Australia Invaded!! NY59Giants (A) vs Olorin (J)

[Crackaces]

Mandalay has only 14k troops which is not enough

That is the sum of troops to cover the one hex to the West of Mandalay not Mandalay .. [:'(] That hex unlocks the door for a north to south punishing of the IJ .. [Just commenting for the peanut galley [8D] ]

[ny59giants]

Nov 25, 26, 27 :
Invasion forces not spotted yet.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft;

Subs:
RO-60 is between Amchitka and Adak as my BB TF retreats. She is not hit.

CVs:
Allied carriers are between Palymra and Baker headed west.

India/Burma:
The march through the jungle continues. An empty Mytkyina falls.

China:
North - Yenan is still targeted by over 30 Sallys. The two corps to east of Hankow are attacked from air daily. Another deliberate attack on the 26th just fails to get 1:1 odds.

South - Wuchow, Kunming, Kukong have their AF attacked. Kweilin is swept by 27 or 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific: [>:][>:]

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls - Air war over Maloelap continues on 25th as 25 P-38Es sweep in to find 12(3) A6M2 Zero, 5 Tojo, and 8(3) Nick on LRCAP. 25 P-39s sweep the empty skies over Mili. Another 25 P-39s over Jaluit. My 4e bombers are resting for the big push. Cargo TF with supplies reach Tarawa to bring it above the 2x threshold for drop tanks.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - 16 & 6 P-40Ks sweep the empty skies. On the 26th, CA Minneapolis, CL Boise, 6 DDs find a Fast Transport TF of 4 DDs, 3 DMS, and an E in the way of their bombardment mission. The E and one DMS are sunk and then the base hit = 279c, 9b, 5s, 29r. On the 27th, CA Exeter, 4 CLs, 5 DDs hit the base = 320c, 6b, 1s, 19r.

Engineering: - Adak Port 5; Cox's Bazar AF 6; Diamond Harbour Port 2; Funafuti Port 3; Ledo AF 9;

Notes:
Iloilo falls in the Philippines leaving just one base in Allied hands (San Jose).

Question for Allied players - What is the best way to get and keep the most supplies in northern Burma?? Transport planes?? HQs to where?? Building up base?? If so, which ones?? Anything else or combo of what??

[JocMeister]

He left Burma almost unguarded! [&:]

[ny59giants]

Jocke - I suspect his main line of resistance is where you are now. The problem is I'll be there a year ahead of you. [;)] He has lots of division still in Australia. I only have two American divisions there in addition to the Australians. In mid-43, I should have enough of the 43 Aussie infantry squads stockpiled to cycle through each division. Then, I'll push him out.

[ny59giants]

Nov 28, 29, 30 :
Yawn....yawn

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies.

Subs:
Nothing.....[:(]

CVs:
Headed for Gilberts in 4 CV TFs which have 2 CVs, 3 CAs, CLAA, and 8 DDs each. 4 TFs are American and 1 TF is British.

India/Burma:
The march through the jungle continues.

China:
North - Yenan is still targeted by over 30 Sallys. The two corps to east of Hankow are attacked from air daily by about 70 bombers, weather permitting. My two Corps two hexes east of Hankow are attacked on 28th at 767:544 odds.

South - Wuchow and Kukong have their AF attacked. Kunming is now off the list. Kweilin is swept by 27 or 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific: [>:][>:]

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls - P-39s from Makin sweep the empty skies above Jaluit. My 4e bomber fleet is resting, for now.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - A group of 25 P-40Ks are sweeping the empty skies daily in multiple waves.

Engineering: - Sagigik AF 3 (Aleutians); Makin AF 5;

Notes:
A slow three days.

[ny59giants]

Dec 1, 2, 3 :
Marshalls targeted, Part 1

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies.

Subs:
No hits, no runs, no errors....a perfect inning. [;)]

CVs:
CV TF start to arrive at Tabiteuea and re-fuel.

India/Burma:
The march through the jungle continues.

China:
North - Yenan is still targeted by over 30 Sallys. The two corps to east of Hankow are attacked from air daily by about 70 bombers, weather permitting. They are attacked again on 1st with 748:184 with one of two corps retreating. The last corp is retreated on the 3rd with 690:43 odds.

South - Wuchow and Kukong have their AF attacked. Kweilin is swept by 27 or 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific: [>:][>:]
Over 100k in supply is slowly being unloaded at Suva (Port maxed out at 5).

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls - P-39s from Makin sweep the empty skies above Jaluit.
1st - There is NO CAP over Roi-Namur [X(] as 45 B-24s hit the AF. P-38s sweep the empty skies above Kwajalein Island. Where is the enemy?!?

Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
AG Kizugawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS I-21, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

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

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 11000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Massive explosion on SS I-21

Afternoon Air attack on Kwajalein Island , at 132,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 27

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Bokuei Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Shonan Maru #16, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AG Kizugawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Rumeo Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2

A pleasant surprise to still find shipping within 4e bomber range. Most Japanese players know that this is the result if they do so. Nick had this happen already at Noumea earlier.

2nd - I shift over to Maleolap as there are 7 Tojo on CAP/LRCAP to face my 93 B-24s come in two waves. Minor AF damage and 2 planes lost.

I've done it again. First I don't have 2x supply at Tarawa to allow drop tank usage, now I've done the same thing at Makin.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - A group of 25 P-40Ks are sweeping the empty skies daily in multiple waves.
1st -

Night Naval bombardment of Amchitka Island at 158,52

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CL Capetown
CL Ceres
CL Hobart
CL Perth
DD Encounter
DD Electra
DD Caldwell
DD Woodworth
DD Farenholt

Japanese ground losses:
476 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 27
Port hits 5
Port supply hits 2

3rd - Three small groups of A-29 Hudson moved back into Adak hit the AF. 19 hit the base today. I have a small Cargo TF trying to unload and cannot as it needed to be a an Amphib TF. Oops! [:D] The ships are targeted by 8cm/40 T88 DP Gun Battery from the Special BF there. Back to Adak to disband and reform as an Amphib TF to bring supplies to the Canadians holding out behind level 4 forts.

Engineering: - Johnson Port 2; Adelaide AF 8; Trincomalee Fort 5; Tacoma Port 5; Chittagong AF 9; Christchurch Fort 4; Akyab AF 7; Nadi AF 8; Nonouti Port 3; Tamworth AF6; Tamsag AF 5;

Notes:
My last base in the Philippines, San Jose, falls on the 2nd.

I now have 2 Cargo TFs operating in Gilberts to move supplies from Tabiteuea to forward bases. My P-38s are great, "WHEN" they have drop tanks. So the invasion of Mili is on hold for a few extra days until Makin gets more supplies.

[ny59giants]

Dec 4, 5, 6 :
Marshalls Invaded!!

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies.

Subs:
I-169 is one east of Makin as my CVs go by. She launches 4 TTs at Saratoga, but misses. [X(]

CVs:
Mine are off Mili (2 to 3 hexes) in Patrol Zones that move them to a new hex every day.

India/Burma:
The march through the jungle continues.

China:
North - Yenan is still targeted by over 30 Sallys. The two Corps and HQ are now three hexes easterly from Hankow recovering while about 70 bombers attack daily. They will not last long once his troops arrive.

South - Wuchow and Kukong have their AF attacked. Kweilin is swept by 27 or 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific: [>:][>:]

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls - Jaluit is still swept by P-39s.
Roi-Namur -
On 5th, 44(1) A6M2 Zero and 33(3) Nick are on CAP vs 18(2) P-38G; 36 A6M2 Zero and 20 Nick are on CAP as 21 B-17s and 36 B-24s hit the AF = 17b, 8s, 48r; 18 more B-17s; 9 B-17s and 12 B-24s; 28 B-24s; 11 B-24s; then 61 P-38s sweep the skies where only 3 Nick and Zeros are left! [:@] The Air Losses for the 5th are 21 Allied to 31 Japanese with me losing 6 pilots.
6th - 18 P-38s sweep and shot down 1 of 4 Tojo (probably leaking CAP from Kwajalein); 28 more P-38s come in to find no CAP; multiple waves total 88 B-24s hit the AF (mouse over shows only 6 fighters and damage at 88).

Wotje -
On 6th, 11 P-38s sweep; then 37 B-17s hit the AF in three waves;

Mili - an empty base is captured on 6th!![8D] 41 fighters are moved in.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - Up to 19 A-29 Hudson hit AF daily and when weather permits. I now have the proper TF, an Amphib, back unloading supplies. [;)]

Engineering: - Astoria F5; Katha AF3; Vava'u F6; Bombay AF8; Wagga Wagga AF9; Savaii P4; Kweiyang AF5;

Notes:
See screenshot - I need to avoid the 6 plus subs hitting my CVs and BBs while I support the invasion of Mili. I had forgot to set my FPs to Naval and ASW patrols, but did for the next turn.

Marshalls plans are to finish unloading at Mili and expand AF to at least size 2 to allow LRCAP of invasion of Maloelap (4 hexes away). Before that happens, I will invade Nauru (it can max the AF 5 and allow B-24s to visit Rabaul and the long legged PB4Y-1P Liberator with range 25/31 to recon Solomons and Truk). "IF" there is no increased in resistance within the Marshalls except by subs, the island group should fall in just over one month. Right now recon and mouse over show less than 35 fighters left.

