Attack Attack Attack - a Hotseat AAR

[Remington700]

New Caledonia
Japanese G4M attack bombers fly four sorties from the New Hebrides Islands pounding the airfield at Noumea. The US tactical bombers were able to get into the air however the field is a mess. Effectives is reduced as evidenced by the weak air attack on the Yokosuka SNLF landing ships. The invasion succeeds with minimal losses (1 SP). The landing force is resupplied by destroyers.

[Remington700]

Tarawa Resupply
The Marshall air division flies two sorties of GM4s to hunt the subs blockading Tarawa. Attack bombers with Naval Air training are not the solution as once again they fail to cause any damage. The Shoho CVL taskforce leaves Truk to help bring this situation under control. The T-14 motor torpedo boats of the 8th MTB solves the problem. They easily slip through the patrolling subs, fast and agile enough to not be targeted. The 61 SNLF is resupplied on Tarawa.

Learning from the enemy, the Imperial Submarine fleet is sent to blockade nearby Canton Island. Time to see how the US will respond. Their carriers are halfway around the world so pose little threat.

[Remington700]

Builds
Builds are a Landing Ship, Oiler and a Supply truck. Replacements are increased slightly to 75.

[Remington700]

Allied July 19th

CBI Theater
Heavy rain grounds air and makes offensive operations impossible. The 1st IAF returns to their base in Petna to fly CAP over Calcutta and the Dacca line. The British 10th Corps lands in Calcutta under cover of the heavy rain. The defense in this sector is starting to look stronger.

No movement in South China. Units dig in but none are ordered to stand fast.

[Remington700]

Indian Ocean
The damaged Yorktown breaks from the taskforce and steams to Bombay for temporary repairs. The US CV taskforce and the British Main fleet search the general area of the Japanese carriers but are unable to locate them in the poor visibility. If the weather clears next turn things could get interesting. Where is the CV Wasp?

[Remington700]

Tarawa Resupply
The Slipjack and Greyling launch torpedoes at the 8th MTB scoring no hits. They head to Pago Pago to regroup. The Pike slips in to sink an enemy carrier but is caught by screening destroyers. Suffering heavy damage, the sub heads to Fiji for repairs. The Swordfish runs silent and deep to Canton Island to nullify the Japanese blockade and to resupply the 114th Garrison division.

[Remington700]

South Pacific
The 17th destroyer squad leaves Sydney in a last-ditch effort to resupply forces on New Caledonia. The 3rd destroyer squad leaves the Cook Islands attempting the same but is caught and sank by the Imperial 1st Air Fleet. The Wasp and her BB escort continue on to the Indian Ocean. The 9th Large Corps leaves San Francisco heading to Australia.

[Remington700]

Builds
UK: Infantry division. Stops convoys to India.
India: Infantry division
US: Large Corps, Transport and Oiler. Convoy 5 oil points to UK and additional 5 SPs to India

[Remington700]

Japan August 2nd

Burma/Indian Ocean
Bombers of the 2nd and 3rd air divisions pounded the Indian 4th Corps north of Dacca. The 1st Air Division flying escort crushed the Indian CAP shooting down 8 SPs with a single loss.

The Zuiho CVL taskforce leaves the Indian Ocean returning to Singapore. The taskforce is renamed the Southern Air Fleet.

[Remington700]

South China
After a preattack airstrike the 12th and 16th armies, supported by the 4th brigade with the 13th air support group push the Chinese Reserve Army back fifty miles. Turning north the 12th and 16th joined by the 11th army roll the flank of the 22nd Army group pushing them across the Yuan River.

[Remington700]

Central Pacific
2 subs continue to blockade Canton Island. I-16 leaves the group to raid US convoy lanes. The Marshall Air division transfers to Tarawa. Dive bombers of the 12th Air Division land on Kwajalein. The Shoho CVL taskforce steams to Truk where it will be joined by the Hiyo CV to create the Central Pacific Air Fleet.

[Remington700]

New Caledonia
The 1st Air Fleet refuels from oilers preparing for the coming action. The US 17th destroyer squad providing much needed supply to the island is destroyed by carrier base torpedo planes. Four sorties of land-based air continually strike the Noumea division while a destroyer group provides supply to the SNLF. Multiple land attacks follow but the position holds - although noticeably weakened. It think it will fall within a couple of weeks.

[Remington700]

Builds
Replacements are increased to 115. Builds are 3 Oilers. Oil stockpiles are diminishing but still more than ample for the tasks at hand.

[Remington700]

Allied August 2nd

Great things happened this turn. Naval Air training advanced to 1942 and the Mark 14 torpedoes are improved – FINALLY!

The I-16 sub squad was busy attacking shipping to Australia, India, New Zealand and the UK but were unable to sink MM or Escorts. Staying in the area too long the I-16 is caught and sunk by escort destroyers.

[Remington700]

India
Rains continues with the dug in Indian forces holding their ground in the Dacca line. Reminiscent of WWI Europe this front is turning into a war of attrition. The 1st IAF stands down for maintenance and supply.

The Indian 13th Brigade completes training and is moved to Bombay. The SEAC HQ rails to the Kasai River bridge to take command of 10th Corps and the defense of Calcutta. More fighter cover is needed so the idle Pearl Harbor squadron of P38s will relocate to eastern India.

The US CV taskforce and the British Main Feet steam to Bombay for repairs and resupply. The CV Wasp and her escort will join them there. The Yorktown continues with repairs and will be ready for operations in a couple of weeks.

[Remington700]

South China
Chinese forces remain on the defensive. The 4th war area HQ retreats before it is overrun. The Reserve Army moves to plug the gap created by the Japanese offensive.

[Remington700]

South Pacific
The Grayling arrives at Noumea to open supply to my beleaguered units. I did not directly supply the force as it will put the sub in “Fleet” mode making it an easy target. Per the manual supply happens before a turn starts so my forces may be in supply when the Japanese attack. But even so I am afraid it is too little too late to make a difference.

I made a mess out of my New Caledonia defense. I left the units unsupplied for too long. I then panicked and sent two destroyers on suicide missions only to end up on the bottom of the sea. Most likely the Grayling arrived too late to save the force. And I may lose it too in the process.

Additionally, I made the decision not to embark the ground unit and move it off the island. Per Alvaro this was not an intended ability. I think it would be a bit “gamey” to move the ground unit and let the air unit be overrun, returning it to my force pool.

[Remington700]

West Coast
The Battleships Colorado and the newer class South Dakota arrive in San Diego for resupply. The Colorado will head to Pearl Harbor and the South Dakota will steam to Australia to act as an AA screen for the CV fleet.

Sadly, the screening specialty does not apply to large warships as I want to bump up the AA for enhanced air defense. I may wait for a patch before spending specialty points.

[Remington700]

Builds and Convoys
UK: No builds this turn.
India: Infantry division.
US: Submarine. Sending 5 PPs to NZ.

[CrackingShow]

How much convoy raiding have you been doing?