Back for the First Time – Allied AAR vs. AI - War in the Pacific: Admirals Edition

[Schlussel]

So far I am only getting "planes damaged" messages when the Japanese bomb Akyab, none have been destroyed as of yet. I have a small supply convoy heading in to Akyab soon, I'll see if the Japanese bombers target the ships, or they continue hitting ground targets. If the latter occurs I might try to pick up the damaged planes on the way out. I am currently doing some LRCAP from Cox's but I have to stand them down every few days because of fatigue. And I think the Japanese are onto me, because the last two turns they have just started bombing Cox's en masse with a hefty fighter escort. Will probably have to pull LRCAP back to Chittagong.

As for the Fighter fragment recombination , it's been three turns and it has not been changed to the parent.

Macclan5-Not sure about the 10th, I'll check and if it is in theater, I'll definitely use it as you suggested.

As always, thanks for the advice guys!

[BBfanboy]

If you are worried about strikes on your retiring cargo ships, just set them to Full Speed when they leave Akyab and they should be far enough away to avoid the worst of the Japanese strikes. Even the slowest xAKL makes 3 hexes in each phase so at full speed it will cover 12 hexes before the morning air strikes can launch.
You just have to remember to set them back to Mission Speed before the next turn to keep them from running out of fuel.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If you are worried about strikes on your retiring cargo ships, just set them to Full Speed when they leave Akyab and they should be far enough away to avoid the worst of the Japanese strikes. Even the slowest xAKL makes 3 hexes in each phase so at full speed it will cover 12 hexes before the morning air strikes can launch.
You just have to remember to set them back to Mission Speed before the next turn to keep them from running out of fuel.

Good point BBF. I'll definitely set the TF to ludicrous speed, I just hope they don't overshoot their target and run aground....and don't you DARE call me chicken.[:D]

[Schlussel]

Week 49: November 11th – November 17th 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu.



Central Pacific:
Tabiteuea is under constant Betty attack all week, but the rag-tag group of wildcats (two partial squadrons) are doing their job, and doing it well. Supply ships unloading this week remain untouched.



Southern Pacific:
Theater is quiet.



New Guinea/Solomons:
The Lunga component of the Shortlands wave two assault makes landfall relatively unscathed. By the end of the week the two additional infantry regiments are fully unloaded and the entire Allied force readies for an assault on the 18th.

Australian forces continue advancing towards Salamaua, while Mitchell Bombers target the defenders hoping to keep them from recovering from the morale and disruption hits they suffered after last weeks’ defeat at the hands of the Aussies. I have transferred a squadron of SBD’s to Buna which has had a field day with Japanese shipping attempting to supply the Japanese forces on the North Coast of New Guinea. If this week’s successes continue, the bay bordering Lae and Salamaua will need to be renamed Iron Bottom Sound.



DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, Japan continues the Brunei bombings, but no sign of invasion. Nothing else of note in the region.



SE Asia/China:
The fighting at Akyab is as bitter as always. Two bits of good news:
-The supply convoy reaches Akyab and begins unloading much-needed cargo.
-The Japanese air assault trails off the last two days of the week, allowing my busy airplane mechanics to get 18 Hurricanes operational. When the Japanese bombers return, they will finally have a little resistance.

In central Burma, Allied bombing runs on Mandalay and Schwebo continue to bear fruit. The Chindit force is still about 10 days from Myitkyna…slow and steady. In tandem with this effort, I have a recon regiment that is set to cut the rail link just north of Schwebo, so any Japanese reinforcements will have to hoof it through clear terrain…and within allied bomber range. I’m currently shuffling around bomber squadrons to take advantage of this.

In China, the Japanese continue bombarding Chengchow, Sinyang, Hankow, and Wuchang. At Nanning, the Japanese easily dispatch my small garrison and capture the base along with its light industry. In light of this, I have decided to halt my stalled offensive towards Hankow/Wuchang/Sinyang and pull back to defensive positions. This will save precious supply and allow the Chinese to redeploy to counter the new Japanese offensive at Nanning. Even with their large troop concentrations, the Chinese are really only suited for defense.



