Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
I would guess you need to bomb his ground units at Cocanada in order to get the upper hand on him. Probably at Baker, too, but with the KB there that is out of the question.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Mundy: I just don't have the knack for judging the right amount of troops to use. My first cheap shot was three USMC para battalions. Now a full USA infantry regiment plus armor. It looks like I'll need a full division to do this, in the end. I have one at Pearl prepping for this, if it comes to it.
The only reason you had more casualties at Baker Is. is the level 4 forts. Look at his losses when he tried to bombard you! All you need is a unit of Combat Engineers to take down those forts. An unprepped unit should be able to land without heavy losses because you have a substantial bridgehead. Use deliberate attack in the first assault using the engineers, so they can use cover during their assault. Shock attacks are for after the forts have been smashed and the enemy troops disrupted.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
+1ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Mundy: I just don't have the knack for judging the right amount of troops to use. My first cheap shot was three USMC para battalions. Now a full USA infantry regiment plus armor. It looks like I'll need a full division to do this, in the end. I have one at Pearl prepping for this, if it comes to it.
The only reason you had more casualties at Baker Is. is the level 4 forts. Look at his losses when he tried to bombard you! All you need is a unit of Combat Engineers to take down those forts. An unprepped unit should be able to land without heavy losses because you have a substantial bridgehead. Use deliberate attack in the first assault using the engineers, so they can use cover during their assault. Shock attacks are for after the forts have been smashed and the enemy troops disrupted.
BBFanboy is right that you needed combat engineers. A full division was not the right tool here regardless BUT a combat engineer regiment would have been a welcome addition to the invasion force. Also, I think your expectations were a bit too high. With a level 4 fort it will take time and firepower to defeat. That's how it worked IRL and that's how it works here.
Also, I do not believe that strike came from the KB. It was too small. Probably mini-KB. But I guess it was enough to take control of the seas anyway.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
I do tend to neglect those. Are they designated as "combat engineers" or do "engineers" work? Most infantry units have organic engineer with them. Are they applicable to this task, or do they generally need extra help?
I didn't mention, but there were two carrier task forces, about two hexes apart. Intel, (probably shaky) indicated 120 - 140 each of fighters and bombers in both task forces.
I'll make sure engineers are at the front of the line for Ceylon. I'd rather learn my lessons with this than at the big show.
I didn't mention, but there were two carrier task forces, about two hexes apart. Intel, (probably shaky) indicated 120 - 140 each of fighters and bombers in both task forces.
I'll make sure engineers are at the front of the line for Ceylon. I'd rather learn my lessons with this than at the big show.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
While the name of any device is only a text field for display to us humans, AFAIK all of the devices which have a combat engineer ability (more or less a tick box in the scenario file) have "combat" and "engineer" in the name. I suppose there might be exceptions but none come to mind right now. Many times you will see a year added, and perhaps some other descriptive word added also.ORIGINAL: Mundy
I do tend to neglect those. Are they designated as "combat engineers" or do "engineers" work? Most infantry units have organic engineer with them. Are they applicable to this task, or do they generally need extra help?
I didn't mention, but there were two carrier task forces, about two hexes apart. Intel, (probably shaky) indicated 120 - 140 each of fighters and bombers in both task forces.
I'll make sure engineers are at the front of the line for Ceylon. I'd rather learn my lessons with this than at the big show.
Most emphatically, ordinary engineers do NOT have combat engineer ability. Combat engineers have the ability to destroy fortifications much better than ordinary infantry squads.
Also - I learned this one the hard way - the game totally slaughters them if they are without other infantry squads. I sent an invasion of only a combat engineer unit to a very lightly held island and they were wiped out. A developer confirmed it was just like Hemingway said.
Intel Monkey: https://sites.google.com/view/staffmonkeys/home
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Thanks for that witpqs. I did see a combat engineer regiment at Karachi, so I'm moving them down to Bombay with the other US combat forces.
