THE WAR COLLEGE-Rio Bravo (A) v. El Lobo (J)

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 15, 1943[/center]


Opening Notes

El Lobo bombs Chengtu, Chungking, and near Meiktila (hex 60,47).

El Lobo deliberately attacks near Chihkiang (hex 79,50) and near Meiktila (hex 60,47).

Allies deliberately attack Lashio for the second time.

Allies Bombard Shwebo and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu

Japanese Losses

2 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

6 casualties
1 squad disabled
2 hits (Airbase)
2 hits (Airbase Supply)
23 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-49-Ia Helen)

Allied Losses

6 casualties
1 squad disabled
7 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Near Meiktila (hex 60,47)

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
1 destroyed (Ki-30 Ann)


Allied Losses

1 destroyed (Hurricane IIc Trop)
2 destroyed (P-40E Warhawk)
1 destroyed (P-40K Warhawk)


Japanese Deliberately Attacks Near Chihkiang (hex 79,50)

Ground combat at 79,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12066 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 385

Defending force 6335 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 55

Japanese adjusted assault: 291

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 41 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
562 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Brigade
58th Infantry Regiment
61st Infantry Brigade
11th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
53rd Chinese Corps


Japanese Deliberately Attacks Near Meiktila (hex 60,47)

Ground combat at 60,47 (near Meiktila)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38386 troops, 465 guns, 385 vehicles, Assault Value = 1115

Defending force 24484 troops, 497 guns, 564 vehicles, Assault Value = 750

Japanese adjusted assault: 541

Allied adjusted defense: 1639

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2164 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 268 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 17 (1 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (8 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
677 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 28 (1 destroyed, 27 disabled)

Assaulting units:
56th Division
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
48th Division
21st Division
19th Tank Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st AA Regiment
3rd FF Const Unit
19th Army
36th Const Co
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
55th Const Co
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
40th Infantry Division
25th Infantry/A Division
3rd Motor Brigade
1st Motor Brigade
25th Infantry/B Division
15th RAAF Base Force


Allies Deliberately Attack Lashio

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69903 troops, 1089 guns, 1390 vehicles, Assault Value = 2530

Defending force 14857 troops, 169 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 413

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 3

Allied adjusted assault: 1198

Japanese adjusted defense: 670

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
2228 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 49 (2 destroyed, 47 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1768 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 182 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 65 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
7th Australian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
20th Indian Division
193rd Tank Battalion
29th British Brigade
24th Infantry Division
9th Australian Division
I Australian Corps
1st Medium Regiment
112th USA Base Force
78th Coast AA Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
114th Infantry Regiment
7th RTA Division
17th Indpt Guards Regiment
1st JAAF AF Coy
20th JAAF AF Bn
97th JAAF AF Bn
50th Field AA Battalion
2nd JAAF AF Coy
94th JAAF AF Bn
67th JAAF AF Coy

Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

96 casualties
1 squad destroyed
10 squads disabled

No Allied losses.


Allies bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

186 casualties
20 squads disabled
3 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
2 guns disabled

No Japanese losses.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 16, 1943[/center]


A Comment

El Lobo lost 10 aircraft and had 7 damaged compared to the Allies losing 6 with no aircraft damaged.


Opening Notes

El Lobo bombed Chengtu, Chungking, near Meiktila (hex 60,47), and Lashio.

Allies bombard Shwebo, Lashio, and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu

Japanese Losses

3 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

5 hits (Airbase)
9 hits (Airbase Supply)
36 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
1 damaged (Ki-49 Ia Helen)

Allied Losses

39 casualties
7 squads disabled
4 hits (Airbase)
2 hits (Airbase Supply)
38 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Meiktila

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

No Allied losses.


Japanese Bomb Lashio

Japanese Losses

5 destroyed (A6M5 Zero)
1 destroyed (Ki-44-IIa Tojo)
1 destroyed (Ki-45-KAIa Nick)
3 destroyed and 1 damaged (Ki-49-IIa Helen)

Allied Losses

4 destroyed (Hurricane IIc Trop)
1 destroyed (P-39D Airacobra)
1 destroyed (P-40E Warhawk)

15 casualties
3 squads disabled


Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

110 casualties
2 squads destroyed
4 squads disabled
3 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
2 guns disabled

Allied Losses

3 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
2 guns disabled


Allies Bombard Lashio

Private Harada: *sets down his Sake, ears perked* "Do you hear whistling?

