The Italian Job (2) - Comments from the Allies

[BLurking]

Good point, forgot about that. I usually leave in on, just in case I forget - and the base is repaired enough to start building again. I'm sure you keep pretty close control over that city, though. You might also want to try using some of those shiny new bombers for a supply effort, they don't carry as much - but can defend themselves against his LRCAP. Might be worth trying...

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: BLurking

Good point, forgot about that. I usually leave in on, just in case I forget - and the base is repaired enough to start building again. I'm sure you keep pretty close control over that city, though. You might also want to try using some of those shiny new bombers for a supply effort, they don't carry as much - but can defend themselves against his LRCAP. Might be worth trying...

I've been thinking about using the heavies for supply runs.
I'm not conviced yet, I'd like to keep them available to try and smash immediately every attempt to return by Jap planes in Burma.
But I may change my mind again [:)]

[BLurking]

Scratch the heavy supply run - my PBEM opponent just tried that against a base where I had a heavy Zero CAP, and his losses were huge (B-24s). I lost nothing, but gained plenty of experience[;)]...

[mc3744]

August 18th, 1942

I missed a few days. Sorry. I didn’t have the time to write.

INDIA-BURMA-CHINA
The debate over using the heavies (thanks Blurking [:)]) to airlift supplies has found a partial solution.
GH is using, quite naturally, A6M2 to LRCAP over the Chinese cities. B-17s can fly higher than the Zero. [;)]
Last turn I used (96) B-17s to fly supplies from Ledo to Chungking at 36000 ft. Despite the LRCAP no interception has occurred.
It’s the best solution I’ve come up with so far. It certainly doesn’t solve the problem, but it’s better than nothing.
The (100) Liberators will keep bombing airfields and units in Burma.
Every other turn GH is minesweeping Andaman. Let’s see if a small DDs TF manages to intercept those MSW’s.
One more British CV is now equipped with Seafire’s (see picture), only one remains with Fulmar’s.
The 1st Marine Para Bn will be in Colombo in two days. I have an interesting task for them [:'(]. But first I need them in Ledo.

AUSTRALIA
The second AP transporting the Para unit has been intercepted in the Indian ‘Ocean’ by a baby KB, some (20) DB and TB. Luckily the first ship was already at a safe distance. Half unit will be enough for the job I have in mind.

I’m coming up with a plan to intercept the baby KB with the US carriers.
GH has – at least – two sub picket lines. One closer to Australia and one roughly at the same height of Christmas. The problem with ambushing the baby KB lies with the first sub picket line. That could spot my CVs too early and I’d surely find a much stronger KB waiting for me. I’m sure GH has some serious CVs nearby just for such a case.
Hence my brilliant plan [8D] [:'(].
One decoy AK going North, (4) ASW TF’s running parallel one another behind the decoy, the CV TF behind the ASW’s.
Once the decoy is spotted I know the sub has to be within (4) hexes, with some luck the four ASW TFs can get the sub and make him blind.
Meanwhile the Long Island is going from PH to Bora Bora with a squadron of Dauntless on ASW, hoping to be spotted by GH, to make him feel just a bit more confident.
It’s a complicated plan, hence bound to failure, but it’s not like I have much else to do with those carriers. (25) DDs are moving from Sidney to Perth.
And unless I reopen the Indian pond I cannot get any fighter or transport squadron to India.

PACIFIC
The 15th Canadian Bde is moving on Fast TF towards Tongarapu. It’s a good unit, (70) exp, (80) morale, 110 AP.
He is not flying recon missions over the islands hence he doesn’t know yet that there are now two units, soon three.
As soon as I manage to get a second infantry Bde I’ll start feeling a bit safer.
MLE, ML and DM’s are moving to Bora Bora. Palmyra and Christmas are mined enough, I now need to mine Tongarapu.
I’m also starting sub mining operations from Attu.

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

"Naval development of the Spitfire. The Seafire was not the ideal carrier fighter and especially landings were difficult; but its performance compensated for the disadvantages. The Seafire had a short range, but its fast climb and agility made it a very good fleet defence fighter."

