See you in Tokyo Bay - Apbarog(A) vs Walker(J) DBB-B Scen28

[CaptBeefheart]

Thanks for the explanations. You're right: better safe than sorry.

Good luck!

Cheers,
CC

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

Thanks for the explanations. You're right: better safe than sorry.

Good luck!

Cheers,
CC

Yeah, and those cruisers could have been bait to draw out the allied CVs with KB lurking behind.

The ships that aborted landing troops at Chittagong likely dropped them at Rangoon and then went to Tavoy to be out of range of your bombers. Didn't you spot a number of IJA units going overland from central Burma toward NE India?

Edit: brain fart - typed Shortlands instead of Chittagong!

[apbarog]

Yes, when the Chittagong landing was aborted (which I didn't know at the time), I saw many units appear at Cox Bazar and Akyab. However, within a week most of those units again disappeared. Now the only task forces I'm definitely seeing are patrol boats looking for subs west of Rangoon.

[apbarog]

29 May 42

Indian Ocean - The only task force spotted is a bunch of patrol boats looking for subs between Akyab and Rangoon.

Solomons - A task force is spotted at Tulagi. Looks like a mixture of troop and cargo ships, combat ships, and small ships. Matches a typical troop delivery task force for my opponent. It shows movement from Lunga, so it may have dropped troops there.

Many Allied ships are due for refit in June. Most of them are transports, some destroyers, lots of miscellaneous ships. I'm upgrading most of what is in port now.

[apbarog]

30 May 42

My hiding ARD in Busuanga, Philippines was discovered last turn. Today CL Yura came and bombarded the port. I had moved the ARD to an adjacent friendly port. The shell game will end soon, I'm sure. The ARD only moves one hex a turn.

In China, just west of Canton, lots of enemy bombers hit my one Chinese corp. The corp has been here since the start of the war. The enemy sent a couple of units that took the town north of Canton back to the southwest, and are now moving into my hex. This is a decent corp. It'll stay there and occupy the enemy for awhile. It's wooded terrain.

The Dutch air force comes out of hiding again, and goes on naval strikes. The task force targeted northwest of Soerbaja has some Oscar CAP, so some bombers are lost. The task force east of Soerbaja does not have CAP. Regardless, no bombs hit anywhere.

It is noted at Calcutta that all enemy armor has moved to Diamond Harbour. Calcutta now has 2 infantry divisions, 2 engineer regiments, 4 artillery units, 2 anti-tank units, and a headquarters. It'll be a couple more turns till my units all reinforce Calcutta. I'm still faking a Diamond Harbour attack.

[apbarog]

31 May 42

Another month complete. This is always good news for the Allies.

Semarang, Java - The base falls to overwhelming numbers. The only places that I'm now defending in numbers is Malang, Soerbaja, and Bandoeng. The first and last are mountainous. I'm going to try something a bit tricky with the Dutch air force, at least what is left of it. They are all restricted units that can't be bought out. I do have a Dutch unit on the Australian coast, as I'd read that you can change the base nationality and then fly Dutch planes to it, but I can only change the base to ABDA. I don't know if that is good enough to be able to fly out some Dutch planes. I'm not willing to spend the points to find out. Maybe I can get some advice?

Regardless, only really long ranged search planes could fly out. My tricky plan is to fly the rest to an inland Dutch base on Borneo. There is one that is a size 1 airfield, inland from Balikpapan. Maybe I could get lucky and have the enemy just overlook it for a year or two?

Calcutta - My large stack will arrive in Calcutta next turn. That will be the time to try a deliberate attack at Calcutta, against 2+ infantry divisions.

[BBfanboy]

ABDA is an unrestricted HQ - you can fly their planes anywhere they can reach.

Sitting at a base with no support the planes will go unserviceable - they may even rot away with no supply.
Can you not disband the unit, or withdraw it?

At the very least, return the pilots to the pools before the base is taken and the planes destroyed.

[apbarog]

I can change Carnavon to ABDA, but the Dutch planes are all Dutch restricted and not ABDA. I didn't know if they could fly to an ABDA base or not.

