEST OZ: [/font] No sign of the Aussies moving forward to Katherine yet. I'm in the dark as I had to withdraw all of the recon here. No biggie.

Transports successfully removed two base forces and an AA regiment which will move to Java. I'll get the big construction unit and a few big mortars out in a while. Odd he hasn't contested any of these movements. That's been very good for me. The Georges here will move back to Soerabaja to form a defense there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] The Allies bombarded in both hexes with big stacks to either side of Toungoo. It doesn't go particularly well for them in either location, with more of their guns and equipment being lost to counter barrages. Great intel for me though. Looks lie he's really building up stack two, which is nearing 3200AV now. I'll be at about 2300 in the next two turns, and once those new units have built forts, again tough to move.

More and more units seem to be arriving at Ramree Island. He's got 60k troops there now! In addition to the new 20k marching to reinforce the 4 divisions near Bassein. Where do all of these troops come from?!? [X(] I'm getting emergency transports to Sumatra to bring a division over if it appears we're not going to hold the line to the South. I have two tank divisions, two infantry divisions and a brigade in addition to the 450 AV at Bassein and 350 AV at Prome. I may abandon Bassein if it looks like he's taking the whole pile that direction. I was hoping for a chance to wreck some good Allied troops in a shock over the river there, but it might go the other way if he brings enough and gets some good 4E work done beforehand. Now that Rangoon is shattered it's tough to support those troops.

If I do pull those troops back it'll give me much stronger lines in the forests between Rangoon and Prome. I feel Prome would then be the next target and would also have to be abandoned soon after. A map of current and future lines is below.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Nothing going on. I may push forward my desire to move good troops back from the Gilberts especially. Kusai and Ponape have good garrisons, so these troops would move back to Marcus and the Marianas, maybe even the Bonins, to get things shored up there.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 3, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air attack on TF, near Buna at 99,129

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 1,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
DD Caldwell
DD Nicholson
CL Honolulu

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Night Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DMS Hamilton
DE Edward C. Daly
DMS Dorsey
AO Saranac

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS/C with P-70 Havoc (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar

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Morning Air attack on 30th Recon Regiment, at 100,125 (Umboi Island)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 18
B-17E Fortress x 22
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 105
B-24J Liberator x 66
B-25C Mitchell x 56
B-25D1 Mitchell x 88
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 30

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 9th Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington B.X x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 56
B-26 Marauder x 12

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 105772 troops, 2103 guns, 1731 vehicles, Assault Value = 4153

Defending force 120927 troops, 1547 guns, 772 vehicles, Assault Value = 3960

Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
5th Indian Division
2nd British Division
41st Infantry Division
7th Infantry Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
XV Corps Engineer Battalion
XXXIII Corps Engineer Battalion
6th Australian Division
27th Infantry Division
17th Indian Division
9th Australian Division
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
16th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
12th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
23rd AA Bde
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment
IV Corps RIASC Base Force
X' Force
IV Indian Corps
XXXIII Indian Corps
XV Indian Corps
14th Army
2/11th Field Regiment
15th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
20th Indian Heavy AA Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment
XV Corps RIASC Base Force

Defending units:
16th Division
2nd Guards Division
55th Division
33rd Division
38th Division
65th Brigade
21st Division
4th Division
2nd Division
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st AA Regiment
68th Field AA Battalion
28th Fld AA Gun Co
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Army
25th Army
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
32nd Field AA Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
8th RF Gun Battalion
14th RF Gun (Pack) Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
39th Field AA Battalion
38th Field AA Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
70th Field AA Battalion
11th RF Gun Battalion

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

Ground combat at 57,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 71356 troops, 1079 guns, 1488 vehicles, Assault Value = 3285

Defending force 54232 troops, 647 guns, 786 vehicles, Assault Value = 1869

Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
16th Chindit Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
Provisionl Tank Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
11th (East African) Division
23rd Chindit Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
20th Indian Division
1st New Chinese/A Corps
29th British Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
14th Chindit Brigade
1st New Chinese/C Corps
III Indian Corps
8th Belfast Heavy Regiment

Defending units:
32nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Division
31st Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Tank Division
9th Division
33rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
40th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Mortar Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Medium Mortar Battalion
69th Field AA Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 4, 44
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ASW attack near Tavoy at 52,58

