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

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Embrace your inner OCD-ness. You will need it from late 43 and beyond when the Allied steamroller gets moving. SL make it more necessary.

Yes, I've noticed this too! Can't wait to deal with 100s of LST and LCI and many other small landing ships in addition to all of the other stuff!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 3 - 4, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]With June upon us the Hurri IIc goes into production. Just in time Operation Chariot is reaching the critical phase when I may have to start engaging with the mega-CAP over Hyderabad. This is exactly the choice I have made as Japan, to put up large CAP in one spot to stall the Allies until they have the pieces and guts to tackle it in place. I see that it works now, gaining bits of time as I maneuver into place.

I hope to thwart it a bit once the big US AA units arrive as well. they have radar, and that means I can successfully fly LR CAP over moving troops much more safely. When they get to India I'll place about four of the units with the army moving toward Hyderabad, without trying to even sweep the CAP there. See if he dares bomb the troops and whether the CAP itself can hold the base. My theory is that it will simply have to mvd once troops get in place to make the base sufficiently threatened. Either that or he'll have to move in more IJA units to try to hold, and that will take more time to solve but there is a larger chance of trapping those troops the longer he does try to hold these more exposed inland bases in India.

At Cochin the Japanese bombard from the air and sea and try to strike the base again with paras. Again the defenders hold, but forts go to level 1. I'll be flying some more small units in as they are available.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]Troops will arrive at Ndeni tomorrow, which I believe is also empty.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The combined efforts of the airframe and the heavy arty have begu to wear down the troops at Pingsiang. They took a hit in the recent DA, but the worst thing is that forts fell. If the Japanese can keep attacking, have supply and all for several days of it, these troops could crumble. All other forces are on the move back to the woods. Almost all should make it unchallenged but will have to of course traverse the clear hexes to make it.

A DA is tried on the road to Paoshan and this one doesn't go so well for the Japanese. Their losses are not big, but the attack only got a 1:13 and a number of devices were destroyed outright, including 51 infantry squads. Allied losses are 35 squads disabled. Go Burma division! [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 3, 42
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Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2730 troops, 119 guns, 288 vehicles, Assault Value = 1011

Defending force 36911 troops, 213 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1145

Allied ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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Ground combat at Cochin (28,40)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1947 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Defending force 3606 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 38

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 63

Allied adjusted defense: 59

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Regiment
1st Raiding Rgt /1

Defending units:
I Aus Corps Engr Bn /1
Cochin Base Force
2/1 AIF Pioneer Battalion
Cochin Fortress
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 4, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Cochin at 28,40

Japanese Ships
CL Jintsu

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

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6
Port fuel hits 1

E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for CL Jintsu
CL Jintsu firing at Cochin

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Morning Air attack on 32nd Chinese Corps, at 82,54 (Pingsiang)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 3
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 19
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 27
Ki-51 Sonia x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
276 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
3 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 32nd Chinese Corps, at 82,54 (Pingsiang)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 16
Ki-51 Sonia x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
119 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31866 troops, 347 guns, 507 vehicles, Assault Value = 1010

Defending force 36348 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1103

Japanese adjusted assault: 1270

Allied adjusted defense: 1063

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1392 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1310 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
34th Division
5th Tank Regiment
15th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps

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Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21015 troops, 192 guns, 137 vehicles, Assault Value = 613

Defending force 18625 troops, 78 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 692

Japanese adjusted assault: 222

Allied adjusted defense: 2938

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 13

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

Japanese ground losses:
3066 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 17 (6 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
RTA Cavalry Division
9th Ind Engineer Regiment
5th Guards Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
200th Chinese Division
9th Burma Rifles Battalion
1st Burma Division
96th Chinese Division
22nd New Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
1st Burma Auxiliary AA Regiment

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is a look at China. The Pingsiang troops have a few more days travel, and if they get another DA tomorrow it doesn't look good to avoid losses here. [/font]

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Embrace your inner OCD-ness. You will need it from late 43 and beyond when the Allied steamroller gets moving. SL make it more necessary.

