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

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks a lot, I am also quite enjoying your AAR. And it really helps that both are very close in timing, thus I can grab steal some ideas.

September 24 was a turn to forget really, [:@]

- Heavy losses on P-38s [X(], P-40Ks and Hurricane IIBs, as they were surprised by strong CAP. Japanese loses were also high, but this is irrelevant as he can build more than the arsenal of democracy
- AP Grant torpedoed and sunk... why the f&%! did I sent it on a pointless supply run to PH??. APs should remain at port only... until the fun starts sometime in 43

I have decided to stop the air war in India for a few turns... this will give the squadrons time to rest, repair and recover morale.
Also in a few turns: I will rebase significant forces to Calcutta.. Airbase is at 8.88 and should reach level 9 very soon.. Then the real sweeping fun will start


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Tank Regiment, at 56,42 , near Chittagong

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
A6M2-N Rufe x 4
A6M3 Zero x 19
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 18 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
Kamikawa Maru-2 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Raid is overhead
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 19000.
Raid is overhead
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Field AA Battalion, at 56,42 , near Chittagong

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
A6M3 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 4 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 22560.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 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 23 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 56,42 , near Chittagong

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3 Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 21
Hudson IIIa x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
Beaufort V x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 25
B-26B Marauder x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Beaufort V bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (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 18000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Raid is overhead
1 planes vectored on to bombers
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 19000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Also attacking 148th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 18th Division ...
Also attacking 47th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 38th JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 91st JAAF AF Bn ...
Also attacking 4th Tank Regiment ...
Also attacking 18th Division ...
Also attacking 82nd JAAF AF Bn ...
Also attacking 5th Division ...
Also attacking 18th Division ...
Also attacking 47th JNAF AF Unit ...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Quiet turn, big news is that 7 small xAKLs are almost at Darwin... this means another 2,387 supply for the besieged troops, assuming of course they survive another day.

They are fully spotted, and I guess Netties and surface forces should arrive soon
Notice the squadrons at Darwin.. just rebased in case he send the LBAs without escort

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I decided to put some pressure on Akyab, as I knew he was using it as fighter base:

- Great results on the naval bombardment, everything went as planned, TF left Calcutta and arrive in the night phase, then returned unharmed in the day phase.
Several Zeros and Ruffes damaged.

- Good results with sweeps, a few more A6M3/ Ruffes shot down

- Regrettably, the bombers decided not to fly. This means he will likely withdraw all undamaged planes out

Other news:
- 91st JAAF AF Bn destroyed by tanks NE of Cox's bazaar
- Oscars visited Darwin: 5 Kittyhawks destroyed for 2 (FOW) Japanese

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 20 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M2-N Rufe: 13 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Quincy
CL Capetown
CL Caradoc
CL Birmingham
DD Isis
DD Hotspur
DD Encounter
DD Decoy
DD Van Galen
DD Norman
DD Nizam
DD Napier
DD Nestor
DD Nepal

Japanese ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Manpower hits 8
Fires 459
Airbase hits 25
Airbase supply hits 17
Runway hits 71
Port hits 16
Port supply hits 7

CA Exeter firing at Akyab
CA Quincy firing at 53rd Division
CL Capetown firing at Akyab
CL Caradoc firing at Akyab
CL Birmingham firing at Akyab
DD Isis firing at 53rd Division
DD Hotspur firing at 53rd Division
DD Encounter firing at Akyab
DD Decoy firing at Akyab
DD Van Galen firing at Akyab
DD Norman firing at Akyab
DD Nizam firing at 53rd Division
DD Napier firing at Akyab
DD Nestor firing at 53rd Division
DD Nepal firing at Akyab

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

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M3 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *
8 x Hurricane IIa Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes



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

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 22
P-38E Lightning x 3
P-38F Lightning x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *
10 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *
25 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 3 destroyed

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

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (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 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

And a India theater status:
as of the end of September

[Jorge_Stanbury]

If you remember:
CVL Zuiho got four 1,000 pound bomb hits on July 19th.. yes... FOUR bomb hits, and it ended with heavy fires, heavy damage, smoke obscuring the carrier. What a lucky bastard, I thought it was under the sea. Funny that even before that, in May's Andaman sea battle, it was hit by one battleship and one cruiser caliber hit...

