The Shattered Sword: John 3rd vs. Anachro--BTS

[John 3rd]

There was OTHER action this turn.

Air
MISTER FRANK advances into November 43--T-Minus Four Months. Still betting that it goes into production at the end of August. CANNOT wait!

Diego Garcia
The enemy has abandoned his troops that are ashore. After failing to reduce the Forts on the 9th, the Allies try again on the 10th. Result: 1-3 Forts stay at 4, 232 Japanese Cas to 498 Cas and 8 Guns of the Allies.

Fly in a Nell Group to go with the Betty Chutai and begin bombing the troops. This should really draw the attention of the enemy. Four Japanese CVs will enter the area in two days. I INTEND to get some serious sinking here. We'll avenge our damaged brothers and sisters!

Reinforcements are now on the way for Diego. If possible, we wish to kill the 20th Indian ID and and that Aussie Brigade!

[John 3rd]

July 11, 1943

VERY QUIET DAY! Dan was right. He pulls back.

My STFs whiff looking for him. One CA TF, of course, ignores orders and draws a small attack in the afternoon of 32 F, 10 DB, and 5 Av. They deal with a CAP of 8 Rex. I have a CA take a bomb for minimal damage and he loses about eight aircraft. Japanese AA, surprisingly, knocks down five planes. Nothing else happens over here. The damaged CVLs make Truk and the rest make for either Truk or Saipan.

He is in full withdraw mode. Strange. Didn't take anything at all. Think he dropped off supplies and mines at Manus but that is about it.

BIG NEWS: China
Hex 75,50 This hex is between Tuyun and Kweiyang. Three Japanese ID and three Artillery units Shock Attack the SIXTEEN Chinese units there and get a 2-1. Glorious. The enemy retreats into the jungle where he will be surrounded once Tuyun is taken. Casualties ROCK: Japan 2255 Cas, 12 Guns, and 5 Vehicles for 12,711 (904 Squads). Nice work.

Diego Garcia
No Allied attack. His troops are hit by 32 Betty/Nell for over 100 Cas. A small Allied STF is spotted approaching.

There are now four convoys carrying 3 Naval Guard and the 4th ID heading for DG. The CVs are three days away and in combat range in two...

[John 3rd]

July 12, 1943

The enemy withdraws to a point SSE of Rabaul to cover his other TFs leaving. Still have no idea what was accomplished in this fight other then the CV Engagement. NO landings, lots of bombardments, and the CV fight. Well...OK...

Surface Fights
Last turn I detached two groups of 4 DDs to try to catch the enemy. Looks like Sean had the same idea. There are two surface engagements during the night of the 12th:

4 Moon-Class DD vs. 5 DD: No damage to the Japanese with moderate damage done 2 American DDs.

4 Kagero-Class DDs vs 3 CA and 4 DD: Good potential in this fight. One Jap Tin Can takes moderate damage in exchange for a TT hit on CA Chester, serious damage to 3 DDs, and DD Stribling SUNK by a Long Lance.

The eight DDs make it to Rabaul with no issues, refuel, and reload. They will move on to Fischhaven tomorrow.

Hansa Bay
13 4EB hit the Port and sink an already crippled AD sinking it.

Ground Action
China 76,48
A single Japanese ID launches a Shock Attack against 12 Chinese units and score a 1-1. CRAZY! Just miss that magical 2-1 number by a score of 182 to 93. Very close...

Burma N of Katha
The 18th ID chased a Brigade and catches up to it. The attack is ordered but 78 4EB and 65 2EB hit the unit during the day. This upsets the assault and it come in at 1-3. Casualties aren't bad so we'll have to think on that some.

Diego Garcia
All Transports are moving. A small enemy STF is spotted. Divert all Convoys away and detach a STF from the Japanese CVs of 2 CA, 1 CL, and 4 DD to 'deal with it.' No bombardment or attack by th Allied units. Surely Sean knows that something has to be done quickly or he will lose those two ground units.

Carriers
Everyone reaches Saipan without issue. Looks like I will send 2 CV and 2 CVL back to Japan for repairs. Everyone else has minor damage so they'll sit here and repair it. Begin re-forming air groups and getting re-organized here.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

One CA TF, of course, ignores orders and draws a small attack in the afternoon of 32 F, 10 DB, and 5 Av. They deal with a CAP of 8 Rex. I have a CA take a bomb for minimal damage and he loses about eight aircraft. Japanese AA, surprisingly, knocks down five planes.

Technically speaking, I was right too. [:'(]

[ny59giants]

Air
MISTER FRANK advances into November 43--T-Minus Four Months. Still betting that it goes into production at the end of August. CANNOT wait!

P-47D2 come in at 60/month in July '43.

[John 3rd]

Thanks so much for helping with my confidence Michael!!!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

One CA TF, of course, ignores orders and draws a small attack in the afternoon of 32 F, 10 DB, and 5 Av. They deal with a CAP of 8 Rex. I have a CA take a bomb for minimal damage and he loses about eight aircraft. Japanese AA, surprisingly, knocks down five planes.

Technically speaking, I was right too. [:'(]

OK...fine...you were right too...
[:'(]

[John 3rd]

Now is everyone better???!!! I mean can we get back to the war NOW?