Yes, I've noticed this too! Can't wait to deal with 100s of LST and LCI and many other small landing ships in addition to all of the other stuff!

As someone who made it to 8/45 in my last campaign, I can say that it was easier then I thought. However, stacking limits in this one will make for some headaches when planning large offensives. Last game I just dumped everything in any advanced port-such as Manus. As long as it was level seven. Now there are so few forward bases where you can mass troops. It makes the PI and Singapore all that much more attractive. And gives the JFBs a pretty good reason to defend them.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Embrace your inner OCD-ness. You will need it from late 43 and beyond when the Allied steamroller gets moving. SL make it more necessary.

Yes, I've noticed this too! Can't wait to deal with 100s of LST and LCI and many other small landing ships in addition to all of the other stuff!

As someone who made it to 8/45 in my last campaign, I can say that it was easier then I thought. However, stacking limits in this one will make for some headaches when planning large offensives. Last game I just dumped everything in any advanced port-such as Manus. As long as it was level seven. Now there are so few forward bases where you can mass troops. It makes the PI and Singapore all that much more attractive. And gives the JFBs a pretty good reason to defend them.

Yeah, this kind of stuff I haven't even considered yet. I'll have to loo up there and see what bases I'd like that aren't at the top of the defense list. I'm sure there are few.

Nick didn't get the turn off before work today. Technical failures, so only one turn today. I'll update tomorrow on China. Lots going on there. Getting interesting. Especially after the commentary in Jocke's AAR. Lokasenna is making me think about how I'm planing there and I've realized a couple of things I was already doing that I didn't realize were advantageous, and a few other that I had planned.

Looks so far like the move to the second defense area (I'll stop calling it a line now) is going to proceed as planned, but Pingsiang fell two turns before I wanted it to, resulting in some trashed medium sized Corps. Nothing too serious though.

[BBfanboy]

Ask Nic how he's doing on preparing a defence for Capt. Schettino (sp?) of the late Costa Concordia. [:D]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Ask Nic how he's doing on preparing a defence for Capt. Schettino (sp?) of the late Costa Concordia. [:D]

Ha! That would not be a fun job! Did you see they just brought it up onto a floating dry dock? It's pretty smashed up but still all in one piece.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Ask Nic how he's doing on preparing a defence for Capt. Schettino (sp?) of the late Costa Concordia. [:D]

Ha! That would not be a fun job! Did you see they just brought it up onto a floating dry dock? It's pretty smashed up but still all in one piece.

I saw a short clip of that on the news - amazing engineering job. I hope they can tow her safely to the scrapyard.
They should put the Capt. back on board during the tow to help by steering [X(] ....on second thought maybe not! [:D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 5 - 6, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The Shark bumps into a big TF off the NW tip of Sabang. Curious where this is headed. It's either going to pick units off Diego, add more on, or some other nasty business along the Indian coastline. The AMC tips off the fact this has troops, or did. Maybe it's the AMC that was at Diego that hit a mine?

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]Jubbalore is ours! This is the last unoccupied base in Operation Chariot to be re-invested. Now for Hyderabad. I've moved some fighters into Delhi. The Japanese look to have only about 60 fighters nearby now. He's not sweeping though, so looks like I'll have to do the dirty work. I've placed five RAF bomber groups in base and will continue to build up this area as a deterrent to the plans farther south. If he believes a force is coming this way to cut off this area he might just bug out, or he might send i na bunch of troops. Either way I gain either space or good intel.

A poorly experienced Indian division moves into Jubbalore and three base forces are busy building. More engineers will follow.

I also finally get another small unit into Cochin. This will be one of many battalion sized units that will invest the base slowly as I see what level of commitment Nick wants here. His paras still inhabit the base, and 95 mines are in the port with four subs doing circles on the approaches.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]My little 10AV Aussie commando unit lands at Ndeni. There is a small Japanese unit here, likely just bigger than mine though. I'll wait and bomb once I can.

