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

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Dec 30 - 31, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] After looking around to see what sources of HI/supply were really important for the IJ remaining in India, I noticed Jamshedpur was unguarded and has a good amount of HI. This is the last major HI base in India in Japanese control other than Madras, which is invested and not producing. So, I set a strike, but forgot something. As I set the orders I knew I wanted to destroy HI so set the 4Es to hit HI. Whoops!! [:-]

I had asked for a HR to protect against what I feel is a system where directly targeted industry is destroyed way too effectively by making manpower the only viable method for these LBA level bombing attacks. Direct attack is still open for the more accurate CV air wings, but I effectively broke my own rule here and wiped the HI in Jamshedpur in one day. Nick asked me about it, and I realized what I'd done and said we should go bak a day and reset to manpower. To my surprise he decided not to take the offer, thinking I would have wiped it anyway with the manpower strikes, (or maybe just not wanted to redo everything). So, it stands, and we move on toward 43.

Anyway, it's my bad, and my memory is now refreshed, so hopefully I'll not do it again. I do think it would have taken several more missions to kill the industry with manpower strikes, which is as it should be. I've been reading 'Spies in the Sky,' by Taylor Downing, a fantastic book on aerial intelligence and recon in WWII, and learned a lot about how hard it was to actually shut down factories with air strikes, especially earlier in the war, even with several hundred plane strikes in Europe. This book is a great read, and puts Medmenham (the center for recon photo interpretation) on a par with Bletchley Park in importance.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The IJN is still piled around Kusaie Island. The ASW air around this base is extremely effective. About a sub a day damaged on average. Loading and reconfiguring the invasion fleets and support fleets is happening at Nekefutau, out of range of even the Emilys.

I flew a LR P-38 sweep over Kusaie and fortunately got a lucky turn where the fleet was parked there with it's Cap up.I had seen them close, but didn't think we'd get this lucky! Lost 5 P-38s for about 3-4 A6M5. Good pilots there, of course, and now I know which CVs they come from!!! Fantastic intel!!![&o][&o][&o]

So it's the slow, small Junyo and Hiyo with at least CVL Chiyoda. To make the numbers work, about 130 fighters and 90 bombers, I'd say it's three more CVL here as well, or Kaga. Not a bad force, but good to know it's the slow CVs. Better to find a fish in their belly now that torps will work more often!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The Japanese have shifted their bombing campaign from troops to bases, trying to kill supply. This is good for us, as supply is entirely gone already on the bases being attacked! [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] A few days ago I noticed about 30 bombers and no fighters listed in Esperance. I turned on the 4E to try to get in a chew strike, but two turns later, after several weather delays, a group of Oscars came up to meet the B-17s. They fought our beasts off pretty well, maybe losing a plane or two and shooting up two B-17s enough that they didn't make it home, and we got one Betty on the ground. It still looks like he's not investing too much here, but the news of a division heading back to Perth is still causing some alarm bells to go off at HQ. I've got some ideas planned over here, but have to get other ops going elsewhere to make them viable.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Big news here. Another division being loaded up and sent to Perth. I'm going to put the walk on hold about three weeks out of Kalgoorlie. We can't take out two well supplied IJA divisions there with no air support. Now for plan B. [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]33/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAK Tamahoko Maru moving to Perth.
13/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on a Japanese xAP moving to Perth.
25/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAK Seiwa Maru moving to Perth.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 30, 42
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Morning Air attack on Esperance , at 56,153

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Dec 31, 42
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Morning Air attack on Jamshedpur , at 51,34

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 9
Wellington Ic x 24
B-17E Fortress x 46
B-17F Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 39

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 106 [:-]

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 8000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kusaie Island , at 125,118

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 47

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
Junyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Hiyo-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
Chiyoda-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes


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

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here's another look at what we're facing in Cent Pac.[/font]

[ny59giants]

Fletcher only SC TFs - Since these bad ass DDs can move 11 hexes at Full Speed, maybe look to hit Kusaie with a TF made up of 8 of them in the near future. Use LRCAP to protect them. Have them start just outside Kate/Jill range from Kusaie above Ocean. It may not be successful, but it will give Nick something else to worry about if he places any type of CV/CVL close to the front lines.