Ohhhhh...wait...we cannot because I don't have a flipping turn to run.

OK. Back to giving credit to everyone for everything.

Next?

[John 3rd]

July 15, 1943

Several quiet days follow the Allied Fleet's withdrawal to Aussieland.

Naturally, the Japanese immediately begin moving around.

1. The CD unit meant for Umboi Isle was diverted to Hollandia and now heads for its original destination.
2. Several supply convoys that were held back now make for Madang, Rabaul, Lunga, and Truk.
3. To Cover the Umboi Landing and a hoped for pick-up of the remains of an ID at Lae, a BB TF and CV TF move to provide some serious backbone to the Operations.
4. AF work to recover and fill up the craters creating by the Allied bombardments.
5. Rotate Fighters and Bombers to bring groups together, fill out reinforcements, and gain airframes.
6. A TF arrives at Ndeni to lift off the 9th ID. IT is now 60% prepped for a Manus Landing and I need it.
7. I intend to pull off three IDs used in the last three weeks of operations to rebuild my mobile reserve.

Over in the IO, the operation to destroy the Indian 20th ID and the Aussie Brigade proceeds as the first troop reinforcements land in the 15th. By the 18th--19th, nearly 1.5 ID will be landed and we shall destroy to two Allied units. Akagi--Amagi--Hiryu--Soryu sit about 250 miles from Diego Garcia WAITING for a chance to strike high value targets.

My good opponent has fallen into operational patterns. For the last three days two large groups of B-25s have been hitting southern Burma. With 200+ Fighters at Rangoon, we decide to set an ambush and the Americans fall right into it. 44 B-25 run into a low CAP of 43 JACK (10K), TOJO (5K), and TONY (5K). They have a very enjoyable lunch!

[John 3rd]

Here is Tracker's Report for the day's air action:

[ny59giants]

Burma/Thailand - I don't see any divisions divided in x3 terrain building up forts. [;)]

[John 3rd]

True Michael.

I am becoming convinced that he doesn't plan an overland assault into Burma. My bet would be Akyab--Ramree or skip the area completely and stage an assault into Northern Malaya or into Sumatra. He could have started the overland attack months ago but--so far--NOTHING. This leads me to the other thinking. If I am wrong then that is BAD.

Have to get my Reserves back and resting so I am able to move with a stack of 1,200--1,500 AV to move to whatever the threatened point is.

[John 3rd]

Thanks to Tracker I see that Manus goes to a Lvl-1 AF. Would have missed it otherwise. Cancel all the bomber runs there for next turn and order SWEEPS by two GEORGE Daitai as well as a JACK unit. He moved a CV TF to a hex from Milne and I bet they are transferring Fighters there. They shall get a Day ONE hot reception!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Have to get my Reserves back and resting so I am able to move with a stack of 1,200--1,500 AV to move to whatever the threatened point is.

Hooray for theater reserves! [&o] Glad to see this is a part of your planning. Whatcha got for that and where?

[John 3rd]

Before this assault by the Allies, I had three ID at Singapore and three ID in the Marianas. This gave me a strong Reaction Force in either area if needed.

[Canoerebel]

But you have the tax police battalion and 16 geisha girls defending Hokkaido.



[:)]

[John 3rd]

Never, EVER underestimate a GEISHA who is trained and carrying an attitude!

BANZAI!



Tax Police are TOUGH. They came up with the original saying of "I ain't got time to bleed!"

Those boys are tough backstops for the GEISHAS...

[John 3rd]

We have advanced to July 19, 1943.

The enemy has gone totally quiet. NO interference with the following operations:

1. I have landed a full ID and support units at Diego Garcia. You can write off the 20th Indian ID and an Aussie Brigade within days. Killing more Allied LCU: NICE!

2. Landed a CD unit at Umboi as well as one at Finschhaven. Covered by Mutsu--Nagato and a CV TF of 1 CV and 3 CVL carrying just ZEROs.

3. Moving units and supplies among the bases on the northside of New Guinea.

4. Lifting the 9th ID off of Ndeni.

5. Lifting two ID off of Kavieng.

The 9th and two Kavieng IDs will be used in a three division landing at Manus.

That is about it...

[John 3rd]

July 19, 1943
Diego Garcia

The Diego Garcia Operation has gone swimmingly.

The two Allied LCU are about to die. This turn saw orders go out for a Deliberate Attack on the 20th. A bombardment on the 19th should have served to ALARM the enemy. Our hope is bring a fight about with Allied Naval Forces.

To do that, the Japanese are going to bombardment the Island this turn and next. At that point the Japanese shipping will 'withdraw' allowing for the enemy to come charging down from India--Ceylon to rescue their troops.

The reality shall be that it is all a ruse to draw out the enemy. CARDIV1 and CARDIV2 will wait and then POUNCE on the approaching enemy warships. All warships that bombard Diego Garcia shall move out join into the CVs TF. This will also serve to allow the actual screen protecting the CVs to be freed up for attack.

Approaching convoys carrying supplies and fuel also serve as a 'lure.' We'll see if my opponent has any impulse control issues!

[Bif1961]

The old American Indian trick feign retreat and when they fill the void attack, attack, attack!