Beans, Bullets and Black Oil :: obvert (A) vs Lowpe (J)

[Capt. Harlock]

Between Nago and Kurume, the IJA has lost a bunch of engineers. I'm guessing they were at Kurume to build forts, but you didn't give them breathing space. Nicely done.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Between Nago and Kurume, the IJA has lost a bunch of engineers. I'm guessing they were at Kurume to build forts, but you didn't give them breathing space. Nicely done.

You're right. I hadn't noticed here. A LOT of engineers.

It'll be interesting to see fort levels at other spots in the HI. Some of the higher terrain modifier bases like Kobe and Osaka could be very tough if I make it that far across. Oita is x3 and will be hard if some of these forces make it there with any fighting strength left.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 28, 1943[/font]

---

As the Allies stream forward into Kyushu the Soviets continue to land on Honshu at Shimonoseki. There has been extremely light resistance. Only three Kates attacked on the 28th, and no other air strikes came from the IJ anywhere.

Allied bombing runs against troops continue on the army retreated to Fukuoka. They continue to most likely keep the disruption high and disable a few more troops. Allied tanks arrive in the base and the infantry and engineers get in the on the 29th.

A few other isolated ops continue around the map. Rabaul is invested, Kaveign taken, and troops prepare to take another step toward Tokyo with the invasion of Torishima island. Others will follow on to the islands very near the capital if possible, with the CVs moving in to support. First though, I'll try to hit the now stationary KB after sweeping extensively at Kobe.

On the 29th Shimonoseki falls!
[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 28, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Guards Depot Division, at 103,57 (Fukuoka)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 11
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 5 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Liberator II bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Shimonoseki (104,57)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3630 troops, 100 guns, 37 vehicles, Assault Value = 208

Defending force 8389 troops, 176 guns, 395 vehicles, Assault Value = 530

Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Mobile Engineer Regiment
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
1st/A Division
1st/B Division
1st/C Division
8th JNAF Coy
104th Ship Eng Coy
1st Base Force
41st JNAF AF Unit
Shimonoseki Fortress
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
27th Fld AA Gun Co
21st AA Regiment
2nd JNAF Coy
59th Field AA Battalion
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
26th Air Flotilla
93rd JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
35th Rifle Division
73rd Tank Bde /1
36th Motor Rifle Div /14
9th Armored Car Bde /1
172nd Bde /1
3rd Tank Battalion
206th Tank Brigade
193rd Tank Battalion
209th Tank Bde /1
637th TD Bn /2
Aus II Corps

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 29, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on Nagasaki/Sasebo , at 102,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 17
B-24D1 Liberator x 34
P-38F Lightning x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged

Resources hits 11
Heavy Industry hits 6
Naval Shipyard hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Saishu To (99,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3800 troops, 79 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 2758 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Allied adjusted assault: 79

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Saishu To !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
352 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
3rd New Chinese Corps
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
11th Special Base Force
72nd JAAF AF Bn


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Shimonoseki (104,57)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12747 troops, 218 guns, 896 vehicles, Assault Value = 875

Defending force 12893 troops, 250 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 291

Allied adjusted assault: 598

Japanese adjusted defense: 91

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shimonoseki !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
5412 casualties reported
Squads: 114 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 170 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 68 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 99 (92 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (71 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 19
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 72 (7 destroyed, 65 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
206th Tank Brigade
172nd Bde /1
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Tank Battalion
36th Motor Rifle Div /14
9th Armored Car Bde /1
193rd Tank Battalion
209th Tank Bde /1
35th Rifle Division
73rd Tank Bde /1
Aus II Corps

Defending units:
Ankei SNLF
Shimonoseki Fortress
1st/A Division
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
1st/B Division
18th Tank Regiment
3rd Mobile Engineer Regiment
1st/C Division
26th Air Flotilla
21st AA Regiment
22nd AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
104th Ship Eng Coy
59th Field AA Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
41st JNAF AF Unit
27th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Base Force
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd JNAF Coy
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
93rd JAAF AF Bn


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Fukuoka (103,57)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7473 troops, 244 guns, 242 vehicles, Assault Value = 964

Defending force 34442 troops, 974 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 794

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

Assaulting units:
2/7th Armoured Regiment
17th Australian Brigade
2nd Tank Battalion
22nd Marine Regiment
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
1st USMC Tank Battalion
1st KNIL Regiment
1st Marine Raider Battalion
131st Cmbt Engineer Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
2/3rd Pioneer Battalion
45th Indian Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
1st RAA Med Arty Regiment
2nd RAA Med Arty Regiment
209th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
2/13th Fld RAA Regiment
2/9th Fld RAA Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
37th Infantry Div /8