IJN Watch:
-The 2-3 CV’s show up again at Hollandia [New Guinea], and it looks like they are joined by 3 BB’s. Otherwise, no other IJN surface forces spotted.



Notable Base Captures:
Nanning [China] captured by Japan (11/12)



Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 2,632 [+78]
Biggest Losses (#): SBD-3 Dauntless (226), Hurricane IIc Trop ( 157), P-40E Warhawk (154),

Japanese: 5,891 [+278]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (1,281), Ki-48 Lily (919), A6M2 Zero (720)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 400 [+1]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CVE Copahee, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 629 [+23]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,778 [+20]
Japanese: 3,646 [+37]
A/J Ratio: 2.41 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 25,502 [+505]
Japanese: 23,184 [+283]
A/J Ratio: 1.10 to 1



Operation Cumberland
Phase 1: Aug.-Sept. 1942
-Capture Tassafronga - COMPLETE
-Secure Milne Bay - COMPLETE
-Capture Terapo - COMPLETE

Phase 2: Oct.-Dec. 1942
-Capture Tulagi – COMPLETE
-Capture Munda – COMPLETE
-Advance to Buna – COMPLETE

Phase 3: Jan. 1942 – July 1943
-Northern NG Coast – IN PROGRESS [Buna captured, Salamaua is next]
-Bougainville- IN PROGRESS [Invasion forces have a good foothold at Shortlands. AV is 208 to 541 in favor of the Allies, assault is imminent]



Other Notes:
- Three Spitfire squadrons filling out in Sydney are on their way to Chittagong via slow cargo ships. Their short legs make them relatively useless in the South West Pacific, the thought is their high maneuverability and top speed will help stabilize the airspace over Akyab and C. Bazaar.

[Bif1961]

That you are ahead of the Japanese already in VPs is impressive. It doesn't bode well for the Japanese, but he still has much of his Fleet and could reverse things in one or two major naval encounters.

[Taxcutter]

Would anybody be interested in yet another AAR?

Me vs AI. Scenario 10 Ironman set to very hard from the git-go.

I'd probably stick to strategic and tech issues. I'm already in to mid-April 42 so a lot of my tactical stuff is already gone.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

That you are ahead of the Japanese already in VPs is impressive. It doesn't bode well for the Japanese, but he still has much of his Fleet and could reverse things in one or two major naval encounters.

You are right on, the KB is pretty much intact and is still a force I would not want to encounter with my carriers alone. I have made a point thus far to hide behind LBA whenever the KB comes a calling. We all know how the fortunes of war can change with some bad luck sprinkled with a little in-decision. I will do all I can to avoid both.

ORIGINAL: Taxcutter

Would anybody be interested in yet another AAR?

Me vs AI. Scenario 10 Ironman set to very hard from the git-go.

I'd probably stick to strategic and tech issues. I'm already in to mid-April 42 so a lot of my tactical stuff is already gone.

I say go for it! In my opinion, its a great way to chronicle your evolving strategy and mindset. I constantly go back to the early pages of my AAR and am amazed how my thinking has changed since then...mostly due to some great advice from the other forumites. [&o]

[BBfanboy]

Taxcutter, I follow almost all Allied AARs and would be interested to see how Ironman challenges a new player.
Would be a great learning experience for you with all the advice you garner from having your own AAR.

[Taxcutter]

Thanks for the support.

I'll go for it.

At least you guys can get some comic relief from it.

[jmalter]

ORIGINAL: Taxcutter
At least you guys can get some comic relief from it.

Well, hopefully we'll do more than just point & laugh!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: jmalter

ORIGINAL: Taxcutter
At least you guys can get some comic relief from it.

Well, hopefully we'll do more than just point & laugh!

Spoil sport!

[Schlussel]

Week 50: November 18th – November 24th 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu.



Central Pacific:
Tabiteuea finally gets a respectable number of fighters P-40K’s, and Betty raids cease for the rest of the week.



Southern Pacific:
Theater is quiet.



