Never Thought I'd Start Another One - tc464 (A) vs. Mike (J)

[Mike Solli]

22 Jul 42
Forgot to mention that Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku have completed their upgrades. Only Shokaku and Zuikaku have radar. All 4 will head back to Truk shortly. Akagi and Kaga are upgrading and will be done in 20 days.

Ah, finally you can re-size those air groups!!!!

Yep, first thing I did. Here's the new air group strengths. Note that in this mod Kaga has a capacity of 81:

Akagi, capacity 81, 42 Z, 21 V, 18 K
Kaga, capacity 81, 42 Z, 21 V, 18 K
Soryu, capacity 63, 33 Z, 15 V, 15 K
Hiryu, capacity 63, 33 Z, 15 V, 15 K
Shokaku, capacity 72, 36 Z, 18 V, 18 K
Zuikaku, capacity 72, 36 Z, 18 V, 18 K

Total: 222 Z, 108 V, 102 K

[Mike Solli]

25 Jul 42 - Quiet day today.

Sub War

An Allied ASW TF spotted the badly damaged RO-33 but somehow she got away. She's still limping toward a friendly port and even managed to repair a point of flotation damage.

Just south of Milne Bay, the RO-64 spotted the Brit BB TF, got CA Pensacola in her sights, launched 6 (of 10 total) torpedoes......and missed.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I put 99 Nells/Betties on night naval attack with some Jakes on night naval search in the direction of Milne Bay. Twenty-four of them launched against a couple of DMS and missed. Ah well, it was worth a try. I'll let them go a while longer.

Ted's now using his 4E bombers against the units in Milne Bay and the 2E bombers agains Salamaua. He can bomb those troops for the rest of the war for all I care. They aren't going to do anything except starve. Every bomb directed at them is a bomb that isn't hitting something important.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The Helen sentai that is doing daily raids against Chungking's airfield, had a nice attack causing 2 air supply hits (alway nice in China) and 18 runway hits. Chungking's airfield damage is up to 40. Nice.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
TK Nittier Maru, Type-1 TL, 11.6k capacity. Headed to Singapore to help haul oil/fuel to Hong Kong.

Ted has no subs (that I have run across) in the South China Sea. If he only knew how many oil/fuel/resource convoys I have plying those waters between Palembang/Singapore and Hong Kong, he's have every sub in his inventory there. I have no ASW or Naval Search there yet either. Eventually I will, but I have to protect the important bases and haven't started work on the SLOCs.

[Mike Solli]

26 Jul 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Ted is still putting his 4E bombers on the SNLF and NG at Milne Bay and his 2E bombers on Salamaua. I've pulled out a slice of both units and continue to pull out elements of the SNLF, the better unit. I have only 3 IJN FB transports so it's a slow process.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

A couple of attacks here and there to wear down the defenses.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

27 Jul 42

Sub War

The I-7 torpedoed and sank a big xAK (Empire L Class) off San Francisco. Later in the morning, I-7 missed an xAK and in the afternoon she put a torpedo into a different xAK. No report of her sinking though.

The Spearfish got a rare good torpedo hit on SC Ch-27 and blew her to pieces off Miri. She was on ASW patrol. That's one way to do it...

5 Fleet

RO-33 is still plodding its way to Etorofu. She repaired another flotation damage. I'm hopeful she might actually make it!

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

The 4E bombers did their usual run on the former garrison of Milne Bay. Some 2E bombers made a surprise attack on the troops at Madang. They were unescorted. Oops. I had a chutai of Zeros flying CAP over the base. There were 3 attacks. The first was 5x A20A Havocs. All were shot down without Japanese loss. Next came 8x B-26 Marauders. Six were shot down for no loss. Finally, there were 7 more B-26s. When they spotted my fighters, they fled. This unit now has the distinction of having the pilot with the most kills, and the most experienced pilot as well. PO1 Sugio has 9 kills, experience of 91 with an A2A rating of 86. Very nice!

The rest of the 2E bombers hit Salamaua, and they were probably glad they did.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

The Helens added a little more damage to Chungking's airfield.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[RangerJoe]

25 Jul 42 - Quiet day today.

Sub War

An Allied ASW TF spotted the badly damaged RO-33 but somehow she got away. She's still limping toward a friendly port and even managed to repair a point of flotation damage.

Just south of Milne Bay, the RO-64 spotted the Brit BB TF, got CA Pensacola in her sights, launched 6 (of 10 total) torpedoes......and missed.

