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

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 29, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


El Lobo harassed the Allies within the vicinity of the Marianas Islands. The Evil Rising Sun sunk one Allied Sub Chaser, three PT Boats, and destroyed one Hellcat. The Allies sunk a Japanese E Boat, hit two other E Boats, destroyed several Japanese Search Aircraft (Jakes and Dinahs), and destroyed five Jills and six Georges.

The Allies had anticipated that El Lobo might attempt to use minor Red Sun ships in an effort to drain sorties from Allied Carrier Bomber squadrons. Allied Carrier Bombers will continue to stand down and let The Haggard Group dispense with El Lobo's swarming mosquitos.

El Lobo's most notable victory today is that his harassment caused several Allied Transports to cease loading their cargo.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Near Pagan (hex 111,90), night time Surface Combat resulted in the sinking of Japanese E Boat W-3 and E Boat W-25 took 2 hits. The Allies lost PT Boats 108, 160, and 219.

2.) Near Saipan (hex 109,93), night time Surface Combat resulted in Japanese E Boat Manazur taking one hit. The Allies lost SC-521.

3.) Near Saipan (hex 109,94), night time Surface Combat resulted in Allied DD Conygham hitting Japanese E Boat Hatsukari five times.

4.) Japanese bombed Chungking. The rats have made a mass exodus from the flaming city; not the Japanese, the other rats.

5.) Near Tinian (hex 108,95), Japanese aircraft raided Allied Carriers. 5 B6N2 Jills were destroyed and 6 N1K1-J Georges were destroyed. The Allies lost 1 Hellcat. None of the Japanese aircraft were able to penetrate Allied LRCAP nor CAP.

6.) Japanese deliberately attacked near Kweiyang (75,45). The Japanese only suffered 24 casualties while inflicting 2,832 Chinese casualties and forcing the 37th Chinese Corps to retreat. The Chinese have orchestrated numerous retreats in China. They are getting good at it. This time they didn't lose a single drop of massage oil.

7.) Allies deliberately attacked near Toungoo (hex 56,51). The Japanese suffered 1,634 casualties with 3 units destroyed. The Allies suffered 1,268 casualties.

8.) Allies deliberately attacked at Pegu. The Japanese suffered 4,064 casualties with one unit destroyed. The Allies suffered 1,784 casualties with one unit destroyed.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 29, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[adarbrauner]

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo



1.) Captain Haggard attempted a daring raid to enter the Japanese held port of Pagan. His fleet of 5 PT Boats were intercepted 4 times: once by a CM; once by a Submarine; once by 4 Sub Chasers; and once by 5 CLs. The night visibility was poor and none of the Japanese interceptions resulted in naval engagement. Neither the Japanese nor Captain Haggard's PT Boats suffered any hits. Captain Haggard's PT Boats were back in Port before dawn broke over Saipan.

I don't have the game open now to check...but a run from Saipan (?) and return, with 3 engagements on the way, it seems to me extraordinary...

BTW: how do you two, Cpt Hagard and Rio Bravo, manage to play simultaneously in cooperation?

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: adarbrauner

ORIGINAL: Rio Bravo



1.) Captain Haggard attempted a daring raid to enter the Japanese held port of Pagan. His fleet of 5 PT Boats were intercepted 4 times: once by a CM; once by a Submarine; once by 4 Sub Chasers; and once by 5 CLs. The night visibility was poor and none of the Japanese interceptions resulted in naval engagement. Neither the Japanese nor Captain Haggard's PT Boats suffered any hits. Captain Haggard's PT Boats were back in Port before dawn broke over Saipan.

I don't have the game open now to check...but a run from Saipan (?) and return, with 3 engagements on the way, it seems to me extraordinary...

BTW: how do you two, Cpt Hagard and Rio Bravo, manage to play simultaneously in cooperation?

adarbrauner-


Welcome back to The War College.

Captain Haggard's Task Force consisting of five PT Boats were intercepted four times, not three times. None of the Japanese interceptions resulted in any naval combat. The Pt Boats did not make it to the Pagan Port, instead all five safely returned to Saipan before sunrise. As to further details, I shall leave that for Captain Haggard to respond to you.

Captain Haggard is aware of the Allied Grand Strategy and is kept apprised of upcoming Allied Operations and changes thereto as the operations unfold. We speak three or four times per week to remain coordinated in our efforts to crush that Evil Rat Bastard El Lobo. In a nutshell, Captain Haggard has full autonomy over all ships transferred to The Haggard Group and Captain Haggard exclusively designs and orchestrates his operations in support of the Allied Grand Strategy and any given Allied operation. For example, I advised Captain Haggard that the Allies would invade the four southern Marianas Islands on or about June 15, 1943. Based on that advice, Captain Haggard set forth his Order of Battle and plans to clear the minefields and swarm the Marianas Islands with submarines. Accordingly, keeping in mind the goals of the Allied Grand Strategy and any given Allied Operation, Captain Haggard independently proceeds to assist the Allies in accomplishing their objectives and goals. Perhaps, Captain Haggard will also respond to provide additional information regarding our cooperation and coordination.

Captain Haggard and I have been friends since the first day we met at the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1973. We have played numerous war games against each other with Captain Haggard generally kicking my sorry ass all over whichever given map we were involved with at any given time. We both have not only a thorough understanding of how the mechanics work in war games, but we also know each other very well. Accordingly, our conversations do not waste ample time with efforts trying to understand war game issues or each other. We laugh more than we plan. *laughing now at that truth*

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]The Big Prize Escapes

Burma

August 29, 1943[/center]


Although the month of August 1943 was a relatively good month for the Allies in Burma, the Allies failed to grasp the big prize.

As the map of Burma illustrates below, the Allies own Moulien and all bases in Burma north of Moulien.

The present situation in Burma is as follows:


Southwest of Toungoo (hex 56,51)


As many of you may recall, El Lobo had 226,000 troops in the jungle southwest of Toungoo. The Allies moved to surround, trap, and eventually destroy those 226,000 Japanese troops. However, El Lobo evaded the dragnet by crossing the river toward Thailand four days before the Allies could block the last, remaining hex-side. Only 16,000 Japanese troops remain in hex 56,51. 210,000 Japanese troops now have a clear path to escape to Thailand. On a good note, The Guards Tank Division has been rendered impotent with a present Assault Value of less than 20.


Pegu


42,563 Japanese troops are completely trapped at Pegu. Unless El Lobo is able to break-through the Allied lines, these 42,563 Japanese troops will eventually be eliminated. The following sets forth the Japanese units trapped at Pegu:

2nd Raiding Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
4th Infantry Division
6th Java Militia Regiment
6th RTA Division
12th Garrison Unit
18th Tank Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
26th Infantry Division
48th Naval Guard Unit

Note: one of the above units was destroyed in the Allied deliberate attack at Pegu on August 29, 1943. However, I am unaware as to the designation of the unit destroyed.


Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Operation Stockpile

Allied Aircraft Carriers at The Marianas Islands

August 29, 1943[/center]



25 Allied Aircraft Carriers presently rest rock comfortably on the waves one hex due east of Rota (hex 108,95) providing CAP and LRCAP for the transports presently unloading troops, land based and carrier capable aircraft, fuel, and supply at Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.

The Operation Stockpile Carrier Fleets (five) and the CAP and LRCAP provided by their fighter aircraft are as follows:


25 Carriers in Five Carrier Fleets

9 CV
12 CVE
4 CVL

768 Fighters

18 Corsair
194 Wildcat
556 Hellcat

496 Bombers

120 Helldiver
180 Avenger
196 Dauntless

Carrier CAP (118 Fighters)

10,000 Feet Elevation (61 Fighters)

-21 Hellcat
-12 Wildcat
-28 Wildcat

20,000 Elevation (21 Fighters)

-21 Hellcat

31,000 Feet (36 Fighters)

-36 Hellcat

Saipan Objective LRCAP (131 Fighters)

10,000 Feet Elevation (67 Fighters)

-21 Hellcat
-18 Wildcat
-28 Wildcat

20,000 Feet Elevation (28)

-28 Hellcat

31,000 Feet Elevation (36)

-36 Hellcat

Tinian Objective LRCAP (112 Fighters)

10,000 Feet Elevation (48 Fighters)

-12 Hellcat
-18 Wildcat
-18 Wildcat

20,000 Feet Elevation (28 Fighters)

-28 Hellcat

31,000 Feet Elevation (36 Fighters)

-36 Hellcat

Rota Objective LRCAP (112 Fighters)

10,000 Feet Elevation (48 Fighters)

-12 Hellcat
-18 Wildcat
-18 Wildcat

20,000 Feet Elevation (28 Fighters)

-28 Hellcat

31,000 Feet Elevation (36 Fighters)

-36 Hellcat

Guam Objective LRCAP (121 Fighters)

10,000 Feet Elevation (57 Fighters)

-21 Hellcat
-18 Wildcat
-18 Wildcat

20,000 Feet Elevation (28)

-28 Hellcat

31,000 Feet Elevation (36)

-36 Hellcat

LRCAP 1 (90 Fighters)

20,000 Feet Elevation (18 Fighters)

-18 Corsair

31,000 Feet Elevation (72 Fighters)

-36 Hellcat
-36 Hellcat

LRCAP 2 (84 Fighters)

20,000 Feet Elevation (12 Fighters)

-12 Hellcat

31,000 Feet Elevation)

-36 Hellcat
-36 Hellcat


A map of the Marianas Islands is below.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 30, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


Numerous naval battles occurred today within the vicinity of the Marianas islands. Most involved minor combat ships. Instead of listing each naval engagement, I will simply list the damaged and sunk ships. If you are interested in further details as to the actual ships involved for any given engagement or the precise location for any given engagement, please review the attached Combat Report for August 30, 1943.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Allied damaged and sunk ships:

-DD Rotherham, 1 hit, on fire.
-AM Sage, 1 hit.
-YMS-273, 3 hits, on fire.
-PT-114, 1 hit, heavy fires.
-SS KVIII, 1 hit.

-AM Skylark, sunk.
-YMS-218, sunk.
-xAK Dolgoma (no cargo), sunk.
-PT-147, sunk.
-PT-152, sunk.

2.) Japanese damaged and sunk ships:

-DD Uruyuke, torpedo hit, fires, heavy damage.
-PB Nanpo Maru,6 hits, on fire.
-E Taboko Maru, 5 hits, on fire.
-TK Amatsu Maru, 7 hits.
-TK Omuosan Maru, 17 hits.
-SS RO-61, 6 hits.
-SS RO-67, 2 hits.
-SS RO-68, 9 hits.

-E Yaeyama, sunk.
-E Shirakama, sunk.
-E Wakataka, sunk.
-E Nuwaashima, sunk.
-TK Kyoko Maru, sunk.
-TK Otowasan Maru, sunk.
-TK Sanraku Maru, sunk.
-TK Yuho Maru, sunk.
-TK Katsukawa Maru, sunk.
-SS I-5, sunk.
-SS-I-164, sunk.

3.) Japanese bombed Chungking. Tokyo Rose is fake news. She falsely reported hundreds of thousands of fires are burning the city to ash. Well, there hasn't been anything left to burn for a week and everything has been ash for a week. Tokyo Rose fibs.

4.) Allies shock attacked near Kweiyang (hex 75,48). Both sides received minimal casualties.

5.) Allies deliberately attacked at Pegu. Both sides received moderate casualties.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 30, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[CaptHaggard]

Gentlemen,

I am thoroughly enjoying the "Little Boat" campaign raging nightly in the waters about the Marianas... my enjoyment is presently at its zenith, no doubt, because of 0% moonlight... this seems to give my PT-Boys a chance to close targets and my subs to get off shots not normally granted.

The map is charged with red and yellow TFs darting & dodging... a couple of El Lobo's SS are trying to thread between a dozen ASW patrols and one last night had BB California in its sights...

El certainly is a dicy fellow, and giving us a whole bunch to handle out there...

*Salute*

Hag

[CaptBeefheart]

Well done in the Marianas, gents, and good luck on the Formosa adventure. Being this far ahead of the historical timetable means there are a lot fewer garrison troops available for the Empire.

Cheers,
CC

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 31, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


The balance of El Lobo's troops crossed the river into hex 57,52. He has successfully escaped the Allied attempt to completely surround 226,000 Japanese troops. Though the Japanese lost three units, are substantially beat to a pulp, and severely disabled and fatigued, El Lobo's remaining 52 units will escape to Thailand.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Within the vicinity of the Marianas Islands the following ships were damaged or destroyed today:

Japanese

SS I-153, 11 hits, on fire, heavy damage.
E Karukaya, 2 hits, heavy fires.
E Asagao, 2 hits, on fire.
E Sarushima, 1 hit.

Allies

DD Abbot, 1 hit.
DE Encounter, 3 hits, heavy fires.
SC-738, 1 torpedo hit, heavy damage.

PT Boat 153, sunk.
PT Boat 156, sunk.
PT Boat 162, sunk.
PT Boat 222, sunk.
PT Boat 225, sunk.
Pt Boat 227, sunk.

2.) Within the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, several Japanese Search Aircraft were destroyed (Jakes and Jills).

3.) Within the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, the following additional aircraft were destroyed:

Japanese

7 B6N2 Jill
9 N1K1 George

Allies

4 F4F-3 Wildcat
5 FM-1 Wildcat
4 F6F Wildcat

4.) Japanese Troops crossing the river near Chiang Mai (hex 57,52) receive a horrible shock attack die roll. The Japanese suffered 3,658 casualties whereas the Allies only suffered 8 casualties.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 31, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Commander Cody

Well done in the Marianas, gents, and good luck on the Formosa adventure. Being this far ahead of the historical timetable means there are a lot fewer garrison troops available for the Empire.

Cheers,
CC

Commander Cody-

Thank you for the compliment.

Yes, El Lobo has a lot of places to consider as to where the Allies will strike next.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: CaptHaggard

Gentlemen,

I am thoroughly enjoying the "Little Boat" campaign raging nightly in the waters about the Marianas... my enjoyment is presently at its zenith, no doubt, because of 0% moonlight... this seems to give my PT-Boys a chance to close targets and my subs to get off shots not normally granted.

The map is charged with red and yellow TFs darting & dodging... a couple of El Lobo's SS are trying to thread between a dozen ASW patrols and one last night had BB California in its sights...

El certainly is a dicy fellow, and giving us a whole bunch to handle out there...

*Salute*

Hag

Captain Haggard-

El Lobo plans to fight us hammer and tong to the bitter end.

What worries me is the fact that he is going to be able to use Kamakazi against us later this month.

Your pal,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]September 1, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


The hookers have fled from Chungking!


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Within the vicinity of the Marianas Islands the following ships were damaged or destroyed today:

Japanese

PB Ginyo Maru; 1 hit, on fire.

SC-CHa-16; sunk.

Allies

4 PT Boats sunk: 148; 156; 220; and 223.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for September 1, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

2.) Within the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, a few Jakes, Jills, and Nells were destroyed by CAP.

3.) El Lobo continues to turn Chungking into a pile of rubble.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]By the Numbers
September 2, 1943[/center]


Losses on both sides continue to be heavier as the Allies grow and expand into enemy territory.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]Strategic Map

September 2, 1943[/center]


The Allies on the Marianas Islands look a little lonesome.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]September 2, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


During a night time naval engagement near Guam (hex 106,95), three of Captain Haggard's DDs bump into three of El Lobo's CLs.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) At night near Guam (hex 106,95), Japanese CLs and Allied DDs clash:

Japanese Losses

CL Noshiro; 4 hits.
CL Teshio; 1 torpedo hit.
CL Ninaru; 8 hits, on fire.

Allied Losses

DD Voyager; 1 hit.
DD Vampire; 7 hits; sunk.
DD Warramunga; 1 hit.

2.) Again at night and again near Guam (hex 106,95), the same Japanese CLs minus the Noshiro and the same Allied DDs minus the Vampire clash again:

Japanese Losses

CL Teshio; 15 hits; on fire; heavy damage.
CL Ninaru; 2 hits.

Allied Losses

DD Warramunga; 1 hit.

3.) Japanese bombed Chungking.

4.) Japanese bombed near Pegu. The Japanese did not suffer any losses whereas the Allies lost 5 P-39D Airacobras and Allied ground forces suffered minimal casualties.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for September 2, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]September 3, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


Though El Lobo continues to harass Operation Stockpile within the surrounding vicinity of the Marianas Islands, Operation Stockpile has made steady progress unloading over 1,000 transports at the four southern Allied owned Marianas Islands. All of the troops have safely unloaded, over 1,500 Carrier Capable and LBA Aircraft have safely unloaded and are recovering nicely from minor repairs, all of the supply has safely unloaded with the Allied held bases now having over 3,500,000 supply, and over 200,000 fuel has been unloaded. The vast majority of minor damage to ships during the long trek from Pearl Harbor has been repaired, In two days, only a handful up ships will remain in need of repair.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Near Saipan (hex 107,93), Capatain Haggard's SS Raton puts a torpedo into El Lobo's CL Ninaru causing heavy damage.

2.) Japanese night air attack near Saipan (hex hex 108,93) sinks Allied TK Esso Richmond.

3.) Japanese bombed Chungking. My brave Chinese are all deaf and using sign-language to communicate.

4.) Japanese bombed near Chiang Mai (hex 57,52):

Japanese Losses

1 destroyed Ki-44-IIc Tojo.
3 destroyed Ki-49-IIb Helen.
11 damaged Ki-49-IIb Helen.

Allied Losses

6 destroyed Airacobra.

5.) Japanese attacked by air near Tinian (hex 108,95):

Japanese Losses

2 destroyed N1K1-J George.
18 destroyed B6N2 Jill.

Allied Losses

1 destroyed F6F-3 Hellcat.
2 destroyed FM-1 Wildcat.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for September 3, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[BBfanboy]

That is a lot of supply! Are all your bases level 9 (port + AF)? If not, you could lose a lot of it to spoilage.
Check the top centre of the base screens for max supply allowed without spoilage.

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

That is a lot of supply! Are all your bases level 9 (port + AF)? If not, you could lose a lot of it to spoilage.
Check the top centre of the base screens for max supply allowed without spoilage.

BBfanboy-


None of the Allied owned bases have a supply limit.

The Ports and Airfields have reached their maximum level. The Forts are at 6 with the exception of Rota lagging behind at level 5. The Forts can all be built to level 9.

Guam and Rota presently have too many aircraft for their Airfield size. However, at the conclusion of Operation Stockpile, Operations Bottle and Cork (the invasions of Takao, Formosa and Pescadores) will commence loading and several squadrons of LBA will be taken to Takao and Pescadores (six squadrons of Recon, Search, and Transport Aircraft are already presently loading).

The four southern Marianas Islands presently have a combined supply amount of 3,579,113. Approximately 500,000 supply will accompany Operations Bottle and Cork.

I want a ton of supply at the Marianas Islands as either simultaneously with the invasions of Takao and Pescadores, or shortly thereafter, the Allies will invade the southern coast of China at Amoy (i.e. Operation John B. Hood). The Allies will transport tons of supply to China to supply Operation Land Shark troops moving from Burma into China, to supply the landing forces that land at Amoy, and to supply the Chinese as these forces all push toward Manchukua and Korea.

Some numbers for the four Allied held southern Marianas Islands and a snapshot of Guam statistics are below.

Saipan

Port: 4
Airfield: 7; 351 Aircraft
Fort: 6 (87%)
Supply: 1,179,808

Tinian

Port: 4
Airfield: 7; 350 Aircraft
Fort: 6 (37%)
Supply: 286,306

Rota

Port: 3
Airfield: 6; 313 Aircraft
Fort: 5 (57%)
Supply: 386,409

Guam

Port: 5
Airfield: 8; 456 Aircraft
Fort: 6 (87%)
Supply: 1,726,590


Best Regards,

-Terry

[BBfanboy]

Great! I did not expect the bases to be so developed yet. BTW, forts have no effect on supply storage levels (not sure why you mentioned them).

[Rio Bravo]

[center]September 4, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


The first Allied Supply Task Force from Calcutta to Rangoon, without any losses, is presently unloading 70,000 supply at Rangoon.


Synopsis of Combat Action for Today


1.) Near Rota (hex 107,95), Japanese bombed twice.

Japanese Losses

6 destroyed and 2 damaged G3M3 Nell.

Allied Losses

TK Eidsvold sunk.

2.) Japanese bombed Chungking.

3.) Japanese bombed near Chiang Mai (hex 57,52)

Japanese Losses

3 destroyed Ki-44-IIa Tojo
3 destroyed and 11 damaged Ki-49-IIb Helen

Allied Losses

1 destroyed P-47D2 Thunderbolt


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for September 4, 1943.