Tale of the Sheep! - JocMeister (A) vs. Lowpe (J)

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Burma[/font]
_____________________________________________________________________________

Jeff realizes I´m about to free the two trapped divisions and tries to stop me. He has been bombing them for a couple of days but the AA makes it costly for him.

Today he tried shock attacking across the river. Not sure why as he could easily see the Brigade was there in his bombing runs. Didn´t even bump the troops out of move mode which was nice

Six to eight more days before the hex is opened. I´m bombing Katha from the air trying to burn supplies in the hope he will be unable to attack as well as flying in supply. Both divisions are in good condition though and I really don´t think he has any chance of wiping them out. Fatigue are in the teens and no disruption. Supply is in white, forts level 2 and terrain x2 makes them a hard nut to crack.

Also started bombarding with the units in the area to burn more supplies. I´m probably in better shape supply wise than he is right now since he lost the path from central Burma. I have high hopes of saving the divisions! [:)]

In the mean time Jeff totally ignores the massing of allied troops East of Ramree. We will move out from our position shortly. Just waiting for the armor to shift hex. We just delivered another division to Ramree. Total strength is now up to 5k AV in the area. 1st Marines have soon recovered enough to start moving out again. I also have 3 US tank units, 4 Indian divisions and an African division ready to be hauled in. Out of stacking space in the 3 hexes though. Need the spearhead to start moving out before I can start everything moving again. After that its a 8 turn delay before I can drop anything on Ramree again.

Still havn´t really decided where to go. Part of me wants to drive straight for Rangoon which would be more sensible. But the greedy part of me wants to drive for central Burma and push hard for Ledo. This would cut off about 6-8 Japanese divisions in the Katha area which would be very...satisfying. Its absolutely doable as I could get to Ledo long before Jeff could evacuate the North. He already missed the bus on that one. But it would leave me with a VERY long flank to protect and seriously expose the Ledo drive as well as the Ramree beach head.

A sensible option might be to split my forces in half. If I push south towards Rangoon with about 3k worth of infantry pushing straight through Prome I could still divert about 2k including all the armor to move towards the plains. Drawback of this is that I´m not sure that will be enough to secure the plains. Having the armor there would give a tremendous amount of flexibility though...and if I could hook up with the Northern forces I could strip them down to just enough to defend up there and free up about 3 divisions more for clearing the plains.

Thoughts?

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]NORPAC[/font]
_____________________________________________________________________________

Hmm, no strikes flew yesterday. Weather perhaps? Landing tomorrow. Hopefully Anchorage will be closed by the morning.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]NORPAC[/font]
_____________________________________________________________________________

Things actually goes exactly as planned. For once. [X(]

First off we close Anchorage wrecking havoc on the sleeping IJAF.

Night Naval bombardment of Anchorage at 181,36

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 49 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 104 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M5b Zero: 37 damaged
A6M5b Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 35 damaged
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Santa Fe
DD Guest
DD Foote
DD Dyson
DD Daly
DD Claxton
DD Bush
DD Bullard
DD Braine
DD Bradford
DD Boyd
DD Charles Ausburne

Japanese ground losses:
412 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 52 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Resources hits 1
Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 119
Port hits 27
Port supply hits 12

Clear skies over Kodiak the following morning and the troops can land in peace. Japan reveal its strength.

Ground combat at Kodiak (181,42)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6090 troops, 34 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 252

Defending force 7716 troops, 86 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 256

Assaulting units:
Ichiki Det.
302nd Ind.Infantry Battalion
65th Bde /4
47th Field Const Co
105th JAAF AF Bn
46th JNAF AF Unit
11th Air Fleet /1

Defending units:
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
22nd Marine Regiment

I have more troops prepped but I probably won´t need them. Especially since we left them a little goodbye present the following day before the fleet left for Prince Rupert.

Night Naval bombardment of Kodiak at 181,42

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Colorado
BB Maryland
DD Morris
DD Walke
DD O'Brien
DD Russell
DD Mustin
DD Hammann
DD Anderson
DD Hughes
DD Sims
DD Frankford
DD McCook

Japanese ground losses:
900 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Night Naval bombardment of Kodiak at 181,42

Allied Ships
DD Maury
DD Gridley
DD Jarvis
DD Patterson
DD Warrington
DD Harding
DD Satterlee
DD Halford

Japanese ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

I think that might have zapped a bit of fighting spirit from the defenders! Probing attack ordered tomorrow to see fort levels. Hopefully not too high...

