The Italian Job 2- Gen.Hoepner(J)-vs.-Mc3744

[BPRE]

What about supply. Can you really keep such a large force supplied across those mountains?

Keep up the good work
/BPRE

[kaiser73]

ORIGINAL: BPRE

What about supply. Can you really keep such a large force supplied across those mountains?

Keep up the good work
/BPRE

no, it's impossible.

Supply rule: 100 - every hex to closest base gives you the % of supplies you can get.
if you don't take Ichang, from Sian you won't be able to supply your troops after 4 hexes in the trail (so more or less after he gets his troops 4 trail hexes from Sians).
so all troops will run out of supplies in the middle of the trail path between sian and chunking (when units are out of supply they also move very slowly if they ever move).

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi all,


it's been a while...i know. So many changes in my life in the last weeks. Loooong holydays. A new job. A new girl. A transfer in a new house......too busy to do anything else^_^

Now i'm back !

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/26/42

He bombed daily waters during the day. The usual massacre on my AF. Luckly not a single plane was there. Tomorrow i'll LRCAP over daily from Darwin.
I'll need few turns to get deep back in the game....so for the moment i have very little to say.
The operation in China will go on. Seems strange to me that from Sian i cannot go towards Chungking.....

stay tuned...cause the pace will become fast again [;)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,29


Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3
B-17E Fortress x 6
LB-30 Liberator x 24


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Wellington III bombing at 5000 feet
18 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,28


Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 19
Blenheim IF x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
5 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
Lysander I x 10
Wirraway x 7
Mohawk IV x 8
Hawk 75A x 7
I-153c x 30


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Lysander I bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 23rd Group Army, at 38,37

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 19
Ki-21 Sally x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
19 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 5
B-17E Fortress x 93
LB-30 Liberator x 40


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 10 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 15
Runway hits 146

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
20 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Changsha , at 45,37

Japanese aircraft
C5M Babs x 3
Ki-49 Helen x 20

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
9 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 7000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wuchow , at 42,39

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 61

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
32 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Ichang , at 47,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 60
Ki-27 Nate x 70
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 38
Ki-21 Sally x 83
Ki-15 Babs x 3

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 99

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
19 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
16 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
29 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
15 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
18 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
32 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lanchow , at 46,25

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 9
Ki-27 Nate x 63
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 10
Ki-21 Sally x 25
Ki-48 Lily x 110

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
39 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 161

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
11 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
27 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
8 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
7 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
6 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B5N Kate bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
5 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Singkep , at 22,53

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12

No Japanese losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Cebu Island , at 43,57

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 40th Chinese Corps, at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 9

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 59th Chinese Corps, at 46,38

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-27 Nate x 14
Ki-30 Ann x 23

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 87th Chinese Corps, at 47,33

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 19

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 57th Chinese Corps, at 46,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x A6M2 Zero bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 49 troops unloading over beach at Lombok, 25,70


Japanese ground losses:
609 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 132 troops unloading over beach at Sampit, 26,62


Japanese ground losses:
69 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 122606 troops, 1423 guns, 37 vehicles

Defending force 75627 troops, 395 guns, 170 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
170 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Ichang

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 100400 troops, 1115 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 174810 troops, 476 guns, 48 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
144 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 46,36

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 39133 troops, 483 guns, 7 vehicles

Defending force 19703 troops, 61 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 46,37

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 43718 troops, 656 guns, 3 vehicles

Defending force 70109 troops, 282 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 35398 troops, 223 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 19012 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 46,37

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 54064 troops, 219 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 43718 troops, 656 guns, 3 vehicles


Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,33

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 14518 troops, 186 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12861 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles

[DuckofTindalos]

Welcome back, Hoepner!

[11Bravo]

Quick question...

What map and scenerio is this. It looks fantastic.

And good AAR. I've just skimmed it and lots of good stuff here. Plan on giving it a full read soon.

