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

[paullus99]

Looks like a fair number of "dot" hexes that you can take advantage of in the SW Pacific.....your scattershot advance seems to be paying off.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: paullus99

Looks like a fair number of "dot" hexes that you can take advantage of in the SW Pacific.....your scattershot advance seems to be paying off.

There are a lot of dots, but he's not trying to guard them in any way, which is interesting. Not even naval incursions.

I have a feeling he's planned a deep defense and anything up front here is just a delaying mechanism. A lot of smoke and mirrors.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 22 - 23, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The Stingray takes out a loaded troop carrying xAK near Trincomalee.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] The resistance at Trincomalee took several days to wear down, and the Allied losses were significant on the 23rd especially. On the 22nd the Oscars ad Zeros defended well but couldn't hold back the many sweeps coming through, with the bombers mostly coming in nicely afterward. Some good damage was laid on the fields, but the base wasn't closed.

The 23rd saw our first combat with the Tojo IIc, and in spite of completely fresh, changed out groups fighting our worn out battle-scared fighters, we did manage to get through enough to most likely shut the place for now. It must be costly to rotate out eight groups from the first day of combat and fly in seven new groups. I imagine the damaged planes would have had to be disbanded, or loaded on ships and taken away, but I didn't see that happening. So all in all this has lots of good results for the Allies, and if now we can add to the damage in the days ahead and keep these bases closed, it could mean trapping a large Japanese force on Ceylon without air support.

The next steps (while I continue to try to make sure the airfields stay closed) is to also hit the ports to make any rescue effort that much tougher. After 5-7 days I may try to para-drop Jaffna and use air transport and landing craft to bring in engineers and supply. He may just try to bombard it to bits with the IJN

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The tanks push the Chinese back to Kunming with heavy losses. They'll not hold long there, over-stacked and losing supply while fighting severe disruption. Still, Chungking holds with 22k supply and the zombie troops quickly moving out to the hinterlands. I wish I could keep them from using supply as they arrive, but no such luck. It'll mot likely be summer before a major play for the capitol.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Esperance makes a level 7 field and the B-17E groups in OZ move in. Kalgoorlie is a level 4 base but will grow very quickly now. There are 6k troops in Perth, and no sign yet that he'll try to rescue them. It's odd to me, but maybe he has some other devious ideas.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Interesting. Merauke is a tough place to defend, but it looks like he's going to bulk up there.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]5/25th Air Defense AA Regiment is loaded on a Japanese AP moving to Merauke.
9/52nd Division is loaded on a Japanese PT moving to Umboi Island.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 22, 43
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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 102
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 42
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 105

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 8
P-38G Lightning x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 22 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 22 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
54th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 21 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
286 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 21 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
A6M5 Zero x 71
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 35
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 89

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 13
Hurricane IIc Trop x 66
Kittyhawk III x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 78
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 25000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
24 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
23 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
21 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet [X(]

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 19
A6M5 Zero x 55
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 65

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-400 Airacobra x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 70,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15501 troops, 317 guns, 922 vehicles, Assault Value = 613

Defending force 20322 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 476

Japanese adjusted assault: 537

Allied adjusted defense: 121

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5643 casualties reported
Squads: 235 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 232 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 15 (13 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Division
Guards Tank Division
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
56th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 23, 43
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Sub attack near Trincomalee at 32,49

Japanese Ships
xAK Bisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hukuyo Maru
xAK Ayo Maru
PB Keiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

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

SS Stingray launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Bisan Maru
Stingray diving deep ....

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 53
A6M5c Zero x 18
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 50

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 36
Kittyhawk III x 15
Kittyhawk III x 12
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 23
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 25000 feet
6 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
4 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
8 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 34977.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 31977.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Chitose-1 with A6M5c Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 34977.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 15 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
13th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 25977 and 33977.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 33977.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 42
A6M5c Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 43

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
B-26 Marauder x 3
B-26B Marauder x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 22
P-400 Airacobra x 18
P-40K Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
A6M5c Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
B-26 Marauder x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The air losses are tough on the 23rd, but to close the base, it's worth it, and we're still quite a bit ahead over the past week. [/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]The Silent Service[/font]

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Recently the noise has been getting louder, the periodic thump of torpedoes hitting the sides of merchants. The sub war in this game has largely been a scouting and fleet support role, as well as a defensive deterrent in certain areas. Now that more subs are coming online and less are needed to deter IJN aggression, they are fanning out into the shipping lanes. I've sent some toward Malaya on the IO side, into the lanes between Japan and the So Pac and DEI and recently into the DEI and Chinese coastal areas where the bulk of fuel and oil must be traveling.