Yes, last resort is to disband or withdraw the units, saving the pilots first. I also don't know where the planes will reappear if I withdraw them. Could be in Java if I still have a base then? Or if I have no bases, then what?

My thinking for hiding airframes in Borneo was just to try to save them if I'm about to lose them anyway. I can return the pilots to the pool even if I do this.

Rethinking the base discussion, maybe what I needed to do was create an ABDA base in Java, then it might let me assign Dutch restricted air units if they are at that base?

[BBfanboy]

You do not have to change Carnarvon - unrestricted aircraft can go to other nation's bases. Besides, the last A in ABDA stands for Australian!

KNIL is a sub-HQ of ABDA, IIRC. The squadron buyout should only cost 1/4 of the total cost.

[apbarog]

I understand that unrestricted aircraft can basically go anywhere. What I don't understand is if there is a way to move restricted Dutch aircraft, that are "white" and cannot be bought out, to bases that aren't Dutch. I thought I'd read somewhere about changing base ownership of a base in Australia in order to fly Dutch units there. Maybe I misunderstood.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: apbarog

I understand that unrestricted aircraft can basically go anywhere. What I don't understand is if there is a way to move restricted Dutch aircraft, that are "white" and cannot be bought out, to bases that aren't Dutch. I thought I'd read somewhere about changing base ownership of a base in Australia in order to fly Dutch units there. Maybe I misunderstood.

OK - now I understand - you are asking about the "permanently restricted" squadrons that cannot be bought out. You are right that you would have to change a base's ownership to the same as the squadron (KNIL). Doing so would mean you do not have to spend any PP on the Dutch squadrons to use the base, but if they needed to retreat further you would have to change more bases.
The other problem is that if you made Carnarvon or other north Aus. bases KNIL, the Australian restricted squadrons could not use them. Only unrestricted and KNIL planes could operate there.

If you let them fight until destroyed, you might be able to buy them back cheaply. That happens with some units but might not with the Dutch since there is no "home base" for them once the DEI is conquered.

[apbarog]

2 Jun 42


India:

9 Oscars sweep Dacca and find 6 P-39's. 2 P-39's are lost.

The high detection circle in the middle of the Indian Ocean moved closer to India, but no ships are sighted. I know that a CS with a battleship group was in the area. Could be this group, could be carriers, I don't know. I will not commit the British navy without knowing.

At Calcutta, I send many bombers to hit the ground troops in the hex. Many attacks come in, rather fragmented, but the heavy CAP that I have based in Calcutta helps against a strong force of enemy fighters. I lose more planes but not too many more. I intended to do my big ground attack this turn, since my divisions and armor threatening Diamond Harbour arrived in Calcutta. But I forgot, all I set were the air attacks. No matter, we attack this turn. Rough AV is 3500 for our attackers, 1000 for the enemy. It will be a bit ugly, I think, with the urban terrain. Hoping for the best. This is really my only chance to eliminate this invasion. He has 2 divisons at Calcutta, but 2 or 3 more at Diamond Harbour. But Diamond Harbour is clear terrain. A big win at Calcutta could signal the eventual end to about 5 divisions of enemy. Probably won't happen, but it's time to try.


Burma:

The enemy has moved a unit into Imphal. I have a decent brigade there. Over 50 Sally's bomb, causing little damage. No ground attack yet.


Near Rabaul:

A fragment of the Lark Force is destroyed just outside of Rabaul. The original unit had lots of motorised support (more than intended I think). Before the Japanese arrived, I evacuated most of the unit, but a small portion remained. Now that it is destroyed, I'm able to combine some units in Australia.

[apbarog]

3 Jun 42

Near Truk

US sub Sealion fires torpedoes at a large TK/AO task force approaching Truk from the west. One torpedo hits a TK, but is a dud.


Buka

The base is invaded by fast transport.


And the big news southeast of Truk

US sub Cachalot fires 4 torpedoes at CV Junyo heading southeast of Truk. One torpedo hits and explodes. It is worth noting that Junyo is escorted by Yamato and Mutso, one light cruiser, a CS, and about 8 destroyers. I try to get every sub I can between Junyo and Truk this turn.