The subs will tend to dewater themselves of the minor float damage.

As far as the RO-64 is concerned, I do believe that the Captain got what is referred to as "buck fever!"

You can also use regular float planes to remove your units, you can even just have a portion of the air unit doing that while the rest fly naval searches. But leave at least one device behind if you can just to keep it there for him to target and rejoice when he destroys it.

PM me if you want a hint for the kamikazes . . .

[Mike Solli]

28 Jul 42

Sub War

The I-7 took out an xAK off San Francisco. Interesting that there are no escorts or ASW TFs around here that I've spotted (or have spotted me).

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

I have Nells and Betties on night naval attack targeting Milne Bay. A Nell put a bomb into an xAK. It would have been a torpedo, but I forgot to reload the torpedoes at the HQ at Rabaul. That error has been corrected.

All the Allied 4E bombers are going after my troops in Milne Bay. The 2E bombers and some P-39D strafers are going after Salamaua.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

The former Allied Shwebo garrison split and about 15k troops headed toward Katha and the rest went NW. I trashed the Katha troops (5 Chinese Corps and 2 RAF BFs). I'm sending 33 Division and a few arty units to clean up that force and the rest are jumping on trains at Katha to head to Prome and then the coast to add to the 2 Army with the goal of taking Chittagong.

I have the 6 infantry regiments of 30 and 31 Divisions that will hold the line in the north center of Burma awaiting for their engineers, recon and arty to arrive (316 and 239 days respectively) so they can form divisions.

16 Division has landed at Rangoon and is enroute to Cox's Bazaar. When the entire 2 Army has arrived, it will include 6 divisions, 8 artillery units and all the components of 2 Tank Division. That should be enough force to take Chittagong.

China

Still maneuvering.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements
TK Kenwa Maru, Type-1 TM, 8150 capacity, headed to Palembang
TK Amato Maru, Type-1 TM, 8150 capacity, headed to Palembang

Fusan's port finally reached level 7. One more to go...

[RangerJoe]

Instead of loading torpedoes into HQs every time that you need them, you can adjust the TO&E to carry them so they will be automatically replaced if the supplies are available.

[Mike Solli]

29 Jul 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Ted has been building up in the Aleutians with nothing but a handful of subs to oppose him. He's maxed out Adak's port (8) and airfield (7) and Attu is build up to 2 each for its port and airfield. I've been contemplating what to do next. Options were India and Australia, but I decided to take the Aleutians, at least up to Adak. I'm going all out for Adak with practically the entire 16 Army, currently in Java. This will be an all out affair, to include KB and the surface fleet. All 7 BBs will participate along with 10-14 CAs. It will take a while to move everything there. My goal is to begin this operation by the end of August 1942. I'm currently working out the details of the operation. I'll post it when it is finalized. I hope the elements begin to move by 7 August. More to come later.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

Allied B-26s raided Gasmata unescorted again. Two raids totaling 19 bombers cost them 12 shot down for no loss. Ouch. Lots of nice experience for me. Yay!

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

Nothing to report.

[Mike Solli]

Instead of loading torpedoes into HQs every time that you need them, you can adjust the TO&E to carry them so they will be automatically replaced if the supplies are available.

I thought I did that, but apparently I didn't. That was fixed. Thanks.

By the way, I'm always up for hints. You don't have to ask!

[RangerJoe]

Instead of loading torpedoes into HQs every time that you need them, you can adjust the TO&E to carry them so they will be automatically replaced if the supplies are available.

I thought I did that, but apparently I didn't. That was fixed. Thanks.

By the way, I'm always up for hints. You don't have to ask!

Well, I responded to your DM with another teaser for another hint.

Yes, sometimes we forget things or forget to do things. I don't know what people know so when I mention things I don't mean to offend anybody. But then again, you were an officer . . .

[Mike Solli]

30 Jul 42

Sub War

The Dutch sub KXIII blew apart SC Ch-17 off Balikpapan. I hadn't lost an SC at all during the war until a few days ago and now I lost my second.

The RO-64 entered Milne Bay to try and cause a ruckus to the Allies, but ended up eating a DC, maybe 2. Her damage is 43-65(26)-3-0. She should be able to make it to Rabaul to get minor repairs.

5 Fleet

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing to report.

SE Fleet

All the Allied 2 and 4E bombers are now going after my troops in Milne Bay. Good. They're doomed. I'd let them rot there.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

Nothing to report.