New Guinea/Solomons:
After 4 straight deliberate attacks coupled with an effective BB bombardment, Shortlands finally falls to the Allies….now the engineers focus on repairing the port (Port Damage:100) and airfield (AS:52 AR:25). The Japanese defenders retreat towards Torokina with a few Allied units giving chase just to keep up the pressure. The main body will rest up a few days before heading towards the front. At sea, the Allied CV group moves to a position to blockade Torokina while still providing CAP for Shortlands.
The wheels are set in motion for the final stage of the Bougainville effort…Buka. Combat troops load up in Noumea and are heading towards Lunga to pick up some support units. Then the whole group will head for the northern tip of Bougainville.

Australian forces continue the advance through the jungle towards Salamaua. The going is slow, but it hopefully will allow time for the Japanese to shift troops forward, allowing Operation Schlieffen Hook to quickly capture a weakly defended Finschafen.



DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, Japan continues the Brunei bombings, but no sign of invasion. Nothing else of note in the region.



SE Asia/China:
The fighting at Akyab is as bitter as always. Japanese bombing runs resume, but not before I evacuate most of the fighters from Akyab. Currently I am content relying on the AA guns in Akyab, coupled with LRCAP from Cox’s Bazaar.
In central Burma, Allied bombing runs on Mandalay and Schwebo continue to bear fruit. The Chindit force is still about 3 days from Myitkyna. Coordinating operations to isolate routes of IJA reinforcement are in place on both roads, and 3 wings of freshly trained Liberators have arrived in Silchar. Any response the Japanese send towards Myitkynia will find a little surprise waiting for them.

In China, the Chinese complete the withdrawal away from Hankow, Wuchow and Sinyang…as the effort to capture these cities was too wasteful in terms of supply. This move is allowing a reaction force to head westward towards Nanning to block the Japanese advance, as well as a re-enforcement of the Chinese position in the North around Chengchow.



IJN Watch:
-The KB stays anchored at Hollandia. reports range from 3-8 CV’s and 1-3 BB’s. Aircraft sightings suggest around 100 Fighters and 200 bombers. No other IJN surface forces spotted.



Notable Base Captures:
Shortlands [Solomon Islands] captured by Allies (11/21)



Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 2,692 [+60]
Biggest Losses (#): SBD-3 Dauntless (226), P-40E Warhawk (174), Hurricane IIc Trop ( 168)

Japanese: 6,123 [+232]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (1,447), Ki-48 Lily (761), A6M2 Zero (675)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 404 [+4]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CVE Copahee, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 646 [+17]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,794 [+16]
Japanese: 3,740 [+94
A/J Ratio: 2.35 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 25,960 [+458]
Japanese: 23,326 [+142]
A/J Ratio: 1.11 to 1



Operation Cumberland
Phase 1: Aug.-Sept. 1942
-Capture Tassafronga - COMPLETE
-Secure Milne Bay - COMPLETE
-Capture Terapo - COMPLETE

Phase 2: Oct.-Dec. 1942
-Capture Tulagi – COMPLETE
-Capture Munda – COMPLETE
-Advance to Buna – COMPLETE

Phase 3: Jan. 1942 – July 1943
-Northern NG Coast – IN PROGRESS [Buna captured. Salamaua is next]
-Bougainville- IN PROGRESS [Shortlands captured. Allied forces advancing towards Torokina. Buka invasion assembling]



Other Notes:
-In the last month or so, I am noticing a larger percentage of IJA bomber raids turning back after suffering a loss or two. Not sure if it’s inexperienced pilots or less aggressive leaders (or maybe a combination of these). The one exception is in the Akyab area, where Japanese bombers will fly to their drop zones no matter what the losses.

[Bif1961]

I believe low morale will turn back bomber raids that are intercepted.

[Yaab]

Morale is one thing. The other is bomber durability. Thisis what makes B-17 such beasts - put the morale 99 pilots in the aircarft with 68 durability and th bombers will always get through. Try this with 50 morale pilots and 40 durability aircraft, and bombers will break the attack.

[Schlussel]

Week 51: November 25th – December 1st 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu.



Central Pacific:
Sporadic IJA bomber raids hit Tabiteuea. CAP continues to be successful at preventing the enemy from reaching their targets.



Southern Pacific:
Theater is quiet.



