Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 1/42:

D+3

A relatively quiet turn on the Allied side. Most of my missions do not fly in India, but that is not the case for Japan.

Andre turned his bombers loose on the Allied LCU's west of Rangpur. A couple of AA units suffer heavy disruption, but losses are few. Allied FLAK is heavy and accounts for 10 enemy bombers shot down plus another three to Ops.

At Madras, a number of Japanese DD's bombard (no CA's as initially thought) but damage and disruption to Allied units is light. It appears a large number of Japanese defenders were evacuated by ship last turn. I really dropped the ball getting naval LBA to India and it's allowed easy egress to Japanese forces from coastal bases. Live and learn. I've decided to launch an assault with Australian 6th Division instead of withdrawing. I expect to get hammered by naval bombardment again, but there's always a chance the division won't be targeted.

For tomorrow, I've assigned CAP to cover Australian 7th Division caught in no man's land near Rangpur. Andre will pick the weakest link to target, rather than face similar losses to FLAK from today. I expect my CAP to face heavy Tojo sweeps.

I'm losing the battle in terms of LCU losses. Poor play on my part has allowed Andre to simply withdraw at little cost, while my poor execution is costing me daily squad and device losses. I need to smarten up.

A note on China. It's over. I was surveying most of my forward positions in 3x terrain and they are completely out of supply. I've decided to start pulling back units towards Chungking and Kunming for a Masada type end. I've tried blocking Japanese supply routes, but without supply it allows a few Japanese units to methodically chase down and eliminate these Chinese forces. Without an external source of supply to China, there is zero chance to hold against a Japanese player that knows what he is doing. Supply is the key, without supply there is no counter. In fact, I think that retreating with the Chinese to more defensible terrain actually speeds up the collapse. Why? As Chinese units recover disablements, they require even more supply and burn through it at an alarming rate. As supply runs out they begin to suffer attritional losses. It's a double blow.

[JocMeister]

Well, hanging on to China until September 42 is an allied victory IMO. Once supply is gone there is nothing you can do. Only consolation is that in 45 it will be the same for the Jap. But all over the map and not just China! [:'(]

China truly is a mess balance wise. Its a shame because I think it could be a fun theater if things were more competitive. [:(]

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi Jocke, thanks for posting.

China is definitely a mess. It's hard to believe that once Japan takes Changsha, Lanchow, Sian and the usual supply generating bases, all that is left to do is wait 3-4 months and let lack of supply do the rest. Who knew it was this easy. [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 2/42:

D+4

Ugh, another mistake. I redid the turn before finalizing the end of save and I forgot to switch Australian 6th Division back to deliberate attack at Madras. There was no naval bombardment today, and I missed a chance to attack without disruption. Mistakes almost always punish a player and I expect to be on the receiving end of BB Yamato and friends tomorrow.



Japanese bombers target the hex west of Rangur again. This time two U.K. Divisions are hit and disruption is moderate. FLAK shots down six Japanese bombers. I've achieving good results with FLAK so I won't commit fighters to this fight. I am still providing CAP over Australian 7th Division though as it's more vulnerable with no FLAK support. AAR follows:

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Morning Air attack on 18th British Division, at 57,34 , near Rangpur

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 81
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 34
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 49 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 19 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 11th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 70th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 18th British Division ...
Also attacking 6th Heavy AA Regiment ...
Also attacking 18th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 70th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 18th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 11th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 70th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 18th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...
Also attacking 70th British Division ...
Also attacking 75th IAC Regiment ...

I send Blenheim and B-25 Mitchell bombers to hit IJA 7th Tank Rgt. at Cocanada, but apparently the 106 2E's didn't even scratch the paint. Extremely disappointing results.

I send B-17's to hit Ranchi and both airbase and ground bombing missions. Results are underwhelming here too. AAR follows:

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Morning Air attack on Ranchi , at 51,32

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 52
P-39D Airacobra x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 16000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 8th Division ...
Also attacking Ranchi ...
Also attacking 1st RF Gun Battalion ...
Also attacking 8th Division ...
Also attacking 17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 8th Division ...