Japanese Ships
E Natsushima
E Kamome

Allied Ships
SS O24, hits 2

SS O24 is located by E Natsushima
O24 diving deep ....
E Natsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Natsushima attacking submerged sub ....
E Natsushima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Morning Air attack on 30th Recon Regiment, at 100,125 (Umboi Island)

Weather in hex: Light rain

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

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 36
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-24D Liberator x 10
B-24D1 Liberator x 101
B-24J Liberator x 50
B-25C Mitchell x 56
B-25D1 Mitchell x 101
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F6F-3 Hellcat x 59
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 32

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 9
Liberator B.III x 9
Liberator GR.III x 12
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 23
B-24J Liberator x 47

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: Not sure what to do with the ML boats. Coastal defense in the HI, or should I bring a TF of them down with transports to island areas?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]MTB G-545 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
ML G-212 arrives at Hiroshima/Kure

Aircraft J2M5 Jack advances R&D[/font]

Losses: None.

Ships Sunk: Interesting.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of BB Maryland incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the Burma defensive line map. The large white dots are major defensive points now, and the small white dots minor defensive points. The red circles indicate where I expect to have major defensive points in the future. I'll hold all lines now until I see where he wants to move the stack near Bassein and Prome. I hold all of the interior hex-sides at the major points, so I can easily move back if needed to various positions. He hasn't yet taken interest in the right flank near Taung Gyi, but maybe that's next. Moulmein is nearing level 5 forts, Pegu is nearing level 6, Bassein is at 5.6+ and all other bases are at level 6.

Actual force dispositions are not those that are shown by the units on the map, of course. Didn't have time to layer this on the current map yet.[/font]
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]GARRISONS - Arrivals and Buyouts - The Next 4 Months[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are some thoughts about the coming months, what is in the pipeline, and where it might be sent> All ideas are tentative and of course determined by Allied moves.

Not listed are all of the forces shifting from So Pac to other areas, which are plentiful.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Shanghai: [/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
8 brigades [R] > 2 to Sumatra, 3 to Thai coast, 3 to Java (352 x 8 = 2816 PP)

1 base force [R] > Sumatra (~50 PP)

Reinforcements

2 brigades [R] > Marianas (352 x 2 = 704 PP)

2 ind. engineers [R] > Bangkok (~50 x 2 = 100 PP)
[/font]
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Fusan: [/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
6 regiments [R] > Kuriles (357 x 6 = 2142 PP)

(1 division - 14th - 80 exp) [R] > Ambon (reserve)? (1804 PP)

1 cavalry > DEI

1 engineer >DEI

Reinforcements

1 mobile brigade [R] > Kuriles (~400 PP)

1 expeditionary force > Kuriles

2 tank rgt [R] > Marianas (~70 PP x 2 = 140 PP)

1 engineer rgt [R} > DEI (~50PP)

2 regiments [R] > DEI (357 x 2 = 714 PP)
[/font]
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Tokyo/Nagasaki: [/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
3 brigades > Rangoon

1 ind. engineer> Bangkok

1 road construction > Bonins

1 JAAF Coy > Bonins

Reinforcements

1 naval guard> Carolines

9 base forces > DEI 2nd line > Celebes, West New Guinea and Borneo

2 Special base force > 1 to Marianas, 1 to the PI

8 brigades > 1 to malaya, 1 to the Kuriles, 6 to Marianas

1 division > Marianas

8 mixed regiments > 5 to Carolines, 3 to Bonins
[/font]
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Sapporo: [/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
Reinforcements

1 Amphibious brigade > Kuriles

1 division > Kuriles (reserve)
[/font]
[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]TOTAL PPs NEEDED: [/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
Total needed - 7066 (+ 1804 for reserve division for Ambon)

At 1500/month this equals 4.7 months + 1 month for the reserve division - (At least 6 months, so by August, 44)
[/font]


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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]5 - 6 February 1944[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SOUTH PACIFIC:[/font] Lots of Netty groups night striking, but again no hits. Lots of flak and some night fighters disturb the process. Getting to 100% moonlight now. Maybe one will get lucky soon.

