The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

Here is a shot of Burma with approximate force distributions.

...

I'm waiting to see where the forces in the main valleys go until I engineer a pull-back of forces from Taung Gyi. I have some ideas about what I'd like to have happen, but of course not what happened last time I faced a mass of Allied troops in Burma in a non-SL game. [;)]

As I've mentioned before, I HATE Burma ...

You've got a lot of force stuck out there in South Burma ... Prome/Rangoon is all clear terrain, not matter your fort level, it is very easy to take ... fast.

As an allied player, I'm looking at your map thinking "Sweet, 9000AV of his best troops in a bag all ready to harvest." Just saying ... be careful. Burma only keeps the DEI safe and you've only got a few more months of that in any case ... don't overstay this area. You know you need to contract your MLR significantly to hold and you can't afford to lose any of these units ...

Just my thoughts ... I really do hate Burma [:D]

I hear you for sure. I actually kind of like Burma! [:D]

Prome isn't quite as easy as it might seem from just looking at the map. The forces on the coast are not his best, the bulk of them Chinese, and It's questionable whether the amount of troops now in Burma can be supplied by the Allies. Although I have 9k AV he's got over 13k AV that I've seen, probably some more that I haven't. That's a lot to feed, especially down the Arakan.

I though he would have moved sooner, but since he hasn't I'm thinking there are some issues there of some kind. Low on devices, can't upgrade, low on supply, or some combination of the above.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Andav

Hi Overt,

Glad you are posting again!

I agree with Pax about Burma both in hating it and you needing to bug out a bit. Even if you contract all the way into Thailand, that would be ok at this point. I still twitch a bit thinking what witpqs did to my Burma defense. It was working so well until he dropped a bunch of units at Pegu ... <twitch>

Wa

Thanks, definitely good to stay wary. I do have some responses ready for that kind of move, hopefully enough to thwart it during the next few months.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

Here is a shot of Burma with approximate force distributions.

...

I'm waiting to see where the forces in the main valleys go until I engineer a pull-back of forces from Taung Gyi. I have some ideas about what I'd like to have happen, but of course not what happened last time I faced a mass of Allied troops in Burma in a non-SL game. [;)]

As I've mentioned before, I HATE Burma ...

You've got a lot of force stuck out there in South Burma ... Prome/Rangoon is all clear terrain, not matter your fort level, it is very easy to take ... fast.

As an allied player, I'm looking at your map thinking "Sweet, 9000AV of his best troops in a bag all ready to harvest." Just saying ... be careful. Burma only keeps the DEI safe and you've only got a few more months of that in any case ... don't overstay this area. You know you need to contract your MLR significantly to hold and you can't afford to lose any of these units ...

Just my thoughts ... I really do hate Burma [:D]

Agree, once the Allies get enough amphibious lift capability then Burma becomes a trap. But taking the overland route is a waste for the Allies and the Allied forces are essentially bagged up until Rangoon and Pegu are taken. One note. Once the Allies have Ramree Island then supply is not an issue. For some reason, if flows fairly easily from Ramree to the interior. Should not but it does.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: crsutton
... Once the Allies have Ramree Island then supply is not an issue. For some reason, if flows fairly easily from Ramree to the interior. Should not but it does.

Ramree is on the Burma side of the impassible hex line between India and Burma that limits the supply flow ... you can find it when you examine the phex file ...

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert

Here is a shot of Burma with approximate force distributions.

...

I'm waiting to see where the forces in the main valleys go until I engineer a pull-back of forces from Taung Gyi. I have some ideas about what I'd like to have happen, but of course not what happened last time I faced a mass of Allied troops in Burma in a non-SL game. [;)]

As I've mentioned before, I HATE Burma ...

You've got a lot of force stuck out there in South Burma ... Prome/Rangoon is all clear terrain, not matter your fort level, it is very easy to take ... fast.

As an allied player, I'm looking at your map thinking "Sweet, 9000AV of his best troops in a bag all ready to harvest." Just saying ... be careful. Burma only keeps the DEI safe and you've only got a few more months of that in any case ... don't overstay this area. You know you need to contract your MLR significantly to hold and you can't afford to lose any of these units ...

Just my thoughts ... I really do hate Burma [:D]

Agree, once the Allies get enough amphibious lift capability then Burma becomes a trap. But taking the overland route is a waste for the Allies and the Allied forces are essentially bagged up until Rangoon and Pegu are taken. One note. Once the Allies have Ramree Island then supply is not an issue. For some reason, if flows fairly easily from Ramree to the interior. Should not but it does.

