Turnaround? Lowpe (J) vs Tiemanj (A) Stock

[Lowpe]

Oz:

Bombardment forces are getting organized for their run to Derby. If they take another day to setup, I will set them to remain on station and maybe get a daytime bombardment.

Half the Aussie units in Derby just arrived. I wouldn't be surprised to see another Division, the numbers correspond to what the 4th ID had originally. We shall see. I don't know the history of these Allied divisions...but there are very few vehicles and guns which I like.

I have to decide whether or not to bring the 1st Tank Division down here or another ID for the move on Darwin. It is either here or to Burma with them...

Two Naval Guards for Broome are at only 12 and 28 percent. Part of me wants to take the base before getting Derby, the other part wants to win Derby forcing the Aussies across the water to Broome and than take Broome before the Derby forces can reach Broome. I am afraid if I take Broome first then the Aussies at Derby will retreat into the desert, and I would much rather get them to surrender.

Although, taking Broome first would allow the AKEs to relocate along with a good number of bombers which would put a serious hurt on Derby.

[Lowpe]

Jan 9, 1942

The overly complex plan on Mili by the IJN is put into action. Some few small elements of the IJAAF are present to, and at HQ in Truk the men bustle with determined activities monitoring the attack.

The first news of the night, however, is not from Mili, but from Northern Australia where the Agano, what a sleek ship, catches an elusive convoy and sinks it.

[Lowpe]

Then the reports start coming from Mili.

Advnace elements are approaching...it is the Destroyer Squadron, as planned! There is shipping sighted, lots of shipping and then the first encounter...a lone PT boat.

The Mogami bombardment group is still to the west, and the Nagato bombardment group is still dark and her whereabouts unknown.

[Lowpe]

Mili is overrun by single ship PT boats...and while this fight in Mili is happening, the Mogami reports an engagement with another PT boat.

They are as thick as fleas...

Can the Mogami break past the fleas to bombard the airfield? If not, the Japanese pilots may have a very tough day on the morrow...

But more worrisome, where is the Nagato bombardment group? Still dark...

[Lowpe]

No news from the Task Force Nagato...where are they?

However, the Mogami brushes aside one PT boat engagement, and avoids the others. Her Captain almost beaches the Mogami so close to the port she steams delivering her round after round...

The spotter walks the shell bursts in, and soon massive explosions and burning ships illuminate the sky making the job of the Mogami's gunners easier.

[Lowpe]

News from several airfields report no night bombing run on Mili's airfields and still there is no location for TF Nagato...

It seems much relies upon the accuracy of Mogami's gunners....if it fails to destroy the fighters at the airfield then the morning will bring huge losses.

The spotter's float plane returns to the Mogami with mixed news: lots of enemy shipping hit in port, several good hits on the airfields, but no damaged planes sighted!

What trickery can this be? There where over 100 fighters spotted yesterday afternoon! Could the Americans have underground plane bunkers already? They are known to be crafty with their engineers...

[Lowpe]

Her bombardment a mixed success, the Mogami looks to make good her escape.

The screen destroyer squadron follows, but is still near Mili when the sun rises -- another pesky PT boat...is there no end to them?

The destroyers need to break free and get under protective air cover before the American scout planes find them...

[Lowpe]

As dawn arrives a group of KAIb Nicks, with a big cannon for it's main gun, spots some meandering PT boats and strafes.

As if by magic, the very presence of the escorting KAI Dianah's scares away all Allied fighters yet again, and the attack is prosecuted with vigor and no enemy fighter opposition. Perhaps they are flying very close to Mili...

And the reports start filtering in on enemy actions during the night: several sub attacks, but no damage suffered, and heavy night bombing raids of Pegu by Allied bombers. No night attacks on Roi...

And even better news, it seems the Mili raiders have made good their escape and are back on protective fighter coverage. Task Force Nagato shows up, west of the KB...they could bombard tonight if needed.

[Lowpe]

During the morning Zeroes and Oscars sweep Mili, and find no enemy fighters!

In the afternoon the first strikes start going in against the port as planned.