The payoff is almost immediate. Shots like th done below are becoming more common, with two ships hit in the most recent turn, including this big 17 knot, 16 VP xAP. Good commanders are more plentiful as well, and attacks are getting more ferocious, this one with three hits! [8D]

[Yaab]

"9/52nd Division is loaded on a Japanese PT moving to Umboi Island".

But this is FOW, right? Surely, PTs cannot move troops in DaBabes. Or can they?

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 24 - 25, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] A new sub, the Kingfish, gets right into the action and hits a small tanker on the way back to Truk. Later the Sealion tries for some old DDs and misses, but soon after finds a fat convoy, obviously made for moving a division of troops judging by the presence of the very valuable LSD, and manages three hits on xAP Teikyo Maru, a 17 knot ship which sinks immediately.

This very turn I sent 12 more subs out into the DEI shipping lanes on overlapping patrols. I'll check the kinds of ASW present and adjust as they arrive on station. I'm guessing they'll find some targets early before Nick realizes they're all there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Our 4Es put about 8 hits on Trincomalee on the night of the 24th but the daylight bombers encountered thunderstorms and couldn't put the decisive hammer on the base. Still, there was no resistance, and they got another decent top-up there to keep engineers scrambling.

[font="Courier New"]night 24th

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 8

day 24th

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 23[/font]

On the 25th there were heavy clouds but some of our launch bases were inoperable due to weather, so again the hit wasn't decisive. The indications from recon continue to show damage in the 70s, but I've set them now to hit both the airfield and the port, so I can see if the port is repaired and then will know if any repairs are occurring on the fields. Also, I want to make it tough to take troops off the island if those troopships moving through the Malayan straits are heading this way.

He's left a group of Jakes in Trincomalee, and we get about 8 on the ground here.

[font="Courier New"]day 25th

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 38[/font]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Some good hits finally on Nauru by our new Navy 4Es. More are on the way!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] I'm going to try to bombard Buin and I've sent in a lone AM with LR CAP cover to try to make a path through the mines there.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Kunming sees a DA immediately and it gets a 2:1. Sigh. [:(]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] The airbase at Perth is suddenly emptied completely. Only 4 aux left. The B-17s will make a visit tomorrow.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 24, 43
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Sub attack near Mussau Island at 107,114

Japanese Ships
TK Bushu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

TK Bushu Maru is sighted by SS Kingfish
SS Kingfish launches 4 torpedoes

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Sub attack near Phuket at 48,68

Japanese Ships
DD Susuki
DD Tsuta

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

SS Sealion launches 2 torpedoes at DD Susuki
Sealion diving deep ....
DD Susuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Susuki attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Phuket at 48,70

Japanese Ships
xAP Teikyo Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAP Palau Maru
xAP Ussuri Maru
xAP Dairen Maru
PB Bunzan Maru
PB Toko Maru #4

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Teikyo Maru
Sealion diving deep ....
PB Bunzan Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Toko Maru #4 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 25, 43
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Ground combat at Kunming (69,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15651 troops, 318 guns, 922 vehicles, Assault Value = 627

Defending force 32962 troops, 210 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 618

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1508

Allied adjusted defense: 655

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
566 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled

Allied ground losses:
558 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Division
Guards Tank Division
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
56th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Division
102nd RAF Base Force
56th AT Gun Regiment
10th Construction Regiment
11th Group Army
5th Group Army
9th Group Army
33rd Base Group
16th Chinese Base Force

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]A big build-up of fighters in Madras after the Ceylon bases are closed. [/font]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Yaab

"9/52nd Division is loaded on a Japanese PT moving to Umboi Island".

But this is FOW, right? Surely, PTs cannot move troops in DaBabes. Or can they?

I've seen this a few times. Not sure why it lists PT but the troops are definitely moving, as I've seen other reports. So I'm just concentrating on knowing where they're going. Subs are heading to the area.

