LST vs. IdahoNYer (DBB-C, A AAR) 6 yrs and done! VJ Day!

[IdahoNYer]

16-17 Mar 42

Highlights - Two very effective naval bombardments shut down Darwin AF

Jpn ships sunk:
xAP:1

Allied ships sunk:
PC:1
AG:1
xAK:2

Air loss:
Jpn: 7
Allied: 15

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (xAP sunk)

Amph Inv:
Horn Is (SWPAC)

Bases lost:
Luganville (SOPAC)
Efate (SOPAC)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. 6th Marine Reg departs LA for SOPAC on a small fast convoy.

In NOPAC. Attu bombardment goes off without much effect. One IJN sub is detected patrolling around Attu; no other opposition encountered. 102nd Eng Reg begins loading at Seattle for deployment to DH then to Amchitka.

CENPAC. NSTR.

In SOPAC, a supply convoy arrives at Noumea, bringing Noumea’s supply over 20k for the first time. ASW a/c in support claim to hit an IJN sub nearby. CVs Sara and Big E TFs return to Auckland to reorganize - a small surface TF is detached bound for Australia. Another convoy prepares to depart Auckland for Noumea carrying support units. Auckland is once again a very busy port.

In SWPAC, two very effective IJN bombardment TFs hit Darwin. The first one (3BB, 3CL, 5DD) on the 16th, sinks one of the two xAKs offloading, but misses the second one. The second TF (BB, 4CA, CL, 6DD) on the 17th, finds and sinks the second xAK, but she probably had discharged most of her cargo by then. The combined bombardments are very effective (is there any defense against a BB naval bombardment??) destroying 11 a/c and shutting down the airfield. Engineers should get the AF operational in a few days if the BBs stay away. Also, the ships in harbor, including the two half loaded xAKs, were not hit. Darwin is probably as ready as it will be to receive an invasion - 449 AV at fort Level 3.69. On the positive side, I started pushing a division plus up to the Darwin area on 8 Dec - on the negative side, I neglected to push up sufficient engineers - so the overland supply line, and AFs at Katherine and Daly Waters - are not built up nearly enough. At Broome, the supply situation is slowly improving as the first sub transport arrived, along with two small xAKs from Perth and even a lone small AG that fled from Java. Lastly, the IJN finally moves on Horn Is, defended by a motley collection of New Guinea garrison troops with an AV of 70 at fort level 2. I don’t expect them to last very long - and there isn’t much we can do about it other than move some subs into the area.

In the Philippines, NSTR

In China, Wenchow is now drawing the attention of DD size naval bombardments - guess the BBs are all tied up bombarding Darwin! NW of Yenan, IJA tanks get the best of Chinese cavalry and once again Yenan looks to be encircled.

In India/Burma, the IJN makes its first major foray into the Indian Ocean with a CA TF (2CA, 2CL, 4DD) bombarding Port Blair. In Burma, lead IJA elements close on Mandalay.

In the DEI, Palembang is bombarded by a 30k+ sized IJA force - overkill in my mind - but happy these troops are here and not elsewhere. At least two IJA divisions (56th and Imperial Gds) plus much supporting arms are identified. 3 US subs make their last supply pickup at Palembang and will head for Bataan. Western Java still holds, no major activity as IJA forces slowly grind west on both northern and southern routes.

[IdahoNYer]

18-19 Mar 42

Highlights - Palembang falls in the first assault with very, very minor damage to facilties; KB sighted in the Eastern Solomons heading SE.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD:1 (Ushio - now listed from prior engagement)
TK:1 (one of the small tankers listed as damaged from action at Miri)

Allied ships sunk: None

Air loss:
Jpn: 14
Allied: 19

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (AMC damaged)

Amph Inv:
Iloilo (PI)

Bases lost:
Palembang (DEI)
Molu (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast/Refit plans. With the April ship refits coming up, needed to make some hard decisions - not the best time (is there any?) to put ships up for refit with the IJN running rampant. But perhaps with the IJN still reigning supreme, it is a good time to front load ships come 1 Apr - having the refits complete when we’re better able to contest the IJN. That said, first order of business is a decision on the remaining “4 Piper” destroyers - I have 16 Clemson and 2 Wickes class remaining as DDs. Of that, 12 Clemsons will convert to DEs and the other 4, along with the 2 Wickes will convert APDs - giving me a total of 21 APDs. This will happen as soon as practical - when those currently on escort return to port with their charges. This will give me a short term shortage of DDs, but I need the extra ASW capability NOW, and the APDs will be useful as well. As for the rest of the 1 Apr refit availability, I’m going to push at least 1/3 of all avail ships into refit mode - CA/CL/DDs immediately, and the rest as ships come off refit, keeping about 1/3 of the ships in the yards until complete. And likely CVs Yorktown and Hornet (when she arrives) as well. So, come 1 April, the USN will be short ships!