You should be in love with your SeaBees and large construction regiments by now. You can place up to 500 plus engineers (and vehicles) in a base and see very rapid expansion. [&o]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Fletcher only SC TFs - Since these bad ass DDs can move 11 hexes at Full Speed, maybe look to hit Kusaie with a TF made up of 8 of them in the near future. Use LRCAP to protect them. Have them start just outside Kate/Jill range from Kusaie above Ocean. It may not be successful, but it will give Nick something else to worry about if he places any type of CV/CVL close to the front lines.

You should be in love with your SeaBees and large construction regiments by now. You can place up to 500 plus engineers (and vehicles) in a base and see very rapid expansion. [&o]

I ran a few DDs up that way a while back. Just 2 of them, and not Fletchers. Currently I only have about 5-6 Fletchers and I still need every decent DD to escort the fleet. This kind of move will happen eventually, but right now I'm counting on the 30 subs in the area to be a deterrent to him moving those CVs down, especially now that I know their type, speed and resulting vulnerability.

The engineers are nice, although I just can't comprehend that new units are still coming. My God there are a lot of them! [:)]

With SL there is a surplus of base forces and engineers right now, as I just need to move forward once the prep is finished for the next stage. Should only be a few more weeks. I've also got to wait for a few Corsairs to give an edge in So Pac. At the end of January i should be able to get some new things going.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 1, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]STRATEGIC SITUATION: [/font] It's a new year!

At this point I feel the Allies have weathered the storm in India and China, at least managing to slow Japanese progress, make them use supply and resources to continue to stay on the offensive in those areas, and meanwhile in the Pacific we've gotten some useful footholds to propel future progress in SW Pac, So Pac and Cent Pac. The No Pac area is secure and plans are in the works to begin trying to take back SW OZ and the rest of India.

On top of all that, the Corsair is in production!!

Currently the Allied fleets are massing for an invasion attempt at Nauru. This will be dicey knowing what is in the area. I'll have to pick the right timing and be a bit lucky.

In India I'm hoping to get further information about the forts at Madras and keep burning supply with daily bombardments near Ranchi. In China the Tuyun pocket is nearly wiped out and this will give a much better LOC to the Japanese for their push on the central plains. It's important to try to get NE India back as soon as possible to try to get supply into China. In OZ a walk toward Kalgoorlie is on hold as we assess the possibility of an amphibious component at Esperance and Albany.

It's exciting to begin thinking toward the stage of creating multiple thrusts into the Japanese perimeter. Knowing the location of a significant mini-KB means I can be assured the KB is somewhere in the DEI or SW OZ, or in between. Now I have to flush it out. [;)]

[Q-Ball]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
You should be in love with your SeaBees and large construction regiments by now. You can place up to 500 plus engineers (and vehicles) in a base and see very rapid expansion. [&o]

I think people underestimate what a massive advantage the Allied Engineering is, specifically the US engineering. USA can max-out any dot base within a month, or less, forcing the Japanese to defend literally every dot. And when you defend everything, well you know the rest.....

It's a great weapon. And the Allies get so many engineering units, you can't possibly even employ all of them...it's crazy

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
You should be in love with your SeaBees and large construction regiments by now. You can place up to 500 plus engineers (and vehicles) in a base and see very rapid expansion. [&o]

I think people underestimate what a massive advantage the Allied Engineering is, specifically the US engineering. USA can max-out any dot base within a month, or less, forcing the Japanese to defend literally every dot. And when you defend everything, well you know the rest.....

It's a great weapon. And the Allies get so many engineering units, you can't possibly even employ all of them...it's crazy

Sure you can use them all - just tell the Base Commanders they can build golf courses, swimming pools and baseball stadiums! [:)]

[ny59giants]

I once had over 1200 Engineers (engineers + engineer vehicles) at a base. Needless to say, those beach front condos sure look nice. [:D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 1 - 4, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Pike and Guardfish whiff on two supply convoys in Cent Pac to start the new year. Looking forward to less of this!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]Nearly ready to test the Madras fort levels.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Hmmmm. The IJN disapears! Saddle up! [:D]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Just building and solidifying for now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] At Chungking more sweeps arrive on the 1st and I wonder why the Oscars are doing so well. Turns out I had forgotten about our 5k step up in allowable CAP/sweep altitude, but Nick hadn't. This helps seal the fate of the Chngking airfield, even though we get even results, as after the damage taken in these sweeps the CAP wasn't strong enough to be used again.

