::Felix, Ferdinand and FRUPAC:: obvert (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[Lowpe]

12 Hexes I believe for SBDs to target industry from CVs for the next days attack. I meant to mention Lokasenna's raid earlier...not Bullwinkle twice.

Start practicing land bombing now!

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

12 Hexes I believe for SBDs to target industry from CVs for the next days attack. I meant to mention Lokasenna's raid earlier...not Bullwinkle twice.

Start practicing land bombing now!

It does appear to be 12 hexes, at least for SBD-3's. My hypothesis is that it's extended range (8) + 1 phase of cruise movement (4).


Also, isn't Karachi beyond the Indian Line of Death? If he goes for Karachi, he would trigger emergency reinforcements, correct?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

12 Hexes I believe for SBDs to target industry from CVs for the next days attack. I meant to mention Lokasenna's raid earlier...not Bullwinkle twice.

Start practicing land bombing now!

It does appear to be 12 hexes, at least for SBD-3's. My hypothesis is that it's extended range (8) + 1 phase of cruise movement (4).


Also, isn't Karachi beyond the Indian Line of Death? If he goes for Karachi, he would trigger emergency reinforcements, correct?

Yes.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

12 Hexes I believe for SBDs to target industry from CVs for the next days attack. I meant to mention Lokasenna's raid earlier...not Bullwinkle twice.

Start practicing land bombing now!

It does appear to be 12 hexes, at least for SBD-3's. My hypothesis is that it's extended range (8) + 1 phase of cruise movement (4).


Also, isn't Karachi beyond the Indian Line of Death? If he goes for Karachi, he would trigger emergency reinforcements, correct?

Yes.

Yes. It would trigger. Lots of Spit VIII, which in our game even in mid-42 would be a problem for Japan. They don't lose against zeros or Oscars.

As for strat strike distance it will be a month or two before I could even put something together. I'd have to target Manpower too, but that would be fine at a few spots like Singers and Palembang.

It's still within escort range of zeros and Oscars so could be risky

[SqzMyLemon]

I think Karachi is important, because it will determine the extent of GreyJoy's India offensive. If he goes for Karachi then you know it's an all out attempt at India and possibly AV. If he doesn't, you know you have time to counter and can plan accordingly. Without an early grab of Karachi, I think it is safe to say India will hold and you can prevent AV by operations elsewhere. We just have to wait and see what Greyjoy has planned. [8D]

I'm not saying GreyJoy is playing for AV, but you can't count it out at this stage either.

[Barb]

In planning raids by carriers, you should calculate range of the aircraft + complete movement of the TF (as naval task forces move in the night phase and in the morning phase) - so a target distant 16 hexes could easily be attacked on the next turn (4+4 movement of TF + 8 hex for SBD)... However I would go for full bomb load - just find a suitable target and position that will keep you more distant from threats while allowing full strike against target.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Barb

In planning raids by carriers, you should calculate range of the aircraft + complete movement of the TF (as naval task forces move in the night phase and in the morning phase) - so a target distant 16 hexes could easily be attacked on the next turn (4+4 movement of TF + 8 hex for SBD)... However I would go for full bomb load - just find a suitable target and position that will keep you more distant from threats while allowing full strike against target.

With a flank run it should be even farther out right?

With the long range of IJN flying boats it'll be tough to sneak up, especially now that GJ has gone for Cocos. At least for now though the Northern approaches to the HI are still tough to patrol effectively.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 20 - 22, 1942[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Truant sinks a Toho class xAK near Akyab.

The RO-33 sinks an xAKL near Koggala. The I-160 hits and xAKL near Diego Garcia.

The I-16, I-22, SS I-168 and I-24 are hanging around Penrhyn. The RO-33 may also be on the way.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA:[/font] The aerial defenders of Cacutta take the brunt of Tainan Ku S-1 sweeps and while they suffer they also take out a few quality pilots. On the 21st I decided to sweep Diamond Harbor after it fell and got decent results, about 1:1.5 against zeros and Oscars. They wore out at Calcutta on the 22nd and got only 1:2 for the day, but still again hit some likely valuable pilots in the process. Everything is moved back for tomorrow. The AA will have to take over now for a few days.