A TF is spotted, somehow, near the Solomons. It showed two BB?! I sent all TFs scurrying back home and set search on high all over the So Pac area. Troops will attempt a landing at Arorae tomorrow. The day after, if nothing is seen by Cats in the Gilberts, a fast transport will drop a Marine Raider unit on Tabiteuaea. This had been reported to have a 1/3 naval guard unit. I'll bombard with cruisers beforehand, then cross fingers. It's a light op but I don't want to lose ships, so search will determine whether they go in. If they do everything will leave immediately win or lose on the beaches.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Pingsiang falls. This is my mistake, as I could have moved quickly out the other side and avoided a retreat-causing DA. I was worried about timing and thought I'd have the five days needed to move to the hex near Changsha. Not so. After three days of DAs the forts are reduced and the base falls causing almost 400 infantry squads destroyed and a bunch of other stuff. I hate these kinds of mistakes.

If I'd gone the other way the troops would have made it to safety here but the two units moving out of the woods would likely not have. Now it's a clear road ahead to the good terrain. The IJAAF will continue to pound, but if I can keep the troops moving on three roads they won't be able to concentrate.

The defensive plan is to fill in the road hexes to the max SL and then have decent reserves behind. The wooded hexes between with the 30-35k limits will be garrisoned but on ly by one or two units, to about 1/3 full. If he moves toward them I should be able to then get more troops in to stop him there. The key is owning those hexes and getting dug in. The lower road toward Kweillin has the largest stacking limit so the biggest best troops will go there. The road to Chikhiang has only a 50k limit, so much easier to manage.

I'll try to keep Changsha fro a while at least since the supply generation there from the small amount of industry remaining and the free supply of 160 is fairly important. The garrison will be around 2500-3000k AV and 130k of the 245k SL. The Japanese can get more in of course, but it would take a big army to win this one, and if he goes for it the losses will be enormous. If he can bomb supply down then maybe there is a shot. We'll see.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Troops at Wenchow reach 720AV and I decided to turn on replacements for them as supply is actually rising here since one bomber group moved on to greener pastures. The base has 3 forts, two HQs and a base force plus the two Corps here.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]51st Division is planning for an attack on Wenchow.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 5, 42
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Pre-Invasion action off Ndeni (120,143)

Allied Ships
PC Bingera
xAP Klang

PC Bingera fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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Amphibious Assault at Ndeni (120,143)

TF 5 troops unloading over beach at Ndeni, 120,143

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)


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Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31377 troops, 347 guns, 578 vehicles, Assault Value = 915

Defending force 34986 troops, 209 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 963

Japanese adjusted assault: 607

Allied adjusted defense: 299

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1309 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 125 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
711 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 21 (2 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
15th Division
34th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
13th Army
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
9th Prov Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 6, 42
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Ground combat at Pingsiang (82,54)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30765 troops, 347 guns, 578 vehicles, Assault Value = 845

Defending force 33738 troops, 207 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 824

Japanese adjusted assault: 2133

Allied adjusted defense: 209

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pingsiang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
905 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
11615 casualties reported
Squads: 398 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 217 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 87 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 39 (38 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division
15th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
75th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Not much around here. Surprised we somehow picked this up. The closest search is at Luganville, 4 PBY. [/font]

[Lokasenna]

In my experience, you picked that up because of radio transmissions or other sightings that for some reason don't make it into the logs. I have picked up on enemy task forces (such as KB!) without actually flying over the TF, or without seeing radio transmissions corresponding to that hex in the intel report. It is a very low DL - often telling me only a handful of ships, and rarely giving me information on aircraft (usually only that if subs sighted the a/c on search).

