Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

• The enemy unit moving to cut off our Chinese Army troops trying to get back to Paoshan has now reversed course and is heading back to Myitkyina. Our 22nd (East African) Bde should make Warazup before they do but Myitkyina will then be defended by the Empire.

Could the momentum of the war shifted?


A very small indicator, but maybe a turning point in the war, when the IJ have to react rather than initiate.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: witpqs

• The enemy unit moving to cut off our Chinese Army troops trying to get back to Paoshan has now reversed course and is heading back to Myitkyina. Our 22nd (East African) Bde should make Warazup before they do but Myitkyina will then be defended by the Empire.

Could the momentum of the war shifted?


A very small indicator, but maybe a turning point in the war, when the IJ have to react rather than initiate.

While that is my intention, I think things are still on the edge.

The Allied commitment to Burma has pulled much combat power from India. As Imperial power is freed from China, is India vulnerable? Will the Empire make adventure to spoil Allied initiative? The monsoon is coming, and I really would like to grab Katha before monsoon so it can act as a place to upgrade squads. It will be a couple of months before '43 Indian squads are ready for upgrade, the same for Australian squads. Until then the Imperial armor is much more dangerous.

[zuluhour]

Keep an eye out for prepping, but I would venture to guess no invasion of size on India is forthcoming. I doubt his intelligence nor his recon sufficient
for a gamble there. I do not recall a '43 IJ landing in India in the AARs. My only fear would be Ceylon and Karachi. I would assume you have a responsible
defenses there. You are most likely in better shape than I in this regard as you have extracted quite a few Chinese units. I have only gotten out most
of the 11th (?) army and a small division or two. I think IJ should be more concerned with an Allied landing at Sumatra or Java now, in fact if you can
find a way, I would try and scare him in this regard. I will be curious how much of the IJA is released to the CBI with fall of China. Lets hope for both
our sakes the garrison requirements curtail an avalanche of red icons upon us.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Keep an eye out for prepping, but I would venture to guess no invasion of size on India is forthcoming. I doubt his intelligence nor his recon sufficient
for a gamble there. I do not recall a '43 IJ landing in India in the AARs. My only fear would be Ceylon and Karachi. I would assume you have a responsible
defenses there. You are most likely in better shape than I in this regard as you have extracted quite a few Chinese units. I have only gotten out most
of the 11th (?) army and a small division or two. I think IJ should be more concerned with an Allied landing at Sumatra or Java now, in fact if you can
find a way, I would try and scare him in this regard. I will be curious how much of the IJA is released to the CBI with fall of China. Lets hope for both
our sakes the garrison requirements curtail an avalanche of red icons upon us.

I was thinking as he sees more and more Allied units entering Burma that might be his Intel. No preparation messages at all for India/Ceylon that I recall seeing!

I've pulled the two Austrlaian Bdes out of Colombo but IIRC there is still 1,100 AV there. Fortifications are level 7, base building maxed out. The other bases on Ceylon would be easy pickings.

[BBfanboy]

Trincomalee is a better defensive base than Columbo because of the terrain. It can also be built pretty big and become an offensive base because it is on the right side of the island to head directly to Burma/Malaya. At some point you will be strong enough to want to threaten him.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Trincomalee is a better defensive base than Columbo because of the terrain. It can also be built pretty big and become an offensive base because it is on the right side of the island to head directly to Burma/Malaya. At some point you will be strong enough to want to threaten him.

Yes to all of those. And it will only be an offensive base if we hold all of Ceylon. I decided to build up Colombo as it is on the side which can be reinforced and otherwise accessed more easily.

[witpqs]

1943 February 13

INVADED
Paoshan, Urumchi are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• No carrier sightings. KB appears to be west or WSW of Kusaie Island.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy sub activity near Pearl Harbor, Hilo, San Francisco, Los Angeles.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• Many old BB's upgrading at San Francisco. A total of 6 will be available for operations in late March (after APA upgrades), 2 more in the middle of the year, and 3 more late in the year.


Pacific
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• One for the other team.

