Perhaps you are correct Mad but you never know if nothing else its a use for US Subs with the dodgy torpedoes......
Andy
Sand in the Vaseline - Wobbly vs PzB
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: Dacca is relinquished
For those of us that are allied fan boys todays turn is another that is hard to swallow. I don't have the combat replays - PzB will no doubt be able to furnish your curiosity there. All three locations currently holding Jap invaders get pounded.
Andy - no plans to invade using subs - although you are correct - they are useless especially since we didn't managed to turn allied sub doctrine off. I may try and retake some of the islands just north of Oz.
have to agree with Mad - they are nuisance only - what they might accomplish later is to bring his units out into a locationa carrier force or surface combat unit coudl knock off. However he is far more likely to just let me take the place unless they are important; in which case he will have defended them and then more than sub landed trooops will be required!
In Bombay the 18th Division and the parts of the Oz 22nd land but not before their destroyer escort find and destroy a sub.
In Trim he takes down a fort level and gets 2-1 odds. My new understrength division of Indians, air lifted in to Columbo and making the trek across the mountains, looses 700 men + equipment to the Japs 200 and he gets 2-1 odds. Trim will not last more than another 2 days and I therefore have to start evacuating into the mountains. I am going to move all my bombers around Dacca to Columbo and Madras to hit his invaders - there were no zeros above the harbour as my dakotas managed to get in without being intercepted - one is lost on the potholed runways.
In Dacca he gets 2-1 odds and reduces the forts to level 2 - they are back up to level 3 by morning but the losses are incredible. I loose 2000 men and about 150 machines to his 700. The tiny consolation to this is all the units have done as ordered and followed the artillery unit across the bridges North West out of Dacca. They are all currently 45 miles out of the hex. This should mean I don't loose complete cohesion in the attack tomorrow. I am likely to loose Chandpur base that retreated to Dacca but wont repeat that move in the next attack - they have a couple of nice 9" gun pieces.
For some reason my tank unit North of Dacca (which had been moving south to get rid of some of the Paras they ousted from Dimapur a few days ago) is moving as if in mud. They are in danger of attacking far more than a few weary paras if the continue. Instead I move them back upon Asansol.
In Burma the trapped base units are slowly making there way towards the blocking force I have north of Rangoon. I need them to make it and then I can move out to the North. the Malay brigade is slowly making there way towards India. The Oz 27th Brigade begin there journey through the jungle as well.
3 new Chinese Divisions will be in Madalay within the week. I will likely move them down to sit across the river from the Divisions now North of Rangoon. I want him to have to take a disruption hit if he uses the highway.
In Chungking he attacks for the first time and instantly gets 2-1 odds. He also kills 4000 men to my 600 or so and takes down the forts from level 5 to 4. I just cannot compete. I am leaning in the direction of ADavidB's observations. You cannot resist the Japs if they decide to take a place. I understand the arguement about preparation level with your troops. But it is antithesis to change the location they are preparing for if the way they gain experience is to have a setting of 100 for a location. Chinese troops are crap and the 100 days it takes to prepare for a new location could enable them to gain 10 or so experience. It is very difficult to justify the switch when you have little garuantee that this will be the location the Japs will attack - 100 turns foresight is alot to ask.
My attacking on Sian is moving along but I must admit I don't hold outmuch hope. He still has 10 units there and knowing how poor my Chinese are even with 3500 assault points I am probably undergunned - again.
Hermes reaches her tanker and all the ships in the TF take on fuel - they can ramp up the speed again now and may make Broome in a couple of days. The 2nd Oz Div has part loaded now and should depart tomorrow. the 1st Oz Division is moving from Brisbane to Darwin to take teh 2nd's place. Another Div at Sydney moves up to Brisbane.
At Lunga my fast transport TF gets into Lunga harbour and drop off their engineering unit. the engineers make short work of the air damage done by my BBs in thie invasion (which hasn't been repaired). The port is still at 100% damage however.
Transports with base unit are 2 days out - an MSW with them is really holding up proceedings as it needs refueling every day.
Rapier is being expanded - I will feint towards Tarawa and then take Wotje, and Eniwetok before embarking on the real target - Kwajalein. He will have managed a very large level of preparation before I get there so this might be a protracted thing. I might have to take the island below Wotje (can't remember then name but it has a size 4 airfield) so I can prepare Kwajalein by bombing it. Unfortunately I think the range may not be on my side and a few BB bombardments may be required - this will of course get messy with Mrs and Miss Nell and Bettie about. To help this Johnson Island is getting a major upgrade - extra fuel and supplies plus its port upgraded. The 1st Seabees are on their way.
Andy - no plans to invade using subs - although you are correct - they are useless especially since we didn't managed to turn allied sub doctrine off. I may try and retake some of the islands just north of Oz.
have to agree with Mad - they are nuisance only - what they might accomplish later is to bring his units out into a locationa carrier force or surface combat unit coudl knock off. However he is far more likely to just let me take the place unless they are important; in which case he will have defended them and then more than sub landed trooops will be required!
In Bombay the 18th Division and the parts of the Oz 22nd land but not before their destroyer escort find and destroy a sub.
In Trim he takes down a fort level and gets 2-1 odds. My new understrength division of Indians, air lifted in to Columbo and making the trek across the mountains, looses 700 men + equipment to the Japs 200 and he gets 2-1 odds. Trim will not last more than another 2 days and I therefore have to start evacuating into the mountains. I am going to move all my bombers around Dacca to Columbo and Madras to hit his invaders - there were no zeros above the harbour as my dakotas managed to get in without being intercepted - one is lost on the potholed runways.
In Dacca he gets 2-1 odds and reduces the forts to level 2 - they are back up to level 3 by morning but the losses are incredible. I loose 2000 men and about 150 machines to his 700. The tiny consolation to this is all the units have done as ordered and followed the artillery unit across the bridges North West out of Dacca. They are all currently 45 miles out of the hex. This should mean I don't loose complete cohesion in the attack tomorrow. I am likely to loose Chandpur base that retreated to Dacca but wont repeat that move in the next attack - they have a couple of nice 9" gun pieces.
For some reason my tank unit North of Dacca (which had been moving south to get rid of some of the Paras they ousted from Dimapur a few days ago) is moving as if in mud. They are in danger of attacking far more than a few weary paras if the continue. Instead I move them back upon Asansol.
In Burma the trapped base units are slowly making there way towards the blocking force I have north of Rangoon. I need them to make it and then I can move out to the North. the Malay brigade is slowly making there way towards India. The Oz 27th Brigade begin there journey through the jungle as well.
3 new Chinese Divisions will be in Madalay within the week. I will likely move them down to sit across the river from the Divisions now North of Rangoon. I want him to have to take a disruption hit if he uses the highway.
In Chungking he attacks for the first time and instantly gets 2-1 odds. He also kills 4000 men to my 600 or so and takes down the forts from level 5 to 4. I just cannot compete. I am leaning in the direction of ADavidB's observations. You cannot resist the Japs if they decide to take a place. I understand the arguement about preparation level with your troops. But it is antithesis to change the location they are preparing for if the way they gain experience is to have a setting of 100 for a location. Chinese troops are crap and the 100 days it takes to prepare for a new location could enable them to gain 10 or so experience. It is very difficult to justify the switch when you have little garuantee that this will be the location the Japs will attack - 100 turns foresight is alot to ask.
My attacking on Sian is moving along but I must admit I don't hold outmuch hope. He still has 10 units there and knowing how poor my Chinese are even with 3500 assault points I am probably undergunned - again.
