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

[Jorge_Stanbury]

It had been 3 turns since miniKB attacked Revenge; and it simply disappeared. My best guess is he figured out trying to bomb a battleship with the limited strike capability of 3 CVLs/ CVEs was going to be a futile exercise.

This achieved the objective of defending Diego Garcia and CVL Hermes. It also gave me a good picture of what are the capabilities of the IJN in the Indian Ocean; this information will come handy in a few more weeks

Also in the news; check who is back ! [:)]
PoW was torpedoes near Singkawang in early December; it took a lot of time and effort to send it to safety and then to get fully repaired


What else?
2 successful submarine attacks: xAK Seikai Maru sunk, CL Nagara torpedoed; it won't likely sink but at least it will take a long time to repair as it happened near Ndeni and far away from shipyards


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kirakira at 116,142

Japanese Ships
xAK Seikai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-32

xAK Seikai Maru is sighted by SS S-32
SS S-32 launches 2 torpedoes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ndeni at 119,143

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Torpedo hits 1
DD Kikuzuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Wakaba
DD Hokaze
DD Hayate

Allied Ships
SS S-33

SS S-33 launches 4 torpedoes at CL Nagara
S-33 diving deep ....
DD Hokaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hayate fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: 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?

WOW! So much for prevailing player wisdom!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

No matter how long we have played, there is still so much to learn [:)]

June 30th was a good turn; 3 highlights:

- Allied "S" submarines S-18 and S-42 torpedoed 2 xAPs and sunk one PB
- Intense "sweep" battles over Chungking
- 2 Japanese xAKs approaching Trincomalee bombed by 2E bombers from Madras

1st: Submarines; a picture worth a thousand words:


The PB was confirmed sunk; while the 2 xAPs will probably survive, that said there in nowhere to go for shipyard repairs; so with some luck they might end sinking later on.

S-42 was damaged and will return for its well deserved reward

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ocean Island at 130,130

Japanese Ships
xAP Buenos Aires Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Kuri

Allied Ships
SS S-42, hits 4

SS S-42 launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Buenos Aires Maru
S-42 bottoming out ....
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Toyohara at 126,46

Japanese Ships
PB Zuiko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS S-18

SS S-18 launches 2 torpedoes at PB Zuiko Maru
Sub escapes detection


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Ocean Island at 130,130

Japanese Ships
xAP Huzi Maru, Torpedo hits 1
DD Kuri

Allied Ships
SS S-42, hits 3

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

SS S-42 launches 2 torpedoes at xAP Huzi Maru
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Ocean Island at 129,129

Japanese Ships
xAP Huzi Maru
DD Kuri

Allied Ships
SS S-42

SS S-42 is sighted by escort
S-42 diving deep ....
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kuri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Then naval attack by 2E bombers and Hurricanes near Trincomalee.
2 xAK, probably carrying supplies on fire after each receiving a 500lb bomb. One also got hit by a 20mm cannon


Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 34,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Kinkasan Maru
xAK Kiyozumi Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 34,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Igasa Maru
xAK Kinkasan Maru, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 4 x 250 lb SAP Bomb

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Last but not least... the crestfallen update: CHINA

I had the daily dose of unopposed bombings/ artillery strikes; with China spending blood and Japan spending supply.

But I had a series of 4 intense air battles (all sweeps) over Chungking.
These battles ended in a tactical draw, strategic disaster. This because Japan will need no more than 2 weeks to recover the 13 Oscars lost, while China had lost 1/3 of its fighter force (16 planes lost)

At this rate, by the end of July there won't be any Chinese fighter planes, this of course will mean daily strategic bombing on Chungking and increased supply consumption

[IdahoNYer]

Good to see your subs doing some damage! No US fighters in China?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

No USAAF fighters in China; not anymore [;)] AVG groups have a withdrawal date of early July and they all had withdrawn.

I didn't change the AVG groups early enough to P-40Es (a mistake), so by the time I wanted to, Chungking was below 20K supply and couldn't do it.
I also moved AVG group #1 to India (that was a good decision as it really helped on the dark days of the Calcutta invasion). they got P-40E as soon as they reached Bombay.