Given that, my suspicion is that this is a major task force heading somewhere.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

In my experience, you picked that up because of radio transmissions or other sightings that for some reason don't make it into the logs. I have picked up on enemy task forces (such as KB!) without actually flying over the TF, or without seeing radio transmissions corresponding to that hex in the intel report. It is a very low DL - often telling me only a handful of ships, and rarely giving me information on aircraft (usually only that if subs sighted the a/c on search).

Given that, my suspicion is that this is a major task force heading somewhere.

Could be. I didn't realize that happened. Thanks for the tip.

I doesn't look like it had a DL which is interesting.. I thought it could be serious, give that it says two BB and nothing else. Usually DDs don't show up as anything bigger than a cruiser. All is scattering anyway except the fast transports which would really only be in range if he went for them the day after the sighting. One of them got a DL from a sub, though, so I have to be careful. If Cats spot anything it can all turn around tomorrow.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

In my experience, you picked that up because of radio transmissions or other sightings that for some reason don't make it into the logs. I have picked up on enemy task forces (such as KB!) without actually flying over the TF, or without seeing radio transmissions corresponding to that hex in the intel report. It is a very low DL - often telling me only a handful of ships, and rarely giving me information on aircraft (usually only that if subs sighted the a/c on search).

Given that, my suspicion is that this is a major task force heading somewhere.

Could be. I didn't realize that happened. Thanks for the tip.

I doesn't look like it had a DL which is interesting.. I thought it could be serious, give that it says two BB and nothing else. Usually DDs don't show up as anything bigger than a cruiser. All is scattering anyway except the fast transports which would really only be in range if he went for them the day after the sighting. One of them got a DL from a sub, though, so I have to be careful. If Cats spot anything it can all turn around tomorrow.

Do you actually see DLs on enemy TFs? I thought you only saw it on bases, and you had to guess the DLs on TFs. I end up guessing what DL I have on enemy subs when tweaking airborne ASW, for example.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

In my experience, you picked that up because of radio transmissions or other sightings that for some reason don't make it into the logs. I have picked up on enemy task forces (such as KB!) without actually flying over the TF, or without seeing radio transmissions corresponding to that hex in the intel report. It is a very low DL - often telling me only a handful of ships, and rarely giving me information on aircraft (usually only that if subs sighted the a/c on search).

Given that, my suspicion is that this is a major task force heading somewhere.

Could be. I didn't realize that happened. Thanks for the tip.

I doesn't look like it had a DL which is interesting.. I thought it could be serious, give that it says two BB and nothing else. Usually DDs don't show up as anything bigger than a cruiser. All is scattering anyway except the fast transports which would really only be in range if he went for them the day after the sighting. One of them got a DL from a sub, though, so I have to be careful. If Cats spot anything it can all turn around tomorrow.

Do you actually see DLs on enemy TFs? I thought you only saw it on bases, and you had to guess the DLs on TFs. I end up guessing what DL I have on enemy subs when tweaking airborne ASW, for example.

I think you're right.

I'll have to look at the coast watchers for that day to see if something was reported too.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 7 - 9, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]Shark again finds the big amphib TF near Sabang. No shots fired.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]The IJAAF is making a rather large investment in bombing of Cochin, for not much gain. I'ts one of those where once it starts it's hard to stop, as he knows I'll move fighters in if I can, so some damage has to be kept on the runway. I keep checking and no new troops seem headed this way from Madras. Unless something changes soon I'll keep slowly adding more and building defenses here in the hope that I can move down the coast. My next idea is a small amphib op to Mangalore. I'll have to check if it's still empty.