More bombing of Umboi Island troops. The infantry from Buna are almost to Salamua. If they arrive and I can pick them up there that will be a pretty decent result from this march. The two garrisons from Milne Bay are still struggling on around Kokoda, while the support troops are a hex behind, clinging to the sides of the mountains and trying to haul their AA guns along through the jungles. Jocke is bombing them which slows them even further.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] At Toungoo I sent up a few fighter groups to see if he would bomb without sweeping as he did the past two days. I just can't catch a break. Sweeps of Corsairs and P-47s got about 6-7:1 and wiped out these fighters, with worse than usual pilot losses for being over my own troops. 18 KIA on the day.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 5, 44
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Night Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 16

Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 12 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Portland
DD Caperton

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS/A with P-70 Havoc (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
15th FG/6th NFS/C with P-70 Havoc (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar

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Night Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
SC PC-596
AE Lassen
xAK Horace Luckenbach

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
15th FG/6th NFS/C with P-70 Havoc (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead
15th FG/6th NFS/A with P-70 Havoc (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead

Some CAP have air radar

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Night Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 102,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Danae
CL St. Louis

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Night Air attack on TF, near Arawe at 102,126

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 24
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 21
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 22
Ki-61-Id Tony x 11

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Corsair II: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Ominato Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (24 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
24 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000
Raid is overhead
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 21 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (22 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
22 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead
24th I.F.Chutai with Ki-61-Id Tony (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Raid is overhead

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 24
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 22
Ki-61-Id Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 13
Ki-61-Id Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 6 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 16 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 12
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 7 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Morning Air attack on 33rd Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 12
Wellington GR.VIII x 11
Wellington B.X x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 23


No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes


Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 14
Liberator GR.III x 22
B-17F Fortress x 11
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-24D1 Liberator x 40
B-24J Liberator x 99
P-40K Warhawk x 24
P-40N5 Warhawk x 49


Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 11
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 30th Recon Regiment, at 100,125 (Umboi Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes


Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 36
B-17E Fortress x 15
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 81
B-24J Liberator x 26
B-25C Mitchell x 44
B-25D1 Mitchell x 84
F6F-3 Hellcat x 58
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 32


Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 6, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13



Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 10 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Portland
DD Hickox

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on TF, near Milne Bay at 101,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9



Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AVP Valk
xAK Skagerak
xAK Iron King

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: Some of the late war fighters will actually allow me to use the full altitude range (according to our HR on 2nd best band for highest altitude) as they don't lose maneuver at higher bands. The Frank Ki-84r might be the first giving this option, which could really help against the kind of sweeps seen since the Corsair and P-47 came online. It should be ready in the autumn of 44.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]LST T-105 arrives at Nagoya

Aircraft Ki-84r Frank advances R&D (5/45)[/font]

Losses: None.

Ships Sunk: Interesting again.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of BB Arizona incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]A busy scene in the morning as recon and CAP prepare to fly. Rabaul is a bit too packed currently, which I've already seen the results of at Rangoon. One day can change everything with 4Es. But there are 550+ fighters here, and I'm now keeping them on a tight lease unless there is a strike on. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[GreyJoy]

Haven't you built a supporting AF for Rabaul? Green Island or the other dot base east of Rabaul? 550 fighters seems a bit too much...

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Haven't you built a supporting AF for Rabaul? Green Island or the other dot base east of Rabaul? 550 fighters seems a bit too much...

It is too much! [:D]

Because of the only 250 air support needed for the level 9, the only place to put the majority of the stuff is at Rabaul. I have MORE units at Buka, Kaveing, Green Island and Namatami. It's a necessary evil right now as I have to make the base at least feel it is difficult to hit. One day it might be, the next day not as much in reality, as I learned at Rangoon. I'm being slightly more careful here though, setting the fighters at best altitude maneuver bands and on 0 hex range for CAP.

I also have the AA for the entire Solomons here! If he comes, it could be an unusually painful 4E strike!

This is not permanent. Soon many units will move up to N. New Guinea, to Manus, to Kaveing and some even back to Truk and further bases.

If you think mine's bad, Jocke has 350+ fighters and 600+ bombers (4E and 2E) and 500+ auxiliary at Port Moresby!

[GreyJoy]

aren't u using the latest patch that changes that rule about 250 AV support as a max level needed?
 
Defenetly you should arrange an HR for these overstackings....

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

aren't u using the latest patch that changes that rule about 250 AV support as a max level needed?

Defenetly you should arrange an HR for these overstackings....

Jocke insisted he needs them, and that it was a problem when we upgraded to a recent beta patch previously. That was quite a while back though, in mid-43.

There were other problems for him with the patch in terms of coordination of bombing, etc. He felt with where the game was at the time, with the IJA having quite a strong position and with only a few available bases to get in range of New Guinea, that the overstacking was necessary and the coordination problem was too much of a hamstring to add in the middle of a game.

