Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwinkle58 vs.1EyedJacks

[Justus2]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

You're going wabbit hunting!!!

Uh-oh, right before Easter weekend? Watch out for scattered baskets of grass and colored easter eggs, how to explain to the kids that the Easter Bunny got a load of buckshot... [:D]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

You're going wabbit hunting!!!

Be wehry, wehry qwiet . . .

[Canoerebel]

What the heck?  Do you mean, "Be vewy, vewy quiet"? 
 
Whatever rabbit you're referring to must've been speakin' Arapaho.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

What the heck?  Do you mean, "Be vewy, vewy quiet"? 

Whatever rabbit you're referring to must've been speakin' Arapaho.

Nah, your Elmer just has a southern accent.[X(]

[Bullwinkle58]

April 7, 1942

Probe Bombing

No, not the name of a band.

1) I read other AARs and I see all these highly-planned, well-disguised operations and I look at FUDD and I see, well, I see Elmer. It'll be a dog's breakfast, but it might work.

What I need is information, so today the Allies continue the 1942 probe bombing tour, including one unscheduled date which yielded goodies, but no groupie phone numbers.

Night bombed Toungoo AF, not for info, but to check on night CAP and to try to throw a veil of misdirection over the whole thing. Yeah, right. No damage from 2000 feet. Maybe no planes there?

Day bombed empty hex on west coast of Borneo same as yesterday. Hit Recon unit again, 18 casualties. Have to be knocking this guy out of Move mode, which amuses me at least, given Mike has done it every day for three months on a couple of rags trying to march north to Lanchow.

Back in Burma/Malaysia, hit Prome again and found 2nd RTA again. No "Also bombed . . ." note on the report, but this is not always determinative of only one unit being in the hex. Hit Victoria Point and the former tank regiment there is still there. Liberators bombed Bangkok. I did not tell them to do this on purpose; I must have canceled yesterday's target intending to come back, left them on Ground, and then didn't come back. A nice mistake since they found 1st RTA Div there, which is a good place for it FUDD-wise. I now have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd RTA IDed. It's odd, but even now my Recon missions don't ID LCUs at these bases. I know training is light, but come on.

2) USS Pollack almost shoots at a 2-xAK, 1-DD TF near the HI. With radar I think this would have been an attack.

3) Palembang is swept by 45 Zeroes which stuff my 2 P-40s. I want to empty this base of aircraft and stop throwing them away, but I have about ten xAKs, veterans of the Singers run, loading fuel to take to Oz. Oz needs it badly. So my scraps stay on CAP to try to give them a smidge of cover while they load. Forts at P. should go to 4 in two days.

4) In China the road-marchers from Tsuyung are bombed with no casualties, and the stack in the NE mountains is as well with a dozen.

Trying an experiement. Tracker and PBEM have made me dig into the inner workings of LCUs to a far greater extent than I ever did playing the AI. Despite Paoshan only having Forts 1.5, I turn off building this turn to see if the LCUs will be able to suck in some organic supply, or if the base account will grow first. Ledo is shoving all it can in here now, and Lashio has all its LCUs but two topped off and should be able to begin passing through in a week or so. The Paoshan move seems like a better trade-off for now to me. I'll watch it in Tracker and try to get some idea of degrees.

5) Another experiment in China. Two days ago I split the Hudsons at Chungking (8 planes) three ways, put them on recon, and ordered them to recon open hexes around the city at road junctions. Today a tank regiment sprung forth from nowhere on the road and the Chinese fighters in Chungking, with remarkably good strafing skills, attacked. No losses, but it should have slowed the tanks down. I don't want Japan to think central China is a complete freebie zone.

6) Naval action. Sent Yorktown, with only fast CAs and DDs for escorts, over to within 5 hexes of Johnson I. at Full speed. Most days there's one sub there, sometimes two, and the recon reads less than 20 fighters and nothing else. LRCAPed as far out as I could, put the Wildcats on 50% CAP, the attackers on Naval plus Port. Not good results. One DB squadron flew with 15 Wildcats and got chewed up. I hoped the USN pilot skills would help more, but in retrospect I didn't need 50% CAP and that made the difference in non-penetration. With the DBs set to go at Range 6 and the TBs not able to, as soon as the TF hit 6 the DBs launched. TBs sat at home. My mistake again.

Afternoon Air attack on Johnston Island , at 164,112

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

Hornet and Saratoga are about four days out of Pearl.

7) Japan takes vacant Vanimo near the PI. An Allied fragment, walking across northern Mindanao for over two months to rejoin its parent, passes by Oroquieta and re-takes it. Just a little PITA service courtesy of the Allies. Rowboat Corps will probably have it back soon, but for now it's mine. Mine! I say! [:)]

8) Forts at Singers go back over 3. The Yo-Yo Corps takes tips, thanks.

