Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[John 3rd]

Burma:

[John 3rd]

Didn't think to put these in order but here is the Middle Region:

[John 3rd]

The Kido Butai moves out: 7 CV, 5 CVL, 6 CVE, 4 BC, 10 CA, 6 CL, and 42 DD.

LET'S PLAY!

[desicat]

What is going on with the two islands North of the Great Nicobar Island?

[John 3rd]

Forgot to mention within my Posting that I will land with Paras at the island above Trinkat tomorrow. The Day after will see Trinkat fall.

We're working on a rolling set of landings and punches in an ATTEMPT to get him REACTING for a change.

[pws1225]

Banzai! Good luck John, This is going to be great fun!

[janh]

ORIGINAL: desicat
What is going on with the two islands North of the Great Nicobar Island?

Good observation. I recall in FatR's game against Yubari/BigRed these turned out to be critical if ignored and built up. A really good thing so many exterior bases in this area where not built up!

I think John is really turning this situation around! The swift reaction of the IJN and the quick assembly of so many counterlanding forces is probably a good surprise to Dan. Without those preparations, allowing him perhaps some 1-2 months time before countering, he could have easily rested his worn out units, and built up various bases. Now it looks like his lack of prepping propperly makes him pay a price...?

Waiting for great news from KB...

[John 3rd]

Ohhhhh....BABY! Does he want to come out and PLAY??!!

Target Acquired at a distance of 32 hexes from KB:







RAID: 121 F4F, 71 SBD, and 30 Avengers. They target CL Tatsuta and 4 old DDs. NOTHING (lots of bombs and TTs used up though) is sunk although Tatsuta takes 3 Bombs and is gonna sink. One bomb on each of two DDs who should be able to get home. The other two FLEE!

[John 3rd]

The deep breath before the storm has occurred. The Japanese are finally ready to contest the seas between Sumatra and Malaya. The 10th ID reaches Tand safely and fully unloads without issue. Additionally a pair of CD units and an Air Flotilla deploy. Definitely looking better for the moment. Time to unleash the hounds:

Air Bases:
Tand Sz-3 AF 63 Zero and 90 Kate set to range 7 (one hex short of Sabang).
Taiping Sz-3 AF 48 Tojo, 27 Zero, and 81 Vals set to the same area.

If ANYTHING is below Sabang next round it shall be blasted.


Ground:
The 2nd ID is three days from landing at Sibolga.

The 14th ID is unloading at Singapore tomorrow and then reloading into a BUNCH of AK--AP to shuttle up to Tand???.

The 48th ID TF is not spotted approaching Alor Star. Still needs two days to get there.

Phuket holds just barely in a 1-1 result with the Japanese attacking.

All Allied units (including two partial Marine Rgts) surrender at Padang.

Take Burma hex 60,44 in a 19-1 attack wrecking two British/Indian Brigades and five other units. They retreat into the jungle. The 12th ID, who scored this small victory, prepares to move to Prome.

Paras land at Trinkat and just miss a 2-1 on their first attack. More will arrive tomorrow.

Naval:
KB moves steadily up. Allied CVs disappear after the previous day's appearance but we KNOW they are around. SETTINGS: Zeros (M2 and M5) at 60% split between 7,000 (the CVLs Zeros) and 17,000 (heavy CVs) Ft, Vals and Kates set at 10,000 Ft. There are right at 800 planes on the KB presently.

Three CAs bombard Langsa doing moderate damage to the facility as well as over 300 casualties.

BBs Yamtao and Musashi will bombard the troops beginning to invest medan tomorrow.

Take a look at the Strait of Malacca:

[John 3rd]

Did mouse-over of the major Burma--Sumatra--Malaya Allied Units and got the following count:

Akyab: 19
Ramree: 21
Burma Interior: 23
Sabang: 23
Langsa: 17
Medan: 7
Sibolga: 13
Alor Star: 3

Do the math. We're talking over 125 units here! HOLY CATS! How is this possible? Makes me want to drink heavily...

[GreyJoy]

10,000 feet for the Vals? Isn't that too low for them to dive bomb? I thought 11,000 was the minimum altitude for dive bombing...