In NOPAC. NSTR.

CENPAC. NSTR.

In SOPAC, the KB (or what I assume is the KB) is sighted by PBYs just east of Ndeni heading SE. Figure this is another raid into SOPAC (best case scenario) or a prelude to an invasion of New Caledonia/Suva/Pago. I’m better the former as there really isn’t anything more I can do about the latter. So shipping is again re-routed - one reinforcement convoy halfway to Noumea is routed due west toward Australia and CV Enterprise TF routed out of the area towards the Cook Islands. Not much other shipping is in immediate threat at the moment - 3 outbound convoys from Auckland to LA should be well clear of the KB, and one inbound should close Auckland well ahead of the KB should they come that far south. Available fighters are massed at Noumea (over 100) and Auckland (60+) with only 18 P-40s avail for Suva and nothing for Pago. While the timing of this could be worse, the CV Saratoga just started her refit at Auckland - while her planes are avail (as are Lexington’s), she is vulnerable to a strike at the port.

In SWPAC, it’s the quiet before the storm. Fighters sweep Darwin and find no targets - AF still closed. Supply situation in Broome has improved as xAKs unload slowly, but with weather clearing, I expect Ms. Betty to arrive shortly. An IJN convoy docked and offloaded at Derby - reinforcements enroute to Broome is a safe bet. Broome’s time is numbered, but I’m not going to make it easy. Horn Island remains in Allied hands as the invasion forces underestimated the defense - not that I can do much to reinforce, so it will only be a matter of time that the IJN brings additional troops to take the island.

In the Philippines, Bataan supply level falls under 10k for the first time - now at 8500.

In China, I manage to forget the AVG squadron I placed at Wenchow, which is subjected to repeated sweeps and even a DD naval bombardment - resulting in the loss of 8 fighters destroyed and 9 damaged for 6 Oscars - worse is the loss of a 7 kill ace KIA. I hate China.

In India/Burma, IJA forces close on Mandalay and I’ll pull back. Available recon planes will focus on Magwe as I’ll try and hit the oil facilities with an airstrike before adequate defenses can be established.

In the DEI, Palembang falls to overwhelming assault - as expected. Unfortunately only 6 oil and 5 refineries were damaged. Will try a full effort airstrike by the remaining Dutch bombers in the next turn or so. Elsewhere, Java is fairly quiet - the IJA seems to be in no rush to take Batavia or Bandoeng.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I had the same on Palembang; I think it totally makes sense to overwhelm these key bases. then you get them pretty much for free and intact.

My suggestion on refits:
If KB remains on the Pacific; refit as much as you can, ideally in safe areas (PH, WC). If in the other hand there are hints of India invasions, then keep some available for potential counter strikes.
Also, the 04/42 Yorktown refit takes 7 days only (Oerlikons), so I would do them ASAP

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I had the same on Palembang; I think it totally makes sense to overwhelm these key bases. then you get them pretty much for free and intact.

My suggestion on refits:
If KB remains on the Pacific; refit as much as you can, ideally in safe areas (PH, WC). If in the other hand there are hints of India invasions, then keep some available for potential counter strikes.
Also, the 04/42 Yorktown refit takes 7 days only (Oerlikons), so I would do them ASAP

I'm tracking....although I'm going to accept some risk and use Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne for refits as well.

[IdahoNYer]

20-21 Mar 42

Highlights - KB vanishes again; IJN CL TF raids Darwin harbor, but encounters freshly laid minefield off Darwin enroute home, sinking a CL. Dutch air raids Palembang oil and refinery industry.

Jpn ships sunk:
CL:1 (Tenryu reported sunk after hitting mines off Darwin)
TK:1 (small TK torpedoed in Malacca Straits)

Allied ships sunk:
AG:1
xAK:1

Air loss:
Jpn: 20
Allied: 8

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 1 Attacks, 1 ship hit (TK sunk)

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Taung Gyi (Burma)
Alor (DEI)
Wetar (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: Elements of the 38th ID (last reported at Singapore) moving to Wyndam - perhaps the attack on Darwin will only be from the back door?