Private Yoshi: *pours more Saki then offers a toast* "Allied artillery. Nothing to worry about."


Allies Bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

310 casualties
1 squad destroyed
13 squads disabled
2 vehicles lost
1 vehicle destroyed
1 vehicle disabled

No Allied losses.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[CaptHaggard]

Gentlemen of the War College:

Certainly this has been addressed in the vast archives of the War Room, but I can't locate it...

To wit, MTB production, or lack of it.

Neither Bravo or myself has ever produced any MTBs; yet the option is greyed-out in ports in India and Oz. (PT-Boats are available in Oz but not India.)

Having the "create" button present in all pertinent port screens presumes it's possible to do so, no?

Perhaps this option becomes active sometime after 4/43?

Or am I missing something to enable production to occur now?

Thank you for any guidance, gentlemen.

Hag

[BBfanboy]

1. You get a limited number of PT/MTB/MGBs in the game. Reinforcements will occasionally bump up the numbers.
2. If you have your quota of boats already created, you cannot create more no matter what.
3. If you have some of the boats in your pools, you can create them at bases or the right nationality, of sufficient size and with the enough supply (20K IIRC, plus the amount per boat).
4. You can create a maximum of 12 boats at a time.
5. A cargo TF loaded at the appropriate country's port and unloading at an appropriate port can also create boats.

[CaptHaggard]

Thanks, BB!

So pretty much what the manual states, no surprises.

Since there is a MTB create button, I can only assume that they will become available anon...

Being an old brown-water navy man, I must say I'm a bit disappointed—though messcooking duties on those was nothing to be envied [:'(]

[Bif1961]

So with the allies planes shot down and none damaged what are the ground crews doing, practicing their bridge?

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 17, 1943[/center]


Opening Notes

El Lobo bombs Chengtu and Chungking.

Evil El Lobo destroys the 115th Chinese Corps near Chengtu.

53rd Chinese Corps Flips-off El Lobo near Chihkiang.

Allies bombard Shwebo, Lashio, and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu

Japanese Losses

2 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

3 hits (Airbase)
11 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
1 damaged (Ki-30 Ann)
1 damaged (Ki-49-Ia Helen)

Allied Losses

23 casualties
3 squads disablled
2 hits (Airbase)
1 hit (Airbase Supply)
14 hits (Runway)


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Chengtu

Ground combat at 74,42 (near Chengtu)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18747 troops, 355 guns, 791 vehicles, Assault Value = 862

Defending force 1297 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Japanese adjusted assault: 843

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 843 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Allied ground losses:
1504 casualties reported
Squads: 102 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 89 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
58th Division
2nd Tank Division
7th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
1st Field Artillery Regiment
22nd Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Mobile Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion

Defending units:
115th Red Chinese Division


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Chihkiang

Ground combat at 79,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12135 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 392

Defending force 5879 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 283

Allied adjusted defense: 7

Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
429 casualties reported
Squads: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Brigade
58th Infantry Regiment
61st Infantry Brigade
11th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
53rd Chinese Corps


Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

54 casualties
6 squads disabled

No Allied Losses.


Allies Bombard Lashio

Japanese Losses

4 casualties
1 squad disabled

No Allied losses.


Allies Bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

330 casualties
4 squads destroyed
32 squads disabled
1 vehicle lost
1 vehicle destroyed

No Allied losses.


Best REgards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

So with the allies planes shot down and none damaged what are the ground crews doing, practicing their bridge?

Bifi-

Well, the aircraft ground crews have been busy painting "kills" on fighters and nasty messages on bombs to El Lobo.

Would you like a message sent to El Lobo from you?

*chuckling*

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Bif1961]

"Here Comes Nothin!" Maybe it will be a dud?

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 18, 1943[/center]



Opening Notes

El Lobo bombs Chengtu and Chungking.

Allies deliberately attack Lashio for the third time in five days.