Sure. But he has to be able to get it to Ramree. So far he hasn't been so successful. They've had Ramree for a while. I could of course be completely wrong, but I don't think the Allies are getting enough supply into Burma yet. I'm looking for signs that this could be changing, but so far I've not seen anything other than a few xAKL at Ramree periodically.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert



Sure. But he has to be able to get it to Ramree. So far he hasn't been so successful.

Understood. My point was this can change rapidly. If he gets a convoy in, his supply situation can change overnight and you position could erode just that fast ... this is why I hate Burma. It is very fluid. One moment you think you have everything in control, the next moment - poof! - there you are lying on your backside with 8 good ID's totally pooched.

Just saying ... how many AAR's have we seen this in? 10? 15? more?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert



Sure. But he has to be able to get it to Ramree. So far he hasn't been so successful.

Understood. My point was this can change rapidly. If he gets a convoy in, his supply situation can change overnight and you position could erode just that fast ... this is why I hate Burma. It is very fluid. One moment you think you have everything in control, the next moment - poof! - there you are lying on your backside with 8 good ID's totally pooched.

Just saying ... how many AAR's have we seen this in? 10? 15? more?

A lot!! Including one of mine! [:D]

I'm kind of tempting fate here because I understand the game so much better now than in the first shot at this, and I now believe I can escape an attempt to land behind me through better preparation of the coastal bases, better placement of my Burma forces, more knowledge of movement settings when fleeing, and a feeling for the position my opponent found himself in when he took over the game.

Joseph did let me know that although Historiker had bought out a bunch of brigades into Air HQs, he also didn't upgrade his units to new devices. So I conceded that Joseph could use the illegally purchased units (and I would not use this tactic in kind) since I know it would be tough for him to upgrade 500k troops in central Burma without direct supply routes established (which were not there at all when he took over).

He also had to walk most of the Chinese troops to India through Northern Burma, which early on was another supply drain until they made it to Ledo, so he hasn't been able to wield the massive force in central Burma much yet, and in fact hasn't even based aircraft in Mandalay/Magwe yet. This also tells me there may not be enough supply to keep them running there.

So, until I see signs of this stuff changing, or a direct assault on some base, the pullback to my current position looks solid for a month or two, which could delay the Allies since Taung Gyi is a very well positioned strategic point sticking into the Allied position should he need to evacuate troops to actually upgrade them or move them to another location by sea. Fingers crossed.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: obvert





I'm kind of tempting fate here ...

Fingers crossed.

+1

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert



Sure. But he has to be able to get it to Ramree. So far he hasn't been so successful.

Understood. My point was this can change rapidly. If he gets a convoy in, his supply situation can change overnight and you position could erode just that fast ... this is why I hate Burma. It is very fluid. One moment you think you have everything in control, the next moment - poof! - there you are lying on your backside with 8 good ID's totally pooched.

Just saying ... how many AAR's have we seen this in? 10? 15? more?

A lot!! Including one of mine! [:D]

I'm kind of tempting fate here because I understand the game so much better now than in the first shot at this, and I now believe I can escape an attempt to land behind me through better preparation of the coastal bases, better placement of my Burma forces, more knowledge of movement settings when fleeing, and a feeling for the position my opponent found himself in when he took over the game.

Joseph did let me know that although Historiker had bought out a bunch of brigades into Air HQs, he also didn't upgrade his units to new devices. So I conceded that Joseph could use the illegally purchased units (and I would not use this tactic in kind) since I know it would be tough for him to upgrade 500k troops in central Burma without direct supply routes established (which were not there at all when he took over).

He also had to walk most of the Chinese troops to India through Northern Burma, which early on was another supply drain until they made it to Ledo, so he hasn't been able to wield the massive force in central Burma much yet, and in fact hasn't even based aircraft in Mandalay/Magwe yet. This also tells me there may not be enough supply to keep them running there.

So, until I see signs of this stuff changing, or a direct assault on some base, the pullback to my current position looks solid for a month or two, which could delay the Allies since Taung Gyi is a very well positioned strategic point sticking into the Allied position should he need to evacuate troops to actually upgrade them or move them to another location by sea. Fingers crossed.