CV Junyo was torpedoed near Kure in May...

Well... look who is back... 2 hits no explosion... [:@] [:@] [:@]
They are exactly 7 hexes from Akyab; I bet he was expecting me to send the cruisers again... but no, not needed now, they were used as battering ram before the bombers (lots and lots of bombers) start their campaign... more on that later

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bassein at 51,52

Japanese Ships
CVL Zuiho
BB Kongo
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CL Sendai
CS Chiyoda
DD Shirayuki
DD Suzukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Satsuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

SS Searaven launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Zuiho
DD Satsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Bassein at 51,52

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
BB Kongo
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CL Sendai
CS Chiyoda
DD Suzukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Satsuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
SS Haddock

SS Haddock launches 6 torpedoes at CV Junyo
Haddock diving deep ....
DD Satsuki fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Satsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Mass bombing of Akyab was highly successful.

As you can see here, more than 20 planes destroyed on the ground... against zero Allied loses.
Airfield is "closed" at 100 damage

I will keep bombing for one more turn, just to keep killing planes. Notice the Emily losses.. these are expensive planes [;)]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Lots and lots of bombers visited Akyab [:)]

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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 41
Hudson IIIa x 9
Wellington Ic x 14
A-29 Hudson x 3
B-17D Fortress x 15
B-17E Fortress x 63
B-17F Fortress x 24
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-25C Mitchell x 38
B-26 Marauder x 6
B-26B Marauder x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 95

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
14 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
14 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking 22nd JNAF AF Unit ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 22nd Field AA Machinecannon Company ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...


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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 14
Beaufort V x 12
A-29 Hudson x 7
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-17F Fortress x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Beaufort V bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...


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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington Ic x 6
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Akyab ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Raiding Regiment, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 3

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking 2nd Raiding Regiment ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 22nd JNAF AF Unit , at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 6

No Allied losses

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Division, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 53rd Division, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 7

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Division ...


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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 53rd Division ...
Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...


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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

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

Also attacking Sasebo 5th SNLF ...
Also attacking 53rd Division ...

[jwolf]

Looks like he pulled most of his planes out? [&:] Otherwise it's hard to believe you wouldn't have had more damaged or destroyed enemy planes. But in any case that airfield is shut down for a while. Nice. [8D]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Looks like he pulled most of his planes out? [&:] Otherwise it's hard to believe you wouldn't have had more damaged or destroyed enemy planes. But in any case that airfield is shut down for a while. Nice. [8D]

Yesterday I killed 22 planes (FOW), today another 4 A6M3s + 3 Ruffes

and yes, that airfield is as close as it can ever be

[IdahoNYer]

Very nice strike coordination to get all those a/c in the same raid!! what's your secret???

[Jorge_Stanbury]

It was pure luck and weight

you can see I had 20 strikes... one (the first) came coordinated, the rest as an uncoordinated mob... I bet it was simply sheer numbers that made it possible

EDIT: also important to mention, they are all based on the same airfield; Calcutta (L9)

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Another turn another hit no explosion [:@]

Once again CV Junyo was hit by a non exploding torpedo, this time near Phuket which means he is leaving the Indian ocean

In better news, APD Nadakaze, a "good" Minekaze class APD, was sunk by SS Finbar. A pitty I didn't get LSD Shinshu which was in the same TF

