21 Apr 43
US forces sink an enemy sub near Mili. 3 depth charges finished off the sub, with the message "Sounds of submarine breaking up detected!". The US cruiser force didn't quite get to Mili to bombard, but the enemy there did not attack. US ground forces begin to recover from the botched landing.
Sub attack near Torishima at 106,70
Japanese Ships
CV Amagi
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
CL Abukuma
CS Chitose
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Shiranui
Allied Ships
SS Pompon
SS Pompon launches 6 torpedoes at CV Amagi
One torpedo hit Amagi but it was a dud. From the heavy activity messages at Tokyo recently, I'm guessing that this task force came from Tokyo. If so, it headed southwest, which is a path towards the Philippines or Babeldaop, not Truk. With the Allied activity around Timor, I have to think that the enemy is gathering to the north of that area.
Near Balabac, east of the northeastern tip of Borneo, Plunger fired 2 torpedoes at small tanker Moji Maru. One hit.
Great news in China. Tracker shows that only 3 Chinese cities are deficient in supply. Lanchow has supply, and surprisingly, all of the Chinese units in the mountains to the east now have supply. Even ones 4 mountain hexes deep. I think the enemy offensive has been stopped, if lack of Japanese supply hasn't stopped it already. I'm starting to mark Chinese units for upgrade and replacements, starting with units in the capital.
The Allied invasion armada will move to a point 2 hexes south of Lautem, Java. 2 hexes to Lautem, 3 to Dili. Both will be invaded the next day.
Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
22 Apr 43
Blackfish spotted already damaged big transport xAP Brazil Maru heading back north to Japan. Blackfish fired 4 torpedoes and 2 hit. One was a dud. But sinking audio was heard immediately after. This was a big ship and it had men loaded on it. Possibly lots of men. A nice catch.
4 US cruisers bombarded Mili, causing 373 casualties and moderate base damage. Looks like the enemy won't counter-attack the US troops on the island. Support ships are moving from Tabiteuea to Tarawa to help rearm the ships. More bombardments to come.
A week or two ago, 18 Corsairs swept Rahaeng and did rather well, considering there were about 80 Oscars on CAP. Another Marine squadron upgraded to Corsairs, so I sent about 36 of them back to Rahaeng. It didn't go as well. The Marine squadrons swept individually and found 39 Oscars, 23 Tojos and 36 Tonys. Losses were even with 17 Corsairs lost and 12 Tonys, 5 Oscars and a Tojo shot down. Not acceptable with the slow reinforcement rate of the Corsairs.
Lots of enemy bombers and fighters from Bangkok hit the 268th Motorised Brigade before it attacked at Tavoy. Only 1 vehicle was hit though.
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3906 troops, 64 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Defending force 2208 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 86
Allied adjusted assault: 118
Japanese adjusted defense: 115
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
Defending units:
6th RTA/B Division
4th JAAF AF Coy
The brigade is the vanguard of more forces moving south to Tavoy. The enemy is apparently moving out, although another unit is moving in from the south.
Eastern Timor will be invaded. A division will go to both Dili and Lautem. Good APAs are being used. The bases should fall quickly.
Wasp, 4 CVEs, a CA and several CLs came out of refit at Pearl Harbor. Refit CLs and a repaired CVE are leaving Sydney. Everything is eventually headed to Darwin.
Blackfish spotted already damaged big transport xAP Brazil Maru heading back north to Japan. Blackfish fired 4 torpedoes and 2 hit. One was a dud. But sinking audio was heard immediately after. This was a big ship and it had men loaded on it. Possibly lots of men. A nice catch.
4 US cruisers bombarded Mili, causing 373 casualties and moderate base damage. Looks like the enemy won't counter-attack the US troops on the island. Support ships are moving from Tabiteuea to Tarawa to help rearm the ships. More bombardments to come.
A week or two ago, 18 Corsairs swept Rahaeng and did rather well, considering there were about 80 Oscars on CAP. Another Marine squadron upgraded to Corsairs, so I sent about 36 of them back to Rahaeng. It didn't go as well. The Marine squadrons swept individually and found 39 Oscars, 23 Tojos and 36 Tonys. Losses were even with 17 Corsairs lost and 12 Tonys, 5 Oscars and a Tojo shot down. Not acceptable with the slow reinforcement rate of the Corsairs.
Lots of enemy bombers and fighters from Bangkok hit the 268th Motorised Brigade before it attacked at Tavoy. Only 1 vehicle was hit though.
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 3906 troops, 64 guns, 158 vehicles, Assault Value = 151
Defending force 2208 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 86
Allied adjusted assault: 118
Japanese adjusted defense: 115
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), leaders(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
Defending units:
6th RTA/B Division
4th JAAF AF Coy
The brigade is the vanguard of more forces moving south to Tavoy. The enemy is apparently moving out, although another unit is moving in from the south.
Eastern Timor will be invaded. A division will go to both Dili and Lautem. Good APAs are being used. The bases should fall quickly.
Wasp, 4 CVEs, a CA and several CLs came out of refit at Pearl Harbor. Refit CLs and a repaired CVE are leaving Sydney. Everything is eventually headed to Darwin.
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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
23 Apr 43
Stingray spotted a cargo convoy hugging the Vietnamese coast near Cam Ranh Bay, confirming that the coastal route is still in use. Southwest of Saigon, in the shallow water between Saigon and Singapore, Sailfish spotted a convoy with AKs but was hit by a depth charge from an escorting E boat. The shallows are just plain dangerous for subs, but I want to keep appearing there occasionally to show that I'm willing to do so. Sailfish will start the long slow return to Darwin, and should make it if the FLOT minor damage is repaired en route. It's in the 70's, with the FLOT major damage in the 30's.