Lot of wisdom there in Obvert's answer. Understanding game mechanics is a huge must, but the funny thing is there is always more to learn.[:)]
[;)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]February 27-29, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] It's a leap year, 1944. [:)]

I've added a large 45 plane Nell group to Babeldaob for ASW. This appears to be a good decision, as immediately about 5-7 Allied subs are "lit up" each turn. My previous ASW air using Jills didn't have the range to get to his (smart) placements of the silent service just about 10 hexes from this hub of activity. Now I can direct some new Es into the area.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] The Allies use their new bases to sweep Sarmi, which caught me a bit by surprise. Then they plaster the base with around 75 4Es. This of course results in about 50 losses on the ground. The field is nearly closed at 65 damage on the 27th, left alone on the 28th, then and sweeps come the 29th to weaken the newly added LR CAP. I set them at 33k though, (legal in this game) and that sent a number of P-38s down in flames too. The 4Es come ack though and wreck the base again, getting it closed completely this time.

Vanimo is swept by Corsairs and the J2M3 and A6M8 go down at about a 1:2 ratio.

Hollandia is likely next on the list so I won't send anything from there to help. That is where the Georges and Franks are waiting.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] I bombed a bit in Burma to see what was moving NE toward my roadblocking division on the long yellow/gray road toward Chang Mai fro the Taung Gyi area. Looks like a few brigades. My division has dug into the +3 river crossing, so I'm kind of hoping he tries to go over it there. With some supporting arty, an Army HQ and two AA units, I think we can cause some serious problems in a blind river crossing there.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 27, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
301 Ku S-2 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 16 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 43
P-38J Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
L2D2 Tabby: 6 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 3 destroyed on ground
L3Y2 Tina: 6 destroyed on ground
H8K1 Emily: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 21
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 48

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
301 Ku S-2 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 28, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Vanimo , at 93,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 10
J2M3 Jack x 33

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 19 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Vanimo , at 93,117

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 5
J2M3 Jack x 26

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
14 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M8 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 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR February 29, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 11
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
301 Ku S-2 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 7 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 11 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 4
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 17
B-24D1 Liberator x 45
P-38J Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 4 damaged
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
L3Y2 Tina: 3 destroyed on ground
L2D2 Tabby: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-56 Thalia: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 2 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 59

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is a shot of Urumchi. As you can see some of the oil and refineries were hit when it was taken, unfortunately. The LI also was damaged. I'll not repair them obviously, but maybe the damage to refineries will mean an accumulation of oil that then decides to move to other refining areas in Manchuria. [/font]

---

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: obvert


[font="Trebuchet MS"]I'd love to move stuff by barge but they're just not viable for a number of reasons. [/font]

---

Why? Barges would save you a lot of supply ... air transport is just so expensive in terms of supply that I only use them in emergencies ... I try to avoid in all non-emergency situations like this.

Too easy to detect and destroy where I need to move troops right now. I'd also need more fuel, (not much of course, but enough to also cause some trouble in getting it there).

I agree it's expensive, but I use it in spots, and to get some of these troops back now it's a bit easier with the Tabby and Emily-L online with their massive capacity.

And air transport is many times faster.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo



Why? Barges would save you a lot of supply ... air transport is just so expensive in terms of supply that I only use them in emergencies ... I try to avoid in all non-emergency situations like this.

Too easy to detect and destroy where I need to move troops right now. I'd also need more fuel, (not much of course, but enough to also cause some trouble in getting it there).

I agree it's expensive, but I use it in spots, and to get some of these troops back now it's a bit easier with the Tabby and Emily-L online with their massive capacity.

And air transport is many times faster.

Also, after writing the above I realised that the fuel to deliver fuel plus the fuel to run the barges might equal the supply cost anyway. Fuel does make supply! [:)]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: obvert




Too easy to detect and destroy where I need to move troops right now. I'd also need more fuel, (not much of course, but enough to also cause some trouble in getting it there).

I agree it's expensive, but I use it in spots, and to get some of these troops back now it's a bit easier with the Tabby and Emily-L online with their massive capacity.

And air transport is many times faster.

Also, after writing the above I realised that the fuel to deliver fuel plus the fuel to run the barges might equal the supply cost anyway. Fuel does make supply! [:)]

And barges cost supply to spawn. I just forget how much - it can't be a lot, but it's there.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 1-3, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Allied subs are now showing up bright and clear in a distant shifting circle around Babeldaob and to a lesser extent Truk. We're seeing them and I want to get some ships through this area, so I'm hoping the Es can hit a few and deter the rest as well.

