Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1943 December 23

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got an xAK.

4,300 AV at Chungking. No, troops are not recovering. Periodically, zombie units arise from the dead so they can be destroyed again. Imperial bombing of our troops SW of Kunming was very effective today. And the dive bombers were heavily escorted!

IJN activity 2 hexes NW Victoria Point. Not much else going on in Burma, as we move up the additional troops already mentioned.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian

The clearing of Guam continues.

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Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38351 troops, 687 guns, 857 vehicles, Assault Value = 1437

Defending force 14231 troops, 100 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Allied adjusted assault: 1640

Japanese adjusted defense: 29

Allied assault odds: 56 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1151 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 81 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 28 (8 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
33rd Infantry Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
24th Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
763rd Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
2nd Pioneer Battalion
XI US Corps
198th Field Artillery Battalion
35th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
12th Division
15th Base Force
13th Air Flotilla
19th Army
25th Special Base Force


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15th Base Force Wiped Out at Guam by attrition!!!

Two divisions are being loaded up tomorrow and one will continue resting, leaving only one to attack. One of the tank units will rest as well. The other tank and artillery units will continue attacking. As the two IDs come out a whole bunch of engineers will land.

Here is a look at the base on Guam. Let's see how fast we can get the base first going, then maxed out, once we get some serious engineering units ashore.

[obvert]

Do you plan to move XX Bomber Command B-29s to the Marianas since you have them so early?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Do you plan to move XX Bomber Command B-29s to the Marianas since you have them so early?

I've been thinking not, but there is loads of time to change my mind. By then I might even be able to transfer them from, say, Bassein to the eastern DEI. I assume they have some kind of monster transfer range.

I've been thinking about using them for:

- Strat bombing of supply just behind the front lines in China, by hitting airfields to get supply hits.
- Strat bombing of supply behind the Burma front.
- Strat bombing of SEA Industrial targets and possibly the shipyard at Singapore if and as I can reach them.

The supply bombing will have some added benefit from closing the affected airfields. Supply has proven to be a critical factor in both China and Burma land campaigns. Any deficit created there can only be made up at the expense of supply in the rest of the Empire. Judging by how much supply was already on Guam it seems there is lots of supply forward deployed, at least to major bastions. So the pool of supply to transfer around can be stressed, worsening that problem for DAW HQ.

What do you think?

[princep01]

City bombing Japanese industrial cities (starting big fires) effects supply and a lot more. Not to mention the effect it has on his front line air (some will have to come home to deal with the heavies). Judicious use (night and day) over the home cities is devastating to his economy, factories and supply. Of course, if you are playing for VCs, it also racks up large numbers of strategic bombing VCs Much better, in my view, to the more tactical use you are considering.

Just something I saw used to effect in Joc's recently concluded game. Having never gotten far enough to use B-29s in any capacity, I am speaking out of school. However, I'd let the legions of B-24s do the dirty work you are contemplating and put the strategic back in the term strategic bomber.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

City bombing Japanese industrial cities (starting big fires) effects supply and a lot more. Not to mention the effect it has on his front line air (some will have to come home to deal with the heavies). Judicious use (night and day) over the home cities is devastating to his economy, factories and supply. Of course, if you are playing for VCs, it also racks up large numbers of strategic bombing VCs Much better, in my view, to the more tactical use you are considering.

Just something I saw used to effect in Joc's recently concluded game. Having never gotten far enough to use B-29s in any capacity, I am speaking out of school. However, I'd let the legions of B-24s do the dirty work you are contemplating and put the strategic back in the term strategic bomber.

Yes, I agree. But I was thinking about keeping them in their initial theater. And there, the most strategic thing they can do first off is trash Imperial supply. When my forces land on Iwo Jima during Q1 '44 that will trigger kamikazes (right?), so maybe I should just move them over to the Marianas instead.

Anybody know the transfer range of the first B-29 model?

[princep01]

Yeah, the info can be found on the AC button on the tool bar, then right click on the AC desired.

B-29-1 max range 104, normal 28 w/ 20 bomb load, extended 35 with 10 bmb load. Damn that is a rain of 500 pound bmbs!

B-29-25 max 111, normal 31, ext 38

B29-B max 111, norm 32, ext 40, but with increased bmb loads @ 36/18. Downside to this AC is that while it is it carried little defensive armament. But, if this baby got their without a lot of interceptor action, it was a typhoon of bombs.

As an aside, we Americans cling to our English measurements and stubbornly refuse to join the rest of the world in a common measurement scale. I sometimes have to do mental conversions when people talk in terms of kilograms, meters and Celsius temperatures. Question for you. I assume that New Zealand uses the metric system. Do you have to do the same sort of mental conversions when Americans jabber on about pounds and miles? So 500 pound bombs are what in kilograms?