Dili and Lautem on Timor were invaded without enemy interference. All of the APAs emptied their troops and had just some supply left. They'll return to Darwin immediately. AKs and xAKs will continue unloading the few troops still loaded, along with lots of supply. The enemy at Dili is strong enough to wait a bit to attack. US troops at Lautem will attack immediately. There was no involuntary enemy artillery bombardment at Lautem, which is unusual when a landing occurs. There was one at Dili. Both bases should fall quickly. If I have to walk troops from Lautem to Dili, I will, but I don't think it will be necessary.
Southwest of Daito Shoto, well southwest of Japan and northeast of the Philippines, sub Jack spotted a big tanker convoy. 4 torpedoes were fired at big tanker Oita Maru. 2 hit and 1 was a dud. The tanker had fuel and is burning. Later in the day, Jack attacked the tanker again, hitting it with another working torpedo. Sinking audio implies that Jack got a big tanker.
Makin Island will be invaded today. It is a dot base with a small enemy unit. A small commando unit will land. The enemy has been pounded relentlessly by B-25s from Tarawa. The clear terrain at Makin has made bombing very effective.
Allied troops attacked again at Tavoy, taking a bit more casualties than the defenders. Allied reinforcements are about 5 days to the north. It's interesting to note that the Japanese Navy has reappeared west of Burma. 5 enemy destroyers are spotted west of Victoria Point. They are in bombardment range of Tavoy, and I think that is what they will do. I'm not concerned. No attack today and the jungle will limit the damage.
One note. The Chinese unit X-Force HQ has appeared as a reinforcement at Delhi, India. It is a restricted unit. I'm sure that OPilot will agree that it should be ok to allow it to move to China. It really shouldn't be a restricted unit. I did some reading on the X-Force and learned that Chinese troops were airlifted from China to India to train with the troops that had retreated out of Burma into India early in the war. I did so in a big manner. That's how those 2 huge Chinese corps were created, and they've been pivotal in the Burma campaign. Now I know that it was done historically also, at least to some degree. Always learning something new.
Stingray spotted a cargo convoy hugging the Vietnamese coast near Cam Ranh Bay, confirming that the coastal route is still in use. Southwest of Saigon, in the shallow water between Saigon and Singapore, Sailfish spotted a convoy with AKs but was hit by a depth charge from an escorting E boat. The shallows are just plain dangerous for subs, but I want to keep appearing there occasionally to show that I'm willing to do so. Sailfish will start the long slow return to Darwin, and should make it if the FLOT minor damage is repaired en route. It's in the 70's, with the FLOT major damage in the 30's.
Dili and Lautem on Timor were invaded without enemy interference. All of the APAs emptied their troops and had just some supply left. They'll return to Darwin immediately. AKs and xAKs will continue unloading the few troops still loaded, along with lots of supply. The enemy at Dili is strong enough to wait a bit to attack. US troops at Lautem will attack immediately. There was no involuntary enemy artillery bombardment at Lautem, which is unusual when a landing occurs. There was one at Dili. Both bases should fall quickly. If I have to walk troops from Lautem to Dili, I will, but I don't think it will be necessary.
Southwest of Daito Shoto, well southwest of Japan and northeast of the Philippines, sub Jack spotted a big tanker convoy. 4 torpedoes were fired at big tanker Oita Maru. 2 hit and 1 was a dud. The tanker had fuel and is burning. Later in the day, Jack attacked the tanker again, hitting it with another working torpedo. Sinking audio implies that Jack got a big tanker.
Makin Island will be invaded today. It is a dot base with a small enemy unit. A small commando unit will land. The enemy has been pounded relentlessly by B-25s from Tarawa. The clear terrain at Makin has made bombing very effective.
Allied troops attacked again at Tavoy, taking a bit more casualties than the defenders. Allied reinforcements are about 5 days to the north. It's interesting to note that the Japanese Navy has reappeared west of Burma. 5 enemy destroyers are spotted west of Victoria Point. They are in bombardment range of Tavoy, and I think that is what they will do. I'm not concerned. No attack today and the jungle will limit the damage.
One note. The Chinese unit X-Force HQ has appeared as a reinforcement at Delhi, India. It is a restricted unit. I'm sure that OPilot will agree that it should be ok to allow it to move to China. It really shouldn't be a restricted unit. I did some reading on the X-Force and learned that Chinese troops were airlifted from China to India to train with the troops that had retreated out of Burma into India early in the war. I did so in a big manner. That's how those 2 huge Chinese corps were created, and they've been pivotal in the Burma campaign. Now I know that it was done historically also, at least to some degree. Always learning something new.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
24 Apr 43
The enemy task force west of Victoria Point disappeared. It probably retreated back south towards Georgetown once spotted. But if OPilot wanted to be sneaky and inflict a lot of pain, he could have moved it east into a base and disbanded. He'd be close enough for a high speed run to Rangoon or Rangoon's approaches, and I have several very large transport task forces in the area, with almost no escort. Fearing the worst, I sent my ships a bit to the north instead of going to Rangoon. I have a strong cruiser task force on the way from Ceylon.
Landings continued at Dili and Lautem. Mostly supply unloading. No enemy interference. Both bases were bombarded by slow US battleships. Pennsylvania and Arizona caused 1043 casualties at Dili, and moderate base damage. Dili has the 15th Naval Guard Unit, II/4th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Engineer Regiment and 3 base support units.
Sub Peto was passing through Zamboanga on the way north into the South China Sea. It spotted xAK Ryuyo Maru and hit it with a torpedo. The ship may survive, being at a base. This is the 3rd torpedo to hit Ryuyo Maru during the war. The other two were duds.
Sculpin hit E-boat Shirataka with a torpedo near Donggala. The ship was sunk.
4 US cruisers bombarded Makin, causing 201 casualties. A small Australian commando unit attacks.
Ground combat at Makin (136,125)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 707 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23
Defending force 866 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
Allied adjusted assault: 21
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Makin !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
844 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Assaulting units:
2/6th Cav/Cdo Battalion
Defending units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
Lautem is barely defended and falls easily.
Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11715 troops, 224 guns, 354 vehicles, Assault Value = 455
Defending force 1807 troops, 8 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 49
Allied adjusted assault: 877
Japanese adjusted defense: 5
Allied assault odds: 175 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Lautem !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1506 casualties reported
Squads: 60 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 119 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 58 (58 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2
Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
45th Construction Regiment
Aus II Corps
15th Base Maint Engineer Battalion
Defending units:
2nd Recon Regiment
38th Field Const Co
8th Port Unit
Follow-up units will land at Lautem today. Carriers will stick around for one more day, moving a bit east to cover Lautem but not worry about Dili. Fighters are moved into Lautem.
The enemy task force west of Victoria Point disappeared. It probably retreated back south towards Georgetown once spotted. But if OPilot wanted to be sneaky and inflict a lot of pain, he could have moved it east into a base and disbanded. He'd be close enough for a high speed run to Rangoon or Rangoon's approaches, and I have several very large transport task forces in the area, with almost no escort. Fearing the worst, I sent my ships a bit to the north instead of going to Rangoon. I have a strong cruiser task force on the way from Ceylon.
Landings continued at Dili and Lautem. Mostly supply unloading. No enemy interference. Both bases were bombarded by slow US battleships. Pennsylvania and Arizona caused 1043 casualties at Dili, and moderate base damage. Dili has the 15th Naval Guard Unit, II/4th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Engineer Regiment and 3 base support units.
Sub Peto was passing through Zamboanga on the way north into the South China Sea. It spotted xAK Ryuyo Maru and hit it with a torpedo. The ship may survive, being at a base. This is the 3rd torpedo to hit Ryuyo Maru during the war. The other two were duds.
Sculpin hit E-boat Shirataka with a torpedo near Donggala. The ship was sunk.
4 US cruisers bombarded Makin, causing 201 casualties. A small Australian commando unit attacks.
Ground combat at Makin (136,125)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 707 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23
Defending force 866 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12
Allied adjusted assault: 21
Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 21 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Makin !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(-), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)
Japanese ground losses:
844 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Assaulting units:
2/6th Cav/Cdo Battalion
Defending units:
51st Naval Guard Unit
Lautem is barely defended and falls easily.
Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11715 troops, 224 guns, 354 vehicles, Assault Value = 455
Defending force 1807 troops, 8 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 49
Allied adjusted assault: 877
Japanese adjusted defense: 5
Allied assault odds: 175 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied forces CAPTURE Lautem !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1506 casualties reported
Squads: 60 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 119 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (8 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 58 (58 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2
Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
762nd Tank Battalion
7th Infantry Division
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
45th Construction Regiment
Aus II Corps
15th Base Maint Engineer Battalion
Defending units:
2nd Recon Regiment
38th Field Const Co
8th Port Unit
Follow-up units will land at Lautem today. Carriers will stick around for one more day, moving a bit east to cover Lautem but not worry about Dili. Fighters are moved into Lautem.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
When I have a badly damaged sub limping back to base, I have taken to escorting it with 1 or 2 other subs. Anecdotally, survival rates are much better that way. A lone, crippled sub seems to founder very easily.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
I agree with the idea for the purpose of having the escorting sub available to take on any threats as opposed to helping with ship repairs at sea. Alfred said pretty clearly that subs cannot help one another in this way.ORIGINAL: jwolf
When I have a badly damaged sub limping back to base, I have taken to escorting it with 1 or 2 other subs. Anecdotally, survival rates are much better that way. A lone, crippled sub seems to founder very easily.
I guess another benefit is that the escorting sub might save the captain if the damaged sub sinks.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Thanks for the correction. Looks like I inferred things happening that actually were not. I'll probably still keep doing that, though. [:'(]
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
25 Apr 43
Unloading continued at Dili and Lautem. Mostly cargo ships unloading now. All of the good APAs are about to get back to Darwin.
4 US cruisers bombarded Mili causing 226 casualties and light base damage. This task force is now based at Tarawa and can refuel and rearm there.
Haddock is hit by a depth charge from E-boat Kiji near Balabac. Haddock was on the way into the South China Sea. Damage is light but with FLOT damage of 9, the sub is ordered back to Darwin.
Allied fighters in China will try to catch the enemy in the south today. I've noticed a bit of a pattern with OPilot's bombing attacks in the south. In the past week, they've been rotating east to west, sometimes hitting troops, sometimes bases. Let's see if we can get lucky. B-24s from the capital hit Ichang's airfield, doing minor damage. OPilot has good recon on the capital, and sees all of the fighters and the B-24s there.
The enemy bombed Allied troops at Tavoy and approaching Tavoy. The jungle limited the damage to the troops.
I made a mistake today. It was bad, but not critical. Yesterday I saw a ship at Ambon, and there's been a lot of fighters there. I wanted to avoid having my carrier aircraft go after the one small ship there and run into a big CAP. So I limited the range of my bombers to 6 hexes. Then I screwed up and moved the task forces to a hex 6 hexes from Ambon, instead of the 7 hexes that I wanted. Of course, planes went after a tiny minesweeper. AMc Hokuyo Maru was hit and sunk by 3 bombs. 35 SBDs attacked with 28 Wildcats escorting. But they ran into 42 Oscars. It was a massacre. 24 Wildcats were lost, as were 19 SBDs. No Oscars were downed. These things happen, but it hurts more knowing that I recognized the possible problem and intended to avoid it, then did not.
Only 9 pilots were KIA. The Wildcats came from a CVE, and the pilots were of a lesser quality than the big carrier pilots. With the newly arriving Hellcats coming in in big numbers, the Wildcat airframe losses won't hurt. The SBD-3 airframe losses do hurt. The SBD-5s will come in in bigger numbers, I think starting next month.