New Guinea/Solomons:
Allied amphibious assault of Buka goes off as smooth as can be expected, minimal disruption and under 100 casualties during the landings. Once my forces consolidated, they launched a deliberate attack which was timed to coincide with a BB bombardment and a concentration of strategic bombing. The assault got a 3:1 and captured the base! The priority now is the buildup of the Buka airfield to support the upcoming Operation Tropic Thunder. Now that the Bougainville operation is winding down (at least from an amphibious perspective, CV forces are withdrawing to re-supply before heading to the Northern New Guinea coast for the next phase of the Allied advance in the area.
During the week, the Japanese air force concentrated on Shortlands and Buka, using massed escorted bomber raids. Allied land based CAP (augmented by carrier Wildcats) performed admirably, and very few hits were scored by the Japanese.

Australian forces arrive at Salamaua and begin probing the base’s defenses. Intel reports an entire Japanese Division (the 48th) is here. The AV tally is 630:300 in favor of the Allies, but my first deliberate attack resulted in a 1:17 result, probably due to Level 3 Forts and a little bad luck. Luckily I only sustained 5 destroyed/39 disabled squads (it could have been much worse). For now I’ll return to bombardments and await the outcome of the Allied move against Finschafen, which is slated to begin in a little over a week.



DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, Japan continues the Brunei bombings, but no sign of invasion. Nothing else of note in the region.



SE Asia/China:
The fighting at Akyab is as bitter as always. With the withdrawal of Allied air assets from Akyab, the Japanese control the skies there, and bomber raids are unrelenting. AA assets are doing well though, lots of damaged IJA bombers on the combat reports. With the airspace over Akyab now firmly in their control, the Japanese now begin sending large escorted bomber raids to Cox’s Bazaar. So far the Hurricanes and P-40s there are holding their own, but the next week will be crucial. I keep knocking Japanese bombers down, but they seem to have an endless supply and the Allies lose fighters to damage and malfunction after each successive enemy raid. The Allies are painfully thin on fighter airframes, so if the Japanese keep up this pace for another week, I might have to withdraw my air assets from Cox’s Bazaar as well. If that occurs, the convoys keeping Akyab supplied will be without the CAP they so desperately need…and without supply, the troops at Akyab will be doomed.

In central Burma, Allied bombing runs on Mandalay and Schwebo continue to bear fruit. I mis-typed last week, The Chindit force was approaching Warazup (not Myitkynia). The Chindits capture Wazarup without a fight and head towards Myitkynia. The going will now be much faster as there is a road to travel on. Intel reports 1 enemy unit and about 500 troops at Myitkynia, but all the roads into the town are controlled by the Allies.

In China, the Chinese reaction force reaches Nanning, and the Japanese force (4 RTA Divisions) launches multiple deliberate assaults. The Chinese hold, but take a large amount of casualties. More reinforcements are on the way and should arrive next week to stabilize the front.



IJN Watch:
-The KB stays anchored at Hollandia. Aircraft sightings suggest around 100 Fighters and 200 bombers.
-Lots of TK’s spotted in the Bismarck Sea all week.



Notable Base Captures:
-Wazarup [Burma] captured by Allies (11/27)
-Buka [Solomon Islands] captured by Allies (11/30)



Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 2,787 [+95]
Biggest Losses (#): SBD-3 Dauntless (231), P-40E Warhawk (193), Hurricane IIc Trop ( 178)

Japanese: 6,461 [+338]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (1,390), Ki-48 Lily (1,073), A6M2 Zero (800)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 405 [+1]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CVE Copahee, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 666 [+20]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,816 [+20]
Japanese: 3,774 [+34
A/J Ratio: 2.34 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 26,496 [+536]
Japanese: 23,503 [+177]
A/J Ratio: 1.13 to 1



Operation Cumberland
Phase 1: Aug.-Sept. 1942
-Capture Tassafronga - COMPLETE
-Secure Milne Bay - COMPLETE
-Capture Terapo - COMPLETE

Phase 2: Oct.-Dec. 1942
-Capture Tulagi – COMPLETE
-Capture Munda – COMPLETE
-Advance to Buna – COMPLETE

Phase 3: Jan. 1942 – July 1943
-Northern NG Coast – IN PROGRESS [Buna captured. Allied forces reach Salamaua.]
-Bougainville- IN PROGRESS [Shortlands and Buka captured. Allied forces advancing through the jungle towards Torokina.]