All flyable planes were moved to Kunming, then back to India. About 8 were destroyed on the fields. Now it gets dire in Chungking and the rest of China.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] In the desert Bettys hit a lone NZ armor unit, disabling a bunch of Humbers and Mot. Support. It's not bad actually looking at the open turn, and all of these will be with AA next turn. I've got an Aussie Light AA and two heavy AA out here plus a base force with more. Should be sufficient, but it'll take some supply to operate, so hopefully that continues to flow.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] More of this.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]39/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAK Konsan Maru moving to Perth.
39/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAK Konsan Maru moving to Perth.
11/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAP Dairen Maru moving to Perth.
35/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Perth.
19/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on a Japanese AK moving to Perth.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 1, 43
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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 7
P-38F Lightning x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed


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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 2
P-38F Lightning x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-38F Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
3rd FG/7th FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 1
P-38F Lightning x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Otago (Mtd) Rifles Regiment, at 67,150 , near Ceduna

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 2, 43
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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 58

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-66 Vanguard: 1 damaged
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38F Lightning: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 62
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 3, 43
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Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35020 troops, 401 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 1091

Defending force 11247 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 342

Japanese adjusted assault: 782

Allied adjusted defense: 418

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
255 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
449 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
39th Division
16th Division
11th Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 4, 43
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Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34666 troops, 401 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Defending force 10430 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 247

Japanese adjusted assault: 724

Allied adjusted defense: 118

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4323 casualties reported
Squads: 161 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 100 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
39th Division
1st Tank Division
16th Division
11th Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force

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

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]This is beginning to make me really happy, and I've just gotten the first one delivered! [&o][/font]

[jmalter]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
I once had over 1200 Engineers (engineers + engineer vehicles) at a base. Needless to say, those beach front condos sure look nice. [:D]

Engineer points can do just about anything, 'cept build in the Aleutians / Kuriles during winter (November thru March). Their ability is halved.

Also I believe that a base's size limits the amount of engineer points that can be usefully employed, see
tm.asp?m=2885601&mpage=1&key=&#2885601

So, building at a 0(0) dot-base can use at most ~200 engr points to get to 1(0), then the base can only use ~175 engr points to get to 2(0), and the gain per turn goes *way* down.

Be careful where you employ your engrs - they'll do much better expanding a 0(3) capacity than they will at a 0(0) location.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: jmalter

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
I once had over 1200 Engineers (engineers + engineer vehicles) at a base. Needless to say, those beach front condos sure look nice. [:D]

Engineer points can do just about anything, 'cept build in the Aleutians / Kuriles during winter (November thru March). Their ability is halved.

Also I believe that a base's size limits the amount of engineer points that can be usefully employed, see
tm.asp?m=2885601&mpage=1&key=�

So, building at a 0(0) dot-base can use at most ~200 engr points to get to 1(0), then the base can only use ~175 engr points to get to 2(0), and the gain per turn goes *way* down.

Be careful where you employ your engrs - they'll do much better expanding a 0(3) capacity than they will at a 0(0) location.

I was actually surprised at how easy it was to build a level 1 field from a 0(0) potential at Dutch harbor. I will only do this when it's absolutely necessary, but it's nice to know it's not that hard at all for the US. For the Japanese I don't even consider it as the supply expenditure is the most limiting factor.

I'm slowly building a filed at Ocean just in case I need to get closer to Nauru with some CAP. It'll be another month or so before it's ready and I may have Nauru by then if all goes well!

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
You should be in love with your SeaBees and large construction regiments by now. You can place up to 500 plus engineers (and vehicles) in a base and see very rapid expansion. [&o]

I think people underestimate what a massive advantage the Allied Engineering is, specifically the US engineering. USA can max-out any dot base within a month, or less, forcing the Japanese to defend literally every dot. And when you defend everything, well you know the rest.....

It's a great weapon. And the Allies get so many engineering units, you can't possibly even employ all of them...it's crazy

Agree, the strength of the Allies is the ability to build bases at the point of attack faster than Japan. Allied construction ability combined with the wonderful LST allows the Allies to seize and utilize bases with level 0 ports. Something the Japanese just never have the ability to do. This is how you beat them.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 1 - 4, 1943[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Pike and Guardfish whiff on two supply convoys in Cent Pac to start the new year. Looking forward to less of this!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font]Nearly ready to test the Madras fort levels.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Hmmmm. The IJN disapears! Saddle up! [:D]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Just building and solidifying for now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] At Chungking more sweeps arrive on the 1st and I wonder why the Oscars are doing so well. Turns out I had forgotten about our 5k step up in allowable CAP/sweep altitude, but Nick hadn't. This helps seal the fate of the Chngking airfield, even though we get even results, as after the damage taken in these sweeps the CAP wasn't strong enough to be used again.

