The Italian Job (2) - Comments from the Allies

[Kereguelen]

Hi,

I think your overall situation is not that bad. Your only true blunders are the loss of the US divisions (never place divisions on islands or atolls if there're not at least level 6 fortifications!) and the placement of the Dutch leftovers at Exmouth (similar reasons, the place is simply too exposed). In China you're doing quite well (IMHO): If you manage to root him near Chungking (starting with one of his flanking forces) his whole front in China may collapse. The key to achieve this is of course the supply situation. Stationing some fighters (maybe some Spitfires once available) at Chungking and Kunming will help because of the HI there. And look at his plane losses: They're a desaster for him. An interesting question will be in which shape his Philippine divisions will be when he finally wins there. I guess that they'll need some time to recover, thus the danger they represent is not imminent. And as kaiser73 stated: Northern Australia is worthless for both sides. I'm quite surprised that Gen.Hoepner fights there with such large forces, their use elswhere would have been much more dangerous for you. The current situation there certainly favors you because you fight with Aussie divisions that otherwise would have done simple garrison duty, unable to hit Japanese forces. And if you keep your carriers intact until they get their upgrade to 36 fighters and the Avengers you'll be able to threaten all his gains in the Pacific!

Just my opinion!

K

[mc3744]

A couple of replies and updates.

I have some 120 TR and LB airlifting supplies to Chungking.
They carry a few hundreds per day, which is beter than nothing.

I cannot move anything between the two main areas because he is patrolling the Indian Ocean and, by house rules, I cannot use the Russian airfields.

No way I can place fighters in China, every airfield is daily bombed by - literally - hundreds of LB's.
Unless I can place a force strong enough to stop him at once, I'd be slaughtered. I still need to build up enough skilled pilots. I can defend Indian airfields thanks to the distance, but China? No way. Not yet.
Plus, all HI and resources have long gone, he bombed them all.

His PI divisions may be in bad shape, but my Chinese divisions are exhausted. Most of them are not even at 50% strenght.

It is true that Australia is a gamble for the Japs. It is also true that if Australia was all mine I'd be now bombing DEI or New Guinea with my heavies.

Some good news, he is retreating from Christmas and I just found that the 1st Marine Div is - on transport ships - a couple of days out. I'm moving it in. If he comes back he'll have a nasty surprise. Especially since fortifications are at (5) already.

I'm counting A LOT on the Burma attack. But it'll take at least a month before it'll do any good.

Thanks again for your support! [:D] It really helps keeping up.

[kaiser73]

losing ABDA units doesn't hurt Allies a lot. By late '42 you will have enough Aviation support for any base you need.

Your only mistake has been the US Divs. but it's not a big deal.

If you develope Noumea to the maximum, you gain lot of VP (if you care about them).

In china i would personally move every TR you have on map in India. Remember that 1 aircraft with 10000 load means around 7 supplies/day. and b17 and liberators do move tons of supplies as well. Supply in china is the key factor. if you able to keep units supplied and avoid encirclements (and losing chunkin) you should be able to hold.

don't be too cautious with airpower in China. you have AVG. what other Fighter group you have? he can't bomb all bases. what airfields he bombs? remember you can use LR CAP from another airfield.

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: kaiser73

losing ABDA units doesn't hurt Allies a lot. By late '42 you will have enough Aviation support for any base you need.

Your only mistake has been the US Divs. but it's not a big deal.

If you develope Noumea to the maximum, you gain lot of VP (if you care about them).

In china i would personally move every TR you have on map in India. Remember that 1 aircraft with 10000 load means around 7 supplies/day. and b17 and liberators do move tons of supplies as well. Supply in china is the key factor. if you able to keep units supplied and avoid encirclements (and losing chunkin) you should be able to hold.

don't be too cautious with airpower in China. you have AVG. what other Fighter group you have? he can't bomb all bases. what airfields he bombs? remember you can use LR CAP from another airfield.

Loosing ABDA units means loosing men. Game wise it means points, simulation wise it means human lives. It's a mistake either way. I can recover, but it's still a bad mistake. And I feel I've been an idiot.

As soon as fortifications in Noumea are at (9) I'll build up the base.

I cannot move any unit from Pacific-Australia to India-China because I cannot link. To long a range by air, to dangerous by sea.

