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

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

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

Well... I can send a CVE with a recon squadron... which of course will trigger all sort of "DANGER, DANGER" alerts to PresterJohn. [;)]
so probably won't happen, or maybe I will send it with the (small) invasion force following closely.. then if I see a Iwo Jima in the works; I will simply cancel it

What I have done before was to park submarines in outlying islands.. it will not tell what is there, but at least I can somehow assess the size of the garrison by checking the sea traffic. Small bases cannot stockpile a lot of supply, then a division in a small underdeveloped atoll will require some frequent xAK trips
Submarines will also tell if there is naval search in place

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Well... I can send a CVE with a recon squadron... which of course will trigger all sort of "DANGER, DANGER" alerts to PresterJohn. [;)]

Yeah I was wondering about exactly that. So I was interested to read your more general "scouting" ideas. Thanks.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

A pity allies don't have float plane capable submarines. They really shine on this scenario

[BBfanboy]

Cocos may seem to be of limited value, but it can be quite useful for the allies. In a couple of AARs I have seen the Allied player took Cocos, built it up and reconned everything from Northern Sumatra to Singapore to Palembang.

When it was clear the Japanese were not building up defences in the area the Allies invaded the islands on the west side of Sumatra and used LBA to shatter the Japanese resistance - bombers from Cocos and fighters on the invaded islands. Once those islands were secure and built enough to put bombers on, the Strait of Malacca was too dangerous for the Japanese and even Singapore was in danger.

Next came invasion of Northern Sumatra and some of the west side islands closer to Palembang. The Japanese were already being pressed in the usual Marshalls/Solomons/New Guinea so they had little to bring to Sumatra. IIRC the timing on the invasions was from around July 1943 through December.

Unfortunately we never got to see the games play out because once it was clear the Allies would take Palembang the Japanese players just stopped playing. [:(]

Even if you do not end up using Cocos as a launch point for invasions, the threat that you could gives the Japanese player another axis to try and defend, thinning his forces elsewhere.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks BBfanboy,
as you mentioned, this was done successfully with Japan already pressed in the Pacific, which is not the case (yet) in my game.

Most likely scenario here would be initial success due to surprise. but then followed by a strong counter offensive.. that is the challenge of mid October 42; not a lot to do other than "chores" like pilot training, convoys and minor land campaigns

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury
the challenge of mid October 42

On the other hand, that sounds a lot better than the challenge of the early months in 1942, facing near total defeat across the board. Good luck with your "restrained" offensives; even if the gains are small, it will be well worth it if you can maintain pressure on the Japanese so they lose some of their freedom of action.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Game is advancing slowly.

Yesterday Australian Spitfires have its baptism of fire in Darwin and they performed well. Check this (FOW inflated) scorecard:


All happened in Darwin. I think it was a Japanese mistake not to grab it early on. Thus I will keep sending blockade runners with much needed supply

For yesterday's success, it is important to highlight that the bombers arrived before the fighter sweep. Also the fact that the more numerous P-40Ks also contributed [;)][:D]
CAP was 15 Australian Spitfire Vcs and 25 P-40Ks
Reserve was 25 P-40Ks escorting 16 A-24 Banshees doing naval attack --> this just in case he decided to send SCTFs

1st wave: 19 Betties, 12 shot down, xAKL Kooyong sunk

2nd wave: 9 Ruffes, 7 Vals, although Ruffes were massacred, they managed to protect all the Vals, who then sank AM Bundaberg, xAKL Kaiping sunk

3rd wave: 18 Oscars, 15 Lillies. Oscars paid a heavy price while only 4 Lillies survived to attack (and miss) AM Bunberry

Last wave: 9 "sweeping" Zeroes arrived late[:D] to be defeated by Spitfires, 4 to 5 shot down

Losses:
Japan: 45+ planes shot down
Allies: 2 xAKLs, 1 AM, 2 P-40K, 1 Spitfire

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 8 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Kooyong, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Princessa
xAKL Kanlaon II

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 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 16 minutes
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes



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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 54 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 9
D3A1 Val x 7

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 3 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AM Bundaberg, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kaiping, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(20 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers

Bundaberg dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kaiping

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

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 15

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Kolambugan
AM Bunbury

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes

Bunbury dead in the water ...

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Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 19 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
Spitfire Vc Trop x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire Vc Trop: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.75 Sqn RAAF with Spitfire Vc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 16330.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 93 minutes
49th FG/8th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Game is really crawling now... only 2 turns done last week, PresterJohn was on vacations

But anyway, good turn overall:
- Kalemyo in the Burma frontier fell with heavy Japanese losses
- I have been bombing (at night) Magwe oil wells. The damage done is really small, but his air losses has been very heavy. Look how many Tojos and Nicks were destroyed yesterday (FOW):

Interesting to see Zeros, I don't know where are they coming from, not in the combat replay/ report, maybe just FOW

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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes



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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes



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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 9

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes



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Night Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
27th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 50 minutes
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes

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Ground combat at Kalemyo (59,42)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 24249 troops, 353 guns, 282 vehicles, Assault Value = 781

