Greyjoy(J) vs. Obvert(A) - The air war in China- DBB, SLs, PDU OFF

[Lowpe]

But will it gain him time? And at what cost in supplies? I guess we will find out[:)]

[GreyJoy]

August 26-27, 1942

Tense moments...

INDIA: Erik made a mistake! He sent most of his army that was sieging Hyderabad back to the contsted hex, where the 21st ID was holding that thin line (now supported by the 36th ID that managed to arrive thanks to the pause the allies gave us). At Hyderabad only 12 units were spotted on the 26th, so i decided to attack. Unfortunately they don't have any exit door, so they coulnd't retreat.... 5 japanese IDs attacked (with the 48th on reserve) against only 2 small divisions (the 6th Aus moved back to safety just this turn)... a solid 5-1 with the enemy in really bad contitions... now it's a rush for safety for the allies here.... will they be able to get out before getting mauled?
And what about the 21st and 36th Japanese IDs? Will they be able to stand another attack by the allies (that now have massed 6 divisions against them)?

Tense...really tense. But i'm glad to give Erik a couple of bloody noses here if i can, just to let him understand that the japanese army is far from being beaten at this stage!


CHINA: Erik Overstacked the hex south of Chikkiang, sending in a brand new and fresh corp before moving out the battered ones...mistake! The Chinese finally start to suffer from lack of supplies (due to overstacking) and the japanese managed to inflict a couple of sound defeats (two 1-1 in a row, but with too many casualities to be considered a draw). We're very close to breaking through now!

Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32103 troops, 420 guns, 989 vehicles, Assault Value = 1012

Defending force 45677 troops, 208 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 999

Japanese adjusted assault: 745

Allied adjusted defense: 436

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 71 (6 destroyed, 65 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1377 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 166 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 32 (1 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
39th Division
3rd Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
40th Division
11th Tank Regiment
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
13th Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps


----
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Ground combat at Hyderabad (39,32)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 76304 troops, 876 guns, 439 vehicles, Assault Value = 2675

Defending force 22630 troops, 307 guns, 358 vehicles, Assault Value = 527

Japanese adjusted assault: 2566

Allied adjusted defense: 503

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
681 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1748 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 189 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 72 (9 destroyed, 63 disabled)
Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
48th Division
41st Division
5th Division
8th Division
24th Ind Engineer Regiment
38th Division
2nd Division
2nd RF Gun Battalion
25th Army
Southern Army
15th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
13th Ind.AA Gun Co
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
11th Ind.AA Gun Co
32nd Ind.AA Gun Co
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
26th JAAF AF Bn
40th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
21st Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Area Army
22nd Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JAAF Base Force
2nd Mortar Battalion
11th Air Fleet
106th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
7th Indian Division
Waziristan Division
65th Coast AA Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
III Indian Corps
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
77th Coast AA Regiment
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment

[GreyJoy]

There doesn't seem to be an arrow moving down from the hex NW of Hyderabad south...so only the 4 tank units he has there could arrive next turn at Hyderabad to save the isolated III Indian Corp... the Waristan ID seems to be in reserve mode moving NW, so possibly tomorrow it will be out of the pocket...but the 7th Indian ID, if i am not mistaken, is in combat mode, so it will need at least 2 more turns to move out...tomorrow we'll try again...let's see what we will be able to grab. The 48th ID will join the attack

[GreyJoy]

Can't wait to see what happens next turn... if i manage to smash 2 full allied divisions, i could really slow him down in India and gain some more time

[Lowpe]

Great turnaround! I thought your goose was cooked...I guess I am a glass half empty kind of guy![:D]

[Cribtop]

What a sudden reversal of fortune. Banzai!

[GreyJoy]

Bugger!

Aug 28, 1942

The III Indian Corp managed to slip through my fingers...GRRRR... and then the rest of the allied Army, way overstacked, attacked the 21st and the 36th IDs... my guys did a wonderfull job, inflicting a huge amount of losses to the allies and, above all, holding the ground very well. Now the 2nd Area Army HQ and the 5th ID, along with some heavy artillery units, are marching to open a direct route to Hyderabad for the friendly units stuck there in front of 90,000 enemies... really tense!