Allies bombard Shwebo and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu

Japanese Losses

2 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

5 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
1 damaged (Ki-30 Ann)

Allied Losses

11 casualties
2 squads disabled
2 hits (Airbase)
21 hits (Runway)


Allies Deliberately Attack Lashio

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69003 troops, 1089 guns, 1388 vehicles, Assault Value = 2391

Defending force 13238 troops, 167 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 272

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 860

Japanese adjusted defense: 577

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1515 casualties reported
Squads: 83 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 57 (17 destroyed, 40 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
934 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 32 disabled

Assaulting units:
29th British Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
268th Motorised Brigade
24th Infantry Division
20th Indian Division
6th Australian Division
7th Australian Division
193rd Tank Battalion
9th Australian Division
78th Coast AA Regiment
I Australian Corps
112th USA Base Force
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
114th Infantry Regiment
7th RTA Division
17th Indpt Guards Regiment
2nd JAAF AF Coy
50th Field AA Battalion
94th JAAF AF Bn
1st JAAF AF Coy
20th JAAF AF Bn
97th JAAF AF Bn
67th JAAF AF Coy


Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

148 casualties
1 squad destroyed
15 squads disabled


Allied Losses

9 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
8 guns disabled
3 vehicles lost
1 vehicle destroyed
2 vehicles disabled


Allies Bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

159 casualties
16 squads disabled

No allied losses.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

"Here Comes Nothin!" Maybe it will be a dud?

Bifi-

*cracking up*

Your suggested method is factual.

However, I was hoping for something along the lines of "El Lobo you suck!"

*laughing hard and watching coffee in my coffee mug splash around*

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Operation Sea Shark[/center]

[center]Capital Ships[/center]


With the exception of non-Fletcher Destroyers (which I haven't got around to listing yet), the following Capital Ships are earmarked to leave Pearl Harbor on June 1, 1943 to assist the amphibious assaults on Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam:


Aircraft Carriers (20 Ships)


Type Name Capacity

CV Enterprise 90
CV Essex 90
CV Hornet 90
CV Lexington 90
CV Saratoga 90
CV Victorious 33
CV Wasp 76
CV Yorktown 90

CVE Altamaha 28
CVE Anzio 27
CVE Barnes 28
CVE Chenango 31
CVE Copalee 28
CVE Long Island 16
CVE Nassau 28
CVE Prince William 28
CVE Sangamon 31
CVE Santee 31
CVE Suwannee 30

CVL Hermes 20

975


Battleships (21 Ships)


Arizona
California
Colorado
Idaho
Indiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Mexico
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Prince of Wales
Ramillies
Repulse
Resolution
Revenge
Royale Sovereign
South Dakota
Tennessee
Washington
West Virginia

Refit Complete July 1, 1943

Nevada
Oklahoma


CA (25 Ships)


Astoria
Australia
Canberra
Chester
Chicago
Cornwall
Dorsetshire
Exeter
Frobisher
Hawkins
Houston
Indianapolis
Louisville
Minneapolis
New Orleans
Northampton
Pensacola
Portland
Quincy
Salt Lake City
San Francisco
Shropshire
Sussex
Vincennes
Wichita


CLAA (7 Ships)


Atlanta
Juneau
Oakland
Prince Robert
Reno
San Diego
San Juan


CL (26 ships)


Achilles
Adelaide
Capetown
Caradoc
Ceres
Cleveland
Columbia
Concord
Danae
Denver
Detroit
Durban
Helena
Hobart
Honolulu
Leander
Marblehead
Montpelier
Nashville
Perth
Phoenix
Raleigh
Richmond
Santa Fe
St. Louis
Trenton


Fletcher Destroyers (28 Ships)


Abbot
Ammen
Anthony
Aulick
Bache
Beale
Bennett
Chevalier
Converse
Conway
Cony
Dehaven
Eaton
Fletcher
Hutchins
Pringle
Jenkins
LaVallette
Nichols
O’Brien
Phillip
Radford
Renshaw
Saufley
Stanly
Strong
Taylor
Waller


I will post the balance of the destroyers once I have compiled the list.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 19, 1943[/center]


Opening Notes

El Lobo Bombs Chungking.

El Lobo deliberately attacks near Chihkiang (hex 79,50).