Defending units:
110th Division
28th/B Division
22nd Division
56th Depot Division
32nd Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
17th/A Division
60th/B Division
60th/C Division
15th Naval Guard Unit
Sasebo 5th SNLF
Guards Depot Division
28th/C Division
28th/A Division
56th Division
17th/C Division
26th JAAF AF Bn
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
32nd Special Base Force
2nd Mortar Battalion
51st Air Defense AA Regiment
25th Field AA Machinecannon Company
84th JAAF AF Bn
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
31st Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
18th JAAF AF Bn
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
20th Ind Engineer Regiment
15th JAAF AF Bn
5th Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
12th JAAF AF Coy
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
51st Air Defense AA Battalion
11th Ind.AA Gun Co
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Field AA Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st JAAF AF Bn
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tachiarai JAAF Base Force
Yokosuka Repl.Art Regiment
5th JAAF AF Coy
17th JAAF AF Bn
55th Field AA Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
19th Ind Engineer Regiment
21st Air Flotilla
60th/A Division

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

[HansBolter]

Shimoneseki opens the flood gates.
The major road down the northern coast provides an opportunity for rapid movement flanking the bases on the southern coast.
Is Hiroshima truly devoid of Japanese LCUs or just not reconned?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Shimoneseki opens the flood gates.
The major road down the northern coast provides an opportunity for rapid movement flanking the bases on the southern coast.
Is Hiroshima truly devoid of Japanese LCUs or just not reconned?

It's just not reconned this turn or for the last few. Previously it had about 12k troops. There is a decent defensive force at Matsue of about 650 AV (as I'd paradropped some of the big British para units there), and they are grinding those down.

I'd thought of another landing over there, but tempered my desire to save my digital troops. While he does that I think I could walk to Kobe without too much difficulty. I'll keep an eye out though. Follow on troops will definitely move that way and may go faster eventually if I hit a stumbling block at Hiroshima.

Shimonoseki also lets me do some interesting things with the Allied army on Kyushu. I have some prepped for other targets, could could amphibiously bypass later, but I'll have to see how my KB strike goes before that choice is made.

[BBfanboy]

If a second front is feasible and you can reach the Sea of Japan safely, Niigata is a decent target to threaten the whole central/eastern area of Honshu. He would then have to garrison so many bases that he could not concentrate forces for a big fight.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If a second front is feasible and you can reach the Sea of Japan safely, Niigata is a decent target to threaten the whole central/eastern are of Honshu. He would then have to garrison so many bases that he could not concentrate forces for a big fight.

If I can I'd like to get even closer to the goal. It's getting very close to 4:1 and I don't doubt Lowpe will honour the game all of the way there, but I don't want to draw it out any longer than I have to. I'm pursuing things as aggressively as I can. If I make another landing it'll be within a hex or two of Tokyo! [X(]

[HansBolter]

Niigata and the base to the west of it within the arc shaped bay on the Sea of Japan were my primary targets for bringing the Soviets into the HI. Great choice.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

If a second front is feasible and you can reach the Sea of Japan safely, Niigata is a decent target to threaten the whole central/eastern are of Honshu. He would then have to garrison so many bases that he could not concentrate forces for a big fight.

If I can I'd like to get even closer to the goal. It's getting very close to 4:1 and I don't doubt Lowpe will honour the game all of the way there, but I don't want to draw it out any longer than I have to. I'm pursuing things as aggressively as I can. If I make another landing it'll be within a hex or two of Tokyo! [X(]

My last invasions on Honshu hit the two bases on the Pacific coast adjacent to Tokyo. I landed two full armies, one corps of Marines and one corps of Army in each hex.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]April 29-30, 1943[/font]

---

The last days of April prove fruitful for the Allies. On the 29th Saisho To, next to Moppo, and Shimonoseki, both fall. Action mostly consists of Allied bombing of strategic targets about to be captured on Kyushu.

On the 30th the long-planned strike on the KB takes shape. First many multiple sweeps dig into the CAP over the base as the Allied CVs move into range off of the SE shores of Korea, six hexes away. LBA CAP flies over the fleets from Korean bases and only a small percentage of the Allied CV fighters fly cover. Most are dedicated to strike escort.

The Sweeps wore the CAP to almost nothing but no strikes arrived over the KB in the morning phase, and I began to worry. The afternoon phase began with a P-38G group finding a replenished CAP of about 120 fighters, but at least put a dent in them again before the main strike arrived. The strikes got a lot of planes through and the DBs did some solid work, but the TBs were a complete dud in spite of many good chances on the fleet CVs. Many were then hit on the way out and lost.

As it stands the strike was a success, with one CV, the Hiyo, likely sunk, and one CVL, Ryuho, heavily damaged. Two CVE are either sunk or out of the war, and one more damaged. As air losses were about 1:1, and heavy, the CV/CVL/CVE losses will determine weather this was a useful strike in getting closer to 4:1, but it was certainly a strategic success as the CV parity just got a lot closer to 1:1. The Allies should be able to move and land elsewhere now if needed.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 29, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Oita , at 104,59

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 21

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Nagasaki/Sasebo , at 102,58

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
B-17E Fortress x 4
B-24D Liberator x 17
B-24D1 Liberator x 34
P-38F Lightning x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 4 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 8 damaged

Resources hits 11
Heavy Industry hits 6
Naval Shipyard hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Saishu To (99,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3800 troops, 79 guns, 34 vehicles, Assault Value = 154