[Lowpe]

And then, it is over. None of the other bombers launch...9 ships spotted in port, tankers and cargo ships, and the planes stay grounded.

Disappointing.

Total plane losses for the day 9, and that includes a few losses in Burma and one at Port Moresby. The Allies lose 7 planes.

In Burma, as expected, the Chindits take Tuang Gyi. 81 AV, on its way to over 100. Despite heavy CAP over Tuang Gyi only 1 C47 is lost and that to an op loss.[&:]

[Lowpe]

Intelligence tallies up the estimated ship losses for the day:

[Lowpe]

The tactical situation.

Hmm., what to do today? Going to press home the attack. Move the KB forward a little and target Makin shipping and port with them along with sweeps and hopefully a strong CAP. LR CAP the escorts that follow the KB.

Meanwhile lots of land base air to hit Mili's port, airfields. The Mutsu will try to bombard Mili with a destroyer screen clearing out the PT boats.

Uncertain about this attack...exposes the KB now for 3 days in the same area. No matter what happens, I need to beet feet and get away after this next attack with the KB. 600 planes should be able to do something I hope, plus there is now probably 600 land based planes in the area too.

Night time bombing is such a pain. I have to assign some squadrons to night time CAP at the bigger airfields otherwise he can close them down. Really dilutes my offensive sweeps.

[Lowpe]

Burma...

An additional 2 hvy ART and 2 AA rgts are marching towards Tavoy.

I would feel comfortable here except for his heavy bombers...they really neutralize my air force.

More troops on ships and awaiting transportation from Java.

[Encircled]

Anyway you can get Rangoon retaken?

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Encircled

Anyway you can get Rangoon retaken?

I had amassed over 3000 AV to his 1200 at Rangoon, prior to this attack. Now I have stripped 2000 out to stabilize the front.

I think if he was smart he would break out with the Rangoon troops and retreat until he could take Ramree, but I believe he is going to keep pushing forward.

But, in short, stabilize the front, cut his supply road, knock out the chindits, assess.

Then either look to surround and destroy the allied spearhead or take Rangoon. Or run away![:D]

There is a lot on the way!

[Lowpe]

Day two of the Raid on Mili, has grown to hitting Makin too.

This attack will be risky depending upon what Tiemanj does. Heavy night time attacks on the bomber bases...I do have some air up fly CAP, lots of very high level bombing attacks on the KB, combined with extended range attacks on her? Or more of a retreat?

I really don't know what to expect.

I am hoping he sends planes back into Mili, airfield is 14 percent damged.

Risky, risky attack. Far too risky for me...I don't like it all. I have huge buyers remorse right now![:D]

[Lowpe]

In the industry front: HI up in fuel and resources and down in oil. Singers ships out 20,000 resources somewhere....Cam Ranh Bay resupplies...so I guess it went there. I need to get a small tanker to Fusan, only have large ones there.

Port Arthur looks like refineries might fail tomorrow...

Bought out 6 AA units at Fusan and they are heading out to Burma.

China...I seem to be only days away from cutting off all road access into the Changsha production triangle. Elsewhere, in China, I am trying to wipe out 4 corp that are surrounded, but despite no supplies or AV and 56-1 odds they won't surrender and very few get killed off each attack.

[Lowpe]

Northern Oz:

Attacking in Derby. I have set the two tank regiments to shock attack, and the infantry divisions and combat engineers are set for deliberate. Any idea what will happen?

Two groups should bombard Derby, plus every bomber that can fly is hitting the troops there. I am guessing level 3 forts?

[Lokasenna]

Were/are your Marshalls airfields overstacked? Having either of the numbers for groups or planes in red can lead to failed raids.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Were/are your Marshalls airfields overstacked? Having either of the numbers for groups or planes in red can lead to failed raids.

There was thunderstorms in the morning over Mili and light cloud in the afternoon.

All are below the stack level. One of the bases was over the group command level by 1.

A lot of the planes just flew in, and I sometimes see a lag to running offensive missions...

But the KB should have struck...oh well. The uncertainty is what really makes the game.