So for a long time I had 2 AVG groups at Chungking doing all the heavy lifting while Chinese squadrons trained. This of course had a big impact to H81-A3 airframe attrition. To the point that AVG group #3 was disbanded to provide planes to AVG #2

Then maybe a month ago, AVG #2 was also disbanded to give the planes to the Chinese; which were very short on airframes and relatively well trained after 3 months of training missions

But the biggest problem with China is lack of supply. with a close second being the fact that it is completely cutoff from "Allied" India, with Benares the closest airbase (at 28 hexes [X(])
Moreover; Benares is now flying the Australian flag (it was recaptured by Australians), so not even the idle Chinese DC-3 transport planes can re-base here [:@]


scrapping the barrel; but notice the replacement ratio of 25 fighters per month (12 P-43, 13 P-66)

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Moreover; Benares is now flying the Australian flag (it was recaptured by Australians) ...

This rule seems to be perverse. I can understand it for islands, but not for the major land areas such as China, India, and Australia.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Moreover; Benares is now flying the Australian flag (it was recaptured by Australians) ...

This rule seems to be perverse. I can understand it for islands, but not for the major land areas such as China, India, and Australia.

Not really perverse - the unit needs to be assigned to an unrestricted HQ so it can go where it is needed. Otherwise, it is closely tied to its restricted HQ and can only do things within its mandate.
Of course, the Aussies could let the IJA re-take the base and then let the Indian army conquer it... [:'(]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I would say that at least it should be possible to change back to the original HQ for free.
Not to mention it is really an eyesore to see American or Australian flags on India; they are liberating, not invading the continent.

And it is not worth to do any poltical point base change (too expensive) or to let him retake, as he might want to keep it afterwards [;)]

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I would say that at least it should be possible to change back to the original HQ for free.
Not to mention it is really an eyesore to see American or Australian flags on India; they are liberating, not invading the continent.

Agree completely. If there is any sort of wish list for future hypothetical updates I would endorse this one!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Game is in "pause" mode since last week, as Prester John is on "half term break". Next turn will arrive sometime Saturday or Sunday

So in the meantime, I will take the time to review naval losses:

This is by far the month with lowest losses since the start of the war; there had been one carrier strike and no naval engagements other than submarine attacks.

Japan
Loss of DDs Arashio and Hibiki confirmed, although for some reason they are not in the tracker yet. That said I am confident that the 25 destroyers shown are relatively accurate. Notice this category includes TBs and DMS; anything that is or was a DD.

CV Junyo and CA Mikuma are still showing as sunk, but I won't report them as I really don't believe they sank

3 CLs... I would say at least 1, maybe two sank

Submarines are very deceptive, I have no clue how many were sink. In the last month I confirmed SSX Ha-10 sunk by a Dutch submarine... using torpedoes [:-] These guys are only accurate when the target is irrelevant,

Cargo ships and a PB sunk are real. All due to submarines

Allies
Biggest win was that although I got 3 British carriers seriously damaged, they all survived. CVL Hermes is the only one at risk, getting fixed (slowly) in Diego Garcia. Prester John knows it, and tried to bomb it with mini-KB

BB Revenge was torpedoed by mini KB in Diego Garcia, it is now guarding the port. The hope is is that if mini KB tries to bomb Diego Garcia, most of the hits will go to Revenge instead of Hermes. And you need a lot of 250kg bombs to sink a battleship. Only the real KB can provide that firepower and it is hopefully far away.

All other losses, including 2 precious tankers [:(] sunk by submarines

[jwolf]

Didn't you sink a Japanese carrier in the surface action near the Andamans some time ago? I would have thought that was a confirmed sinking as it showed during the combat report (and presumably during the replay for that turn).

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Yes cvl shoho sank in late April. [:)]
it was added last month. 1st category for Japan

Cv junyo was not included in the tally

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Finally Prester John is back and I got the turn. It's being a little more than a week, and I got some interesting news:

First: Previous report of sinking of CV Junyo incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service

so at last the intelligence service realized that one torpedo atack, a few hexes from Osaka, is not enough to sink a carrier.
Also CL Nagara is now reported as sunk. it was torpedo on June 29th near Ndeni, maybe it did sink in the long way home?