Mike will be out of touch this weekend until Sunday, and that day I have a family commitment, so turns might be slow again. If I have time tomorrow I may try to outline FUDD as it currently stands.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
3) Palembang is swept by 45 Zeroes which stuff my 2 P-40s. I want to empty this base of aircraft and stop throwing them away, but I have about ten xAKs, veterans of the Singers run, loading fuel to take to Oz. Oz needs it badly. So my scraps stay on CAP to try to give them a smidge of cover while they load. Forts at P. should go to 4 in two days.

Have you turned off the HI in OZ? I do this early game so I´m able to store fuel in mainland OZ without the industry sucking it dry. Another option could be to to dump fuel in Tasmania if you don´t want to turn off the HI. You would then have fuel ready for operations there.

[ny59giants]

Suggestion - I trained up one 12 plane group (that can be divided) of B-17Ds in recon skill to help fill in the gap until the F-4s come in later in 42. They have great range, but without the rear gun are nothing but targets to Japanese fighters.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58
3) Palembang is swept by 45 Zeroes which stuff my 2 P-40s. I want to empty this base of aircraft and stop throwing them away, but I have about ten xAKs, veterans of the Singers run, loading fuel to take to Oz. Oz needs it badly. So my scraps stay on CAP to try to give them a smidge of cover while they load. Forts at P. should go to 4 in two days.

Have you turned off the HI in OZ? I do this early game so I´m able to store fuel in mainland OZ without the industry sucking it dry. Another option could be to to dump fuel in Tasmania if you don´t want to turn off the HI. You would then have fuel ready for operations there.

Yep. HI has been off in OZ since mid-December. Fuel is low because I haven't done cross-Pac convoys and it takes awhiel to fill the pipeline between EC and CT. The mass of initial convoys--probably 50 or in total--has now done a round trip and are coming into CT daily. About 15,000 fuel a day I'd say. Some goes to Oz, some I'm holding. As above, I'm trying to get soem "free" fuel from Oosthaven and Palembang south while I can, but it's in xAKs and they aren't very efficient. The great thing about EC to CT is I don't have to refuel the ships at CT. Just spin them around and send them back at Full speed. No fuel, no damge, top speed. Why do LA to Sydney again?

Oz is light on fleet ops fuel, but I haven't done much down here except some supply runs to NG, a few sub patrols from Brisbane, Sydney ASW, runs from Perth to Cocos I, etc. LI is carying the supply load just fine right now. If the Solomons heat up I'll need fuel, but so far my escorts have been free to help around Hawaii and be there for upgrades.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Suggestion - I trained up one 12 plane group (that can be divided) of B-17Ds in recon skill to help fill in the gap until the F-4s come in later in 42. They have great range, but without the rear gun are nothing but targets to Japanese fighters.

I have used Forts for some naval search, but have never used them for recon. It's a good idea. My D-models are all used up and gone now though. I used them on Oil strikes and Johnson I. suppression.

[witpqs]

I trained up a couple of B-17 groups in recon for just that purpose early on. They achieved crap. I was lucky to get the very smallest DL with days - nay - weeks of recon missions. It seems that the 'camera' device makes a huge difference. Not sure, but maybe the plane's type classification maters too. I'm thinking that recon planes and maybe search planes get bonuses, but bombers don't.

[Bullwinkle58]

Operation FUDD

Overview

Operation FUDD is a multi-phase operation aimed at re-taking Rangoon and selected associated targets in mid-1942. It will employ forces from the British, Australian, Indian, and Chinese military establishments. Following each phase an examination of enemy reaction will be mounted and adjustemnts, postponement, or cancellation of follow-on phases will occur.

Strategic and Tactical Objectives

1) Consolidate Oil/Fuel denial in Burma

2) Achieve roughly 1500 VP swing in the Allies' favor

3) Deny Japan theater industrial assets of Rangoon

4) Make the sub-region a no-go area for the IJN by use of Pt. Blair and the linked air fields at Rangoon and nearby

5) Enable armored thrusts down the Burmese coast from Pegu to potentially cut the Bangkok-to-Singapore supply line and force any resource flows toward Korea onto the water.

Phases

1) Phase 1 will be an opposed amphibious landing at Rangoon by combined arms forces led by Indian Army units, launching from Madras and Calcutta. Escort and CAP will be provided by RN heavy units from Colombo, accompanied by minesweepers.

2) Phase 1.5 will be a para-assault on Bassein from Pt. Blair.

3) Phase 2 will be a ground assault on Prome by Chinese infantry with an objective, at minimum, of pinning the RTA division there.