West Coast. NSTR.

In NOPAC. 102nd Eng Reg departs Seattle for DH and then Amchitka.

CENPAC. NSTR.

In SOPAC, the KB vanishes once again. The last time this happened, I lost a convoy when it reappeared. Lesson learned, I’m keeping the shipping diverted to see it reappears. I have nothing pressing that “must get through” so I can wait. Noumea now over 120 fighters avail for CAP.

In SWPAC, a small IJN CL TF (2CL,3DD) raids Darwin harbor sinking an offloaded xAK, but runs into a freshly laid minefield by SS Argonaut in the hex just NW of Darwin as they return home - CL Tenryu is hit and reportedly sunk the next next day off Koepang. Better news is that Darwin AF is operational again and fighters will resume CAP and LRCAP as another small convoy approaches from the east - using Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria as a supply point - avoiding the passage near Horn Is (which just bloodily repelled an attack by 2 SNLF units!). With the IJA 38th Div heading toward Wyndham, we can possibly make this a bloody venture IF Darwin AF can stay operational. Wyndham currently has a Bde + defending it with 185 AV at fort level 2.90. Again, lack of supply is the biggest issue, and I’m using subs to shuttle additional supply from Darwin. It all boils down to getting more supply overland - engineers (with eng veh) are a hex away from both Daly Waters and Tennant creek and THAT will be the difference maker if I can get those bases built up. Darwin won’t be flanked easily- in addition to the Bde at Wyndham, additional Bdes are at Katherine and Daly Waters, with more troops moving now toward Tennant Creek from the railhead at Alice Springs. This is a sloooowww process, but one that can’t be stopped either. Of course there is a cost here - these troops are NOT going to the NE coast of Australia which IS vulnerable to invasion (worst case) and is slowing the development of both Cooktown and Portland Roads as bases to strike at New Guinea (best case).

In the Philippines, Bataan supply level continues to fall….but no additional enemy troops have been identified to launch an attack. 5 subs will continue to shuttle in supply - although the source of those supplies keeps getting further away from Bataan (Cebu, Tarakan, Balikpappan, Soerabaja, Palembang and now Batavia) increasing transit time.

In China, the AVG squadron at Wenchow is relocated back to Changsa and will continue to Chungking where it will re-equip with P-40s. Continued pressure on Yenan which is back to being encircled - and of course the CAV Cps I had screening to the north managed to retreat INTO Yenan instead of the open clear hexes to the NW so 2/3 of my “screen” is now trapped as well. If nothing else, Yenan will buy time and cost the IJA both troops and supply.

In India/Burma, IJA forces are held at Mandalay but take Taung Gyi. Of interesting note is that these forces are second line troops - I suspect the main IJA force remained at Rangoon and can expect some landings perhaps along the coast at Akyab or Cox’s Bazaar which are weakly held at the moment. RAF will hit Magwe Oil and Refinery targets in the next turn - hopefully this will be a surprise strike as the raid will be lightly supported by Hurris.

In the DEI, the Dutch raid Palembang industry, adding some 10 additional points of damage to both the oil and refinery targets. For Dutch bombers, not bad - and now the IJA will probably have to provide a fighter unit to provide CAP. Dutch AF will go back to naval interdiction in the Java Sea.

[IdahoNYer]

22-23 Mar 42

Highlights - Busy turn - KB appears just east off Efate, Darwin suffers a nuclear bombardment, Horn Island falls and the RAF hits Magwe industry.

Jpn ships sunk:
PB:1
xAK:1

Allied ships sunk:
AVD:1 (Childs; while running fast trans to Broome)
xAK:1

Air loss:
Jpn: 7
Allied: 34 (20 on the ground at Darwin!)

Subwar:
Jpn: 1 Attack, 1 ship hit (xAKL dam in surface gun attack)
Allies: 5 Attacks, 2 ship hit (xAK and PB sunk)

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Mandalay (Burma)
Horn Is (SWPAC)
Djokjakarta (DEI)
Selaroe (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: Many forces - including 38th ID and 5th ID reportedly moving to Wyndham.

West Coast. NSTR.

In NOPAC. NSTR.

CENPAC. NSTR.

