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

[Jorge_Stanbury]

It had been a long time, the game has slowed down both in game terms as well as in real time: fewer turns per week, as Prester John has been busy lately

So what is new?

First of all, date is now June 22nd, positions are static from the last update. I will start with a brief region by region update:

Indian Ocean:
- As you can see, Formidable and damaged escorts will arrive next turn to Mombasa, a level 4 port with 250 naval support moved in to expedite repairs. The goal of course is to reduce it as much as possible as to allow withdrawal.
I will have 73 days to reduce significant damage: 55 system, 64 flood (9 major), 34 engine (8 major). I hope naval support can reduce all minor damage as I don't want to move it to Cape Town.
Of course failure to withdraw after 73 days will be horrendous in terms of PP.

Diego Garcia:
- Same as before, CVL Hermes is slowly reducing damage while BB Revenge, DDs and Fulmars/ Sea Hurricanes/ Albacores are guarding it

[Jorge_Stanbury]

India
- Hyderabad is now at fort level 4, airfierld level 9. I noticed no more penalties due to overstacked airfields?
- Madras is at fort level 4.79, airfield at 7.18, port at 5
- Japanese Colombo at 63 airfield damage, 21(20) light industry. Trincomalee at 83 airfield damage. There are getting daily (unopposed) bombings from several squadrons (both B-17s and 2E)
- Several reinforcements are coming in the next few turns, both air and LCUs. They will come handy soon
- First submarine attack near Karachi. One unescorted tanker sunk
- Lots of Dutch (empty) squadrons appeared at Aden. I will move them to Karachi/ Bombay and then figure out how many I can keep as airframes are running low

SW Pacific
- After the small disaster of Ndeni invasion + bombing at Luganville, I think I managed to re-built credible defenses there.
Luganville is now at 32K supply (from 1800 after the bombardment) the airfield at 2.82 forts at 3.13, 240 mines, 24 PTs

[Jorge_Stanbury]

China
China is a complete mess/ complete disaster. There is basically no supply left, other than around 13K in Chongking and a few thousands on major cities: Wenchow, Kunming, Changsa, Chengdu, Kweijang
everywhere else it is starvation. At the moment he is happy just bombing Kieko, Wenchow, Ankang
he also captured Chihking recently.

I haven't figured out what is he trying to achieve with the troops inside the red circle... my guess is he wants to stop any supply moving east.. which I am fully in agreement as there is not even enough to cover the surroundings of Chongking
Land war (specially in China) is my blind spot.. so any help will be greatly appreciated

[BBfanboy]

Repairing Formidable's major Floatation damage requires that she be put in a drydock big enough to hold her. Does Mombasa have such a dock, or is Formidable's major floatation damage less than 50? AFAIK major engineering and floatation damage must be under 50 in total for her to withdraw. If it cannot be repaired sufficiently to withdraw in Mombasa, better send it to the much better base at Cape Town where it will repair quicker.

You are correct about no overstacking penalties on level 9 or 10 airfields. That does not mean the air support squads there can handle an infinite number of engines/airframes. They will repair what they can and can even get high fatigue levels trying to keep up with demand. In these circumstances I usually send about half the squadrons out on ops while the remainder rest and train, then switch the ops/rest groups next time if I can. It helps keep the squadrons effective with less fatigue and more serviceable airframes.

The empty Dutch bomber squadrons may be able to use the B-25Cs that the Dutch bought and, I think, are not usable by any other nation. Same would go for the Dutch version of the Buffalo fighter and possibly the PBYs (not sure if some are in an exclusive Dutch pool).

Re: China - my expertise qualifies me to give only this sage advice - Run Away! Run Away! [;)]

EDIT: PS re: Formidable - land her air group ASAP if you have not already done so. They do not have to be aboard for withdrawal, and they can transfer to other bases via air transport TF.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Formidable air groups disembarked at Addu, long before starting the dangerous trip. They are now guarding Hermes at Diego Garcia/ Addu

Indomitable air groups did the trip to Mombasa, but this was long ago. They are now in cargo ships unloading at Bombay, in a few days they will be back in operations. Indomitable already withdrew.