[apbarog]

3 Jun 42 - India

The Allies make their first big attack at Calcutta. It was bloody, as expected, but not disastrous. I have many more combat squads disabled, while the non-combat losses are more even. The odds aren't even close to winning here.

****************
Ground combat at Calcutta (52,37)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 112927 troops, 1597 guns, 1329 vehicles, Assault Value = 3667

Defending force 35473 troops, 384 guns, 258 vehicles, Assault Value = 969

Allied adjusted assault: 2927

Japanese adjusted defense: 7733

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
3060 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 30 disabled
Guns lost 45 (3 destroyed, 42 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (6 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3854 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 340 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 87 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 81 disabled
Guns lost 91 (3 destroyed, 88 disabled)
Vehicles lost 61 (8 destroyed, 53 disabled)

Assaulting units:
11th Indian Division
18th Australian Brigade
7th Indian Division
16th Australian Brigade
70th British Division
43rd Cavalry Regiment
23rd Indian Division
20th Indian Division
25th Australian Brigade
9th Indian Division
18th British Division
254th Armoured Brigade
Fort William
Waziristan Division
5th Chinese Corps
AHQ Bengal
224 Group Base Force
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Heavy AA Regiment
Eastern Command
1st Bombay Construction Battalion
3rd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
XV Indian Corps
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
43rd Construction Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment
94th Coast AA Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
95th Heavy AA Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
21st Light AA Regiment
22nd Light AA Regiment

Defending units:
5th Division
4th Ind Engineer Regiment
18th Division
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion

*****************

Now there is movement from Diamond Harbour to Calcutta, no doubt a fresh division or two. There is also movement out of Calcutta.

An enemy task force appears at Diamond Harbour. Lots of patrol boats and some xAK's. Probably delivering supply and/or men. I am set for another maximum effort of sweeping, and this time I'm attacking with all of my naval strike aircraft. B-17's will also target Diamond Harbour's airfield.


Imphal

The enemy 143 Infantry Regiment bombards the 75th Indian Brigade and a base force at Imphal. Combat values are even, and there is a fort level of 3. The base will hold as is.


Indian Ocean

Very high detection levels again out in the ocean. One of my subs spots a Val. More evidence that carriers are here. I was close to committing the Brit battleships a few times, but once again, I think it's smarter to not use them. Most leave Ceylon and go back to the western Indian coast.

[BBfanboy]

Attacking in Calcutta is always going to give him the benefit of the urban heavy terrain (+3).
I also wonder whether his two Medium FA regiments were a factor. Mortars and 75" mm Mountain guns don't seem to do much in any terrain with a defence bonus, but anything 120 mm and up can be effective.

You are right to pull back the RN surface fleet from a possible IJN carrier strike. You have lots of subs in the area, so just keep moving them around and sooner or later one will slip inside his screen ... (but getting a non-dud hit requires still more offerings to the gods!).

[apbarog]

4 Jun 42

Lots of action at Diamond Harbour. I sweep the base repeatedly with P-40E's and P-400's against 80 Oscar's and 42 Zero's. I lose far more planes than the enemy. Then 15 B-17's and 5 LB-30's escorted by 24 P-39's go up against 26 Zero's and 44 Oscar's. Losses are minimal, but so is airfield damage. 7 more B-17's arrive on their own against 59 fighters, and all B-17's are damaged. Next are 13 B-17's against 50 fighters, and most are damaged with minimal damage to the airfield. Then 8 Beauforts and 16 Vildebeests arrive against 27 fighters, but the fighters give up quickly. 3 xAK's are torpedoed as is 1 xAKL. No troops reported lost, so it must be a supply convoy. Then my Chinese contingent arrives, with 6 SB-III's escorted by 5 I-16's, but this time the 27 enemy fighters do fight, and most of the Chinese are shot down.