[mc3744]

August 20th, 1942

INDIA-BURMA-CHINA
For some unknown reason I did not think to train my carrier squadrons! [8|]
I’ve just downgraded the groups with Seafire’s to Fulmar’s to avoid wasting precious aircrafts on training and I’ve transferred all the ready squadrons to front line airfields. They are good already (70+), but I want them crack (85+).
Since I need to keep track of which unit belongs to which ship I’m using this AAR as a record.
CV Indomitable
806 – 24
817 – 20
CV Illustrious
861 – 18
819 – 15
CV Indomitable
803 – 18
829 – 15

The B-17s are slowly helping to increase the supply level of Chungking.

AUSTRALIA
The first MLE has arrived in Townsville, together with DM’s. I’m now mining Cairns and Cooktown, just in case.

PACIFIC
No news.

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

One of the usual daily bombings over China

[BLurking]

Just a suggestion, but my opponent has recently moved AAA units from India to China, and it's giving me fits. The usual milk-run bombing sessions are becoming much more harsh. It's not killing me, but I end up with damaged aircraft and lost crews, where that wasn't an issue just bombing Chinese units. You might want to consider giving this a shot if you have any means of getting some guns to your cities under siege.
For what it's worth...

[mc3744]

Hey B [:)]

Thanks for the input. I wish I could move anything in or out.
Anyway I don't have any AA unit in IBC.

... hence I'll think about taking a couple of the US AA's back from PH to SF and reassigning them to Southeast Asia.
It could be a good idea.

Thanks [:D]

[Andy Mac]

set the Canadian AA unit to China Command and it will appear in Chungking in 60 days

[mc3744]

August 21st, 1942

INDIA-BURMA-CHINA
Andy you are evil!! I’ve just done it. [:D] Thanks [&o]
Tojo’s have appeared in the Skies, just what I was missing.
The B-17 flying supplies to Chungking have been intercepted even though only A6M2 where flying over the base (?). [&:]

PACIFIC
The Japs have landed in Tongarapu the same night my Canadian Bde took position!! [X(]
The small Japanese landing party has been wiped away. But now he knows I’m there. Should I keep reinforcing it or should I wait and see?
I could bring a US RCT in 6 days, it’s risky, I’m in doubt.

[Andy Mac]

I would hold them as a ready reserve to reinforce wherever he strikes it could have just been a harrassing raid !!!!

Who cares if he intercepts B17's you have lots of them and he will take casualties intercepting the 'Forts

Andy

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I would hold them as a ready reserve to reinforce wherever he strikes it could have just been a harrassing raid !!!!

Who cares if he intercepts B17's you have lots of them and he will take casualties intercepting the 'Forts

Andy

I don't have only the RCT, I have one more Canadian Bde and one full US Div.
Plus seversl ENG units.

[mc3744]

August 23rd, 1942

IBC
No big news, the usual Jap bombing runs. Bad weather in India-Burma prevented several flights.
1st Para Marine Bn is unloading at DH. But the target I had in mind has been garrisoned two days ago. [:(]

AUSTRALIA
The carriers are now at harbour in Perth.

PACIFIC
A small sub-landed party of Japs has taken Ha’apai beach. I’ll have time to retake it later, if I'll manage to keep Tongarapu.
A very odd thing is happening in Tongarapu.
After his failed assault the supplies dropped from some 1.500 to 200+, in the red.
In the last two turns they have been growing !?! They are now 530 and I’m not flying supplies in, it’s too far anyway. [&:]

[mc3744]

August 26th, 1942

IBC
No news. The usual bombing, training, building, mining.

AUSTRALIA
Combat ships are gathering in Perth for operation “Fish in the Pond” [:D], the hunt for subs and baby KB.

PACIFIC
GH has clearly seen the danger that Tongarapu poses to his CENPAC dominions. He has placed a group of battleship (consistence unknown) to blockade the atoll. Unfortunately I haven’t enough intel yet.
I’m moving a Seabees and a Base Force unit to Rarotonga. It is (15) hexes from Tongarapu, with Coronado’s there I may be able to get a better view of the situation.
The area is far away from Japan and from PH. It’s a risk for both of us to bring important naval assets there. No one has ground based air support, since his airfields are not developed. This is precisely why I’ve decided to take a chance. I’m bringing to Bora Bora all the (3) CVs, BBs and cruisers available. A Surface Combat Group will spearhead the way to lift Tongarapu’s blockade, the Carriers Battle Group will stay a few hexes back and will engage depending on the enemy strength’s intel we get.