Fighters at Lautem will cover ships still unloading. Allied carriers and cruiser TFs will retire to Darwin. Ambon will be the next invasion, but I'm not sure if I'll be doing that immediately. I may have my carriers "disappear" by keeping them at Bathurst Island, next to Darwin, for awhile. OPilot does daily recon of Darwin but never Bathurst, and it's too far for naval search to find my ships. Eventually OPilot will setup a huge ambush with his carriers, and with continued Allied activity in the same area, I could be making that an easier job. It may appear that the Allied carrier force is huge, but it's just 4 big US carriers, a CVE and small British carrier Hermes. The enemy can easily outnumber that force, having lost just one big carrier.
Unloading continued at Dili and Lautem. Mostly cargo ships unloading now. All of the good APAs are about to get back to Darwin.
4 US cruisers bombarded Mili causing 226 casualties and light base damage. This task force is now based at Tarawa and can refuel and rearm there.
Haddock is hit by a depth charge from E-boat Kiji near Balabac. Haddock was on the way into the South China Sea. Damage is light but with FLOT damage of 9, the sub is ordered back to Darwin.
Allied fighters in China will try to catch the enemy in the south today. I've noticed a bit of a pattern with OPilot's bombing attacks in the south. In the past week, they've been rotating east to west, sometimes hitting troops, sometimes bases. Let's see if we can get lucky. B-24s from the capital hit Ichang's airfield, doing minor damage. OPilot has good recon on the capital, and sees all of the fighters and the B-24s there.
The enemy bombed Allied troops at Tavoy and approaching Tavoy. The jungle limited the damage to the troops.
I made a mistake today. It was bad, but not critical. Yesterday I saw a ship at Ambon, and there's been a lot of fighters there. I wanted to avoid having my carrier aircraft go after the one small ship there and run into a big CAP. So I limited the range of my bombers to 6 hexes. Then I screwed up and moved the task forces to a hex 6 hexes from Ambon, instead of the 7 hexes that I wanted. Of course, planes went after a tiny minesweeper. AMc Hokuyo Maru was hit and sunk by 3 bombs. 35 SBDs attacked with 28 Wildcats escorting. But they ran into 42 Oscars. It was a massacre. 24 Wildcats were lost, as were 19 SBDs. No Oscars were downed. These things happen, but it hurts more knowing that I recognized the possible problem and intended to avoid it, then did not.
Only 9 pilots were KIA. The Wildcats came from a CVE, and the pilots were of a lesser quality than the big carrier pilots. With the newly arriving Hellcats coming in in big numbers, the Wildcat airframe losses won't hurt. The SBD-3 airframe losses do hurt. The SBD-5s will come in in bigger numbers, I think starting next month.
Fighters at Lautem will cover ships still unloading. Allied carriers and cruiser TFs will retire to Darwin. Ambon will be the next invasion, but I'm not sure if I'll be doing that immediately. I may have my carriers "disappear" by keeping them at Bathurst Island, next to Darwin, for awhile. OPilot does daily recon of Darwin but never Bathurst, and it's too far for naval search to find my ships. Eventually OPilot will setup a huge ambush with his carriers, and with continued Allied activity in the same area, I could be making that an easier job. It may appear that the Allied carrier force is huge, but it's just 4 big US carriers, a CVE and small British carrier Hermes. The enemy can easily outnumber that force, having lost just one big carrier.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
26 Apr 43
Heavy cruisers Salt Lake City, Louisville, Chester and Northampton have been making the rounds in the Marshalls, bombarding various bases. This time they hit Jaluit, causing 461 casualties and minor port damage. They are based at Tarawa and are already rearmed and refueled. Troops will be loading soon for Roi Namur. There's already a regiment there. We'll load another regiment and armor, which will overstack the island by quite a bit. I'll try a strategy of bringing a bigger hammer and lots of supply and hope that the overstacking doesn't sap their strength completely.
Coming off of losing a bunch of carrier aircraft at Ambon, and seeing that there were Oscars there, 2 P-38G squadrons were ordered to sweep, and they swept the skies over Ambon pretty well. About 40 Oscars were engaged. 34 were shot down. 2 P-38s were lost. 2 pilots became double aces, and Major F.L. Lawlor became a triple ace with 15 kills, tying for the league lead. Pappy Boyington is leading the more experienced squadron, and he has 4 kills. His squadron is the best of the best, an elite bunch of pilots. Both 15 kill pilots are here, with most of the pilots being aces.
Heavy bombers then hit Ambon, causing minor damage to the port and moderate damage to the airfield. They'll return today, while the P-38s rest. It's worth noting that the P-38s have done well in the South Pacific, where the enemy has used Oscars and Zeros, but in Burma and Thailand, they didn't do as well against Tonys and Tojos in a layered CAP with Oscars. That's why I ordered the first 2 P-47 squadrons to head to Capetown and then they'll go to Burma to beef up the air battle.
My fighter ambush in China didn't pan out. The enemy didn't show. The base got just 1/1 DL so the fighters will stay and try again.
Followup troops for Dili start to load at Darwin. I'll risk a few APAs to carry these troops, in order to get in and out quicker.
Heavy cruisers Salt Lake City, Louisville, Chester and Northampton have been making the rounds in the Marshalls, bombarding various bases. This time they hit Jaluit, causing 461 casualties and minor port damage. They are based at Tarawa and are already rearmed and refueled. Troops will be loading soon for Roi Namur. There's already a regiment there. We'll load another regiment and armor, which will overstack the island by quite a bit. I'll try a strategy of bringing a bigger hammer and lots of supply and hope that the overstacking doesn't sap their strength completely.
