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

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]CENT PAC[/font]

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This are is getting ahead of prep. I'm just now starting the units for Roi Namur, which I didn't think I'd get to for another two months. Now though I'm loading up for Kwajalein so it should be sooner. Once the other islands in the area fall that will just be a matter of continual bombardment and I may be able to get it with partial prep and some paratroops.

Right now I'm really impatient to get this are resolved and finished so I can move on to more interesting things. I could really use the air units here in the So Pac area, but first things first. I don't want to get careless now.

Taongi, Bikini and Namu are next on the list. The first two as extended search bases. The later as a base for an Army HQ to help in he invasion of Kweijalen.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: obvert

[font="Times New Roman"]CENT PAC[/font]

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The later as a base for an Army HQ to help in he invasion of Kweijalen.

That is pretty darn clever, but do you think you will really need it? Your binary soldiers should be very proud of the CnC!

[JohnDillworth]

seems the Marshalls and the Solomons are almost in the bag. Nice work grinding him down. I suspect Nick is no fool and he has hardened the next layer. Gonna get interesting.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

seems the Marshalls and the Solomons are almost in the bag. Nice work grinding him down. I suspect Nick is no fool and he has hardened the next layer. Gonna get interesting.

I assume the same. I think he intentionally made these a soft barrier just to slow the Allies, but the next layer will be stronger. My assumption is that he didn't want to sue the forces and resources to fight so far south, but maybe has been lured into it like a cat that sees a bird flying just a little too boldly near. I'm just trying to see his side of course, but the build-up in the New Britain and New Guinea areas was definitely recent.

I'll take a very traditional path for a while around Rabaul and will aim to move to Kaveing to cut it all off, with Nadzab, Lae and Finschafen on New Guinea becoming an interlocked airfield center that can control the skies and seas on that approach and throughout the area.

[JeffroK]

No snow shoes being requisitioned, even if only to draw his attention North??

[JohnDillworth]

He seems to have some fortresses set up at Ponape, Horn island and a couple of others that you can see and probably a few in the DEI that you can't see.. He has a lot of AV at these places. He can't do that everywhere but it seems he is defending forward. Have to find a soft spot because tackling these strong points is going to be tough.he picked some great spots

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

He seems to have some fortresses set up at Ponape, Horn island and a couple of others that you can see and probably a few in the DEI that you can't see.. He has a lot of AV at these places. He can't do that everywhere but it seems he is defending forward. Have to find a soft spot because tackling these strong points is going to be tough.he picked some great spots

Yes. They do look tough, but thanks to the Allied SIGINT I at least know mostly how tough. I can bypass the majority of them and leave others until late when they've been run out of supply and have either been reduced or he has pulled parts of the major units back. One difficulty of this for the Japanese that I found is that the whole unit can not often be removed once the area is locked down by Allied presence. So a fragment remains that is most of the heavy guns and support vehicles, tanks, AA and CD guns. Those then can't be used farther back if the Allied player simply bombs the place out of supply and lets them sit.

I've got a detailed plan for Horn Island and Merauke. I don't think they're ideal for defense or essential for Allied progress. Simple bombing campaigns can render them inert at the correct moment to move forward and past them.

Umboi is a tough one but I've got prep planned that helps me define a path here up toward Kaveing and around Rabaul. Once there are level 9 bases at Nadzab and at Kaveing (and possible level 8 bases at New Hanover and Mussau Islands) both Rabaul and Umboi would be cut off.

This isn't even the major area of offensive though! It's just a good productive area to combat the Japanese forces far from home, far from fuel production and far from shipyards. Slow is good down here in combination with the strain of the continual fight in China, CENTPAC and anything that happens in Burma.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

No snow shoes being requisitioned, even if only to draw his attention North??

B-7 Parkas, shoe pacs , fur lined gloves and wool lined tanker helmets.

Shemya is up to a level 7 field. [:)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]July 12 - 13, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Subs again got two hits this turn. The pressure is ramping up.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Another groups of P-47s makes land at Bombay. They're bound for Ledo.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Bikini falls to the Allies and nearer to Wotje Nick unleashes the Jakes at 1k against my flotillas of small craft, APDs and transports in the Northern Marshalls. They pick the fast transport TF heading to Taongi and in two attacks hit the APD Kane with 3 x 60kg bombs, keeping the ship and one other out of the five from continuing on, but they'll make it. Two Wildcats disrupt the strikes, downing a god number of Jakes in the second strike especially.