ASW attack near Truk at 113,110

Japanese Ships
PB Yahada Maru

Allied Ships
SS Plunger

SS Plunger is located by PB Yahada Maru
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Yahada Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 145,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-170, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Hobby
DD Kalk

SS I-170 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hobby
DD Kalk fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kalk fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kalk fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kalk attacking submerged sub ....
DD Kalk fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 145,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 2

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 1
BB South Dakota
BB Washington
DD Lang
DD Wilson
DD Stack

SS I-174 launches 4 torpedoes at BB North Carolina
DD Lang fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 145,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys
APD Brooks
APD Crane
APD Kennison
AP William Ward Burrows
APD Rathburne
APD Kane
APD Hatfield
APD Sands

SS I-170 is sighted by escort
I-170 diving deep ....
APD Rathburne fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Kane fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Hatfield fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Sands fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Ponape at 119,118

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo
CA Ashigara
CA Myoko
DD Hatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Pollack

SS Pollack launches 4 torpedoes at DD Akigumo
Pollack diving deep ....
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• We take some toll on search aircraft.

Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (143,108)
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (143,108)
Search E14Y1 Glen destroyed by CAP
Search H6K4 Mavis destroyed by CAP at (143,108)
Search G4M1 Betty destroyed by CAP at (143,108)
Search E14Y1 Glen destroyed by CAP

• North Carolina is in tough shape with major engine damage. The convoys will retire to Pearl Harbor while the fleet keeps pace with the fast BB's estimated 4 hex per day retirement. Of course the fleet is spotted hard.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• Just bombardments and moving.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• It seems they retired.

ASW attack near Rangoon at 51,54

Japanese Ships
DD Hishu
DD Kiku

Allied Ships
SS KXV

SS KXV is sighted by escort
KXV diving deep ....
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Kiku fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Sub attack near Rangoon at 51,54

Japanese Ships
DD Shinonome
DD Shikinami
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
SS KXV

SS KXV launches 4 torpedoes at DD Shinonome
DD Shikinami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Shirakumo fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• We now have forces in Akyab facing an enemy Rgt or Bde.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1943 February 13

Let's hope Shokaku is in worse shape.

[BBfanboy]

Wow - you got a really bad die roll on the engine damage on NC! I don't recall seeing any that high from a single torp hit.

[witpqs]

1943 February 14

INVADED
Paoshan, Urumchi, Katha, Akyab are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP



Overall
• KB is about 4 hexes south of Eniwetok.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• All convoys report no contacts.


Pacific
• Enemy sub activity near Pago Pago.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• KB has moved forward.

ASW attack near Taongi at 144,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
DD Sims
DD Walke
DD O'Brien

SS I-23 is sighted by escort
I-23 diving deep ....
DD Walke fails to find sub and abandons search
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 144,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-17, hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Mustin
BB Washington
BB North Carolina
DD Anderson
DD Lang
DD Wilson
DD Stack

SS I-17 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Mustin
I-17 diving deep ....
DD Lang fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Stack fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stack attacking submerged sub ....
DD Stack loses contact with SS I-17
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wilson is out of ASW ammo
DD Wilson is out of ASW ammo
DD Wilson is out of ASW ammo
DD Stack fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Wilson fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Wilson attacking submerged sub ....
DD Wilson is out of ASW ammo
DD Wilson is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 144,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-23

Allied Ships
DD Preston
CA Salt Lake City
DMS Hopkins
AP Arthur Middleton
AP Crescent City
AP President Polk
AP President Hayes
AP President Adams
AP Henderson
AP Barnett
AP William P. Biddle
AK Oberon
AK Mercury
AK Electra
AK Almaack
DD Downes
DD Flusser
DD Perkins

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Preston
I-23 diving deep ....
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Flusser fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Perkins fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes attacking submerged sub ....
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Downes fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 144,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-17

Allied Ships
DD Sims
DD Walke
DD O'Brien

SS I-17 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Sims
DD Walke fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Eniwetok at 126,112

Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze
CA Furutaka
CL Tama
DD Asashio
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
SS Grouper

SS Grouper launches 2 torpedoes at DD Tanikaze
Grouper diving deep ....
DD Oshio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oshio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oshio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oshio fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Oshio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Taongi at 144,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 6

Allied Ships
DD Russell
DD Sims
DD Walke
DD O'Brien

SS I-23 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Russell
DD Walke fails to find sub and abandons search
DD O'Brien attacking submerged sub ....
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD O'Brien attacking submerged sub ....
SS I-23 eludes ASW attack from DD O'Brien
DD O'Brien fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• Much of the fleet is spotted. North Carolina made 5 hexes and while our TF's overran 2 subs it appears the IJN subs are heading west en mass to oppose our invasion that is not in progress. The fleet will continue retiring.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Enemy sub activity near Brisbane, Perth.