All flyable planes were moved to Kunming, then back to India. About 8 were destroyed on the fields. Now it gets dire in Chungking and the rest of China.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] In the desert Bettys hit a lone NZ armor unit, disabling a bunch of Humbers and Mot. Support. It's not bad actually looking at the open turn, and all of these will be with AA next turn. I've got an Aussie Light AA and two heavy AA out here plus a base force with more. Should be sufficient, but it'll take some supply to operate, so hopefully that continues to flow.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] More of this.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]39/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAK Konsan Maru moving to Perth.
39/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAK Konsan Maru moving to Perth.
11/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on xAP Dairen Maru moving to Perth.
35/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Perth.
19/Imperial Guards Division is loaded on a Japanese AK moving to Perth.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 1, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 7
P-38F Lightning x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 2
P-38F Lightning x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
35th FG/39th FS with P-38F Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
3rd FG/7th FS CAF with P-66 Vanguard (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 23

Allied aircraft
P-66 Vanguard x 1
P-38F Lightning x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-44-IIb Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Otago (Mtd) Rifles Regiment, at 67,150 , near Ceduna

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 24

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 2, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 58

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-66 Vanguard: 1 damaged
P-66 Vanguard: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38F Lightning: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 31
Airbase supply hits 10
Runway hits 39

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
26 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 62
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 3, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35020 troops, 401 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 1091

Defending force 11247 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 342

Japanese adjusted assault: 782

Allied adjusted defense: 418

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
255 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
449 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
39th Division
16th Division
11th Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 4, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34666 troops, 401 guns, 516 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Defending force 10430 troops, 45 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 247

Japanese adjusted assault: 724

Allied adjusted defense: 118

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
239 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
4323 casualties reported
Squads: 161 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 100 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
39th Division
1st Tank Division
16th Division
11th Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force

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

---

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]This is beginning to make me really happy, and I've just gotten the first one delivered! [&o][/font]

There are a couple of massive AA brigades in New Zealand. Probably worth saving up to buy one of them out.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 5 - 8, 1943[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Sargo misses an xAKL. The KIX hits a PB trying to chase it, a nice fat Ansyu PB worth 10 VPs.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The Nauru invasion has a green light! The ships are 2 hexes from the island and will go in on the 9th. There is no sight of the IJN fleet, and we're going to risk everything by swinging the CV and CVE TFs around to the North of the island to ensure protection of the invasion ships and troops. If he moves in to attack we'll have a CV battle. I've got more fighters by about 20-30, but slightly fewer bombers than the fleet I've seen. The CVEs would be vulnerable, but there's also going to be about 15k for a flak rating in the hex after the Bofors upgrades.

Two invasion TFs will drop the two regiments and small amphib tank battalion. Three SCTFs will bombard and then stay in the hex, including two old BBs. Could be an interesting few days!! [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Lots of bombing at Chungking and Changsha.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] This is interesting. This was most recently in Kiamuze.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]2/19th Division is loaded on AK Tatutaki Maru moving to Darwin.
4/19th Division is loaded on xAP Mizuho Maru moving to Darwin.[/font]

---

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Fingers crossed!![/font]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

There are a couple of massive AA brigades in New Zealand. Probably worth saving up to buy one of them out.

Got em already. They're in India now, still filling out but in front line use.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 9 - 12, 1943[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The Nauru invasion lands successfully! It doesn't take the base,however, and one regiment (The US independent regiment, understandably lees hardy than the Marines) is a bit messed up, but at least they're there and should be enough to grind down the Japanese troops if we can keep out reinforcements and limit naval bombardments. The Japanese actually have a naval guard and an SNLF here plus the big base force. It was all rated at 158AV, more than we'd expected, but the troops here should be able to grind it out. I have tanks ready and prepped in case something drags on, and those would just be waiting for LSTs to be able to join in the fun.