Allies bombard Shwebo, Lashio, and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
1 damaged (Ki-49-Ia Helen)
1 damaged (Ki-30 Ann)

Allied Losses

38 casualties
6 squads disabled
5 hits (Airbase)
37 hits (Runway)


Japanese Deliberately Attack Near Chihkiang (hex 79,50)

No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

577 casualties
74 squads destroyed
15 squads disabled


Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

132 casualties
3 squads destroyed
7 squads disabled
3 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
2 guns disabled

Allied Losses

9 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
8 guns disabled


Allies Bombard Shwebo

Private Harada: "Sounds like the same tune." *takes a bite of rice ball*

Private Yoshi: *listens for a while watching the artillery shells lob overhead to land in the jungle well outside Lashio* "Same boring whistle."

Private Harada: "Don't the Allies know any other instrumentals?"

Private Yoshi: "Apparently not." *takes off his helmet and sets it aside* "Get any new photos of the wife?"

Private Harada: "Bite me."


Allies Bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

176 casualties
2 squads destroyed
12 squads disabled
2 vehicles lost
2 vehicles destroyed

No Allied Losses.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 20, 1943[/center]


Opening Notes

El Lobo bombs Chengtu and Chungking.

El Lobo destroys 53rd Chinese Corps near Chihkiang.

Allies bombard Shwebo, Lashio, and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

5 casualties
1 squad disabled
4 hits (Airbase)
1 hit (Airbase Supply)
36 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-49-Ia Helen)

Allied Losses

18 casualties
3 squads disabled
1 hit (Airbase)
7 hits (Runway)


Japanese Deliberately Attack Chinese Near Chihkiang (hex 79,50)

Ground combat at 79,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12274 troops, 86 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 407

Defending force 4925 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 340

Allied adjusted defense: 4

Japanese assault odds: 85 to 1

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

Allied ground losses:
6107 casualties reported
Squads: 336 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 571 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
61st Infantry Brigade
56th Infantry Brigade
58th Infantry Regiment
11th RGC Temp./A Division

Defending units:
53rd Chinese Corps


Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

146 casualties
3 squads destroyed
10 squads disabled

Allied Losses

9 guns lost
5 guns destroyed
4 guns disabled


Allies Bombard Lashio

Japanese Losses

2 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
1 gun disabled

No Allied losses.


Allies Bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

491 casualties
2 squads destroyed
44 squads disabled

No Allied losses.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Requested Assistance

from

The War College[/center]




Operation Sea Shark

As many of The War College members are no doubt aware, the Allies plan to invade the four Southern Marianas Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam) during the month of June of 1943.

The Invasion Force intends to leave the Hawaiian Islands on June 1, 1943 and arrive one hex East of Rota on June 13, 1943.

Amphibious Assaults are intended to occur on June 14, 1943.

Requested Assistance

The following consists of detailed plans regarding the orchestration of Operation Sea Shark.

Considering that I may not be the best Conductor of the Symphony, I humbly request your assistance.

Please speak freely.

I prefer harsh criticism to wholesale slaughter.

The Route to the Marianas Islands

The Invasion Task Forces will travel in one group.

Each Task Force will only consist of ships with a speed of 12 or greater.

The Invasion Task Forces will take a direct route from Pearl Harbor to one hex due East of Rota, thereby passing 4 hexes South of Midway and 3 hexes North of Wake. The total distance is 78 hexes.

On June 7, 1943, a distance of 42 hexes from Pearl Harbor, the Invasion Task Forces will arrive at hex 144,95. AOs will replenish the Task Forces and then return to Pearl Harbor.

Ground Forces

The Order of Battle for ground force amphibious landings may be reviewed by objective at the following posts herein this AAR:

Saipan (Post 1319)
Tinian (Post 1320)
Rota (Post 1321)
Guam (Post 1322)

The total ground force Assault Value allocated to each objective is as follows:

Saipan (1,943)
Tinian (766)
Rota (569)
Guam (3,103)

Loading Amphibious Task Forces

Considering the Allies will not be using ships with a speed less than 12, LSTs will not be part of the Amphibious Task Forces.

Considering the Allies lack of AKs, AKAs, APDs, APA, APs, etc., at this date of the war, I am aware that the bulk of the ground forces will be loaded on xAPs and xAKs.

