Lost... As always. Runnersan (A)vs Deaniks (J). No Deaniks Please! :)

[Wuffer]

all I could offer you is a four lettre word and my empathy.

[Runnersan]

1st-3rd February 1942


Australia Command

Enemy is preparing for invasion. It is almost clear.
Japanese fighters and bombers bombed Twonsville, but with losses. Zero fighters like in Java, lunched few sweeping strikes. Allied pilots present in Asutralia are mostly rookies.

Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
G3M2 Nell x 27

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed on ground
Wirraway: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 40


Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
G3M2 Nell x 20

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4



Morning Air attack on Townsville , at 92,144

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

There was also raid against Cairns. HQ claims that it recon to check land forces there, after large force concentration in Townsville was detected.

In Melbourne US Tank Battalion arrived. Also British 7th Armored Brigade landed in Perth. HQ decided that this forces wiil be quick reaction reserves.

Java and Celebes

Enemy is swarming on beaches of Java. IJA landed in three different locations. All planes are put on alert. Planes from Ambon attacked port Kendari. One 300kg bomb hit CL Natori.

Japanese forces also invaded Bali Island.

Southwest Pacific

Carrier raid near Fiji. Squadrons were put on alert. Catalina counterattack with big losses.

[RangerJoe]

Don't use the Catalinas as bombers where he has lots of fighters.

[Runnersan]

Don't use the Catalinas as bombers where he has lots of fighters.

Yes, my mistake. I don't know what I was thinking when I planned this attack.





4th February 1942




Malaya

British bombers attacked enemy troops at Pegu.

Morning Air attack on 15th Guards Regiment, at 55,53 (Pegu)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 9
Blenheim IF x 3
Buffalo I x 2
Hudson IIIa x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Morning Air attack on 1st RTA Division, at 55,53 (Pegu)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA Division, at 55,53 (Pegu)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6

No Allied losses

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

Southwest Pacific (Fiji)

Allied bombers attacked TF’s near Fiji.
At first US Marines tried to hit carriers. Only one plane got trought CAP and missed carrier.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kandavu Island at 133,164

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
E7K2 Alf x 1
F1M2 Pete x 1

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 10
SBD-1 Dauntless x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-1 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi

Also 3 squadrons of B-26 should attack but most of them were unable to find target. Only one attack was made and CL Sendai was hit.

Japanese planes counterattacked against TF defending Suva port.

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

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 38
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Bomb hits 3, on fire
DM Preble
DD Rathburne

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

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 44 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 10

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 9
P-39D Airacobra x 29
F4F-3 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 1 destroyed
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Concord
xAP Malaita
xAK Steel Navigator, Bomb hits 1, on fire

I will call it good day because Japan lost total

22 Kates
20 Zeros
13 Vals

Total 55 elite pilots were eliminated.


I lost total 12 fighters.

[RangerJoe]

The pilots are not always lost.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The pilots are not always lost.

True, but strike power of CV is going lower and lower... I'm starting to think about little carrier attack or surface TF raid.
This day he lost another 12 fighters.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: runnersan

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The pilots are not always lost.

True, but strike power of CV is going lower and lower... I'm starting to think about little carrier attack or surface TF raid.
This day he lost another 12 fighters.

The size of that attack suggests a couple of CVLs sent it. The Japanese player will often support the Mini-KB covering the invasion forces with the Full KB just out of sight in case US carriers show up ...
Not saying you should never try and pick them off, but blanket the area with search and pickets before you decide.

[Wuffer]

ORIGINAL: runnersan

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

The pilots are not always lost.

True, but strike power of CV is going lower and lower... I'm starting to think about little carrier attack or surface TF raid.
This day he lost another 12 fighters.

oh no, plse.
he is waiting for you.
don't play on his terms. try to ignore this.

[Runnersan]

5th-6th February 1942




Malaya

British forces continue their air campaign against Pegu. Pro Allied rebellion brought back English control over Molumain base.

