The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[obvert]

Also. Most recently he took Mandalay by paradrop, and the next day I bombed it ut and destroyed the para unit fragment, closed the fields, and they've been closed since. I've also been closing Ramree and battling over Akyab. I'ts tough to supply this area, so it's one place the Japanese can still effectively use the 2Es to inhibit Allied progress as long as the AA isn't to severe.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]SW Pacific[/font]

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Here is the situation in the SW Pacific, SO Pac areas. He's pushed to take Lae overland, and hasn't seemed to want to use naval forces other than a brief push to get to PM a while back. This doesn't feel like the main thrust, but it's consistent, and forces are growing. A notable absence has been the USN 4E and 2E planes. Where are they?

Their absence alone tells me something else is in the works.

[Lowpe]

Break your Japanese divisions into thirds, and add a construction engineer unit or two. They will dig in then!

Many thanks for the explanation...and if you are facing only 1000 tanks no problem. [:)] Sheesh, these Burma killer stacks are killing me![:D]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Break your Japanese divisions into thirds, and add a construction engineer unit or two. They will dig in then!

Many thanks for the explanation...and if you are facing only 1000 tanks no problem. [:)] Sheesh, these Burma killer stacks are killing me![:D]

When there's 3000AV on the other side of the same hex, I'm not too keen to break my divisions! [:)]

Could work though elsewhere. Have you found when they recombine they keep the higher fort levels as a full division?

[Spidery]

I split divisions into thirds after about 6 months they will have forts 4 and I recombine them. I then put them to rest/training to avoid expending more supply. Seems to take the lowest fort level of the parts. Not sure that engineer units help get the infantry dug in but they do seem to help units that don't have their own engineers (such as artillery) to get fort level 2 or more.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Break your Japanese divisions into thirds, and add a construction engineer unit or two. They will dig in then!

Many thanks for the explanation...and if you are facing only 1000 tanks no problem. [:)] Sheesh, these Burma killer stacks are killing me![:D]

When there's 3000AV on the other side of the same hex, I'm not too keen to break my divisions! [:)]

Could work though elsewhere. Have you found when they recombine they keep the higher fort levels as a full division?

I wait to recombine them when they all have forts the same level....but it does work.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Break your Japanese divisions into thirds, and add a construction engineer unit or two. They will dig in then!

Many thanks for the explanation...and if you are facing only 1000 tanks no problem. [:)] Sheesh, these Burma killer stacks are killing me![:D]

When there's 3000AV on the other side of the same hex, I'm not too keen to break my divisions! [:)]

Could work though elsewhere. Have you found when they recombine they keep the higher fort levels as a full division?

I wait to recombine them when they all have forts the same level....but it does work.

I just don't have the kind of time this all takes I guess!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 23, 1943[/font]

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Well I just remembered what it's like to play without stacking limits! [:D][X(]

This could be disastrous. I have reinforcements on the way, but had thought I would be facing around 5k AV of Allied troops. Impressive but not unstoppable. Instead this looks like almost 8k AV! [:(]

At least another division is on the way as well one hex out.

So I'm trying to do the only possible thing I can think of to slow this behemouth down: hit it's supply train. There are few troops holding the rear and no airbases in Burma under Allied control are over size 4, and the closest, Lashio, is a size 2. Mandalay is technically Allied but it's damaged and he has no engineers there.

The plan is then to hit Mandalay and paradrop both Mandalay and Schwebo. Simultaneously I'll aim to shut Lashio and Ramree (which I've already been working on). Then I'll start hitting the stack itself to make the AA use up supply as much as possible. This many troops in Burma without a direct road supply line might have trouble being supported, especially after a first attack which it looks like I'm about to see. If I put money on it I would not bet on the IJA in this one.

