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

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

US Army Fighters: You just got those 5 ABDA P-40E groups in Australia. Unless needed to defend, I use them to train up pilots for the 60 days they are available until I can get other groups from USA there (about 30 days from USA to Australia). I usually spend PP to get them better leaders to help with training. In mid-March when they go away, the planes and pilots go back into your pools. [:)] I usually upgrade at least one of the AVG groups to the E models as you will run short of H81s. Regardless of what the 3 x 25 plane groups are, I will often upgrade those 5 plane HQ groups to P-39s vs keeping them as P-40s as you will use the P-40s more. In a few months you will have around 500 US Army fighter pilots. Some need further training and I rotate them into the USA restricted groups (some of the P-43 Lancers) to finish up as those there get trained up.

Aden - Can you use at least one of the rebuilding BFs from those destroyed and bought out (PPs) from Malaya to make the short trip to Socotra along with a Catalina group (or bombers) to provide some Naval Search capabilities?? I steadily use PP to buy back destroyed BFs regardless of nationality.

Thanks for the tips on the P-40s. I've got those up around Perth for now, training, yes. All other free USAAF groups are heading to Cape Town to be used either in OZ or India depending on where I can get them.

One transit I may have to consider if the KB is closing the rest is a long journey from Java to the PI to Wenchow and into China, then to India. I can do it with drop tanks, but only for a little while longer while Java is in Allied hands. I have several groups arriving in Cape Town soon I'll send to OZ with the hope of making this journey.

I've been buying back base forces, and trying to save portions of some of the surviving ones from the Cocos foray. I've got one at Socotra and search there already, one on the base below Aden on the extended map, whatever it is, and one at Masirah, between the two off-map outlets, that has 3 RAF Cats. I've also been sending all subs from the DEI to Colombo and they're arriving now in the area, so they will be out hunting in the deeps of the IO for the KB as well. I hope to do better here with a lot of space around that in the DEI. If I can at least damage a big CV it'll discourage this kind of use of them I hope.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

GJ hasn't been bombing troops in China at all, and seems content to keep only Nates and Claudes in China.

Great job in China! I think you can attribute most of your success to this though. If Greyjoy was making the same moves against you, but supported by bombing you know what the results would be. I'd caution pursuing near Sian. The situation in China can change quickly. I'd further consolidate your line and form a reserve rather than attack, as he's now in better defensive terrain. The Japanese will recover from this setback over time, use that time to make it even harder to advance. Make him pay every step of the way now.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

GJ hasn't been bombing troops in China at all, and seems content to keep only Nates and Claudes in China.

Great job in China! I think you can attribute most of your success to this though. If Greyjoy was making the same moves against you, but supported by bombing you know what the results would be. I'd caution pursuing near Sian. The situation in China can change quickly. I'd further consolidate your line and form a reserve rather than attack, as he's now in better defensive terrain. The Japanese will recover from this setback over time, use that time to make it even harder to advance. Make him pay every step of the way now.

Thanks Joseph. I agree, it's the largest factor. The other thing I've tried to do is conserve by keeping replacements off for most units, putting a lot in rest in rear bases to let squads recover, and only building forts n the most necessary locations. Keeping fuel/oil moving from Lanchow and Sian for a while longer at least is a big plus right now.

He's put a lot of eggs in the India basket. That is the main reason there are no strong fighter groups or big 2E bomber groups in China. So if he had sent less there, I might be in better shape in Calcutta, but worse in China! [:)]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I steadily use PP to buy back destroyed BFs regardless of nationality.

Same, at least for the early part of the war when they'll make a difference. The device pools for Engineers, Support, Aviation Support, Motorized Support, etc. are shared among all nations.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

GJ hasn't been bombing troops in China at all, and seems content to keep only Nates and Claudes in China.

Great job in China! I think you can attribute most of your success to this though. If Greyjoy was making the same moves against you, but supported by bombing you know what the results would be. I'd caution pursuing near Sian. The situation in China can change quickly. I'd further consolidate your line and form a reserve rather than attack, as he's now in better defensive terrain. The Japanese will recover from this setback over time, use that time to make it even harder to advance. Make him pay every step of the way now.

SqzMyLemon is correct. Do not pursue.