Hermes reaches her tanker and all the ships in the TF take on fuel - they can ramp up the speed again now and may make Broome in a couple of days. The 2nd Oz Div has part loaded now and should depart tomorrow. the 1st Oz Division is moving from Brisbane to Darwin to take teh 2nd's place. Another Div at Sydney moves up to Brisbane.
At Lunga my fast transport TF gets into Lunga harbour and drop off their engineering unit. the engineers make short work of the air damage done by my BBs in thie invasion (which hasn't been repaired). The port is still at 100% damage however.
Transports with base unit are 2 days out - an MSW with them is really holding up proceedings as it needs refueling every day.
Rapier is being expanded - I will feint towards Tarawa and then take Wotje, and Eniwetok before embarking on the real target - Kwajalein. He will have managed a very large level of preparation before I get there so this might be a protracted thing. I might have to take the island below Wotje (can't remember then name but it has a size 4 airfield) so I can prepare Kwajalein by bombing it. Unfortunately I think the range may not be on my side and a few BB bombardments may be required - this will of course get messy with Mrs and Miss Nell and Bettie about. To help this Johnson Island is getting a major upgrade - extra fuel and supplies plus its port upgraded. The 1st Seabees are on their way.
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RE: Dacca is relinquished
(whisper) ...when Japan committs to India... Hokkaido...
EDIT: I'm an Allied fanboy in this AAR. Not sure why... maybe I'll change sides if Japan starts losing? [:)]
EDIT: I'm an Allied fanboy in this AAR. Not sure why... maybe I'll change sides if Japan starts losing? [:)]
RE: Dacca is relinquished
Dont say that Sveint you hitting India is my worst nightmare in our game....
You are not allowed I say again not allowed to read either side of this thread as it may give you ideas......
Andy
You are not allowed I say again not allowed to read either side of this thread as it may give you ideas......
Andy
RE: Dacca is relinquished
Hell yes. The invasion of India caught me trousers down bending over to pick up my wallet at a boys only nudist colony - i took a wrong turn - honest!
I did think that he would take the land route through Burma and was rather happy with the way I had resisted his moves there - nope he goes around me. The landing in Chandpur and the damage done to a unit reinforcing into Chandpur - across a river and bridges that i still think I should control - meant I could reinforce on the beach. In hindsight that may have been beneficial as his BB bombarmdents are vicious. What do you do though - you swap Bombardments for aerial attack once he takes the airfield!
The biggest problem against defense of India and China is not the lack of troops in my opinion, it is the lack of adequate fighter support. All retreating fighters from the Phillipines should be sent to the Southeast Asia area. the loss of the AVG was dire in the extreme. These new Kittyhawks must get through.
Sveint - I always tend to lean towards cheering the underdog - I most certainly qualify!
I did think that he would take the land route through Burma and was rather happy with the way I had resisted his moves there - nope he goes around me. The landing in Chandpur and the damage done to a unit reinforcing into Chandpur - across a river and bridges that i still think I should control - meant I could reinforce on the beach. In hindsight that may have been beneficial as his BB bombarmdents are vicious. What do you do though - you swap Bombardments for aerial attack once he takes the airfield!
The biggest problem against defense of India and China is not the lack of troops in my opinion, it is the lack of adequate fighter support. All retreating fighters from the Phillipines should be sent to the Southeast Asia area. the loss of the AVG was dire in the extreme. These new Kittyhawks must get through.
Sveint - I always tend to lean towards cheering the underdog - I most certainly qualify!
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madflava13
- Posts: 1501
- Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2001 10:00 am
- Location: Alexandria, VA
RE: Dacca is relinquished
Wobb- Best of luck with this Indian front!
I love this AAR, but I fear it's changed how every Allied player approaches PBEM from now on. I know in my game I've become much more cautious as a result. There's just too much to risk!
I must say I think your Kwaj expedition is a tremendous risk this early, but I respect your guts! I'm interested to see how it pans out.
What's your PP status? And how have you been using it?
I love this AAR, but I fear it's changed how every Allied player approaches PBEM from now on. I know in my game I've become much more cautious as a result. There's just too much to risk!
I must say I think your Kwaj expedition is a tremendous risk this early, but I respect your guts! I'm interested to see how it pans out.
What's your PP status? And how have you been using it?
"The Paraguayan Air Force's request for spraying subsidies was not as Paraguayan as it were..."
RE: Dacca is relinquished
This AAR has me paranoid about losing India as the Allies in my PBEM, although as time wears on, it becomes less of an issue. PzB executed this invasion relatively early before Wobbly had much in the way of aircraft and ground forces available.
It becomes a little tougher into July of 1942.
It becomes a little tougher into July of 1942.
"Life is tough, it's even tougher when you're stupid" -SGT John M. Stryker, USMC
RE: Dacca is relinquished
Are you still sticking around with those UK buffalos? Saw that you cant upgrade them until may 42 but the Aussie ones are no problems. Must be the the usual odd british policy behind that decision, I dont know...
RE: Dacca is relinquished
as it may give you ideas......
Don't worry, I always come up with my own ideas...
RE: Dacca is relinquished
I, of course am watching this India gambit with great interest OH valiant opponent, in view of our game......[:D][:D][:D]
Herbiesan
Herbiesan
Big seas, Fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: Dacca is relinquished
Dacca falls, Trim is in a bad way and Kungchang suffers the greatest losses, without surrender, that I have so far seen in the game.
Mud: I have 1600 or so PP - I spent 2000 on getting the Oz 2nd attached to the Southeast Asian sphere recently. I am likely to have to return a BB to the UK soon and that will eat another 2000. Surprisingly it is terribly interesting to play - each turn makes my stomach turn. I watch it coming down my ancient dial up connection and start fretting.
Denison: I think you hit the nail on the head - he managed to wrap other locations up so quickly that he has been able to hit India before it really had an opportunity to get upright.
Strv: yeah - can't upgrade them but they are still useful. They have a good range and will provide a higher chance of a bombing attack taking place. No good in defense obviously.
herb: try it again at your own risk mate [:D] I am managing to control my retreat far better in our game. You are still causing me headaches but that is to be expected.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/24/42
Naval bombardment of Trimcomalee, at 15,25 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Natori
CL Nagara
CA Kumano
CA Mikuma
CA Haguro
CA Chokai
CA Takao
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
Allied Ships
TK Empire Onyx, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Poelau Bras, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 8
in the battle of Trimcommalee he continues to get his BBs to bombrad but the still have ashortage of shells and wont hit as hard as they usually do. It is still doing the job for him though. The facilities will require about 2 weeks of work to repair and I just don't have that sort of time.
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Day Air attack on Maizuru 2nd SNLF, at 67,97
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 170
TBD Devastator x 30
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
A massive coordinated strike against the Jap troops still sitting around Lunga. PzB dismisses this as nothing to do with Rapier - he is right but it is important in the scheme of landing the base force which is now on its way around the southern coast of the Island.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
PG Hakkai Maru, Shell hits 4
AG AG-352
AG AG-357
AG AG-122
The P-39s fly again but the P-40s slated to escort refuse to join them. This means the less than spectacular fighter aspect of teh P-39s is shown up rather badly. It may be time to try a sweep over PM first.
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Ground combat at Dacca
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 151442 troops, 1290 guns, 767 vehicles
Defending force 1156 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 3292 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Dacca base !!!
Allied ground losses:
524 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The massive forces at Dacca charge over the parapets and around the detritus of war, piled up in the streets of Dacca, and fall upon the Chandpur base force - only. It is one sided in the extreme but, yet again, this hardy unit retreats! Nothing can hide the fact that Dacca has fallen however.