[Lokasenna]

252 AV to 256 AV will not take that base very quickly, even accounting for any disparity in unit quality. The terrain multiplier alone...

The Ichiki Det. has 90 Exp when it spawns. It's a tough little unit. I think the 302nd Battalion is similar, but maybe only 70 Exp at spawn.

Not a big deal if you don't want it quickly.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

252 AV to 256 AV will not take that base very quickly, even accounting for any disparity in unit quality. The terrain multiplier alone...

The Ichiki Det. has 90 Exp when it spawns. It's a tough little unit. I think the 302nd Battalion is similar, but maybe only 70 Exp at spawn.

Not a big deal if you don't want it quickly.

Yeah, found out the hard way it will be a slow process. No rush here though so its not a huge deal though.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]SOPAC[/font]
_____________________________________________________________________________

A major allied offensive begins with the closing of Rabaul airfield!

Night Naval bombardment of Rabaul at 106,125

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 27 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 22 destroyed on ground
G3M3 Nell: 33 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 10 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 167 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 39 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 17 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed on ground
D3A1 Val: 31 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed on ground
A6M5b Zero: 59 damaged
A6M5b Zero: 16 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-III Dinah: 9 damaged
Ki-46-III Dinah: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 30 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 5 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 27 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 5 destroyed on ground
A6M5c Zero: 22 damaged
A6M5c Zero: 4 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Massachusetts
BB Indiana
BB South Dakota
BB North Carolina
DD Eaton
DD Converse
DD Bennett
DD Beale
DD Bache
DD Aulick
DD Anthony
DD Ammen
DD Abbot

Japanese ground losses:
1098 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 35 (13 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 119

195 Japanese planes destroyed on the ground. Boom! I sent 3 TFs ahead of the bombardment but they didn´t encounter anything. Australia and Cushings hit a mine each. Both should make it but Australia will have to head to Pearl for repairs.

One of my sweeping TFs later hit a Japanese DD TF. Sadly it was by far my weakest TF and also the one where Australia and Cushings were part. Still a good result. Looks lika FT mission!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Rabaul at 107,126, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Makinami, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Takanami, Shell hits 1
DD Kiyonami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Hamakaze, Shell hits 1
DD Harusame, Shell hits 1
DD Usugumo, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Shirayuki
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2
CA Wichita, Shell hits 3
CA Canberra
DD Helm, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Craven, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD McCall, Shell hits 1
DD Smith, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Cummings, Shell hits 5, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
285 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[jwolf]

I sent 3 TFs ahead of the bombardment

Dumb question: how do you make sure these TFs go in ahead of the bombardment? I imagine their purpose is to soak up enemy surface or patrol groups so the bombardment TF has no interference. But how do you make sure they go in the right order?

BTW that bombardment was awesome and I look forward to seeing more of your offensive in this area.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I sent 3 TFs ahead of the bombardment

Dumb question: how do you make sure these TFs go in ahead of the bombardment? I imagine their purpose is to soak up enemy surface or patrol groups so the bombardment TF has no interference. But how do you make sure they go in the right order?

BTW that bombardment was awesome and I look forward to seeing more of your offensive in this area.

Bombardment is executed at the very end of the night phase after unloading, naval movement and air phases.

TFs always "go in" before the bombardment.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I sent 3 TFs ahead of the bombardment

Dumb question: how do you make sure these TFs go in ahead of the bombardment? I imagine their purpose is to soak up enemy surface or patrol groups so the bombardment TF has no interference. But how do you make sure they go in the right order?

BTW that bombardment was awesome and I look forward to seeing more of your offensive in this area.

Bombardment is executed at the very end of the night phase after unloading, naval movement and air phases.

TFs always "go in" before the bombardment.

Also, lower number TFs move first. Something has to move first... So if you want something to enter a hex before something else, set the something you want to enter first to a lower TF number.

I don't usually bother. Doesn't usually matter with how I play.

[jwolf]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Bombardment is executed at the very end of the night phase after unloading, naval movement and air phases.

TFs always "go in" before the bombardment.

Correct -- but how can you make sure any surface action is conducted by your "other" TFs and not the bombardment TF that is patiently waiting for the end of the night phase?

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Bombardment is executed at the very end of the night phase after unloading, naval movement and air phases.

TFs always "go in" before the bombardment.

Correct -- but how can you make sure any surface action is conducted by your "other" TFs and not the bombardment TF that is patiently waiting for the end of the night phase?