1. If you are crossing a river that will severely degrade your Chinese forces who are already harbouring many disablements from the combat. If the retreat went to the SE wooded hex, the terrain will kill your attack.

2. The enemy will have some days for recovery before you reach them whereas you will not have recovered by the time you make contact. Plus you will find that Japanese forces recover quicker from combat than do Chinese forces.

3. It is easy for your opponent to introduce some airpower to hit any advancing Chinese.

4. Out in the open there is no objective bonus so Japan will not receive a negative modifier.

5. You need to use the organic engineers of the Chinese infantry divs to build up the Sian fortification levels before the enemy returns.


That was a close run thing but you came out ahead. China has to be played with a 1-1-4-4 system relying upon quick breakouts from the back and avoiding the offside trap. Pursuing would be like playing with a 2-1-4-3 system.

Alfred

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Alfred


That was a close run thing but you came out ahead. China has to be played with a 1-1-4-4 system relying upon quick breakouts from the back and avoiding the offside trap. Pursuing would be like playing with a 2-1-4-3 system.

Alfred

Good thing I've spent seven years here in the UK watching the Premiere League or I might not get you here! [;)]

The Chinese are a defensive force until late, and should remain that. I have to remind myself after a big positive outcome like that, and it's so good to hear more experienced voices reinforce that. As a chess player I was always better playing like Karpov, or even Smyslov. Slow and steady, very solid positionally, letting the offense pound away until they begin trying to force through by sacrificing position or material.

With so many turns it's often hard to remember we're still very early in the opening. Lots of days left.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]OPERATION BOOMERANG[/font]

---

Here is the idea.

1. A force consisting of 4 regiments and supporting armor, arty, and engineer units moving from Adak around March 1. This is about as early as I can get pieces in place, and also is placed close to the end of the invasion bonus to make it harder for Japan to answer immediately with overwhelming force.

These units invade Marcus, then Tinian and Guam. Adak to Marcus is 55 hexes, or around 8 days at 7 hexes/day. They invade and take this small atoll, then move to Tinian and Guam 3 days later. So 12 days for phase 1 invasions, about 3 days to secure the bases. If at any point it looks like more troops are on these islands than we can handle everything turns around and goes home. Forces would then move from Midway to take Wake on the way back supported by bombardments and CV air power.

2. An invasion of Ndeni in the So Pac area takes advantage of the timing to secure a foothold South of the Solomons. There has not been much activity here after the initial landings, but I'd like to make an advance to encourage Japan to continue sending supply, troops and generally spending heavily to fight so far from home.

3. In 6-10 days the KB or a section of it could make it to the Marianas. Subs will be placed at choke points to hopefully hit something on the way to the Pacific. If they arrive unharmed the invasion fleets must be on their way out and the CVs also ready to head back 6 days after being spotted on the way to Marcus, B-Day -1 most likely. That only leaves as few as 5 days to land, secure and drop supplies before having to retire.

Or, if the KB stays in the IO, the forces continue on to resupply the PI. This is the dicey part, as the approaches will be heavily monitored and surface and air forces could arrive from many directions to derail this part of the op. If it looks at all too risky everything will move back.

What do you all think?

---

[Alfred]

Seems OK but I would conceptualise it as a 3 sequential rather than a single operation.
 
1.  Little Boomerang
2.  Big Boomerang
3.  Boom Boom Boomerang
 
Little Boomerang is capturing the outer perimeter, Marcus and Wake islands.  You should aim to keep these conquests so you may need to have a follow up force comprising garrison troops and supply.  By keeping them you make any subsequent Philippine resupply efforts easier.
 
Big Boomerang is the move to the Marianas.  Whilst it would be nice to keep these bases, the current priority is to have them to make the current resupply convoy get through.
 
Boom Boom Boomerang is the Philippine resupply convoy.  This is the real objective of the exercise and may well be missed by your opponent who may easily think you are only after capturing the Central Pacific real estate whilst the KB is over in India.
 