The Marines are even in there! [:-][X(]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR September 23, 43
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Ground combat at 60,48 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 179926 troops, 2862 guns, 3972 vehicles, Assault Value = 7724

Defending force 48761 troops, 452 guns, 721 vehicles, Assault Value = 1597

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


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


Assaulting units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
40th Infantry Division
254th Armoured Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
16th British Brigade
39th Indian Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st Garrison Brigade
41st Infantry Division
32nd Infantry Division
8th KGV Light Cav Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
25th Indian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
26th Indian Brigade
11th Indian Division
Rifles of Canada Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
45th Indian Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
6th Australian Division
18th British Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
2nd British Division
7th Australian Division
754th Tank Battalion
46th Indian Brigade
14th British Brigade
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
1st Marine Division
150th RAC Regiment
50th Tank Brigade
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
255th Armoured Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
1st Hyderabad Battalion
17th Indian Division
XXXIII Indian Corps

Defending units:
5th Division
2nd Tank Regiment
16th Division
2nd Guards Division
14th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
25th Army
15th Air Defense AA Regiment
8th Area Army
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
1st Air Defense AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd RF Gun Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]One division is walking in from Taung Gyi and should arrive in 2-3 days. Two more divisions are railing to Taung Gyi, another two are walking up the gray road, and a tank division is railing from Prome. Not sure any of it will get there in time. [/font]

[Rio Bravo]

Obvert-

I finally got caught up reading your AAR. What an interesting war you've got yourself into.

I will try to follow, keep up, from here on out. I may not post much as sorta busy myself, but I will definitely be lurking, reading, learning, and making more post-it notes.

*laughing*

Regards,

-Terry

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo

Obvert-

I finally got caught up reading your AAR. What an interesting war you've got yourself into.

I will try to follow, keep up, from here on out. I may not post much as sorta busy myself, but I will definitely be lurking, reading, learning, and making more post-it notes.

*laughing*

Regards,

-Terry

Yeah, interesting started on turn 2. [:D]

Wish it'd been a bit less interesting, but I'll keep plugging along. Very interesting to play a game in DBB with stacking limits and air changes and then this as well. Definitely like the DBB and won't play without SL ever again.

[obvert]

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

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] His subs have been on a tear lately. Every turn something is hit.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CBI: [/font] So the Lashio bombing begins and is off to a decent start. No opposition at least. The base looks to have about 60% damage after two days.

More dramatically, Torsten sends the kitchen sink against Taung Gyi, but his fighters didn't fly the sweeps and he didn't escort. Bombers took a beating, losing about 150 planes of all types to about 35 for the Japanese on the day. He did close the base though, and that causes some problems. The troops are wide open to air strikes, and I foresee a lot of those once his bombers recover. Or maybe sooner. He's definitely trying out the hammer right now.

We did get the valley bases of Mandalay and Schwebo by paras. I expect a counter paradrop soon preceded by annihilation of the IJA troops from the air. Still, suply routines take a while to get moving in certain directions, and even breaking it this once could give us some time to move more troops in. I hope!

I bombarded on the Arakan to make sure there were no new surprises there recently moved in. Looks the same as for the past months. The last time he tried a DA he lost about 20k troops. [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] More jousting here in the air. Nothing serious. The Aussies get Nadzab, which is a big potential airbase. I'll try to hit Lae soon to get to supply behind and destroy the closest field to support these forward troops.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 24, 43
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Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 54
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 51
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 110

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 15 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 55,48 (near Ramree Island)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 630 troops, 35 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 1623

Defending force 95353 troops, 816 guns, 539 vehicles, Assault Value = 3834


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


Assaulting units:
18th Division
3rd RTA Division
2nd RTA Division
2nd Tank Division
6th RTA Division
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
44th Ind.AA Gun Co
11th Air Defense AA Battalion
53rd Field AA Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
84th Indian Brigade
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
5th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
26th Indian/B Division
1st USMC Corps Tank Battalion
Gardner's Horse Regiment
6th Chinese Corps
26th Indian/A Division
8th New Chinese Corps
26th Indian/C Division
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
X' Force
44th Cavalry Engineer Regiment
6th Mixed A/T Mtr Regiment

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Ground combat at Nadzab (98,125)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16881 troops, 285 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 575

Defending force 1470 troops, 21 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 27

Allied adjusted assault: 295

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 59 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Nadzab !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1114 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 44 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 22 (21 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3
Units destroyed 1


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

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
8th Australian Division
30th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
Maizuru 4th SNLF
64th Naval Guard Unit
Maizuru 1st SNLF /2
47th Road Const Co /1

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 25, 43
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Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 54
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 51
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 128


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 17 damaged

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


Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 77
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 54