Coming off of losing a bunch of carrier aircraft at Ambon, and seeing that there were Oscars there, 2 P-38G squadrons were ordered to sweep, and they swept the skies over Ambon pretty well. About 40 Oscars were engaged. 34 were shot down. 2 P-38s were lost. 2 pilots became double aces, and Major F.L. Lawlor became a triple ace with 15 kills, tying for the league lead. Pappy Boyington is leading the more experienced squadron, and he has 4 kills. His squadron is the best of the best, an elite bunch of pilots. Both 15 kill pilots are here, with most of the pilots being aces.
Heavy bombers then hit Ambon, causing minor damage to the port and moderate damage to the airfield. They'll return today, while the P-38s rest. It's worth noting that the P-38s have done well in the South Pacific, where the enemy has used Oscars and Zeros, but in Burma and Thailand, they didn't do as well against Tonys and Tojos in a layered CAP with Oscars. That's why I ordered the first 2 P-47 squadrons to head to Capetown and then they'll go to Burma to beef up the air battle.
My fighter ambush in China didn't pan out. The enemy didn't show. The base got just 1/1 DL so the fighters will stay and try again.
Followup troops for Dili start to load at Darwin. I'll risk a few APAs to carry these troops, in order to get in and out quicker.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Several players who use overstacking during their attacks on atolls have reported that the penalties for overstacking seem quite small until you get well beyond 2X overstack. I haven't tried it myself yet.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
27 Apr 43
Stingray is patrolling the Vietnamese coast. A tanker convoy was spotted but no attack was possible. OPilot is still using the coastal route, with heavy E-boat patrols.
Petes attacked Albacore north of the Moluccas. Combined with a 10/10 DL, there's surely something big up there.
Dili was bombarded by 3 slow US battleships. 437 casualties and minor base damage. Troops attack.
Ground combat at Dili (71,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11549 troops, 242 guns, 360 vehicles, Assault Value = 347
Defending force 5702 troops, 31 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 144
Allied adjusted assault: 179
Japanese adjusted defense: 171
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
447 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Allied ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
37th Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
2nd Engineer Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Port Unit
5th JAAF AF Bn
I could reinforce with a division from adjacent Lautem, but I don't think it will be necessary. We attack again.
Heavy bombers hit Ambon, doing moderate damage to the airbase. All of the enemy fighters left.
Tarpon is patrolling outside of Broome. Destroyer Takanami was spotted and fired on, but all 4 torpedoes missed. Takanami was spotted later in the day to the north. It has been making runs back and forth to Broome.
Allied carriers refueled at Darwin, and were spotted. They'll move to nearby Bathurst Island and disappear there for awhile. Another carrier fighter squadron upgraded from Wildcats to Hellcats.
Enemy task force at Victoria Point. I'd snuck engineers into the dot base of Great Nicobar awhile ago, and they are working on the airfield, which isn't size 1 yet, so OPilot hasn't been alerted. I had 2 more units about to get there to unload, but a supply task force, already there, just got spotted 7/7 DL. Time to run. Great Nicobar is the southernmost island in the Andaman chain, danger close to Sabang. I'll try to fly in troops to there from Port Blair after the ships unload.
Reinforced troops will attack at Tavoy. Enemy troops are concentrating between Tavoy and Bangkok.
Stingray is patrolling the Vietnamese coast. A tanker convoy was spotted but no attack was possible. OPilot is still using the coastal route, with heavy E-boat patrols.
Petes attacked Albacore north of the Moluccas. Combined with a 10/10 DL, there's surely something big up there.
Dili was bombarded by 3 slow US battleships. 437 casualties and minor base damage. Troops attack.
Ground combat at Dili (71,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11549 troops, 242 guns, 360 vehicles, Assault Value = 347
Defending force 5702 troops, 31 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 144
Allied adjusted assault: 179
Japanese adjusted defense: 171
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
447 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Allied ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
37th Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
2nd Engineer Regiment
II./4th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Port Unit
5th JAAF AF Bn
I could reinforce with a division from adjacent Lautem, but I don't think it will be necessary. We attack again.
Heavy bombers hit Ambon, doing moderate damage to the airbase. All of the enemy fighters left.
Tarpon is patrolling outside of Broome. Destroyer Takanami was spotted and fired on, but all 4 torpedoes missed. Takanami was spotted later in the day to the north. It has been making runs back and forth to Broome.
Allied carriers refueled at Darwin, and were spotted. They'll move to nearby Bathurst Island and disappear there for awhile. Another carrier fighter squadron upgraded from Wildcats to Hellcats.
Enemy task force at Victoria Point. I'd snuck engineers into the dot base of Great Nicobar awhile ago, and they are working on the airfield, which isn't size 1 yet, so OPilot hasn't been alerted. I had 2 more units about to get there to unload, but a supply task force, already there, just got spotted 7/7 DL. Time to run. Great Nicobar is the southernmost island in the Andaman chain, danger close to Sabang. I'll try to fly in troops to there from Port Blair after the ships unload.
Reinforced troops will attack at Tavoy. Enemy troops are concentrating between Tavoy and Bangkok.
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CaptBeefheart
- Posts: 2623
- Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:42 am
- Location: Seoul, Korea
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
I can't state it enough on this forum: Overstacking invasions by a lot is the only way to do it. It just requires a lot of extra supply, and LSTs are perfect for that. Keep some in reserve for follow-on turns.
EDIT: I'm referring to atoll invasions, of course.
Cheers,
CB
EDIT: I'm referring to atoll invasions, of course.
Cheers,
CB
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
Good to hear CaptBeefheart. That's exactly how things are loaded for invading Roi Namur. Overstacking to about 2 times the limit, and a massive amount of supply to unload, using LSTs and AKs.
28 Apr 43
3 enemy cruisers and 8 destroyers bombarded Tavoy, causing just 38 casualties. These ships were the ones spotted at Victoria Point. I thought they'd jump to the Andamans after seeing cargo ships at Great Nicobar, but they went to Tavoy. Little harm done in the jungle. I've always thought that it's harder to get bombardment results against troops not in control of the base where the bombardment occurs. Allied troops attack again.