Defending force 7030 troops, 179 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Allied adjusted assault: 1074

Japanese adjusted defense: 94

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kalemyo !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2503 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 152 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 37 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 120 (100 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 35 (33 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 9

Allied ground losses:
209 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
20th Indian Division
70th British Division

Defending units:
49th JNAF AF Unit
48th Field AA Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st JAAF AF Bn
42nd JNAF AF Unit
55th Field AA Battalion
8th JAAF AF Bn
16th AA Regiment
23rd AA Regiment
96th JAAF AF Bn

[jwolf]

Too bad about the slower pace for a while, but the battles are going nicely for you in the Burma theater. That ground combat at Kalemyo was sweet. [8D]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

After days of relatively disappointing night bombing results I decided that the time had come for a true air assault on Magwe. But before going there I just want to highlight that when I said disappointing it means in terms of oil hits, the night bombing had been wonderful at destroying his "ersatz" night fighters on CAP. Losses were so bad that he stopped using Tojos at night. He just kept the Nicks-A in order to to reduce bomber accuracy.

Overall my night bombing result after a week was a couple dozen enemy fighters and ~half dozen Allied bombers destroyed, mostly operational losses. Oil hits were only only 9 points.. this was clearly too costly to keep it... maybe I was doing something wrong? important to mention I kept bombers at around 50 per night, this is a HR.

Back to the massive battle, I had the extreme good luck of getting a coordinated sweep.. This really saved the day for many fighter pilots. The mass dogfight that followed ensured significant losses, but for both contenders.
If you ask how did I manage to get a coordinated sweep? just pure good luck [;)]

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Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 123

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10
P-38E Lightning x 32
P-38F Lightning x 32
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38E Lightning: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet *
11 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
10 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet
13 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
10 x P-38E Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
16 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 28 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 8 on standby, 26 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 8 scrambling)
2 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 14000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 24 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

These are the losses:


Of course they are unsustainable, thus I am still debating if I should keep pounding the airfield or change to City attack: Oil
Airfield damage is at 52, he will most likely send every fighter available to Magwe and nearby bases, thus tomorrow will be another massacre.

Looking at the losses, I am happy the worst are in planes I don't care too much about: Blenheims& Hudsons, as long as the B-17s and B-24s can hold their own, I am happy to use all others as sacrificial lamb.

By the way, this battle is my Burma campaign, at least for the short term. I have decided it is not worth to keep a ground offensive as I would be fighting on his terms.
Magwe oil has to go, no question about it, and Akyab captured and develped, but once this is achieved, I am happy to go on the defensive



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Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 81

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 23
A-29 Hudson x 4
B-17E Fortress x 38
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 22
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 41

Aircraft Attacking:
5 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
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 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
4 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 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
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 13 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 32560.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 27630.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 72

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
B-17D Fortress x 6
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-17F Fortress x 10
B-24D Liberator x 6
B-26B Marauder x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 8 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17F 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
6 x B-17F 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
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 16 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10890.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes



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Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 51

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 8
B-17F Fortress x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

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

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 20

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 9
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-26B Marauder x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 7 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17D 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
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
2 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
11th 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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai 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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed by flak

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 3000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 5
B-24D Liberator x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Wellington Ic 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

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase hits 3

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

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 15 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 3 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 143 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai 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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 destroyed by flak

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

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai 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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 4

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 4

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

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



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 9

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

[IdahoNYer]

Holy Smokes!!! With 123 Tojos on CAP, your losses seem extremely light! What's the magic?

[jwolf]

I was wondering about that, too. Weather was heavy rain -- maybe that "washed out" a lot of the air combat?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

Holy Smokes!!! With 123 Tojos on CAP, your losses seem extremely light! What's the magic?

I think the secret weapon was the sacrificial Blenheim IV, keeping the Tojos tied up so the fighters could sweep without too much opposition! [:D]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

These are my thoughts:

1st: somehow the sweep arrived coordinated, I don't know why, I would say just sheer good luck, 123 Tojos met 90 fighter planes, most of them P-38s and all front line/ latest model. This was the first fight, which was followed by a relatively irrelevant sweep of Hurricanes (1 lost), then two mass bomber raids. here is where the Blenheims got somehow most of the Tojo attention.
Then multiple followers, each getting less and less CAP attention. with the last ones unopposed.

2nd: There was never 123 Tojos in the air, it was mostly between 30 and 40 and they were coming in and out, I guess the same can be said about the Allies, to some degree, key point is that the 1st sweep battle was always close to 1-to-1 in numbers

3rd: And this is the only one I controlled: I knew he would be keeping the CAP high, he always does, as is advantageous against sweep. I sent the fighters high (20K, the max allowed by HR) and the bombers low (6K, which explains the heavy AA losses). You can see the message: "Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.".. this altitude GAP between CAP and bombers should had reduce the time available for intercepting.

[IdahoNYer]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

These are my thoughts:

1st: somehow the sweep arrived coordinated, I don't know why, I would say just sheer good luck, 123 Tojos met 90 fighter planes, most of them P-38s and all front line/ latest model. This was the first fight, which was followed by a relatively irrelevant sweep of Hurricanes (1 lost), then two mass bomber raids. here is where the Blenheims got somehow most of the Tojo attention.
Then multiple followers, each getting less and less CAP attention. with the last ones unopposed.