Sometimes it's these little daily actions that really make this game special. I love the details, the two fighters doggedly defending their chanrges against more numerous enemy, and the ships' commander sending the rest on to compete the mission in spite of the damage. I'm currently reading "Fortress Against the Sun," al about the B-17 in the Pacific. It's filled wight eh small stories of duty and heroism, plus just the quirks of war that make so many of us crazy in game, but really were accurately adapted here with amazing elegance. [&o]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Some good hits by the cruisers at Buin and the air force at Torokina. Now I've got all three arty units installed by landing craft at Buin. I'll drop supply and get going.

Nick swept Shortlands with Franks and Hellcats and Spits got a slight advantage, and of course we lost no pilots over our base. [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The Japanese fail in another DA but hit hard. I'll be pressed to get troops in fast enough to shore the place up before the next one. If he uses the air force it could be lights out here, but will he risk it?

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Starting to move toward Carnarvon. The surrounding forward fields are ready and the air groups are getting close.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] But where is the 5th really going? [:D]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]30/5th Division is loaded on xAK Syohei Maru moving to Singapore.
16/5th Division is loaded on a Japanese CM moving to Singapore.

11/36th Division is loaded on xAK Hiteru Maru moving to Palembang.[/font]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 13, 43
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TF 177 encounters mine field at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Ships
AM Ungava
AM Whippoorwill

80 mines cleared


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TF 399 encounters mine field at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Ships
AMc Manuka
AMc Hinau, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

80 mines cleared

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TF 423 encounters mine field at Buin (109,131)

Allied Ships
AMc Humphrey
AMc Rimu

8 mines cleared

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Torokina at 109,130, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima
DD Ayanami
DD Oboro
DD Kikuzuki
DD Tatsuyuke

Allied Ships
AM Whippoorwill, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AM Ungava, Shell hits 13, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 85% moonlight: 12,000 yards

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Morning Air attack on Shortlands , at 110,132

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84a Frank x 32

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-84a Frank sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Wotje at 136,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD Schley
APD Kane, Bomb hits 1
APD Lawrence

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-26 with F4F-4 Wildcat (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wotje at 136,115

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 14

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD Sands
APD Schley, Bomb hits 1
APD Kane, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ailuk at 136,114

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 2

Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAP Limerick

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 76,46 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29862 troops, 429 guns, 1567 vehicles, Assault Value = 1111

Defending force 40008 troops, 144 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 931

Japanese adjusted assault: 547

Allied adjusted defense: 1696

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
455 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 54 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Vehicles lost 42 (3 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1473 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 248 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
39th Division
11th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
3rd Tank Division
3rd Tank Regiment
Guards Tank Division
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
20th Artillery Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

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Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2464 troops, 175 guns, 149 vehicles, Assault Value = 2147

Defending force 134639 troops, 620 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2901

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (13 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Division
6th Division
34th Division
17th Division
104th Division
13th Army
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
4th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
25th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
97th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
17th Chinese Base Force
2nd Chinese Base Force
China Command
18th Artillery Regiment
11th Chinese Base Force
CAF HQ
41st AA Regiment
9th Chinese Base Force
49th AA Regiment
7th War Area
1st Chinese Base Force
20th Chinese Base Force
57th AT Gun Regiment
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment
24th Indian Mtn Gun Rgt /1

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Ground combat at Kalemyo (59,42)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20766 troops, 290 guns, 1103 vehicles, Assault Value = 915

Defending force 31157 troops, 402 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 672

Allied adjusted assault: 1001

Japanese adjusted defense: 2086

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
828 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 109 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 69 (3 destroyed, 66 disabled)

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Marine Division
762nd Tank Battalion
194th Tank Battalion
150th RAC Regiment
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
50th Tank Brigade
183rd Field Artillery Battalion
6th Medium Regiment
III Indian Corps
2/1st Med Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
1st West African AA Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Division
55th Division
2nd Ind.AA Gun Co
2nd Area Army
54th Field AA Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Battalion
6th Air Defense AA Regiment
1st RF Gun Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
31st Ind.AA Gun Co
36th Field AA Battalion
12th Ind. AA Battalion