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 7
Hudson IIIa x 3
Liberator B.III x 12
Liberator GR.III x 12
Wellington Ic x 15
Beaufort V x 12
Hudson I x 3
Bolingbroke IV x 12
B-17E Fortress x 30
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 57
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 32
B-25D1 Mitchell x 21
B-25G Mitchell x 16
PV-1 Ventura x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
A-29A Hudson: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 2 destroyed
Liberator B.III: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Liberator GR.III: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort V: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Hudson I: 1 destroyed
Bolingbroke IV: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 destroyed, 16 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25G Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 3 destroyed

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


Airbase hits 35
Airbase supply hits 28
Runway hits 116

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 52
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 33

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16
Blenheim IV x 3
Liberator II x 12
139WH-3 x 6
B-17E Fortress x 9
B-17F Fortress x 8
B-24D Liberator x 15
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
PV-1 Ventura x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 4 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
Liberator II: 1 damaged
139WH-3: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

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


Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PV-1 Ventura bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 36
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-17E Fortress x 19
B-24D1 Liberator x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 38

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 63 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 3

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Shwebo !!!

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


Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /1

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Ground combat at Mandalay (59,46)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 43 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

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

Japanese adjusted assault: 4

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mandalay !!!

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Raiding Rgt /2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

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[Lowpe]

Great day in the air! Why doesn't he sweep, or do you think he tried to and they didn't fly for whatever reason?

Poor bombing results with those Helen's at 8K, seems like a fair amount of flak.

This is an interesting game, given the fiasco that was Pearl Harbor way back in 1941.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Great day in the air! Why doesn't he sweep, or do you think he tried to and they didn't fly for whatever reason?

Poor bombing results with those Helen's at 8K, seems like a fair amount of flak.

This is an interesting game, given the fiasco that was Pearl Harbor way back in 1941.

Historiker is a bit of an all or nothing player so far. He seems content to build up massive force then try to bludgeon the Japanese into submission along narrow fronts. This could work for him here, especially with no SL. It's actually not a bad way to go since the force can be applied all to one spot, plus without the beta to lessen coordination of air strikes, I'm finding the solid mass of bombers unstoppable.

His sweeps all would have come from Chittagong. One base. I'm pretty sure he just had bad weather. He sent me one Hellcat group pic and it looked very ready to roll, with no fatigue and high morale, but didn't. All your eggs, as they say.

It's interesting for me too. I decided somewhere after my naval traps failed in the IO that I was going to have to prepare a very defensive plan. I was influenced a bit by Capt Cruft at that point and decided on a modified, late developing 'Hive' style defense. So the background prep by engineers is going on around the inner perimeter, and I'm using all PPs to buy out troops to garrison those areas, I've kept the outer perimeter intentionally light on forces. Burma has the majority because that's where most of his stuff is (more than I'd thought even). It's intended as a holding force though, and economically I'm just trying to save, save, save.

Currently up to 5.3 million fuel, 5 million supply globally. Almost nothing left out in the deep Cent Pac and only a delaying force in So Pac. Each of the Marianas is approaching readiness. A division, CD guns, some arty, and soon a brigade for each as well. Level 6-7 forts.

Northern New Guinea will get some good troops. Sarmi is a intended to be a hardpoint with Biak a major air node. Ambon will be a tough nut, as will Timor I hope. Other than that, much of the late stuff will be heading to the islands between Kyushu and Taiwan. Good forces in the PI. The Kuriles wil continue to be developed and garrisoned more heavily.

It's nice having a buffer in China. I'm working to fortify the coast, and there's enough industry left that China supports itself. [:)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]September 30, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CBI: [/font] THE ALLIES STRIKE! THE IJA HOLDS!!![X(][&o][&o]

Unbelievably, the 2k AV of very experienced IJA divisions manages to hold off 8k+ of the best the Allies have to offer. I don't know how this happened, but I'm doing cartwheels!

One thing I noticed is that we have a (+) for leaders. He only has one HQ in this pile. We have two with great leaders in hex plus the Burma army and Southern army both in range. That's a huge advantage.

The losses make this much more serious than it could have been and a day 2 attack seems unlikely given his probable supply constraints and the amount of losses and disablements on the other side.

So. In about three days a tank division will enter the hex, and in another 2-3 days two more crack divisions will arrive should we hold that long. Two days after that another two will make it. So in a week we'll have potentially a very effective blockade. That may be too much time if he can strike again in the next few days.

I'll risk direct bombing of the stack with the 150 Helens in the area to burn supply. Bettys will continue to hit Lashio to kill supply. Defensive fighters are ready to move back into a fully repaired Taung Gyi and I'll keep hitting Ramree and maybe even Akyab to keep the short range fighters away.