I am concerned about troop fatigue and disruption.

Each infantry ground unit specified within the Orders of Battle will be loaded on its own separate Task Force with enough supply to hopefully last that individual unit for a period of three to four months. Other Task Forces will no doubt contain multiple ground units, but again with enough supply to last each ground unit three to four months..

No single Amphibious Task Force shall contain more than 25 ships.

Each separate Amphibious Task Force will contain a minimum of either a Minesweeper, a Destroyer Escort, or a Destroyer.

In order to have all ground forces loaded by June 1, 1943, on what date do I need to begin loading the Amphibious Task Forces?

Approximately what will be the troop fatigue and disruption levels after 14 days at sea?

Have I made mistakes regarding the plans for Amphibious Task Forces and the loading thereof?

Capital Ships

With the exception of non-Fletcher Destroyers, the Order of Battle for Capital Ships is set forth in Post 1352 herein this AAR.

Allied Carrier Aircraft

I fully expect to receive some extremely harsh criticism regarding the aircraft the Allies intend to have onboard the Aircraft Carriers. No doubt, well deserved criticism too.

The Allies will have 20 Aircraft Carriers with a total aircraft capacity of 975.

In reference to Operation Sea Shark only, sinking or damaging Japanese Aircraft Carriers with Allied aircraft is NOT a priority.

Operation Sea Shark Aircraft priorities are as follows:

Protect the Amphibious Assaults at Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.
Protect Allied Aircraft Carriers and other ships from loss or significant damage.
Kill as many Japanese pilots as possible; especially Japanese Carrier Aircraft pilots.

Accordingly, Allied Carriers will be loaded with approximately 820 fighters (the vast majority being Wildcats) and 155 Avenger Torpedo Bombers.

Allied Aircraft Carriers will sit in hex 108,95; the hex due East of Rota.

Avengers will be set as follows:

Search (20%)
Naval (80%)

Fighters will be set as follows:

CAP over hex 108,95 (50%)
LRCAP over each objective (25%)
LRCAP (25%)

Configuration of Allied Carrier Task Forces

Four separate Carrier Task Forces.

Three Carrier Task Forces to consist of the following ships:

2 CV
3 CVE
2 CLAA
4 CL
4 CA
4 DD (Fletchers)

The fourth Carrier Task Force will consist of the following ships:

2 CV
2 CVE
1 CVL
1 CLAA
6 CL
5 CA
4 DD (Fletchers)

Bombardment Task Forces

Four Task Forces, one Task Force per objective, each Task Force consisting of the following ships:

5 BB
2 CA
2 CL
3 DD (Fletchers)

A fifth Task Force will consist of 12 Fletcher Destroyers, on standby in hex 108,95 to react to any enemy Combat Surface Fleets.

After the conclusion of bombardments, the Bombardment Task Forces will return to sit in the same hex as the Aircraft Carriers (i.e., one hex East of Rota, hex 108,95).

Amphibious Assaults

All Amphibious HQ, Infantry, Tank, Anti-Tank, and Combat Engineer Amphibious Assault Task Forces will hit the beaches at their individual objective on June 14, 1943.

I am considering the prospect of landing all Amphibious Task Forces on June 14, 1943.

However, might it be better to land HQ, Anti-Aircraft, Support, Port-building, Airbase-building, Fort-building, and other Engineer units on June 15th or June 16th?

Upon completion of each Amphibious Task Force unloading troops and supply, the Amphibious Task Forces will return to sit in the same hex as the Aircraft Carriers (i.e., hex).

Any idea how many days it might take to fully unload all Amphibious Task Forces?
I would like to head all ships back to Pearl Harbor as soon as possible.

The Route Back to Pearl Harbor

The entire Invasion Force, all Task Forces (with the exception of ships disbanded from any given Task Force due to damage that would slow the Invasion Force down), will move in one group and take the most direct route back to Pearl Harbor.

Captain Haggard’s Operations in Support of Operation Sea Shark

Captain Haggard will make his own post providing a brief synopsis regarding his planned operations in support of Operation Sea Shark.

Captain Haggard has some sneaky plans to ambush the Japanese Combat Ships should they decide to try to chase the Allied ships home.