Second: Mini KB attacked Diego Garcia, or better to say, it attack 2 cargo TFs: one was unloading supplies, the other one returning to Mombasa. Results were not good at all:
Summary: I lost 13 Martlets, 5 Fulmars, 3 xAKs and 4 tiny xAKLs
Japan lost 2 Kates, maybe 2 Zeros

The only good news here is that I can assess the capabilities of Japan in the Indian ocean and that is information that will come handy soon:
Morning: 1 sweep of 19 Zeroes
then a strike of 17 Zeroes and 19 Kates

Afternoon: strike of 15 Zeroes and 27 Kates
At least one Zero squadron was kept on CAP duty

Lets assume that he has 30 Kates (3 used for naval search)
then 20 on sweep, 18 on escort. 30 on CAP?

Doing the math: Zuiho = 30 planes, Hosho 20, Ryujo 48 = 98 planes in total

so it makes sense to assume that it is CVLs Zuiho, Ryujo and CVE Hosho

One last one: a mine was "swept" by MTB G-3 in Tulagi
TF 400 encounters mine field at Tulagi (114,137)
Japanese Ships
MTB G-3, Mine hits 1, heavy damage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Diego Garcia , at 11,62

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 12
Martlet II x 23

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 2 destroyed
Martlet II: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.803 Sqn FAA with Fulmar 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 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 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, 9 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 14 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Diego Garcia at 11,62

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
B5N1 Kate x 19

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 4
Martlet II x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
xAK City of Manchester, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Sophocles
xAK Clan Macinness, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Anglo Canadian

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

CAP engaged:
No.803 Sqn FAA with Fulmar II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 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 35 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diego Garcia at 10,62

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
B5N1 Kate x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Circe
xAKL Raub, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Cornish City, Bomb hits 5, on fire
xAKL Kuala, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Pahang, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Lipis, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Raub
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Pahang
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Lipis
Massive explosion on xAKL Kuala
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kuala


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Diego Garcia at 10,62

Japanese Ships
SS I-156

Allied Ships
xAK Cornish City, Torpedo hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

SS I-156 launches 4 torpedoes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

July 8th:

- Diego Garcia was attacked by 42 Kates escorted by 15 Zeros. This throw away my calculations [&:]
maybe Taiyo is also included in mini KB??
otherwise, it is around: 42 Kates and 20+18+18 Zeros??

anyway, the strike didn't do any damage, other than 1 port hit that is already fixed.
and I shot down 6 Kates [:)]

- In other news; yesterday was an intense night for USN submarines. I counted 6 attacks; all on tankers, but most were "hit no explosion".
Only one torpedo hit on TK Nissim maru. This tanker received 4 hits only one detonated. I didn't see any visible damage, so I think it will survive

- also: first time I have seen a promotion and 2 more Marine squadrons are carrier trained..


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Diego Garcia , at 11,62

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
B5N1 Kate x 42

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 2
Martlet II x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb
13 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 1 x 800 kg AP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.803 Sqn FAA with Fulmar II (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
No.888 Sqn FAA with Martlet II (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
No.135 Sqn RAF with Martlet II (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers


ASW attack near Kume-jima at 93,62

Japanese Ships
DD Numakaze
AO Shiretoko
TK Hoyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Wahoo

SS Wahoo launches 2 torpedoes at DD Numakaze
Wahoo diving deep ....
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kanoya at 103,61

Japanese Ships
TK Nisshin Maru, Torpedo hits 1
PB Kyo Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS Growler

SS Growler launches 2 torpedoes at TK Nisshin Maru
Growler diving deep ....
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Wakkanai at 123,48

Japanese Ships
YO J-3998
YO J-3852

Allied Ships
SS S-27

SS S-27 is sighted by escort
Sub escapes detection


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kanoya at 103,61

Japanese Ships
TK Nisshin Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8

Allied Ships
SS Growler

SS Growler launches 2 torpedoes at TK Nisshin Maru
Growler diving deep ....
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Kyo Maru #8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Taihoku at 90,62