31 October 1943
KB is definitely involved, as some of the air groups were labelled "Shokaku", "Zuikaku" and "Akagi". They're busy mopping up my escaping ships. I think my battleships will get away untouched. One of his carrier groups is straying close to Canton. I've set all fighters there to zero CAP and moved in more from Christmas, along with more dive bombers. I may get a shot at them next turn. It would be nice if I got lucky here.
At Cocanada, I'm pulling the boys out. The IJA 1st Armored Division showed up this turn, which pushes the AV ratio into the brick wall region. They were probably already at Vizagapatnam.
I launched a small, one squadron raid to the airbase at Raipur, and did a fair amount of damage there. Of course, being me, I forgot to switch them off next turn. Maybe I can shut that one down for now.
31 October 1943
KB is definitely involved, as some of the air groups were labelled "Shokaku", "Zuikaku" and "Akagi". They're busy mopping up my escaping ships. I think my battleships will get away untouched. One of his carrier groups is straying close to Canton. I've set all fighters there to zero CAP and moved in more from Christmas, along with more dive bombers. I may get a shot at them next turn. It would be nice if I got lucky here.
At Cocanada, I'm pulling the boys out. The IJA 1st Armored Division showed up this turn, which pushes the AV ratio into the brick wall region. They were probably already at Vizagapatnam.
I launched a small, one squadron raid to the airbase at Raipur, and did a fair amount of damage there. Of course, being me, I forgot to switch them off next turn. Maybe I can shut that one down for now.
Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 20
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
B-25D1 Mitchell x 13
P-40N1 Warhawk x 25
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
P-40N1 Warhawk: 7 destroyed
Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 35
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 7 on standby, 10 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
02 November 1943
A new month.
I guess my torpedoes are officially "normal" now.
Between encounters and my airstrike from Canton, we have a better picture of KB.
So we've confirmed Shokaku, Zuikaku, Katsuragi, Akagi and Shoho. That's one of the two carrier task forces. No clue who's in the other one.
It's probably safe to say CF is oblivious to what I have in India right now. There's no way they'll interfere with my op there.
My two battleships made it to Christmas. I had them continue east on a roundabout route to Pearl, as KB may still approach this island. I'm trying to get fighters moved over there for CAP. I'm not real happy with my strike. The escorts only flew with the TBFs, leaving the dive bombers hanging out to dry. If they'd have been together, I probably would have had some good shots at his ships.
I kind of wish I had kicked off a Port Moresby landing at the same time. I would have gotten them ashore anyway. I'll keep that in mind for next time.
In India, my land group has mostly extracted itself from Cocanada. The last three infantry divisions should be out next turn. A cruiser force bombarded them on the 31st, but did minimal damage.
A new month.
I guess my torpedoes are officially "normal" now.
Between encounters and my airstrike from Canton, we have a better picture of KB.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 154,141
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 63
Allied aircraft
FM-1 Wildcat x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 39
TBF-1 Avenger x 16
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
FM-1 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 3 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
CV Zuikaku
CVL Shoho
CV Katsuragi
Aircraft Attacking:
5 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
6 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33220.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 33220.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
Katsuragi-1 with A6M5 Zero (5 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
---------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 154,141
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 49
Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 21
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 8 destroyed
CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
11 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
Katsuragi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 70 minutes
---------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 154,141
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 45
Allied aircraft
SB2C-1C Helldiver x 9
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
SB2C-1C Helldiver: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
CV Akagi
Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB2C-1C Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Katsuragi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
---------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Canton Island at 154,141
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 40
Allied aircraft
SBD-5 Dauntless x 11
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
SBD-5 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Katsuragi-1 with A6M5 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Day Time Surface Combat, near Enderbury Island at 159,142, Range 30,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CV Shokaku
CV Zuikaku
CV Katsuragi
CV Akagi
CVL Shoho
BB Kongo
BB Hiei
CA Takao
CLAA Tenryu
DD Akizuki
DD Teruzuki
DD Hatsuzuki
DD Kazegumo
DD Makigumo
DD Makinami
Allied Ships
AP Gen. T.H.Bliss
AK Allioth
AK Hyperion
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Range closes to 29,000 yards...
Range closes to 28,000 yards...