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Ground combat at Bikini (131,110)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 277 troops, 0 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

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

Allied adjusted assault: 7

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Bikini !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
26th US Naval Const Bn

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here are the numbers. About even vs the Franks. [/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]July 14 - 15, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Grampus finds big tankers heading toward Babs from Truk, but can't get a hit.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Still fighting the monsoon to get supply to Ledo.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The invasion of Kwejalein moves in and lands successfully. The troops get a 1:1 right off the bat, which I wasn't expecting, but a lot of squads were lost. The forts were reduced to level 3 though, and this bodes well. Will some naval support it shouldn't be long here. Now I have to get my troops from the West Coast to use for Roi Namur! I hadn't planned it anything like this early.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Starting to plan for Green Island and Buka. I am thinking I can pick them off even before getting finished at Buin and Torokina. Troops are ready, now I'll just have to get some air cover in place and quick transports.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Nick tried a new tactic of hitting the Chinese with a small attack, probably only one armor division, and he accompanied it with air strikes today. In spite of the 1:2 result the Chinese took more heavy disablements and are reeling. I've got a unit on the way, but if he's able to attack again tomorrow, it could be lights out here and the battle from Chungking itself might be on the horizon.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 14, 43
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Pre-Invasion action off Kwajalein Island (132,115) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

139 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi, Shell hits 1
CA Quincy, Shell hits 1
DD Endicott
APA Elmore
CVE Barnes
DD Mustin

Japanese ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

BB Mississippi firing at Nimur Naval Fortress
Nimur Naval Fortress firing at BB Mississippi

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Ground combat at 76,46 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28876 troops, 428 guns, 1493 vehicles, Assault Value = 1023

Defending force 37578 troops, 144 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 678

Japanese adjusted assault: 101

Allied adjusted defense: 2128

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 21

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

Japanese ground losses:
667 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 118 (16 destroyed, 102 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
917 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 137 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Division
4th Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
11th Tank Regiment
39th Division
19th Tank Regiment
Guards Tank Division
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
4th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
35th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
20th Artillery Regiment
4th Heavy Mortar Regiment

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Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4750 troops, 55 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 144

Defending force 4012 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Allied adjusted assault: 66

Japanese adjusted defense: 45

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
278 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1434 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (4 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
37th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
110th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
1/542nd Boat&Shore Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
44th Naval Guard Unit
Nimur Naval Fortress
6th Fleet
Kwajalein Base Force

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Ground combat at Taongi (136,107)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 492 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

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

Allied adjusted assault: 9

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Taongi !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
16th US Naval Const Bn /6

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Marshalls are pretty much in hand. Roi-Namur will be another month, but the others should fall within a week or two. [/font]

[crsutton]

But why bother taking them all? A couple of good air bases in the area and the rest of the Japanese bases are effectively dead.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

But why bother taking them all? A couple of good air bases in the area and the rest of the Japanese bases are effectively dead.

I'm in a similar spot in one of my games (territory map is almost identical in the Pacific), and I'm doing the same. Honestly, I'm taking them all because I don't have the navy/shipping yet to push farther into the beehive. May as well grab the VPs for all these islands. Maybe obvert's reasons are the same. By eliminating them all he takes away any chance for GJ to fly in planes for surprise SLOC strikes.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: crsutton

But why bother taking them all? A couple of good air bases in the area and the rest of the Japanese bases are effectively dead.

I'm in a similar spot in one of my games (territory map is almost identical in the Pacific), and I'm doing the same. Honestly, I'm taking them all because I don't have the navy/shipping yet to push farther into the beehive. May as well grab the VPs for all these islands. Maybe obvert's reasons are the same. By eliminating them all he takes away any chance for GJ to fly in planes for surprise SLOC strikes.

Exactly .. the bases are not "effectively dead" and just a few Betty's can fly in on one turn and strike the next against vulnerable targets ..

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: crsutton

But why bother taking them all? A couple of good air bases in the area and the rest of the Japanese bases are effectively dead.