I started to prepare to do the overstacking soon after at Rabaul. It's not very real, but it serves both of our purposes for the time being.

At the time I proposed putting only 50 planes per field level on a base (starting at zero to account for floatplanes, and allowing minimal overstack). I would happily live with that. It would make my planning for multiple supporting bases more effective and purposeful. As it is, that doesn't really work, because once his level 9 Death Star base gets in range, they would get obliterated one by one. The only way to fight it is to stack up mine, at least make it seem as fearsome as possible, and wait until the last minute or until he wrecks it to move back and disperse.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]7 - 9 February 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As i was about to update I realized I don't have the Feb 7 files. I'll go on regardless, as nothing major occurred that day and the next two were more interesting.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The Scamp nailed an ASW SC near Luzon, sinking the little ship. The Bang (another great sub name!) hits a small tanker on the way to Truk and sinks it.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SOUTH PACIFIC:[/font] Well, I had to try something. Interesting timing though. I noticed 146 ships listed at Milne Bay, with 150+ fighters in base. I figured if that was 75 on CAP I might have a chance. I sent in ~200 2E, 50+ TB and 40 DB with good escorts, sweeps by 150+ Georges, Jacks and Franks. The bombers did get through, at some cost, but in spite of the recon showing lots of DD and big support ships in port, we hit mostly small fry. A few AKE damaged, a sub sunk. A few aces made.

The tally on the day was 180 planes lost to 20 for the Allies! Oh, well. It might have been better to strike with exactly the same package at the invasion landing at Umboi Island. He may have had more CAP, but we would have had TT and better targets, including CA/CL and some big transports. Instead another free shot putting one Marine Division on land. It likely would have been mostly off the ships by the day as I think it came from Finschafen.

We have a brigade and several smaller units there. Once slightly over 200 AV with 5 forts. Now 173 after all of the bombing and bombardments by sea. This won't hold long. I will pick a tiny piece of the Brigade if possible to send to Truk.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] More bombing. The troops near Toungoo look good though. He bombarded on the 9th and the bigger stack held well, knocking his vehicles and arty around a bit. The AV is now 4100 for the Allies and 3200 for us. I'm contemplating taking one more division out, but if he added a few himself, that might go over the stasis point. I'd like to stay at better odds than 1:2. The other smaller stack is close to that now. We have 2350 and growing from healed squads, he most recently had about 3300 AV, but has added something since. All of our units now have forts except new arty added to the smaller force.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENTRAL PACFIC:[/font] Well, sooner than I had intended I've made a choice. There is no point having bases out in the Gilberts and Marshalls at 200-300 AV now. Not with the full focus of Allied intent being channeled into New Guinea and Burma. I'm sending in the transports and within a few weeks many of these garrisons will be back-filling NW New Guinea and into the Celebes, into the Carolines and Marianas. I'll leave one naval Guard on each island. Still not a simple proposition without some work with level 6 forts. If he uses troops and fleet assets here now though that would be a plus, just not for about a month while I get some work done. [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 8, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air attack on TF, near Finschhafen at 100,126

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 11

Allied aircraft
F4U-2 Corsair x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Helena
APA Wharton
APA Fuller
DD Frazier

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF(N)-75 with F4U-2 Corsair (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes

Some CAP have air radar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Laoag at 80,71

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 44, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E W-6

Allied Ships
SS Scamp, hits 4

SS Scamp launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 44
E W-6 fails to find sub, continues to search...
E W-6 attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 30th Recon Regiment, at 100,125 (Umboi Island)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Mitchell II x 19
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-24D1 Liberator x 85
B-24J Liberator x 49
B-25C Mitchell x 55
B-25D1 Mitchell x 98
F6F-3 Hellcat x 45
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 30

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 12
Liberator II x 15
Liberator B.III x 15
Liberator GR.III x 23
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington B.X x 11
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 41
B-24J Liberator x 92
B-25C Mitchell x 47
B-26 Marauder x 11
B-26B Marauder x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 9, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Ulithi at 99,95

Japanese Ships
TK Katsukawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Keijo Maru
PB Banshu Maru #56
SC Ch 27
TK Daijo Maru
TK Seiwa Maru
TK Bushu Maru
xAK Chowa Maru
xAKL Junpo Maru
xAKL Fukuyo Maru
PB Nanrei Maru
PB Kohuku Maru
PB Kenkon Maru