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
Range closes to 26,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 26,000 yards
Range closes to 25,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 25,000 yards
Range increases to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese radar detects Allied task force at 27,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 30,000 yards...
Both Task Forces evade combat
So we've confirmed Shokaku, Zuikaku, Katsuragi, Akagi and Shoho. That's one of the two carrier task forces. No clue who's in the other one.
It's probably safe to say CF is oblivious to what I have in India right now. There's no way they'll interfere with my op there.
My two battleships made it to Christmas. I had them continue east on a roundabout route to Pearl, as KB may still approach this island. I'm trying to get fighters moved over there for CAP. I'm not real happy with my strike. The escorts only flew with the TBFs, leaving the dive bombers hanging out to dry. If they'd have been together, I probably would have had some good shots at his ships.
I kind of wish I had kicked off a Port Moresby landing at the same time. I would have gotten them ashore anyway. I'll keep that in mind for next time.
In India, my land group has mostly extracted itself from Cocanada. The last three infantry divisions should be out next turn. A cruiser force bombarded them on the 31st, but did minimal damage.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
What sort of intel would lead you to believe this? It's probably unlikely but at the same time the biggest disasters I have seen on the Allied side come when this assumption is false.ORIGINAL: Mundy
It's probably safe to say CF is oblivious to what I have in India right now. There's no way they'll interfere with my op there.
Did all the air units have the same HQ? That makes a difference. Though in my experience I still get fragmented strikes even when they have the same HQ in the same level 9 base. Just the variability built into the game.ORIGINAL: Mundy
I'm not real happy with my strike. The escorts only flew with the TBFs, leaving the dive bombers hanging out to dry. If they'd have been together, I probably would have had some good shots at his ships.
You've only found HALF the KB. Besides even with no KB the Japanese could put up plenty of fight for Port Moresby. It's not like you had CV support for that operation either. Maybe you could have landed some units but it's gonna take a lot more to win a campaign for Port Moresby. It's a pretty ideal place for Japan to defend.ORIGINAL: Mundy
I kind of wish I had kicked off a Port Moresby landing at the same time. I would have gotten them ashore anyway. I'll keep that in mind for next time.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
I've had my "bait" surface group sitting at Bombay, which has never been discovered yet. No sub incidents transferring my carriers to Karachi. I kept the planes on deck, too, so as not to give things away.
Not sure about the HQ. Have to check.
I only got IDs on one of the two carrier groups that were in the area, so I'm fairly certain this was the whole group.
I'm going to try to simply starve Port Moresby at this point. It's been forever since I've seen a supply convoy make the trip. I have a number of subs covering the approach, and my bases in Australia give me the reach needed. The number of troops he has there will make anything I try a chore -- especially with commercial transport. I was thinking out loud mostly.
I am considering taking one or two of the Jimas north of Japan, especially the more developed ones. I have troops in the Aleutians prepping for some of these bases. It would be a long haul for KB to interfere with these. I've been stockpiling troops at Dutch Harbor and Adak as of late. A Canadian brigade has been reassembled there, too. A sub base a stones throw from the Home Islands could be a real pain for him. Not to mentions what B-24s could do. I'd wait for CV support before trying this, as well as more assault transports.
Not sure about the HQ. Have to check.
I only got IDs on one of the two carrier groups that were in the area, so I'm fairly certain this was the whole group.
I'm going to try to simply starve Port Moresby at this point. It's been forever since I've seen a supply convoy make the trip. I have a number of subs covering the approach, and my bases in Australia give me the reach needed. The number of troops he has there will make anything I try a chore -- especially with commercial transport. I was thinking out loud mostly.
I am considering taking one or two of the Jimas north of Japan, especially the more developed ones. I have troops in the Aleutians prepping for some of these bases. It would be a long haul for KB to interfere with these. I've been stockpiling troops at Dutch Harbor and Adak as of late. A Canadian brigade has been reassembled there, too. A sub base a stones throw from the Home Islands could be a real pain for him. Not to mentions what B-24s could do. I'd wait for CV support before trying this, as well as more assault transports.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
10 November 1943
The setup.