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Ground combat at Kungchang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 248375 troops, 2538 guns, 592 vehicles
Defending force 69802 troops, 378 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3
Japanese ground losses:
1271 casualties reported
Guns lost 36
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
9103 casualties reported
Guns lost 86
Unbelievable losses - Essentially it means I have to try and run straight back to Chungking as I am about to loose the place and the troops - will this ever end? The whole of the Norht of China is lost. He will probably shock attack next turn and follow me at the same time so he will be in the city to the North to add insult to injury. I have to try and retreat to the West to get out of the noose. It will be a long trek in the wilderness for the units that get off the paths though.
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Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30940 troops, 203 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10053 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
634 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
1 to 1 odds in Trim and another fort level lost. My units are moving far too slowly without the benefit of rail. They are only 30 miles out of Trim - at this pace they must resist the attacks tomorrow or they will be forced to retreat. The one bright light is the fort level is at 2 with 100% to the next level - I think this means I will have level 3 forts??? As you may have noticed I set all my bombers up to hit the Jap troops at Trim this turn and none of them flew. My only hope is this does not continue tomorrow as I need them to put a dent in the Jap capacity... just give me a small break you heartless gods of war!
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The 2 Regiments of the 18th land in Bombay. I will head them towards Bangledesh via a southern route.
The loss of Dacca and his assault with follow orders means my hope of sitting across the river and making defending both Asansol and Calcutta may be pointless. The units that have just arrived in the hex between Dacca and Calcutta have no forts and I cannot compete against his forces without them. So this means I have to retreat to Calcutta and give up Asansol. he can then get in behind me and my compounded problems begin to get worse. Asansol only has a level 1 fort. The issue is: will he go after Calcutta first. If he does he is liekly to want to bring along the whole morass of units he currently has. There will be little requirement to defend Dacca as the units in Chandpur can simply move up. I cannot take Chandpur from the sea when he controls the air. At least his attacking units - if he attacks mine across the river - will be once again disrupted from the crossing. It doesn't appear to be enough though does it...
China is just a nightmare. I am not trying to hold locations anymore it is completely escape his encirclement - that is the only thing I am going to try and accomplish. The attack towards Sian is still on - it has better chances as he gets further up the slow trails of the north.
Hermes makes it to Broome, loads 2 Kittyhawk sqds and fuel, then departs back towards India. the 2nd Oz is still loading. A 6000 type AP is holding up the works - as it is I didn't have enough lift capacity to load the whole Division.
The Carriers in Lunga will hit the Jap units again and this time teh RCT is joining in with a shock attack - probably loose more troops than he does again.
An A-14 Sqd and another PBY sqd land in Noumea.
Mud: I have 1600 or so PP - I spent 2000 on getting the Oz 2nd attached to the Southeast Asian sphere recently. I am likely to have to return a BB to the UK soon and that will eat another 2000. Surprisingly it is terribly interesting to play - each turn makes my stomach turn. I watch it coming down my ancient dial up connection and start fretting.
Denison: I think you hit the nail on the head - he managed to wrap other locations up so quickly that he has been able to hit India before it really had an opportunity to get upright.
Strv: yeah - can't upgrade them but they are still useful. They have a good range and will provide a higher chance of a bombing attack taking place. No good in defense obviously.
herb: try it again at your own risk mate [:D] I am managing to control my retreat far better in our game. You are still causing me headaches but that is to be expected.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/24/42
Naval bombardment of Trimcomalee, at 15,25 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Natori
CL Nagara
CA Kumano
CA Mikuma
CA Haguro
CA Chokai
CA Takao
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
Allied Ships
TK Empire Onyx, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Poelau Bras, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Runway hits 17
Port hits 8
in the battle of Trimcommalee he continues to get his BBs to bombrad but the still have ashortage of shells and wont hit as hard as they usually do. It is still doing the job for him though. The facilities will require about 2 weeks of work to repair and I just don't have that sort of time.
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Day Air attack on Maizuru 2nd SNLF, at 67,97
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 170
TBD Devastator x 30
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
A massive coordinated strike against the Jap troops still sitting around Lunga. PzB dismisses this as nothing to do with Rapier - he is right but it is important in the scheme of landing the base force which is now on its way around the southern coast of the Island.
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Day Air attack on TF, near Lae at 54,87
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 19
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
PG Hakkai Maru, Shell hits 4
AG AG-352
AG AG-357
AG AG-122
The P-39s fly again but the P-40s slated to escort refuse to join them. This means the less than spectacular fighter aspect of teh P-39s is shown up rather badly. It may be time to try a sweep over PM first.
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Ground combat at Dacca
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 151442 troops, 1290 guns, 767 vehicles
Defending force 1156 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 3292 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Dacca base !!!
Allied ground losses:
524 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
The massive forces at Dacca charge over the parapets and around the detritus of war, piled up in the streets of Dacca, and fall upon the Chandpur base force - only. It is one sided in the extreme but, yet again, this hardy unit retreats! Nothing can hide the fact that Dacca has fallen however.
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Ground combat at Kungchang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 248375 troops, 2538 guns, 592 vehicles
Defending force 69802 troops, 378 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3
Japanese ground losses:
1271 casualties reported
Guns lost 36
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
9103 casualties reported
Guns lost 86
Unbelievable losses - Essentially it means I have to try and run straight back to Chungking as I am about to loose the place and the troops - will this ever end? The whole of the Norht of China is lost. He will probably shock attack next turn and follow me at the same time so he will be in the city to the North to add insult to injury. I have to try and retreat to the West to get out of the noose. It will be a long trek in the wilderness for the units that get off the paths though.
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Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30940 troops, 203 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 10053 troops, 90 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2
Japanese ground losses:
268 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
634 casualties reported
Guns lost 18
1 to 1 odds in Trim and another fort level lost. My units are moving far too slowly without the benefit of rail. They are only 30 miles out of Trim - at this pace they must resist the attacks tomorrow or they will be forced to retreat. The one bright light is the fort level is at 2 with 100% to the next level - I think this means I will have level 3 forts??? As you may have noticed I set all my bombers up to hit the Jap troops at Trim this turn and none of them flew. My only hope is this does not continue tomorrow as I need them to put a dent in the Jap capacity... just give me a small break you heartless gods of war!
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The 2 Regiments of the 18th land in Bombay. I will head them towards Bangledesh via a southern route.
The loss of Dacca and his assault with follow orders means my hope of sitting across the river and making defending both Asansol and Calcutta may be pointless. The units that have just arrived in the hex between Dacca and Calcutta have no forts and I cannot compete against his forces without them. So this means I have to retreat to Calcutta and give up Asansol. he can then get in behind me and my compounded problems begin to get worse. Asansol only has a level 1 fort. The issue is: will he go after Calcutta first. If he does he is liekly to want to bring along the whole morass of units he currently has. There will be little requirement to defend Dacca as the units in Chandpur can simply move up. I cannot take Chandpur from the sea when he controls the air. At least his attacking units - if he attacks mine across the river - will be once again disrupted from the crossing. It doesn't appear to be enough though does it...
China is just a nightmare. I am not trying to hold locations anymore it is completely escape his encirclement - that is the only thing I am going to try and accomplish. The attack towards Sian is still on - it has better chances as he gets further up the slow trails of the north.
Hermes makes it to Broome, loads 2 Kittyhawk sqds and fuel, then departs back towards India. the 2nd Oz is still loading. A 6000 type AP is holding up the works - as it is I didn't have enough lift capacity to load the whole Division.
The Carriers in Lunga will hit the Jap units again and this time teh RCT is joining in with a shock attack - probably loose more troops than he does again.