In China we managed another 1-1... can't seem to be able to break the enemy lines. Erik keeps on pouring in fresh units and, despite the heavy losses, the Chinese hold...


Ground combat at 38,31 (near Hyderabad)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 63324 troops, 1086 guns, 1407 vehicles, Assault Value = 2147

Defending force 25293 troops, 365 guns, 219 vehicles, Assault Value = 638

Allied adjusted assault: 734

Japanese adjusted defense: 1903

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
772 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 83 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 78 (3 destroyed, 75 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2038 casualties reported
Squads: 38 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 65 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 16 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 36 (9 destroyed, 27 disabled)
Vehicles lost 198 (115 destroyed, 83 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
44th Cavalry Regiment
2nd British Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
6th Australian Division
70th British Division
762nd Tank Battalion
7th Indian Division
7th Australian Division
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
Waziristan Division
260th Coast AA Regiment
251st Coast AA Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
64th Coast AA Regiment
77th Coast AA Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
98th Coast AA Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
III Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment

Defending units:
36th Division
21st Division
14th Tank Regiment
31st Fld AA Gun Co
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
50th Field AA Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
26th Fld AA Gun Co
4th Air Defense AA Regiment
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
45th Field AA Battalion
9th RF Gun Battalion



Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31703 troops, 420 guns, 984 vehicles, Assault Value = 976

Defending force 39742 troops, 195 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1029

Japanese adjusted assault: 542

Allied adjusted defense: 466

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
208 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 57 (7 destroyed, 50 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1025 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
40th Division
12th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
39th Division
11th Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
13th Army
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps

[GreyJoy]

August 29, 1942

INDIA: Erik's stack doesn't attack and the arrows indicate that he's moving out (NW) of the contested hex. My saving expedition is one day from reaching the 21st and 36th IDs and create a safety corridor to get back to Hyderabad safely.
All in all, the battle for Hyderabad was a draw. I didn't lure erik into attacking the town, nor I managed to trap him there. At the same time, we mauled two of his divisions and destroyed the 44th Cav Regiment. The results are probably more important under a psychological point of view, cause we've shown Erik we can react fast and that the Japanese IDs are far from being underpowered, yet.
The bad news is that we have called in all our reserves and now the surprise is gone. Also we've been spending way too many supplies in the last month of battles here.
Thirdly, now that he has seen that Hyderabad is a tough nut to crack he may be choosing another target (s), which isn't what I wanted... I really preferred a target fixation complex by my opponent[:D]
Skirmishes in the air near Hyderabad too in the last days. We're trading 1-1 against P-40Es... which is good cause the more I deplete his pools, the less he'll be able to sustain prolonged air campaigns...

Everything is quiet in front of Patna....

CHINA: bad news. After 3 1-1 in a row our depleted units finally got a 1-2 and are now trashed again. Erik keeps on sending in fresh corps and so we've lost the momentum... need to start all over once again[:o]

[GreyJoy]

In Sept 1942 something different for me will happen.
The KI-61a will enter into production.
I admit, with shame, that I've never seen this plane fighting. Never.
Only have 2 sentais that can be equipped with this bird.
With Symon's latest modifications, I consider this plane slightly worse than the Oscar IIb, which is by now my major IJA fighter. Only in speed and durability the Ki-61a is superior, but I won't regret it, cause the two fighter sentais that can upgrade are presently equipped with Nates, so everything is better than a Nate[:D]
Then we'll have one more sentai arriving in 80 days that will be upgrading to KI-61b.

The KI-61 line will be used for point defence of big bases, like Calcutta or Madras (backed up by the KI-45a), so to let the SR=1 fighters to be based entirely in front line bases.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

In Sept 1942 something different for me will happen.
The KI-61a will enter into production.
I admit, with shame, that I've never seen this plane fighting. Never.

I have a couple of Sentai of the Ki-61a up and running in my game. For me, it was the first armored fighter (IJAAF) I got (and this in a pdu on, realistic r&d off game[:D]).