Heavy bombers also target the defenders of Madras in what was supposed to be a supporting raid prior to the ground assault. Good results this time. AAR follows:

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Afternoon Air attack on 65th Brigade, at 35,40 (Madras)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 20
B-17E Fortress x 10
LB-30 Liberator x 11

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 10 (4 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 16th Guards Rgt /1 ...
Also attacking 65th Bde /2 ...
Also attacking 16th Guards Rgt /1 ...
Also attacking 65th Bde /2 ...
Also attacking 16th Guards Rgt /1 ...

I'll update Southern India soon as a number of bases have recently been liberated.

In China, a surprise shock attack against the same hex near Tienshui goes badly for Japanese forces. The Chinese have held off deliberate and shock attacks in two of the last three days. I was rather disappointed the Japanese didn't suffer more losses considering the odds. I think they got off lightly suffering only 82 additional disabled squads. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 81,39 (near Tienshui)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7057 troops, 148 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 3272

Defending force 43848 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1602

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 4042

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

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

Japanese ground losses:
2950 casualties reported
Squads: 182 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 21 (5 destroyed, 16 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
37th Division
70th Division
17th Division
39th Division
32nd Division
26th Division
35th Division
3rd Division
51st Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
12th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
57th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
14th Group Army
34th Group Army

I have ordered repeated air attacks for tomorrow and kept the same CAP settings as previously. I will not interdict Japanese bomber raid near Rangpur yet. I'm getting organized for the Northern Australia amphibious operation and should be in position to go within 3-4 weeks. I have a bad feeling KB is parked at Singapore or Soerabaja. I may have to sacrifice a TF to find out for sure.

I have also ordered Australian 6th Division to attack Madras tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn't get creamed during the night.

[nikoslejeune]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon



In China, a surprise shock attack against the same hex near Tienshui goes badly for Japanese forces. The Chinese have held off deliberate and shock attacks in two of the last three days. I was rather disappointed the Japanese didn't suffer more losses considering the odds. I think they got off lightly suffering only 82 additional disabled squads. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 81,39 (near Tienshui)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7057 troops, 148 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 3272

Defending force 43848 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1602

Japanese adjusted assault: 0

Allied adjusted defense: 4042

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99

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

Japanese ground losses:
2950 casualties reported
Squads: 182 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 21 (5 destroyed, 16 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
37th Division
70th Division
17th Division
39th Division
32nd Division
26th Division
35th Division
3rd Division
51st Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Army
12th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
57th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
14th Group Army
34th Group Army

From the numbers 182 destroyed, 82 disabled Id say you thrashed a mixed brigade [:)]
So it seems a lone attack and a mistake from the Poultry Guy as Canoerebel would say [:D]
Juat keep up the pressure and who knows where this will all go.

Nick.

[SqzMyLemon]

Ugh. Do I feel dumb. You're right, it was clearly the IJA 2nd IMB that crossed the river from the northwest. I just glanced over the combat report and it didn't register that it was a single unit attacking. As you said, 182 destroyed squads and a wrecked LCU is still a good thing.

[BBfanboy]

The only thing I have found that reliably hits tanks and artillery is low level attack at 1000 feet or 100 feet, preferably by something that can bomb and then strafe with a cannon like the P-39. Only works well in clear terrain though.

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 3/42:

D+5

Japanese bombers continue to target Allied units west of Rangpur. Despite causing high disruption, the number of squads and devices lost is minimal. FLAK continues to take a heavy toll of Japanese bombers with 12 being shot down today. I estimate 30 Lily and Sally bombers lost to FLAK in three days.

The two British Armoured Bde.'s moving to Darjeeling have not been targeted and will conduct a river assault in two days. I continue to bomb Darjeeling periodically and have ordered another air attack tomorrow. The day of the river assault, 12 squadrons of 4E's will target the defenders.

In Southern India there was big news today. Madras was captured despite suffering the expected naval bombardment by BB Yamato and friends. There were just elements of 16th Guards Rgt. and 65th Bde. left at the base so it was all but abandoned. Kudos to Andre for saving his forces to live another day. I have ordered the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Indian Coastal Artillery Rgt.'s to Madras. They lack punch, but perhaps they'll act as a deterrent if they land a few shells on occasion. The capture, and securing, of Madras will allow reinforcements to arrive at the base. The base will also allow refueling of submarines and extend their patrol times in the IO.