Other Notes:
-Tankers in the Bismarck Sea look tempting, but the KB is sitting in Hollandia waiting to pounce. I need to gain some air superiority in the area before I will feel confident taking on the Japanese carrier force.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

I believe low morale will turn back bomber raids that are intercepted.

ORIGINAL: Yaab

Morale is one thing. The other is bomber durability. Thisis what makes B-17 such beasts - put the morale 99 pilots in the aircarft with 68 durability and th bombers will always get through. Try this with 50 morale pilots and 40 durability aircraft, and bombers will break the attack.

Thanks for the advice guys, yeah morale definitely seems to be a factor. And the B-17's are a marvel of American engineering. Even though they can fight off enemy fighters, I find playing around with their raid altitude can help them avoid pesky CAP.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

SE Asia/China:
The fighting at Akyab is as bitter as always. With the withdrawal of Allied air assets from Akyab, the Japanese control the skies there, and bomber raids are unrelenting. AA assets are doing well though, lots of damaged IJA bombers on the combat reports. With the airspace over Akyab now firmly in their control, the Japanese now begin sending large escorted bomber raids to Cox’s Bazaar. So far the Hurricanes and P-40s there are holding their own, but the next week will be crucial. I keep knocking Japanese bombers down, but they seem to have an endless supply and the Allies lose fighters to damage and malfunction after each successive enemy raid. The Allies are painfully thin on fighter airframes, so if the Japanese keep up this pace for another week, I might have to withdraw my air assets from Cox’s Bazaar as well. If that occurs, the convoys keeping Akyab supplied will be without the CAP they so desperately need…and without supply, the troops at Akyab will be doomed.

In central Burma, Allied bombing runs on Mandalay and Schwebo continue to bear fruit. I mis-typed last week, The Chindit force was approaching Warazup (not Myitkynia). The Chindits capture Wazarup without a fight and head towards Myitkynia. The going will now be much faster as there is a road to travel on. Intel reports 1 enemy unit and about 500 troops at Myitkynia, but all the roads into the town are controlled by the Allies.

Great update thanks !

Yes the IJA Airforce does seem to spawn limitless frames down in Big B or Cam Rhan Bay.

Any USN subs and or Britsh subs deployed in submarine supply ? Do you have a floatila of supply transports flying the hump into China ?

If the big convoy runs into Akyab are not safe - perhaps:

1) the supply can be supplemented by sub transport convoy. Its not much but it helps.

2) Re-purpose the airlift into Akyab.. supply runs

Above all do you have any troops in Cox or Chittatong that could maneuver to the flank of the massive Japanese death star ? Get behind them on the road to Prome... cut off their supply ?

[Schlussel]

Situation Report – December 1st 1942









Central/North Pacific:
Surface Forces: 1-CVE, 5-BB, 5-CA, 30+-DD (@Pearl Harbor)
Fuel Reserves: 1,123K @ Pearl Harbor

Near-Term Plans: Continue developing bases in Aleutians.

Long Term Plans: Operation to secure critical bases in Marshalls.




New Guinea/Solomons:



Surface Forces: 5-CV, 2-CVE, 10-BB, 5-CA, 8-DD (@Noumea)
Fuel Reserves: 461K @ Noumea
6K @ Port Moresby
37K @ Sydney

Near-Term Plans: Capture Bougainville, move up New Guinea coast towards Lae.

Long Term Plans: Isolate/Capture Rabaul







SE Asia/China



Surface Forces: 1-CV, 5-BB, 9-CA, 6-DD (@Colombo)
Fuel Reserves: 887K @ Colombo

Near-Term Plans: Hold Akyab. Chindit Raid in Central Burma.

Long Term Plans: Launch two-pronged attack into Burma. Force A will advance down the coast to threaten Prome/Rangoon, while Force B will advance through central Burma and threaten Mandalay. The goal of both advances is not to capture territory, but to keep Japanese LCU’s in this theatre occupied.