GJ para-drops three bases around Calcutta but there is still an open rail line for now to the city, and it has 72k supplies, so it won't be hurting for a while. i actually think the paradrops were unneccesary here, as I now have a target for smaller units, and if he flies troops in that is fewer that will be used at Calcutta. I can send in a small 250AV division and an armor unit to a clear hex taken by 6AV of para forces. So in the week it takes my forces to arrive I doubt more than a regiment can be flown in. This spot is 3-4 hexes from Calcutta itself and I will also be able to LR CAP it soon. It's getting interesting!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]After getting the Yorltown to Penryn the minor damage is repairing quickly. There are only a few more points to go, but the system hasn't gone down at all. There are still at least three subs in the area. I'll try a bit of a ruse soon to see what I can lure away. I'll set a big xAK to move two hexes a day surrounded by 10+ ASW with good air search, and see if I can't get the subs to bite. If they waste their torps on that one then maybe I can make a run in the opposite direction with the York a few days later. Support ships are moving to Christmas Island to refuel and reload the combat ships and an AO is heading to Tahiti. All of this prompted me to start looking at distances from place to place. I'l post findings soon.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]A sync bug struck with a ground combat in China. My result was the Chinese force sneaking into Ankang and taking the base with a 6:1 and forcing an IJA retreat. The actual result had a 3:1 with about even casualties and not taking the base, but lowering forts to 2. I decided to go again, on the very slim odds the other arriving Japanese units would be either slowed by our bombing or simply would not make it. They did, and the Chinese got a 1:3. Not great.

At Pingsiang though, the defenders do well again, keeping the three forts and inflicting 2x casualties on the IJA. This spot has gone well so far, but there is a line of Japanese units waiting to get in here and give it their best. [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] I'm bugging out with the subs for now to Colombo. I think they can do better over where there will be less interference from air search and deeper water to run in from.

The FP groups did well again, hitting an unprotected convoy on the East side of Borneo and likely sinking an xAK while setting another on fire.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Rare, and very useful.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]a Zuiho class CVL is moving to 47,42.[/font]

Also helpful. More is coming, but not to Colombo or Karachi, yet.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]10/18th Division is loaded on a Japanese CM moving to Diamond Harbour.
1/18th Division is loaded on AK Kaga Maru moving to Diamond Harbour.
2/27th Ind Engineer Regiment is loaded on xAK Wales Maru moving to Diamond Harbour.[/font]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 20, 42
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Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 2
H81-A3 x 11
Buffalo I x 15
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40587 troops, 461 guns, 244 vehicles, Assault Value = 1255

Defending force 4331 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 805

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 402 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Diamond Harbour !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
5976 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 478 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 47 (47 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
5th Division
38th Division
33rd Division
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
26th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
5th Field Construction Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
47th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
39th Field Const Co
6th Field Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
31st Fld AA Gun Co
40th Field AA Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
302nd Ship Eng Coy

Defending units:
Diamond Harbour Fortress

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 21, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Diamond Harbour , at 52,38

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Diamond Harbour , at 52,38

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Diamond Harbour , at 52,38

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 3
Buffalo I x 4
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
I-16-III: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sampit at 58,97

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
SOC-1 Seagull x 5

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Teisen Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Iwaki Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SOC-1 Seagull bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYNC BUG RESULT!!!! [:@]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Anking (88,52)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13222 troops, 71 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 397

Defending force 4574 troops, 16 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 209

Allied adjusted assault: 487

Japanese adjusted defense: 72

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Anking !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1132 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (36 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
552 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
7th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army

Defending units:
13th Tank Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
13th RGC Temp. Division

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR January 22, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 4
Buffalo I x 10
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 2
Buffalo I x 5
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Asansol , at 53,34

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

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

Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40169 troops, 408 guns, 202 vehicles, Assault Value = 1130

Defending force 37316 troops, 216 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1003

Japanese adjusted assault: 759

Allied adjusted defense: 791

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2495 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 147 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled

Allied ground losses:
757 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
8th Armored Car Co
116th Division
2nd Ind Engineer Regiment
15th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
26th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
79th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps


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

Reinforcements: I might stash the 'R' class BBs at Abadan for a bit to see if anything happens near Karachi. Another brigade for the Aussie division. The last is in about a week.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]BB Resolution arrives at Cape Town
BB Royal Sovereign arrives at Aden
16th Australian Brigade arrives at Aden[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of AMc Agra on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of AMc Calcutta on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of AMc Alor on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML P 5 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML P 6 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML 1100 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML 1101 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML 1102 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML 1103 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted
Loss of HDML 1104 on Jan 21, 1942 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]xAK Sansei Maru is reported to have been sunk near Akyab on Jan 20, 1942[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Getting close to ready to move.[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]DISTANCES[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

So, here is something I have been needing. It's not yet complete, but it's a good start. Thought I'd share. I'm going to use Cape Town a lot, and I might even store some combat ships at Abadan in case an invasion ever goes toward Karachi. Mainly though I really wanted to know distances from the off map arrival bases to gauge where and when to add protection to the routes and to figure out when stuff will get there more effectively.

I also tried sending a unit without loading it on a TF from East Coast to Cape Town, and it seems that takes slightly longer. I think 42 days to arrive.

---

CAPE TOWN > EAST COAST = 170 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 14 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 18 days
14-16 knots (7hexes/day) = 25 days
12 knots (6hexes/day) = 29 days

CAPE TOWN > UK = 152 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 12 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 16 days
14 knots (7hexes/day) = 22 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 26 days

CAPE TOWN > KARACHI = 140 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 11 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 14 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 20 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 24 days

CAPETOWN > DIEGO GARCIA = 86 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 7 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 9 days
14 knots (7hexes/day) = 13 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 15 days

CAPETOWN > COLOMBO = 109 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 9 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 11 days
14 knots (7hexes/day) = 16 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 19 days

CAPETOWN > PERTH = 139 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 11 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 14 days
14 knots (7hexes/day) = 20 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 24 days

CAPETOWN > COCOS = 100 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 8 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 10 days
14 knots (7hexes/day) = 15 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 17 days

ADEN > KARACHI = 39 hexes (40 coastal routing)

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 3 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 4 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 6 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 7 days

ABADAN > KARACHI = 28 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 2.5 days (2 days at flank)
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 3 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 4 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 5 days

BALBOA > SD = 78 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 6 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 8 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 12 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 13 days

BALBOA > EAST COAST = 60 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 5 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 6 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 9 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 10 days

BALBOA > CAPE TOWN = 176 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 14 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 18 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 26 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 30 days

---

For the specific Yorktown problem ... if I can get her up to 3 hexes a day, Pearl is looking inviting. I'd still try to create a deceptive TF heading to Tahiti and/or Balboa. Only 18 days is pretty good compared to the other options, especially if I have to fight subs the entire way back to any of them. More APDs will be done converting soon as well, to add into the better ASW escorts for her.

---

PENRHYN > BALBOA = 118 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 10 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 12 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 17 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 20 days

6 knots (3 hexes/day) = 40 days
4 knots (2 hexes/day) = 59 days

PENRHYN > PEARL HARBOR = 52 hexes

32 knots (13 hexes/day) = 4 days
20 knots (10 hexes/day) = 6 days
14 knots (7 hexes/day) = 8 days
12 knots (6 hexes/day) = 9 days

6 knots (3 hexes/day) = 18 days
4 knots (2 hexes/day) = 26 days

---

[obvert]

So Nic sent three divisions crashing into Calcutta, and apparently in this map version the movement from Diamond Harbor to Calcutta crosses a river and triggers a shock attack!! [:-][X(]

He was surprised, as am I. It certainly doesn't look like that on the map, but he said it does show it on the unit page. He asked for a redo and I think that's fine. Neither of us knew, so no harm done. He says he'll add three more divisions and go in with six altogether in three days!!! Wow. It's going to be a stressful few days waiting for that one. One good thing is there is a slight chance to get forts to level 4 over that time. They are at 3.27 now and there are about 220+ engineer equivalents in the base. I'm sure he'll begin bombing though now!

[Lowpe]

It seems to me, that when I have done it, in the stock, beta game SRing troops from East Coast to Cape Town is faster than 42 days...I might have sent the Bobcats in 28 days or was it 34? I don't recall absolutely, but it definitely wasn't 42.