There was a small Japanese air attack against Indian 14th Division near Salem, but Allied CAP performed well downing three A6M2's and one Sally for no loss.

In Australia, a small Allied transport TF was unloading supply at Exmouth when attacked by Nell's escorted by Zero's based at Broome. I'd assigned Allied LRCAP over the TF and it performed stellar service. One small transport was hit by a bomb, but one A6M2 and 12 Nell's were shot down.

On the day, 40 Japanese aircraft were lost compared to 8 for the Allies.

I need to redeploy engineer and aviation support units in India to consolidate the recent gains. Expanding bases in Southern India will allow me to contest and gain air superiority over Ceylon in the near future. As much as I need to focus on operation "Risky Business" there isn't a pressing need to commit air support until Rangpur and Darjeeling are expanded to allow local CAP. As long as Allied FLAK continues to be effective in downing enemy bombers, there is no need to risk my fighters against the Tojo sweeps and Oscar escorts.

Here's a current screenshot of Southern India.

[BBfanboy]

Sounds like you have a good strategy going in the air war. Once your pools are built up and your pilots are highly trained you can start getting aggressive again.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Sounds like you have a good strategy going in the air war. Once your pools are built up and your pilots are highly trained you can start getting aggressive again.

So far. Doesn't make sense to me to risk losing fighters when my FLAK is probably destroying more bombers then any fighters set to LRCAP could, having to first fight their way through strong Tojo sweeps. And then deal with 30+ Oscars on escort.

Good news is the P-40K is now in production. My P-40E pools will grow rapidly as I upgrade squadrons. I intend on using all my fighters in front line roles to maximize my numbers. I won't rely on using my best aircraft in limited numbers.

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 4/42:

D+6

A quiet turn.

In Southern India two Tojo Sentai's prematurely sweep Madras. I just captured the base and the airbase is heavily damaged so I couldn't base fighters here even if I wanted to. I don't plan on deploying any aircraft to Madras anyway as they'll simply be destroyed by naval bombardments.

Japanese bombers do not hit the troops near Rangpur today. Weather, or is the cost to the bombers becoming too high?

Andre railed IJA 2nd Tank Rgt. and IJN 86th Naval Guard Unit to Tezpur. U.K. 150th RAC Rgt. shock attacks across the river, but fails to dislodge the defenders. I didn't recon the base before hand, but it was unlikely Andre wouldn't reinforce it given the chance. The 150th will get routed tomorrow, but it was worth the risk to take a shot at the base. It's all good. First up is Darjeeling and Rangpur, then I'll deal with Tezpur and move on towards Ledo.

I'm positive I've upset Andre's timetable for setting up a leisurely defence along the Burma border. I expect he'll ship units to Chittagong and rail them to Dimapur and Ledo. Any further reinforcement of India or Burma works in my favour, in my opinion.

Tomorrow should be a good day. My ground forces that have been the target of intensive Japanese bombing will arrive at Rangpur next turn. Then I can consolidate the base and the woods to the southeast with the goal of cutting the rail line. Once I've invested Darjeeling, I will turn my attention to the liberation of Ranchi. I do notice movement ticks from units at Calcutta to the northeast. Maybe Ansanol?

[BBfanboy]

Looks like you are getting a handle on this area. Good work!

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Looks like you are getting a handle on this area. Good work!

Thanks BB. There is still lots to do and worry about. Supply is an issue as you first cautioned, but so far it's manageable. I have 75 C-47's dedicated to air dropping supply at Rangpur daily. The stockpile at the base is slowly increasing, but that may drop with the additional units arriving tomorrow including three divisions.

Andre blocking me at Tezpur is actually a good thing. I don't want to overextend myself, and the nature of the terrain and lack of supporting bases makes the threat of a Japanese counterattack to cut my forces in two a possibility.