Darter lets 6 fly at an escort PB and misses. Rare to fire so many and have them all miss. High aggression, low naval skill? [:D]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] The attention being paid to Tabiteuaea came into focus in a quick and dirty assault on the 2nd. The base fell immediately and catastrophically. An appropriately balanced force overwhelmed the one naval guard in attendance. I hope this gives the Allies confidence about future atoll invasions. [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Helens take a few night shots on Milne Bay, where I noticed a LOT of Allied shipping in port. No hits.

The Allies bombard Hollandia. Getting some MTBs and mines there quick, hopefully, and a holding force of cruisers to secure the route for the CMs.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] The Allies send more supply into Ramree. The IJN DBs strike again sinking two RN LSTs. No CAP. Sweeps supported by a lot of LR CAP hit Toungoo on the 2nd while 4E hit Taung Gyi fields, getting them up to 25/23 damage on the day. The Japanese losses in the sweeps is about 1:2, but few pilots lost, and mostly Tojos hit.

On the 3rd the Allies sweep with many P-47 groups. These are met by the usual low CAP and it really works this time around. The addition of the Franks may be part of it, but the Tojos really seem to do most of the early work, with Georges and Franks diving toward the end to put the hammer down late. A good result, and Sqz sent a note saying he felt like the only player who can't get a Jug to be a powerhouse sweeper. I think I know what's happening, but I'm sure not going to open my mouth about it now! [:)]

On the day around 35-40 P-47s are lost for similar numbers of Japanese planes. [8D]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 2, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M2 Jack x 18
N1K1-J George x 50
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 124
Ki-84a Frank x 28

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 15
P-38H Lightning x 49
P-40N5 Warhawk x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38H Lightning: 1 destroyed
P-40N5 Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
Junyo-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Hosho-1 with J2M2 Jack (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 19 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
85th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 22 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 54,48

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 36
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 3 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
LST 238, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
LST 237, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LST 238
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring LST 237

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

Ground combat at Tabiteuea (137,134)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 7932 troops, 99 guns, 187 vehicles, Assault Value = 265

Defending force 1626 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Allied adjusted assault: 218

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 218 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tabiteuea !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2094 casualties reported
Squads: 79 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (16 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
298th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
766th Tank Battalion
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
12th Marine Defense Battalion
11th USN Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
52nd Naval Guard Unit

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 3, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Hollandia at 93,116 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 13 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 19 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K2-L Emily: 15 damaged

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Boston
CA Baltimore

Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 21
Port hits 3

CA Boston firing at Hollandia
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Baltimore
Wake Coastal Gun Battalion firing at CA Baltimore
CA Baltimore firing at Wake Coastal Gun Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 50
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 99
Ki-84a Frank x 27

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Junyo-1 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
50th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 36740.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
85th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 45
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 84
Ki-84a Frank x 21

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 39
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 73
Ki-84a Frank x 18

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 36,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 35
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 58
Ki-84a Frank x 17

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet
17 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet
1 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet

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

Ground combat at Hansa Bay (97,121)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17828 troops, 273 guns, 458 vehicles, Assault Value = 613

Defending force 2905 troops, 22 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Allied adjusted assault: 392

Japanese adjusted defense: 19

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Hansa Bay !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1298 casualties reported
Squads: 24 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
763rd Tank Battalion
24th Infantry Division
3rd Motor Bde /1

Defending units:
64th Naval Guard Unit
5th South Seas Det. /2
52nd JNAF AF Unit
47th Road Const Co
45th Road Const Co
25th JAAF AF Bn /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Forgot to save one from the 3rd with the P-47s going 1:1 with the CAP at Toungoo. [/font]

---

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 4-6, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] Subs look like they're dwindling near Babeldaob. I see hit reports daily, so it seems like the extended ASW is working.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] A small Chinese unit walked along the Arakan one hex past the Prome road. Once discovered it took a pounding from Helens and Frances since there was no accompanying AA in the hex. The day after, on the 5th, it turned around. It looks like the entire massive force here is turning and walking back to Ramree or beyond. That would be a fortuitous development for the IJA, who could then transition some units back from forward posts to the rear Burmese coastal defence.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Merauke is invaded and taken. The Allies bring a division, although only an SNLF Coy defends the base. They take some decent disablements in the landing, signifying a less than 100% prep. This serves notice that So Pac develop into a dual axis thrust, North and South of New Guinea. IJN forces are moving into place accordingly.

Judys and A6M5 sortie nicely and get 4 divers on the CVE Lipscomb Bay, but no hits. Lose about 40 planes.