Allied Ships
SS Bang

SS Bang launches 4 torpedoes at TK Katsukawa Maru
Bang diving deep ....
PB Nanrei Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kohuku Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Umboi Island (100,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Frazier
DD Caldwell
APA Barnett
APA William P. Biddle
DD McCalla

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

DD Caldwell firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Frazier fired at enemy troops
DD Caldwell fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Umboi Island (100,125)

TF 312 troops unloading over beach at Umboi Island, 100,125

Allied ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)

37mm M3 AT Gun accidentally lost during unload of 1st Marine Div /15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Umboi Island (100,125)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

28 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
DD Frazier
DD Caldwell
DD Nicholson
APA Barnett

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

CL Helena firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Nicholson firing at 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
DD Caldwell fired at enemy troops
DD Nicholson fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 27



Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 16
F4U-1 Corsair x 18
F4U-1A Corsair x 35
F6F-3 Hellcat x 56


Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 11 destroyed

No Allied losses



CAP engaged:
VRF-1F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 18 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VRF-3F with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
VMF-212 with F4U-1 Corsair (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
VMF-222 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
VMF-311 with F4U-1A Corsair (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.54 Sqn RAF with Spitfire VIII (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 147 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 38
N1K1-J George x 67

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 17
F4U-1A Corsair x 34
F6F-3 Hellcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 5 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
43 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 20000 feet
16 x J2M3 Jack sweeping at 20000 feet
15 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 20000 feet *
3 x J2M3 Jack sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 42 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
A6M3a Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 45
B5N2 Kate x 12
B6N2 Jill x 24
G4M1 Betty x 82
J2M2 Jack x 35
N1K1 Rex x 9
P1Y1 Frances x 21
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 16
F4U-1A Corsair x 29
F6F-3 Hellcat x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
B6N2 Jill: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 11 destroyed, 22 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 4 destroyed
N1K1 Rex: 3 destroyed
P1Y1 Frances: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
P1Y1 Frances: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LCM 592B, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AE Lassen, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PT-179, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PT-183, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AKE Nisqually, Bomb hits 1
SS Flasher, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AKE City of Dalhart, Bomb hits 1
LCM 533C, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Le Triomphant, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AKE Potter, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Port hits 7
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
31 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
5 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
13 x P1Y1 Frances bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x B6N2 Jill bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
4 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
1 x P1Y1 Frances bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Milne Bay , at 101,133

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 192 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 66

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
F4U-1A Corsair x 21
F6F-3 Hellcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
38 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet *
14 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 31000 feet *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Division, at 57,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Blenheim VD x 12
Liberator II x 3
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator GR.III x 14
Wellington Ic x 12
Wellington GR.VIII x 11
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 37
B-24J Liberator x 96
B-25C Mitchell x 23
B-26 Marauder x 11
B-26B Marauder x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at 56,49 (near Toungoo)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2430 troops, 168 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 4152

Defending force 102043 troops, 1411 guns, 740 vehicles, Assault Value = 3257

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 23 (4 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (3 destroyed, 11 disabled)

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

Ground combat at Umboi Island (100,125)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4532 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 173

Defending force 11860 troops, 227 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 447

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

Assaulting units:
4th Raiding Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
30th Recon Regiment
58th Construction Battalion
51st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
1st Marine Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements: The last two building CVs arrive!!! Their air groups are stunningly proficient. If only I could get some good fighters for them! The closest A7M Sam factory is at 29 (1) and dangling there, just mocking me. [:-]

As mentioned above these brigades are heading to Burma.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]17th Sentai arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
18th Sentai arrives at Tokyo
19th Sentai arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
CV Aso arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
CV Ikoma arrives at Kobe
TK Tachibana Maru arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo
ML G-213 arrives at Shimonoseki
35th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Tokyo
36th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Tokyo
37th Ind.Mixed Brigade arrives at Osaka/Kyoto[/font]

Losses: He's still getting a lot of misses and 'duds' against faster ASW ships.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]
Loss of SC Ch 44 on Feb 08, 1944 is admitted
Loss of TK Katsukawa Maru on Feb 09, 1944 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk: This is getting silly with the BBs! Lots of small fry sunk in the attack on Milne. Sucks.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Previous report of sinking of BB Colorado incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service
SS Flasher is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
LST-446 is reported to have been sunk near Kodiak on Jun 22, 1943
LCT-61 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
LCT-140 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
PT-179 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
PT-183 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
PT-186 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
PT-187 is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
LCM 533C is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944
LCM 592B is reported to have been sunk near Milne Bay on Feb 09, 1944[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is a pic of the whole theatre. The white lines show where I'm working to still stiffen the first line. The orange are areas that are for the most part just starting to form a defense, or in the case of Sumatra, Malaya and Thailand places I'd like to add more. The red lines are spots I'll begin working on in a few months, both through reinforcements that arrive there in situ, some from the HI and with bought-out units. Most of this will likely be happening in the summer of 44.