This is looking up! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Another tanker lost near Kendari. The Seal. He's doing really well with subs and this with the best ASW air coverage I can put together.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Sporadic bombing and lots of P-38 sweeps. Looks like he'll walk from Nadzab to Saidor. Not a goo choice if you ask me. I'm planning to move in rotating BB bombardments to hit this Aussie division once it's there. May not save the base, but could wreck the division.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR September 30, 43
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Ground combat at 60,48 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 206707 troops, 3176 guns, 5157 vehicles, Assault Value = 8411

Defending force 61483 troops, 586 guns, 763 vehicles, Assault Value = 2046

Allied adjusted assault: 4149

Japanese adjusted defense: 5500

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
2409 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 434 disabled
Non Combat: 61 destroyed, 79 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Guns lost 72 (7 destroyed, 65 disabled)
Vehicles lost 197 (126 destroyed, 71 disabled)
Units destroyed 1[/color]


Allied ground losses:
9501 casualties reported
Squads: 148 destroyed, 1090 disabled
Non Combat: 81 destroyed, 309 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 86 disabled
Guns lost 123 (19 destroyed, 104 disabled)
Vehicles lost 401 (125 destroyed, 276 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


Assaulting units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
26th Indian Brigade
18th British Division
39th Indian Division
Americal Infantry Division
45th Indian Brigade
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
46th Indian Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
41st Infantry Division
16th British Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
BFF Brigade
2nd Gordons Battalion
8th KGV Light Cav Regiment
6th Australian Division
14th British Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
1st Marine Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
25th Indian Division
255th Armoured Brigade
72nd British Brigade
17th Indian Division
754th Tank Battalion
Rifles of Canada Battalion
7th Australian Division
1st Garrison Brigade
254th Armoured Brigade
40th Infantry Division
50th Tank Brigade
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
1st Hyderabad Battalion
2nd British Division
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
193rd Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
11th Indian Division
9th Australian Division
XXXIII Indian Corps

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
16th Division
48th Division
2nd Guards Division
14th Tank Regiment
5th Division
11th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Air Defense AA Battalion
15th Air Defense AA Regiment
25th Army
3rd RF Gun Battalion
45th Ind.AA Gun Co
8th Area Army
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]If I stop this axis and the Arakan thrust, how many more troops can there be?[/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]October 1-2, 1943[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The KIX hits an xAKL at Darwin, but the PB escorting knocks it with 6 hits, at least one direct.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CBI: [/font] On the 30th bombers heading to Ramree were jumped for the first time by LR CAP coming from Akyab. This base only has around 60 fighters and 40 bombers listed, so I decided to hit it directly. Sweeps decimated the CAP and only a few planes were left to disrupt the bombing, none of which did. On the day the base was hit hard and nearly if not completely closed. A number of bombers were destroyed on the ground and the sweepers got better than 3:1 on the day against older Allied airframes.

Our bombing went back to Ramree for the next day to keep good damage and reduce supply on that base before returning to Akyab in case of better LR CAP from Chittagong showing up.

Sweeps hit Taung Gyi, and the defenders did very well right up until the P-47s showed up! I was experimenting with a high/low CAP setting, putting Georges at max and Tojos layered under 10k. It worked well against the Hellcats, Hurris and even the Corsairs, and it wasn't just the Georges do ing the shooting. Several kills were from the Tojo IIc down low.

Because the P-47s have an extra 1k max altitude they got the dive added to their already impressive stats and wiped the floor with all groups irrespective of altitude. I need the Frank badly, which arrives in 2-3 weeks.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] The Allies are getting bold with their naval strikes, leaving certain groups on very long range settings including area around Rabaul. I wasn't expecting this and happened to be sweeping with some fighters on Oct. 1 as some Banshees escorted by around 60 P-38s arrived. Although 20 P-38Gs were shot down the Banshees put some hits on two Yusen-N transports, sinking one and severely damaging the other. CAP was tripled for the 2nd but low flying B-25D1 still made it through.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 1, 43
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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 14
P-39N1 Airacobra x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 25
P-40N1 Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-44-IIc Tojo sweeping at 31000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 145 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 186