Formidable damage is: 55 system, 64 flood (9 major), 34 engine (8 major). I moved a naval HQ from Bombay to Mombasa to get it fixed quicker. I am confident they will reduce the damage enough in the next 73 days, as most damage is minor.

As per the Dutch: there is one USA group (3rd BG/90th BS)that can take Dutch B-25Cs and they already got the planes. Of course I will change planes to a US model so the Dutch pools grow. Most will take secondary/ second line roles (Buffalos specially) but the addition of Dutch Catalinas is very good news for the Indian ocean

China: problem is there is nowhere to run [:(] at least he is consuming copious amounts of supply on those bombardments

[BBfanboy]

Great news on Formidable's small tally of major damage. I think the other number for withdrawal is 75 total points of damage, so what you have done sounds good! Count down the points of damage and withdraw her as soon as you can. (Don't you get bonus PP for withdrawing early?)

[Jorge_Stanbury]

No PP points for early ship withdrawal (only squadrons). I am sure about that because I have already withdrawn several ships, and in most cases many days in advance, as I am afraid of somehow forgeting about it and then sending the ship in a long range mission far away from a withdrawal port.

Some told me the thresholds are:
less than 100 points combined
less than 50 points on each category

[BBfanboy]

The advice you got is probably better than mine. I looked in the manual and it doesn't mention damage at all in the withdrawal section, and the damage section does not mention withdrawal.[&:]

I'll just wish you luck with getting repairs done in time for withdrawal. May the Ports be with you!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Repairs are going much better than expected. I am now sure I will withdraw Formidable before its due date

[Jorge_Stanbury]

After some quiet turns, he finally brought carriers to deal with damaged CVL Hermes at Diego Garcia

I don't know his exact intentions and/ or if he will plan to invade, but it is safe to assume this is not the KB; most likely Zuiho, Hosho and maybe Ryujo

What is the welcoming party??

- BB Revenge + 5 DDs

- 6 submarines

- Diego Garcia level 2 airbase which includes:
**** 26 Martlets, all at 100% CAP
**** 10 Fulmars on escort
**** 26 Albacores on low naval attack

As long as I can inflict losses, I really don't care if mine are terrible, all units at Diego Garcia are disposable

Might be fun to watch

[BBfanboy]

Do you have an Air HQ to arm those Albacores with torps?
That would be really tense for both sides!
Luck!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

No, regrettably there is no HQ, I should had rush one some weeks ago, but I didn't.
It was going to be a dangerous trip anyway, he had submarines close and I didn't have enough escorts or even the shipping available at Bombay for moving some HQs.

I still have a good chance against the carriers: Japanese CVLs/ CVEs are soft skinned, a couple bombs and there is a good chance of fire dooming the ships.

And of course, this will be mostly a defensive battle, I can see the air battle being fought on Diego Garcia: maybe a naval strike against BB Revenge, hopefully intercepted and destroyed by the Martlets.
The offensive Albacores/ Fulmars, assuming they decided to launch, will likely end badly beaten, but there is always a chance of a few passing through and scoring a few bombs.

Finally, the spotted BBs are too far away to engage tomorrow at nightime. I don't believe they will take part of tomorrow's action.

[BBfanboy]

As long as those BBs don't decoy your strike away from the CVL/CVE TF ...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And I forgot to mention:

- AO Ondo was torpedoed near Nagoya, heavy damage + fires

- China; I caught 3 unescorted bomber squadrons with LRCAP. Using my best planes (H81A3, Lancers)
On the other hand, he sent sweeps to Chongqing, and the old Soviet biplanes paid dearly




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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 6
I-15-III x 9
Hawk 75M x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-15-III: 3 destroyed
Hawk 75M: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
5th FG/27th FS CAF with Hawk 75M (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
3rd FG/28th FS CAF with I-15-III (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
3rd FG/32nd FS CAF with I-15-III (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
11th FG/41st FS CAF with I-16-III (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
I-16-III: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th FG/41st FS CAF with I-16-III (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
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Morning Air attack on 43rd Chinese Corps, at 78,45 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 19

