Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And this is the situation on India:



The strategy remains "Fabian": attack only if piecemeal, avoid direct combat, get behind the lines, force him to commit more and more troops while Bombay keeps building forts

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
I don't know if it is the scenario I am playing, but ABDA is greyed out for Addu

To change a base to a specific HQ you need a land unit at the base belonging to that HQ first. So change a land unit already at the base temporarily as a test to ABDA control and you can see the change. Just don’t save the turn, unless you want to make the change for real.

As to whether air units belonging to a lower echelon restricted command that is in the chain of command for ABDA can have their air units rebase to an ABDA base I don't know. You may need a restricted command to control the base to allow those air units to transfer.

Jim

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks a lot!!

I did a test, and yes, it works by first changing one LCU to ABDA, then the base

Geraldton or Carnarvon work; I can potentially move all the flying boat and most 2E bombers there.
Diego Garcia or Addu are a lot riskier; as I would need to rebase them to Sumatra first, but I only have Sibolga and Padang left, both are out of supply and Padang is also under siege.

I will decide later, for now on, I want to keep using the patrols on supply runs to Bandoeng and in a couple turns my bombers will visit Palembang [;)]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Some turn highlights:

- Busy turn for submarines: O24 hit TK Teiyo Maru (a big one!), while I lost 3 xAKs

- Japanese landing on Brome (North Australia), probably the beginning of N Australia invasion. I am not too concerned, as I am not planning to defend it until Tennant Creek

- Bandoeng is almost finished; no supply and level fort reduced to zero. I won't be surprised if he captures it next turn

- Big victory at Raipur: I managed to destroy many elements of the 18th ID
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Ground combat at Raipur (45,31)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11268 troops, 323 guns, 333 vehicles, Assault Value = 547

Defending force 13806 troops, 170 guns, 51 vehicles, Assault Value = 414

Allied adjusted assault: 276

Japanese adjusted defense: 137

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
4444 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 111 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 35 (14 destroyed, 21 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
411 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
16th Australian Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
Burma Corps
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
18th Division
3rd Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Main highlight was P Moresby invasion fleet found; but my fleet was doing "Fast Transport" and thereby there was no action.
With a little more luck, this could had happened next turn with my APDs already unloaded and ready for fighting, but I guess this was not meant to be


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 93,131, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asagumo
E Shimushu
xAK Canberra Maru
xAK Manila Maru
xAK Kano Maru
xAK Katuragi Maru
xAP Argentina Maru
xAP Kokuryu Maru
xAP Kamo Maru
xAP Manzyu Maru
xAP Ural Maru
xAP Baikal Maru
xAP Tango Maru
xAP Kowa Maru
xAP Palau Maru

Allied Ships
APD Whipple
APD Litchfield
APD Parrott
APD Gilmer
APD Kane

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 17,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 18,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 18,000 yards
Range increases to 19,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat

This is how it looked yesterday; and I already got the combat replay for today (not the turn however).



- APDs fought 2 inconclusive battles against a Cruiser-DD TF; with most APDs ended on fire and some troops were lost, but damage didn't look too critical.
- He landed SE of Port Moresby; in a non base hex

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And these are the combat reports; I will follow tomorrow once I get the turn.
Some thoughts:
- I have most of my USN fleet doing the 04.42 refit to get radars. so I hope this is the last time I get caught by surprise.
- P Moresby airbase is closed; so really nothing to throw to the invasion.


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 93,131, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 3
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
APD Whipple
APD Litchfield, Shell hits 1, on fire
APD Parrott
APD Gilmer
APD Kane, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 10,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence
CL Kitakami launches Long Lance Torpedoes at APD Kane at 10,000 yards
DD Karukaya fires at APD Kane at 10,000 yards
DD Asagao fires at APD Kane at 10,000 yards
CL Kitakami fires at APD Whipple at 10,000 yards

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Day Time Surface Combat, near Portland Roads at 94,132, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 6
DD Asagao
DD Fuyo, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Karukaya

Allied Ships
APD Whipple, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
APD Litchfield, Shell hits 1
APD Parrott
APD Gilmer, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
APD Kane, Shell hits 3, on fire

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 20,000 yards
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 14,000 yards



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Amphibious Assault at 98,131

TF 63 troops unloading over beach at 98,131

Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /6
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /7
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /7
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /8
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /10
12 troops of a IJA HMG Section lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /11
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /12

[Jorge_Stanbury]

More on India:

The 70th British Division + 25 Australian Brigade + supporting armor and artillery will engage a Japanese division near Benares.