There hasn't been much real action for awhile, apart from my subs bagging a cargo ship now and then.
I have fairly regular cargo runs enroute to Karachi, usually with at least one 100k convoy enroute on the map at any one time. Karachi's sitting at over 200k right now, and it is trickling down. Cochin actually has 4,000 supply, rather than the usual 1 or 2. I'm moving a bunch of base forces and Engineers to Calicut to get an extra base going down there. Hopefully supplies will hit it.
Most of my C-47s and such are at Bangalore. When D-Day comes, they'll surge to Madras to move the paras over. Dambulla has been under recon for awhile, which indicates about 1,000 troops there. Most likely base force types. A large chunk of my heavy bombers are at Bangalore also. Just about all of them have recovered their strength. I have something like 370 aviation support there. Any P-38s will go there for escort purposes, but my main anti-fighter effort will be sweeps. I'll probably have a couple hundred heavy bombers involved. Lots of B-25s are in India also, so I'll use them, Beaufighters, Beauforts, Blenheims and whatever else. I have a squadron of external tank equipped Spitfires at Karachi, which I've moved south, so they'll help with the sweep front. Bangalore's useful, as I believe it's just out of range of his medium bombers -- with escorts anyway.
I have a bunch of assault transports moving to Bombay along the coast. I'm tired of adding numbers, so I'll use them to test my initial lift ability.
Another pack of 5-6 APAs are enroute from Cape Town, but will take at least three weeks to arrive. After that, I pretty much have the transports I'll use. LSTs are trickling in from Aden, but I have plenty of equipment shipping. Hauling people is what I need most of. The Amphibious TF HQ carrier is also on map and enroute to Karachi.
This will probably kick off in about a month. I'm getting the pieces set.
The setup.
There hasn't been much real action for awhile, apart from my subs bagging a cargo ship now and then.
I have fairly regular cargo runs enroute to Karachi, usually with at least one 100k convoy enroute on the map at any one time. Karachi's sitting at over 200k right now, and it is trickling down. Cochin actually has 4,000 supply, rather than the usual 1 or 2. I'm moving a bunch of base forces and Engineers to Calicut to get an extra base going down there. Hopefully supplies will hit it.
Most of my C-47s and such are at Bangalore. When D-Day comes, they'll surge to Madras to move the paras over. Dambulla has been under recon for awhile, which indicates about 1,000 troops there. Most likely base force types. A large chunk of my heavy bombers are at Bangalore also. Just about all of them have recovered their strength. I have something like 370 aviation support there. Any P-38s will go there for escort purposes, but my main anti-fighter effort will be sweeps. I'll probably have a couple hundred heavy bombers involved. Lots of B-25s are in India also, so I'll use them, Beaufighters, Beauforts, Blenheims and whatever else. I have a squadron of external tank equipped Spitfires at Karachi, which I've moved south, so they'll help with the sweep front. Bangalore's useful, as I believe it's just out of range of his medium bombers -- with escorts anyway.
I have a bunch of assault transports moving to Bombay along the coast. I'm tired of adding numbers, so I'll use them to test my initial lift ability.
Another pack of 5-6 APAs are enroute from Cape Town, but will take at least three weeks to arrive. After that, I pretty much have the transports I'll use. LSTs are trickling in from Aden, but I have plenty of equipment shipping. Hauling people is what I need most of. The Amphibious TF HQ carrier is also on map and enroute to Karachi.
This will probably kick off in about a month. I'm getting the pieces set.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
11 November 1943
Keeping it going.
I paid Lord Howe a visit, with satisfying results.
Keeping it going.
I paid Lord Howe a visit, with satisfying results.
Night Naval bombardment of Lord Howe Island at 100,169
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 9 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 6 damaged
H8K1 Emily: 4 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 8 damaged
N1K1-J George: 32 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Helena
DD Nepal
DD Dale
DD Phelps
Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 43
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 3
CL Helena firing at Lord Howe Island
DD Nepal firing at Lord Howe Island
DD Dale firing at Lord Howe Island
DD Phelps firing at Lord Howe Island
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Sorry I've been quiet. Just lots of nothing going on.