I discovered a small unit inserted onto Wessel Island and decided to bomb it into submission. There is no CAP or AA so it's going well. Unless supported it may not last a week there. Darwin will be slightly beefed up, but mostly this becomes time to cover dots in the DEI approaches so nothing is given for free.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Looks like some Chinese are walking toward Paoshan from Lashio. Time to investigate. [:)]
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 4, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amphibious Assault at Merauke (89,124)

TF 506 troops unloading over beach at Merauke, 89,124

Allied ground losses:
388 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 120 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 43 (0 destroyed, 43 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (0 destroyed, 18 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 100 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 32
D4Y1 Judy x 18

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 7
FM-1 Wildcat x 27
F4U-1A Corsair x 7
F6F-3 Hellcat x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 13 destroyed
D4Y1 Judy: 7 destroyed, 1 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 2 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CVE Liscome Bay

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 594 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 31

Defending force 13669 troops, 234 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 369

Assaulting units:
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
40th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
5th Australian Division
7th RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
11th Marine Defense Battalion
G/H Battery Heavy Cst Art Rgt /1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 5, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Merauke (89,124)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13746 troops, 234 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 378

Defending force 1897 troops, 25 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Allied adjusted assault: 284

Japanese adjusted defense: 23

Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Merauke !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 6 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Australian Division
7th RAA Coastal Artillery Regiment
11th Marine Defense Battalion
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment
G/H Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Sasebo SNLF Coy
40th JNAF AF Unit

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

1st Sasebo SNLF Coy Wiped Out at Merauke by attrition!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Here is the current situation with the Allied push along the New Guinea coastlines. Once Merauke is solidified, which won't take long, I expect more movement on both sides. Nothing forward of Hollandia will be particularly defended as I can't get supply in anyway. Just bumps. [/font]

---

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 7-9, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] The Allies are stepping up pressure on North New Guinea bases. A small TF of 5 DD arrive and tangle with the IJN here. I'd just been protecting a small supply convoy with 3 old Kamikaze class DD sand these faced off with 5 more modern Gleaves class USN models, with predictable results. We lose two ships with a third damaged. The Allies take minimal damage but then lose the McCook to a spread from the RO-106. MTBs are now installed at Hollandia and mines were laid as well.

Vanimo is swept by Corsairs on the 7th and 9th, and the Oscars, Zeros and Georges there fend them off at about a 1:2 loss rate. I'm transitioning more units down here, but have to be careful not to get a bunch of fighters into a base that is then closed down by 4Es. The MBs should be in range of many of these soon too, which will add to the difficulty.

I'm sending more engineers to Sarmi to try and get that field opened again. It's at about 50/100 damage now. Should be functional tomorrow. I need to have several fields with mutual overlapping coverage to have a chance around here. Only Vanimo, Hollandia and Sarmi are really in play, with Biak playing a small role helping to transition units in and out and some LR CAP on Sarmi.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] The main force near Mektila is moving to that base. This is after the four divisions that had moved to cut off Taung Gyi, but were unsuccessful, had moved back into the river plains. In general it seems as if the Allies are standing down. The other options would be that they're going all in for Taung Gyi. This is a concern, but I'll maintain a reserve nearby, and I'd really welcome an attempt to work on the 6 forts in +3 territory there. The unit have good supply, good AA and good morale right now.

Two more LSTs are sunk trying to sneak supply to Ramree Island.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] The Allies bomb Japanese forces on Groot Eylandt to little effect. The IJNAF bombs the small unit on Wessel Island with better results. I've added some search and recon in the area to keep tabs on what's coming.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 19, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Vanimo , at 93,117

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 1
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 25

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (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 7000 , scrambling fighters to 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
18 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 31000 and 40000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 78 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 8, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 93,116, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
DD Hayate, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
DD Asanagi, Shell hits 39, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Baldwin, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD McCook, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Frankford, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hughes
DD Hammann
DD Mustin

Improved night sighting under 100% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 100% moonlight: 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Binford, T.H. crosses the 'T'
DD Baldwin engages DD Asanagi at 8,000 yards
DD Asanagi engages DD Baldwin at 3,000 yards
Hanami, Kouhei orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Frankford engages DD Hayate at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Hollandia at 93,116

Japanese Ships
SS RO-106, hits 15, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD McCook, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Baldwin
DD Mustin
DD Hammann

SS RO-106 launches 4 torpedoes at DD McCook
RO-106 bottoming out ....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 9, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Vanimo , at 93,117

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 22
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M8 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
263 Ku S-1 with A6M8 Zero (0 airborne, 15 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
73rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 33000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 54,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 32
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 49

Japanese aircraft losses
D4Y1 Judy: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
LST 164, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
LST 163, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]These Corsairs and other sweepers are operating at LR, over our bases, and IF I can have one good day against a large number of them, maybe the bases could recover here to provide a stiff resistance for a while. [/font]

---

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 10-11, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] The Allies launch massive sweeps and a 4E raid on Sarmi. This base can't catch a break! The relentless pressure has it back up to 40/100 damage, and we'll continue to add engineers and supply in the hope that the Allies won't be able to sustain a campaign against all three bases in the area simultaneously.