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9116 troops, 152 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 269
Defending force 1794 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Allied adjusted assault: 154
Japanese adjusted defense: 85
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
IV Indian Corps
1st West African AA Regiment
Defending units:
6th RTA/B Division
There's a growing enemy stack to the east of Tavoy. Recon will tell how menacing it is.
US troops attack again at Dili. The base is about to fall, and with it, Timor will be conquered. There's still an enemy stack east of Koepang, but there in the jungle and not a threat.
Ground combat at Dili (71,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11453 troops, 243 guns, 360 vehicles, Assault Value = 331
Defending force 5222 troops, 30 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 101
Allied adjusted assault: 186
Japanese adjusted defense: 55
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
778 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
37th Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
II./4th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Port Unit
2nd Engineer Regiment
5th JAAF AF Bn
Spent extra hours on planning. Combat and support units are now prepping for the following:
Truk (not going to happen soon)
Eniwetok (after Roi Namur is captured)
Terapo (not soon)
Torokina (not soon)
Buin (not soon)
Woodlark Island (not soon)
Kavieng (not soon)
Shortlands (not soon) The Solomons are on the back burner. Way back.
Wetar
Kendari
Kolaka
Watampone
Ambon (next to be invaded)
Memboro
Waingapoe
Endeh
Mataram
Denpassar
Banjoewangi (need infantry and armor assigned)
Soerabaja (need infantry and armor assigned)
Ambon will be next, followed by Kendari and Makassar, to be captured by landing at Watampone and Memboro. Then we'll take the island chain between Timor and Java. Finally, we'll land at Banjoewangi, on the eastern tip of Java, with about a division. There's very good defensive terrain in the mountains between Banjoewangi and Soerabaja, so the plan is to land at Banjoewangi and maybe draw enemy troops out of Soerabaja into the mountains. Then we make a huge landing directly at Soerabaja, bypassing the mountains.
Java won't be for awhile though. Troops being used for other sooner landings will need to complete their assigned tasks and then prep for Java. But that's the plan. I'd like to have Soerabaja by the end of July 1943.
28 Apr 43
3 enemy cruisers and 8 destroyers bombarded Tavoy, causing just 38 casualties. These ships were the ones spotted at Victoria Point. I thought they'd jump to the Andamans after seeing cargo ships at Great Nicobar, but they went to Tavoy. Little harm done in the jungle. I've always thought that it's harder to get bombardment results against troops not in control of the base where the bombardment occurs. Allied troops attack again.
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 9116 troops, 152 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 269
Defending force 1794 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 62
Allied adjusted assault: 154
Japanese adjusted defense: 85
Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 0
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), morale(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
IV Indian Corps
1st West African AA Regiment
Defending units:
6th RTA/B Division
There's a growing enemy stack to the east of Tavoy. Recon will tell how menacing it is.
US troops attack again at Dili. The base is about to fall, and with it, Timor will be conquered. There's still an enemy stack east of Koepang, but there in the jungle and not a threat.
Ground combat at Dili (71,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11453 troops, 243 guns, 360 vehicles, Assault Value = 331
Defending force 5222 troops, 30 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 101
Allied adjusted assault: 186
Japanese adjusted defense: 55
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)
Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
778 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
37th Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
II./4th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit
22nd Port Unit
2nd Engineer Regiment
5th JAAF AF Bn
Spent extra hours on planning. Combat and support units are now prepping for the following:
Truk (not going to happen soon)
Eniwetok (after Roi Namur is captured)
Terapo (not soon)
Torokina (not soon)
Buin (not soon)
Woodlark Island (not soon)
Kavieng (not soon)
Shortlands (not soon) The Solomons are on the back burner. Way back.
Wetar
Kendari
Kolaka
Watampone
Ambon (next to be invaded)
Memboro
Waingapoe
Endeh
Mataram
Denpassar
Banjoewangi (need infantry and armor assigned)
Soerabaja (need infantry and armor assigned)
Ambon will be next, followed by Kendari and Makassar, to be captured by landing at Watampone and Memboro. Then we'll take the island chain between Timor and Java. Finally, we'll land at Banjoewangi, on the eastern tip of Java, with about a division. There's very good defensive terrain in the mountains between Banjoewangi and Soerabaja, so the plan is to land at Banjoewangi and maybe draw enemy troops out of Soerabaja into the mountains. Then we make a huge landing directly at Soerabaja, bypassing the mountains.
Java won't be for awhile though. Troops being used for other sooner landings will need to complete their assigned tasks and then prep for Java. But that's the plan. I'd like to have Soerabaja by the end of July 1943.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
29 Apr 43
32 Oscars strafed Changsha. About 10 were shot down with most of the rest damaged. OPilot said that he made a mistake and this was it. I'm sure he meant to sweep, as other Oscars swept Changsha.
Lots of enemy bombers and fighters hit Allied troops at Tavoy, but didn't do much with jungle terrain and thunderstorms. Bangkok now has about 170 fighters and Rahaeng has about 100.
Allied bombers hit Chiang Mai and did heavy damage to the airfield. No fighters there. Enemy troops at Dili were hit also. Dili was attacked.
Ground combat at Dili (71,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11410 troops, 245 guns, 361 vehicles, Assault Value = 320
Defending force 4577 troops, 28 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 48
Allied adjusted assault: 218
Japanese adjusted defense: 27
Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Dili !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1165 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
37th Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
II./4th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Engineer Regiment
22nd Port Unit
5th JAAF AF Bn
And Tavoy was attacked.
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8918 troops, 152 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 239
Defending force 1707 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Allied adjusted assault: 102
Japanese adjusted defense: 34
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tavoy !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
550 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
IV Indian Corps
1st West African AA Regiment
Defending units:
6th RTA/B Division
Troops ships from Tarawa are heading north to re-invade Roi-Namur and supplement the US troops already there.