My dive bombers at Canton had been helping out the doomed invaders of Baker Island. Last turn, some Georges showed up and beat up the bombers and their Wildcat escorts a bit. They're grounded, and I'm sweeping them with F6Fs next turn. Either way, this is purely sideshow stuff.
I have one last group of APAs on map, heading for Bombay. They should arrive inside a week. It's looking like I could kick off the Ceylon invasion within the next two weeks. I have plenty to consider when I start this, starting with the land based air campaign. Should I mass sweep a day before the bombings, or do them concurrently? Not sure yet. Cochin has enough supply to handle a few squadrons of Jugs for this. Recon's indicating only fighters at Colombo and Trincomalee -- 160 at Colombo and 50 at Trincomalee. No indication of bombers or auxiliaries. There's a fair chance my invasion fleet will be on top of him before they're discovered. All recon activity on his part have been over my land bases in India. Even the 30+ subs I have surrounding the island haven't encountered search planes.
I'm trying to solely deal with the issue at hand and not pyramid my "successes" into the future, but I can't help thinking about the next moves after taking Ceylon. I'll most likely grab Male, Addu and Diego Garcia using a heavy rubber mallet on each. I'm seriously overloaded in base forces and Seabees in India, so I can do serious work on everything I take.
What next? A direct run on Calcutta would probably turn ugly, no matter how many divisions I use. I'm favoring taking the bases at the Andaman Islands. That would put the screws on Rangoon and everything to the north, and possibly open up the Malay peninsula. Naval air would have to hold their hands the entire way, but would probably do the job. CVEs would probably be needed for every supply convoy after that. Of course, by that point, losing Ceylon may cause KB to be realigned to that half of the map. The upside would be opening the path to the Gilberts/Marshalls. Would he split KB to cover both?
My dive bombers at Canton had been helping out the doomed invaders of Baker Island. Last turn, some Georges showed up and beat up the bombers and their Wildcat escorts a bit. They're grounded, and I'm sweeping them with F6Fs next turn. Either way, this is purely sideshow stuff.
I have one last group of APAs on map, heading for Bombay. They should arrive inside a week. It's looking like I could kick off the Ceylon invasion within the next two weeks. I have plenty to consider when I start this, starting with the land based air campaign. Should I mass sweep a day before the bombings, or do them concurrently? Not sure yet. Cochin has enough supply to handle a few squadrons of Jugs for this. Recon's indicating only fighters at Colombo and Trincomalee -- 160 at Colombo and 50 at Trincomalee. No indication of bombers or auxiliaries. There's a fair chance my invasion fleet will be on top of him before they're discovered. All recon activity on his part have been over my land bases in India. Even the 30+ subs I have surrounding the island haven't encountered search planes.
I'm trying to solely deal with the issue at hand and not pyramid my "successes" into the future, but I can't help thinking about the next moves after taking Ceylon. I'll most likely grab Male, Addu and Diego Garcia using a heavy rubber mallet on each. I'm seriously overloaded in base forces and Seabees in India, so I can do serious work on everything I take.
What next? A direct run on Calcutta would probably turn ugly, no matter how many divisions I use. I'm favoring taking the bases at the Andaman Islands. That would put the screws on Rangoon and everything to the north, and possibly open up the Malay peninsula. Naval air would have to hold their hands the entire way, but would probably do the job. CVEs would probably be needed for every supply convoy after that. Of course, by that point, losing Ceylon may cause KB to be realigned to that half of the map. The upside would be opening the path to the Gilberts/Marshalls. Would he split KB to cover both?
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Well if it were me after taking Ceylon and I would aim to retake the rest of India back from the Japanese. This can be done with frontal land attacks coupled with amphibious landings along the eastern shore of India. The Andamans should be off limits until you have Calcutta and Malaya/Sumatra should be off limits until you have the Andamans. But either way concentrate on the task at hand...Ceylon is not a certain victory.ORIGINAL: Mundy
What next? A direct run on Calcutta would probably turn ugly, no matter how many divisions I use. I'm favoring taking the bases at the Andaman Islands. That would put the screws on Rangoon and everything to the north, and possibly open up the Malay peninsula. Naval air would have to hold their hands the entire way, but would probably do the job. CVEs would probably be needed for every supply convoy after that. Of course, by that point, losing Ceylon may cause KB to be realigned to that half of the map. The upside would be opening the path to the Gilberts/Marshalls. Would he split KB to cover both?