The AVG is now just another fighter group with the Zero bonus over. And they are low exp too, 65-70.
I have several units training. But only 3-4 squadron over 75 exp.
I'm not going to commit in China until I hit 80 exp.
LRCAP with Hurricane's and Spitfire's doesn't work too well [;)]
Anyway I will come back with the air force in China, but not before a couple of months I think.

Last but not least, he can definitely bomb all my airfields, I think he has at least 1.000 bombers in China right now.

[Tom Hunter]

I mean: Australia!!! Has any of you ever lost it?

I haven't.

Right now I am trying to figure out how to keep Java in Fear and Loathing. But even if we lose it, I won't lose it because it belongs to Captain Mandrake, so he gets all the blame. [:D]

[mc3744]

May 31st, 1942

CHINA
In the picture you can see the actual situation.
The numbers represent divisions. The red explosions the Japanese attacks.
The blue arrows my movements/attacks.
Wuchow will surely fall next turn.

AUSTRALIA
Going in!!
(2) Australian Bde + (1) Australian Division + (1) US Division + (1) Australian Tank Rgt + (1) HQ are moving into Daly.
The rest of the strike force will wait to see what’s in there and follow up accordingly. The main problem I’ll face is a sudden attack if my units don’t arrive together.

CENPAC
I’ve moved PBY’s back into Christmas and they spotted his carriers TF lingering about. I’m sure he is trying to get some transport TFs … and he would if I didn’t spot him.
All the TFs in the area are moving away at full speed.

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Tom Hunter

I mean: Australia!!! Has any of you ever lost it?

I haven't.

Right now I am trying to figure out how to keep Java in Fear and Loathing. But even if we lose it, I won't lose it because it belongs to Captain Mandrake, so he gets all the blame. [:D]

Now that's a good strategy!
Ok who can I blame? ... uhm, uhm ... THE JAPS!!! It must be their fault!!

[:D][:D]

[Kereguelen]

China:

What about moving a small unit (division) from Chungking eastwards, crossing the river in NE direction (at the bend) into the clear hex and then onwards into the mountain hex with the road? Maybe you'll be able to cut his supply line (or, if he spots you, at least divert one Japanese division from other tasks).

[mc3744]

It is actually a good idea.
I will split a division and send the C section to annoy my dear enemy [:D]

Thanks [:)]

[mc3744]

June 1st, 1942

AIR WAR
June is a good month.
I get Seafire, Spitfire, B-24D and F-5.
I’m really going to use those!

INDIA-BURMA
The usual oil hits and the units are advancing.

CHINA
Wuchow has fallen, but I don’t think he’ll be able to push forward, he hasn’t got enough units there.
I’m following Ker's advice to cut the supply line to the North. (2) sections of a battered division are now heading NE from the hex E of Chungking.
I’m throwing a little surprise party over Kunming. AVG/A will try to welcome his unescorted bombers. Let’s see if he gets sloppy once in a while. [;)]

AUSTRALIA
I’m waiting for the first clash.

PACIFIC
Three carriers TFs are roaming around Palmyra and Christmas. It would seem he has split his Death Star.
"It would seem" … I know him well enough, now. He is trying to lure my CVs out before the July upgrade.
No way I’m going to risk them now. He can waste as much fuel as he likes. I’m not engaging.

[mc3744]

June 3rd, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
In the picture the two attacks vectors and the units involved. They are all at full strength.
Bangkok's air symbol has turned hot red. Since it’s (11) hexes from Akyab I’ve retreated all my air units. I’m going to do some recon over Bangkok.
I could move fighters in, but I don’t want to waste time in the training. I now have (4) squadrons approaching (80) exp, in a few days they’ll be upgraded to Spitfire’s and Hurricane’s. Now I only have (2) serious (73-75 exp) fighter squadrons. I’d rather engage in a winning situation. (20) good fighters are not a winning situation, draw at best.
I’ve discovered something I didn’t know for sure.
Until (2) weeks ago I’ve been using my heavies form DH - size (9) -. I then moved them to Dacca – size (6) – to be closer to the targets. It turns out that the airfield size is way more important than the distance. In DH op damages were always over-compensated by the repair rate, in Dacca every turn the ready aircrafts decrease. I’ve grounded them all as they are below 50% efficiency.
I’ll move them back to DH and I’m moving ENG units into Dacca to speed-up the airfield build-up.
The LB airlift supplies to Chungking have been turned to ground attack duties (with some good results) as the Japs are LRCAPping over Chungking (and shot down quite a few last turn).
The TR in Ledo are flying supplies in Kunming.