The 16, 17 and 18 Australian brigades + 7th British Armored Brigade + supporting armor and artillery will engage, again, the retreating 18th IJA division near Raipur.

These British/ Australian LCUs are the best/ most experienced units I have in the map, so I hope they will again perform accordingly. The plan is to harass the invader, then move back to defensive positions.
Units near Patna will fight the retreating Japanese division, then they will recapture Benares.
Units near Raipur will persecute the 18th ID for another couple hexes, then they will go back to Raipur.

The plan for India is to avoid using Burmese/ Indian troops for anything other than garrison. Most are in Bombay
And to be conservative with good Australian/ British divisions, attacking only against piece meal formations
This until the Americans start to arrive. USA divisions will be the spearhead of all offensive operations... but so far I only have 2 regiments (with a 3rd arriving soon).

[Jorge_Stanbury]

The main highlight of the turn is the loss of 6 (empty) APDs near Cooktown. APD Whipple sunk due to heavy fires from the surface action on April 11th,
APDs Alden, Barker, Edsall, Kennison and Waters were attempting to sneak up into Horns, but were caught and massacred by the KB.



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,135

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 65
B5N2 Kate x 35
D3A1 Val x 31

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Barker, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
APD Edsall, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Kennison, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Alden
APD Waters, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
13 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
9 x D3A1 Val bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Barker
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Waters


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cooktown at 92,135

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Alden, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
APD Barker, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Questions to my advisors regarding 4E bombing in India:

- How early should I start strategic bombing in India?
I attached the replacement rates... I am thinking not before July, maybe August when the B-24D and B-17F are ready. I don't think an offensive is sustainable with my current 15 bombers per month replacement rate

- How many 4-E bombers should I send to India? all? keep 50-50 with the Pacific?

- Would you recommend buying restricted squadrons?

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Questions to my advisors regarding 4E bombing in India:

- How early should I start strategic bombing in India?
I attached the replacement rates... I am thinking not before July, maybe August when the B-24D and B-17F are ready. I don't think an offensive is sustainable with my current 15 bombers per month replacement rate

- How many 4-E bombers should I send to India? all? keep 50-50 with the Pacific?

- Would you recommend buying restricted squadrons?

Might as well start hitting industry as early as possible - I'd move a bomber group to India - you're right, you're limited in numbers. But the bomber groups in CENPAC don't have much opportunity early war - you can spare one to India. If he has fighters, night bombing is an option. If you move restricted air command bomber groups, you're going to be reducing your ability to train pilots, and right now, you don't have the required additional airframes.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks, this turn I got many bomber squadrons in the mainland, but all came empty; so I won't be buying them yet; moreover, just to fill them will take some time.
I need to move bombers from PH to Bombay: I am not sure what is the best route:
- maybe put them in a strongly escorted TF to Sydney or Auckland; then go very south to CT
- or maybe rebase them to the west coast, then Panama, then CT
We will see

In another news; the reformed Dutch air force finally attacked Palembang and Tjepoe. I achieved full surprise, but results were medicre at most:


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Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 3 damaged

Oil hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Palembang , at 48,91

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 damaged
139WH-3: 1 destroyed by flak

Oil hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x 139WH-3 bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 3 x 300 kg GP Bomb
Afternoon Air attack on Tjepoe , at 54,103

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 4

No Allied losses

Oil hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb
6 x CW-22 Falcon bombing from 6000 feet
City Attack: 2 x 50 kg GP Bomb

[Jorge_Stanbury]

India update:

The enemy escaped from Benares' trap, I just recaptured Alahabad and Benares will be recaptured in a couple turns

Deliberate attack set to keep beating the 18th ID near Raipur

this was last turn bombardment:

Ground combat at 46,31 (near Raipur)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3144 troops, 168 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 530

Defending force 10670 troops, 154 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 306

Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 22 (21 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
17th Australian Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
16th Australian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
Burma Corps
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
18th Division
3rd Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Highlights of April 15th:

- Bandoeng finally fell, after months of heroic defense, I am really happy they were able to hold the Japanese for so long. This certainly delayed offensives elsewhere.