Total losses are 31 P40's, 8 P400's, 4 SB-III's, 5 B-17's, 3 I-16's, and 1 LB-30. The enemy loses 14 Oscar's and 7 Zero's. If I can't significantly damage the airfield this turn, and I'm trying, this war of attrition is not worth it for me.

Near the India/Burma border, Japanese paratroopers drop on an unoccupied Kalemyo and take it. This was the only base I left empty. It's a dot base and was a bit too exposed for me to want to defend it. My checkerboard line is just north of this base.

[apbarog]

5 Jun 42

Diamond Harbour - Multiple Allied air raids here again today, only this time the sweeps don't go in first. At the beginning, 24 Zero's and 44 Oscar's are on CAP. Total Allied losses are 13 P39's, 11 Mohawk's, 9 Blen's, 5 P40's, 4 SB-III's, 3 B25's, 2 B26's, and 1 B-17. Enemy losses are 19 Oscar's and 14 Zero's. A handful of enemy losses are hit on the ground, and airfield damage is in the 20's. The large area of high detection levels shifts east some this turn. With the high number of subs I have in the area, I'd think I'd run into something sometime, but it hasn't happened.

Solomons - The Junyo task force that was hit southeast of Truk about 8 hexes is now about 8 hexes south of Truk, minus Junyo, Mutso, and a few destroyers. A task force with carriers is spotted at Shortlands. I've kept my carriers to the south, not wanting to risk them unnecessarily. If I see a big landing at Guadalcanal, or an attack on Ndeni, I will use them. Ndeni is now a size 1 port and airfield. I'm content to hold what I have for now and build. It's still early, too early to go on the offensive. But I'll hit back if I can. The enemy is still very cautious and careful. I suspect his defensive play will be tough in the coming years, as his offensive play is very defensive in nature. Not a bad thing. I'm similar in some respects. I am willing to take a chance here and there.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: apbarog
A handful of enemy losses are hit on the ground, and airfield damage is in the 20's.

Nope! There is a difference between airbase damage and airfield damage. The value you see on enemy hexes is the airbase damage. The airfield damage is likely much more. Given that, I encourage you to drive the point home and keep attacking the base. Though perhaps you should give your bombers a day of rest; I wouldn't be surprised if Japan is using LRCAP here from Burma and a good day of sweeps will help reduce their effect. But if all the CAP is local then keep going until the airfield is too badly damage for planes to fly and keep it that way.

[apbarog]

I do have enough fighter and bomber units to cycle my attacks. I've actually had to do this, given the losses I am taking. Most of my P40 units were hurt pretty badly earlier. That's why today's losses were mainly P39's and Mohawks...and then lots of bombers.

My biggest worry is that there are lots of carriers in the area, and they could move close and LR CAP the base. That would be ugly for me.

[apbarog]

6 Jun 42

Diamond Harbour - Quiet. Nothing flies, must have been weather. Enemy now has 60 fighters on CAP. The enemy is showing movement from Diamond Harbour to Calcutta still, but this could be a feint. Still 2 divisions, some engineers, and a number of artillery units in Calcutta. I'm pulling some infantry out of Calcutta now. I think some will go help clean up the small incursion into India from Burma.

Indian Ocean - US sub Pike spots a replenishment task force out in the Indian Ocean. 3 AO's spotted with lots of escort. The enemy has had ships loitering out in the middle of the ocean for weeks. Have seen some battleships and a Val or two spotting subs. They are just out there....waiting...for something. My move of a battleship to Madras a few weeks ago really got a reaction. They are out there just waiting to pounce on the Brit Navy. And I just refuse to show up. (See pic for task forces that showed up on the night replay)

Solomons - What looks like a surface group of cruisers and destroyers is south of Guadalcanal, headed for either Ndeni or Luganville. Probably Ndeni, as Luganville is 10 hexes away, too far for a night run-in. Enemy carriers are spotted again at Shortlands. Only seeing 2 CV's right now. The Allied carriers are moving northwest and will be west of Luganville next turn.

Other notes - I have a long range Brit recon unit in India. I think I'll get more use out of it in the South Pacific, so it will hop from Ceylon to Java to Australia. The normal range of 20 is very nice for recon.