An A-14 Sqd and another PBY sqd land in Noumea.
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Kungchang falls - Trim close behind
Useless bombers refuse to hit Trimcommalee. Chinese smashed out of Kungchang. UK forces retreat in good order to Calcutta in time to watch massive aerial dogfights above their heads.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/25/42
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Day Air attack on Chandpur , at 30,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
Hurricane II x 17
Blenheim I x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Some high level bombing of his airfield at Chandpur achieves absolutely nothing.
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Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 48
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
Blenheim IF: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 42
A very punishing aerial attack on the facilities at Calcutta. Quite a few ACs are destroyed. The Hurricanes manage to get amongst the attacking bombers and knock a few down. They pay for their impudence later in the day.
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Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 32
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Runway hits 1
Unescorted Nells get met by the same Hurricanes and they can't believe their luck - has the Jap dropped his bundle?
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Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 52
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
Koepang is the base on the western coast of Timor. I thought there might be zeros based here so was a little worried. In fact there are recon aircraft. I expect they are being used for search and I am trying to go around them with the Oz 2nd and Hermes TFs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tenimbar , at 36,81
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Buffalo I x 13
Hudson I x 15
Beaufort V-IX x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Port supply hits 2
Hullo - PzB has had enough of me bombing Tenimbar as well as places further north. He places some zeros on LRCAP. One of my Brewsters manages to shoot a zero down! Obviously their experience is starting to benefit from the training,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 22
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Conversely my sweep of Lae causes a loss rather than losses on the enemy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th NLF , at 67,97
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 150
TBD Devastator x 30
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Another carrier attack on Lunga to supress the Japs is far more successful than yesterday. I follow this up with a shock attack by the troops stationed there....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 17th Indian/A Division, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 24
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 21 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
And then the zeros arrive above Calcutta. The morning heros become the afternoon corpses. Hurricanes try to mix it and suffer. I loose 15 Hurricanes today 11 of which are in the air. Strangely they appear to be from one sqd flying at a lower altitude. I had two other sqds at Calcutta and they are not so badly bruised. the two experienced Hurricane sqds in China are making their way back to India - they are in Mandalay at the moment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 17th Indian/A Division, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 20
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Not a single hurricane is available to rise and met the later threats...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kungchang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 247080 troops, 2504 guns, 591 vehicles
Defending force 59873 troops, 147 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kungchang base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
710 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
3305 casualties reported
Guns lost 94
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
The Chinese cannot handle the heat and retreat. As previously posted I am going to head off into the forest and try to get away from the encircling hoards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30851 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 9344 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
494 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Damn damn damn. My bloody bombers refuse to fly again. It is killing any chance I have of retreating intact! He will take Trim tomorrow - but worse than that he will force me to retreat and in so doing will stop any ability I have of holding Columbo. The retreating units will get the normal catastrophic disruption.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 4681 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1614 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Oh for gods sake - why are allied troops so pitiful!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PzB notices the arrival of my Indian troops to Ceylon and starts reconning Madras. I still have half and infantry Division there (albeit the damaged half) and the 2 Regiments of the 18th start moving out of Bombay. How many more Divisions can these Vermin have? Madras is not strongly held but may be able to put up a fight while they wait on the arrival of the 18th regiments. My attempt to reinforce Calcutta is getting frittered away on its way there. Dakotas stationed at Madras are being moved back to Burma to start moving units into India. Another Regiment and UK Division are now 19 days out of Karachi.
The B-17s currently stationed in Madras are going to Columbo on one last ditch effort to hit Trim. My troops are 30 miles out - I desparately need another day!!! He is so likely to shock attack and follow. If he does that and my bombers don't disrupt him then I am doomed.
In Calcutta I am going to rely on AAA this turn and give my fighters a break. I think he will sweep and I want to be able to call on substantial fighter reserves to counter his attacks. I have 6 Hurricane sqds, 1 Mohawk, 1 Wirriway, 1 Buffalo and one Lysander sqd to play with - hardly makes happy reading!
Hermes is on her way North. I have started to get the KB willies again as I haven't seen from them in a while. Scouting planes found a CVL this turn but that may be all there is. If he has moved the KB south it could meet my reinforcements coming north. I detach a DD from the Hermes group to run tripwire 7 hexes in front of the air combat group.
The cactus airforce comes into being with the landing of a base unit at Lunga. Almost all damage is repaired here now and the sqd of Wildcats takes over defense of the landing. the Carriers moves away to the East and pearl.
More pieces are coming together in Pearl for Rapier. It is possible that the KB has left the Bay of Bengal on its way to the Pacific now that he feels he has taken all coastal locations. Of course, without positive ID I have to make these assumptions.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/25/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chandpur , at 30,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
Hurricane II x 17
Blenheim I x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Wirraway: 2 destroyed
Hurricane II: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Some high level bombing of his airfield at Chandpur achieves absolutely nothing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 48
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
Blenheim IF: 8 destroyed, 6 damaged
Blenheim I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 42
A very punishing aerial attack on the facilities at Calcutta. Quite a few ACs are destroyed. The Hurricanes manage to get amongst the attacking bombers and knock a few down. They pay for their impudence later in the day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 32
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 14 destroyed, 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed
Runway hits 1
Unescorted Nells get met by the same Hurricanes and they can't believe their luck - has the Jap dropped his bundle?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77
Japanese aircraft
no flights
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 52
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed
Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27
Koepang is the base on the western coast of Timor. I thought there might be zeros based here so was a little worried. In fact there are recon aircraft. I expect they are being used for search and I am trying to go around them with the Oz 2nd and Hermes TFs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Tenimbar , at 36,81
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
Buffalo I x 13
Hudson I x 15
Beaufort V-IX x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 15
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 2 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Port supply hits 2
Hullo - PzB has had enough of me bombing Tenimbar as well as places further north. He places some zeros on LRCAP. One of my Brewsters manages to shoot a zero down! Obviously their experience is starting to benefit from the training,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 1
P-40E Warhawk x 22
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Conversely my sweep of Lae causes a loss rather than losses on the enemy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th NLF , at 67,97
Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 150
TBD Devastator x 30
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
373 casualties reported
Another carrier attack on Lunga to supress the Japs is far more successful than yesterday. I follow this up with a shock attack by the troops stationed there....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 17th Indian/A Division, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 6
Ki-21 Sally x 24
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 21 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
And then the zeros arrive above Calcutta. The morning heros become the afternoon corpses. Hurricanes try to mix it and suffer. I loose 15 Hurricanes today 11 of which are in the air. Strangely they appear to be from one sqd flying at a lower altitude. I had two other sqds at Calcutta and they are not so badly bruised. the two experienced Hurricane sqds in China are making their way back to India - they are in Mandalay at the moment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 17th Indian/A Division, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
G4M1 Betty x 20
No Japanese losses
Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Not a single hurricane is available to rise and met the later threats...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kungchang
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 247080 troops, 2504 guns, 591 vehicles
Defending force 59873 troops, 147 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kungchang base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
710 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
3305 casualties reported
Guns lost 94
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
The Chinese cannot handle the heat and retreat. As previously posted I am going to head off into the forest and try to get away from the encircling hoards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 30851 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 9344 troops, 70 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Japanese ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
494 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Damn damn damn. My bloody bombers refuse to fly again. It is killing any chance I have of retreating intact! He will take Trim tomorrow - but worse than that he will force me to retreat and in so doing will stop any ability I have of holding Columbo. The retreating units will get the normal catastrophic disruption.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 4681 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1614 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Oh for gods sake - why are allied troops so pitiful!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PzB notices the arrival of my Indian troops to Ceylon and starts reconning Madras. I still have half and infantry Division there (albeit the damaged half) and the 2 Regiments of the 18th start moving out of Bombay. How many more Divisions can these Vermin have? Madras is not strongly held but may be able to put up a fight while they wait on the arrival of the 18th regiments. My attempt to reinforce Calcutta is getting frittered away on its way there. Dakotas stationed at Madras are being moved back to Burma to start moving units into India. Another Regiment and UK Division are now 19 days out of Karachi.