On the day the Allied sweep defences at Hollandia prove tough, and while the bombers do get through at Sarmi it's not without some losses to the B-24 groups and especially the P-38s that can sweep and escort this far. He used about three groups to escort and sweep here, and another 2-3 P-38 groups to LR CAP and sweep at Hollandia. On the day 34 Lightnings of all types are reported shot down. A lot more will be damaged and at service three this could give Sarmi the break it needs. We'll see!

Allied Corsairs also take a hit at Hollandia. At least 30 are shot down from what appears to be four groups. He chose to keep at least some of them low at 15k, while one group of P-38s, four groups of Spit VIII and one group of P-47D2 went high at 31k. The Lightnings suffered here too, but the Spits and P-47s cleaned up.

On the day, losses are around 1:1, which is fantastic. The majority of IJ losses come to the George and newly introduced Ki-100 group. At least they are service 1-2, so will recover quicker. Franks are relatively untouched.

Tomorrow I'll heavily LR CAP Sarmi and also have fighters at Hollandia set differently to take on sweeps, with some high at 33k, and the layering going to 22k, 20k, 18k to combat the high altitude 4E setting he's been using. I need to get to them more if they go for Hollandia. Some will eb set to LR CAP Sarmi as part of their mission as well.

This is getting tense, and fun!! [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Another Chinese force has been discovered moving up to one hex from Paoshan. I set some Helens for the 10th to discover the nature of the units, slow them if they're moving, and give notice that there will be a fight if they keep coming. It's about 50k and includes at least two Chinese Corps, judging from results and recon.

I set into motion the defences of Chinese mountain territory, with three rear divisions on the move to Kunming and Tsuyung, a division in Tsuyung moving with an Army HQ, AA and arty toward Paoshan, and one division one hex out of Paoshan on the move into that hex. It's been helpful for supply movement to have them spread out a bit, but now I need strength on the river crossing +3 defence hex there, now with 4.2 forts and building. It has 5k supply with a 600/day limit, so I upped the requirements to hopefully draw max supply in before more units arrive.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 11, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 67
Ki-84a Frank x 15
Ki-100-I Tony x 32

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15
F4U-1 Corsair x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 25 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 11 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
341 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 17 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 23 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 36090.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 13 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 52
Ki-84a Frank x 12
Ki-100-I Tony x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
P-38H Lightning x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 6 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
19 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
341 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (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 9000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 60 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 50
Ki-84a Frank x 9
Ki-100-I Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
P-38H Lightning x 1
F4U-1 Corsair x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 21
J2M3 Jack x 27
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 49
Ki-100-I Tony x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38J Lightning: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet *

CAP engaged:
253 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 18 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 38000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
S-601 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 13 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
30th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 32 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 37000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Raid is overhead
23rd I.F.Chutai with Ki-100-I Tony (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 25
Ki-84a Frank x 6
Ki-100-I Tony x 6

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 42
P-38G Lightning x 5
P-38H Lightning x 5
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 5 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 31000 feet
10 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 31000 feet
17 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 17
J2M3 Jack x 21
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 41
Ki-100-I Tony x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 74
P-38J Lightning x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 1 destroyed

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

Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]


Low CAP:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]The low CAP setting are working here. At both Hollandia and Sarmi most units also scrambled fighters to meet the large array of Allied sweepers and the 4E strikes. It is a numbers game in the air here, and if the Japanese get enough up quickly enough it matters, as results here indicate.

I'd be interested in any feedback on the turn and how this has been working for several weeks in both Burma and So Pac.

On the 12th I've set fighters differently for the first time in a while, because I see that Joe has made an adjustment to bomber altitude; they're arriving at 18k right now. I've noticed that after sweeps the low CAP has trouble reaching these before the bombing runs. I'll experiment with a higher layered CAP (18k, 20k, 22k) and an upper sweep CAP ( 33k) next turn to combat this. [/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Doesn't look like we'll see many Corsairs or Lightnigs for a few days! [8D][/font]

---

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 12, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] The Allies go all-in on the 11th at Hollandia. This is luckily the day I also set a ton of LR CAP for the mutually supporting bases in the area. These are epic battles, raging over days and with each side changing tactics and targets with the goal of catching the other out.