The areas of pale red are those we have abandoned or are beginning to retreat from. The Gilberts up to Makin will be culled of good troops, HQs and most base forces to send to North New Guinea and the Carolines. If I have three weeks those bases will be tough to crack in good territory and in spots where it'll be more difficult to concentrate US fleet and air power. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]ON HOLD[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

During recent exchanges Jocke let me know he isn't having much fun with the game right now. This came as a huge surprise to me as I thought this was the period when he would be most interested, getting good numbers, solid quality units and moving forward in several areas. We've been going back and forth in several exchanges about why he is having this feeling and if there is anything to do about it.

I'm getting concerned because I've said all along, and I still feel now, that I want to play this game to the bitter end. It's distressing to think I've played this far, gotten the economy to work and organized what I think will be a competitive endgame, and might not get the chance to play it. My entire philosophy and style were geared toward playing the game to late 45 or even to 46 if I am lucky.

He first mentioned that he thought our lack of stacking limits and the HR about 2nd best maneuver band were ruining the game. I've offered to change our HRs, to put stacking limits in place to do anything that would bring some fun back for him. I'll post some of our exchange mainly because it shows his thought process, but also because I've always valued this frank and open communication, our mutual respect, and I think these are so important to having a long lasting game with anyone.

From Jocke;

I feel I have always been able to be completely honest with you and speak openly with you. I see no reason to stop doing that now. Its hard to express some things in text but I´ll try to do my best.

I´ve been thinking about the game lot lately and I want to ask you something important. Are we still having fun with this game? As I said a lot of times before I will not give up on the game unless its in mutual agreement. I´ve made a commitment and I will keep it. So as long as you want to continue you don´t have to worry about me quitting! That I promise!

But I do want to bring some things up.

Lately I have been getting the feeling you are not having much fun either. Not too strange considering all the allied toys and the results lately. Something all Japanese players will have to deal with eventually. But our game is a bit different I think. To be honest you already beat me in mid 43 and no matter what happens you will already have "won" this clearly.

As you can understand I woudn´t bring this up if I was playing along happily. I can´t describe it more clearly then saying this feels more like work then play. I thought it was just the mass of Allied stuff arriving but I actually have a pretty good handle on that. It just feels like a grind? I have spent a massive amount of time thinking on why its feels like it does. I think it mostly comes down to a few key factors.

I´m already beaten and a year behind schedule. This leads to me feeling stressed out in everything I do. I´m just rushing everything.

No stacking limits. In hindsight we should have implemented it when we had the chance. The whole Burma situation is just silly as China was.

2nd best MVR band HR. I think this one ruined the air war for us. It made no sense for me to go up against your Tojos getting dived on and now the reverse situation.

I constantly keep thinking on all the major mistakes I have done due to inexperience and mostly stupidity.
I constantly keep thinking on all the things I would do differently and how the game would look now if I had done them.

Most of the things are purely my own problems. But there are some "systematic problems" that leads to the game being less interesting. The air war (or lack of) is one of them. Perhaps the biggest issue in fact. Its just so one sided it actually makes no sense any more. I believe that is mostly our fault with the MVR HR.

But I think perhaps that is another discussion.

As you are well aware my "play time" is very limited and I´m spending 95% of my spare time on our game. If we are not enjoying this the both of us I really think we should consider laying this game to rest. I think a really important question here should be: Do we want to continue playing this game for another 2 years? Is the game interesting and fun enough to warrant the massive time expenditure? For me the game feels like its....done and I want a rematch. That is a feeling I can´t shake and its probably what makes me feel like this is a grind and adds to the stress. I just want to get this game done and have another try at it.

Let me know what you think and feel. And just to make it perfectly clear I will repeat what I wrote first:

"As I said a lot of times before I will not give up on the game unless its in mutual agreement. I´ve made a commitment and I will keep it. So as long as you want to continue you don´t have to worry about me quitting! That I promise! "

I´m bringing this up because if I know you really want to continue with the game it will help with my motivation. If we both feel what I´m feeling there is no point in continuing wasting time!