4) Phase 3 will be second-wave landings at Rangoon by more division-sized infantry, as well as substantial armor sourced from theater reserves as well as India garrisons released by re-location of Chinese Army units to India.

5) Phase 4 will be capture of Pegu by forces from Rangoon.

6) Phase X, depending on enemy reactions and solid intel gains from previous phases, will be movement forward in force from the Mandalay sector to either take Toungoo if abandoned, or to invest the garrison there if not, after its supply lines are cut by the taking of Pegu. Air support from Mandalay group bases.

7) Phase Y, investment of Chiang Mai by three Chinese corps moving overland. FUDD will not be delayed while these units reach position. This phase is considered a "nice to do" portion of the operation. These units are considered expendable and are intended mainly as a prod to draw a response to this supply line threat and reduce combat forces available to react to the north for the time needed to consolidate the landings and initial supply of Rangoon.

8) Phase Z, feint toward Ramree I. by lone Chinese corps, overland, underway for several weeks now in plain sight. Ramree I. is valuable if Rangoon is not held, but is exposed unless total air superiority is achieved, doubtful at this stage of the war. It is also a dot base, and engineering assets will be better used at the other targets. Ramree I. is intended to draw off Japanese air assets.

The following screens show an overview map of FUDD with my first attempt to annotate a screenshot (be kind. [:)]) Following screens show the OOB and full statuses of units detailed to Rangoon and Toungoo as of the last turn. Not shown are Pt. Blair units, the Chaing Mai units, or Prome/Bassein forces.

[Bullwinkle58]

Overview map:

[Bullwinkle58]

Rangoon Force OOB and status:

[Bullwinkle58]

Toungoo Force OOB and status:

[witpqs]

Me likey!

You probably know this, but just in case - there is a tonnage limit on the size of ship that can go upriver to Rangoon. I forget the limit, but generally cruisers can while battleships can not.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Me likey!

You probably know this, but just in case - there is a tonnage limit on the size of ship that can go upriver to Rangoon. I forget the limit, but generally cruisers can while battleships can not.

Yep. CAs yes, BBs no. I initially was going to go in at Pegu and hit Rangoon from the east so I could have my BB security blanket, but RockyRoo helpfully smacked me upside the head and suggested I take a look at the piers in Pegu versus unload rates at Rangoon.

I'm still very leery of the lack of intel, or better said, its shifting nature. The stack at Toungoo read as four LCUs this last turn, which could be given the railroad. If a lot of that stack shifted into Rangoon (my probe bombing didn't see them, but they could be in transit) I could be refused on the beach. Which would be unfortunate, but OTOH it makes Toungoo fall pretty easily and accomplishes the central objective of putting him back at 1/1/42 in Burma terms.

I want to get this thing on track before Singers falls. I want to add to the psychological stress of not having Singers OR Palembang in April, and now Burma being a major campaign demand on Japan's resources. So much combat power sitting in the Himalayan foothills as well.

If FUDD made him send the Singers stack north rather than at Palembang I would be happy with that as well.

[Lomri]

I like that FUDD is close to "Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt".

I encourage you to continue playing with annotated maps. I for one really enjoy them in AARs. Thanks!

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: Lomri


I like that FUDD is close to "Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt".

I encourage you to continue playing with annotated maps. I for one really enjoy them in AARs. Thanks!

I thought of the Internet Age's FUD when I decided on the name, but mostly Elmer's personality. This thing is not elegant, well-planned, or certainly well-timed.

I use Paint, which is free and I already know how to do basic stuff. Annotation was easier than I thought once I figured out you don't have to write with the "pencil" cursor. [:)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: Lomri


I like that FUDD is close to "Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt".

I encourage you to continue playing with annotated maps. I for one really enjoy them in AARs. Thanks!

I thought of the Internet Age's FUD when I decided on the name, but mostly Elmer's personality. This thing is not elegant, well-planned, or certainly well-timed.

I use Paint, which is free and I already know how to do basic stuff. Annotation was easier than I thought once I figured out you don't have to write with the "pencil" cursor. [:)]

Paint.net (found at http://www.getpaint.net/) is also free and you might find it even easier to do these sort of things.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: Lomri


I like that FUDD is close to "Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt".

I encourage you to continue playing with annotated maps. I for one really enjoy them in AARs. Thanks!

I thought of the Internet Age's FUD when I decided on the name, but mostly Elmer's personality. This thing is not elegant, well-planned, or certainly well-timed.

I use Paint, which is free and I already know how to do basic stuff. Annotation was easier than I thought once I figured out you don't have to write with the "pencil" cursor. [:)]

Paint.net (found at http://www.getpaint.net/) is also free and you might find it even easier to do these sort of things.

Thanks. I'll take a look today.