So far the Allies have made life tough in the air for us. Bases are struggling to recover from the constant pounding of fields and repairing of planes. Lots of high service rating hangar queens, but the Ki-100 has just been employed and the Oscars, Tojos and A6Ms continue to fill gaps and provide more ready CAP when the better aircraft are patching up.

On the 12th my CAP settings included some ultra high CAP to wear down the better sweepers. Even Spit VIII are vulnerable when the defenders have the dive, but I still needed some medium CAP to try to hit bombing runs. He's been flying at 18k and the low CAP has been struggling to intercept before strikes go in, so I wanted to try 18k, 20k, 22k layers with the high cover CAP.

This worked against the sweeps, but again the bombers get through relatively unscathed. Overall losses are again around 1:1, with a good bite out of the Spits (8-10 downed). The 4Es only lose 5-9 planes (depending on ops losses) but it's amazing he can field them so many days in a row. They have to wear down soon, right?

The Hollandia fields take a hit and at the end of turn the damage is 23 fields 34 service. This base has 200+ engineers, so unless the 13th is a debacle they should be able to get things close to normal. I also want to keep forts building toward 6 (at 5.8 now).

I'll again change tack and go with low CAP and even more LR CAP (with a bit of it layered at 18-20k for the bombers).
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 12, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
A6M5b Zero x 7
A6M5c Zero x 2
N1K2-J George x 33
Ki-84a Frank x 44
Ki-100-I Tony x 20

Allied aircraft
Spitfire VIII x 38

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 3 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Spitfire VIII: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 31000 feet
4 x Spitfire VIII sweeping at 31000 feet

CAP engaged:
S-305 Hikotai with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
S-601 Hikotai with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 9 minutes
Ominato Ku S-1 with A6M5b Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(27 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 11 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 25000 and 35000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
254 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
341 Ku S-1 with N1K2-J George (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 35300.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
18th Sentai with Ki-100-I Tony (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 22000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 36000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 12 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 30000 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-84a Frank (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 33000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 34440.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
A6M5b Zero x 7
A6M5c Zero x 2
N1K2-J George x 29
Ki-84a Frank x 36
Ki-100-I Tony x 15

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-24D1 Liberator x 27
B-24J Liberator x 42
P-38J Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 16 damaged
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 2 damaged
Ki-100-I Tony: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-38J Lightning: 3 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 50

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
A6M5b Zero x 2
A6M5c Zero x 1
N1K2-J George x 27
Ki-84a Frank x 29
Ki-100-I Tony x 13

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 4
B-24J Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 21 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Losses good for us again, but need a few days off soon to get things in order. [/font]

---

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]March 13-15, 1944[/font]

---

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] USN subs go absolutely nuts near Sarmi on the 13th. One of the most devastating sub days I've faced as Japan. Luckily the targets were relatively minor. Two xAKL were sunk though carrying 50+ airframes from Sarmi to Biak to get fixed up. Oh, well.

An E gets revenge, sinking the Angler.

On the 15th the I-178 hits the Jack with one fish from a spread of 6, most likely sinking the Jack. This is likely due to the high detection levels on Allied subs in the area. Lots of ASW now roaming the New Guinea coasts and Babs/Truk/Hollandia triangle plus more LR ASW aircraft (G3M3).

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]BURMA: [/font] Nothing new here. The big stack seems content to sit in the the central valleys and the troops on the Arakan are still moving to Ramree Island, probably to get resupply, upgrade and potentially to ship out. I need to watch this, obviously, and I've begun a shift back of some major LCU from Central Burma. (I'm listening Pax).

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CENT PAC: [/font] Nothing more here after the Tabiteuaea invasion and capture.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SO PAC: [/font] Massive sweeps, this time including nearly 100 Hellcats, hit Hollandia and were followed by 100+ 4Es. It wasn't pretty, but defenders came out at about to 1:1.5 (not including the additional losses on ships). Still couldn't get to the 4Es effectively.

So Hollandia will be emptied for a few turns and I'll hope there is a slight lull. I've got supply and a few more engineers coming in a few more days. Soon it'll be even more difficult to keep it closed, and I need to prepare groups for days for steady battle. I'll add more service 1 Tojos and K-100 here, some N1K2, with service two, and only one groups of service 3 Franks.