[obvert]

10k is fine for dive-bombing. I often use this setting. I've heard it's more accurate the lower you set them in the 10-15k range, but I've not tested so I don't know for sure.

[John 3rd]

Any thoughts on those unit counts. CRAZY!

I figure my CAP is divided with about 2/3 set to 17,000 and 1/3 at 7,000. Should work for those dratted TT Squadrons.

Am headed to work but figure I'll be back for a late morning turn since I ams imply training a new Opener for the store.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: obvert

10k is fine for dive-bombing. I often use this setting. I've heard it's more accurate the lower you set them in the 10-15k range, but I've not tested so I don't know for sure.

Agreed. 10K definitely works for dive bombers. I think it is the default altitude pick for the AI.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Any thoughts on those unit counts. CRAZY!

Some of the divisions may be broken down..and then there is the possibility of armour, arty and support units that may be moving with them.

There are many, many brown people in the co-prosperity sphere that will have reservations about the whole idea. The Imperial Marketing Dept should probably step up their efforts. Maybe some cute anime characters or something?

[Miller]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Any thoughts on those unit counts. CRAZY!

I figure my CAP is divided with about 2/3 set to 17,000 and 1/3 at 7,000. Should work for those dratted TT Squadrons.

Am headed to work but figure I'll be back for a late morning turn since I ams imply training a new Opener for the store.

His Avengers are the least of your problems. Each CV only carries 15 and they still have a 50% dud rate. Keep your CAP at the same alt as your bombers imo.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Miller

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Any thoughts on those unit counts. CRAZY!

I figure my CAP is divided with about 2/3 set to 17,000 and 1/3 at 7,000. Should work for those dratted TT Squadrons.

Am headed to work but figure I'll be back for a late morning turn since I ams imply training a new Opener for the store.

His Avengers are the least of your problems. Each CV only carries 15 and they still have a 50% dud rate. Keep your CAP at the same alt as your bombers imo.

So I read your suggestion to place the CVL's Zeros at 10,000 Ft for CAP as well as direct escort for the bomber force. Is that correct?

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Miller

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Any thoughts on those unit counts. CRAZY!

I figure my CAP is divided with about 2/3 set to 17,000 and 1/3 at 7,000. Should work for those dratted TT Squadrons.

Am headed to work but figure I'll be back for a late morning turn since I ams imply training a new Opener for the store.

His Avengers are the least of your problems. Each CV only carries 15 and they still have a 50% dud rate. Keep your CAP at the same alt as your bombers imo.

100% agree. The TBF's are more vulnerable to flak and there is the dud problem still. It's the SBD's that almost always strike the first blows against undamaged IJN ships. In the afternoon attack (if there is one), the TBF's have better luck against the cripples.

[John 3rd]

OK. Really value you guys advice so I shall listen and TAKE IT! Consider this a change when I get the new turn.

[John 3rd]

Here is a tough tactical problem for the readership.

BURMA:
Dan is sliding his two Aussie IDs and the American 41st ID along the open terrain working to cutoff my troops off Ramree. His lead unit is the 254th TK Reg. It is beat-up and heading for the road/jungle hex SE of Ramree. I have combat power here but have had to reduce it by pulling the 4th and 48th out for operations to the south.

Would like some serious suggestions. Here is the specific layout of forces:

Shwebo: 12th ID at Full Strength plus a full strength THAI ID.

Magwe: 2nd Armored is near full strength (400 AV)

Next hex on the Irrawaddy has the 33rd ID at about 85%.

In the jungle hex next down is the full strength 21st Mixed Brigade

Prome: 21st ID (75%), TK Reg, and an Inf Reg

East of Ramree is the Full Strength 18th ID

SE of Ramree next to Prome is a TK Reg and an Inf Reg

Rangoon: TK Reg and 59th ID (60% Strength)

All bases have at least Sz-4 or -5 Forts and everyone else is digging in.


THINKING:
I potentially have the 2nd Armored, 12th, and 33rd as a maneuver force. I could cross the Irrawaddy and counterattack heading south trying to clear the west bank.

OR

MOVE the above forces and hold the northern/central area of Burma with a minimum and concentrate at Prome.

OR

???

Really open to any form of idea here.

I have a long-term plan if we can drive the Americans out of Sumatra but that is a long way away...