Japanese Ships
AO Shiretoko
TK Hoyo Maru
DD Numakaze

Allied Ships
SS Wahoo

SS Wahoo launches 4 torpedoes at AO Shiretoko
Wahoo diving deep ....
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Numakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kanoya at 103,61

Japanese Ships
TK Tonan Maru #2
TK Kaizyo Maru
TB Kasasagi

Allied Ships
SS Growler

SS Growler launches 4 torpedoes at TK Tonan Maru #2
TB Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
TB Kasasagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Lots of submarine action this turn, while mini KB disappears.
YO J-3852 sunk
xAK Mito Maru and big transport xAP Tatsuta Maru got one torpedo each
Japan attacked, but missed PG Erebus near Addu.

In different news; I lost 7 New Zealand's Kittyhawks in Vizagapatnam; while Japan lost its first two Ki-44IIA
Japan also lost 4 Ruffes trying (unsuccesfully) to defend Ceylon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 33

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at SC Ch 33
SC Ch 33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC Ch 33 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Wakkanai at 123,48

Japanese Ships
YO J-3852, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
YO J-3998

Allied Ships
SS S-27

SS S-27 launches 2 torpedoes at YO J-3852
S-27 bottoming out ....
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Swatow at 80,65

Japanese Ships
xAP Tatsuta Maru, Torpedo hits 1
E Kunashiri

Allied Ships
SS Trigger

SS Trigger launches 4 torpedoes at xAP Tatsuta Maru
Trigger diving deep ....
E Kunashiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kunashiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kunashiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kunashiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Kunashiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Kirakira at 117,143

Japanese Ships
xAK Mito Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
xAK Tarayasu Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-32

SS S-32 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Mito Maru
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hakkaisan Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Heads up the first major Allied offensive is going to start... I might have interesting news by sunday or early next week.

Today Yorktown carriers finished their July 1942 refit. In two more days Lexington and Saratoga will come from their June refit... meanwhile most of the KB fleet carriers should be still in refit for at least another week... plus there is a shipyard requirement, thus they can't be at Truk or Rabaul [;)]

The situation overall has not changed significantly in the last many weeks; land situation is static, except for China where he is slowly gaining terrain. I am still bombing Ceylon and Coconada/ Vizagaptnam heavily.. Last turn he actually caught me pants down with float fighters... he somehow rebased 26 Ruffes to Colombo and British suffered significant losses.

Nothing new on the Pacific, or Australia.. In this last theater I was hoping to start some preliminary offensive operations to recapture Broome/ Derby as he evidently didn't land in force... however supply situation is not good:

As you can see on the map, I am having big challenges in moving supply north or Alice Springs (last base in the railroad line). I hoped that by building Tennant Creek and Daly Waters supply would start moving... but not so far... Maybe I have too many troops at Tennant Creek?? Problem is, if I move them out, it can become a tempting target. I have 2nd Australian Army HQ one hex north of Alice Springs.. it is moving to Tennant Creek... hopefully the command HQ will trigger supply reinforcements. We will see

[BBfanboy]

You do not have too many troops at Tennant Creek. Troop numbers help draw supply. Did you develop Oodnadata and Port Augusta. If not, those are the choke points on your rail line to Alice Springs. Try loading some xAKLs and unloading them at Port Augusta to start the supply as close as possible to the need.
Also check whether the LCUs are still filling out their TOE, and thus using up supply. If you want it for air ops sometimes the TOE has to wait, or vice versa.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Port Augusta yes: port is 4.56 airbase is 2
I haven't done anything for Oodanatta, which is still a dot base. I do supply fleets from time to time to Pt Augusta

But more important, Alice Springs is already OK, I have 26K supplies there, and building
Cloncurry too, I have 12,000 supplies and I could easily bring more if needed


the challenge is how to keep the flow up north, once there is no longer a rail line
Tennant Creek is the key one.. I was able to make it a level 6 airbase, 3 port... so supply is moving, but not in the quantities required to start offensive operations