[Gen.Hoepner]

This is the Andrew's Map Mod

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/27/42

The biggest news of the day is the heavy fight over daily waters. some 30 zeros fought against more than 100 4E bombers. 21 american bombers were shot down( with many damaged) with the loss of 8 zeros. Now 30 oscars are based at Daily, while my 4 zero daitais are resting at Darwin. Hope he's licking his wounds for the next few turns...
2 More bases conquered in the DEI today with some preciuos pows.
In China in 3 days we'll start the operation Blue Heart.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
A6M3 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6
B-17E Fortress x 82
LB-30 Liberator x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 15 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 12 destroyed, 37 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 6 destroyed, 16 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 37

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
5 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
5 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
2 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Lombok

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10425 troops, 113 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 680 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 176 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lombok base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
1279 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sampit

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1230 troops, 0 guns, 83 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 51 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sampit base !!!

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/28/42

Nothing important to report. He stayed at home with his heaviests at Alice Spring, clearly licking his deep wounds.
In the meanwhile the flow of resources keep on going from DEI to Japan.
Here's a screen shot of the general industrial situation

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/29/42

No big news today. 2 Zero daitais are based at Daily along with 1 Oscar Sentai. 2 more zero groups are resting and refitting at Darwin.
In Burma he saving his heaviests for a big air operation i guess. Now my main defensive line is upon Rangoon. I have 200 fighters between Rangoon and Saigon, while the only operative base northwards of Rangoon is mandalay, where i tend to rotate my fighters sentais.

I decided to take the Fijis. My glens spotted very few troops there. The 56th Bde is loading up at Kwalajein. 1 DD division will escort the transports, while my CVs will cover from distance the operations. Hope he comes down with his CVs to defend the right flank of Loungaville....but i guess he won't risk[:(]
The 2nd division has been reordered for Manila. I want to accelerate the conquest of Luzon and i need at least one more division.
The 18th div will be moving towards Java to act as a garrison.
Lack of fuel at Truk.

[AmiralLaurent]

Hi Gen, nice to see you back. In my own PBEM where I invaded NE Australia, my opponent is conuterattacking with probably 1 Div, 2 Cav Div, 1 BDe, 1 Tk Rgt and 1 Corps HQ in MArch 1942 while I'm invading Java. The bad news is that when I upgraded from v1.5 to v1.6, I lost one unit, a full strength Tk Rgt in Australia. It will be fun...

Just notice you have thousand of merchant yard points available. My advice will be to accelerate all the TK and AO you can.

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 04/30/42

Another boring turn. A part from a bad night raid over Rangoon( that destroyed 13 of my planes on the ground with 2 pilots dead) nothing is happening. Now that April is ending i'm quite sure he's going to attack my positions with a strong air force ( in May he can upgrade all his british a/cs that means tons of Spitfire,Hurricanes,and above all tons of Wellingtons....). I cannot do much more than defend Rangoon during the day and hope.

My subs finally understood the new route of his convoys towards Oz. He passes beyond Cristmas Is. and goes along towards Bora bora. I'd like to ambush him down there with my Cvs but my fuel levels are too low in the southern pacific[:(]

There's no way at this point to launch a new big landing op in the pacific area. My divisions are really badly damaged and they need at least one month of rest, and i'd need hundreds of fuel to go for a good run against Lungaville or Nanoumea. I will reinforce my positions in Manila and Java and possibly Daily waters, but i'll keep 2 divisions and 2 bdes in the south pacific area in order to be able to counterattack as soon as he comes

Admiral, Thanks for the kind words. Actually i have 1200 APs at Daily, plus more 230 APs around it ( 2 tank rgts and 1 Mix Rgt). One more Mixed Bde will be moved from Darwin to Daily in the next days. But he doesn't seem to be moving from Alice....for the moment at least[&:]

In China my Invincible Army is moving on the trails. The first 60 miles are done. Not that bad for the moment.He's reinforcing Ichan with one more unit from Chungking....good!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 25
LB-30 Liberator x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-27 Nate: 2 destroyed
H6K2-L Mavis: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
19 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
8 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
8 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet

[Lord_Calidor]

I would advise you against going over China mountains. First 60 miles are quickly marched 'cause you're marching from road/rail into a trail, at a road/rail speed. In a few days, your units will have fatigue in 60s, higher disruption and squads will start to get disbanded because of lack of supplies. And you will march at 2-4 miles per day, so that's cca. 20 days for 1 hex!
By the time you get there, their supply is gone, they will have skyhigh disruption and fatigue, and half of your units will be disabled, with some disabled squads even destroyed. Conducting offensive operations with that force, even against a base force unit, is like commiting hara-kiri.

