The Italian Job (2) - Comments from the Allies

[mc3744]

September 2nd, 1942

IBC
The air strike over Kunming has ended in a draw, at least air losses wise (see picture). However I consider this as a tactical victory, since he has withdrawn from the airfield. Which was mail goal.
I have to keep his air force away. Only this way I can enjoy some margin of manoeuvre. Which I definitely need for the assault on Port Blair. I’m sure he’s got carriers in Singapore, hence I need to be ‘discovered’ only at the very last. Ideally only when landing.

AUSTRALIA
The third wave of operation “FITP” has left Perth.
(3) TFs of (10) ships each. Each TF has (1) CV, (3) CA, (3) CL and (3) DD. In one TF there’s the new BB substituting a CA and a CLAA for a CL.

PACIFIC
Tongarapu is lost. Nothing less than the Imperial Guards Division, with the 56th Bde and support units. [8|]
Still the carriers operation is not cancelled, I may have a chance of hitting the transports and their escort.
The units in Bora Bora will now be diverted to Efate.
I cannot foresee any new real action in the Pacific before mid ’43.

[mc3744]

September 3rd, 1942

IBC
The second air strike on Kunming destroyed (13) already damaged Zero’s on the ground.
Tsuyung has eventually fallen, somehow it’s a relief. I’ve been waiting for this to happen for quite some time.
The good news – if I can talk of good news – is that several Chinese divisions will reappear in (30) days in Karachi.
Chungking supply level keeps rising slowly. Now I have to wait for another enclave to fall. It will probably be Ichang or Changsha.

AUSTRALIA
No news yet.

PACIFIC
The flow of troops and supplies to Bora Bora continues, from there to Wellington and from Wellington to Efate.
In the last e-mail GH hinted to the fact the he wouldn’t have assembled such an army just for the Canadians. The only vulnerable objective I have in the vicinity is Christmas, there’s only an RCT, but fortifications are at (9) and there are (2) CD gun units and over 2.000 mines.
I wonder if I should strengthen the Island more. Auckland is also slightly under-garrisoned. Two Bde’s, engineer and CD guns. Forts at (8), I think. I think that the RCT underway for Efate will stop in Auckland.

In general I’m stuck. I don’t have the strength to do almost anything. I should be patient and play defence, but it’s getting frustrating.
I’m hoping for a little success at the Andaman’s.

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

What was happening on September 3rd.

"No. 118 September 3, 1942

The following communiqué is based on reports received up to 6 p. m. (e. w. t.)

South Pacific.

1. Several new attempts have been made by the Japanese to land and establish small detachments of troops on various islands in the southeastern Solomon group. U. S. land-based aircraft, operating from our Guadalcanal base have attacked the ships engaged in these landing operations. Several hits have been reported but the extent of damage inflicted is not known. The parties which have succeeded in landing are being sought out and engaged by U. S. Marines.
2. During the morning of September 2 (east longitude date) an Army Flying Fortress on patrol off the north coast of Santa Isabel Island bombed and damaged an enemy tanker or seaplane tender, leaving it burning.
3. At about this same time 18 Japanese bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked our installations at Guadalcanal. Three enemy bombers and 4 fighters were shot down by our defending aircraft while antiaircraft batteries shot down an additional fighter. Damage to our positions was minor.
4. In spite of the periodic attacks by enemy aircraft our positions in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area are steadily being reinforced and strengthened."

[String]

How are your fighter pools? P-40E's and Kittihawks?

Do you have any place to advance under LBA cover, say the solomons? It's quite easy to hop on from Lunga. Use your marine F4F4's there, they have enough replacements i'd wager. Same goes for A20's and Mitchells. Moving 2 hexes at a time under LRCAP fighter cover ought to be possible. This place also has the added benefit of a good chance for surface combat, I'm sure Hop would be tempted to try and intercept your invasion forces. And allies should like surface combat, every japanese ship sunk is gone from the game forever, but the american and australian cruisers come back. Brooklyn and Helena class CL's are dynamite, armored like CA's and armed with guns that can penetrate even japanese CA's at close range, especially the old Furutaka class.