The Japanese seem to be trying some kind of a reinforcement or supply run here. I'll send in the PTs and subs to try to mess that up, but Amberjack has already gone a ways towed that goal! [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The I-172 managed to find the CV TF but was sighted before getting off a shot and sunk. Good experience gain for my DDs shooting at it on the surface too! [:)]

One of the amphib TFs also sank a midget sub, then the remaining one sank AK Alchiba. She is the only loss from the op, and the rest of the shipping, CV and surface combat forces are safely heading South.

On the 12th Amberjack finds the covering force for the seemingly small reinforcement/supply drop coming toward Nauru. It gets in good position and fires 4 fish at CL Tama, hitting with two!! Sinking sounds were heard immediately!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] The attack at Madras went strangely wrong. The force was apparently so small it simply was vaporized before even seeing the forts. Nick wrote me to ask what happened, and later mentioned he hadn't seen that before. Neither have I! Oh, well. Makes me think the forts are quite good there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Continued bombing, but also losses of IJ airframes at Chungking. The AA is not bad there, and Nick is losing 2-3 airframes a day. Helps me feel better about the falling supply levels and advancing armor columns.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Another Division now showing up at Perth. In a way this is good. I like the idea of being able to possibly trap a bunch of stuff over here. Although this division also shows up listed in Port Hedland, and I'm not exactly sure what 0/4th is all about. Any ideas?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]0/4th Division is located at Perth(49,147).[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 9, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Nauru Island at 126,127

Japanese Ships
SS I-172, hits 26, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan
CLAA San Diego
CLAA Atlanta
DD Woodworth
DD Hobby
DD Gillespie
DD Gansevoort
DD Bancroft

SS I-172 is sighted by escort
DD Hobby attacking submerged sub ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Nauru Island at 127,128

Allied Ships
BB Idaho
BB Tennessee

Japanese ground losses:
300 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5
Port hits 2

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Idaho
BB Idaho firing at 21st Special Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Nauru Island at 127,128

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City
CA Pensacola

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Resources hits 1
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10
Port hits 5

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Salt Lake City
CA Salt Lake City firing at Nauru Island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Nauru Island at 127,128

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix
CL Honolulu
CL Helena

Japanese ground losses:
338 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Resources hits 2
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 17
Port hits 9
Port supply hits 5

CL Phoenix firing at Nauru Island

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Nauru Island at 127,128

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-13, hits 4, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Trenton
DM Pruitt
APD Humphreys
APD Dent
AP J. Franklin Bell
AP Zeilin
AP Wharton
AK Titania
AK Algorab
AK Alchiba
DD Van Ghent
PG Charleston
DM Gamble

SSX Ha-13 is sighted by escort
Ha-13 bottoming out ....

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

Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8022 troops, 79 guns, 55 vehicles, Assault Value = 269

Defending force 8530 troops, 122 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 156

Allied adjusted assault: 84

Japanese adjusted defense: 129

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
864 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 17 (2 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1474 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 143 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 28 (5 destroyed, 23 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Assaulting units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
5th Marine Regiment
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
Kure 5th SNLF
18th Naval Guard Unit
7th Air Defense AA Regiment
5th Air Defense AA Regiment
21st Special Base Force
13th JAAF AF Bn
16th Field AA Machinecannon Company
7th Naval Construction Battalion
37th JAAF AF Bn

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

Ground combat at Madras (35,40)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3014 troops, 202 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 2175

Defending force 44894 troops, 490 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 997

Assault collapses, survivors seek cover

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
756 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 34 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 39 (13 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Division
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
267th Armoured Brigade
102nd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
4th Assam Rifles Battalion The only actual attacking unit. Apparently not able to even get close enough to determine fort levels!
254th Armoured Brigade
194th Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
268th Motorised Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
73rd Motorised Brigade
Waziristan Division
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
64th Coast AA Regiment
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
IV Indian Corps
15th NZ AA Bde
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
501st Coast AA Regiment
369th Coast AA Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
41st Division
10th Garrison Unit
6th Guards Division
4th Air Defense AA Regiment
11th Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd JAAF Base Force
50th Field AA Battalion
6th Field Construction Battalion
15th Army
22nd Air Flotilla
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
23rd Ind.AA Gun Co
52nd Field AA Battalion
16th AA Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th JAAF Base Force
5th Field Construction Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
54th Const Co
62nd JAAF AF Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 10, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submarine attack near Nauru Island at 127,128

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-12

Allied Ships
AK Alchiba, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

AK Alchiba is sighted by SSX Ha-12
SSX Ha-12 launches 2 torpedoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 12, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Nauru Island at 123,124

Japanese Ships
CL Tama, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
SS Amberjack

SS Amberjack launches 4 torpedoes at CL Tama
DD Kuretake fails to find sub, continues to search...