Defending force 2758 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Allied adjusted assault: 79

Japanese adjusted defense: 5

Allied assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Saishu To !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
352 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
3rd New Chinese Corps
3rd AmphTrac Engineer Battalion

Defending units:
11th Special Base Force
72nd JAAF AF Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Shimonoseki (104,57)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12747 troops, 218 guns, 896 vehicles, Assault Value = 875

Defending force 12893 troops, 250 guns, 110 vehicles, Assault Value = 291

Allied adjusted assault: 598

Japanese adjusted defense: 91

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Shimonoseki !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
5412 casualties reported
Squads: 114 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 170 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 68 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 99 (92 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 72 (71 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 19
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 72 (7 destroyed, 65 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
206th Tank Brigade
172nd Bde /1
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Tank Battalion
36th Motor Rifle Div /14
9th Armored Car Bde /1
193rd Tank Battalion
209th Tank Bde /1
35th Rifle Division
73rd Tank Bde /1
Aus II Corps

Defending units:
Ankei SNLF
Shimonoseki Fortress
1st/A Division
303rd Ind.Infantry Battalion
1st/B Division
18th Tank Regiment
3rd Mobile Engineer Regiment
1st/C Division
26th Air Flotilla
21st AA Regiment
22nd AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy
104th Ship Eng Coy
59th Field AA Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
41st JNAF AF Unit
27th Fld AA Gun Co
1st Base Force
25th Air Defense AA Regiment
2nd JNAF Coy
30th Field AA Machinecannon Company
93rd JAAF AF Bn

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 30, 1943
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on Kobe , at 108,59

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
A6M2-N Rufe x 23
A6M3a Zero x 11
J2M2 Jack x 43
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 31

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 10
P-38F Lightning x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 12
J2M2 Jack x 81
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 5 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Hiroshima/Kure , at 106,58

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
J2M2 Jack x 67
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 4 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kobe , at 108,59

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
A6M2-N Rufe x 10
A6M3a Zero x 10
J2M2 Jack x 24
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 33
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 2 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 32000 feet
15 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 32000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kobe , at 108,59

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 10
J2M2 Jack x 15
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 48
F4U-1 Corsair x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 20000 feet
20 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet
15 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kobe , at 108,59

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
A6M2-N Rufe x 3
A6M3a Zero x 1
J2M2 Jack x 3

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 17000 feet *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Kobe , at 108,59

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 37,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 63
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 24
J2M2 Jack x 23
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M2 Jack: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 31000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kobe at 108,59

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
A6M2-N Rufe x 6
A6M3a Zero x 20
J2M2 Jack x 8
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Martlet IV x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 50
F6F-3 Hellcat x 75
SBD-3 Dauntless x 65
TBF-1 Avenger x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 14 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 10 destroyed, 7 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu
CV Shokaku
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Kaga
CV Zuikaku
CVL Ryuho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
CVE Chuyo, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking: 8 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryuho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Hosho class CVE
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Hiyo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

[obvert]

.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: obvert

.

[&:] UNP?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: obvert

.

[&:] UNP?

The previous update is more interesting [;)]

[obvert]

Hi all. I haven't had a lot of time to update lately. This one has reached the end. On May 14 the Allies continued to strategically bomb Tokyo, Osaka and several other industrial centres, ground the forts to zero at Hiroshima, and were advancing across the North coast of Honshu toward Maizuru. The final blow was the 111the LRP paratroops landing at Tottori and taking the base from an understrength division.

It's a bittersweet ending. I know this game was probably a grind for Lowpe. He has been an incredible opponent; tenacious, creative, and persistent no matter what was happening in through the course of the game. Even to the end the KB was sailing South of Honshu searching out a fight.

I'll miss this game. I know it would have been very different if Lowpe's curiosity hadn't taken him down the road of accepting battle with the Soviet juggernaut. Even in 42 the mass of divisions and tank brigades is eventually unstoppable. The airforce also had some impact, with MiGs joining P-38s as the best Allied sweepers of 42.

Here is the final tally.

[obvert]

And the final map of Japan. notice in the info box that strategic bombing actually provided most of the final push to a conclusion.

[IdahoNYer]

Will miss this match Obvert! Have enjoyed the AAR from the beginning to its all to early end - I think you set a record that will never be broken for a decisive Allied victory!

[Bif1961]

I hope there is a rematch and the Soviets aren't accidently activated this time.

[Canoerebel]

Yes, that would be fun to see!

Erik, congratulations on driving the Allies to victory.

[CaptBeefheart]

Congratulations! Also, a big shout out to Lowpe for being a sport and seeing what kind of challenges the Russian activation would bring in the interests of science. This unique AAR will be missed.

Cheers,
CB

[JeffroK]

ORIGINAL: obvert

.

Well done Obvert, and please pass on to Lowpe a well done for persevering after taking a quick trip into the Soviet Union. Many, if not most, would have dropped it then.

It was good to see some of the early war equipment being used offensivly. Some of it doesnt come out too bad once the experience levels rise and they are not outnumbered 10-1.