In SOPAC, the KB appears just east of Efate, headed SE. Shipping remains cleared in the area - only subs are nearby which hopefully could get lucky. KB doesn’t appear to be striking south, perhaps protecting a reinforcement to Luganville or Efate? Two convoys, one bound for Noumea, the other bound for Pago continue to loiter out of harm’s way.

In SWPAC, just after Darwin airfield is again operation - and roughly 100 planes re-based there, the IJN comes calling in two very successful bombardments (BB, 3CA, CL, 6DD) (3BB, CL, 4DD), closing the AF again and inflicting heavy loss to the planes. Obviously, a level 3 fort doesn’t really help too much. A single offloaded xAK is sunk and the coastal batteries accomplish nothing. Bottom line here is that keeping Darwin AF operational isn’t going to happen - so we’re moving the planes and some engineers back to Katherine and try and get that to level 2 as soon as possible. In other bad news, Horn Island falls to the second of two assaults - not really surprising since its defenses just consisted of the motley collection of troops flown in from New Guinea and Kavieng. Broome’s supply situation is improving despite an IJN CL TF (CL, 4DD) sinking the AVD Childs while she was dropping off supply.

In the Philippines, NSTR.

In China, NSTR.

In India/Burma, IJA forces take Mandalay in the second assault against weak opposition. The main event, the Magwe raid was moderately successful. A total of 49 sorties mainly of Blenheims, but a few Hudsons hit the target over two days - no air opposition was encountered. Refinery damage was at 8 at oil damaged 25. Was hoping for better, but considering the light loads of the RAF a/c, that was probably as good as it could have got.

In the DEI, it was pretty quiet.

[IdahoNYer]

24-25 Mar 42

Highlights - KB sighted supporting the invasion of Funafuti; additional invasions of NW Australia imminent.

Jpn ships sunk:
xAK:1

Jpn ships unsunk:
CA:1 (Haguro)
DD:1 (Yugiri)
SS:1 (RO-62)

Allied ships sunk:
AM: 1
xAK:1
xAKL:1

Air loss:
Jpn: 23
Allied: 21

Subwar:
Jpn: No Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 4 Attacks, no ships hit

Amph Inv:
Babar (DEI)
Funafuti (CENPAC)

Bases lost:
Funafuti (CENPAC)
Roxas (PI)
San Jose (PI)
Muntok (DEI)
Osthaven (DEI)
Semarang (DEI)
Nias (DEI)
Buitenzorg (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: IJN has placed small CL TFs at Port Hedland, Broome and Wyndham - to me this indicates invasion TFs are just off the horizon to land troops. (Not to mention the Amphib bonus is about to expire)

West Coast. 41st ID has been assigned to the Aus I Corps and begins loading transports at San Francisco, bound for operations near Darwin. CV Hornet arrives at Balboa.

In NOPAC. 102nd Eng Regiment arrives at DH.

CENPAC. Jpn troops land at Funafuti in the Ellice Is - of note, this small invasion had the KB in support. So the question is whether the IJN will continue east and land at Canton as this “escort” is overkill for taking islands in the Ellice chain.

In SOPAC, With the KB well to the NE, the Noumea reinforcement convoy, now loitering near Lord Howe Island will head toward Noumea.

In SWPAC, there was some limited good news - a small resupply convoy of 2xAK and 2xAKLs lands supply at Darwin - just before Bettys cripple an xAK. Still, the ships were unloaded. Bettys also hit Darwin AF which remains closed - but most a/c were already moved to Katherine. Small IJN CL task forces take station at Broome, Wyndam and Port Hedland - all remaining on station at turns end, but only the Port Hedland TF (2CL, 5DD) bombarding. IJA troops move to “encircle” Broome - cutting off any retreat options - which is fine, the Bde holding will deny the base to the end. A US-Australian CA TF (CA, 2CL, 6DD) currently at Carnarvon will sortie to engage the IJN TF if remains at Port Hedland. Troops continue to move north along the roadway from Alice Springs.

In the Philippines, Bataan supply falls below 5000 to 3950 as bombardments, both aerial and ground, continue while remaining island outposts continue to fall into Jpn hands.

In China, Oscars sweep over Sian while 2/AVG stays on the ground -they’ll come up next turn and see how they do against the Oscars. 3/AVG re-equips with P-40s at Chungking. Primary focus for the IJA remains Yenan which is again pretty much encircled. Wenchow is bombarded by DDs again.