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

---

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Already the semi-working torpedoes are making a difference. This should make him wary of bringing in the CVs now. [/font]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: jmalter

ORIGINAL: ny59giants
I once had over 1200 Engineers (engineers + engineer vehicles) at a base. Needless to say, those beach front condos sure look nice. [:D]

Engineer points can do just about anything, 'cept build in the Aleutians / Kuriles during winter (November thru March). Their ability is halved.

Also I believe that a base's size limits the amount of engineer points that can be usefully employed, see
tm.asp?m=2885601&mpage=1&key=�

So, building at a 0(0) dot-base can use at most ~200 engr points to get to 1(0), then the base can only use ~175 engr points to get to 2(0), and the gain per turn goes *way* down.

Be careful where you employ your engrs - they'll do much better expanding a 0(3) capacity than they will at a 0(0) location.

I was actually surprised at how easy it was to build a level 1 field from a 0(0) potential at Dutch harbor. I will only do this when it's absolutely necessary, but it's nice to know it's not that hard at all for the US. For the Japanese I don't even consider it as the supply expenditure is the most limiting factor.

I'm slowly building a filed at Ocean just in case I need to get closer to Nauru with some CAP. It'll be another month or so before it's ready and I may have Nauru by then if all goes well!

Is much easier to build an airfield at Dutch Harbor than at a 0(0) / 0(0) dot base. The total potential seems to be taken into account when building. I'll go ahead and build an airfield or port at a base that has the other, but on a 0/0 it's really hard. I think Baker Island has been expanding to level 2 for 3 months now.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: jmalter


Engineer points can do just about anything, 'cept build in the Aleutians / Kuriles during winter (November thru March). Their ability is halved.

Also I believe that a base's size limits the amount of engineer points that can be usefully employed, see
tm.asp?m=2885601&mpage=1&key=�

So, building at a 0(0) dot-base can use at most ~200 engr points to get to 1(0), then the base can only use ~175 engr points to get to 2(0), and the gain per turn goes *way* down.

Be careful where you employ your engrs - they'll do much better expanding a 0(3) capacity than they will at a 0(0) location.

I was actually surprised at how easy it was to build a level 1 field from a 0(0) potential at Dutch harbor. I will only do this when it's absolutely necessary, but it's nice to know it's not that hard at all for the US. For the Japanese I don't even consider it as the supply expenditure is the most limiting factor.

I'm slowly building a filed at Ocean just in case I need to get closer to Nauru with some CAP. It'll be another month or so before it's ready and I may have Nauru by then if all goes well!

Is much easier to build an airfield at Dutch Harbor than at a 0(0) / 0(0) dot base. The total potential seems to be taken into account when building. I'll go ahead and build an airfield or port at a base that has the other, but on a 0/0 it's really hard. I think Baker Island has been expanding to level 2 for 3 months now.

And Baker has a tiny 6k SL, so you can't exactly stack it with engineers. Dutch on the other hand, being the hub of activity in No Pac, has had a ton of engineers for the entire game.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Jan 13 - 15, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] After an ambush from the roving PTs from Ocean, subs take out all four tiny ships sent in to replenish Nauru over two days. That feels good! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] An entire CD gun unit was wiped out by bombardment at Madras. All other troops are just fine, but for some reason this one was just vaporized. Huh.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The troops on Nauru rest, getting disruption down a bit, but fatigue is high for the Marines and that takes longer. It'll still be a few days before further action here, but at least nothing has made it to the base yet to help the defenders, and the IJN fleets are staying well away to the North.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Troops are preparing for next stage invasions at nearby bases in the Solomons. Nick is periodically basing what looks like BBs or heavy cruisers near Buin, and I'll eventually run something up there just before sending in some small landings.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] In China Nick attacks on the 14th with tanks. Lots of tanks. Nothing but tanks.

The Chinese barely hold for a 1:2 but take horrendous casualties. They'll fold soon here, as anything short of x3 is just not good enough.