Nick has been paying attention to the build-up in Delhi. He's moved another 90 fighters into Lucknow to make 150 there. I'll hold and build as Delhi gets to level 8 fields in a few days. I have two Wildcat groups here from Enterprise. I want to use the F4F3 and 3A pools before upgrading, and this could get some good experience for these guys. I've not fought with any F4F4 groups yet and the other CVs are all upgraded, so time to start making sure all airframes available are put into action. A few troops will move over since he's watching as well. [;)] A small recon unit will move on Gwailor, which is in Japanese hands but unoccupied. It's withdrawing soon anyway, and I want to see if he'll commit bombers out here. If not I'll get more base forces to Agra, Aligarh and Bareilly.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]Getting nervous about the Tabiteuaea landing on the 10th. All is seemingly quiet still, but of course that could change in a moment. No sign of the ships sighted earlier. The construction unit landed at Arorae on the 9th and took the unoccupied base. All of the Elice Islands are now in Allied hands as well as the last is invested by a fragment of a combat engineer unit. I'l eventually build a port here and get an AVD into one of the bases for added search on the flank.

A ton of units are prepping for Ocean, Nauru, Tarawa and Ontong Java as the next stages of the Cent Pac move forward. If Tabiteuaea actually falls to my small raider force Operation Catapult will be a major success. The op will continue either way as more support units and some serious supply need to be dropped at some point throughout the area. If all goes well the second stage would be planned for autumn.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The retreat is now progressing well. 3600 AV made it to Changsha including the worn out defenders of Pingsiang. They experience is up at around 55-58 though, so they'll move back to recoup and fight again. The 65k Kweillin road should have 5-6 Corps and around 1200-1400AV once everything is in place. The 50k Chikhiang road will have 4-5 Corps and 1000AV. The 65k Chengteh road will have 3-4 units of 1200AV but will be right next to reinforcements from both bases. The in between wooded hexes will start with 1-2 units and 150-250AV until it looks like a move is being made there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Heading to India?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]18/Guards Tank Division is loaded on a Husimi Cargo class xAK moving to Singapore.
2/41st Division is loaded on xAK Chuko Maru moving to Singapore.
AK Sado Maru is moving to Singapore (50,84).[/font]

This (below) is VERY interesting. I'll send more to Suva and Nadi very soon. The 32nd division is in place and forts are heading towards level 4. I'll turn off port and field building and get forts shooting up. CD guns will supplement mines here within the week as well.

This could be deception, but either way it doesn't really matter now. It's a must keep, so have to keep getting it solid.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Guards Mixed Brigade is planning for an attack on Suva.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 7, 42
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Morning Air attack on Cochin , at 28,40

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 54
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

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

Runway hits 6

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 8, 42
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ASW attack near Sabang at 28,69

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 16
SC Ch 14
AMC Bankok Maru
TK Akebono Maru
xAK Yuzan Maru
xAK Unkai Maru #6
xAK Unyo Maru #2
xAK Nitimei Maru
xAK Nichiren Maru
xAK Nitiho Maru
xAK Kuretake Maru
xAK Bisan Maru
PB Narita Maru
PB Nichinan Maru
PB Minowa Maru
PB Katsuragisan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Shark

SS Shark is sighted by escort
PB Narita Maru fails to find sub and abandons search

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 9, 42
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Amphibious Assault at Arorae (138,137)

TF 264 troops unloading over beach at Arorae, 138,137

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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Ground combat at Arorae (138,137)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 565 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 4

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Arorae !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Assaulting units:
4th US Naval Const Bn /5
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Reinforcements: Nice! By mid-July I'll have five operational and recently upgraded CVs at PH. With Avengers and F4F4s this should be enough to at least challenge the KB if necessary. Enterprise will remain in the IO for the time being.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]CV Wasp arrives at Balboa
CLAA San Juan arrives at Balboa[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Nearly to safety. [/font]

[Lowpe]

I think Greyjoy is making a strategic mistake in not challenging you/doing more in the Central Pacific area. Your cautious advance is a joy to watch...

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I think Greyjoy is making a strategic mistake in not challenging you/doing more in the Central Pacific area. Your cautious advance is a joy to watch...

Thanks! Lets hope so, but of course I have to turn it into a mistake if it is one, so I'll keep slowly pushing here.