In India/Burma, Akyab is hit by its first air raid - 40 Nells and 40 Zeros, doing minimal damage, but the CAP fighters were left on a sweep mission over Magwe - where the 14 Hurris lost 8 in exchange for the same number of Oscars/Zeros. Wouldn’t surprise me if this was a prelude to an amphib landing at Akyab which is lightly defended (as is Cox’s Bazaar). Magwe is hit by a night raid of Blenheims which destroy 2 refineries.

In the DEI, the isolated element of the IJA’s 56th Div manages to reach the sea again by re-taking the port of Buitenzorg on the SW coast of Java.

[IdahoNYer]

26-27 Mar 42

Highlights - Major Jpn landing at Wyndham looks to overwhelm the defenders; successful air ambush over Akyab, but AVG hit hard over Sian.

Jpn ships sunk:
DD:1

Allied ships sunk:
PG:1 (Soerabaja)

Air loss:
Jpn: 59
Allied: 35

Subwar:
Jpn: 2 Attacks, no ships hit
Allies: 2 Attacks, no ships hit

Amph Inv:
Kuria (CENPAC)
Vaitupu (CENPAC)
Wyndham (SWPAC)

Bases lost:
Nukufetau (CENPAC)
Vaitupu (CENPAC)
Kuria (CENPAC)
Babar (DEI)
Pantar (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: NSTR

West Coast. IJN sub discovered off San Diego - waiting for the Hornet probably. ASW assets will start searching.

In NOPAC. Small number of ships are sighted off Attu, good time for a bombardment run - which will depart from DH next turn as the 102nd Eng Reg loads at DH for Amchitka. Despite being a tertiary theater, NOPAC will be busy for the next few days.

CENPAC. More IJN supported landings in CENPAC, but nothing threatening towards Canton yet.

In SOPAC, so far quiet….hopefully the KB doesn’t suddenly appear as the convoy nears Noumea.

In SWPAC, the main event begins with two heavy bombardment runs (BB, 3CA, 5DD and 2BB, 7DD) pretty much leveling defenses of Wyndham prior to the invasion. The invasion TF itself is well supported (3CA, 2CL, 5DD) and unloads the 5th and 38th Divisions plus supporting arms - over 30k men. This will overwhelm the shell shocked Bde and Bn I have defending the base. The good news is that engineers w/dozers finally reach Tennant Creek, Daly Waters and Katherine - so hopefully we can get some supplies flowing. Also enroute (via rail and then road) are 3 good Aus Bdes (I Corps) and supporting arms including artillery, AT and tanks. Further away are 2 more Aus Bdes, and eventually the US 41st Div. All of these troops will constitute I Corps to try and hold Darwin and its approaches. By landing at Wyndham - and the amph bonus about to expire - his plan is to take Darwin from the rear. So if I can get supplies flowing overland, I might be able to sustain enough forces to interdict this move - it’s all about the logistics! Also, I’ve pulled the 11th Bomber Group from PH, and it should arrive in Sydney next turn where it will re-equip with the B-17e. This will give me 2+ B-17 groups in Australia to counter this incursion. Lastly, the RAN CA TF found nothing at Port Hedland, but recon shows a resupply convoy just off of Derby, so the CA TF will turn about and raid Derby - hopefully Ms. Betty is occupied supporting Wyndham.

In the Philippines, Two subs drop off supplies, but supplies continue to fall. Two small freighters are slowly making an approach…

In China, putting the AVG up to counter Oscar sweeps wasn’t a good idea - he had his A Team there - 12 H81-A3s are lost to 6 Oscars.

In India/Burma, based on last turn’s raid, I push a large LR CAP over Akyab (3 Hurri Sqdn, 1/AVG) which does very well against escorted Zero raids - 24 Zeros, 16 Nells and 7 Marys are lost in exchange for 6 P-40s and 8 Hurris. Port Blair is bombarded by the IJN (2CL, 3DD), likely as a prelude to invasion so I’ll sortie a RN CL TF out of Colombo to see if they can interdict - or divert to Akyab if that is infact the target.

In the DEI, it stays pretty quiet.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

what is the supply levels at Darwin?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

what is the supply levels at Darwin?

Not good - about 4k. Have a couple of xAK/xAKLs coming up, but getting through those IJN DDs is doubtful right now.