The B-17s currently stationed in Madras are going to Columbo on one last ditch effort to hit Trim. My troops are 30 miles out - I desparately need another day!!! He is so likely to shock attack and follow. If he does that and my bombers don't disrupt him then I am doomed.
In Calcutta I am going to rely on AAA this turn and give my fighters a break. I think he will sweep and I want to be able to call on substantial fighter reserves to counter his attacks. I have 6 Hurricane sqds, 1 Mohawk, 1 Wirriway, 1 Buffalo and one Lysander sqd to play with - hardly makes happy reading!
Hermes is on her way North. I have started to get the KB willies again as I haven't seen from them in a while. Scouting planes found a CVL this turn but that may be all there is. If he has moved the KB south it could meet my reinforcements coming north. I detach a DD from the Hermes group to run tripwire 7 hexes in front of the air combat group.
The cactus airforce comes into being with the landing of a base unit at Lunga. Almost all damage is repaired here now and the sqd of Wildcats takes over defense of the landing. the Carriers moves away to the East and pearl.
More pieces are coming together in Pearl for Rapier. It is possible that the KB has left the Bay of Bengal on its way to the Pacific now that he feels he has taken all coastal locations. Of course, without positive ID I have to make these assumptions.
[center]
[/center]
[/center]
RE: Georgetown or bust
It looks grim now. I wonder if the Philiphines would have lasted one or two weeks longer, would that have been enough to defend India proper?
I´m worried about India in my own PBEM and I think that the Philiphines must last long. But one of my B17s from Mindanau planted a bomb on Riujos flightdeck and hope its gone for a few months now. There was no PM strike from that carrier and the TF was split up so it must have been hurt.
Pat
I´m worried about India in my own PBEM and I think that the Philiphines must last long. But one of my B17s from Mindanau planted a bomb on Riujos flightdeck and hope its gone for a few months now. There was no PM strike from that carrier and the TF was split up so it must have been hurt.
Pat
madras on teh hit list
Trimcommalee falls - Madras is next (where will it end). Calcutta is pounded from the air and at last I find the KB again - phew.
Strv: It truly is a hard time to be allied. I have two full Divisions and 5 or so Indian divisions (equivalent of a brigade) + 2 1/2 tank brigades against his 8 Divisions plus masses of artillery tanks and engineers - let alone his god forsaken airforces.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/26/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
Here is the pittance of a minefield at Madras - harkening back to a day when I thought Madras was 'well behind the lines'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 18,21
362 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
DD Hatsukari, Shell hits 9, on fire
AP Ryoyo Maru
DD Manazuru
AP Oyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Mizuho Maru
Japanese ground losses:
679 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
The landings in Madras start - for once he does not prepare his way with BB bombardment. I imagine they are half way to Rangoon by now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 18,21
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
DD Hatsukari, on fire
PC Ishigaki
Coastal Guns at Madras, 18,21, firing at TF 131
373 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Seattle Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Manazuru, Shell hits 3
AP Santos Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma
AP Sanko Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP Ryujo Maru
MSW W.9
AP Ozan Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Oigawa Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
898 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
The field guns and CD unit start to take serious toll on his landings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 53
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 7 destroyed, 12 damaged
Blenheim I: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 11 destroyed, 12 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 28
A whole swag more planes taken out on the ground: this is a very fine tuned thing you have to accomplish. You should be setting your sqds to 'no replacements' until they move to a rear area location. Some of the sqds that lost planes are set to replenish their losses but they all arrive as damaged ACs. In a location such as Calcutta these grounded planes are just more points for your adversary.
The damage to the runways is repaired by morning and some of the damaged planes not destroyed are also ready to fly - the engineering compliment of Calcutta showing their mettle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Indian Division, at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
D3A Val x 97
B5N Kate x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 27 damaged
Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Here is the KB. I also get a search plane report of the Shokaku off the coast of Madras so they are not moving back to the Pacific.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd UK/C Division, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 23
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged
Allied ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Large casualty figures from the lack of fighters defending my men.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Madras at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 10
Wirraway x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 13 destroyed
Wirraway: 11 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Torpedo hits 1
CA Chikuma
The swordfish I had at Madras sortie after the invasion shipping. As I now know there are plenty of zeros about thanks to the KB being in attendance. Stringbags come apart all over the place - unfortunately the pilots are of very high calibre and continue their attacks - a critical hit is claimed agains the CA Hagaru.
The swordfish are a one shot option. They retire to bombay (well what's left does) to replenish numbers. Hagaru will not sink so essentially I threw all of these planes away for nothing. There in lies the quandary for the allies. You have aircraft that you cannot use as they are just zero fodder, so you sit and watch the invasions come in and you are completely unable to do anything about it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 31023 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1840 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese assault odds: 554 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Trimcomalee base !!!
Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
A small ray of sunshine - somehow my troops decide to move the extra 30 miles in one day. They are out of Trim when the coup de grace falls and they therefore still have a fighting capacity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 6491 troops, 44 guns, 3 vehicles
Defending force 1595 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 10 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
At last I start to met out more damage than I take. The addition of the troops with the cactus air base unit has made a large difference to the combat odds. The 16 dauntlesses now located here can start to bomb the stranded troops as well. Hopefully my losses can outstrip his from now on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
India continues to provide pain upon pain. The large supply and fuel cache in Trim will mean his BBs can hammer any coastal hex with impunity. Planes are already located here - more zeros most like.
The bomber units at Columbo are set to low level naval attack at range 3 (hopefully discounts attacks on the KB) - hopefully they can take out some of the shipping in Trim harbour and force him to populate the airfield with more fighters than he really wants to.
Madras is deep in the crap like everywhere else. I keep having to rob peter to pay paul (Madras was denuded to try and resist in Trim). In this case I cannot supply enough able bodied troops to defend the city. I also cannot send troops from another location - nowhere is within range of my Dakotas. Either way he lands yet another Division - the 55th. I just cannot defend locations with Brigades against Divisions - further to this I'd actually like to be defending with Brigades, at times (like this one) I can't even manage this.
Around Calcutta I can see he is about to take the German doctrine of bypassing areas of strength. He has reconned the forces in Arse-ansol and is likely to take that place out and try and come around through the back door rather than cross yet another river. I have populated Calcutta with 5 hurricane sqds, 1 Warhawk sdq and 1 Mohawk sqd. The hurricanes and mohawks are flying high and the warhawks low. I doubt I will do anything except down my own aircraft but a few of his attacks have come in without escort and if they do that before the escorted raids I may just manage to hurt him. To exentuate this I have set the B-17s and a sqd of Blenheims to night bomb Chandpur. There is a massive stack of ACs there.
Hermes and Co are making very good time and now I know where the KB are it is not so worrying as to a mid-ocean intercept. They tank tomorrow.
The Carriere below Lunga depart and head south before turning East adn heading towards Pearl.
In Pearl the III Corp HQ, 25th and 26th USA Division, and eng regiment and a Tank regiment start loading...