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
I know.
If this doesn't work, I may throw in the towel. On the plus side, I'm throwing 10+ divisions, plus plenty of armor and other forces against about 20,000 troops. This should work. The paras at Dambulla should help things, too.
Provided things go to plan, I'll start moving recon assets over to check out the whole Calcutta area. Maybe he's skimped on a garrison there. If so, Diamond Harbor's the target -- maybe. One could also land lots of stuff at Vizagapatnam, combined with a new offensive out of Bezwada. That approach would kill a lot of IJA troops, perhaps easing the trip down the road a bit. All of this adds time to everything. Of course, everything is contingent of whether KB moves this way or not.
Either way, I'll have time to think about it. CF is going on vacation over the first half of October. I may get one final turn today. I'll be able to concentrate on my Japanese game vs AW1Steve. I'm doing better on the restart, compared to the first run. I haven't starved Japan of supply and I didn't let any invasion convoys get ambushed. I'm just trying to finish off Bataan right now.
If this doesn't work, I may throw in the towel. On the plus side, I'm throwing 10+ divisions, plus plenty of armor and other forces against about 20,000 troops. This should work. The paras at Dambulla should help things, too.
Provided things go to plan, I'll start moving recon assets over to check out the whole Calcutta area. Maybe he's skimped on a garrison there. If so, Diamond Harbor's the target -- maybe. One could also land lots of stuff at Vizagapatnam, combined with a new offensive out of Bezwada. That approach would kill a lot of IJA troops, perhaps easing the trip down the road a bit. All of this adds time to everything. Of course, everything is contingent of whether KB moves this way or not.
Either way, I'll have time to think about it. CF is going on vacation over the first half of October. I may get one final turn today. I'll be able to concentrate on my Japanese game vs AW1Steve. I'm doing better on the restart, compared to the first run. I haven't starved Japan of supply and I didn't let any invasion convoys get ambushed. I'm just trying to finish off Bataan right now.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
You've gone too far to throw in the towel yet! You are only *just* getting all those CVs and CVEs. Anyways, I'm not worried about whether or not your ground units will be able to take the base. It's more about what ships you lose in trying to take the base.ORIGINAL: Mundy
If this doesn't work, I may throw in the towel. On the plus side, I'm throwing 10+ divisions, plus plenty of armor and other forces against about 20,000 troops. This should work. The paras at Dambulla should help things, too.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
I don't know...
I'll have *lots* of naval air a hex away. 4 CVs, 5 CVLs and 4 CVEs -- a little over 300 fighters. As mentioned, I haven't seen any offensive air on the island. Extra task forces for minesweeping, ASW and surface combat would help confuse things also. My fleet carriers will each have a fast battleship with them, to help soak hit attempts.
Any opinion if I should sweep a day before bombing or do it together?
I'll have *lots* of naval air a hex away. 4 CVs, 5 CVLs and 4 CVEs -- a little over 300 fighters. As mentioned, I haven't seen any offensive air on the island. Extra task forces for minesweeping, ASW and surface combat would help confuse things also. My fleet carriers will each have a fast battleship with them, to help soak hit attempts.
Any opinion if I should sweep a day before bombing or do it together?
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Looks like subs will be your biggest concern!
Re: the sweeps - if he has not detected the approach of your CVs and Amphibs I would hold them so as to try keep surprise.
Re: the sweeps - if he has not detected the approach of your CVs and Amphibs I would hold them so as to try keep surprise.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Yep, I'm definitely taking care not to alert him early.
I've only recently seen one sub in the general SW area lately. I'm most worried about them giving the show away. I think if I hug the coastline all the way down, I'll be okay from them. That tactic has served me well thus far.