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/01/42

Well, May has come.
The new month begins exactly like the previous. I can feel that this quite is only apparent. He's sure preparing something for me. And i know that every single day he becomes stronger everywhere while i feel already overextended.
These words bring me to the conclusion that i MUST do something more if i want to delay his advance in late 42.
While in Burma and Oz there's little i can do at the moment, in the Southern Pac i still have my KB intact and ready to operate. So here's a brand new plan....

The considerations i made yesterday remain the same: the LCUs i used for my RAG-1/2 operations cannot efford any more amphibious assault( they are all between 50 and 60% of their strenght); my fuel levels are too low to support my usual huge Armadas; he's now really well fortified at Lungaville,Nanoumea and Palmyra, with probably tons of planes everywhere.
So.....my intent is to force him to come out and play with his CVs. If i do not sink them now i'll face 7 strong CVs by the end of the summer.
The plan is quite easy: simulate an invasion Task Force that goes for Palmyra and engage his CVs as soon as they come down from PH. 80 empty transports have been ordered to aggregate in a Big TF, with DDs,MSWs and PG/PCs. 7 BBs, 10 CAs and 40 DDs will simulate the supporting surface force. 7 CVs,3 CVLs and 1 CVE, divided in 3 Carrier Divisions will form the KIDO BUTAI.
I will move my ships from Truk and will stop at 12 hexes from Palmyra( between Canton Isl. and Baker ) so that only the Catalinas and the B-17/B-24 will be able to spot them( and their accurancy at that distance isn't too good). I'll give him one or two turn to react with his CVs. My subs ( 15) will patrol the waves between Palmyra and PH. If in these period of time not a single TF will be spotted from PH to Palmyra i'll go back without risking anything....
This new operation will be called FRaG( fake Raid and Go).

About the blue heart operation in China....
I see the risk, but my main goal isn't to conquer Chungking, but to scrumble his defences at Ichang. If he sees My units advancing he will be worried enough to avoid any more resistance at Ichang and will move back his troops to save his capital.....at least that's what i hope[:'(]

[WhoCares]

ORIGINAL: Gen.Hoepner
...
The plan is quite easy: simulate an invasion Task Force that goes for Palmyra and engage his CVs as soon as they come down from PH. 80 empty transports have been ordered to aggregate in a Big TF, with DDs,MSWs and PG/PCs. 7 BBs, 10 CAs and 40 DDs will simulate the supporting surface force. 7 CVs,3 CVLs and 1 CVE, divided in 3 Carrier Divisions will form the KIDO BUTAI....

Instead of sending the transports empty you can load some Base Forces and/or SNLF/Naval Guard units which should also prepare for Palmyra. This might trigger his Intel Reports two-fold, with the units preparing for P. and with them already loaded and on the way. The latter one works best with the ground units split up on several TFs.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Thanks Whocares for the suggestion. In fact already 3 Naval guard units are preparing for Palmyra.... Now fragments of them are loading up on small APs:-)
Today Christmas Is. became a level 1 port. He will now have to defend and worry for 2 bases ( Palmyra and Christ)....good!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/02/42

The news of today is that the angels of Chengtu( my brave Paras) managed to repulse the first big chinese attack!
GREAT!
At the same time my 22nd division arrived at the left flank of Ichang. Now i have 420 APs on that hex against only 2 chinese corps. Tomorrow every single bomber in China will try to suppress those 2 units and my LCUs will go for a deliberate attack....if i manage to threaten his flanks at Ichang everything could march better!

Another big night raid at Rangoon and many more night and daylight bombing operations in Burma. His strenght is growing up every day in this theatre



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 47th Chinese Corps, at 41,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 112
Ki-49 Helen x 41

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
164 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:

This is the bombing operation ordered at the Sian air Command in order to suppress a bit the chinese LCUs that later will try the deliberate attack at Chengtu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chengtu

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38937 troops, 227 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 19079 troops, 128 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 0) [:D]


Japanese ground losses:
193 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
1863 casualties reported[8D]
Guns lost 94

GREAT GUYS!