The reason why I would use this conceptualisation is because you have indicated a willingness to run away at the mere sighting of the KB.  I can understand this for Little and Big Boomerang because you are transporting valuable and as at March 1942, scarce Allied assets.  Drawing off the KB from India would mean that Little and Big Boomerang would already have accomplished a great deal even if they were recalled before getting to their objective.  However, Boom Boom Boomerang is a different story altogether as that need only be comprised of expendable cargo ships carrying only supply intended solely for the Philippines, able to move independently of the main body (and without necessarily waiting for the main body to complete it's actions) involved in Little and Big Boomerang.
 
Accordingly I would modify your plan by structuring Boom Boom Boomerang as follows:
 
1.  At least two separate TFs.
 
(a)  A cargo/transport TF carrying only supply.  Only ships with sufficient endurance to make the round trip should be in it as you don't want to refuel at sea.  This TF would have minimal embedded escorts, say 2x minesweepers just to keep any enemy subs from attacking on the surface.
 
(b) A transport TF which carries any air units you intend to land in the Philippines and who cannot be flown in.  I'm not certain this is really necessary and long range planes such as the PBY should be able to get in via Marcus.
 
(c) An amphibious TF to carry any reinforcing LCUs.  Personally I don't think you should be sending any LCUs at this point but it is your call.  With Marcus and Wake under Allied control you can subsequently use SST to sneak in infantry safely or with more risk, a new convoy.
 
2.  These TFs can travel together with the main body and enjoy carrier protection.  But they should not wait for the Marianas to be secured.  Whilst your troops are disembarking in the Marianas, they should independently be sent off to Luzon.  There is no need to lose 3+ days at the Marianas.
 
Doing this means you don't just run away if the KB arrives on scene.  Enemy LBA and the KB will have two different targets, the main body and the resupply elements.  This will distract the enemy from focussing on destroying the fleet.  It means you would run a calculated risk on the ultimate survival of the cargo ships but carrying only supply, that seems to me to be a good gamble to take.
 
Alfred
 

[obvert]

Thanks Alfred.

My concerns with the op involve mostly boom boom boomerang. I don't want to send ships to the PI for nothing, but I see the immense benefits of resupplying there. The difficulty for me is that with two CVs potentially in the shop, and only two US and one Brit CV available this early, I can't risk much. I'll have to see what the reaction is as the op develops but also Japanese LBA from Babeldaob could easily take care of the PI resupply (without need for the KB to deal with that one) without CV support.

The airfields at Clark and Manila are getting progressively worse as better fighter escort is making ambushes from China less possible. He's now using 40 Nates, around 27 A6M2 and the 6 Ki-44 remaining to support around 150 bombers hitting both bases daily.

Now, the threat of a PI resupply could also be a useful tool, and maybe that comes from not just the central Pacific but also the Darwin area. That assumes Japan hasn't taken Darwin by then.

I'm leaning toward Little Boomerang followed by Big Boomerang if he hasn't defended the Marianas sufficiently, but also feel it's not the best option to leave two regiments of the 1st Marine sitting at Tinian in early 42. So I'll not only see if I have time to land but also if I have time to reload, leaving a token presence, a raider battalion and a CD gun unit there. I agree with making Wake and Marcus the lasting elements of the op and using forces there that would deter later invasions. Still vulnerable, but capable of inflicting decent losses on the IJ if they attempt recapture. Inviting this would also mean CV support would be needed. In fact Big Boomerang could have the effect of keeping an element of the IJN CVs in the Cent pac area for a good amount of time.

From what have seen there is a sizable mini-KB in the DEI, with 60+ fighters and 100+ bombers. There is a KB nearing the map edge in the IO with 65+ fighters and 140+ bombers. There was a smaller mini-KB near Calcutta which had 40+ fighters and 60+ bombers.

[Lowpe]

How many supplies would you have to take to Luzon to make a difference?

This is a neat idea, but I am a little skeptical that you can put enough air force there to actually impact resources flowing back to Japan.

Yes, your troops will hold onto Luzon longer, and it will strain Japan's air force to counter especially with PDU off. Japan may even bring back troops from India, but more likely will use PP points to counter. A S boat base there would also be nice, too. These are the benefits I see...

The other two operations are going to be a major pain for the Japan.

Whatever you decide to do good luck, and it will be fun reading about.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]February 2 - 4, 1942[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CALCUTTA FALLS!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]So, this sucks. I certainly thought that terrain would help more here, but the naval bombardments really added up and I was also mistaken the terrain could make up for the slow experience gain of Allied troops.