Of course, my memory is not what it used to be...[:D]

Sounds like a job for the Queens!

[KenchiSulla]

I'll set a big xAK to move two hexes a day surrounded by 10+ ASW with good air search, and see if I can't get the subs to bite. If they waste their torps on that one then maybe I can make a run in the opposite direction with the York a few days later.

Better crew the ship with volunteers only....

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Barb

In planning raids by carriers, you should calculate range of the aircraft + complete movement of the TF (as naval task forces move in the night phase and in the morning phase) - so a target distant 16 hexes could easily be attacked on the next turn (4+4 movement of TF + 8 hex for SBD)... However I would go for full bomb load - just find a suitable target and position that will keep you more distant from threats while allowing full strike against target.

With a flank run it should be even farther out right?

With the long range of IJN flying boats it'll be tough to sneak up, especially now that GJ has gone for Cocos. At least for now though the Northern approaches to the HI are still tough to patrol effectively.

I only got 12 hexes max range. There were bases within 8 + 8 movement of my SBDs, but the selection screen maxed out at range 12. Shikuka, for example, was 15 hexes away - yet it wasn't an option. Nagoya was 13. Osaka 15. None of them options.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Barb

In planning raids by carriers, you should calculate range of the aircraft + complete movement of the TF (as naval task forces move in the night phase and in the morning phase) - so a target distant 16 hexes could easily be attacked on the next turn (4+4 movement of TF + 8 hex for SBD)... However I would go for full bomb load - just find a suitable target and position that will keep you more distant from threats while allowing full strike against target.

With a flank run it should be even farther out right?

With the long range of IJN flying boats it'll be tough to sneak up, especially now that GJ has gone for Cocos. At least for now though the Northern approaches to the HI are still tough to patrol effectively.

I only got 12 hexes max range. There were bases within 8 + 8 movement of my SBDs, but the selection screen maxed out at range 12. Shikuka, for example, was 15 hexes away - yet it wasn't an option. Nagoya was 13. Osaka 15. None of them options.

Ah, based on target selection, got it. That is a bit more limiting then, isn't it?

[Alfred]

obvert,
 
You are so enamoured of the idea of moving forward in the North Pacific that you seem to think advancing your plans in that region is a suitable reaction to this very early move on India.  I don't share your confidence as it is too slow.  Nor is the risk reward ratio that good for sending carriers to bomb enemy industry in the Home Islands.  Neither one really improves the structural position of the Allies in the short term nor should it distract your opponent from his Indian operations.  Its not that your strategic objective is wrong, but that in the case of a NoPac advance the infrastructure to develop a meaningful threat to Japan is lacking as are the assets which eventually can deliver powerful blows.  The carrier operation is only a tactical raid which cannot be sustained.
 
There is however a more bold response which promises a much better ROI because it does structurally improve the Allied position and if successful means that Japan will lose a lot more than it will gain from its Indian and Chinese operations.
 
The rationale for going to war is to gain the oil/fuel of the DEI back to the Home Islands.  To achieve that Japan needs to
 
(a) neutralise the American fleet at Pearl Harbor
(b) eliminate the Singapore roadblock and local ABDA naval forces to accessing the large Sumatran oilfields
(c) safeguard both the SLOCs back to the Home Islands and its Kyushu/Shikoku/occupied China/Formosa industry by eliminating the unsinkable aircraft carrier called the Phillippines
 
Only partial success was achieved with (a).  You still have a useable American fleet but one which is being frittered away on not really vital tasks such as NoPac and babysitting the Yorktown.
 
Japan has achieved (b) and it is only a question of time before the remaining Sumatran and Javanese oilfields are lost.
 
Progress on (c) is slow.  By moving in strength so early on India your opponent is disclosing that destruction of the Allied position in the Phillippines is of secondary importance.  This can be a fatal mistake.  For what ultimately destroys the Allied position in the Phillippines is the lack of Allied supply brought about by the naval blockade imposed by the near presence of the KB.  Get supply through to Luzon, the enemy can be pushed back to the sea and airframe replacements distributed to Allied planes to interdict the fuel convoys and strike enemy industry 24/7.
 