The "Japanese PT" doesn't even exist in game! They only have MTB, so this doesn't work on a lot of levels![:D]

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Yaab

"9/52nd Division is loaded on a Japanese PT moving to Umboi Island".

But this is FOW, right? Surely, PTs cannot move troops in DaBabes. Or can they?

I've seen this a few times. Not sure why it lists PT but the troops are definitely moving, as I've seen other reports. So I'm just concentrating on knowing where they're going. Subs are heading to the area.

The "Japanese PT" doesn't even exist in game! They only have MTB, so this doesn't work on a lot of levels![:D]

FOW will likely substitute any small craft for the actual small craft spotted. Most likely the unit is moving in barges.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Yaab

"9/52nd Division is loaded on a Japanese PT moving to Umboi Island".

But this is FOW, right? Surely, PTs cannot move troops in DaBabes. Or can they?

I've seen this a few times. Not sure why it lists PT but the troops are definitely moving, as I've seen other reports. So I'm just concentrating on knowing where they're going. Subs are heading to the area.

The "Japanese PT" doesn't even exist in game! They only have MTB, so this doesn't work on a lot of levels![:D]

FOW will likely substitute any small craft for the actual small craft spotted. Most likely the unit is moving in barges.

That's most likely it. Might take a while to move a division by barge! [:D]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: obvert




I've seen this a few times. Not sure why it lists PT but the troops are definitely moving, as I've seen other reports. So I'm just concentrating on knowing where they're going. Subs are heading to the area.

The "Japanese PT" doesn't even exist in game! They only have MTB, so this doesn't work on a lot of levels![:D]

FOW will likely substitute any small craft for the actual small craft spotted. Most likely the unit is moving in barges.

That's most likely it. Might take a while to move a division by barge! [:D]

Barges have a very limited range - 120 NM or 3 hexes. A larger ship or small AO will likely accompany them to refuel them on any legs longer than 3 hexes. Take out the supporting ship and the barges are marooned or adrift and out of fuel. Isn't Umboi Island one of the Aleutians?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Barges have a very limited range - 120 NM or 3 hexes. A larger ship or small AO will likely accompany them to refuel them on any legs longer than 3 hexes. Take out the supporting ship and the barges are marooned or adrift and out of fuel. Isn't Umboi Island one of the Aleutians?

Umboi Island is the one sitting at the Western End (Cape Gloucester area) of New Britain, controlling the Vitiaz straits there. He's got the Wake CD guns and about a brigade worth of troops already there, so he's making it a definite strongpoint. If he is moving the division by small craft it is most likely from Rabaul and stopping off at various points or with some PBs attached for refueling. I'd only be able to cause trouble at the endpoint, Umboi, and PTs would be the best option there now that I have the islands to the South.

[JocMeister]

Umboi is a key base for advancing up the coast. You will need it.

PS. Unless something changed or my memory is failing me the dot base North of Lae can be built up to size 9. Only that one and Hansa Bay that can be built up all the way. You will need one of the two at level 9 if going up the coast like I did.

In general plan your invasions after where the level 9 fields are. They are very scarce going North from here. And while it might be hard to imagine now one of your biggest problems will be finding room for your planes. Especially the 4Es. [:)]

[crsutton]

You won't win the war with subs but it sure becomes a heck of a lot more fun when your torpedoes get better. Even with a 60% dud rate, the American subs in 1943 can still hurt a lot of things. And his ASW really sucks until the end of the year. Supposedly Da Babes has done a good job of reining in the "super escort" problems but it will be interesting to see how that plays out. After 1944, they just made it dangerous to be in an Allied sub in my last campaign.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Umboi is a key base for advancing up the coast. You will need it.

PS. Unless something changed or my memory is failing me the dot base North of Lae can be built up to size 9. Only that one and Hansa Bay that can be built up all the way. You will need one of the two at level 9 if going up the coast like I did.

In general plan your invasions after where the level 9 fields are. They are very scarce going North from here. And while it might be hard to imagine now one of your biggest problems will be finding room for your planes. Especially the 4Es. [:)]

Yeah, it's the one up the yellow road from Lae, called Nadzab, that can go to a level 9. North of Madang Hansa Bay also can go to a level 9. Also Buna can, which is very lightly defended. I agree these are precious and I'll go for them hard.