Finally, 8 Vals, escorted by 17 Oscars and 10 Ruffes met a brave Australian-American CAP of 16 P-40Es and 6 Kittyhawks over Darwin, where a small TF of 3 xAKLs (2,700 supply) and 3 AMs sneaked past Japanese defense.
The escorts were effective and the Allies failed to catch any Vals. The bombers attacked unopposed , but I was lucky they focused on the AMs instead of the xAKLs[;)]
Loses were:
Allies --> 2 AMs sunk, 10 P-40Es destroyed (6 shot down, 4 op losses)
Japan (FOW) --> 6 Oscars, 4 Ruffes

Tomorrow I expect another battle over Darwin, the P-40s will need to keep enduring. I also hope the xAKLs survive another turn. Half the cargo should unload regardless

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Salajar at 66,107

Japanese Ships
APD Nadakaze, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
LSD Shinshu Maru
xAK Tateisi Maru
PB Naruto Maru #3

Allied Ships
SS Finback

SS Finback launches 4 torpedoes at APD Nadakaze
Finback diving deep ....
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Naruto Maru #3 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,70

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo
BB Kongo
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CL Sendai
CS Chiyoda
DD Suzukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Satsuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
SS Skipjack

SS Skipjack launches 4 torpedoes at CV Junyo
DD Satsuki fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Uranami attacking submerged sub ....
DD Uranami is out of ASW ammo
DD Uranami is out of ASW ammo
DD Uranami fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 10
D3A1 Val x 8
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 17

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
AM Launceton, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Ipswitch, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x A6M2-N Rufe sweeping at 6000 feet
Escort: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Kittyhawk IA (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 11000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 11000.
Raid is overhead
49th FG/8th FS with P-40E Warhawk (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Ipswitch

[Jorge_Stanbury]

East Bengal operations are near the end: Cox' bazaar, Ledo and Kohima captured.
China is also getting closer to dooms day: Chengtu lost


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Cox's Bazar (54,43)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14924 troops, 86 guns, 1737 vehicles, Assault Value = 1056

Defending force 8235 troops, 116 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 173

Allied adjusted assault: 627

Japanese adjusted defense: 107

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Cox's Bazar !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2821 casualties reported
Squads: 81 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 132 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 57 (41 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 103 (93 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Units retreated 9
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 49 (2 destroyed, 47 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
150th RAC Regiment
1st Patiala Lancers Regiment
254th Armoured Brigade
42nd Cavalry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
50th Tank Brigade
1st USMC Tank Battalion
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
75th IAC Regiment
255th Armoured Brigade
44th Cavalry Regiment
7th Armoured Brigade
267th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
19th Tank Regiment
5th Division
91st Naval Guard Unit
10th RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
38th JNAF AF Unit
41st JAAF AF Bn
52nd Field AA Battalion
56th Field AA Battalion
82nd JAAF AF Bn


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kohima (61,39)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38673 troops, 701 guns, 365 vehicles, Assault Value = 1090

Defending force 524 troops, 32 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 712

Japanese adjusted defense: 4

Allied assault odds: 178 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kohima !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 31 (31 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
18th Australian Brigade
39th Indian Division
84th Indian Brigade
16th Australian Brigade
17th Australian Brigade
14th Indian Division
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
23rd AA Regiment
46th Field Const Co
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu (75,41)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 86509 troops, 996 guns, 1211 vehicles, Assault Value = 2321

Defending force 50598 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 688

Japanese adjusted assault: 2201

Allied adjusted defense: 809

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengtu !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
3828 casualties reported
Squads: 85 destroyed, 108 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Guns lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
21171 casualties reported
Squads: 763 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 722 destroyed, 143 disabled
Engineers: 29 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 62 (36 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Units retreated 16
Units destroyed 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
63rd Division
3rd Tank Regiment
104th Division
1st Tank Division
110th Division
12th Tank Regiment
41st Division
26th Division
17th Division
2nd Tank Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
23rd Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
95th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
24th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
22nd Group Army
3rd Chinese Base Force
5th War Area
21st Group Army
6th Chinese Base Force

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Game had been advancing slowly for the last few weeks. PresterJohn also requested to keep the turn for many days to work on chores like pilot training or economy.