You are correct about its use...spot defense of big bases. But with a rail line I wouldn't feel bad about flying them in to defend Hyderbad either -- I think you will like what they can do there if only for a day or two.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

In Sept 1942 something different for me will happen.
The KI-61a will enter into production.
I admit, with shame, that I've never seen this plane fighting. Never.

I have a couple of Sentai of the Ki-61a up and running in my game. For me, it was the first armored fighter (IJAAF) I got (and this in a pdu on, realistic r&d off game[:D]).

You are correct about its use...spot defense of big bases. But with a rail line I wouldn't feel bad about flying them in to defend Hyderbad either -- I think you will like what they can do there if only for a day or two.

The only problem I see in this plane is that it basically has the same armament of the KI-43 IIb, which is bad. 2 heavy MGs in CL are really too little to bring down anything tougher than a Blenheim.
However these two sentais will be a usefull addition. With PDU OFF you really struggle to have decent planes on the front line.
Considering the Ha-60 will not arrive before mid September, these two sentais will probably be operative by mid October, not before.

For the next few months I will be fighting with what I have now, so basically A6Ms (various models: 2, 3, 3a and 5), less than 80 KI-44 IIa,lots of KI-43 IIb, and KI-45a

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

In Sept 1942 something different for me will happen.
The KI-61a will enter into production.
I admit, with shame, that I've never seen this plane fighting. Never.
Only have 2 sentais that can be equipped with this bird.
With Symon's latest modifications, I consider this plane slightly worse than the Oscar IIb, which is by now my major IJA fighter. Only in speed and durability the Ki-61a is superior, but I won't regret it, cause the two fighter sentais that can upgrade are presently equipped with Nates, so everything is better than a Nate[:D]
Then we'll have one more sentai arriving in 80 days that will be upgrading to KI-61b.

The KI-61 line will be used for point defence of big bases, like Calcutta or Madras (backed up by the KI-45a), so to let the SR=1 fighters to be based entirely in front line bases.

I personally think that speed it the most important virtue in game terms. This fighter (tony) can fly with the P40k so it is not a bad one. Plus it is more durable and has better armament than the Oscar. It is the service rating that nerfs this one. The difference between service rating of 1 and 3 is big. I prefer fighting Japanese fighters with the 3 service rating-even if they are better. It is just too easy to kill them with B17s while they are on the ground awaiting repair.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

In Sept 1942 something different for me will happen.
The KI-61a will enter into production.
I admit, with shame, that I've never seen this plane fighting. Never.
Only have 2 sentais that can be equipped with this bird.
With Symon's latest modifications, I consider this plane slightly worse than the Oscar IIb, which is by now my major IJA fighter. Only in speed and durability the Ki-61a is superior, but I won't regret it, cause the two fighter sentais that can upgrade are presently equipped with Nates, so everything is better than a Nate[:D]
Then we'll have one more sentai arriving in 80 days that will be upgrading to KI-61b.

The KI-61 line will be used for point defence of big bases, like Calcutta or Madras (backed up by the KI-45a), so to let the SR=1 fighters to be based entirely in front line bases.

I personally think that speed it the most important virtue in game terms. This fighter (tony) can fly with the P40k so it is not a bad one. Plus it is more durable and has better armament than the Oscar. It is the service rating that nerfs this one. The difference between service rating of 1 and 3 is big. I prefer fighting Japanese fighters with the 3 service rating-even if they are better. It is just too easy to kill them with B17s while they are on the ground awaiting repair.

I agree. The best way, however, to deal with the SR=3 fighters is, IMHO, to keep the plane fatigue as low as possible. To do that you need to keep the % of CAP pretty low and so you need to have other models to be readier at the target base.
My plan is to use these guys in rear area bases (but still reachable for the P-38/4Es combo), along with KI-45s, with the latters at 40% CAP and the Tonies at 10/20% at best. Usually, with these long ranged missions, the allies can't sustained prolongued efforts anyway, so a couple of days of fighting should be enough...and in this brief time the SR3 planes can still do their job

[GreyJoy]

August 30-31, 1942

So the month ends with the allies retreating from Hyderabad. The siege is lifted and the 21st and 36th IDs are safely returning to RnR at Hyderabad.
The allied units are moving back to Sholapur. I can now redeploy the 25th Army from Hyderabad. Will leave 2 full Divisions there, while 2 will be moved to Madras as reserve. 2 more will head to Calcutta, where the 1st Division just arrived from Tokyo.

In China we're ready to attack west of Kweyang. Can't do more than that. I will find 6 enemy corps, well dug in. I know it will be bloody... finger crossed!

South of Chikkiang we're almost ready for another series of attacks... now the 1st Tank ID has been brought in. Let's see how it performs...

[leehunt27@bloomberg.net]

Very exciting work at Hyderabad. Anything to stall and delay him in india is fantastic. What is the situation in the central/south Pacific? How many CV's does he have?

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
South of Chikkiang we're almost ready for another series of attacks... now the 1st Tank ID has been brought in. Let's see how it performs...

I'm surprised you don't have the 1st Tank Division in India instead. The Allies have better AT of course but I would think the operational mobility factor in India would be trump over the tactical superiority in China. But perhaps I simply have unrealistic visions of a Rommel-esque mobile defensive campaign in India against the British.

[GreyJoy]

Sorry for the lack of updates guys. Been really busy this week at work. I am fighting in a prolonged trial with the city Hall and I am just few feet from reaching the final goal:get the Court Order to force the City - and the City Major himself- to pay 700k euros... been working on this since 2011 and now I am seeing, after 4 trials and several appeals, the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope to get back with a comprehensive resumé this week end

[GreyJoy]

Aug 31 - Sept 16, 1942

more than 15 days have passed and the allied pressure gets higher almost everywhere.

INDIA: The allies started to plaster the bases between Calcutta and Madras areas. Viz is one target. Sweeps, 4Es and 2Es have attacked everything that moved on that railroad, causing lots of damages.
Lately a para drop has conquered Mangalore on the western Coast of India... scary because it means Obvert wants to flank the whole Madras-Hyderabad area.
Reinforcements and supplies keep on pouring in India, but it just never enough. I am too exposed there. Period.

CHINA: 15 more days of heavy fightings south of Chikkiang. The Chinese held every single assault, causing my forces many casualities. Finally, on the 15th, the Chinese moved back to Chikkiang! HURRAH!!! The hex is finally ours... now we need to rivercross into Chikkiang...another bloody step!
On the NW of China, the tanks got another bloody nose on the road that leads to Kweyang. Too few supplies to proceed... we are stuck there

CENTPAC: A marine Para rgt conquers Tarawa after some heavy bombardments that destroyed the Naval garrison present there... hundreds of allied ships keep on pouring in the Gilberts...

SOPAC: SNEAKY Obvert! Suddenly several dot-bases appeared to be occupied by tiny allied forces. The first two were close to Milne Bay... the Nells from Rabaul got rid of them. Then I spotted enemy troops at Rekata Bay (Between Munda and Lunga). Tried to attack with Nells and Vals, but there are already AA guns and more than 1000 men there! OUCH! They must have been brought there by Catalinas...right under my nose... need to do something ASAP!
A big convoy with 3 SNLF units, 2 Brigades and 3 base forces is reaching Rabaul... these units will be used to counter this threat. The carriers are on the move in case he wants to lure me into an ambush here...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: leehunt27@bloomberg.net

Very exciting work at Hyderabad. Anything to stall and delay him in india is fantastic. What is the situation in the central/south Pacific? How many CV's does he have?

he should have 6 American CVs by now and a couple of small British platforms...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
South of Chikkiang we're almost ready for another series of attacks... now the 1st Tank ID has been brought in. Let's see how it performs...

I'm surprised you don't have the 1st Tank Division in India instead. The Allies have better AT of course but I would think the operational mobility factor in India would be trump over the tactical superiority in China. But perhaps I simply have unrealistic visions of a Rommel-esque mobile defensive campaign in India against the British.

The tank divisions are usefull, obviously. And in India they would be priceless... but in China they can make the difference much more and I need to get on Kweyang before 1943 rolls in... IN india I'm opting for a static defence for the moment, but I plan to move there at least 2 Tank Divisions by the end of the year...