32 Oscars strafed Changsha. About 10 were shot down with most of the rest damaged. OPilot said that he made a mistake and this was it. I'm sure he meant to sweep, as other Oscars swept Changsha.
Lots of enemy bombers and fighters hit Allied troops at Tavoy, but didn't do much with jungle terrain and thunderstorms. Bangkok now has about 170 fighters and Rahaeng has about 100.
Allied bombers hit Chiang Mai and did heavy damage to the airfield. No fighters there. Enemy troops at Dili were hit also. Dili was attacked.
Ground combat at Dili (71,115)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 11410 troops, 245 guns, 361 vehicles, Assault Value = 320
Defending force 4577 troops, 28 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 48
Allied adjusted assault: 218
Japanese adjusted defense: 27
Allied assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Dili !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
1165 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Assaulting units:
37th Infantry Division
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
762nd Tank Battalion
145th Field Artillery Battalion
198th Field Artillery Battalion
203rd Coast AA Regiment
Defending units:
II./4th Infantry Battalion
15th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Engineer Regiment
22nd Port Unit
5th JAAF AF Bn
And Tavoy was attacked.
Ground combat at Tavoy (54,60)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 8918 troops, 152 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 239
Defending force 1707 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 51
Allied adjusted assault: 102
Japanese adjusted defense: 34
Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Tavoy !!!
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
550 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1
Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!
Assaulting units:
268th Motorised Brigade
22nd (East African) Brigade
IV Indian Corps
1st West African AA Regiment
Defending units:
6th RTA/B Division
Troops ships from Tarawa are heading north to re-invade Roi-Namur and supplement the US troops already there.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
30 Apr 43
Two days ago, submarine Perch hit a big transport between Luzon and Formosa, hitting it twice but both torpedoes were duds. Today subchaser Ch 38 came looking for the sub, and Perch hit the ship with a torpedo, and it wasn't a dud. The ship was sunk.
Enemy bombers hit Tavoy and Allied troops advancing to Tavoy along the coast. Little damage. Lots of Oscars sweeping and escorting. Not worth engaging. Tavoy's airbase is damaged and may remain so.
With a re-invasion convoy about 3 days out, US bombers are hitting Roi-Namur more often. SBDs, B-25s and B-24s are attacking. There's still enemy flak so there's still supply.
Lots of Allied support troops are now unloading at Dili. All bases in Timor are now in Allied hands. Some enemy troops remain at Dili and east of Koepang, but they are no factor.
More Allied ships are "disappearing" by moving from Darwin to nearby Bathurst Island.
I watched "The Bombing of Darwin" on Amazon Prime. It was interesting. Mostly about the unpreparedness of Darwin and the chaos after the big Japanese carrier raid and Betty bombing. Apparently the full story wasn't known, even in Australia, until the 1990's, according to the show.
OPilot has a new PC, and it's his first experience with Windows 10, so he is in the process of getting the game running. He's having some issues and we're working on them. Turns are continuing on his old PC, just at a slower pace, until the new PC is operational. Then he's traveling next week.
Two days ago, submarine Perch hit a big transport between Luzon and Formosa, hitting it twice but both torpedoes were duds. Today subchaser Ch 38 came looking for the sub, and Perch hit the ship with a torpedo, and it wasn't a dud. The ship was sunk.
Enemy bombers hit Tavoy and Allied troops advancing to Tavoy along the coast. Little damage. Lots of Oscars sweeping and escorting. Not worth engaging. Tavoy's airbase is damaged and may remain so.
With a re-invasion convoy about 3 days out, US bombers are hitting Roi-Namur more often. SBDs, B-25s and B-24s are attacking. There's still enemy flak so there's still supply.
Lots of Allied support troops are now unloading at Dili. All bases in Timor are now in Allied hands. Some enemy troops remain at Dili and east of Koepang, but they are no factor.
More Allied ships are "disappearing" by moving from Darwin to nearby Bathurst Island.
I watched "The Bombing of Darwin" on Amazon Prime. It was interesting. Mostly about the unpreparedness of Darwin and the chaos after the big Japanese carrier raid and Betty bombing. Apparently the full story wasn't known, even in Australia, until the 1990's, according to the show.
OPilot has a new PC, and it's his first experience with Windows 10, so he is in the process of getting the game running. He's having some issues and we're working on them. Turns are continuing on his old PC, just at a slower pace, until the new PC is operational. Then he's traveling next week.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
OPilot sent me a test file, testing his install of the game plus patches plus mod, and dealing with Windows 10, and it seems to be working fine. I watched the replay and he's now working on his turn. He's also gotten the game working on an old laptop, so we should get an occasional turn next week when he is traveling.
I got a surprise at Broome. Broome is the last enemy base in Australia. I'm landing an Australian brigade but I've found that the defense is a lot stronger than expected. An Australian attack here may not be possible, unless I can get the enemy out of supply.
A side note: a US cruiser and destroyer is just off of Broome, waiting to bombard if needed. The ships came from Capetown, where the cruiser was repaired from action off of Burma. The ships were headed to Darwin but were in the area of Broome and will bombard before continuing to Darwin.
I got a surprise at Broome. Broome is the last enemy base in Australia. I'm landing an Australian brigade but I've found that the defense is a lot stronger than expected. An Australian attack here may not be possible, unless I can get the enemy out of supply.
A side note: a US cruiser and destroyer is just off of Broome, waiting to bombard if needed. The ships came from Capetown, where the cruiser was repaired from action off of Burma. The ships were headed to Darwin but were in the area of Broome and will bombard before continuing to Darwin.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
1 May 43
Australians landing at Broome will not attack. Too many defenders. Australian armor at Normanton is bought out and will ship to Derby, then move to Broome. This will help the attack there, and open up a supply line from Derby. Enemy troops at Broome will not go away quickly, but this is a sideshow. They'll run out of supply. Once Derby's airfield is built to a 2, the lone enemy destroyer runs into Broome will become impossible.