[witpqs]

I'll ask Wobbly (aka aprezto), he's a Kiwi and my 2x2 partner. [:D]

[princep01]

Night bombing with 29s using city attack started some impressive fires in large targets like Toyko and Osaka. Unless Admiral Wa is keenly attentive to developing night-fighters and deploying them early, I'd say this is the best way to go in the early going of your strategic bombing campaign. Joc's first raid on Tokyo started some real bonfires. Those bonfires eat factories, supply and otherwise had what appeared to be a devastating effect. Later, he shifted to bombing AC factories to retard the development of late model AC. That was effective too and all but stopped the deployment of the Shinden.


In your position, you will be able to start strategic bombing of the Home Islands early. Personally, I would not hesitate to do that ASAP. You will probably have both Saipan and Tinian about the time the first B-29 model is available. The 5 service rating on those heavies will keep you from flying every other day, but you should be able to keep him guessing on targets and blasting some city every few days. Maybe you have played deep enough into the game to have experience with the B-29s and can devise an even better strategy, but it worked pretty well for Joc. Obvert did a good job with his fighter defenses and caused heavy losses on occasion, but the bombing was a telling blow on Japanese factories and supply.

Best of luck. I will be very interested in what you do and how well it does.

[witpqs]

1943 December 24

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got an xAK and a PB.

The usual beatings from the air in China. Also, the Empire's maneuvers near Kunming continue.

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Ground combat at 68,49 (near Kunming)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 4095 troops, 32 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Defending force 38794 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 721

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
36th/B Division
41st/C Division

Defending units:
25th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
3rd Commando Brigade
86th Chinese Corps
50th Indian Para Brigade
68th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
27th Group Army


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

Two or three Imperial convoys are in and heading for Tavoy. I'm sure they bring supplies, but hopefully no troops just yet. The Allied navies are not strong enough to intervene.

BC Renown has just begun upgrade at Aden (a month). BB Queen Elizabeth is leaving Aden for India. Prince of Wales is leaving Cape Town for the USA East Coast to make faster repairs while Cape Town is used for upgrading other large vessels.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian

Another unit wiped out at Guam (but don't know which one). There are 3 units, 15,680 troops, 70 guns, and 52 AFV remaining.

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Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14659 troops, 291 guns, 538 vehicles, Assault Value = 975

Defending force 11841 troops, 90 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Allied adjusted assault: 794

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 46 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1341 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
7th Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
ComAirSoPac
35th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
XI US Corps
198th Field Artillery Battalion
30th USN Naval Const Rgt /2
225th Field Artillery Battalion
860th Aviation Engineer Battalion
29th USN Naval Const Rgt /2
868th Aviation Engineer Battalion
26th USN Naval Const Rgt /2
23rd USN Special Construction Battalion
19th USN Special Construction Battalion
855th Aviation Engineer Battalion
868th Aviation Engineer Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
23rd USN Naval Const Rgt /3

Defending units:
12th Division
13th Air Flotilla
19th Army
25th Special Base Force


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Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Guam

Guam base is now totally repaired! All hail the swarm of Allied engineers. Both divisions (7th + 1st Spec Cav) plus all the artillery and armor will be on the attack tomorrow. As there is air support on the island and the field totally repaired, LBA operations will begin at once.

Here is the Andaman Sea.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Night bombing with 29s using city attack started some impressive fires in large targets like Toyko and Osaka. Unless Admiral Wa is keenly attentive to developing night-fighters and deploying them early, I'd say this is the best way to go in the early going of your strategic bombing campaign. Joc's first raid on Tokyo started some real bonfires. Those bonfires eat factories, supply and otherwise had what appeared to be a devastating effect. Later, he shifted to bombing AC factories to retard the development of late model AC. That was effective too and all but stopped the deployment of the Shinden.


In your position, you will be able to start strategic bombing of the Home Islands early. Personally, I would not hesitate to do that ASAP. You will probably have both Saipan and Tinian about the time the first B-29 model is available. The 5 service rating on those heavies will keep you from flying every other day, but you should be able to keep him guessing on targets and blasting some city every few days. Maybe you have played deep enough into the game to have experience with the B-29s and can devise an even better strategy, but it worked pretty well for Joc. Obvert did a good job with his fighter defenses and caused heavy losses on occasion, but the bombing was a telling blow on Japanese factories and supply.

Best of luck. I will be very interested in what you do and how well it does.

Never got to B-29s except against the AI. I'll have to take some hex measurements to see if transferring will be better done by air or sea. The battle for Saipan will commence within about a month. Tinian will come possibly after Iwo Jima, because I want to get in there before even more defenses are erected (hence preparing troops for Iwo Jima instead of Tinian). Anatham, I think it is called - the northernmost Mariana - will be grabbed during the Saipan op to provide a base closer to Iwo.