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/03/42

This is a great day for the army of Mikado: in china the 22nd division, supported by two regiments, managed to repulse the Chinese defences on the left defensive flank of Ichang. Now the threat of being sourrounded is more than real for the defenders of the Ichang fortress! My victorious men are now marching westwards, in order to close the way of retreat of the chinese army!
120 miles southwards, the 18th Mixed Brigade arrived on the chinese positions on the southern flank of Ichang perimeter. Only one chinese corp is defending the swamp there. All my planes in China have been ordered to support the attack of tomorrow....if i succeed....he will have to run away from ichang!!!![:D]
The march of my northern Army on the mountain trails proceeds. The supplies are running low, but the pace is somehow acceptable[:'(]

Bad weather in India prevented his 4E bombers to strike at Night my AFs in Burma.

In Oz, it's been one week now since i do not see his heaviests...he's probably massing them in order to attempt a devastating attack on Daily Waters.

The 16th Army HQ is moving back to Java from Truk.

The FRaG operation goes as scheldued.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 47,33

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33846 troops, 437 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 12195 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 40 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
263 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

What a god day!

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/04/42


Another day of victory in China.
The southern flank of Ichang is now open. The threat on his center becomes a direct menace.
Now the situation is fluid enough to let the japanese armies take the initiative again!
BANZAI

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 05/05/42

A day that needs to be remembered only for the night raids at Daily Waters and Rangoon.
Hordes of 4E bombers striked. 25 planes destroyed on the ground and 5 pilots gone for good[:(][:(][:@]

The good news is that at Chungking the units reported are now 12 instead of 16![:D] My plan is working!!! He's reinforcing his center!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Daly Waters , at 35,90

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 50[X(]
LB-30 Liberator x 20[X(]

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-15 Babs: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
8 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
24 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,33

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18[:o]
LB-30 Liberator x 57[:@]

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 3 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
105 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
12 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
9 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet

[Gen.Hoepner]

China China in my mind.....[:D]
4000 Assault points are moving on those mountains towards Chungking. At Ichang i have 2250 Assault points.If only i could take Ichang....but i now with those few APs it's impossible to get it if he does not retreat. 5 level fortifications, wood terrain and 160,000 chinese boys, who by now are sure experienced enough. No way. While Chungking can be something different. At the moment 52,000 men are based there. I guess at least 2 base forces and one or two HQ units, so only 8/9 combattant LCUs....
The problem here is the river that closes the northern door. I do not want to try a river crossing shock assault. No way. So the plan would be to cross the river in 2 different points, closing the 2 roads that go towards Ichang and Chengtu, then encircle completely the city and only after these steps are completed, move in from the southern hex.
The key is to make the threat to Ichang sound as real as possible. For this purpouse from tomorrow we'll start bombing the LCUs at Ichang ( ground attack) and will proceed with the enveloping of the city.
to keep my marching unit supplied i'm using 150 transport planes that from Sian keep on dropping food and ammos on the mountain trails where my men are struggling.

In the meanwhile FRaG operation goes on. my ships are now moving towards Tarawa. Yet no news of the american carriers.

In Burma now there are 3 allied units at Akyab. He's going to retake it without any problem. I'm moving one BB division towards Rangoon. As soon as he gets it and place some a/cs i'll pay a visit.

[Gen.Hoepner]

5/6/42

Some more night raids today. Less effective than yesterday. 8 planes left burning on the ground at Rangoon and Daily.

Guess he started back with sub-minelaying activities: spotted a sub in the port of Darwin. 50 bombers placed on ASW.

In China he 2 units moved back from Ichang and positioned themself on the road that leads towards Chungking....good
Near Canton 4 chinese units entered in the hex north of Canton where i have 550 Assault points. Deliberate attack planned for tomorrow in order to push them back. Air support scheldued, but the forecast isn't very good...

FRaG op. goes without any problem. Tomorrow from Canton Island 2 Emilies Chutais will start some recon missions both on Palmyra and Cristmas Is in order to simulate the upcomming invasion.

More base forces on their way towards Rabaul from where they'll be redirected in the smaller bases around.
Bouganville will be my fort nox, while Lunga will act just as a decoy bait.

No news at Manila. I wait till the 2nd division comes in before launching any major attack.

Blue Heart Operation keep on going.

Stay tuned

[anarchyintheuk]

I'm learning a lot about lcu movement in China from this AAR. Is air supply that effective for your units that are maneuvering?