Base Status:


Akyab:
Port Size: 3.70 (+0.12)
Airfield Size: 7.06 (+0.06)
Supplies: 10K (1 Week of normal operations)

Amchitka:
Port Size: 4.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 5.45 (+0.29)
Supplies: 5K (10 Weeks of normal operations)

Attu:
Port Size: 2.11 (+0.10)
Airfield Size: 2.33 (+0.09)
Supplies: 9K (90 Weeks of normal operations)

Buka:
Port Size: 0.00
Airfield Size: 0.07
Supplies: 10K (10 Weeks of normal operations)

Buna:
Port Size: 2.00 (+0.00)
Airfield Size: 7.01 (+1.31)
Supplies: 48K (20 Weeks of normal operations)

Kalemyo:
Port Size: N/A
Airfield Size: 6.83 (+0.64)
Supplies: 5K (2 Week of normal operations)

Lunga:
Port Size: 4.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 7.16 (+0.25)
Supplies: 45K (7 Weeks of normal operations)

Midway:
Port Size: 3.88 (+0.53)
Airfield Size: 4.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 61K (30 Weeks of normal operations)

Milne Bay:
Port Size: 4.35 (+0.34)
Airfield Size: 5.50 (+0.69)
Supplies: 28K (13 Weeks of normal operations)

Munda:
Port Size: 4.03 (+1.23)
Airfield Size: 4.69 (+0.47)
Supplies: 25K (12 Weeks of normal operations)

Pago-Pago:
Port Size: 2.85 (+0.31)
Airfield Size: 5.68 (+0.09)
Supplies: 10K (10 Weeks of normal operations)

Port Moresby:
Port Size: 5.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 8.13 (+0.51)
Supplies: 37K (6 Weeks of normal operations)

Tabiteuea:
Port Size: 2.34 (+1.54)
Airfield Size: 3.45 (+2.65)
Supplies: 10K (6 Weeks of normal operations)

Tulagi:
Port Size: 4.63 (+2.11)
Airfield Size: 1.41 (+0.00)
Supplies: 10K (5 Weeks of normal operations)

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

Great update thanks !

Yes the IJA Airforce does seem to spawn limitless frames down in Big B or Cam Rhan Bay.

Any USN subs and or Britsh subs deployed in submarine supply ? Do you have a floatila of supply transports flying the hump into China ?

If the big convoy runs into Akyab are not safe - perhaps:

1) the supply can be supplemented by sub transport convoy. Its not much but it helps.

2) Re-purpose the airlift into Akyab.. supply runs

Above all do you have any troops in Cox or Chittatong that could maneuver to the flank of the massive Japanese death star ? Get behind them on the road to Prome... cut off their supply ?

I haven't used subs in a supply role before, but you make a good point...every little bit helps. All of my subs in the Burma/India area are currently positioned to stop the Japanese from resupplying Akyab, so if needed I should be able to switch them into makeshift supply transports quickly.

Currently I have 6 transport squadrons dispersed amongst Ledo, Jorhat, and Dimapur flying supply into China. These could easily be used for Akyab, would just require a simple re-basing to shorten flight times. I will definitely consider that if the situation in Akyab worsens.

Speaking of Akyab, I do have a sizable force directly East of the base, shutting down any Japanese supply coming up along the road from Prome. I think this is why I have seen multiple IJN convoys attempt to reach Akyab recently. Not sure how much supply they have been able to deliver, but my Albacores have made them pay for those endeavors.

As always, thanks for the thoughts Macclan5.

[Schlussel]

Week 52: December 2nd – December 8th 1942

North Pacific:
Base building continues at Amchitka, Umnak and Attu.



Central Pacific:
Sporadic IJA bomber raids hit Tabiteuea. CAP continues to be successful at preventing the enemy from reaching their targets.



Southern Pacific:
Theater is quiet.



New Guinea/Solomons:
On Bougainville, Buka and Shortlands are building up nicely. Allied troops are still marching towards Torokina, the last Japanese held base on the island.
Australian forces at Salamaua continue to bombard the base’s defenders. Artillery should be arriving from Buna in about a week, so that should help things. There is no rush to take the base as a flanking operation (Schlieffen Hook) is underway. Ships have loaded troops at Milne Bay bound for Finschafen and are now just topping off their cargo holds with as much supply as they can handle. They’ll be underway in a day or so, and should hit the beaches by the end of the week, with cover from 5 CV's.