End Notes

Please advise whether I have left out something of importance.

Please criticize me where need be.

Please provide recommendations as you deem appropriate or necessary.

Some of you may have varying or differing opinions. Please state and argue your points, but always be cordial towards those that may sail a different sea.

As always, your input will be greatly appreciated no matter how much you hammer me!

Best Regards,

-Terry

[CaptHaggard]

Gentlemen,

Admiral Bravo requested I post preliminary assignments for Operation Sea Shark:


HAGGARD GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

CENTPAC COMMAND

Deployed with the Invasion Task Force Group: Minesweepers: 14 DMS, 20 AM, 41 YMS (divided into four squadrons, one for each invasion); Minelayers: 4 CM, 8 DM (contingency force, to impede enemy advance or pursuit); ASW: 12 PC (ASW squadrons will patrol the perimeter of TF Invasion Group); Submarines: 71 SS, 9 S-class SS (operating out of Pearl Harbor, forward base Wake Island)

Deployed at Wake Island: Patrol Boats: 48 PT-Boats; Minelayers: 10 AMC, 2 CM (secondary contingency force); ASW: 8 PC, 10 SC; Support: 1 AG, 2 AS, 1 AVP, 2 AGP

Deployed at Canton Island: Patrol/ASW: 5 PG, 10 PC, 6 SC (may make a raid on Eniwetok/Kwajalein against suspected enemy SS bases); Minelayers: 4 CM (secondary contingency force); Support: 1 AS, 1 AD, 1 AR, 1 AVD

Deployed at Midway Island: Minesweepers (Reserve): 17 AM; Support: 2 AS, 1 AR, 2 AD, 1 AVD, 3 AE*, 1 AKE*, 1 AGP (*remaining AE and AKE will provide resupply from Pearl Harbor)


SWPAC COMMAND

Deployed with Task Force Invasion Group: Submarines: 27 SS, 14 S-class (operating out of Brisbane, forward base Rabaul)

Deployed at Rabaul: Patrol: 3 PG, 20 PT-Boats; ASW: 3 PC, 3 SC, 2 AM; Support: 3 AGP, 1 AG, 1 AVD, 1 AVP

Deployed at Shortlands: Patrol: 12 PT-Boats; ASW: 2 AM; Support: 4 AS, 1 AD, 2 AG, 1 AVD, 1 AVP, 1 AR, 2 AGP

Deployed at Tulagi: Support: 1 AVP

Operating in support of SWPAC theater: Surface Combat/ASW: 7 DD, 2 DE


Being a veteran of SUBRON and SERVRON I am quite used to the rag-tag backwater boys; not very impressive compared to Rio's mighty fleet. However, I hope we can provide service toward the greater goal.

Gentlemen, your input concerning the above deployments are most appreciated. The SS fleet will have patrols of 6 hex triangles, arranged in rings about the Marianas. In the most likely direction of KB approach, these rings are four deep, beginning at a range of 10 hexes away from TF Invasion Group station.

Thank you and regards,

Hag

[BBfanboy]

Are you sure the AR at Shortlands is safe from air strikes or sea bombardment?
ARs are not plentiful and should be kept a little further back from the front lines, even if it means a little extra time for a damaged ship to go to them for repair of low level engineering damage. I don't know what kind of threats El Lobo can throw at Shortlands so it's your call whether it is a safe enough place or not.

[Bif1961]

So there will be no BBs in any of the amphibious TFs to take the coastal artillery abuse to be dished out as your amphib TFs spend a few days unloading troops and supplies?I see you said you will have the Bombardment TFs depart and go to the location of the Carrier TFs after their Bombardments. I think it would be wiser to use less BBs in the Bombardment TFs and assign 1 each to the the invasion TFs except Saipan which should have 2 BBs assigned. if not the Japanese CDs units might cause you a lot of damage and delay any offloading.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]April 21, 1943[/center]


Opening Notes

El Lobo bombs Chengtu, Chungking, and near Taung Gyi (hex 60,49).

Allies deliberately attack Lashio for the 4th time. The fort level has been reduced from 5 to 1.

Allies bombard Shwebo and due East of Ramree Island.