Another reason for the slow turns is the simple fact that we are in some kind of stalemate:
- I am in the final push to evict him from Bangladesh, but in no position to continue to Burma; at least not yet --> Supply!!!
- All other theaters had been quiet for at least the last 3 or 4 months. Japan is in complete defense mode (China excludeD)
- China is near total defeat


What to do next?? that is the question, and I haven't found the right answer yet. My amph. capabilities are still weak, not to mention KB will rule against any major operation in the Pacific.
I can try small, risky operations in places that might not be heavily fortified. Some ideas:
- Ndeni looks underdeveloped, but can potentially be fortified; problem is if I start sending recon, he will know I am up to something
- Wake is also underdeveloped, but KB's main base is too close
- I own the Aleutians, hence I can use it to harm Japan's backyard. It is too early for a Kuriles invasion, not to mention winter is near. But deep raids can be fruitful
- Cook island: very isolated, underdeveloped. But minimal strategic value

I also can keep pushing on land:
- I think I have enough supply now to evict Japan from Northern Australia. This looks like an easy and safe operation
- I can restart the advance in India. although Burma by land will be hard and slow to conquer. Besides, once I commit the significant forces available, it will be hard to disengage if opportunities or risks in other theatres arise

Thoughts?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

This is India/ China as of beginning of Oct 16:

[jwolf]

When do you expect your carrier forces to be able to fight on more or less equal terms with the KB? I would guess that no really significant Pacific operation is possible until that time. Even Ndeni by itself would not be possible, I think, unless you know the KB is far away.

I like the idea of cleaning out Northern Australia. Aside from making the map look prettier, that would deny the Japanese those airbases and push their recon farther back.

In the same way I like the idea of taking Cocos (is that what you called Cook island?) as that would give you good naval search over the entire Sunda Strait area.

I am assuming you will continue in Bangladesh/Burma to take Akyab. Maybe Ramree island too?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

More or less equal terms is in the Spring of 43; this is when the Hellcats arrive in force; but before the main carrier construction program launches one carrrier a month.
At the same time, Japanese players are at their peak with ~10 carriers and the still competitive A6M5

After that date it is downwards for Japan

[IdahoNYer]

Good to see the AAR back!!! Its been a while.....

As for your next step - consider what it would lead to and how you can leverage LBA. Is your objective to just grab real-estate or engage the IJN? If the IJN does come out to play, how can that be leveraged to your favor with minimal risk?

Lower Solomons and Australia seem to be good choices. Both open up additional possibilities later and are covered by LBA.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

The key issue is that there are really little strategical benefits on either real-estate grabbing or engaging the IJN.
The former cannot be achieved, or better to say, within the existing balance of forces, I cannot grab, permanently, anything that is important to Japan. The last naval operation I did was Ceylon, and the big win was that although Japan was very capable of taking it back, it was not worth it for the reasons of it being far away from the SRA, the expected heavy losses, and the very short term value of getting back a non sustainable island.

The later can be interesting; I am eager to engage the IJN; it's being so long ago! that is why I am kind of interested in the Kuriles option. I have just gotten my first Fletcher destroyers; If I add a CL or 2, they can be very effective raiders. Operating from Attu, with AOs in support, can bring good results, with acceptable risks/ losses. Moreover this will force him to reinforce his backyard

I cannot see this happening with Ndeni or any other small island inside the Japanese waters. At most I think I can guarantee losses (for both Allies and Japan), but even if all goes well and I manage to capture it, I can expect to see a division strong counter invasion force soon after.

And of course there are big chances of this becoming a disaster movie: I don't have yet the capability to disembark quickly in a contested base, unless the force is small enough to fit in APDs. That means that if Ndeni has anything bigger than a few battalions, the invasion will not succeed.

The (more boring) Australian option will be a go. Cocos Is. and Ndeni will be visited by recon planes sometime in the near future

[jwolf]

Cocos is pretty far from any Allied base. How will you get any recon there?