Strv: It truly is a hard time to be allied. I have two full Divisions and 5 or so Indian divisions (equivalent of a brigade) + 2 1/2 tank brigades against his 8 Divisions plus masses of artillery tanks and engineers - let alone his god forsaken airforces.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/26/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
Here is the pittance of a minefield at Madras - harkening back to a day when I thought Madras was 'well behind the lines'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 18,21
362 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
DD Hatsukari, Shell hits 9, on fire
AP Ryoyo Maru
DD Manazuru
AP Oyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
AP Mizuho Maru
Japanese ground losses:
679 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
The landings in Madras start - for once he does not prepare his way with BB bombardment. I imagine they are half way to Rangoon by now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 18,21
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
DD Hatsukari, on fire
PC Ishigaki
Coastal Guns at Madras, 18,21, firing at TF 131
373 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Seattle Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Manazuru, Shell hits 3
AP Santos Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chikuma
AP Sanko Maru, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP Ryujo Maru
MSW W.9
AP Ozan Maru, Shell hits 1
AP Oigawa Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
898 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Allied ground losses:
79 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1
The field guns and CD unit start to take serious toll on his landings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-21 Sally x 53
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 7 destroyed, 12 damaged
Blenheim I: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 11 destroyed, 12 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Vehicles lost 1
Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 28
A whole swag more planes taken out on the ground: this is a very fine tuned thing you have to accomplish. You should be setting your sqds to 'no replacements' until they move to a rear area location. Some of the sqds that lost planes are set to replenish their losses but they all arrive as damaged ACs. In a location such as Calcutta these grounded planes are just more points for your adversary.
The damage to the runways is repaired by morning and some of the damaged planes not destroyed are also ready to fly - the engineering compliment of Calcutta showing their mettle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Indian Division, at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
D3A Val x 97
B5N Kate x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 27 damaged
Allied ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Guns lost 7
Here is the KB. I also get a search plane report of the Shokaku off the coast of Madras so they are not moving back to the Pacific.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 2nd UK/C Division, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
G3M Nell x 16
G4M1 Betty x 17
Ki-21 Sally x 23
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged
Allied ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Large casualty figures from the lack of fighters defending my men.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Madras at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 10
Wirraway x 5
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 13 destroyed
Wirraway: 11 destroyed
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Torpedo hits 1
CA Chikuma
The swordfish I had at Madras sortie after the invasion shipping. As I now know there are plenty of zeros about thanks to the KB being in attendance. Stringbags come apart all over the place - unfortunately the pilots are of very high calibre and continue their attacks - a critical hit is claimed agains the CA Hagaru.
The swordfish are a one shot option. They retire to bombay (well what's left does) to replenish numbers. Hagaru will not sink so essentially I threw all of these planes away for nothing. There in lies the quandary for the allies. You have aircraft that you cannot use as they are just zero fodder, so you sit and watch the invasions come in and you are completely unable to do anything about it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Trimcomalee
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 31023 troops, 194 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1840 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese assault odds: 554 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Trimcomalee base !!!
Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
A small ray of sunshine - somehow my troops decide to move the extra 30 miles in one day. They are out of Trim when the coup de grace falls and they therefore still have a fighting capacity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lunga
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 6491 troops, 44 guns, 3 vehicles
Defending force 1595 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 10 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
131 casualties reported
Allied ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
At last I start to met out more damage than I take. The addition of the troops with the cactus air base unit has made a large difference to the combat odds. The 16 dauntlesses now located here can start to bomb the stranded troops as well. Hopefully my losses can outstrip his from now on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
India continues to provide pain upon pain. The large supply and fuel cache in Trim will mean his BBs can hammer any coastal hex with impunity. Planes are already located here - more zeros most like.
The bomber units at Columbo are set to low level naval attack at range 3 (hopefully discounts attacks on the KB) - hopefully they can take out some of the shipping in Trim harbour and force him to populate the airfield with more fighters than he really wants to.
Madras is deep in the crap like everywhere else. I keep having to rob peter to pay paul (Madras was denuded to try and resist in Trim). In this case I cannot supply enough able bodied troops to defend the city. I also cannot send troops from another location - nowhere is within range of my Dakotas. Either way he lands yet another Division - the 55th. I just cannot defend locations with Brigades against Divisions - further to this I'd actually like to be defending with Brigades, at times (like this one) I can't even manage this.
Around Calcutta I can see he is about to take the German doctrine of bypassing areas of strength. He has reconned the forces in Arse-ansol and is likely to take that place out and try and come around through the back door rather than cross yet another river. I have populated Calcutta with 5 hurricane sqds, 1 Warhawk sdq and 1 Mohawk sqd. The hurricanes and mohawks are flying high and the warhawks low. I doubt I will do anything except down my own aircraft but a few of his attacks have come in without escort and if they do that before the escorted raids I may just manage to hurt him. To exentuate this I have set the B-17s and a sqd of Blenheims to night bomb Chandpur. There is a massive stack of ACs there.
Hermes and Co are making very good time and now I know where the KB are it is not so worrying as to a mid-ocean intercept. They tank tomorrow.
The Carriere below Lunga depart and head south before turning East adn heading towards Pearl.
In Pearl the III Corp HQ, 25th and 26th USA Division, and eng regiment and a Tank regiment start loading...
[center]
[/center]
[/center]
RE: madras on teh hit list
Try not to despair if you do you will set me off.....
(In another game my opponents have kicked 7 bells out of me and are about to do what PZB is doing to Wobbly in this one and Invade India in March I am not nearly as prepared in that game as I should be and I now can see exactly the despair that Wobbly feels as I dont see how I can stop them)....
My only advantage over you Wobbly is that seeing how this battle was going (and having overcommitted to Burma) I evacced the entire Burma Army through the trails back to India.
The end result is that most of my Burma Army (heavily fatigued is about 20 miles from the rail head in North Burma) and I am getting one or two units a day back into the road/rail net in India.
Having read this thread I'm not sure whether to defend Chandpur or not !!!
I think the end result of this AAR is going to be all Allied players becoming paranoid about India and forcing Allied players to be less aggressive about deploying to defend Burma so you are really performing a public service Wobb
Forcing us all to be realistic in our use of force[&o][&o][&o]
Andy
(In another game my opponents have kicked 7 bells out of me and are about to do what PZB is doing to Wobbly in this one and Invade India in March I am not nearly as prepared in that game as I should be and I now can see exactly the despair that Wobbly feels as I dont see how I can stop them)....
My only advantage over you Wobbly is that seeing how this battle was going (and having overcommitted to Burma) I evacced the entire Burma Army through the trails back to India.
The end result is that most of my Burma Army (heavily fatigued is about 20 miles from the rail head in North Burma) and I am getting one or two units a day back into the road/rail net in India.
Having read this thread I'm not sure whether to defend Chandpur or not !!!
I think the end result of this AAR is going to be all Allied players becoming paranoid about India and forcing Allied players to be less aggressive about deploying to defend Burma so you are really performing a public service Wobb
Forcing us all to be realistic in our use of force[&o][&o][&o]
Andy
RE: madras on teh hit list
Hi wobbly,
Very interesting AAR but I can´t understand a couple of things:
Where´s your Burma army? Troops from Rangoon? Do you get some reinforces in Karachi? When?
The most powerful resource you have now: B-17. Is the only thing that can beat zeros CAP. Why are they not flying missions in the India front?
I´ve been thinking about this and there´s little hope in India, unless you transfer your
1) CVs to beat him in India, to force a carrier battle and stop future japanese reinforces transported by sea.
2) Transfer B-17 to the area. They´re the only ones that can really disrupt their land forces
3) Get some land troops from anyware to stop him
Even so, maybe its too late now. To loose India doesn´t mean that you lost the war unless there is some rules regarding to points in a certain time (don´t remember this but check it out)
Don´t think your counter offensive would distract the enemy to his main objective, India but:
1) It´s a way of taking the offensive, get some morale!. Morale for you is also important!