In spite of losing the 42k+ in troops and associated VPs, the one benefit of defending Calcutta was explained in an email from Nic about the city after capture: all of it's industry is wiped out, completely.

So I'm sure he's still pleased to bag those troops and the resulting points, crippling the British in India for a good while, but the economic boon for the IJ of taking the city may be negligible. Now the race is on to see if I can hold Karachi. Troops will be heading that way as soon as they can catch a train.

The KB shows up nearing the map edge close to Socotra. A TF along the edge is high-tailing it toward Diego Garcia. It should be fine barring a complete KB reverse move. All other ships moved to Abadan except for some small transports unloading supply at Karachi.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]The Yorktown starts off by going only two of the possible three hexes of her journey to PH on the 4th. She is in a 15 ship escort TF with three CAs and a three ship APD TF patrolling the hexes around her path, with another three ship DMS TF patrolling one hex out from the path. The Sara 1-2 hexes off providing ASW air support. Fingers crossed.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font]After the Sian victory I've put all of the units involved into rest for a few days to try and get disablements repaired and to let supply to flow back in. I turned off fort building as well. Near Pingsiang 1100 AV of rested Chinese took on a brigade and lost big! Teaches me not to follow my own advice that the Chinese don't do well attacking in tough terrain against forts. No catastrophe, but two units will need some rest. They're moving to Henyang.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]DEI:[/font] A few points off the refineries at Palembang are caused by bombers getting murdered and jettisoning bombs randomly as they tried to escape. There are now 80+ fighters here, so it's off limits for a while. I guess maybe for good. But again, he now has to defend it, and some damage was caused, so that is good. Wish it was oil points though. The B-17s need to get out fast, so once healed will fly to India.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Trusty gets pounded at Diamond Harbor by DDs and then some PBs. I've found Japanese ASW to be pretty good already. About half of the subs from the PI and DEI have 15-30 float damage and need work in the dock.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 2, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Calcutta at 52,37

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
CA Chokai
CL Kiso
CL Kinu
CL Naka
CL Sendai
DD Harukaze
DD Hatsuharu
DD Suzukaze
DD Samidare
DD Murasame
DD Hatsukaze
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
TB Kamo
TB Hato
TB Kasasagi
TB Hatsukari
TB Manazuru
TB Chidori
DMS W-19
DMS W-12
DMS W-2

Allied Ships
xAK Texan, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Testbank, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Oregonian, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Illinoian, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Indianan, Shell hits 2, heavy damage
AMc Dacca, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
507 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Heavy Industry hits 1
Manpower hits 1
Fires 51
Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 26
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 1

CA Nachi firing at 18th British Division

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Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
E13A1 Jake x 11
Ki-27b Nate x 23

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 10 destroyed
Hudson I: 1 destroyed by flak

Manpower hits 1
Fires 123

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Hudson I bombing from 2000 feet
City Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Calcutta (52,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 81016 troops, 880 guns, 451 vehicles, Assault Value = 2193

Defending force 36573 troops, 283 guns, 461 vehicles, Assault Value = 877

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1397

Allied adjusted defense: 1121

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
2580 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 313 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 24 (2 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1078 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 105 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 18 (5 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 93 (31 destroyed, 62 disabled)

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Ground combat at Malaybalay (80,90)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8067 troops, 99 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Defending force 9744 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 325

Japanese adjusted assault: 101

Allied adjusted defense: 145

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
427 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 64 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (3 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
227 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
8th Tank Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
5th Amphibious Brigade
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
3rd PA Constabulary Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
102nd PA Infantry Division
III Philippine Corps

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 3, 42
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Ground combat at 81,54 (near Hengyang)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27185 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1101

Defending force 6742 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Allied adjusted assault: 301

Japanese adjusted defense: 239

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2295 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 169 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled

Assaulting units:
72nd Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
55th Infantry Brigade



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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 4, 42
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Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
Ki-27b Nate x 44

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 2
B-17E Fortress x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Manpower hits 1
Fires 369

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Calcutta (52,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 83776 troops, 930 guns, 479 vehicles, Assault Value = 2377