I'm in a similar spot in one of my games (territory map is almost identical in the Pacific), and I'm doing the same. Honestly, I'm taking them all because I don't have the navy/shipping yet to push farther into the beehive. May as well grab the VPs for all these islands. Maybe obvert's reasons are the same. By eliminating them all he takes away any chance for GJ to fly in planes for surprise SLOC strikes.

Exactly .. the bases are not "effectively dead" and just a few Betty's can fly in on one turn and strike the next against vulnerable targets ..

Same goes for the dot bases - no VPs, but seaplanes can operate there, even without an AV/AVP/AVD for a while.
One player (Panzerjaeger Hortland?) did this in the Kuriles during a "Downfall" scenario - Hokkaido and all the Kuriles were Allied except one dot base. The Japanese flew virtually all their flying boats and float planes there and ambushed the allied fleets moving between Alaska and Hokkaido.
Huge numbers of CVEs sunk, with a lot of replacement planes for the allied CVs. The allies had to cease operations!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: crsutton

But why bother taking them all? A couple of good air bases in the area and the rest of the Japanese bases are effectively dead.

I'm in a similar spot in one of my games (territory map is almost identical in the Pacific), and I'm doing the same. Honestly, I'm taking them all because I don't have the navy/shipping yet to push farther into the beehive. May as well grab the VPs for all these islands. Maybe obvert's reasons are the same. By eliminating them all he takes away any chance for GJ to fly in planes for surprise SLOC strikes.

Some of the reason is the VPs, some is the stacking, and some is just because this affords more opportunities to make sure I have good extended search in place and active on any given turn. With 6k limits I can't fit much in the area on just the main bases, so I may as well land on the others, eliminate possibilities for the other side, and build certain ones into active bases from which I can move later. It also gives him a lot more to recon/search trying to see what's coming.

Also, even though he can buy back units and put them in rear areas, it takes HI/fuel to make armament/vehicle points and supply to fill them out again. It may not be much, but it's something.

If I have search flying from Nauru, Ebon, Bikini and Taongi it also reduces the chance of any surprise strikes against all of the shipping I have here.

[BBfanboy]

One other thing we haven't mentioned - doing unopposed (except by weather) landings builds experience which will help later.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]July 16 - 17, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font]No hits these two turns.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Another P-47 group is nearing Bombay. This will make four groups once they're all here. I'll begin a process of picking around the edges once I send recon to assess what is going n in Burma. I want to see if he's using supportive multi-hex Cap or just over each hex. This will determine some of my later use of the heavies in the area.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Maleolap falls! Now only Roi Namur and the already occupied Kweijalen to complete the Marshalls. I'm think of a Wake invasion soon now too, once I can install search on Taongi I'll start loading up. I have a Marine regiment 100% prepped and several other pieces at about half prep now. I also have prep going for Kusaie, but I'm just not sure if I'll even go there yet. It may be better to go around both Kusaie and Ponape.

I'll still have to watch out for low-flying Jakes in the Marshalls so CAP is doing heavy duty in the area, often at long range.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] I've been bombarding consistently at Buin, and I'l be installing a Marine regiment soon. The Judys sortied for my PTs at Buin on the 17th, and I'll have to think about CAPing that base from Shortlands regularly. Strikes will hit both Torokina and Buin airfields once the weather clears up. They've been scrapped for two days now.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Still fighting the supply battle Nick will take 76, 47 soon and looks to be trying to encircle the troops in the area. I'l try to limit that, but can't avoid it all most likely.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 16, 43
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Ground combat at Maloelap (136,117)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5868 troops, 61 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 77

Defending force 2994 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Allied adjusted assault: 18

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
307 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
6th USN Naval Construction Regiment

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
Maloelap Naval Fortress
Maloelap Base Force
1st JNAF AF Unit

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 17, 43
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TF 399 encounters mine field at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Ships
AMc Manuka

15 mines cleared

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TF 423 encounters mine field at Torokina (109,130)

Allied Ships
AMc Humphrey
AMc Rimu

37 mines cleared

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Ground combat at Maloelap (136,117)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5640 troops, 61 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 61

Defending force 3013 troops, 41 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 25

Allied adjusted assault: 45

Japanese adjusted defense: 6

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Maloelap !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1263 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 84 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 57 (57 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
282 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
6th USN Naval Construction Regiment

Defending units:
88th Naval Guard Unit
Maloelap Base Force
Maloelap Naval Fortress
1st JNAF AF Unit

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the SW/SO PAC map. [/font]

[JocMeister]

Nice work Erik! You are doing well. Just keep inching forward. Sooner or later GJ will have to make a stand.