2) Get points in order to avoid a sudden victory
3) Future bases for future operations
The only way he would stop his offensive in India would be something astonishing, landing in Truk or Palau. If you do that the entire Central and South pacific would be isolated Kwajalein, Rabaul and so on but in doing so you could loose your entire fleet...and the war!.
Anyway, good luck Wobbly!
Very interesting AAR but I can´t understand a couple of things:
Where´s your Burma army? Troops from Rangoon? Do you get some reinforces in Karachi? When?
The most powerful resource you have now: B-17. Is the only thing that can beat zeros CAP. Why are they not flying missions in the India front?
I´ve been thinking about this and there´s little hope in India, unless you transfer your
1) CVs to beat him in India, to force a carrier battle and stop future japanese reinforces transported by sea.
2) Transfer B-17 to the area. They´re the only ones that can really disrupt their land forces
3) Get some land troops from anyware to stop him
Even so, maybe its too late now. To loose India doesn´t mean that you lost the war unless there is some rules regarding to points in a certain time (don´t remember this but check it out)
Don´t think your counter offensive would distract the enemy to his main objective, India but:
1) It´s a way of taking the offensive, get some morale!. Morale for you is also important!
2) Get points in order to avoid a sudden victory
3) Future bases for future operations
The only way he would stop his offensive in India would be something astonishing, landing in Truk or Palau. If you do that the entire Central and South pacific would be isolated Kwajalein, Rabaul and so on but in doing so you could loose your entire fleet...and the war!.
Anyway, good luck Wobbly!
RE: madras on teh hit list
If this was happening to me, I believe I'd be giving serious consideration to pulling back to Karachi. He is as strong now as he will ever be in the IO, while you, though presently at a nadir, will only get stronger. I know you have lots of boys in Burma who wouldn't be able to make it there before he shuts down the LOC, but if in Burma you are neither conducting offensive operations nor trying to support lots of a/c, surely you could gradually withdraw towards China and eke out the supply there for a few months or a year? I know it sounds grim, but how much grimmer if you lose Bombay and Karachi? No more supplies nor reinforcements.
Fear the kitten!
RE: Chandpur falls
While you wait for him to move out of Chandpur, he may load everything on ship and head for another place on the coast....
RE: Chandpur falls
The RAF come out in force - and die like flies. However their sacrifice is not entirely in vain - many Japanese bombers are taken out as well.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/27/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 18,21
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
PC Ishigaki
PC Shimushu
Coastal Guns at Madras, 18,21, firing at TF 131
253 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Seattle Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Manazuru, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW W.9, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP Ryujo Maru
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
AP Mizuho Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PC Ishigaki, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
437 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
The continued landings in Madras are incurring damage to his shipping - he has shipping to burn though so he wont be too worried about that. As he so impudently points out - he now has a very good port to put the wounded ships into.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 40
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 11
Hurricane II x 54
P-40E Warhawk x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 55 destroyed, 16 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Runway hits 2
He must have looked at this attack and swallowed. Well I hope he did. His 4 zeros still manage to knock down 5 hurricanes. however, the point is the sallies got pounded. Over 20 are destroyed, and just as importantly most of teh bomb groups are turned around. He should have to rest them before they are effective again (plus replace the numbers).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Bengal Construction Regiment, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G3M Nell x 8
G4M1 Betty x 16
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 11
Hurricane II x 50
P-40E Warhawk x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 29 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 14 destroyed
Hurricane II: 40 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4
The next attack has plenty of zeros in attendance and they make their presence felt. In total 35 Hurricanes are lost today - most during this battle. The plus to this is I manage to knock down 15 zeros as well so he will be scrapping together very poor replacement pilots. He may actually disband a few groups in order to keep up the quality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Armoured/A Tank Brigade, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 4
Hurricane II x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 15 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed
Despite my whipping in the earlier battle enough planes are aloft to great these unescorted Nells. They press their attack and are splashed for their courage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Indian Division, at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A Val x 94
B5N Kate x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 9 destroyed, 38 damaged
Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
The KB is continuing it's evil ways off Madras. I imagine I will get a hit from the ground troops in the next turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Indian Division, at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
The first attack on Madras from his new base in Trimcomalee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Blenheim I x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
At last the RAF based at Columbo actually take to the air. A very effective attack by 3 Blenheims.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Blenheim I x 12
Blenheim IV x 23
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Ceylon Maru
AP Bokuyo Maru
AP Buyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kozui Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Biyo Maru
AP Ayaha Maru, Bomb hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Then the real attack comes in and finds ships loaded with troops. Are they coming or going? Interestingly he only has one zero daitai here - maybe he will need to denude osme other location to look after the base here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,88
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 23
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AG AG-373, Shell hits 4, on fire
AG AG-363, Shell hits 16
AG AG-353, Shell hits 8, on fire
PG Shinko Maru #1, Shell hits 8
AG AG-116
P-39Ds may be awful fighters but they are much beter boat busters. The 37mm shells getting extra damage reports.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 20,5
Japanese Ships
SS I-174
Allied Ships
DD Express, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie
MSW Bendigo
MSW Cromer
DD Nizam
DD Napier
Express is hit by a torp and in this case the ASW ships can't find its assailant. She should make the two hexes back to Karachi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The air defense effort is labeled a success - but it is fearsomely costly. The Japs loose 57 ACs and I loose 52 - 35 of which are the hurricanes. As someone pointed out before (sorry haven't looked to identify you) there is a problem with the number of pilots I have left in the British pool. Not all of my pilots will have been killed today but a hefty number will have and I only have 87 trained pilots left in the pool. I don't want to have notihng left when it comes time to introduce the Spitfires.
All sqds are moved out of Calcutta and set to accept replacements. It will take some time before I am able to conduct another defense like that. The Naval bombers in Columbo are also sent further into India. I imagine I will get a visit from BBs or level bombers - I will almost certainly meet more zeros above trim as well.
My extra engineers have made it to Calcutta and to Asansol. There presence instantly moves the fortification effort along.
Above Rangoon the base units I have been waiting on are about to make it to the rest of the troops. I can then start to retreat back to India.
The Chinese units in north are making their way off the trail into the Jungle for their long trek to Chungking. It will take the better part of a year to get there.
Little else is happening in the war effort.
Thanks for all of the input guys. I will try and answer som eof the questions and also get back on some of the plans.
I have one group of B-17s and they are at Diamond Harbour. I have tried to night attack his airfields for the last two turns and the weather has been in the way. I don't entirely agree with you about the B-17's invulnerability. Without escort they WILL get taken out by zeros - it does not appear to be the same as UV in that respect. Even if they don't they are temperamental about suffering damage and will abort their missions due to morale issues. As to why are there no more there - it is not easy to get them there. I made a decision at teh beginning of the game to move the B-17s to Oz. Now I have to ship them to India - another convoy of AKs is on its way to Darwin to attempt to do just that. He has taken Trim though so getting them through will be fun.
Irrelevant: letting him have all of India will lengthen his supply lines but also provide him with massive supply producing capacity, I think the gain will easily look after his troops. I am trying to use rivers and fortified towns to slow him up. He has taken out size 9 fortified towns already - what would stop him doing the same in Karachi? the final part of the answer also addresses Blackvoids concerns - I can see where most of his forces are - they are right outside Calcutta. If he starts to do as you say then I will have to look to retreat to guard Karachi - I think I would start really commiting what I had left of the royal navy at that point - do or die.