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-39N1 Airacobra x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 5
P-40N1 Warhawk x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed
P-39N1 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed
P-40N1 Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet
44 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet
26 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet
43 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet
35 x N1K1-J George sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 28
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 21
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 49
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 79

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 15 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
DB-7B: 2 destroyed on ground
Vengeance I: 8 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 66

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 29

Allied aircraft
P-40N1 Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 14 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
DB-7B: 1 destroyed on ground
Vengeance I: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 21
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
A-24B Banshee x 10
P-38G Lightning x 59

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24B Banshee: 1 damaged
P-38G Lightning: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AK Kazuura Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-10
AK Akiura Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x A-24B Banshee releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 21


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kazuura Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Asakaze Maru
xAP Ural Maru
AK Toa Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR October 2, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 26
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 58

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed


CAP engaged:
261 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 41010 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 41010.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
47th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 33000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 17 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
85th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 20 on standby, 13 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 26
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 41
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 55

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 38,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 33
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 46

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 22
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 25
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 37

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 15
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 22

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Taung Gyi , at 59,48

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 128

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 42000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rabaul at 106,125

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
A6M5 Zero x 13
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 42
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 11



Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
P-38G Lightning x 35
F4U-1 Corsair x 20


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 7 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

Japanese Ships
PB Aoi Maru, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
PB Banshu Maru #51, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

---

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Not bad for the two days, and his replacements shoudn't be able to take this for long. The P-47 sweeps are a problem though and I really need the Frank, still several weeks away from production. [/font]

[obvert]

I forgot to mention that as predicted there was no follow-up ground battle. I would guess the units with low disruption, probably some of the big tank units and better divisions, were still low on supply.

The tank division is due next turn in reserve mode. If it arrives in the middle of the battle it could still go into combat if it looks bad for the IJA, so that's a plus. One more RF gun AT arty unit just arrived and two more are on the way as well. I'm also sending some more AA guns now that it looks like this could turn into a long battle. They're railing from Toungoo to Taung Gyi now.

All units have already recovered disabled devices a bit and are lowering disruption quickly. The HQs help for sure, plus a shipment of 50k supply just landed in Rangoon. We still have the better internal lines, and the Allied supply line is dangerously long to any gray road/rail link to India.

[obvert]

On the Arakan side a Thai division has just built a level 6 fort!!! [X(]

I've never seen such high forts from a unit in the field. I'm tempted to pull the other IJA units back to see what would happen if the Allies attack. [:)]

I'll leave them for now but it's nice to know I might have this option should the Allies attempt to flank around to Prome.

[Lowpe]

Obvert,

Do you think the RF Gun Battlaions do any good? Mine seem to take up space, and never really hit the Allied vehicles that hard. I guess you can't expect wonders from so small a group, but I am beginning to think their use should be on islands.

If I recall correctly they are air transportable.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Obvert,

Do you think the RF Gun Battlaions do any good? Mine seem to take up space, and never really hit the Allied vehicles that hard. I guess you can't expect wonders from so small a group, but I am beginning to think their use should be on islands.

If I recall correctly they are air transportable.

Well, if you look at the previous combat he had over twice as many tanks knocked out as the Japanese. This has to be some of the AT guns, both in divisions and in these units. They're much more effective when dug in. I also try to get them at least average leaders. Hard to say how much they help as these are in the divisions too, but they can't hurt. They may not destroy a Sherman, but they could damage it. Better than letting them sit in Manchuria!

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Obvert,

Do you think the RF Gun Battlaions do any good? Mine seem to take up space, and never really hit the Allied vehicles that hard. I guess you can't expect wonders from so small a group, but I am beginning to think their use should be on islands.

If I recall correctly they are air transportable.

Well, if you look at the previous combat he had over twice as many tanks knocked out as the Japanese. This has to be some of the AT guns, both in divisions and in these units. They're much more effective when dug in. I also try to get them at least average leaders. Hard to say how much they help as these are in the divisions too, but they can't hurt. They may not destroy a Sherman, but they could damage it. Better than letting them sit in Manchuria!

And those damaged Shermans are then easily to turn into asploded Shermans... also don't forget that a lot of the armor that comes from the British is the Stuart I and Stuart VI (Armor 45 and 60), and the Grant (Armor 65), all 3 of which are significantly less durable than an M4 Sherman (Armor 90).

The 47mm AT gun, which I think the RT units get access to very early on (?), is a pretty decent upgrade over the 37mm.