CHINA
One of the basic infantry rules is: under heavy fire spread out.
Well I’m doing that. Bombing Burma I noticed that he had split units. I’m actually bombing sections. Hence I thought to do the same in China.
Why should I stay concentrated under heavy bombing? So all the divisions coming under fire are being split. It should ease a bit the beating. Or –at least – confuse him for a couple of days.

AUSTRALIA
This last hex is proving the slowest, not even (10) movement points per turn! [:@]
I don’t know why here the movement is so slow.

CENPAC
The carriers threat seems to be over. Apparently he is withdrawing.
I’ll wait a bit more and then resume the Australian lifeline.

SOPAC
Un NZ Bde is moving to Suva. He has no planes there, no other units and he is trying to starve me out.
If, as it seems, he has spread thin I may cause him some troubles. Anyway I’m still far, plenty of time to change my mind.
Same goes for strengthening Christmas.

[mc3744]

June 5th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
My advance has been spotted and he is moving units NE of Mandalay.
Akyab now has 450 mines and counting.

CHINA [:(]
Chunking’s SE wing has fallen yesterday, also the road to Chengtu is cut.
Basically it’s a big, huge, enormous mess. Japanese units everywhere, there isn’t a front anymore. I’m going to retreat into the main cities and stick there until I’ll be able to kick his air force back … or until I’m done!

PI
Manila has eventually fallen. But something strange has happened.
The VPs are now 19.500 – 5.800. I only lost few hundreds, not 1.200! He got those 1.200, which is obviously much better.
Now, even loosing Chungking (3.600), I still stand a chance to avoid auto-victory.

AUSTRALIA
Good news and bad news.
The bad news. It’s taking forever to enter Daly. All my units are advancing at different speeds. The Australian tanks got there first (despite starting two days later), alone, and have been beaten senseless. I don’t understand this. Is this a bugged hex?!? [:@] [:@]
Good news: see the picture.
He only has (1) division and (1) regiment!! [:D]
It means that (2) Div + (2) Bde + (1) HQ will be more than enough to keep him engaged. Hence I have (1) HQ + (4) Div + (4) Bde + (3) Tanks to clear the flanks.
I should not get optimistic, but I am, just a little [;)]. I dare say there’s hope.

PACIFIC
The carriers keep annoying me in the Pacific. They are simply slowing me down a few days, but it bothers. It is actually a good thing because he is wasting so much fuel … still it annoys me.

[mc3744]

June 8th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
Training, bombing, mining, advancing. Nothing’s changed.

CHINA
A huge mess.
I’m retreating. I’m going to hold in Changsha, Ichang and Chungking and I’ll retreat all the rest of the Chinese Army towards Kunming. I can’t hold the front and I don’t want to loose all the units. One day I’ll be able to come back.

AUSTRALIA
I’m in Daly with (2) Div and (2) Bde plus (1) HQ. He does not dare attack me.
I’m moving the other units for the encirclement.
Meanwhile the sixth Australian Division has arrived, It’ll be a strategic reserve.
Two more Base Forces and one AA are en route.
One B-17 squadron upgraded to B-24D.

PACIFIC
Jap carriers still hanging around and consuming fuel. I’m taking a long detour to get to Bora Bora and Wellington, but I’m getting used to it.
MLE’s are en route for PH. I’ll set up a ‘sub mining centre’ in Palmyra.
The South Dakota is now available in SF. [8D]
Right now I don’t know what to do with the (7) available BBs I have.

[mc3744]

June 11th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
Since I had enough Spit’s I upgraded a (16) Lysander’s squadron at (79) exp. I wanted to wait for (80), but I guess (79) will do.
For the rest same as usual. The heavies are back in DH and pounding oil and resources, which will soon be out. I’ll then put them on ground attack with the mediums. Right now I really stand a chance to re-open the Burma trail.

CHINA
Full retreat wherever I can.
See picture.

AUSTRALIA
The movement is as slow as on the mountains!! It’s taking forever. [:@]
This feature/bug may cost my offensive, he will have time to bring reinforcements from PI. I can’t believe it. [:@] [:@]

PACIFIC
The carriers are fishing. My transport convoy with the RCT I was taking to Christmas sank a Jap sub closing on Christmas. Immediately he sent the carriers North to get the potential convoy … Naughty boy, I expected the move and retreated the convoy at full speed. [;)]
I have time and I have fuel, he has neither. [:'(]

----------------------------

The collapsing China front

[mc3744]

June 13th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
Bad weather is keeping many planes on the ground.