[witpqs]

1943 December 25

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got an xAK and a TK.

4,327 AV at Chungking. The Imperials are moving in another unit, so maybe they will start attacking soon? Paoshan has maxed airfield size at 5, and with level 5 fortifications brings the daily supply inflow cap to 1,000 tons. The extra 100 tons per day plus the lack of building by the two engineer units, which are also now pulling out of China, should help get more supply to the front lines.

The Imperial convoys are unloading at Tavoy.

We had those two 4x DD SCTF heading to Iwo Jima. One had been spotted on patrol and was fixed more firmly as it moved north. The other was not spotted at all. Meanwhile, the convoy at Iwo Jima was scouted moving north. I figured on a trap, so I made a change. The TF that had been spotted was ordered home while the stealthy was left moving to Iwo.

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Iwo-jima at 108,77, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Okinami, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Nagatsuki
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
DD Braine
DD Burns
DD Murray
DD John Rodgers, Shell hits 1

Reduced sighting due to 0% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 0% moonlight: 2,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
Range closes to 2,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 2,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 2,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD John Rodgers at 2,000 yards
DD Okinami engages DD John Rodgers at 2,000 yards
DD John Rodgers engages DD Okinami at 2,000 yards
DD Murray engages DD Nagatsuki at 2,000 yards
DD Okinami sunk by DD Murray at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD John Rodgers at 7,000 yards
DD Nagatsuki engages DD Murray at 7,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding enemy troops at Guam
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian

Another undetermined unit destroyed at Guam, but two are still fighting!

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Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25162 troops, 448 guns, 726 vehicles, Assault Value = 979

Defending force 9253 troops, 76 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 1192

Japanese adjusted defense: 11

Allied assault odds: 108 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1637 casualties reported
Squads: 62 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 28 (28 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
249th Field Artillery Battalion
868th Aviation Engineer Battalion
26th USN Naval Construction Regiment
ComAirSoPac
855th Aviation Engineer Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
29th USN Naval Construction Regiment
860th Aviation Engineer Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
35th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
868th Aviation Engineer Battalion
XI US Corps
23rd USN Special Construction Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
198th Field Artillery Battalion
23rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
19th USN Special Construction Battalion
30th USN Naval Construction Regiment

Defending units:
12th Division
19th Army
13th Air Flotilla


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Japanese Unit(s) surrounded at Guam

Only 3,400 men and 24 vehicles seen, so it looks like tomorrow's attack will clear the island.

Three of the four fast BB have finished upgrading at Pearl. North Caroline, Washington, and South Dakota have formed up under Lee and will refuel at Truk. Indiana will finish in a few days and then rejoin Massachusetts and Alabama (Smith in command) in the Marianas. Yorktown and Hornet have also finish upgrades and are joining Intrepid and CVL Langley for the trip to Truk. Lexington and Saratoga will arrive at Pearl harbor a couple of days early for their January upgrades.

Andaman Sea.

[witpqs]

1943 December 26

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got an xAK.

Victory in China!

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Ground combat at 68,49 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8250 troops, 64 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Defending force 39113 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 744

Japanese adjusted assault: 26

Allied adjusted defense: 1870

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 71

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1677 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 89 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled

Allied ground losses:
332 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
36th/B Division
41st/C Division

Defending units:
3rd Commando Brigade
25th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
50th Indian Para Brigade
86th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
27th Group Army

There are more of the Empire's troops heading to this battle hex, so I was surprised by the attack this day. DAW HQ must have reckoned that our boys were out of supply. Far from it, they get more supply than the troops within Kunming. Even though over stacked with >220% of the limit (and therefore burning through supplies), they are flush on most turns. Two units are most of the way toward moving out to relieve the excess supply burn-up, although that will only reduce AV by less than 70 as those units were chosen for movement due to their battered state.

4,296 AV at Chungking. The brigades in the north have made it to Wasu just ahead of an Imperial attack.

The pace continues in Burma. The Empire pours in supply. We pour in supply. We hope that we are burning their supply faster than they can bring it in. The troops in the battle hex near Toungoo are well over 2,600 AV, and they will be joined by >600 AV more in about a week for the next attack.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Anatahan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian

Guam is cleared. It turns out that yesterday the remaining combat troops had been destroyed, and today our divisions were not even needed.