The defences of Wake and the Marianas will not be strong yet.  They are vulnerable to a coup de main.  With them in your hands you can sail large resupply convoys to Luzon.  Only the presence of the KB can interrupt this axis of advance.  But if it is in the vicinity, it is nowhere close to being able to prevent reinforcements sailing from Aden to Karachi.  Nor, by the nature of the very early move on India, will Japan have the airbases to interdict those Middle East convoys.
 
The indirect defence of India lies in saving the Phillippines.  What the enemy has brought to India so far will not, nor the choice of landing beaches, suffice to conquer India.  This is why you should not abandon Calcutta without a fight.  At worst you can conduct a fighting withdrawal towards the interior and buy time for the AIF to arrive.  You will however need to meet the Indian garrison requirements else your LOCs will be wrecked.  But take heart, a total conquest of India by Japan immobilises about 3700 enemy AV else the Indian bounty is not gained by the enemy.
 
Get large resupply convoys to the Phillipines.  Filipino infantry replacement rates are quite good but they need supply for their "purchase".  There is already a good corset of American troops on Luzon so you don't need to ship in much reinforcements, but they do need supply.  Some additional squadrons, especially fighters and PBYs to spot those oil/fuel laden ships transiting back to the Home Islands, would be useful.  All this can be done in February whilst the KB is over in India.
 
Alfred

[BBfanboy]

Re: waiting for the shock attack on Calcutta:

Fool him. Bomb him right back and slow his attack timetable by a few days!

[Bullwinkle58]

Excellent thoughts Re the PI. The forces there are quite strong in arty, which can partly compensate for lack of armor. Forts build quickly; there are lots of very large base forces if Bataan is not built. Manila builds a little supply; so does Cebu. And the geography funnels his attacks down the neck of the island, making hexside control easier and also more important.

If the S-boats can operate from Manila behind the minefields that helps too. Supply coming in off the Pacific, if as Alfred says Wake is blinded, are hard to see very far out. There are some decent ports on the east and south to unload in the near term.

It has become an "everyone knows" item in JFB-land that the PI can wait for Singers. But that doesn't mean it can wait for India. It's still critical real estate for Japan to own.

Edit: Also worth mentioning that PI devices have the same VP ratio advantage the Chinese do. 1:2 against Japan losses.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

obvert,

You are so enamoured of the idea of moving forward in the North Pacific that you seem to think advancing your plans in that region is a suitable reaction to this very early move on India.  I don't share your confidence as it is too slow.  Nor is the risk reward ratio that good for sending carriers to bomb enemy industry in the Home Islands.  Neither one really improves the structural position of the Allies in the short term nor should it distract your opponent from his Indian operations.  Its not that your strategic objective is wrong, but that in the case of a NoPac advance the infrastructure to develop a meaningful threat to Japan is lacking as are the assets which eventually can deliver powerful blows.  The carrier operation is only a tactical raid which cannot be sustained.

There is however a more bold response which promises a much better ROI because it does structurally improve the Allied position and if successful means that Japan will lose a lot more than it will gain from its Indian and Chinese operations.

The rationale for going to war is to gain the oil/fuel of the DEI back to the Home Islands.  To achieve that Japan needs to

(a) neutralise the American fleet at Pearl Harbor
(b) eliminate the Singapore roadblock and local ABDA naval forces to accessing the large Sumatran oilfields
(c) safeguard both the SLOCs back to the Home Islands and its Kyushu/Shikoku/occupied China/Formosa industry by eliminating the unsinkable aircraft carrier called the Phillippines

Only partial success was achieved with (a).  You still have a useable American fleet but one which is being frittered away on not really vital tasks such as NoPac and babysitting the Yorktown.

Japan has achieved (b) and it is only a question of time before the remaining Sumatran and Javanese oilfields are lost.

Progress on (c) is slow.  By moving in strength so early on India your opponent is disclosing that destruction of the Allied position in the Phillippines is of secondary importance.  This can be a fatal mistake.  For what ultimately destroys the Allied position in the Phillippines is the lack of Allied supply brought about by the naval blockade imposed by the near presence of the KB.  Get supply through to Luzon, the enemy can be pushed back to the sea and airframe replacements distributed to Allied planes to interdict the fuel convoys and strike enemy industry 24/7.