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: mc3744

GH has clearly seen the danger that Tongarapu poses to his CENPAC dominions. He has placed a group of battleship (consistence unknown) to blockade the atoll. Unfortunately I haven’t enough intel yet.

If he has battleships there, KB will be lurking somewhere in the vicinity...

The area is far away from Japan and from PH. It’s a risk for both of us to bring important naval assets there. No one has ground based air support, since his airfields are not developed. This is precisely why I’ve decided to take a chance. I’m bringing to Bora Bora all the (3) CVs, BBs and cruisers available. A Surface Combat Group will spearhead the way to lift Tongarapu’s blockade, the Carriers Battle Group will stay a few hexes back and will engage depending on the enemy strength’s intel we get.

Three US CV's may not be enough if he commits KB.... If the Canadian Brigade has enough fort levels, it may hold out, if not, you'll lose another brigade[:(].

[mc3744]

Hi K [:)]

Yep I know the KB may be around. But it may be not. It takes a lot of time to bring it down there and back.
And if it's there it's not in the Indian Pond.
I'm willing to risk some naval assets, while the CVs will stay behind. In Bora Bora I have (48) F4F, they could provide some more cover if I have to run for it. I have not yet decided anyway.
Also if the KB is in CENPAC I can risk an attack on Andaman Island. And that would grant me additional protection for Ceylon and a base to attack Sumatra in '43.

Not much I can do about the Canadians, I had to try it anyway. A couple more weeks and there would have been two Bde's, probably enough to hold him back. Now he is probably ferrying a couple of divisions from Northern Australia [:(]

Bottom line: I have to take some risks, it gets too boring otherwise. I'm already trying to keep patient and wait for the P-38 in IBC.

[mc3744]

August 26th, 1942

My fertile mind [8D] has come up with yet another useless plan!

Taking on GH on a single front is a suicide, he is way too good to handle me.
Hence I need to try to get him where he is not ready. How can I accomplish that? Probably I cannot [:o], but if there’s a way it is with multiple attacks.

So the idea is to attack simultaneously on three fronts. At least one should be without carriers.
“Port Blair”. I’ll use the British carriers with Seafire’s as an escort to the amphibious TF. They should be able to hold off ground based TBs.
“Fishing in the Pond”. I’ll try to sink the subs closing the Indian way, to smuggle through a squadron of F4F and one of C-47 and I’ll try to get the baby KB.
“Tongarapu”. I’ll try to engage his surface fleet if no major KB is around.
I must sync all these attacks and try to understand which one is the one that can get through, while retreating where I cannot win. I already see a big disaster ahead, but at least I’m going to have some suspense. [:D]

Btw, it seems that when the B-17s flying supplies are intercepted, they actually shoot down the interceptors! [8D]

Vengeance I will be available in a few days. Anybody know about the plane? Is it worth using it?

[mc3744]

August 31st, 1942

IBC
Prepping units for Port Blair. Training continues.

AUSTRALIA
Operation “Fishing in the Pond” has begun. The decoy AK is leaving harbour.
In two days the ASW TFs and a real cargo with F4F's and Dakota’s will follow. Two days later the carriers in (3) distinct TFs. I read somewhere in the forum that it works better than grouping them in one single big TF.

PACIFIC
Tongarapu blockade is now reinforced by carriers. The CAP over the atoll showed (33) Zero’s. It may be a minor KB. So far the plan goes ahead. Anyway my carriers are still far, they are heading for Christmas right now.

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

The top pilots squadrons

[mc3744]

September 1st, 1942

IBC
Unfortunately Mr. Churchill is asking for a CV and two DDs back [:(] … he is not going to get them! No way I’m returning a carrier now. [:-]
Jap aircrafts spotted in Kunming, type and quantity unknown. I cannot allow him to return within Burma strike range of his LBs. All my bombers – heavies and Wellington’s III – are set to airfield attack. I hope I won’t be slaughtered by his Tony’s.

AUSTRALIA
ASW TFs are moving into position, air cargo is following.
Tomorrow the carriers will set sail.

PACIFIC
Still no Jap landing on Tongarapu, he mustn’t have any nearby division to send in.
My carriers are past Christmas, they should be in Bora Bora within 3-4 days.
The tension is rising everywhere.

[String]

how many carriers are you actually sending there?

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: String

how many carriers are you actually sending there?

(3) CVs for operation "Fishing in the Pond" and (3) CVs for CENPAC.
They are all upgraded and with Avenger's