My response;

Well, to be honest this surprises me. I had thought the game was pretty interesting lately, especially for you. The last thing I would want to do is deprive you of the time when you are able to move and play out the plans you've been building over the past years. I for one am certainly not feeling like I've won anything!

At the same time I would want the game to be fun for you. I don't want to drag you along in something that isn't fun. This is a big time suck, but the game always is and I'm not feeling any difference in terms of what I have to do. If anything the strategic and tactical choices are getting much harder because any one thing could have dire consequences. I know that all of this is probably the opposite on your side.

After getting this far my interest is in seeing it through until the end. Is there something we can change to make it more fun? Is there an HR to implement, or reconsider? Should we install staking limits now? Should we move slower and do only 3-4 turns a week? All of the above?

The issue for me is that I've spent all of this time on R n D and building a defense, and that would feel immensely dissatisfying to not see it through. I would give you every opportunity to make another choice and quit the game if you're not into it. I know your time is precious and I don't want to in any way convince you to do something you're not excited about. I would only ask that if we stop the game that you'd be willing to pass the Allied side to another player and that I could continue it to see what happens.

I've really enjoyed our discussion, our ability to work through issues and even the daily notes of playful comments and warnings. That is what has made the game fun for me. Playing you, a person I can grow to respect and admire, to enjoy communicating with and battling wits against. I can't frankly imagine finding another partner like you for this game, although I know there are some great ones out there.

If your heart is not in it, I won't ask you to keep it going. You know what they say about the cat though. I'm just too curious to let go of the end now that I see it coming. So before you throw in the towel consider if there is anything we can do to make it fun again. This might be our only chance ever to play an endgame, and I'd at least like to see if there is a way to make that a fun and exciting challenge. But please continue to be honest and really make sure you want to keep going and don't do it because I want to. The family and your own fun and satisfaction are much more important.

We've gone on from there. It's a difficult discussion and I have decided to ask for a hold until he decides what he really wants to do. I can't go forward knowing he wouldn't enjoy it.

[SqzMyLemon]

I think he's just suffering from what we all do playing this game over such a long term time commitment, the desire to improve play and apply what we've learned to better our performance. The problem is...time. It's just too easy a temptation to want to start over and that is why so many games stall out, but you're missing out on the stage of the game that many players don't ever experience, the end game.

Having my first PBEM end as it did was disappointing, especially when I almost quit myself and then deciding that I did want to continue as the game was in the first quarter of 43 and about to get interesting. I had my issues and desire to start over, but I also realized it would be better to continue and experience as much of the game as possible to improve and apply lessons learned to my next game.

Work it out with Jocke. I think he's just feeling a little down and let's face it, he's in tough against a good opponent in yourself. From your post above, it seems he feels he's lost already and that obviously is having a negative effect on his morale and fun factor. He's making strides, moving forward and I'm surprised he's thinking of ending the game. I'm getting destroyed as the Allies in my other PBEM and am simply not enjoying that game at all. However, I quietly gather my forces, train and plan for ways to start fighting back. I feel I've already lost the game too, but it's my first one as the Allies and in tough against a very aggressive opponent who goes for the jugular. I have no intention of quitting.

Jocke hasn't mentioned anything to me in correspondence during our PBEM about his feelings for this match. I'll give him a pep talk and see if I can help him feel better about your game. I'd hate to see it end prematurely. I think he's just frustrated.

P.s. Worst case scenario, if Jocke decided he needs to stop this game and you have trouble finding an opponent to take over his side so you can finish, I'm here Huckleberry. If you've ever watched the movie "Tombstone" you'll get it. [8D]

[bigred]

Hi Obvert. Hope u guys work it out...getting a game to this point is a tremendous achievement.

[obvert]

Thanks guys.

It looks like we're moving forward, so maybe it is just the fatigue of such a long game. I've got a turn, so we'll keep it rolling and see what happens down the road.

Off for coffee now, then back to run the turn.

[Encircled]

Its very hard juggling new kid, job and the rest of life with a long commitment to a strategy game.

I have two little boys, and the chances of my being able to do anything other than a game against the AI is pretty much zero!

Hope he sticks with it though as its a good learning tool for those of us who are nowhere near as good at this as you two