Sami is struggling after more big raids on the 15th. It'll be closed for at least another week now. I've got more engineers and supply en route though, and hope to get the AA defences beefed up.

Small units are also filling in into the Arafura Sea Island dots between Timor and New Guinea. Ambon and Dili are the main bases in the area, with many other level 2 fields dotted around. It'll be another month before larger brigade sized troops are installed in the area, but there is a fluid reserve nearby in Java, ready to act, and a good sized naval and air deterrent in the area.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Units reinforced the Paoshan area and the Chinese troops across the river turned back South. [8D]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OZ:[/font] Recon shows very little in Central Australian bases. Anything that comes will likely come by sea here.
[font="Trebuchet MS"]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 13, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub attack near Hollandia at 93,114

Japanese Ships
DMS W-8

Allied Ships
SS Snook

SS Snook launches 6 torpedoes at DMS W-8
Snook diving deep ....
DMS W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 92,114

Japanese Ships
xAKL Totai Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Kyo Maru #3
PB Hakka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Cero

SS Cero launches 6 torpedoes at xAKL Totai Maru
Cero diving deep ....
PB Hakka Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hollandia at 93,114

Japanese Ships
AO Sunosaki, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-8

Allied Ships
SS Snook

SS Snook launches 6 torpedoes at AO Sunosaki
Snook diving deep ....
DMS W-8 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Sarmi at 91,113

Japanese Ships
xAKL Gyokurei Maru, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
PB Kyo Maru #3
PB Hakka Maru

Allied Ships
SS Dace

Massive explosion on xAKL Gyokurei Maru
SS Dace launches 6 torpedoes at xAKL Gyokurei Maru
Dace diving deep ....
PB Hakka Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hollandia at 93,115

Japanese Ships
E Oki, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
E Etoforu, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Angler, hits 13, and is sunk

SS Angler launches 6 torpedoes at E Oki
Angler diving deep ....
E Etoforu attacking submerged sub ....
SS Angler forced to surface!
E Oki firing on surfaced sub ....
E Etoforu firing on surfaced sub ....
Sub slips beneath the waves

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hollandia at 93,115

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaisyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
SC Ch 11
E Yaeyama

Allied Ships
SS Lancetfish

SS Lancetfish launches 6 torpedoes at xAKL Kaisyo Maru
E Yaeyama fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hollandia at 93,115

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kaisyo Maru, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage
SC Ch 11

Allied Ships
SS Lancetfish, hits 2

SS Lancetfish launches 6 torpedoes at xAKL Kaisyo Maru
SC Ch 11 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 22
A6M5b Zero x 34
A6M5c Zero x 2
A6M8 Zero x 5
J2M3 Jack x 16
N1K2-J George x 39
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 45
Ki-84a Frank x 30
Ki-100-I Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 4 destroyed
A6M8 Zero: 2 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 10 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 3
N1K2-J George x 5
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 2

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9
B-24D1 Liberator x 51
B-24J Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 5 damaged
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 2 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hollandia , at 93,116

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K2-J George x 3
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24J Liberator x 13
P-38J Lightning x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR March 15, 44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub vs Sub: SS I-178 attacking SS Jack at 102,115 - near Manus

Japanese Ships
SS I-178

Allied Ships
SS Jack, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-178 launches 6 torpedoes at 3,000 yards

Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 2
J2M3 Jack x 9
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 6
Ki-100-I Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38J Lightning x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x P-38J Lightning sweeping at 18000 feet *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sarmi , at 91,114

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5c Zero x 1
J2M3 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-100-I Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 39
P-38J Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 damaged
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
J2M3 Jack: 2 damaged
J2M3 Jack: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 damaged
E15K1 Norm: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 52

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 18000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/font]

---

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Big losses in good airframes. Not positive. At least pilot losses were low.

This map shows a feint by Allied CVEs. Joseph sent a note saying he was "taking a big risk" this turn and I then saw the CVEs in search. He later said that the orders didn't work out, and the ships disappeared the next day. I think this was an elaborate (psychological) ruse to see if I'd react. Any reaction would not likely have been able to stop whatever he did either try or threaten during the few turns, but I made sure not to reveal anything on the board or through email to indicate that I'd even noticed the CVEs at all. [:)] [/font]

---

[Lokasenna]

Good for you that he's bombing from 18K feet. As far as I know, there's no reason to ever rise above 8 or 9K except for the most heavily defended bases. IJ AA just doesn't reach that high. Aren't all but one gun (the 12cm) limited to 7K ceiling or less?