The Burma army waited on base units that retreated badly. THat is about to end - I have waited too long and admit that was a mistake. What this has done though has allowed the Chinese to come and take the torch - I have about 8 Divisions of Chinese troops there now - no good for attakcing but maybe for defending - or even threatening his holdings in bangladesh - this is an important point he has to keep these places garrisoned - each succesful capture whittles down the bulk of the army.
As to attacking elsewhere and moving the Carriers to the Indian ocean. Yes these are thoughts that do come ot me - what really is the point of taking Kwajalein - it isn't in his way really. Maybe an attack on the Kuriles? The KB is still a mighty force to be reckoned with, if I lost the carriers I really would be so deep in it that I could not get out. The points alone would be likely to give him auto-victory.
Andy - thanks for the encouragement - I am SOOOO pleased I could provide this important public service [:D]
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/27/42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 131 encounters mine field at Madras (18,21)
TF 131 troops unloading over beach at Madras, 18,21
Japanese Ships
MSW W.9
MSW W.6
MSW W.5
DD Hatsukari
DD Manazuru
PC Ishigaki
PC Shimushu
Coastal Guns at Madras, 18,21, firing at TF 131
253 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Seattle Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Manazuru, Shell hits 1, on fire
MSW W.9, Shell hits 7, on fire
AP Ryujo Maru
CA Chikuma, Shell hits 1
AP Mizuho Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
PC Ishigaki, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
Japanese ground losses:
437 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
The continued landings in Madras are incurring damage to his shipping - he has shipping to burn though so he wont be too worried about that. As he so impudently points out - he now has a very good port to put the wounded ships into.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Calcutta , at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-21 Sally x 40
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4
Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 11
Hurricane II x 54
P-40E Warhawk x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 55 destroyed, 16 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Runway hits 2
He must have looked at this attack and swallowed. Well I hope he did. His 4 zeros still manage to knock down 5 hurricanes. however, the point is the sallies got pounded. Over 20 are destroyed, and just as importantly most of teh bomb groups are turned around. He should have to rest them before they are effective again (plus replace the numbers).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Bengal Construction Regiment, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
G3M Nell x 8
G4M1 Betty x 16
Ki-21 Sally x 15
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 11
Hurricane II x 50
P-40E Warhawk x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 29 destroyed
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Mohawk IV: 14 destroyed
Hurricane II: 40 destroyed, 7 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4
The next attack has plenty of zeros in attendance and they make their presence felt. In total 35 Hurricanes are lost today - most during this battle. The plus to this is I manage to knock down 15 zeros as well so he will be scrapping together very poor replacement pilots. He may actually disband a few groups in order to keep up the quality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Armoured/A Tank Brigade, at 29,23
Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 9
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1
Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 4
Hurricane II x 17
P-40E Warhawk x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 15 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 destroyed
Despite my whipping in the earlier battle enough planes are aloft to great these unescorted Nells. They press their attack and are splashed for their courage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Indian Division, at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30
D3A Val x 94
B5N Kate x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 9 destroyed, 38 damaged
Allied ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
The KB is continuing it's evil ways off Madras. I imagine I will get a hit from the ground troops in the next turn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Indian Division, at 18,21
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-21 Sally x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 3 damaged
The first attack on Madras from his new base in Trimcomalee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 2
Blenheim I x 3
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
At last the RAF based at Columbo actually take to the air. A very effective attack by 3 Blenheims.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Trimcomalee at 15,25
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Blenheim I x 12
Blenheim IV x 23
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Japanese Ships
AP Ceylon Maru
AP Bokuyo Maru
AP Buyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Kozui Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Biyo Maru
AP Ayaha Maru, Bomb hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Then the real attack comes in and finds ships loaded with troops. Are they coming or going? Interestingly he only has one zero daitai here - maybe he will need to denude osme other location to look after the base here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 56,88
Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 23
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
AG AG-373, Shell hits 4, on fire
AG AG-363, Shell hits 16
AG AG-353, Shell hits 8, on fire
PG Shinko Maru #1, Shell hits 8
AG AG-116
P-39Ds may be awful fighters but they are much beter boat busters. The 37mm shells getting extra damage reports.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack at 20,5
Japanese Ships
SS I-174
Allied Ships
DD Express, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Burnie
MSW Bendigo
MSW Cromer
DD Nizam
DD Napier
Express is hit by a torp and in this case the ASW ships can't find its assailant. She should make the two hexes back to Karachi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The air defense effort is labeled a success - but it is fearsomely costly. The Japs loose 57 ACs and I loose 52 - 35 of which are the hurricanes. As someone pointed out before (sorry haven't looked to identify you) there is a problem with the number of pilots I have left in the British pool. Not all of my pilots will have been killed today but a hefty number will have and I only have 87 trained pilots left in the pool. I don't want to have notihng left when it comes time to introduce the Spitfires.
All sqds are moved out of Calcutta and set to accept replacements. It will take some time before I am able to conduct another defense like that. The Naval bombers in Columbo are also sent further into India. I imagine I will get a visit from BBs or level bombers - I will almost certainly meet more zeros above trim as well.
My extra engineers have made it to Calcutta and to Asansol. There presence instantly moves the fortification effort along.
Above Rangoon the base units I have been waiting on are about to make it to the rest of the troops. I can then start to retreat back to India.
The Chinese units in north are making their way off the trail into the Jungle for their long trek to Chungking. It will take the better part of a year to get there.
Little else is happening in the war effort.
Thanks for all of the input guys. I will try and answer som eof the questions and also get back on some of the plans.
I have one group of B-17s and they are at Diamond Harbour. I have tried to night attack his airfields for the last two turns and the weather has been in the way. I don't entirely agree with you about the B-17's invulnerability. Without escort they WILL get taken out by zeros - it does not appear to be the same as UV in that respect. Even if they don't they are temperamental about suffering damage and will abort their missions due to morale issues. As to why are there no more there - it is not easy to get them there. I made a decision at teh beginning of the game to move the B-17s to Oz. Now I have to ship them to India - another convoy of AKs is on its way to Darwin to attempt to do just that. He has taken Trim though so getting them through will be fun.
Irrelevant: letting him have all of India will lengthen his supply lines but also provide him with massive supply producing capacity, I think the gain will easily look after his troops. I am trying to use rivers and fortified towns to slow him up. He has taken out size 9 fortified towns already - what would stop him doing the same in Karachi? the final part of the answer also addresses Blackvoids concerns - I can see where most of his forces are - they are right outside Calcutta. If he starts to do as you say then I will have to look to retreat to guard Karachi - I think I would start really commiting what I had left of the royal navy at that point - do or die.
The Burma army waited on base units that retreated badly. THat is about to end - I have waited too long and admit that was a mistake. What this has done though has allowed the Chinese to come and take the torch - I have about 8 Divisions of Chinese troops there now - no good for attakcing but maybe for defending - or even threatening his holdings in bangladesh - this is an important point he has to keep these places garrisoned - each succesful capture whittles down the bulk of the army.
As to attacking elsewhere and moving the Carriers to the Indian ocean. Yes these are thoughts that do come ot me - what really is the point of taking Kwajalein - it isn't in his way really. Maybe an attack on the Kuriles? The KB is still a mighty force to be reckoned with, if I lost the carriers I really would be so deep in it that I could not get out. The points alone would be likely to give him auto-victory.
Andy - thanks for the encouragement - I am SOOOO pleased I could provide this important public service [:D]
[center]
[/center]
[/center]
RE: Chandpur falls
Mate keep up the good work ! It is good to see one of the dominion's finest military minds fighting the good fight to defend the pink empire !
Never argue with an idiot, he will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.