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ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Nice work Erik! You are doing well. Just keep inching forward. Sooner or later GJ will have to make a stand.

Thanks Jocke. I feel like I will see it soon, especially now that he has the 2nd gen fighters.

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[font="Times New Roman"]July 18 - 19, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Our invasion of Addu has launched and so did the Bettys! They came from Diego and went for some 'R' class BBs embedded in the amphib TF a few hexes out from Addu. I didn't think they'd sortie so far, but knew if they did there would be no torps, and that was the case. They were extended bomb loads and at 1k so half of that, and didn't hit anything. Whew. The US CVs are lurking and provided air cover for the 19th when the invasion landed. No strikes this day, and no sightings of the US CVs, plus, after several bombardments the troops easily took the out of supply base.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Jakes sortied and got under the covering Wildcats to hit about five smaller ships and craft, sinking 1/3 of a naval construction unit. I hate not being able to protect ships, but I know this happens, and will more often as things heat up. The rest of the TF will continue on to Bikini with an addition of low FP CAP from Rongelap.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] A bit more work at Buin and I feel the Japanese are weakening there. The Marines will land a regiment in the next days and then I'll attack for real.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] At 76, 47 the Japanese weaken the Chinese enough that it's a matter of days here now. I'm sending everything West now.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 18, 43
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Addu at 16,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 9 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
BB Resolution
BB Ramillies

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Roi-Namur at 132,113

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 18

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
LCI-83, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
LCT-149, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
LCT-151, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AMc Ruff, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
LCI-21, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
LCT-154, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (7 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x E13A1 Jake bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VMF-122 with F4F-4 Wildcat (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead

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Ground combat at Kalemyo (59,42)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19860 troops, 290 guns, 1018 vehicles, Assault Value = 830

Defending force 28719 troops, 402 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 438

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Allied adjusted assault: 630

Japanese adjusted defense: 856

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
977 casualties reported
Squads: 49 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 43 (2 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 63 (7 destroyed, 56 disabled)

Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
754th Tank Battalion
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
150th RAC Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Marine Division
50th Tank Brigade
134th Field Artillery Battalion
2/1st Med Regiment
III Indian Corps
183rd Field Artillery Battalion
6th Medium Regiment
IV Indian Corps
1st West African AA Regiment

Defending units:
33rd/A Division
55th Division
33rd/B Division
33rd/C Division
41st Air Defense AA Battalion
6th Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
54th Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.AA Gun Co
36th Field AA Battalion
31st Ind.AA Gun Co
1st RF Gun Battalion
2nd Area Army
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
12th Ind. AA Battalion

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR July 19, 43
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Pre-Invasion action off Addu (16,52)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

9 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Resolution
BB Ramillies
DD Van Galen
APA Fuller

Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

BB Resolution firing at 31st Special Base Force
BB Ramillies firing at Yokosuka 4th SNLF

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Ground combat at 76,47 (near Chungking)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22102 troops, 427 guns, 1480 vehicles, Assault Value = 994

Defending force 40978 troops, 56 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 934

Japanese adjusted assault: 551

Allied adjusted defense: 511

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
722 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 41 (1 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
785 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Division
9th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
Guards Tank Division
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
76th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
11th Group Army
13th Chinese Base Force

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Ground combat at Addu (16,52)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 6975 troops, 115 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 221

Defending force 3321 troops, 11 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Allied adjusted assault: 123

Japanese adjusted defense: 2

Allied assault odds: 61 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Addu !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1818 casualties reported
Squads: 99 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 236 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Assaulting units:
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
188th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
9th Ind Engineer Regiment
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
31st Special Base Force

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Reinforcements: The second Essex and first of the namable CVs arrived on the 19th in Balboa, the USS Alliance. I decided to use all names of ships from the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War for the CVs. The CA/CL will have city names as was the tradition, and the DDs will be named after people, like my grandfathers and others I think are worthy. [;)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]CV Alliance arrives at Balboa[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The old ladies finally got some action and found a job they were ready to excel in.[/font]