Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

Burma
The Dacca defensive line is hastily created. The 20th Division combines with the Madras Division creating the 4th Corps which now holds the left of the line. Their flank is anchored by the Brahmaputra River. The Waziristan Division receives replacements and is reclassified as the Waziristan Corps. Moving into Dacca, they begin to dig in to create a fallback position in case the 3rd Corps cannot hold the coast road. The 1st IAF with their new Hawker Hurricanes begin to fly CAP over the line. With the Japanese CV task force leaving the area the Dacca line has a chance to hold.

[Remington700]

Indian Ocean
The Japanese CV taskforce attacks shipping in the Indian Ocean sinking 6 Merchant Marine. The UK main fleet moves from Diego Garcia to attack the Imperial Navy. Unable to locate the enemy carriers the UK taskforce hopes to hide in a rain squall which may move to the north.

[Remington700]

South China
A hundred miles south of Changsha the Chinese Reserve Army is attacked by the 12th Japanese Army, supported by the 16th Army and 34th Division. The Chinese hold their position taking advantage of the poor weather and entrenched positions. The preattack bombing was ineffective. The Flying Tigers will be officially disbanded, replaced as the 23rd Fighter Group. It is the same equipment flown by the same pilots however it is now an American fighter group.

[Remington700]

South China Sea
The Swordfish and Pike take damage but stay on the hunt for enemy shipping. Again, nothing was sunk. Progress is being made to correct the torpedo problems however it will be months before they can be replaced.

The Grayling SS pack leaves Darwin and heads to Sydney for repairs. With the loss of Timor, Darwin will no longer be used as a naval supply port. This is a minor strategic win for Japan.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
The Japanese 1st Air Fleet has been spotted refueling at Rabaul. The 56th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) is crossing the Owen Stanley mountains to press Port Moresby. The Australian 112th garrison division is at full strength but lacks big guns. They are an assault group. Fiji is secure for the moment however a Japanese attack is pending.

[Remington700]

Builds
The UK builds nothing and stops all reinforcement and India is set for 100% replacements. The US builds an oiler, a Landing Ship group, 2 ground supply units and a Merchant Marine group.

The US suffers a Merchant Marine loss so is forced to slightly reduce shipping to India.

[Remington700]

Japan March 29th
Burma
The 15th Army moves into position along the Meghna River preparing for a coordinated attack with the 25th Army on the Indian 3rd Corps position outside of Dacca. Preliminary bombing runs were countered by the 1st IAF making it first appearance in the war. Losses were high on both sides. The 24 Brigade captures the VP city of Ledo. The Indian National Army moves forward to hold the right end of the line, with an exposed right flank.

[Remington700]

Indian Ocean
The weather clears and Zuiho CV taskforce attacks the British fleet before they can escape. The zeros and AA shoot down most of the obsolete British Fulmar fighters. Dive bombers and Torpedo planes sink the battleship HMS Revenge and damage the Ramillies. The cruiser Exeter is also hit but is still functionable.

[Remington700]

South China
The Chinese Reserve Army is pounded by bombing runs to soften them up for an attack. The Japanese 12th and 16th armies supported by the 34 Division attack and are repulsed. Loses on both sides were equal which is not ideal for Japan. They can ill afford to enter a “war of attrition” with China. Attacking in bad weather was questionable.

[Remington700]

South China Sea
The failure of Japanese anti-sub air patrols to locate the US subs attacking convoys is mitigated by the subs’ inability to sink ships.

Banda Sea
The 2nd Air Division attacks land forces in Darwin. Damage is low for both sides, however the first bombs to fall on Australia is a sign of Japan moving closer to victory.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
The Japanese launch Operation MO – the invasion of Port Moresby. The 5th landing force hits the beach with a land attack approaching from the Owen Stanley range. The Kido Butai blockades the port and supports the invasion. A Regiment lands unopposed at Milne Bay and a Battalion captures Munda in New Georgia.

[Remington700]

Builds
No Japanese builds this turn. They did suffer a 3% net loss in oil stockpile. I tend to worry about oil consumption, but it has not been a problem to date. I guess it will depend upon the US strategy. Will they come after the Dutch East Indies and oil production or concentrate on victory objectives? Time will tell.

[Remington700]

Allied March 29th
Burma
The Waziristan Corps rails to the Himalayan foothills to further secure the left flank of the Dacca line. The loss of Ledo (a victory point site) eliminates any prospect of sending aid to China. This will further the growing gap in victory points to a difference of six in favor of the Japanese.

[Remington700]

Indian Ocean
The main British fleet in the PTO flees to their African bases trailing oil in the water. Radio silence is evoked, and the group does its best to disappear from Japanese dive bombers.

I have not tested this, but I expect the British fleet cannot be attacked in the unnamed port in African Bases. Just to be sure I set the fleet to “raid”. This is not a single port; rather an abstract representation of differing ports which would greatly reduce the chance of the Japanese navy locating and attacking the UK fleet.

[Remington700]

South China
Snow continues to fall, and the Chinese Reserve Army repels another attack. I am willing to trade causalities with Japan but worry about losing Changsha. I cannot afford to lose another strategic city as I need to keep the victory point gap under control until I can get on the offensive.

[Remington700]

Coral Sea
Using newly arrived transports, the 112th garrison division slips out of Port Moresby before they can be surrounded. They are transported under the cover of heavy rain to secure Port Vila in the New Hebrides Islands. The weather is too severe for aerial operations, so the transports steam unescorted to their destination.

I gather the US submarine fleet in Sydney for repairs and resupply. They will stay out of combat until the torpedo problem can be sorted out, which should be sometime in August. Until then they will be used for scouting.

[Remington700]

Station HYPO hits a roadblock with Japanese code breaking efforts. They will refocus their efforts and stay at it until gains are made.

The 40th Infantry Division is transported to Johnston Island to create a strong defensive position.

[Remington700]

Builds
The UK stops oil shipments to India and builds a Small Corps. Bomber production will be delayed.

Canada builds an oiler to support the Commonwealth.

The US builds a dive bomber and 4 landing ship groups.

[Remington700]

Japan April 12th
Burma
After intense bombing of Indian 3rd Corps the 15th and 25th armies launch a coordinated attack which is repulsed. Casualties were heavy on both sides (IJA 8 SPs /India 7SPs) however supply is good so both should be able to replace losses.

[Remington700]

Indian Ocean
The British fleet made good their escape. Rather than chase a ghost, the Zuiho CVL taskforce continued to patrol the India convoy route sinking 2 Merchant Marines.