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 5/42:

D+7

The remaining Allied forces have completed their march to Rangpur. Engineers have already expanded the forts to level 2 and the airbase to level 1, and now there are over 300 present. I paid 10 PP's to switch control of the base to India Command HQ in order to deploy restricted Commonwealth units. The number of FLAK units at Rangpur has doubled to eight, so any Japanese bombing raids will face heavy AA fire. I'm pleased with the progress at Rangpur, but Darjeeling has yet to be dealt with.

Allied 4E's targeted the defenders of Darjeeling today, but casualties were light. I'm focused more on causing disruption anyway. The two U.K. Armoured Bde.'s sent to the base will launch a river assault tomorrow. Allied 4E's are ordered to provide another day of ground bombing in support of tomorrow's assault. I do not think the armoured units will be enough, but then again the defenders amount to only a SNLF and JAAF AF Bn. 7th Australian Division is still marching overland along the rail line and won't reach the base for some time yet. I'll hold off sending either U.K. 18th or 70th Division until the results of the armoured river assault are in.

Andre concentrated his entire bomber force on trying to eliminate U.K. 150th RAC Rgt. at Tezpur. The unit suffers moderate casualties and high disruption. I'm sure tomorrow it will be bombed again followed by a deliberate attack and routed/destroyed. I've come to appreciate Andre's bloodlust as it makes my job so much easier. Those bombers could be causing havoc elsewhere, not used to essentially mop up a lone Allied LCU that could just as easily be destroyed with ground units. We definitely have two different play styles and priorities. [:D]

I received some important SigInt this turn. IJA 5th Division, currently at Calcutta, is loading transports for passage to Chittagong. Could this mean Calcutta might simply be abandoned as was the case at Madras? It's obvious Andre is concerned about securing the Burma/India border and I may indeed have caught him unprepared. Then again, this was his plan all along, push the Allied start line back and withdraw to prepared lines. However, I think I have forced him to accelerate the process. In light of this, I'm already planning how Phase 2 of "Risky Business" will be implemented.

With Japanese units being withdrawn from Calcutta, I've decided to apply maximum pressure on seizing Ranchi. Let's see if I can accelerate the bug out. Once Darjeeling is secured, the weight of the Allied air forces in India will focus on Ranchi and softening up IJA Imperial Guards Division, while four Allied divisions march on the base.

In other news, Japanese Zero's sweep Exmouth and catch my LRCAP covering unloading transports at a disadvantage. I should have anticipated the sweep. On the day, I lose 2 Beaufighter's and 3 P-40E's against 1 Zero. I've withdrawn the fighters and transports from Exmouth, but I have a plan to bait a Japanese naval bombardment of the base and have a surprise in mind.

Now I wait for the turn and see how things went at Darjeeling.

[SqzMyLemon]

Update to follow, but Phase 1 of Operation "Risky Business" is successfully completed. It looks like Rebecca is pleased.

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 6/42:

India:

D+8

The British armour gets it done at Darjeeling. Despite taking a pounding during the air phase, the river assault is successful and routs the Japanese defenders. 70 Allied 4E's left the defenders dazed and disrupted prior to the assault. I captured Darjeeling much sooner than I had anticipated by committing the armour instead of waiting for the infantry divisions. AAR's follow:

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Afternoon Air attack on 50th Tank Brigade, at 58,33 , near Darjeeling

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 56
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 27
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 19 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 46 (5 destroyed, 41 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
15 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
14 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 50th Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 50th Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 50th Tank Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 50th Tank Brigade ...

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Ground combat at Darjeeling (59,32)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5480 troops, 36 guns, 446 vehicles, Assault Value = 283

Defending force 1343 troops, 11 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 160

Japanese adjusted defense: 16

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Darjeeling !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
405 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
255th Armoured Brigade
50th Tank Brigade

Defending units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
62nd JAAF AF Bn

Ranchi's airbase was targeted by 73 Allied 4E's and was heavily damaged. Allied sweeps encountered no Japanese CAP over the base. Allied bombers get the day off tomorrow. The full weight of the Allied bomber force will target the defenders at Ranchi with daily bombing attacks starting on the 8th. The defenders include IJA Imperial Guards Division. Ground forces tasked with capturing Ranchi include five Allied Divisions supported by two Armoured Bde.'s.