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ORIGINAL: crsutton

You won't win the war with subs but it sure becomes a heck of a lot more fun when your torpedoes get better. Even with a 60% dud rate, the American subs in 1943 can still hurt a lot of things. And his ASW really sucks until the end of the year. Supposedly Da Babes has done a good job of reining in the "super escort" problems but it will be interesting to see how that plays out. After 1944, they just made it dangerous to be in an Allied sub in my last campaign.

His ASW air is already good enough to make things painful in certain areas.

I won't win with subs, but these are hitting even well escorted TFs recently, and that is a great sign for the Allies, and a very frustrating one for the Japanese. The ships, the fuel, and things they carry, and the lost opportunity cost of their missions, all add up if they keep going down.

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[font="Times New Roman"]March 26 - 28, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Small strikes go against all Ceylon bases on the 26th, but the air strikes against Trincomalee are hampered by weather, and the base seems to recover a bit, still showing damage in the 70s. Later strikes in succeeding days are again hampered by weather at Trincomalee and others not able to fly due to weather at home bases. Feeling uneasy here.

I also see a CV TF moving in the IO, and I'll send subs running, but also limit strikes to Trin in case of a massive LR CAP and CV CAP there.

On the other side of India, strikes are launched against Patna as that thorn in the side of the Allied offensives is emptied of fighters, most likely to support operations at Madras and Ceylon. The recon shows troops leaving the base. Is this a pull-back? We drop a good hit on the fields with the dregs of the Allied arsenal plus a few 4Es. The flak is murderous here, as Japanese anti-aircraft still seems equal or perhaps slightly stronger than Allied equivalents, most likely due to experience levels of these well used units.

Colombo harbor is swept for mines and the AMc are hit by CD gun fire. I lose two of them.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] At Buin on the 25th our AM manages to clear some mines right under the nose of the Japanese. For god measure it damages the I-122 with 5 hits as well. Judys then come in escorted by Oscars and nail it, but with significant Oscar losses and a few DB lost as well. VPs to the Allies and a path cleared for the future here. But ...

Georges are here!! They show up dramatically, sweeping away air cover around Shortlands. This leaves the door open to take advantage of my mistake in forgetting to send cruisers at Shortlands on their intended bombardment of Buin. A group of Lilys comes in, which at first makes me very happy, since it was not the Judys. However, five 100kg hits later and the CA Cornwall is in danger with 72/47(17)/23(12) and 37 fires still burning!! From these not so big bombs. [:(]
I realize later that these RN CA have only 25 deck armor, but still this is a minimal strike to get so much on a CA. I disband it in Shortlands and hope of the best.

The Cornwall is hit but still able to move well enough and it should get away, but DD Duncan looks bad too with big fires. I'll send in another TF to cover the retreat and hit Buin for the 28th.

On the 27th a Fiji brigade takes Choiseul easily. Now at the defensive line of the Japanese, with Buin and Torokina defended well. I'l take some time here to build bases and pick away, while concentrating on SW Pac more for a week or two.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Kunming suffers through three days of attacks, but holds.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Troops moving toward Perth.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] Looks to me like an evacuation may be in the works. I'm wary of an all-out blitz to either Trin or Madras, as there are now 500-700 fighters in Madras, and i can't seem to get the slid kill shot to Trincomalee fields no matter what I set to hit there due to weather and defensive flak. I'll have to rely on subs to do something, but if this is a pull-back, then the efforts at Ceylon have been a success even if units are not trapped there or at Madras.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]AK Tosan Maru is moving to 44,57.
AK Nichiyu Maru is moving to 45,56.
Radio transmissions detected at 44,61.
PB Kenkon Maru is moving to Madras (35,40).[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 25, 43
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TF 236 encounters mine field at Colombo (29,48) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

17 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AMc Randas, Shell hits 6, on fire
AMc Cuttack, Shell hits 4

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

3rd Provisional Base Force firing at AMc Randas
AMc Randas firing at 3rd Provisional Base Force

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Morning Air attack on Patna , at 54,30

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 12
I-15-III x 12
P-66 Vanguard x 4
Beaufighter VIf x 7
Beaufighter VIc x 16
Mohawk IV x 10
Wellington Ic x 11
B-24D Liberator x 3