[ny59giants]

We have hit the one year mark in just over 8 1/2 months. Not too bad!

[ny59giants]

Dec 7, 8, 9 :
BB Indiana is sunk by I-174 off Mili!! [:(]
But in exchange, I may have sunk....... [:)]

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies.

Subs:
I-174 is 1 SE of Mili as various TFs withdraw south to Tabiteuea on 9th. She hits BB Indiana with 2 of 4 TTs, She soon gets a second shot and sinks her with 2 of 4 TTs. [:(] [:@]

CVs:
Enemy CVs are spotted at 121,122 (6 SW Kusaie) and may be headed towards my invasion TFs and CVs on 8th. They are no longer spotted on 9th.
9th -

Morning Air attack on TF, near Mili at 137,121

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 72
SBD-3 Dauntless x 51
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hatsushima, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Natori, Bomb hits 1
DD Nenohi
DD Suzukaze, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 5, on fire

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mili at 137,121

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 15
Martlet II x 8
Swordfish I x 12
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 146
SBD-3 Dauntless x 183
TBF-1 Avenger x 75

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Natori, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Yamakaze
DD Nenohi

DD Yamakaze must have been targeted by over 100 DBs and TBs and was not hit once. Frustrating!! [:(]

India/Burma:
The march through the jungle continues.

China:
North - Yenan is still targeted by over 30 Sallys. The two Corps and HQ are now three hexes easterly from Hankow recovering while about 70 bombers attack daily.

South - Wuchow and Kukong have their AF attacked. Kweilin is swept by 27 or 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific: [>:][>:]
Luganville - on 8th, 9(1) Zero rise up to face 62(1) B-17E = 9b, 3s, 50r; on 9th, 7 Zero vs 66 B-17Es = 16b, 7s, 49r;


Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - On 7th, 25 P-38Es sweep in to find 4(2) Rufe on CAP (with the AF closed down, this may the only option he has left); 43 P-38Gs sweep an empty sky; 84 B-24D = 4 planes destroyed, 7b, 6s, 54r (total); on 8th, 18 P-38E sweep; 41 B-24D = 3 planes destroyed, 4b, 26r;

Wotje - On 7th, 6(1) and 11(1)Rufe are on CAP as 16(1) P-38Fs sweep in; then 2 Rufe and 3 Tojo face 43 B-17F = 6b, 2s, 29r; on 8th, 7(1) Tojo vs 17 P-38G; 2 Tojo vs 15 P-38G = 0; 1 Tojo vs 41 B-17F = 5b, 5s, 11r; 46 B-24D = 3b, 1s, 11r;

Maloelap - On 8th, 28 B-26B hit the troops = 71c;

Afternoon Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 9
F4F-3 Wildcat x 25
SBD-3 Dauntless x 203
TBF-1 Avenger x 90

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 19

North Pacific:
Amchitka - Up to 19 A-29 Hudson hit AF daily and when weather permits. Supply unloaded is halted on 9th as the xAKLs head back to Adak for some repairs.

Engineering: - Kalemyo - AF2; Karachi - P8; Wellington - F6; Changteh - F5; Lahaina - AF4; Tabiteuea - F5; Mangalore - AF5; Newcastle - F6; and Mili AF 1(2) at 55%

Notes:
I lose the Indiana, but it looks like Nick will lose 2 CAs, 1 CL, and maybe a DD or two. I can afford the loss.

A quick trip back to Tabiteuea to reload sorties and back out for the next invasion.

I did it for the third time...Makin is below 2x supplies so my P-38s are grounded. thankfully, I have lots of transports in the area now and if they don't totally unload over the beach, my forward bases will get the rest.

[BBfanboy]

Indiana seems destined to go down via sub attack! I played the Marianas invasion scenario twice: both time BB Indiana was hit by a single torpedo ... both times in the magazine!

[ny59giants]

Dec 10, 11, 12 :
Move into Marshalls continues.
Weather seems to be winning during these three days

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies.

Subs:
Pogy sinks an xAKL off southern Hokkaido
RO-67 misses the retreating transports from Dutch Harbor as they head back to Prince Rupert to reload.
Finback sees and misses BB Fuso and Yamashiro, 2 CLs, 5 DDs 3 hexes WSW of Eniwetok (with the number of BBs I still have in the Gilberts/Marshalls, i hope he heads for the invasion area).
S-41 sinks a PB at Wotje.

CVs:
Mine are back to refuel and replenish at Tabiteuea before heading north again.

India/Burma:
The march through the jungle continues.

China:
North - Yenan is still targeted by over 30 Sallys. The two Corps and HQ are now three hexes easterly from Hankow recovering while about 70 bombers attack daily.