Supply NEEDs to come up from Alice Springs in the long run - but I probably don't have that kinda time!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Have you thought about evacuating Darwin? or leave a token garrison? with little supply, they won't last too long

And you know he can make you spend supply quickly with daily bombings, naval bombardments, artillery

3 good brigades [:(]

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Have you thought about evacuating Darwin? or leave a token garrison? with little supply, they won't last too long

And you know he can make you spend supply quickly with daily bombings, naval bombardments, artillery

3 good brigades [:(]

Short answer....yes. But not yet. With the Amph bonus about to expire, L_S_T isn't probably going to land directly at Darwin, he's going overland from Wyndham. That's not a short route - and from a level 1 port, his supply will be stretched.

I'll be moving some Bdes from Daly Waters and Katherine to the river line astride his route of march. Probably pull at least one or two Bdes from Darwin to this position as well. IF this position falls (which is likely at this point), I'll start a more deliberate withdrawal from Darwin.

Best case, he'll be slow to move out of Wyndham allowing me to bring both troops and supply up from Alice Springs. But, can't count on best case, right?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Have you thought about evacuating Darwin? or leave a token garrison? with little supply, they won't last too long

And you know he can make you spend supply quickly with daily bombings, naval bombardments, artillery

3 good brigades [:(]

Short answer....yes. But not yet. With the Amph bonus about to expire, L_S_T isn't probably going to land directly at Darwin, he's going overland from Wyndham. That's not a short route - and from a level 1 port, his supply will be stretched.

I'll be moving some Bdes from Daly Waters and Katherine to the river line astride his route of march. Probably pull at least one or two Bdes from Darwin to this position as well. IF this position falls (which is likely at this point), I'll start a more deliberate withdrawal from Darwin.

Best case, he'll be slow to move out of Wyndham allowing me to bring both troops and supply up from Alice Springs. But, can't count on best case, right?

Right! He will almost certainly bring tanks, and until you get some of your own he can chase the Allied troops all over North Australia.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Have you thought about evacuating Darwin? or leave a token garrison? with little supply, they won't last too long

And you know he can make you spend supply quickly with daily bombings, naval bombardments, artillery

3 good brigades [:(]

Short answer....yes. But not yet. With the Amph bonus about to expire, L_S_T isn't probably going to land directly at Darwin, he's going overland from Wyndham. That's not a short route - and from a level 1 port, his supply will be stretched.

I'll be moving some Bdes from Daly Waters and Katherine to the river line astride his route of march. Probably pull at least one or two Bdes from Darwin to this position as well. IF this position falls (which is likely at this point), I'll start a more deliberate withdrawal from Darwin.

Best case, he'll be slow to move out of Wyndham allowing me to bring both troops and supply up from Alice Springs. But, can't count on best case, right?

Right! He will almost certainly bring tanks, and until you get some of your own he can chase the Allied troops all over North Australia.

BBfanboy - I've learned that lesson the hard way in NE China!! I've got an Aus Arm "Reg" with Matildas just shy of Daly Waters and two AT Regiments in "the pipeline" north of Alice Springs. A US Tank Battalion is also on the rails headed to Alice Springs. So, AT systems are coming - its just a long march and it doesn't do any good to push them north without getting the supply line established. So I'm not sure I'll win the race - it depends on how fast he moves out of Wyndham.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I am hardly an expert, but I read somewhere that developing the port and putting a lot of supplies in Port Augusta helps on pushing supply up north

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I am hardly an expert, but I read somewhere that developing the port and putting a lot of supplies in Port Augusta helps on pushing supply up north

That has been my experience in supplying N. Australia. Of course you need to build up the other bases along the rail line too. The only caveat is that the extra supply flow could have come from the southern part using less (as TOE gets filled out in units) and producing more (from fuel and resources reaching the south).

But the developed base = increased supply flow seems universal so I believe in that one. And since rail lines will disperse supply wherever they run, delivering by ship to Port Augusta is the best way to get the supply to the start point of the northern line to Alice Springs (rather than waiting for the same amount to flow in from Sydney and Melbourne to Port Augusta).

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I am hardly an expert, but I read somewhere that developing the port and putting a lot of supplies in Port Augusta helps on pushing supply up north

That has been my experience in supplying N. Australia. Of course you need to build up the other bases along the rail line too. The only caveat is that the extra supply flow could have come from the southern part using less (as TOE gets filled out in units) and producing more (from fuel and resources reaching the south).

But the developed base = increased supply flow seems universal so I believe in that one. And since rail lines will disperse supply wherever they run, delivering by ship to Port Augusta is the best way to get the supply to the start point of the northern line to Alice Springs (rather than waiting for the same amount to flow in from Sydney and Melbourne to Port Augusta).