Defending force 34102 troops, 269 guns, 436 vehicles, Assault Value = 696

Japanese adjusted assault: 1452

Allied adjusted defense: 697

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Calcutta !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2306 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 117 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
42053 casualties reported
Squads: 1070 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1277 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 225 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 336 (336 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 649 (649 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 15

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[
Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
Ki-27b Nate x 42

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ships Sunk:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]TB Kiji is reported to have been sunk near Palembang on Dec 21, 1941[/font]
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Brits are taking it on the chin in a big way. Not looking good over here. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Bullwinkle58]

In light of the empty bag at Calcutta what do you consider the odds he heads for not Karachi but Bombay? Karachi is a long way now for not as much bang. Bombay still gives him a huge industrial center with less time and motion.

And no Line of Death.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

In light of the empty bag at Calcutta what do you consider the odds he heads for not Karachi but Bombay? Karachi is a long way now for not as much bang. Bombay still gives him a huge industrial center with less time and motion.

And no Line of Death.

It would be a good move, and he knows I have to prioritize Karachi, so Bombay could suffer. It'll have level 4-5 forts but only about 250AV if I keep what is there now. As I've seen at Calcutta, 1000AV of poor experience Indian and one decent British unit can't hold at this point especially if I can't get the rest of the RAF to India. About 5 groups show up this week in addition to the two I have waiting at Aden now.

Nic has moved fast. One day of paradrop in Malaya has meant the timetable for the Allies is way behind. I was prioritizing the defense of India from the beginning and still I can't do anything to save the majority of it. The two sub hits on CVs didn't help, but the speed of action is what is getting him there now. Still, there are actions I can take, and the IO is still a big place. It'll be hard to shut the whole thing down, and it'll take a lot of fuel he may not win in India to run the KB to Karachi for an extended period. I'm trying to pile troops into Ledo in the hope the oil there gets damaged or destroyed as well.

[ny59giants]

One of the thing to be aware of, is the importance of Madras as source of reinforcements. I know that both Bombay and Karachi are vital, but some of your divisions come in at Madras in the near future. If in Japanese hands, the reinforcements will be delayed and probably come in at Karachi at a later date. I would look up what is coming in as reinforcements around India over the next few weeks.

I know that PP are precious at this time, but before he gets over towards Madras and has roaming Betty/Nells, spend PPs to get at least the heavy AA out of Ceylon. Especially that big AA brigade. You get one here and two in NZ. I use the "coastal" setting for TF paths to keep them hugging the coast. I know that parts of KB are hunting off the west coast, but you have plenty of xAKLs to spare.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

One of the thing to be aware of, is the importance of Madras as source of reinforcements. I know that both Bombay and Karachi are vital, but some of your divisions come in at Madras in the near future. If in Japanese hands, the reinforcements will be delayed and probably come in at Karachi at a later date. I would look up what is coming in as reinforcements around India over the next few weeks.

I know that PP are precious at this time, but before he gets over towards Madras and has roaming Betty/Nells, spend PPs to get at least the heavy AA out of Ceylon. Especially that big AA brigade. You get one here and two in NZ. I use the "coastal" setting for TF paths to keep them hugging the coast. I know that parts of KB are hunting off the west coast, but you have plenty of xAKLs to spare.

I've been looking and to be honest I'd rather have those troops coming to Karachi later. How much later is the question?

I can't afford the AA right now. If I want to challenge in Cent PAC I need troops. Also Colombo will remain a sub base as long as I own it and that AA keeps it relatively safe. I've already moved all Ceylon troops there to hole up and prep for an invasion. I might not last long but the shipyard is priceless right now for getting subs in working condition.

Most all shipping has been sent off map, either at Cape Town, Aden or Abadan. If he's going all out for AV I can't afford to lose anything more without a very good strategic reason.

[SqzMyLemon]

Bummer about Calcutta. It's worrisome how comparable the Indian troops are to the Chinese in terms of experience and morale.

I think Madras and Ceylon will be the next objectives over Bombay as they'll secure Nic's flank for some time. A quick capture of Ceylon means Combined Fleet can stick around indefinitely in the IO. However, I wouldn't rule out Nic taking a shot at Karachi now either. He may be emboldened by how easily Calcutta fell and contemplate trying to take all of India now. He knows he has to take Karachi to do so.