While Schlieffen is organizing, I used amphibs returning from Shortlands to pick up a small invasion force from Rossel and use it to assault Woodlark Island to the north. Woodlark sits astride my approach to Rabaul, so it will be good to rid of this Japanese early warning post. Intel says there is just a base force, so my Australian brigade shouldn’t have too much trouble securing the island…but I have been fooled by intel before.

Late in the week, an IJN surface group of 3 CA/2 DDs appear south of Lunga and hit a supply convoy heading to the front. A few xAK’s are sunk outright and 6 more are shot up pretty bad. SBD Dauntlesses from Lunga strike back and sink a DD, and sore a few bomb hits CA Kako and Haguro.



DEI/Philippines:
In the Philippines, all my base are belong to Japan.

In the DEI, Japan continues the Brunei bombings, but no sign of invasion. Nothing else of note in the region.



SE Asia/China:
My fighters still control the airspace above Cox’s Bazaar…which means they can also cover the supply run I’m making to Akyab. For the supply run, I used xAKL’s to haul supply, hoping that numerous small value ships would not make a tempting target. A day after the ships began unloading supply, I was proven wrong… as 30 Lily’s and Betty’s from Rangoon struck. Their 50+ escorting fighters swept aside my LRCAP and the bombers sunk the whole convoy…yikes…a good reminder that the IJAF still has teeth. The only good news is the convoy was able to unload about 7K supply before their demise, which should keep Akyab operational until I can put together a better re-supply effort.

In central Burma, Allied bombing runs on Mandalay and Schwebo continue to bear fruit, while newly arrived Liberators begin hitting Myitkynia. The Chindit force has finally reached Myitkynia and is pausing for a few days to shed some disruption/fatigue. Blocking forces are now in place at Bhamo and east of Katha, which should thwart and attempts to supply or reinforce the Japanese garrison at Myitkynia.

In China, the second wave of Chinese reinforcements have reached Nanning, and I now outnumber the Japanese AV 1,650 to 630. This is misleading though, as the Chinese are somewhat puny when attaching. For now I will bombard and see if I can flank the Japanese and stop the flow of supplies…making the possibility of an attack much more appealing.



IJN Watch:
-The KB stays anchored at Hollandia for most of the week. Aircraft sightings are consistent with the week before (100 Fighters and 200 bombers). However, at the end of the week the CV’s disappear again. I now have 5 of my own fleet CV’s in the area, and they are staying bunched together to discourage any aggressive moves by the KB.



Notable Base Captures:
-Bhamo [Burma] captured by Allies (12/4)



Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 2,828 [+41]
Biggest Losses (#): SBD-3 Dauntless (233), P-40E Warhawk (204), Hurricane IIc Trop ( 179)

Japanese: 6,623 [+162]
Biggest Losses (#): G4M1 Betty (1,584), Ki-48 Lily (913), A6M2 Zero (801)


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 412 [+7]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CVE Copahee, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 675 [+9]
Notables: CV Soryu, CVL Shoho, CVL Zuiho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Adoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,836 [+20]
Japanese: 3,867 [+93]
A/J Ratio: 2.28 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 26,886 [+390]
Japanese: 23,687 [+184]
A/J Ratio: 1.14 to 1



Operation Cumberland
Phase 1: Aug.-Sept. 1942
-Capture Tassafronga - COMPLETE
-Secure Milne Bay - COMPLETE
-Capture Terapo - COMPLETE

Phase 2: Oct.-Dec. 1942
-Capture Tulagi – COMPLETE
-Capture Munda – COMPLETE
-Advance to Buna – COMPLETE

Phase 3: Jan. 1942 – July 1943
-Northern NG Coast – IN PROGRESS [Buna captured. Allied forces bombarding Salamaua.]
-Bougainville- IN PROGRESS [Shortlands and Buka captured. Allied forces advancing through the jungle towards Torokina.]



Other Notes:
-SS Plunger had a few shots (in both the night and morning phases) at a juicy tanker near Guam. Four torps hit but all were duds. The skipper did surface and scored a few hits with his deck gun, but the target got away.