Other Stuff

The A6M2a R&D completed and now is operational! The A6M5 R&D has commenced.
The Ki-44-IIb R&D advanced to 12/42. It is expected to be operational 9/42.

Miri's oil field has completed its repairs. The total oil fields are 3045 with 3166 refineries. The current oil in the pool is 2,679,642 with another 85,368 in TKs for a total of 2,765,010. The surplus refineries (121) consume 36,300 oil per month in excess of the production. If production were cut off now, all the oil in the pool (not all in Japan) would last 3 months. That's sobering. I need to continue to get as much oil to Japan as quickly as possible.

Reinforcements
22 Tank Regiment, Northern Army, will guard Hokkaido
xAP Teika Maru
56 JNAF AF Unit, allocated to Bangkok

[Mike Solli]

Instead of loading torpedoes into HQs every time that you need them, you can adjust the TO&E to carry them so they will be automatically replaced if the supplies are available.

I thought I did that, but apparently I didn't. That was fixed. Thanks.

By the way, I'm always up for hints. You don't have to ask!

Well, I responded to your DM with another teaser for another hint.

Yes, sometimes we forget things or forget to do things. I don't know what people know so when I mention things I don't mean to offend anybody. But then again, you were an officer . . .

Remember, I was an NCO before I was an officer.

That was an amazing idea. Too late though. I'll have to remember it for next time.

[RangerJoe]

I thought I did that, but apparently I didn't. That was fixed. Thanks.

By the way, I'm always up for hints. You don't have to ask!

Well, I responded to your DM with another teaser for another hint.

Yes, sometimes we forget things or forget to do things. I don't know what people know so when I mention things I don't mean to offend anybody. But then again, you were an officer . . .

Remember, I was an NCO before I was an officer.

That was an amazing idea. Too late though. I'll have to remember it for next time.

It doesn't matter what you started as, you ended up as an officer!

But you never did ask about that other tip . . .

[Mike Solli]

It doesn't matter what you started as, you ended up as an officer!

But you never did ask about that other tip . . .

Actually, I tried, but it had been years since I had sent a private message. I screwed something up. Remember, I was (and still am) an officer.

[PaxMondo]

Remember, I was (and still am) an officer.

We forgive you!!!

[Mike Solli]

You guys crack me up.

So, there's some interesting proceedings happening. You'll have to wait for the update.

[Mike Solli]

31 Jul 42

Sub War

Nothing to report.

5 Fleet

Well, I did the math and I don't think I have enough xAP/LSD to haul 3 divisions at once. We'll see. I'm pulling everything together to see what I can do.

Nothing to report.

4 Fleet

If you guys don't recall, I took Canton and Baker Islands early on in the war. Both defenses are identical with an independent SNLF company and a field construction company for engineer support along with level 3 forts. Each base has a midget sub guarding the waters around the islands. There is also a fleet sub near each island.

Today, 6 US APDs landed the 3 Marine Raider Battalion on Canton Island. The midget sub must have been on the wrong side of the island because she did nothing. They took a beating landing if the intel is accurate:

Amphibious Assault at Canton Island (153,143)

TF 367 troops unloading over beach at Canton Island, 153,143

Allied ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

They shock attacked:

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 778 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 26

Defending force 627 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 30

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), supply(-)

Allied ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
7th Indpt SNLF Coy
42nd Field Const Co

If this is all accurate, then the 3 Marine Raider Battalion is down to 9 Raider squads, 1 engineer squad 16 support squads and an additional 10 disabled support squads.

Should I counterattack? My entire attack force would be:

7 Ind SNLF Co.jpg (281.68 KiB) Viewed 128 times

SE Fleet

The entire Allied bomber force focused on the Japanese troops at Milne Bay. Every day they do this is a plus for me.

SRA

Nothing to report.

Burma

Nothing to report.

China

I attacked Hami and Lanchow in an attempt to wear down the defenders at those bases.

Other Stuff

Reinforcement
DD Onami, 7th of the Yugumo class, KB escort

[RangerJoe]

You can use flying boats to fly in more infantry and have them set to attack as well before they fly in, that might help.

[PaxMondo]

You can use flying boats to fly in more infantry and have them set to attack as well before they fly in, that might help.

Agreed. Issue is that his def will include even his support squads, and your small unit prolly won't cut it. Flying ANY piece of a unit in will be a big help. ~20 more AV is a big deal here. I would attack the turn AFTER arrival, but then I'm pretty conservative ...

[Mike Solli]

I decided not to attack. I'll give more info in the update that should post in a few minutes.