With Phase 1 of "Risky Business" completed, what is next? It will take some time to repair Darjeeling's airbase which was all but destroyed by Allied bombing. The priority is to rail in engineer and aviation support to get the airbase functioning again. In the meantime, Rangpur's airbase is 35% complete to reaching level two. Providing air support for Phase 2 will be crucial.

The primary objective for Phase 2 is the liberation of Dimapur. Allied forces will cross the river to the southeast of Rangpur and secure the woods west of Tezpur to block the rail line leading to Dimapur. Additional ground forces will move directly to Tezpur via the main road from Rangpur. The troops will have to endure air attack with little to no air support initially, but it is hoped that as soon as Rangpur and Darjeeling are operational then close air support can be provided. I've decided to commit the U.S. 27th and 32nd Divisions in support of Phase 2. I believe it is imperative to march on Dimapur quickly, and in strength, before Andre can get his defence in order.

I'm operating along a tenuous supply line which, if cut, means my troops could be isolated and destroyed. I must prevent the rail line being cut so I've decided to re-deploy three Commonwealth divisions from Southern India to secure my flank. I am heavily committed now.

The plan for Southern India is to avoid any further movement south until the bases currently held are expanded and fortified to sustain a bombing campaign against Ceylon directly. I will allow until the end of October for expansion to be complete and for all forces assigned to liberating Ceylon to be in place. The goal is to have Ceylon back in Allied hands by Jan. 1/43. That gives me a month and a half to prepare, and two months for operations.

On another note, the first of six supply TF's carrying 224175 supply will arrive at Bombay tomorrow. More is on the way.

Screenshot of the Rangour theatre follows:

[SqzMyLemon]

Sept. 6/42 continued:

Japanese Zeros swept Exmouth again, but I had withdraw all aircraft from CAP as well as the transports unloading supply. I anticipated Japanese SCTF's being sent to disrupt/destroy my unloading transports. Naval air search spotted two enemy TF's, one directly at Exmouth and another to the northeast.

An enemy APD and DD are reported at Exmouth (strongly believed to be two DD's), while the second TF to the northeast is unidentified and indicated four ships

I have ordered an American SCTF consisting of two CA's and 4 DD's to intercept the enemy TF currently at Exmouth. The TF is heavily CAP'd with fighter support from Carnarvon. It looks like there could be some fireworks tomorrow if the Japanese TF lingers at Exmouth or the second one is a bombardment TF.

[Rio Bravo]

Still following your AAR,Lemon.

[SqzMyLemon]

Thoughts:

I've been receiving a number of SigInt reports indicating IJA Southern Army HQ is prepping for Perth. The first such report was noticed early in August. The only other unit identified as prepping for an Australian base is IJA 2nd Mobile Inf. Rgt. which targets Geraldton.

I've been receiving constant "Heavy volume of radio traffic" messages for Soerabaja, which indicates a lot of naval activity to me.

These snippets of information are somewhat alarming in light of my planned amphibious operation to land at Broome on Australia's north coast. If I was to land at Broome with massive force as intended, and that was followed by a Japanese amphibious operation against Geraldton and Perth, it could be an Allied disaster. I am not strong enough to contest naval supremacy off the Australian coast against Combined Fleet. I'm going to have to play Australia cautiously until I discover the whereabouts of KB. My instinct tells be the bulk of the Japanese navy is at Soerabaja.

I'm going to have to figure out if a Japanese invasion of Western Australia is pure bluff, or an option currently being considered by Andre. I would think a landing at this late date at Perth could be ruled out with the time I've had to build forts and reinforce Australia with American units. I definitely am taking the threat seriously, and perhaps that is what Andre is counting on. A mere threat to buy time to set up his defence and delay an Allied offensive.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Update to follow, but Phase 1 of Operation "Risky Business" is successfully completed. It looks like Rebecca is pleased.

Your fans are pleased that you remembered Rebecca! Her talent is obvious in that picture - makes me want to dive in! [;)]