While I'll certainly take the advice to expand Port Augusta - Alice Springs has no problem with supply. I've got over 30k there with minimal airbase (2) and fort (2). The problem - and one of my major "goofs" in the overall campaign, is failing to develop Tennant Creek, Daly Waters and Katherine. While I brought up about 2 divisions worth of combat troops starting on turn 1, I failed to bring engineers - they went to build up the NE coast bases. So now, the "max supply draw" at Tennant Creek is 300 and Daly Waters is 100. No where near enough to sustain the forces at those bases, let alone "push" supply north to Darwin. Expanding these bases is the key, and that will take a while - but at least I've got engineers w/dozers in place now.

[IdahoNYer]

28-29 Mar 42

Highlights - Wyndham falls in the first assault to overwhelming force; an IJN convoy goes down at Derby.

Jpn ships sunk:
PB: 2
xAK: 7

Allied ships sunk:
xAP: 1 (small)
xAK: 3
xAKL: 1

Air loss:
Jpn: 7
Allied: 7

Subwar:
Jpn: 4 Attacks, 4 ships hit (xAP, xAK, xAKL sunk; xAK dam)
Allies: 2 Attacks, 1 ship hit (PB dam)

Amph Inv: None

Bases lost:
Wyndham (SWPAC)
Cheribon (DEI)
Damar (DEI)

SIGINT/Intel: 25th Army is planning to attack Darwin. Not unexpected that Darwin is a target - but the 25th Army’s target is interesting - I take this as there isn’t going to be a major push toward India.

West Coast. 41st IN Div departs SF bound for Australia in convoy about 5 fast transports.

In NOPAC. US BB TF (2BB, CL, 6DD) approach Attu for bombardment. Sub confirms enemy PBs present - perhaps a convoy as well?

CENPAC. NSTR.

In SOPAC, KB sighted east of the New Hebrides as reinforcement convoy docks at Noumea carrying engineers and AA. This is a juicy target for the KB if sighted and I’m counting on Noumea’s 150+ fighters to provide enough CAP. SBDs claim to have hit the SS I-168 off Auckland (again!).

In SWPAC, the turn starts off with a bang as the Aussie CA TF (CA, 2CL, 5DD) ravage an IJN convoy offloading at Derby likely sinking all 9 big xAKs and 2 PBs in two engagements for no loss. Even the Allied torpedoes worked! Nice. The expected escorting CL TF (2CL, 5DD) was instead bombarding Broome with little effect. That good news was offset by the loss of Wyndham to the first assault. Two IJA divisions (38th and 5th) plus assorted supporting units rolled over the 2nd Aus Cav Bde and Sparrow Bn. Aus forces will fall back toward Darwin and we’ll try and establish a river line defense west of Katherine. Again, moving supplies will determine if we’ll be able to hold off the assault - and on that note, 3 small ships carrying supplies bound for Darwin didn’t make it - 2 sunk by subs and one by 4 DDs loitering near Darwin. Overland supply is the only viable option - and I’m not sure viable is the correct term….

In the Philippines, Bataan supply level under 1000, but AV remains good at 714. IJA ground and air bombardments continue.

In China, the Chinese hold an attack at Chuhsien in the SE, just north of Wenchow. Wenchow remains a target and is constantly under bombardment. In the NE, Sian is swept by Oscars, but the AVG remains on the ground. Yenan is firmly cut off and single squadron airlift is the only source of supply.

In India/Burma, RN CL TF (3CL, 8DD) arrives west of the Andaman Islands and will loiter (hopefully the bad weather will prevent air detection or attack) and see if an invasion TF arrives at Port Blair. In Burma, an attack on Lashio was held - primarily by the Chinese Division defending.

In the DEI, the IJA noose gets tighter as Chiribon on the north coast of Java falls to the IJA 4th Div and lead enemy troops close on Tjilatjap.

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

Expanding these bases is the key, and that will take a while - but at least I've got engineers w/dozers in place now.

Can you clarify this for the benefit of a new player? How exactly are you "expanding" these inland bases? Fort? Airfield? What else can you do?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Did you got any hint of what troops were killed?
looks like air support; maybe a base force

To Jwolf: airfield expansion will do it. Of course it doesn't hurt to put some fort in case the Japanese comes knocking the door; but AFAIK, fort won't contribute to supply draw