CHINA
The retreat continues.

AUSTRALIA [:-]
Apparently my troops are moving in a swamp, infested by mosquitoes and trolls and they are fighting their way through. They move 2-3 miles per day. I guess by winter time they may have moved one hex. This really sucks. [:@][:@][:@]

PACIFIC
Jap carriers have disappeared from the radar, I’m moving back to in to Christmas.
In SF the BBs Maryland, California, Idaho and North Carolina, all radar equipped, are leaving for PH with an escort of destroyers and the CA Vincennes, CLAA Atlanta and CL Nashville.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The air pool so far. Not bad. Air losses are now 2.000:3.000 in my favour.

[mc3744]

June 14th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
Heavy rains everywhere keep my planes down.
The enemy has seen my second attack vector … good! [;)]

CHINA
The drama unfolds.

AUSTRALIA [:-]
Tropical storms over Alice keep my heavies down, those same storm are flooding the swamps around Daly and my men struggle in the water. And I thought Central Australia was desert like!!
We are hoping for ice in winter, maybe we’ll be able to get through! [:o]

PACIFIC
Looks like Christmas will remain in Allied hands.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can see how my best fighter pilots are all in the India-Burma theatre.
Several are now above 70, but not enough. Training continues.

[Kereguelen]

Interesting to notice that you converted some RAF Sqn to Wirraways. Training them up as fighter-bombers before reconverting to more useful planes?

Your action at Daly Waters takes too much time. Terrain issue or just too high disruption?

China: Unbelieveable, he should not be that strong but it seems that he's indeed able to attack wherever he wants. How is your supply level at Chungking and Kunming? Red?

K

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Kereguelen

Interesting to notice that you converted some RAF Sqn to Wirraways. Training them up as fighter-bombers before reconverting to more useful planes?

Your action at Daly Waters takes too much time. Terrain issue or just too high disruption?

China: Unbelieveable, he should not be that strong but it seems that he's indeed able to attack wherever he wants. How is your supply level at Chungking and Kunming? Red?

K

Hi K [:)]

It's easier and more convenient to train using Wirraway's.
They have a longer range (than any other British fighter) and I don't waste more precious planes with training operational losses.

Disruption and fatigue are still low, there's something wrong with the terrain. They move as if in the Burmense forest or Chinese mountains.

Orange.
I'm also really surpised by his strength, in no other game I have running the Japanese are able to attack on every front, and successfully!

[mc3744]

June 15th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA
Last turn I spotted planes in Rangoon, I had no idea of the number and type, no info from the recon.
I decided to take a risk. I sent all my heavies on airfield attack at 6.000 ft.
At the end of the day it’s been very good. [8D]
In the picture the air losses for today. He lost (52) planes vs. (25) of mine.
(20) of which were Zero’s in air to air, (20) lost pilots! [:D]
He is obviously bringing back air support for his ground units. I foresee several air battles in the near future.

CHINA
The retreat continues, so far no unit has been completely cut off.

AUSTRALIA
Nothing’s moving. I couldn’t be more pissed. [:-] [:@]

PACIFIC
The 24th US RCT is unloading in Christmas.
A convoy with MLE, AS, AD, ML and an escort of DDs is heading for Palmyra, followed by subs. I’ll start mining Canton, Baker and the surrounding atolls. Let’s see how he likes it. [;)]

-------------------

Air losses

[mc3744]

June 17th, 1942

Breakthrough in Burma

INDIA-BURMA
The Burma Corps, 18th UK Div and 254th UK Tank Bde ran across the fleeing units from Akyab in the hex SE of the town.
I immediately ordered a shock attack and the Tank Bde managed to pursue the retreating units into Magwe.
Now he has two useless units in Magwe, plus – I believe – a section of a division. I’m going to ground attack with every available bomber and I’ll go with a deliberate attack. If I get lucky and I take Magwe, he is in real trouble.
I would immediately fly an Indian Brigade in. The Northern attack is incoming. And that’s the strong one!
I may have gotten the first important breakthrough in the war. See picture.
One (16) Buffalo’s squadron has reached (80) exp and has been upgraded to Hurricane’s (only 12 Spits were available).
I’m so close to being able to really stand the ground with my fighters.

CHINA
In the picture the retreat paths.