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 6 damaged
A-29A Hudson: 1 destroyed by flak
Wellington Ic: 6 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed by flak
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 30

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 14
B-26 Marauder x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Vengeance I: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Vengeance I bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 15000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 18

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 9

No Allied losses

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 15000 feet
Port Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Kunming (69,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15246 troops, 318 guns, 922 vehicles, Assault Value = 577

Defending force 31965 troops, 207 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 555

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 510

Allied adjusted defense: 565

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
482 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
504 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (3 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Division
Guards Tank Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
33rd Base Group
11th Group Army
10th Construction Regiment
9th Group Army
88th Chinese Division
102nd RAF Base Force
5th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment
16th Chinese Base Force

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 27, 43
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TF 322 encounters mine field at Colombo (29,48) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AMc Victoria Marie, Shell hits 3, on fire
AMc St Anthony, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Baroda, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

AMc St Anthony firing at 3rd Provisional Base Force

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Buin at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 36

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 28
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AM Chignecto, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
29 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
13 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 10000 feet

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Morning Air attack on 18th/C Division, at 29,48 (Colombo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
TBF-1 Avenger x 18

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 18th/B Division ...
Also attacking 18th/C Division ...

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Ground combat at Kunming (69,48)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14819 troops, 318 guns, 922 vehicles, Assault Value = 533

Defending force 31011 troops, 203 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 492

Japanese adjusted assault: 385

Allied adjusted defense: 310

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
675 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 21 (3 destroyed, 18 disabled)

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Ground combat at Choiseul Bay (111,132)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2989 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 110

Defending force 234 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied adjusted assault: 49

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 49 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Choiseul Bay !!!

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

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

Assaulting units:
Fiji Brigade

Defending units:
4th Raiding Rgt /1

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 28, 43
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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 110,132

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 40

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 110,132

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 22

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 14 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Cornwall, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Lardner
CL Leander

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
8 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
9 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
347th FG/339th FS with P-39D Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Cornwall

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 20
B-24D1 Liberator x 17
B-25C Mitchell x 29
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-400 Airacobra x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 24
P-40K Warhawk x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed by flak

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shortlands at 110,132

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 17
Ki-48-IIb Lily x 16

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 7 destroyed
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 9 damaged
Ki-48-IIb Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 1
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DD Duncan, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
4 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb
1 x Ki-48-IIb Lily releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

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Ground combat at Kunming (69,48)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 14652 troops, 317 guns, 921 vehicles, Assault Value = 515

Defending force 30001 troops, 199 guns, 22 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Japanese adjusted assault: 510

Allied adjusted defense: 265

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
482 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled

Allied ground losses:
766 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 25 (23 destroyed, 2 disabled)

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Tough to do anything with 750 fighters!! [/font]

[JocMeister]

Watch it with "air field damage". Its not runway damage showing but for some crazy reason its air BASE damage. [8|] Who the fudge cares about base damage??? Which means the fields are already open there since it repairs the runway before starting on the base...

Took a while for me to figure that out through the help of a poster in my AAR (BBfanboy?).

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ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Watch it with "air field damage". Its not runway damage showing but for some crazy reason its air BASE damage. [8|] Who the fudge cares about base damage??? Which means the fields are already open there since it repairs the runway before starting on the base...

Took a while for me to figure that out through the help of a poster in my AAR (BBfanboy?).

I thought it was an average of the two, but still, it's not what I thought it 'should' be. I'd like tot test this in a H to H game to figure it out a bit more.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Watch it with "air field damage". Its not runway damage showing but for some crazy reason its air BASE damage. [8|] Who the fudge cares about base damage??? Which means the fields are already open there since it repairs the runway before starting on the base...

Took a while for me to figure that out through the help of a poster in my AAR (BBfanboy?).

It....depends. I think. So far as I can tell, "airbase hits" are the ones that damage the Service line in the base screen. Runway hits are obviously runway.

I have many a raid that hit Runway almost entirely, but also many others that are about half and half...

I think it's an average also, however you could have 100% Service damage and a completely open Runway at Airfield 50... Basically, unless it says 75+, I don't consider something closed.

[JocMeister]

I had Erik flying from 100 damaged bases in our game. Of course FOV is a factor in that example.