The defences of Wake and the Marianas will not be strong yet.  They are vulnerable to a coup de main.  With them in your hands you can sail large resupply convoys to Luzon.  Only the presence of the KB can interrupt this axis of advance.  But if it is in the vicinity, it is nowhere close to being able to prevent reinforcements sailing from Aden to Karachi.  Nor, by the nature of the very early move on India, will Japan have the airbases to interdict those Middle East convoys.

The indirect defence of India lies in saving the Phillippines.  What the enemy has brought to India so far will not, nor the choice of landing beaches, suffice to conquer India.  This is why you should not abandon Calcutta without a fight.  At worst you can conduct a fighting withdrawal towards the interior and buy time for the AIF to arrive.  You will however need to meet the Indian garrison requirements else your LOCs will be wrecked.  But take heart, a total conquest of India by Japan immobilises about 3700 enemy AV else the Indian bounty is not gained by the enemy.

Get large resupply convoys to the Phillipines.  Filipino infantry replacement rates are quite good but they need supply for their "purchase".  There is already a good corset of American troops on Luzon so you don't need to ship in much reinforcements, but they do need supply.  Some additional squadrons, especially fighters and PBYs to spot those oil/fuel laden ships transiting back to the Home Islands, would be useful.  All this can be done in February whilst the KB is over in India.

Alfred

Great assessment Alfred.

Just to clarify, I'd not really thought of a move in the north occurring as a counter to India, simply as a last ditch effort to avoid AV. I have been considering the central pacific, and instead of taking Wake I'd though of moving down from the North into the Marianas. There is an area that could provide relative security while affording a decent chance to avoid notice until late by aiming for from Adak to Marcus.

What I hadn't thought of at all is aiming to replenish and hold the PI! In fact one of the characters I'd been writing 'mentions' it and I dismissed it then in my mind. You're right of course, and this would be the strongest challenge I could put forth to an India move. The troops there are doing quite well already. I've had most replacements off to conserve supply, and still holding easily in both Manila and Clark.

I've got Marines in Dutch Harbor, and I could start them prepping for Marcus right now, get some AP/AK up there and aim to have at least two CVs moving that direction within a few days. Since two are out of commission for a while it would be a shoestring op for air cover, but 4-5 BBs could be there and a lot of other stuff. I'l continue thinking. Thanks for the wake-up!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

Excellent thoughts Re the PI. The forces there are quite strong in arty, which can partly compensate for lack of armor. Forts build quickly; there are lots of very large base forces if Bataan is not built. Manila builds a little supply; so does Cebu. And the geography funnels his attacks down the neck of the island, making hexside control easier and also more important.

If the S-boats can operate from Manila behind the minefields that helps too. Supply coming in off the Pacific, if as Alfred says Wake is blinded, are hard to see very far out. There are some decent ports on the east and south to unload in the near term.

It has become an "everyone knows" item in JFB-land that the PI can wait for Singers. But that doesn't mean it can wait for India. It's still critical real estate for Japan to own.

Edit: Also worth mentioning that PI devices have the same VP ratio advantage the Chinese do. 1:2 against Japan losses.

Good to know on the PI VP ratio. This being my first 'real' VP focused game I've not gone into the various values as much as I should have by now, although I'm vaguely aware of the score for Chinese devices. I'll review that part of the manual today. I should have much earlier.

Another thought is that he hasn't yet gone for Java after the early landing there. Everything has slowed after the India move. Maybe it would be a good time to defend forward in OZ a bit as well, getting some armor and a brigade or two into Darwin to at least slow any move there. I've already sent a brigade to Carnarvon and another to Exmouth, while Perth is very solid with two divisions and a bunch of armor.

The Troops for a Central Pacific move will be tough. I know I could have a Marine division when the last part of the 1st shows up, and maybe one US army division with a few regiments. That's probably all that could be scraped up in this month, but it could be enough to take Marcus and one or two of the Marianas. If the move gets there, more importantly it'll force him to choose between an IO focused KB and one that is concerned with more vital areas closer to home.

[KenchiSulla]

You have to remember that everything you take and consider building up into an airbase needs to be protected by surface ships. One good bombardment run with battleships can destroy a lot of airframes..