Australia Command

Transport ships and carriers detected.
Sweeping attacks against fighter cover near Townsville decimated inexperienced US Army pilots and depleted squadrons.

B-17s raided Port Moresby airfield and withdrew south to Brisbane to avoid risk of bombing their Home Base.
Townsville squadrons were moved to Charters Tower, but once again inexperienced pilots of Banshee bombers couldn’t find their targets. Also British Vildebeest bombers didn’t found their targets.
Only Australian Catalina squadron managed to attack and sunk Japanese troop transport.

Analysts claims that Japanese TF might change their plan and land to the south of Townsville. Their plan could change after they detected troop concentration in Townsville.

Fiji

Japanese surface ships surprised allied TF at Suva.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Suva at 132,160, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa
CL Sendai
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 2
DD Kasumi

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Talbot, Shell hits 1
DD Kilty
DD Rathburne, Shell hits 2, on fire
DM Breese, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
DM Tracy
DM Preble, Shell hits 1

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 67% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 67% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 5,000 yards

CL Concord and DM Breese were sunk.

Carrier groups changed their tactics and used sweeping raid against Fiji defenders, but their were unable to get trough CAP.

On the 5th Ferbruary SS Tresher attacked CV Shokaku, torpedoes hit but there was no explosion.

Bombers from Suva once again didn’t attacked enemy.

Increasing submarine attack risk and lack of success in air war over Fiji, probably convinced Japanese Navy to move back to New Caledonia.

On 6th February Tresher attacked once more CV Shokaku and once more torpedo was dud.

Java

Central Java is in Japanese hands. Dutch forces are preparing positions in the mountains.

[Bif1961]

Like you I am the Allies and about 2 months ahead, so the Japanese amphibious bonus has ended. I lost 2 carriers a week into the conflict and I inflicted no damage to his carriers. However, I would like to think I am holding my own now and his offensive might have slowed a bit and my reinforcements start to trickle in and soon will be a steadier flow and then a torrent by 44. Don't lose heart but also don't lose any more carriers until you get the Hornet and Wasp to replace your earlier loses. I have lost all of Burma except Akyab, all of Sumatra except a few isolated Dutch units, most of Java except Batavia and the mountain redoubt, all of Luzon except Clark AFB and Bataan, and almost all of DEI. Once he finishes up at Luzon and Java-Sumatra he will have the forces available to go for something new, like India or OZ. So build your defenses their and husband your fighter squadrons that won't be withdrawn and use those that will to try and slow him down and deplete his forces.

[RangerJoe]

If I remember correctly, those fighter units that you get early in Australia that get withdrawn early, the planes are sent back to the stockpile if undamaged. If they are damaged, they might get repaired or not then sent to the reserve pool. So don't waste them.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Like you I am the Allies and about 2 months ahead, so the Japanese amphibious bonus has ended. I lost 2 carriers a week into the conflict and I inflicted no damage to his carriers. However, I would like to think I am holding my own now and his offensive might have slowed a bit and my reinforcements start to trickle in and soon will be a steadier flow and then a torrent by 44. Don't lose heart but also don't lose any more carriers until you get the Hornet and Wasp to replace your earlier loses. I have lost all of Burma except Akyab, all of Sumatra except a few isolated Dutch units, most of Java except Batavia and the mountain redoubt, all of Luzon except Clark AFB and Bataan, and almost all of DEI. Once he finishes up at Luzon and Java-Sumatra he will have the forces available to go for something new, like India or OZ. So build your defenses their and husband your fighter squadrons that won't be withdrawn and use those that will to try and slow him down and deplete his forces.

My opponent play smart. He attacked New Zaeland now with carriers and stopped my entire reinforcments for OZ. They have to hide near Fiji.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

If I remember correctly, those fighter units that you get early in Australia that get withdrawn early, the planes are sent back to the stockpile if undamaged. If they are damaged, they might get repaired or not then sent to the reserve pool. So don't waste them.

It's too late

[RangerJoe]

You can use them, just don't waste them. The same thing with any other aircraft since you can always save the pilots.