South - Wuchow and Kukong have their AF attacked. Kweilin is swept by 27 or 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:][>:]

South Pacific:
Luganville - 60 B-17s are able to get through the severe storms to hit the AF. There are over 65 fighters reported by recon on Noumea, so I'll avoid the base till I can send my B-24s over from the Gilberts/Marshalls.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - Despite the moderate rain, 37 B-24 are able to get by 2 Tojo and 18 Rufe to hit the AF. They can barely hit it!! Very light damage and reduced bomb loads don't help. The weather gets worse as it ends up as heavy rains on the 13th. Another 19 B-24s find the AF.

Kwajalein - 46 B-17s push through the 7 Rufe and 6 Tojo in multiple waves to find the port has some targets to hit on 12th. A DD gets 2 bomb hits while CA Furutaka gets another 17 x 500 lb bomb hits (added to the 7 x 1000 bomb hits from my SBDs). Nick reports she is still afloat. But how?? [&:]

Wotje - Not targeted as I need more supplies to get drop tanks again.

Maloelap - Same as Wotje.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - Up to 19 A-29 Hudson hit AF daily and when weather permits. 1 CA, 4 CL, 4 DDs bombard the base on 11th with moderate damage.

Engineering: - Abemama P3; Tarawa F5; Adak P6; Mile AF2; Makin P3; Akyab P3

Notes:
I'm changing my next target from Nauru over to Maloelap.

In the Gilberts/Marshalls, there are 14 of 19 BBs (3 more are still repairing in Alemeda). There are 13 CAs among the various TFs and lots of DDs with the 8 CV/CVL. [:D]

With Mili going to AF2, a SBD-3 and a F4F-3 are moved up to give me DB range as far as Rio-Namur.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

We have hit the one year mark in just over 8 1/2 months. Not too bad!

Congratulations! [:)]

Its a shame with the Indiana. I´m guessing you had good ASW ratings in the TF? As you know I had had a lot of "WTH moments" with Jap subs lately. I think its a tad too easy for Jap subs to get shots of at Capital ships in the game. Especially this late in the game where allied ASW was really good. Seemed to help when I flooded the area with 10-15 ASW TFs. More often then not his subs tried to shoot at the ASW TFs then something important!

[ny59giants]

The turn for the 15th is away!! See screenshot of what may happen next turn. My CV/CVEs will move to 1 hex SE of Maloelap to cover the invasion. I count over 300 fighters from my CV/CVEs and another 150 land based fighters on LRCAP. I will have close to 2:1 odds in fighters. I stood down my SBDs and Avengers to allow more for CAP/LRCAP.

[Crackaces]

Is advanced weather on or off? It might be an interesting chain of events if one of those subs gets a fish on a CV [8D]

I have witnessed first hand the problem of a huge KB seperating a carrier to an escort TF after taking a fish . one DD and one CV will not resist a determined Allied air strike package and a night sub encouter is quite possible given the positions ..

[ny59giants]

Advance weather is ON. Forecast over my CVs showed Overcast.

I moved 2 S-boats from Roi-Namur to just NE of Ronglelap as that would be 7 hexes from Maloelap (expect him to be just at max TT range and then allow his Vals to come in). I have a few more weeks till '43 rolls around and my dud rate goes down by 20.

What I don't know is how best to spread my LRCAP?? Do you place all on one specific TF or like I just did and place some air groups on different TF (1 Amphib TF and 2 SC TF). I spread it out as I cannot trust the AI to not have somebody react even though all are set to 0.

[Crackaces]

My own strategy for this particular situaiton and that is an on coming KB that I feel pretty confident that is going to get into range of LBA as well as my CV's .. I set my LBA not to LRCAP but to go down range and escort stuff .. Why?

1. LRCAP is severely penalized over TF's ...
2. The LRCAP algorithum becomes less controllable by player .. at least there is one possibly -- arrive with a strike package over the KB or nothing ..[;)]
3. This maximizes the number of LBA aircraft capable of contact at a critical time ..

Otherwise with LRCAP some random number of fighters are going to arrive before, or quite likely after the KB's strike package has done their thing .. At least you give your strike packages a fighting chance [8D]

If JJ has not set their CV stuff to search and depend on ship based patrols .. it is not going to be pretty for them when weather strikes ..(which is likely with advnaced weather on ..... [;)]

[JocMeister]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you tonight Michael! Good luck! [:)]

[Cpt Sherwood]

One more time:

[JocMeister]

[:D]

[ny59giants]

No turn in my inbox this morning (10:30am local), so I re-sent it again as occasionally the internet will eat a turn in transit. Thus, I can replay in my mind a bunch of 'what ifs' or 'should have done' for a few more hours. [:D]