It's going to be interesting what he decides to do. Flush with victory will he gamble on India? He may not go all out for India, but knowing his pedigree I'd wager he's not about to let you off the hook just yet.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

One of the thing to be aware of, is the importance of Madras as source of reinforcements. I know that both Bombay and Karachi are vital, but some of your divisions come in at Madras in the near future. If in Japanese hands, the reinforcements will be delayed and probably come in at Karachi at a later date. I would look up what is coming in as reinforcements around India over the next few weeks.

I know that PP are precious at this time, but before he gets over towards Madras and has roaming Betty/Nells, spend PPs to get at least the heavy AA out of Ceylon. Especially that big AA brigade. You get one here and two in NZ. I use the "coastal" setting for TF paths to keep them hugging the coast. I know that parts of KB are hunting off the west coast, but you have plenty of xAKLs to spare.

I've been looking and to be honest I'd rather have those troops coming to Karachi later. How much later is the question?

I can't afford the AA right now. If I want to challenge in Cent PAC I need troops. Also Colombo will remain a sub base as long as I own it and that AA keeps it relatively safe. I've already moved all Ceylon troops there to hole up and prep for an invasion. I might not last long but the shipyard is priceless right now for getting subs in working condition.

Most all shipping has been sent off map, either at Cape Town, Aden or Abadan. If he's going all out for AV I can't afford to lose anything more without a very good strategic reason.

You had better check but just like Chungking, I do not think you get any of those troops anywhere until Madras is recaptured. I hope I am wrong since I am defending India as well but at a little later date). I am following your AAR but refraining from too much comment as I am reading Nic's as well.

Your losses are big since Commonwealth units are so hard to rebuild but you should recover. Funny how it works out. The loss of all of the tank units seems horrible but at this stage of the war they are all full of crappy tanks so their loss is not so big. If you had already filled them with valentines and grants the loss of them would have been a total disaster but you just buy them back cheaply, then change the HQ's cheaply and can then safely rebuild them in Aden. In the end you have the most powerful units in the game ready to take him in the rear. It is the loss of the British division that hurts the most. Almost impossible to rebuild a full British division. You will have to disband pretty much any independent brigade you get to do so.

[pontiouspilot]

Even good Japanese players neglect closing supply lines. They do not really have enough good search aircraft in the right spots early on. I choose my expendables and have better than 50% success re-supplying PI via DEI or Aust. I have also successfully re-supplied Wenchow from Seattle...volunteers only!!! My opponent never knew the latter was happening....when he spotted a small TF (I only used small TFs) he assumed they were runners from PI or somewhere. Most of these got through. I think there are huge dividends if you can hold PI a few more months. I wouldn't waste reinforcement LCUs in PI as the IJA can have it's hands full if the locals have supplies. I wouldn't try putting aircraft in there until they can be spared elsewhere. If you still have working bases in June a few dive bombers can be a hell of a surprise. You will need a base close enough to stage them in though.

Marcus and Wake: Your opponent should freak if you get Marcus! This will spur a large response...make it hard for him to recapture but I don't see it as sustainable in '42. Wake can be a really tpough nut for your opponent once his Amphib bonus done. It may well be close enough to be sustainable.

CVs: I note the plight of your wounded CVs. I would move their planes to somewhere like Suva and base them there during repairs. Frankly I do this with whole USA CV inventory until they get decent planes. Many IJN opponents freak and assume unspotted CVs lurking close by when they eventually do see the land based CV planes.

I wouldn't risk the CVs as escorts on any of these re-supply gambits, except maybe Wake. If you were to I would drop any bonmbers and load all the fighters you can carry cause with KB in India all you want to avoid are the Bettys and Nells.

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Does anyone know about whether those Indian units will show up elsewhere if a base is taken? I can't imagine the reason to hold them back if the base is not available. They are still part of the OOB right? For Chinese units Chungking is different. That is mostly about regenerating units that had bee killed off. Not new ones.

I'll try a resupply just for kicks. It'll be interesting at least where it gets busted, but my guess would be between the Bonins and Marianas.

If the units to Madras, Bangalore and other locations don't come elsewhere once those are taken, I'm a bit screwed most likely.

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Whew!!

Found it. All good. As long as I don't lose Bombay and Karachi.

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