Because the bombardment TF doesn´t move until the bombardment phase. [:)]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: jwolf

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Bombardment is executed at the very end of the night phase after unloading, naval movement and air phases.

TFs always "go in" before the bombardment.

Correct -- but how can you make sure any surface action is conducted by your "other" TFs and not the bombardment TF that is patiently waiting for the end of the night phase?

Because the bombardment TF doesn´t move until the bombardment phase. [:)]

...not true? It moves during the naval movement phase just like any other. But it stays put at the target hex until after the bombardment phase has happened.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: jwolf




Correct -- but how can you make sure any surface action is conducted by your "other" TFs and not the bombardment TF that is patiently waiting for the end of the night phase?

Because the bombardment TF doesn´t move until the bombardment phase. [:)]

...not true? It moves during the naval movement phase just like any other. But it stays put at the target hex until after the bombardment phase has happened.

I´m pretty sure I remember reading that the bombardment TF doesnt move during the movement phase but rather during the bombardment phase.

Wouldn´t be the first time I misunderstood/misread something though! [:)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: JocMeister




Because the bombardment TF doesn´t move until the bombardment phase. [:)]

...not true? It moves during the naval movement phase just like any other. But it stays put at the target hex until after the bombardment phase has happened.

I´m pretty sure I remember reading that the bombardment TF doesnt move during the movement phase but rather during the bombardment phase.

Wouldn´t be the first time I misunderstood/misread something though! [:)]

I am pretty sure that as part of the re-do of naval movement for AE (as opposed to WITP) they must have changed that along with all naval movement. In my recent PBM I saw, at the Home Islands, numerous cases where a bombardment TF was engaged at the target hex by a night air attack after having moved to the target hex. Just to be clear, during the turn: bombardment TF began turn elsewhere, moved to target hex, was attacked by air (at night), bombarded target, moved away, ended turn elsewhere.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna




...not true? It moves during the naval movement phase just like any other. But it stays put at the target hex until after the bombardment phase has happened.

I´m pretty sure I remember reading that the bombardment TF doesnt move during the movement phase but rather during the bombardment phase.

Wouldn´t be the first time I misunderstood/misread something though! [:)]

I am pretty sure that as part of the re-do of naval movement for AE (as opposed to WITP) they must have changed that along with all naval movement. In my recent PBM I saw, at the Home Islands, numerous cases where a bombardment TF was engaged at the target hex by a night air attack after having moved to the target hex. Just to be clear, during the turn: bombardment TF began turn elsewhere, moved to target hex, was attacked by air (at night), bombarded target, moved away, ended turn elsewhere.

I probably got it wrong then. [:)]

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Rabaul[/font]
_____________________________________________________________________________

The allies land at Rabaul. The landing in unopposed besides a few midgets and some PT boats.

Ground combat at Rabaul (106,125)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 15473 troops, 112 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 525

Defending force 34030 troops, 509 guns, 419 vehicles, Assault Value = 869

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

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
144th Infantry Regiment
Maizuru 1st SNLF
14th Garrison Unit
19th Naval Guard Unit
15th Base Force
51st Base Force
24th Air Flotilla
4th Air Defense AA Regiment
Yokosuka 5th SNLF /5
8th Base Force
12th Ind.AA Gun Co /5

Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
Americal Infantry Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
South Pacific
134th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Medium Regiment
205th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Medium Regiment
1st Marine Defense Battalion
147th Field Artillery Battalion
II Australian
2nd RAA Jungle Regiment

I want Rabaul secured quickly and will use up 2nd Marines and Americal if needed to get it done. 25th US and 8th Australian is also fully prepped as well. If needed I will rotate them. Going to land some armor before the first attack though. In the meantime we will soften the defenders up as much as I can.

The schedule is tight and the fleet have lots of stuff to do. Can´t linger here for too long.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Burma[/font]
_____________________________________________________________________________

Jeff leaves Schwebo with 11 units. Not sure what his intentions are yet. Either he wants to smack my 3 AA units that went the wrong way or he is trying to cut off the 2 divisions again.

Either way its never a good idea to move troops into the open near allied 4Es...and I just got another 100 of them operational at Calcutta. [:)]

He will have a LRCAP up for sure...

[Bullwinkle58]

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

Godfather Part III.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

Godfather Part III.

Listening to Crimetown podcast (I recommend it), I didn't realize anyone ever "got out" but I guess at least one person did. Godfather character was based on mob boss covered in that show, apparently.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

Godfather Part III.

[:D]