Getting Baker is seemingly small but is huge in my eyes, as it could be very useful for search shielding the line islands and Canton, plus as a staging point for further movement into the Gilberts. If I can solidify the holdings in the Gilberts already in Allied possession the progress will begin to snowball quickly. The Tabiteuaea landing is the only one so far to commit major forces ( a 3 cruiser TF and many APDs) so I'm holding my breath that it gets in and out fast without opposition.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 10, 1942[/font]

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TABITEUAEA FALLS!!!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]Okay, maybe all caps bold isn't necessary, but this is my first Allied atoll invasion against Japanese forces, and it comes off like a charm. [:)]

The Helena, Honolulu and St Louis along with their DDs crush the only unit there, 51st Naval Guard/3. It seems it was not an evenly split portion of a naval guard, but simply a piece left over with mostly if not all support troops. The Marines landed in the day phase, right at the end, which made me uneasy, but still took the base.

All ships but three APDs dropping about 50 supply will head back immediately to Christmas Island. If he's going to react he might think to catch more troops or supply unloading on day two. For a while I won't be able to afford day two, so supply will come in dribs and drabs and everything from PBYs to SST will bring in portions of engineer units and base forces. Operation Catapult has reached it's objectives, and now it's time to consolidate and see what the Japanese reaction will be if any.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]Cochin has been drawing supply steadily since Goa fell to the Allies. It's got 5k now! Time to really beef up the troops. Bombers continue to hit daily with little effect on the troops. All are high morale and near 100% TOE. Two more battalions will arrive this week in Bombay to fly in via PBY.

I set some B-26s to hit Bellary to the South of Hyderabad, but there are no troops there either. An armor unit will attempt to move there. Instead the Marauders hit Warangal, to the East of Hyderabad and only two hexes away! luckily the CAP there is set at the base without a bleed. Got some intel. An AA unit is located at Warangal. Hmm. Is it moving into Hyderabad or just sitting here? Are there plans for this base? I'l keep an eye on it. There is one more unidentified unit here also.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The one unit caught behind the lines in the woods is pushed out and is now really behind lines near Kukong. I'll try to move that way and see what happens! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] More intel on the 41st division heading to Singapore.


[font="Trebuchet MS"]9/41st Division is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Singapore.
1/51st Air Defense AA Battalion is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Singapore.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR June 10, 42
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Night Naval bombardment of Tabiteuea at 137,134

Allied Ships
CL Honolulu
CL Helena
CL St. Louis
DD Smith
DD Mahan
DD Fanning
DD Jarvis
DD Patterson
DD Blue

Japanese ground losses:
136 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Port hits 17
Port supply hits 7

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CL Honolulu
CL Honolulu firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit

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Pre-Invasion action off Tabiteuea (137,134)

Allied Ships
CA Chester
DD Gridley
APD Kilty
DD Dunlap

Japanese ground losses:
245 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 29 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Chester firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit
DD Gridley firing at 51st Naval Guard Unit

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Amphibious Assault at Tabiteuea (137,134)

TF 239 troops unloading over beach at Tabiteuea, 137,134

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
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Ground combat at Tabiteuea (137,134)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 915 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Defending force 56 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
1st Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
51st Nav Gd /3

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Morning Air attack on 41st Air Defense AA Regiment, at 40,33 (Warangal)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 22

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Bellary , at 34,33

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 5
Buffalo I x 7
B-26 Marauder x 10
P-39D Airacobra x 3

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 41st Air Defense AA Regiment, at 40,33 (Warangal)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is a shot of Cent Pac. Looking good for now. [/font]

[Lokasenna]

Just be mindful that, if he chooses to, he can totally kick you right back off those islands. I hope you've committed units that you're prepared to lose if he does so.

Not that I'm not a fan of these moves [;)].

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Just be mindful that, if he chooses to, he can totally kick you right back off those islands. I hope you've committed units that you're prepared to lose if he does so.

Not that I'm not a fan of these moves [;)].

Definitely. [:)] Just raider units, naval construction and base forces for now. No valuable marine or infantry regiments. I will get defense battalions on once I'm able.