2nd: There was never 123 Tojos in the air, it was mostly between 30 and 40 and they were coming in and out, I guess the same can be said about the Allies, to some degree, key point is that the 1st sweep battle was always close to 1-to-1 in numbers

3rd: And this is the only one I controlled: I knew he would be keeping the CAP high, he always does, as is advantageous against sweep. I sent the fighters high (20K, the max allowed by HR) and the bombers low (6K, which explains the heavy AA losses). You can see the message: "Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.".. this altitude GAP between CAP and bombers should had reduce the time available for intercepting.

Guess 123 were maybe avail, but limited by the % on CAP? By the time your bombers came through, fatigue was probably taking a toll on CAP as well. I like the idea of mixing altitude of sweeps and bombers - risky, but it looks like it worked pretty well (Blenheim pilots would probably disagree of course)

In any case, was great to see these kind of results!!! Gives me hope for the future! Keep 'em flying!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Turns keep moving slowly.

Great news, against my forecasts, opposition was not too strong on the 2nd day, and sweeps got most of the CAP. In consequence:

- Most losses are in fighters, regrettably P-38s top the Allied chart with 8 planes down. But really few bombers shot down and this is a win
- Magwe airfield is closed after been heavily pounded by hundreds of bombers

Needless to say, I have already shifted to "City attack = Oil"...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

These are today's losses and some key Magwe air battles


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3 Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 17 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Kamikawa Maru-1 with A6M2-N Rufe (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
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 5 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 14 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
A6M2-N Rufe x 1
A6M3 Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 22077.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 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 1 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (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 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 165 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
A6M3 Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
1st 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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
A6M3 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 27
Hudson IIIa x 19
Wellington Ic x 12
A-29 Hudson x 10
B-17D Fortress x 14
B-17E Fortress x 71
B-17F Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 25
B-26 Marauder x 6
B-26B Marauder x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 destroyed by flak
A-29 Hudson: 1 destroyed
B-17D Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 13 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak

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

Airbase hits 33
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 55

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
11 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
9 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
4 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 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-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 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
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 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
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 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
6 x B-17F 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
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 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-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 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-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (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
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Tainan Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 228 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (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 20000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-17F Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-26B Marauder x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 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-17F 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
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[Lowpe]

Nice work on Magwe.[&o]

Speaking from a JFB point of view. Defending against the night attacks caused the Empire to put the Nicks on night duty weakening the daytime defense.

Tojo IIa, while an excellent plane, isn't a great anti-bomber plane. The Empire really needs fighters with cannons down low.

It is almost Nov of 1942. What planes should Japan have on duty. At the least A6M5s. Perhaps a squadron of the despised Tonies.

A better defense would have been layered starting at 10K and climbing to 20K. Probably don't need to go that high. The higher the defensive CAP, the less planes are on duty as they are climbing or descending instead of fighting.

It is a numbers game, and while 123 Tojo's looks good, the realization that only 30% are actually fighting due to the settings might be overlooked.

It also looks like there was not a lot of flak there. How else to explain bombers coming in at 6K and not being damaged (the more recent attacks shows a better response by the AA).

And finally, the last piece in the lackluster Japanese response is the 4-6-10 minute warning. No radar, or not enough radar there further weakening the effectiveness of those 123 Tojos.

It takes a holistic approach to defend: multiple fighter styles playing to their strengths; stacked air CAP; radar for warning; flak to disrupt and even down planes.

Looking at these results you should really put Magwe down for the count, and pretty inexpensively at that.

So you will destroy the oil 2 months a head of time...hopefully Japan can learn from this fight.[:)]

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thank you very much Lowpe, I will be forwarding your analysis to my opponent.

I fully agree, and I am surprised he kept CAP at high-level-only on the second day. The 1st day was a total surprise, but he should had switched to a layered defense on second day. [:-]

That said, I know he had been busy with real life, which is why our game is now crawling at 2 turns per week..

With regards to flak: there is certainly some, but as you mentioned it is not a flak trap. Probably one regiment, with long range guns as I experinced flak even when doing night bombing at 15K feet.

As per lack of radar, this might be due to the fast pace of conquest in eastern Bengal. It is possible that the bombing happened before he was fully ready for it.

And finally, fighter force: he had very good results with Tojo early on, this of course against Allied fighters. Of cannon equipped fighters, I have only seen Zeros (M2, M3) and Nicks. Nicks were actually in Magwe, but as you mentioned, they were used as night CAP. The catch is that this plane is not good against sweeps. I think it would had been a good idea to keep Nicks and Zeros low, matching the bombers altitude, while the Tojos are high matching sweep altitude.

For next turn, I have already switch to city bombing: oil, and I have changed altitude to 4,000 feet. This to increase the gap between bombers and CAP and also to increase the probability of hits... I want to finish this as soon as possible. Magwe airbase is closed, but he can still intercept from level 3 Mandalay and 2 level 1 nearby airbases