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Ground combat at Guam (106,95)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25314 troops, 451 guns, 732 vehicles, Assault Value = 993

Defending force 1267 troops, 0 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1967

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 1967 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1376 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 229 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 29 (29 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
763rd Tank Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
1st (Spec) Cavalry Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
3rd NZ Armoured Sqn
29th USN Naval Construction Regiment
ComAirSoPac
860th Aviation Engineer Battalion
868th Aviation Engineer Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
868th Aviation Engineer Battalion
23rd USN Special Construction Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
23rd USN Naval Construction Regiment
855th Aviation Engineer Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
19th USN Special Construction Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
XI US Corps
33rd Medium Regiment
35th Port Maint Engineer Battalion
26th USN Naval Construction Regiment
30th USN Naval Construction Regiment

Defending units:
19th Army
13th Air Flotilla


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All combat troops are being pulled out and most re-tasked for Iwo Jima. More engineers are being brought in, specifically from Rota which is maxed out (except for fortifications). When Guam's bases are maxed out the engineers will come out and the second wave of troops for Saipan will land for ferrying to that island ASAP after the first wave lands there.

The defenders of Wasu.

[witpqs]

It turns out that the transfer range from Toungoo to Babeldaob is 57 hexes. That means I can already transfer any B-24 model, and for a B-29 to transfer will be a 'short flight' for them.

[khyberbill]

It turns out that the transfer range from Toungoo to Babeldaob is 57 hexes. That means I can already transfer any B-24 model, and for a B-29 to transfer will be a 'short flight' for them.

I have never had to send B-29's by ship in a PBEM due to their range. However, I do try to send them to as large an airfield as possible to prevent OPS losses. Sometimes two hops is better then one long jump. Great AAR by the way. Should be used as a lesson plan by all AFB's.

[witpqs]

1943 December 27

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs got an SC and two xAK.

Lots of attention given by IJA air to that battle hex SW of Kunming. Don't they know they lost already? 4,272 AV in Chungking. The first Imperial troops have approached Wasu and been met by farts in their general direction.

Lots of IJN convoy activity in the Andaman Sea, and perhaps a TF with 4x BB. CA Suffolk has finished repairs at Colombo and will steam at once for Ramree Island. BC Renown has just arrived at Colombo and will do likewise in separate task force.

All of our reinforcements are at Toungoo and dis-entraining before proceeding to the battle hex. It's a bit of a last minute thing, but upgrades are now available for the 4th USMC Div's two types of combat engineer squads, so the division will hot foot it back to Toungoo for upgrade and then march back to the battle hex with the reinforcements.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Anatahan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian

As pretty much expected, our dive bombers got worked over pretty well attacking troops on Saipan. All attacking aircraft have been ordered to high altitude for now.

Here is that gaggle of Imperial convoys, with a pack of battleships attempting to hide among them.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: khyberbill

It turns out that the transfer range from Toungoo to Babeldaob is 57 hexes. That means I can already transfer any B-24 model, and for a B-29 to transfer will be a 'short flight' for them.

I have never had to send B-29's by ship in a PBEM due to their range. However, I do try to send them to as large an airfield as possible to prevent OPS losses. Sometimes two hops is better then one long jump. Great AAR by the way. Should be used as a lesson plan by all AFB's.

Thanks! I've made plenty of mistakes not to be copied, though. [;)]

Ledo is a size 9 and I see it is actually slightly closer now that I checked it. I'm thinking very seriously about ferrying more B-24 groups to SEAC. In the Pacific and SWPac I have a problem with range versus targets. That will change as we push into the eastern DEI and the Philippines, but SEAC sure could use even more heavies to turn the heat up on the IJA.

[witpqs]

This just in from the BBC:

"The defenders of Wasu prepare to hurl insults."

[khyberbill]

I think this is what they mean by saying...up the wasu...without a paddle

[zuluhour]

[:D]

[witpqs]

1943 December 28

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Our subs came up empty today despite many attacks.

Lots of bombing against Chungking and the battle hex SW of Kunming. 4,239 AV at Chungking. All 4 enemy units are now at Wasu. Poland, here we come! It looks like units containing a bunch of the Imperial armor has moved out of Kunming to the east. Our bombers were pounding them pretty hard, so they might have pulled out to make room for two infantry units that are moving in from off-road. There seems little prospect of the Empire wresting possession of Kunming from us at this point. Our side making productive use of it is also an uphill battle however.

The Imperial Navy seems to be heading south from Tavoy, lending the impression that heavy units were escorting resupply or troop movement.

Allied bombardments in the Pacific.

Allied Ships Bombarding Anatahan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Peleliu
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Yap
Allied Ships Bombarding Pagan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan
Allied Ships Bombarding Tinian
Allied Ships Bombarding Saipan

Lots of troops moving around the Pacific. The high altitude bombing of Saipan is yielding results with far less damage done to the attackers. Naval bombardments are bearing some fruit, but eating up mounds of supply. They will be scaled back this turn to allow the ammo ships at Rota to catch up in their own resupply. A group of support ships (mostly ammo) will make Guam tomorrow. The port there is size 2 and will not be expanded until the airfield, currently size 6, is maxed out at size 8.

Here is an overview map.