B-26s from Taberfane hit Boela's airfield, destroying 5 Dinahs on the ground. No CAP.
US troops attack at Dili, causing over 1000 casualties to the stranded defenders. All enemy units evaporated to attrition after the fight.
Wasp and 4 CVEs received upgrades at Pearl Harbor. They first went to Tabiteuea. Now they are about to get to Tulagi. I want them to be seen there. OPilot looks at Tulagi regularly. The carriers are really on the way to Darwin to join the others, but it can't hurt to show activity in an area where there really is none.
More ships from Darwin go to Bathurst Island and "disappear". I'm sending the APAs there today. The carriers, battleships and lots of support ships are there, hiding in plain sight. I want Darwin to look more empty. OPilot will think that something is up. It's possible that, with the hopeful sighting of my carriers at Tulagi, he might direct some attention to the Solomons.
The next real target is Ambon. Loading will begin in 2 or 3 days. Everything is 100% prepped.
Australians landing at Broome will not attack. Too many defenders. Australian armor at Normanton is bought out and will ship to Derby, then move to Broome. This will help the attack there, and open up a supply line from Derby. Enemy troops at Broome will not go away quickly, but this is a sideshow. They'll run out of supply. Once Derby's airfield is built to a 2, the lone enemy destroyer runs into Broome will become impossible.
B-26s from Taberfane hit Boela's airfield, destroying 5 Dinahs on the ground. No CAP.
US troops attack at Dili, causing over 1000 casualties to the stranded defenders. All enemy units evaporated to attrition after the fight.
Wasp and 4 CVEs received upgrades at Pearl Harbor. They first went to Tabiteuea. Now they are about to get to Tulagi. I want them to be seen there. OPilot looks at Tulagi regularly. The carriers are really on the way to Darwin to join the others, but it can't hurt to show activity in an area where there really is none.
More ships from Darwin go to Bathurst Island and "disappear". I'm sending the APAs there today. The carriers, battleships and lots of support ships are there, hiding in plain sight. I want Darwin to look more empty. OPilot will think that something is up. It's possible that, with the hopeful sighting of my carriers at Tulagi, he might direct some attention to the Solomons.
The next real target is Ambon. Loading will begin in 2 or 3 days. Everything is 100% prepped.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
2 May 43
US bombers continued to hit Roi-Namur. The Roi-Namur invasion Part 2 will be tomorrow. Invasion shipping stopped at Kwajalein and was not spotted there, nor on its approach. 4 US cruisers will bombard.
US carriers were unfortunately not spotted at Tulagi. They'll start to move to Darwin now. I will time the loading for the Ambon invasion to be complete when Wasp and the CVEs get to the Darwin area, in about a week.
Ambon was the target of many US heavy bombers. Another ACM was sunk there. SigInt says that the enemy's 21st Infantry Division is on ships and headed to Kendari.
Most of the Australians have unloaded at Broome. A few vehicles remain to be unloaded, and lots of supply is still aboard. New Orleans and Balch bombarded the enemy, causing 283 casualties. It was timely. Some Allied bombing hit Broome also. The enemy attacked.
Ground combat at Broome (62,127)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5907 troops, 62 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 198
Defending force 2305 troops, 64 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 94
Japanese adjusted assault: 84
Allied adjusted defense: 80
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
43rd Const Co
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
33rd Field Const Co
4th JNAF Coy
Defending units:
19th Australian Brigade
New Orleans and Balch may have saved the day. Lots of heavy bombers are ordered to start hitting Broome and the troops there. Reinforcements are planned for Broome but are a couple of weeks from arriving. Bombing, and an occasional bombardment, will have to save the Australians. US fighters will fly LRCAP over Broome to stop any supply getting in by air. If we can destroy Broome's supply, the Australians will hold.
US subs near Hong Kong confirm that the enemy heavily using the shallows near Hong Kong to head east and west. It's not coastal, but the shallows. The subs will have to occasionally take some extra risk for some extra reward.
US bombers continued to hit Roi-Namur. The Roi-Namur invasion Part 2 will be tomorrow. Invasion shipping stopped at Kwajalein and was not spotted there, nor on its approach. 4 US cruisers will bombard.
US carriers were unfortunately not spotted at Tulagi. They'll start to move to Darwin now. I will time the loading for the Ambon invasion to be complete when Wasp and the CVEs get to the Darwin area, in about a week.
Ambon was the target of many US heavy bombers. Another ACM was sunk there. SigInt says that the enemy's 21st Infantry Division is on ships and headed to Kendari.
Most of the Australians have unloaded at Broome. A few vehicles remain to be unloaded, and lots of supply is still aboard. New Orleans and Balch bombarded the enemy, causing 283 casualties. It was timely. Some Allied bombing hit Broome also. The enemy attacked.
Ground combat at Broome (62,127)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 5907 troops, 62 guns, 6 vehicles, Assault Value = 198
Defending force 2305 troops, 64 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 94
Japanese adjusted assault: 84
Allied adjusted defense: 80
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
200 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
Yokosuka 1st SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
43rd Const Co
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
33rd Field Const Co
4th JNAF Coy
Defending units:
19th Australian Brigade
New Orleans and Balch may have saved the day. Lots of heavy bombers are ordered to start hitting Broome and the troops there. Reinforcements are planned for Broome but are a couple of weeks from arriving. Bombing, and an occasional bombardment, will have to save the Australians. US fighters will fly LRCAP over Broome to stop any supply getting in by air. If we can destroy Broome's supply, the Australians will hold.
US subs near Hong Kong confirm that the enemy heavily using the shallows near Hong Kong to head east and west. It's not coastal, but the shallows. The subs will have to occasionally take some extra risk for some extra reward.
RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
2 May 43 - The Marshalls
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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)
2 May 43 - Ambon
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