If the enemy attacked New Zealand and still in the area, you know where to put your subs as well as night naval searches. If you have the ships and he does not have a lot of surface combat TFs, then make lots of small 2 DD TFs and send them in on low aggression, especially if they should have radar, on low visibility nights. Race in and race back to where there is fighter protection.

[Runnersan]

7th-10th February 1942


Australia Command

So it finally happened. As I could expect enemy fleet bypassed fortified Townsville and invaded Rockhampton using 3 divisions (4th, 38th and 21st ) and Bundaberg with 6th Naval Guard Unit.

I believe that he holds in reserves 144th Infantry Regiment to land Cairns, so I will not do any nervous moves.

My fighter squadrons are mostly depleted, but I exchnged rookie pilots in them with more experienced ones so they should perform better. I also tried few night bombings using Banshee planes but without any success.

More reinforcements are on the way, but Japan once again raided New Zealand and destroyed one tanker convoy and few AK’s. Auckland is being bombed. But much worse is that by this move reinforcements from US are blocked and waiting near Fiji.

DD's raid against enemy carrier TF was blocked by Japanes light surface TFs. One US DD sunk.




Malaya

Sweeping mission over Rangoon. Unfortunately I saw it was draw and many enemy fighters shot down but in reality it was sync bug and I lost battle over city. Too bad I saw it after I sent turn.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

You can use them, just don't waste them. The same thing with any other aircraft since you can always save the pilots.

If the enemy attacked New Zealand and still in the area, you know where to put your subs as well as night naval searches. If you have the ships and he does not have a lot of surface combat TFs, then make lots of small 2 DD TFs and send them in on low aggression, especially if they should have radar, on low visibility nights. Race in and race back to where there is fighter protection.

CAP over Townsville was a waste. Australian squadrons are inexperienced, so I lost lot's of P-40s. I also tried tactics with Destoryers, but my opponent counter it using his 2 or 3 small surface TF's. Night bombings are on the way. No hit for now. Subs sunk one transport, but no carrier hit.

[Bif1961]

Looks like most of your formations are north of his largest landing at Rockhampton, so you rail to Bowen and combined into larger formations, like territorial Divisions and move south to attack him at Rockhampton and move up from Brisbane to get him in a vice or combine your forces north of Rockhampton and use interior hard surface roads to bypass him and moves south to join up with your forces there abandoning anything north of Brisbane. As you rightly pointed out you don't have the air force on the ground to face up to his KB if it continues to linger in the area and he moves additional air support into the bases he captures and builds up Rockhampton. Good luck and my opponent might do the same thing to me that yours is doing to you.

[RangerJoe]

I think that the "Line of Death" as far as special Allied reinforcements for Australia is one hex south of Brisbane. If you can somehow push even just one small Japanese unit there, it will pay off.

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Looks like most of your formations are north of his largest landing at Rockhampton, so you rail to Bowen and combined into larger formations, like territorial Divisions and move south to attack him at Rockhampton and move up from Brisbane to get him in a vice or combine your forces north of Rockhampton and use interior hard surface roads to bypass him and moves south to join up with your forces there abandoning anything north of Brisbane. As you rightly pointed out you don't have the air force on the ground to face up to his KB if it continues to linger in the area and he moves additional air support into the bases he captures and builds up Rockhampton. Good luck and my opponent might do the same thing to me that yours is doing to you.

I detected that he is sending more troops to Australia. I know about at least 2 Infantry Brigades and one tank regiment. I got one more Australian brigade from Aden, but 3 Divisions is a lot of firepower...

[Runnersan]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I think that the "Line of Death" as far as special Allied reinforcements for Australia is one hex south of Brisbane. If you can somehow push even just one small Japanese unit there, it will pay off.

Will be hard. I got bad feeling that he will move to the Line of Death when he will complete his conquest of DEI. Then He will activate my additional units and wait near Cape Town entry point with carriers. Thats my little nightmare...