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
4th FG/24th FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
11th FG/42nd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead



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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-44 Tojo x 3

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-44 Tojo sweeping at 20000 feet *
9 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet



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Morning Air attack on 63rd Chinese Corps, at 77,43 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 12

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
5th FG/17th FS CAF with H81-A3 (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
5th FG/29th FS CAF with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
11th FG/44th FS CAF with H81-A3 (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead
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Morning Air attack on 43rd Chinese Corps, at 78,45 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 9

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
4th FG/24th FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
11th FG/42nd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
11th FG/43rd FS CAF with P-43A-1 Lancer (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Raid is overhead



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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

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Sub attack near Nagoya at 109,63

Japanese Ships
AO Ondo, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shoei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Drum

SS Drum launches 4 torpedoes at AO Ondo
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Sub attack near Nagoya at 109,63

Japanese Ships
PB Shoei Maru
AO Ondo, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Drum

SS Drum launches 2 torpedoes at PB Shoei Maru
Drum diving deep ....
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shoei Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Also, I just realized that CV Formidable can withdraw, this after only 3 days of repairs

Interesting to notice that system is over 50 and total combined is over 100
This contradicts the thresholds I was told;


EDIT: couple questions:
- I like captain La T Bisset; he is one of the heroes of Andaman sea. Would he leave the theatre or would he go to the pools once I withdraw the ship?
- Formidable is scheduled to return; would there be an impact on the return time if I send it damaged? in other words, would it make sense to keep repairing it for the next 70 days?

[BBfanboy]

AFAIK the captain stays with the ship. You would have to pay PP to replace him to get him in the pools, then pay PP again to put him on another ship
.
Withdrawing while in significantly damaged condition does affect the time to return, but I am unclear whether an early withdrawal would cause the AI to repair the ship up front and possibly complete repairs before it affects the period between withdrawal deadline and return date. If the AI does not start repairs until the return date you would have a considerable delay.

[jwolf]

As long as the ship is in a secure place (and Mombasa certainly is) what is the harm in keeping it there until the withdrawal date in order to repair more of the damage? [&:]

BTW I am anxious to see a report on the action near Diego Garcia. Good luck!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Yes, with BBfanboy's confirmation that ship damage affects return time, I am no longer in a hurry to withdraw Formidable; he will remain in Mombasa until it fixes all system and all minor engine and float damage... This should take 33 days according to the estimates... then of course the only harm is that it will be a big temptation to send it once again to battle [;)]

And CPT Arthur William La Touche Bisset will remain regardless of the PP cost. I want him on CV Illustrious once he gets in action... this will happen in the next few weeks

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
then of course the only harm is that it will be a big temptation to send it once again to battle [;)]

Well yes I admit that is a problem. [;)]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

As expected, last turn he attacked the BB TF at Diego Garcia. He was smart and set the strike at 7 hexes; outside the range of my naval attack mission (Albacores can do 7 ranges extended, Fulmars can't, and sending TB alone is suicide).


1st wave: a sweep of 19 Zeroes clearly defeated 26 Martlets

2nd wave: 19 Zeroes and 24 Kates B5N1 against 10 Marlets. Once again, Zeroes ruled and the 24 Kates passed through untouched.
BB Revenge torpedoed once. Although it is not at risk of sinking, it is also no longer fit for naval combat. Thereby, I decided to disband it in port, it will become a bomb magnet; hopefully getting hit by 250KG bombs only.

Disbanding BB Revenge, means he can now naval bombard at ease. Thus I will re-base all the Albacores to Addu as it is obvious he won't get within range and Albacore pools are not deep

Based on the size of the strikes, I think I am dealing with CVLs Ryujo, Zuiho and CVE Hosho

Total losses (personal tally):
- 9 Martlets
- 3 Zeroes destroyed, 3 damaged --> all air-to-air
- 3 Kates destroyed, 4 damaged --> all flak

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Afternoon Air attack on Diego Garcia , at 11,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 10000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diego Garcia at 11,62

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N1 Kate x 24

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N1 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 1
DD Isaac Sweers

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
6 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
No.135 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes