Going The Distance: BTS 4.6 MichaelU/lb4269 (A) vs bristolduke (J)

[MichaelU]

Feb 19-20, 1942

I make two mistakes over the two days, one of which we get away with, and one which we don't.

A fast transport group had been hovering around Suva, waiting for a break in the carrier cover to ship in a Marine raider battalion. While they were hovering I had set them to 'do not unload', and forgot to change this when they went in. So they end the turn in the Suva hex, fully loaded, and just waiting to get smashed by 100 Vals. But whew, his carriers hadn't returned and the dreaded air strike doesn't happen.

Also happily, a reinforced attempt to take Suva fails.

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Ground combat at Suva (132,160)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11932 troops, 181 guns, 20 vehicles, Assault Value = 358

Defending force 9419 troops, 105 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 231

Japanese adjusted assault: 106

Allied adjusted defense: 295

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
720 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

There are now two divisions and two naval guard units in the attack, but he will need to bring more.

The other mistake is leaving a group of Chinese units on rest mode, so that when a Japanese brigade shock attacks across a river, instead of getting obliterated it makes it across easily. Damn, this was a big chance to blunt the northern offensive against Sian.

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Ground combat at 85,39 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6669 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Defending force 19692 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 460

Japanese adjusted assault: 280

Allied adjusted defense: 205

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
327 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
556 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
8th Route Army
22nd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
2nd Construction Regiment
2nd War Area
18th Group Army

It seems that rather than trying to break in to open a supply line to Wenchow, the Japanese are instead shipping in supplies. The divisions must have fought their way to the coast and set up a beachhead. But the extra supplies don't help against the valiant defenders of Wenchow.

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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47741 troops, 441 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 1097

Defending force 30773 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 773

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 459

Allied adjusted defense: 988

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4433 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 142 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 34 disabled
Guns lost 30 (5 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
366 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
53rd Division
19th Division
17th Division
22nd Division

Defending units:
88th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
100th Chinese/C Corps
3rd War Area
10th Group Army

What was surprising was the disparity in casualties.

Around Noumea, our carriers are hovering looking for a potential strike on his supply lines. But it looks like he has beefed up his air search because the carrier groups are being picked up. I'm not going to go for a strike near his carriers unless I am assured of surprise. So we'll content ourselves with hovering for now. Our hard fighting LBA and group troops are probably wondering why there are hundreds of carriers planes out there that are not getting into the fight.

[ny59giants]

Set ground troops to Reserve Mode (do not pursuit). [;)]

[MichaelU]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants_MatrixForum

Set ground troops to Reserve Mode (do not pursuit). [;)]

Ooh, that is interesting. Does that do the same thing as rest, but when a combat starts they'll actually join the fighting?

[BBfanboy]

Not as good as Rest but better than Defending. They will only join in if the enemy appears to be breaking through your defences when HE is attacking YOU. Your other troops can immolate themselves attacking the enemy and I don't ever recall seeing the reserve join in.

[MichaelU]

Thanks guys. I've used it before to initiate pursuit but not on the defense. Will have to give it a go.

[ny59giants]

Reserve Mode - When defending, they will not participate unless you are about to suffer a 2:1 odds

[DOCUP]

Nice AAR. I just read it all. You guys are doing really good. I just picked up a game with Bristol. Waiting on turn 1 from him. I will follow but prob wont post much.

[MichaelU]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Nice AAR. I just read it all. You guys are doing really good. I just picked up a game with Bristol. Waiting on turn 1 from him. I will follow but prob wont post much.

Ah, that could explain the sudden slowdown in turns. Good luck with your game.

[MichaelU]

Feb 21-24, 1942

Been a bit slow as Mike and I have been busy with other things, including hiking and playing lots of boardgames. However, it should be back to more regular updates now. Assuming Bill keeps up the turn rate, given the number of games he is apparently playing simultaneously.

I'll summarise the highlights of the latest turn, as not too much has changed in terms of the overall situation, although there have been several sharp ground clashes.

SOPAC:
It's another close call for the Akagi, as SS S-34 launches 4 torpedoes at her, but misses completely. What is with our sub captains? Maybe the sight of such a juicy target is just too much for them.

But then we get lucky, because a Japanese sub launches 8 torps at the BB California and fails to score a hit.

The Japanese carriers had decided on a port strike against Noumea. We've been shipping supplies and troops in there, and the Tfs have been showing high detection levels. So he must have decided to put a stop to all that. By blind luck we didn't have any ships unloading on that turn, so instead the Vals go in and hit the one ship in port, a mine tender.

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Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 113 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 37 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
D3A1 Val x 112

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 18 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
ACM Planter, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 1

Not sure it was worth it for him. We've got one unit of AA in there, so it's starting to look like not such a great place to dive bomb. And it looks like the ACM Planter might even survive the experience, as the fires are brought under control and she is still floating.

Our carriers have been hanging around northwest of Noumea, looking for an opportunity to race in and knock out some supply convoys. But his air search has really thickened and the carriers seemed to have a continuous Mavis escort. As long as he knows we're out there, we are not going to risk it.

The remaining regiments of the Americal division are turning up in Melbourne, so we'll be sending them over to reinforce their compatriots already in Noumea. Once we have a full US division, plus some tanks and other hangers on, Noumea will be tough to take.

PHILIPPINES:
The attacks at Manila are coming in thick and furious, and supply is approaching critical levels. But despite being cut off for months, the defenders are still giving a good account of themselves, killing off more than 8000 Japanese over the course of two days for about 4,000 losses of their own. Here is the attack from the 24th.

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Ground combat at Manila (79,77)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 45725 troops, 464 guns, 224 vehicles, Assault Value = 944

Defending force 44585 troops, 428 guns, 146 vehicles, Assault Value = 528

Japanese adjusted assault: 500

Allied adjusted defense: 981

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
3708 casualties reported
Squads: 97 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 60 destroyed, 82 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 32 disabled
Guns lost 29 (14 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 50 (33 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1638 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 31 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 28 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 24 (4 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (6 destroyed, 15 disabled)

BURMA:
The only combat in Burma is in the air. On Feb 23 Magwe falls to a single Japanese unit, and on Feb 24 the skies over the oilfields darken with bombers.

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6
Blenheim IV x 12
Hudson I x 12

No Allied losses

Oil hits 21

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 20
B-17E Fortress x 8

No Allied losses

Oil hits 38

If our intel is to be believed, we've done more than 60 oil hits in one day. Unless our opponent moves fast, the oil will be wiped out before he gets to use it.

CHINA:
The battle for Wenchow has a few more bloody rounds, and the casualties are very heavily in the favour of the Allies.

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Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 45035 troops, 437 guns, 159 vehicles, Assault Value = 869

Defending force 33565 troops, 212 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 806

Japanese adjusted assault: 737

Allied adjusted defense: 1369

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
5432 casualties reported
Squads: 220 destroyed, 164 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 46 (6 destroyed, 40 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

An atttempt to break through to the northeast of Wenchow is bloodily repulsed. There are now 5 full Japanese division locked down in this fight, and they are not having a good time.

In the forests north of Nanyang another assault fails, with over 2,700 casualties to the Japanese side.

The Japanese mixed brigade that managed to get away with a virtually unopposed river crossing on the northern approach to Sian decides to have another go. This time the defenders are actually in Defend mode, and give the attacking forces the good kicking they should have had the first time around.


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Ground combat at 85,39 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 6394 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 179

Defending force 19219 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Japanese adjusted assault: 54

Allied adjusted defense: 541

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 10

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

Japanese ground losses:
1282 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 135 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
8th Route Army
22nd Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
2nd Construction Regiment
2nd War Area
18th Group Army

There is one success though, with the Japanese finally breaking open the main road to Loyang. The cut off, out of supply troops of the 17th Group Army had done an amazing job in their mountain fastness of holding off the Japanese for several weeks.

All in all, although we have been pushed back on several fronts in China, we're happy with the way things are going. The Japanese advance is slow enough that we are able to block any gaps that appear, and units that die pop up again in Chungking and are put into the reserve ready to block the next breakthrough.
Most importantly though, we are handing out masses of casualties. In one attack on Wenchow we destroyed 220 Japanese squads, with more dying in secondary fights. Don't know how many squads the Japanese get a month, but I imagine losing 250 a day is not going to be sustainable for any length of time.

[MichaelU]

Feb 25-28, 1942

We're sending in some of the older battleships for a series of attacks on Suva. The first attacks rolls in and hits Nadi, doing some damage to the port and airfield, but not producing all that much. The second goes in against Suva tomorrow.

Honestly, I'm not sure how much this is going to achieve, other than burning a lot of fuel. But we have lots of fuel to spare, and also lots of slow BBs. So as long as we can avoid KB, all is good.

What we can't seem to avoid though is the Japanese submarine SS I-10.

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Sub attack near Suva at 132,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-10

Allied Ships
BB California, Torpedo hits 1
BB Oklahoma
DMS Hovey
DD Humphreys

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Sub attack near Suva at 132,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-10, hits 1

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 1
DD Hamillton
DMS Trevor
DD Greymouth

Two BBs taking light torpedo damage is not too much of a disaster. They'll head back to Pearl, get patched up and be back in the fight in a few months. Could have been a lot worse.

We also lose an AMC just off Noumea, one that was carrying elements of the 164th Regiment. Annoying.

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ASW attack near Noumea at 114,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-1

Allied Ships
AMC Monowai, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Southard

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

We get some small revenge when the SS Didgeridoo sinks a CM. Apparently one heavily loaded with troops.

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ASW attack near Babeldaob at 89,96

Japanese Ships
CM Itsukushima, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CS Chitose
DD Kuroshio
CM Tatsuta
CM Tenryu
DD Kayobuki
DD Nenohi
DD Tokitsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Didgeridoo

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

There are quite a few sub attacks going in against what look like supply/troop runs to reinforce Suva. Would have been nice if a few more hits had been scored to make life a bit easier for the defenders.

There are several task forces sitting off Pescadores, and SS Saury is sent to investigate. But all she finds is a minefield. Not sure whether she survived the experience.

Magwe is being bombed back to the stone age. Or at least back to the pre-oil age. There has been zero opposition as wave after wave of bombers sweep in and put the oil to the torch. Given that our Dutch bombers are still hammering away at Palembang every turn, and have been for months, our opponent is clearly not that interested in protecting oil resources.

In China, another attempt to break through north of Nanyang is repulsed, just. It's too close though. Some reinforcements will be dispatched from Sian to help shore up the position.

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Ground combat at 85,44 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45274 troops, 411 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 900

Defending force 22519 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

Japanese adjusted assault: 501

Allied adjusted defense: 481

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1394 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 28 (4 destroyed, 24 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
714 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled

Another attempt is also made to breach our position on the northern approaches to Sian, but is thrown back with heavy casualties.

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Ground combat at 85,39 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13500 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 483

Defending force 19509 troops, 79 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 408

Japanese adjusted assault: 112

Allied adjusted defense: 399

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
2080 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 229 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1132 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 84 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

We do lose Nanning, in the southwest of China, where a small but spirited defence had managed to hold out for several weeks longer than expected.

The saddest blow is the final collapse of the spirited defense of Kuala Lumpur, and with it the end of all resistance on the Malayan peninsula.

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Ground combat at Kuala Lumpur (49,79)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8889 troops, 117 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 237

Defending force 5216 troops, 47 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Japanese adjusted assault: 90

Allied adjusted defense: 21

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kuala Lumpur !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6085 casualties reported
Squads: 220 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 497 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 52 (52 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 13

We have though managed to extract elements of both Indian divisions, and they will be slowly rebuilt in India, to exact revenge at a suitable time and place.

Meiktila in Burma falls. It had been held only by a BAF Battalion after the rest of the troops pulled back to Mandalay. We have 500+ AV digging in there with sufficient supply, so should be able to hold onto it for a while. We want him to commit real troops to this fight, not just the Thai divisions he has been using so far.

Another base to fall is Bandjermasin in southern Borneo. We had been using it to bomb the oil fields of Balikpapan, which has now been shut down.

[MichaelU]

At the end of February, it is time to take stock. So far we are pleased with the progress of the war. While Singapore fell early and the Philippines looked very dicey, Manila has held much longer than expected and the early fall of Singapore has not been capitalised on.

The brutal repulse at Ambon and Kendari seems to have cooled Japanese plans for the DEI, and the switch to a push down the Solomons has stalled badly in Suva.

It looks though like the Japanese are about to make a renewed push to get their offensives moving. SIGINT shows there is another brigade shipping to Suva. A Japanese carrier force and some transports have been spotted in the Makassar Straits.

Allied high command has finally decided to commit the 8th Marine Regiment to the defense of Suva, on the basis that if we can stall him here long enough, we won't need them defending Auckland. Also, there is now a complete US division in or arriving soon at Auckland.

Another regiment is shipping to Noumea, and will be followed by the last of the division in a few days time. It looks like we might be able to stop the Japanese at the Noumea-Suva-Pago line.

India has added one each of US, British and Australian divisions to its defenses, as well as many air groups, and with the Japanese bogged down in Burma, the subcontinent looks pretty solid. And China is stable as well, and is causing massive ground troop losses for the Japanese.

All this is good, but what really matters is that we've managed to do terrible damage to oil installations as we have fallen back. The Japanese economy is going to be creaking well before the historical timeframe.

[BBfanboy]

Your opponent Mike (lb4269) has not posted much on the forum so I am guessing he is pretty new to the game? He may not yet be aware of how the Japanese economy needs oil to continue the game long-term. If he doesn't get oil to his refineries and produce fuel, his HI shuts down and there goes his aircraft/ship/armament/vehicle industry, + pilot training.

As for bombing a target every turn, being predictable sets yourself up for an ambush ...

[MichaelU]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Your opponent Mike (lb4269) has not posted much on the forum so I am guessing he is pretty new to the game? He may not yet be aware of how the Japanese economy needs oil to continue the game long-term. If he doesn't get oil to his refineries and produce fuel, his HI shuts down and there goes his aircraft/ship/armament/vehicle industry, + pilot training.

As for bombing a target every turn, being predictable sets yourself up for an ambush ...

Mike is actually my partner, he runs the logistics and subs and I run everything else. He doesn't post much because he is a very busy man.
I do wonder though if our opponent, Bill, is aware of the damage the bombing campaign is doing to his long-term prospects.

As for being predictable, I agree with you on the risk of ambush. However, I have been bombing Palembang every day for several months and there has been no sign of an ambush.

[MichaelU]

March 1-5, 1942

Despite a torpedo in the Idaho, the brave old BBs sail into Suva and let the attacking Japanese have a volley of 14 inch shells, causing a not particularly dramatic 123 casaulties. Still, every little bit helps. What it will also hopefully do is shift Japanese attention away from Noumea, where we are shipping in many reinforcements.

The plan works, almost too well. The last remnants of the Marine Raiders go into Suva by fast transport. But due to some clumsy planning on my part the ships are still unloading when daylight reveals Japanese carriers within striking range. I had mentally written off this force, but there is a pleasant surprise when the Japanese Vals and Kates appear over the base without a single Zero to escort them. P40 pilots pick up some easy kills.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Suva at 132,160

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 14

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed
D3A1 Val: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
APD Crosby, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Schley
DD Rathburne

Allied ground losses:
182 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled

We lost the one APD, but given what could have happened we got off rather lightly. And got to shoot down some crack Japanese pilots. I can't begin to imagine why there were no Zeros in the attacking force.

While this is going on a tank battalion and another 6,000 supply unload in Noumea. The 132nd regiment is a day or so out.

Finally some defence appears at Palembang, where 25 Oscars take on a group of Hudsons going in for a bombing run. Luckily the Oscars are patrolling at 30,000 feet, so by the time they get down to 5,000 feet, the bombers are gone. But we are alerted, and sure enough a small group of tankers is spotted sailing towards the port.

Our available Banshees and Vildebees, two squadrons of each, assemble at Batavia. Hurricanes will sweep while the Dutch fighters fly escort.

Those poor Japanese pilots. Pinckney arrives in his trusty Hurricane, and rapidly clocks up his 12th, 13th and 14th kills. By the time the Banshees arrive there are only two Oscars left, which don't even make contact.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 11

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
TK Nihon Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
TK Kiyo Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 15

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Yamagumo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Nihon Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
TK Manju Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires

Looks like two tankers dead and one heavily damaged, and a DD sunk for good measure. The major difference between the Banshees now and at the start of the war is that the pilots are really good. All their naval bombing skills are in the 60s or better, and their experience is high as well.

The Japanese are trying to break through north of Wenchow, but are not having much luck. Although they have an advantage in AV, the tough terrain more than negates that, forcing a stalemate. We're sending over another corps anyway to make sure the position holds.

[MichaelU]

And here is a picture of the dashing Pinckney, just before his latest successes.

[MichaelU]

Given the starring role Pinckney is playing in our game, thought I'd read up about him. Turns out he an ace with the distinction of having shot down planes from each of the major Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan. He was flying Buffaloes over Burma in January 1942 when he was shot down and killed.

It's these sort of historical touches that show the passion the developers of WitP have for their subject matter. What a great game.

[MichaelU]

After smashing the three tankers at Palembang, our thoughts again turn to oil, and how the Japanese empire is managing. Our bombing campaign against oil facilities has been relentless. Let me summarise the situation for oil at the various Japanese controlled bases, and maybe someone who knows the game better than me can tell me how it looks.

Palembang: 381 (620)
Medan: 251 (0)
Djambi: 247 (4)
Miri: 131 (164)
Tarakan: 91 (25)
Balikpapan: 67 (254)
Samarinda 67 (55)
Magwe: 53 (298)
Bengkalis 41 (0)
Brunei: 11 (10)

[BBfanboy]

Very good start to the oil bombing campaign - too bad you get no VPs for those hits.
Your opponent(s) seem much less familiar with how to manage their end of the war (and in particular the air war) than you and your partner. The Japanese should be clearing the skies of the old Allied fighters at this stage in the game.

I predict an early end to the game unless you give them some hints at what they should be doing to advance their cause. Alternatively, your opponents should start an AAR so that JFBs can provide them with constant advice.

[ny59giants]

AMC and APDs make a good Fast Transport TF for the Allies.

Rebuilding CW (Common Wealth) divisions - While you will probably have enough Indian infantry to rebuild the two shattered divisions from Malaya. You will have trouble with much of the support troops (guns and AA) as they are shared with the Aussie, NZ, and British LCUs. Some players send the smaller LCU to Delhi to disband to keep their pools up.

[MichaelU]

At this stage of the war we shouldn't be leading on air losses in the war by more than 300 planes, that's for sure.

Our opponent has an AAR, "The Mike and Mike show ends", but it hasn't been updated since mid-January. Not sure if any tips were passed on, as I haven't been in to read it.