The Chinese near Chikhiang, with less supply and about equal forts hold well and give the Japanese a licking. This'll earn a few more weeks in the Changsha pocket at least. The Tuyun pocket is being hunted down and destroyed. This is probably better, as if they come back to Chungking they'll be in better shape than they are now and I can run them NW if they aren't useful for defending the city at that point due to SL. It's nice to have the Sian-Lanchow area still in good shape.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Bettys and now some IJAAF 2Es are targeting troops in the desert. They're coming low though and losing a few planes to flak every day. I'll concentrate my AA in one hex and move slowly forward fro here. I'll have about 50 heavy and 60 40mm AA guns in the pile once they all get together.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 13, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 11th RAAF Base Force, at 68,150 , near Ceduna

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2/2nd Heavy AA Regiment, at 68,150 , near Ceduna

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 18
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 11th RAAF Base Force ...
Also attacking 2/2nd Heavy AA Regiment ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Madras at 35,40 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CL Yubari
CL Tatsuta
CL Natori
DD Mochizuki
DD Mikazuki
DD Satsuki
DD Uzuki
DD Yayoi
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki
DD Usugumo
DD Shiranui
DD Natsushio
DD Akigumo
DD Yugumo

Allied ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 29 (10 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled) The Indian 6" CD guns and support. [:(]

E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mikuma
CA Mikuma firing at 73rd Motorised Brigade
CA Mogami firing at 2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment

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

Ground combat at 73,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29014 troops, 229 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 892

Defending force 8818 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 168

Japanese adjusted assault: 417

Allied adjusted defense: 82

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
299 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1649 casualties reported
Squads: 101 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 114 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
51st Division
23rd Army

Defending units:
58th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
16th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 14, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Nauru Island at 127,128, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #6
PB Sonan Maru #6
xAKL Jouban Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Momoyama Maru, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
PT-36
PT-37
PT-38
PT-39
PT-47
PT-59, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 57% moonlight: 12,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Nauru Island at 126,128

Japanese Ships
PB Kyo Maru #6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Momoyama Maru
PB Sonan Maru #6

Allied Ships
SS S-44

SS S-44 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Kyo Maru #6
S-44 diving deep ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Nauru Island at 126,128

Japanese Ships
PB Sonan Maru #6, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAKL Momoyama Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gurnard

SS Gurnard launches 2 torpedoes at PB Sonan Maru #6
Gurnard diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection

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

Ground combat at 74,47 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26721 troops, 354 guns, 2088 vehicles, Assault Value = 1457

Defending force 40891 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1248

Japanese adjusted assault: 1039

Allied adjusted defense: 1047

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
319 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 78 (4 destroyed, 74 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3586 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 358 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 34 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
23rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
11th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Division
Guards Tank Division

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
89th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 15, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Kusaie Island at 123,124

Japanese Ships
xAKL Momoyama Maru, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Grampus

SS Grampus attacking on the surface

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

Ground combat at 79,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35416 troops, 439 guns, 647 vehicles, Assault Value = 1205

Defending force 34036 troops, 95 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 994

Japanese adjusted assault: 940

Allied adjusted defense: 1072

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2707 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 235 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Vehicles lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
760 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 74 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
40th Division
3rd Tank Division
116th Division
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th Army
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
79th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps

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

Ground combat at 73,50 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13398 troops, 104 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 879

Defending force 11124 troops, 74 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 236

Japanese adjusted assault: 406

Allied adjusted defense: 67

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Units pursuing 2

Allied ground losses:
3070 casualties reported
Squads: 74 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 139 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
51st Division
23rd Army

Defending units:
75th Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Our new LR Liberator recon planes came in with some great info on Perth. There is definitely a division worth of troops there, some nasties in the harbor, and lots of support ships in the port. A good number of bombers here too, and it looks like he'd try to use this as the primary defensive weapon for the area (unless the KB is ready to come roaring in too). I'll try to get more soon on the surrounding bases. [/font]

[Lowpe]

That tank army really breaks China's defenses. Even in x3 I don't think you could slug it out with him.

Ugly.

[Bullwinkle58]

I fought like crazy to keep Lokasenna out of Perth. I did it, but he got Kalgoorlie for a time. Re-taking Perth through either Esperance or Albany is a bear--they just can't support a op like that through their mini-me ports. And walking to Kalgoorlie form the east takes half of forever, and the Japanese can wave at you a thousand miles out and give you a variety of presents.

Re-taking Kalgoorlie from the south is much more feasible. Once you have Kalgoorlie and unlimited Sydney supplies it builds very fast and can support lots of 4E. But it sure is easier to not lose Perth in the first place. [8D]