Japanese Bomb Chengtu

Japanese Losses

2 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)

Allied Losses

3 hits (Airbase)
3 hits (Airbase Supply)
25 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Chungking

Japanese Losses

1 damaged (Ki-21-IIa Sally)
1 damaged (Ki-49-Ia Helen)
1 damaged (Ki-30 Ann)

Allied Losses

25 casualties
4 squads disabled
1 hit (Airbase)
1 hit (Airbase Supply)
34 hits (Runway)


Japanese Bomb Near Taung Gyi (hex 60,49)

No Japanese losses.

Allied Losses

117 casualties
1 squad destroyed
21 squads disabled


Allies Deliberately Attack Lashio

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 66496 troops, 1081 guns, 1388 vehicles, Assault Value = 2358

Defending force 11887 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 201

Allied adjusted assault: 1184

Japanese adjusted defense: 568

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2598 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 117 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 43 (19 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
409 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
20th Indian Division
7th Australian Division
24th Infantry Division
6th Australian Division
268th Motorised Brigade
29th British Brigade
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
9th Australian Division
1st Medium Regiment
78th Coast AA Regiment
I Australian Corps
112th USA Base Force
2nd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
114th Infantry Regiment
7th RTA Division
17th Indpt Guards Regiment
94th JAAF AF Bn
97th JAAF AF Bn
2nd JAAF AF Coy
20th JAAF AF Bn
50th Field AA Battalion
1st JAAF AF Coy
67th JAAF AF Coy

Allies Bombard Shwebo

Japanese Losses

62 casualties
10 squads disabled
4 guns lost
1 gun destroyed
3 guns disabled

No Allied losses.


Allies Bombard Due East of Ramree Island

Japanese Losses

227 casualties
2 squads destroyed
19 squads disabled


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

So there will be no BBs in any of the amphibious TFs to take the coastal artillery abuse to be dished out as your amphib TFs spend a few days unloading troops and supplies?I see you said you will have the Bombardment TFs depart and go to the location of the Carrier TFs after their Bombardments. I think it would be wiser to use less BBs in the Bombardment TFs and assign 1 each to the the invasion TFs except Saipan which should have 2 BBs assigned. if not the Japanese CDs units might cause you a lot of damage and delay any offloading.

Bifi-

Due to the numerous amount of ground fore units landing, there will be numerous Amphibious Task Forces hitting the beach at each of the four objectives. I don't have nearly enough BB to place one BB with every Amphibious Task Force.

I have read that having more than 25 ships in a Task Force results in collisions.

But, might it be better for numerous Amphibious Task Forces to travel to one hex East of Rota and upon reaching Rota, combine the Amphibious Task Forces into one Task Force per each of the four objectives? And then, perhaps place 2 BB in each of the huge Amphibious Task Forces for Saipan and Guam and one BB in each of the huge Amphibious Task Forces for Tinian and Rota?

Furthermore, in the event that it might be better to Amphibious Assault with Infantry first, and the second day Amphibious Assault with the remainder of ground forces (i.e., support troops, etc.), then I would need a minimum 0f 8 BB so as to have one BB with each huge Task Force (i.e., 4 Amphibious Task Forces on Day One and four huge Task Forces on Day 2).

Accordingly, there seems to be four Amphibious Assault alternatives as follows:

1.) Configure numerous Amphibious Task Forces with no Task Force consisting of more than 25 ships and have all Task Forces hit the beaches on Day One.

2.) Configure numerous Amphibious Task Forces with no Task Force consisting of more than 25 ships and hit the beaches with Infantry Task Forces on Day One and hit the beaches with Support Unit Task Forces on Day Two.

3.) Configure only four Amphibious Task Forces with each Task Force having well over 25 ships and hit the beaches with each of the four Task Forces on Day One.

4.) Configure four Infantry Amphibious Task Forces and four Support Unit Amphibious Task Forces with each of the eight Task Forces consisting of more than 25; landing Infantry Task Forces on Day One and Support Unit Task Forces on Day Two.

Considering Section 6.8 of the Manual sates, "Every time a TF enters an enemy base hex, enemy coastal guns in the hex may fire at the ships in the TF," I am thinking option number three above would be the best choice?

Yours and others thoughts please.

Best Regards,

-Terry