• All convoys report no contacts.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• Same.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• Virtually no effect on our combat troops in the field.

Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
CL Sendai
DD Susuki
DD Kiku
DD Hishu

CL Naka firing at 268th Motorised Brigade
CL Sendai firing at 2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
DD Susuki firing at 2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
DD Kiku firing at 268th Motorised Brigade
DD Hishu firing at 2/11th Fld RAA Regiment

• Our Chinese Army mega unit has reached Katha and will attack tomorrow. We are taking a chance doing so because one or more units of unknown strength are mving into Katha from the west, possibly even the armored division. That is a trail rather than even a secondary road so we are counting on the slower movement rate plus our own aerial bombardments to keep reinforcements from arriving. Cross your fingers!


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

Katha is ours! Only did the combat resolution, will do the rest tomorrow/tomorrow night.

[witpqs]

1943 February 15

INVADED
Paoshan, Urumchi, Tsuyung, Akyab are invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Allied forces CAPTURE Katha !!!



Overall
• No carrier sightings. KB thought to be north of Eniwetok.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Enemy sub activity near Johnston Island, Los Angeles.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• They still want our carriers!

Sub attack near Johnston Island at 152,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, hits 9

Allied Ships
DD Meade
DD Smith
DD Mahan

SS I-16 launches 4 torpedoes at DD Meade
DD Smith attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mahan attacking submerged sub ....
DD Smith fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Mahan attacking submerged sub ....
DD Mahan fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

• The fleet is spotted and will continue to move eastward. 26 hexes from Eniwetok, the fleet should remain out of sprint range of the KB tomorrow. The support TF's at/near Johnston Island are retiring.


Pacific
• Enemy sub activity near Nukufetau, Pago Pago, Suva.

• All convoys report no contacts.

• And we hunt theirs.

Sub attack near Ponape at 122,110

Japanese Ships
PB Chokai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish

SS Flying Fish launches 2 torpedoes at PB Chokai Maru
Flying Fish diving deep ....
PB Chokai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chokai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chokai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chokai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chokai Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

ASW attack near Eniwetok at 127,105

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara
CA Myoko
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish, hits 1

SS Sailfish is sighted by escort
Sailfish diving deep ....
DD Hatsukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Enemy sub activity near Sydney.

• All convoys report no contacts.


Philippines


DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya


China
• The last threads are frayed.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• No enemy sub activity detected.

• We caught the Empire swapping units back and forth with the hex to the west and exact a penalty! 2nd Royal Tank Regiment did not assault as it just arrived in hex.

Ground combat at Katha (61,43)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26814 troops, 164 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1019

Defending force 1431 troops, 41 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 41

Allied adjusted assault: 949

Japanese adjusted defense: 35

Allied assault odds: 27 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Katha !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 24 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 24 (23 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
3rd New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
2nd Raiding Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Fld AA Gun Co

• The air war went well over Burma today with our P-40, et al sweeps continuing to dominate. I can't be sure what enemy units were moving into Katha but we delayed them enough on the slow trail they were on.

• We will now consolidate by (continuing) to grab hex sides and move our own armor along the roads. The bases forces one hex west will also have to take the road NE then SE. We have the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment working to grab that hex side but armor moves very slowly on that type of trail.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

1943 February 15

Air losses, almost all over Burma.

[witpqs]

1943 February 15

Those look like warships at Akyab. We are shuffling units there before assaulting because I mistakenly sent a unit with a restricted HQ and will not attack until they are back where they belong.

[zuluhour]

I would submit your name for president, honor does not come cheap.

*I would like to see the pilot list from one of those P40 squadrons
scoring on the zekes and tojos. I am having some success as well
with them, but their ranges have been limiting me to where and when.
I was surprised to find some parity against the tojo when sweeping.
I am playing with an air mod I know nothing about, I'll have to look
into it again.

[witpqs]

Won't see a turn until tonight at the earliest I think. Here are the sweepers along the Burma border.

One.

[witpqs]

Two.

[witpqs]

Three.

[witpqs]

Four.

[witpqs]

And of course the P-38's, which also have done lots of sweeping over China.

Five.