- IJA 18th ID got a second beating; my troops forced them to withdraw again after 4000 casualties [:)]

- Broome fell on the 1st attempt, so now he has a beach head in Northern Australia, let's see what he does with it. I am not concerned about losing northern Australia

- Tjepoe oil was hit again, this time by all bombers (Palembang likely too well defended now) [:D] 19 oil wells were damaged, this will continue tomorrow

- Hengyang also lost



Ground combat at 46,31 (near Raipur)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15243 troops, 401 guns, 390 vehicles, Assault Value = 527

Defending force 10587 troops, 142 guns, 46 vehicles, Assault Value = 300

Allied adjusted assault: 397

Japanese adjusted defense: 44

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4225 casualties reported
Squads: 96 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 41 (31 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 13 (8 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
18th Australian Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
16th Australian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
Burma Corps
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
18th Division
3rd Mortar Battalion
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

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Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29011 troops, 356 guns, 137 vehicles, Assault Value = 799

Defending force 11613 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 188

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1036

Allied adjusted defense: 82

Japanese assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hengyang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
587 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 56 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4273 casualties reported
Squads: 111 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 139 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 19 (13 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
104th Division
40th Division
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
46th Chinese Corps
9th Group Army
2nd Chinese Base Force
7th Chinese Base Force


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Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29814 troops, 298 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 710

Defending force 7864 troops, 92 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 49

Japanese adjusted assault: 308

Allied adjusted defense: 106

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Bandoeng !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
9371 casualties reported
Squads: 210 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 558 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 107 (107 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 62 (62 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 14

Assaulting units:
146th Infantry Regiment
10th Division
14th Division
56th Engineer Regiment
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Bn /3

Defending units:
Mobiele Battalion
IX KNIL Battalion
Tjilitjap Cdo
IV KNIL Battalion
II Marechausse Cdo
XV KNIL Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
VkA-1 Sup Afd
Andir ML Base Force
VkA-3 Sup Afd
HQ II KNIL Division
VLG-IV Sup Groep
6th Cav Sqdn
VkA-4 Sup Afd

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Main highlight of the turn is that the Dutch air force kept pounding the oil center at Tjepoe which is now at 5(31)
this while he sent a significant # of fighters and bombers to Batavia, but lucky me, bombers came unescorted and did receive a significant punishment:

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I still don't fully understand this tracker chart:

When looking at Pilos KIA/ WIA/ MIA; when is the starting countdown? beginning of the month? the year?



it can't be beginning of the war... I mean, I have lost 988 planes so far, it is impossible to have only 29 KIA, 13 MIA, and 12 WIA pilots

any idea??

[Jim D Burns]

Just a guess but it might be that it only shows pilots still active in the database lists somewhere. It may be that dead pilots are dropped from the database all together if they have no stats tracked by another list such as kills.

Jim

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I still don't fully understand this tracker chart:

When looking at Pilos KIA/ WIA/ MIA; when is the starting countdown? beginning of the month? the year?

Did you start Tracker recently or at the start of game? If you didn't start it on turn 1, perhaps its the total since you started tracker?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks to both!!

it is not a tracker reset; as I tested just after the last time I did it and it was not at zero. It might be what Jim D said

[Thayne]

Note: A substantial portion of your losses are operational losses - a mechanic crawling out of an engine and telling the commander, "It's dead, Jim. I can't save it." No pilot casualties.

Other planes were destroyed on the ground.

Many of the other losses came over friendly territory and the pilot bailed out or managed a crash landing and thumbed a ride back to the base.

Some wounded pilots have been removed from the injured reserve list and are flying again.

Allied planes were built to facilitate pilot survival.

I have been watching my pilot casualties carefully in my game, noting each turn how many were added to the list and where they came from. I have found the Tracker numbers reliable.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Long time!
I am recovering from an appendectomy surgery, turns are still progressing, but I haven't have time to write AAR.

Quick update on the location of IJA Infantry divisions:

Confirmed/ recent:
33 and 21 --> PMoresby
Imp Grds --> Colombo
10 and 14 --> Batavia
18 --> near Raipur
48 --> Cocanada

Last seen:
4 --> Bataan
16, 2 and 5 --> India
38 --> China

No clue whereabouts:
55 and 56

What has happened lately?
India front is stabilized, from Benares to Raipur to Bezwada
Colombo is under siege, early stages
P Moresby is under heavy naval bombardment, bombings and deliberate attacks. It will fall anytime soon
Batavia is getting all the enemy troops that conquer Bandoeng; it will also fall relatively soon
North Australia invasion is "lightweight" so far, Broome fell, Derby will fall soon, not enough troops to do a lot more, at least not yet