I'll be on hold until the 14th.
I've only recently seen one sub in the general SW area lately. I'm most worried about them giving the show away. I think if I hug the coastline all the way down, I'll be okay from them. That tactic has served me well thus far.
I'll be on hold until the 14th.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
Honestly if you ask me you should suppress the air bases in Ceylon well before launching an invasion. It can be done too with a combination of naval bombardment and air attacks without bringing CVs. If it succeeds you should have no problems keeping the island suppressed for many months to come. There is always a chance you lose the surprise this way but even that isn't necessarily so bad. I think CF will be very weary of sortieing the KB on the far edge of the map in an area he won't have any LBA, especially if he has no confirmation on where your CVs are. And IMO the best part about this strategy is that if it works you won't even have to risk your CVs and CVEs here; without LBA the Japanese very well may just give up on the island. When it comes to late 43 I think the Japanese are far more inclined to give up these outlying positions once the LBA option has been taken away from the table.ORIGINAL: Mundy
Any opinion if I should sweep a day before bombing or do it together?
EDIT: My greatest concern for the upcoming battle with the other strategy is that when you first try to suppress the base, it doesn't work immediately. And if the Japanese see CVs approaching at the same time then CF is just going to throw the kitchen sink of LBA at you. And that is the absolute worst case scenario because you are going to be trading Allied ships for Japanese planes which exactly what the Japanese want to do in this point in the war.
RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder
I'm leaning towards focusing everything at first on Colombo, as the majority of his fighter strength is there. If I trash that base, I'll focus on Trincomalee, keeping 2-3 squadrons on Colombo to keep the damage topped off. P-47s will sweep at max altitude, where they've pretty much been unbeatable. I have some P-51As in-country. I'm not really sure how to use them yet, as they're definitely not a high altitude fighter. With my southern bases getting supply, even my P-40s can participate. Quantity will be a quality of its own. My tank equipped Spitfires should do damage too.
I haven't taken a census recently, but I'm sure I have over 150 heavy bombers in India -- mostly B-24s. Some Wellingtons and B-17s are present also. Probably 5 more of B-25s, and then the mish-mash of Blenheims, etc.
I'll start the air war early. Hopefully I can do a Port Moresby on them. After the Ceylon bases, it's 18 hexes to Cocanada, and one more to Vizagapatnam (getting sick of typing that name...) He can forget about land based air supporting that distance. Even if he flew Betties and Nells in, they can fly without escort. That should make the para landing at Dambulla trouble-free also. The upside of the paras is that if Colombo is slow to fall, he can't rail any extra troops in.
You're right. If I do this correctly, the need for naval air should be minimal. I don't want to leave everyone without CAP, as the Netties don't deserve a free shot. I don't think he currently has any of these in India right now. Of course, redeploying them isn't very hard either.
I'm hoping Colombo's well stocked with supply. If not, the Cape Town convoys will focus there. Currently, I have 400k worth on map enroute to Karachi. Things have been easing up on the supply side in India.
I haven't taken a census recently, but I'm sure I have over 150 heavy bombers in India -- mostly B-24s. Some Wellingtons and B-17s are present also. Probably 5 more of B-25s, and then the mish-mash of Blenheims, etc.
I'll start the air war early. Hopefully I can do a Port Moresby on them. After the Ceylon bases, it's 18 hexes to Cocanada, and one more to Vizagapatnam (getting sick of typing that name...) He can forget about land based air supporting that distance. Even if he flew Betties and Nells in, they can fly without escort. That should make the para landing at Dambulla trouble-free also. The upside of the paras is that if Colombo is slow to fall, he can't rail any extra troops in.
You're right. If I do this correctly, the need for naval air should be minimal. I don't want to leave everyone without CAP, as the Netties don't deserve a free shot. I don't think he currently has any of these in India right now. Of course, redeploying them isn't very hard either.
I'm hoping Colombo's well stocked with supply. If not, the Cape Town convoys will focus there. Currently, I have 400k worth on map enroute to Karachi. Things have been easing up on the supply side in India.