I'd like to present options that are difficult enough when small and building up which suddenly become bears once a few good units are added in. It's not the easiest thing for Japan to contest atolls, but it can be done of course. If he started prep now, he would have three months of Allied engineer work to deal with by September. It would also require the KB to be near if not involved, which would allow me to do something elsewhere I would hope.

Another nice thing is that S-boats based at Christmas now can fill the area. I've got about ten of these that aren't LR enough to do much else, but guarding the Gilberts would be a perfect task for them.

Most of the bases here are still Allied, so I'll be inserting units to all of them in the next week. I was being careful and only sending them to bases not bordered by occupied islands as I didn't want to completely advertise what I was up to before now.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]June 11, 1942[/font]

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ENEMY CARRIERS SIGHTED!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font]In this case that's nice to hear! All shipping is out of the way after the fast transport drops just enough supply to get the forts started at Tabiteuaea, and none too early. The KB is on the prowl nearing Ocean Island. Got a good DL on it with three TFs sighted, including what look like two SCTFs. He could blast me right back off of Tabiteuaea, but hopefully the subs en route can do something here.

All of the Gilberts save Tarawa are in Allied control, and even if he gets happy with the bombardments I'l try to get a tiny garrison on every island so none can be taken too easily. I think the paras are all elsewhere, and my thought is he's just moving in to see what he can catch. I had a transport of two xAPs heading to Nikenau but they've turned toward Pago for the time being. All other shipping is headed for Christmas Island. If the KB continues on present course and fast, I'll remove all shipping there and send everything scattering SW and NW. Penryn still has fuel as well.

Good to see the KB. Now I know the base is at Truk and/or Rabaul. I'll move some subs back there for the return journey as well.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]The S-boats around the Marshalls are on their way South, as are the few near PH and Midway.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]A unit turns up outside of Cochin. Uh, oh. He may be tired of these game and might just crush it now. If it's a regiment there is a goo chance to hold. Anything bigger and probably not. An armor hit is shooting for Bellary now. It'll arrive from Goa in 7 days if the journey goes to plan.

Two Aussie and a Brit division will head for Hyderabad in the next week. Once US AA units move over here and et out of strat mode the trip will begin. I want to see what the reaction will be. If he sends in reinforcements or not will tell me a lot about the stance of Japanese occupation in India.

This turn I'll try for intel at Warangal in prep for a possible paradrop in two weeks. A Lysander unit will bomb there and the P-38s will sweep to see if the CAP settings have hanged or remain at 0 hexes in Hyderabad.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Some heavy bombing of troops heading toward Chikhiang. (The base force 3inch AA did shoot down one Sally![:)]). I've moved the AVG in to Changsha for a last stand. Either he'll ignore or there'll be a big dust-up tomorrow. I wanted a reprieve for the units in movement, so maybe this forward position will stop or redirect bombing for a day or two if he takes notice.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] What is this doing here? Poking back through the AAR I found this unit last on Luzon!! [X(]

So. This means a Southern front will open in China, and it's great intel. I'll position reserves accordingly and get the little Lysanders to keep an eye out a few hexes in front of our positions. Looks like Nanning/Liuchow will be threatened. No other reason to land them here. I'll get another big Corps down here and move current reserves one hex forward to be in easy reach of front line positions.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment is located at Kwangchowan(73,60).[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The nice thing about APDs is they can get out of dodge quick when needed. [:)][/font]

[ny59giants]

Another nice thing is that S-boats based at Christmas now can fill the area. I've got about ten of these that aren't LR enough to do much else, but guarding the Gilberts would be a perfect task for them.

Move an AS and some fuel to Canton Island. You get plenty of AS as Allies.

IMO, you have to defend the Gilberts as Japan if you want to defend the Marshalls. A place like Tabiteua will eventually allow B-17/24s to be based there and allow a steady advancement.

APDs - use them to Fast Transport Troops in and then use the PBYs to transport in the Cargo part of an LCU.