Attritional battle, especially in terms of naval forces, is good for you. Small ranges means that you can also bring in your old battlewagons. If you can spare them, then do send some old R class battleships from india, they have excellent experience levels, both night and day. The old american BB's tend to suck at night fighting.

edit: Oh and the american BB captains are also awful, be sure to swap them out before using them.

[mc3744]

Hi String [:)]

Planes pool is excellent. The P-40E is the worst and I have (50) of them.

Thanks for the tip on US BB captain [;)]. I'll check that.

There isn't a place in the Pacific where I can use LBA. The Solomon are way too far from Luganville. Even for the P-38.
The only place could be Fiji from Efate (12 hexes). There, at least, I could use the heavies. Everywhere else I'm out of range.

New Guinea could be a different story. But I still have to develop Cooktown and I'm bringing troops and resources there right now.
It's the troops I had in Central Australia.

I'm really out of options till I get some stronger Navy fighters. GH has covered all his bases. Tongarapu was the only open flank, and now it is no longer.

[Tom Hunter]

Before Blackwatch got sick I was moving into Funafuti and Nandi to build up bases for an eventual move on Guadalcanal. The first one is within LRCAP range of Luganville, the second is in range of the first, and once you have a base on them you can launch naval attacks on Guadalcanal and get back under LBA pretty quickly.

It is a long slow process but hey it is a war.

[mc3744]

Thanks Tom, [:)]

I'll definitely think about it.
I did that in another game. However those bases would be very exposed to counter attacks because of their staggered position.

Right now I'm thinking GiliGili. He has nothing there. Of course I'd have to be able to bring lots of men at once, not easy.

Whatever I decide to do I have to wait till the forces that were in Central Australia are back on the East Coast.

[mc3744]

September 5th, 1942

IBC
In the last two days one MSW has been sank by G3Ms while supporting mining operation at Port Blair. One more DD has been seriously damaged. I’m not sure it’ll make it back.
Dakota’s airlifting supplies to Chungking have been intercepted and (10) have been shot down.
Several fighter squadron at 80-81 experience have been upgraded to Kitty I (240 in pool), Spitfire’s and Hurricane’s.
As soon as they’ll be ready, some Hurricane’s and Spitfire’s squadron that have dropped below 78 exp due to op losses will be downgraded to Wirraway’s and will go back to flight school.

AUSTRALIA
Operation “Fishing in the Pond” is now on phase one: sub hunting.
Three TFs have been spotted in the last turn, given the (4) hexes range of the Glenn I can easily guess the sub location.
The ASW TFs are now initiating the sweep for the sub. I must make him blind.
Details in the picture.

PACIFIC
Carriers are now at harbor in Bora Bora. I’m undecided. My Coronado’s show no sign of enemy ships and apparently Tongarapu has only a little garrison left on it.

[mc3744]

September 6th, 1942

ICB
B-17s intercepted over Chungking. (1) Fortress lost, (1) Zero shot down.

AUSTRALIA
Operation “FITP” has scored a first tiny success. [:)]
Apparently the Japs are not scouting the pond with subs but rather with AVs.
One of my ASW TFs engaged a Jap scout TF at night. The AV has been sunk and with her the float planes, the AK replenishment ship survived.
In the morning the decoy and three TFs have been spotted by a Jake. Therefore it’s either another recon TF or the baby KB at maximum range. I’m willing to risk the destroyers, I’m going ahead another (4) hexes in sweep formation. The carriers will keep behind. If he sees them the surprise is over and with it any chance for a successful operation.

PACIFIC
I’ve been taking a look at the New Guinea-Guadalcanal scenario. There are no Jap forces in Gili Gili nor in Lunga.
I’m starting to think I may do something about it.

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

The first successful night engagement of the war

[mc3744]

September 7th, 1942

ICB
(16) New B-24D’s have arrived in DH from Cebu. GH stopped bombing it and I could disband the stranded unit into another one and from there get it to DH where I reformed it.
Some 4-500 bombers are hitting Chungking everyday.
The assault on Port Blair stands. I think I’ll start loading the ships in a couple of days. I must admit I’m kind of afraid. Too many failures so far. [:(]

AUSTRALIA
I’m in a bit of a situation in the I.O., since he is using surface ships I cannot attack them unless I end up in the same hex.
As you can see in the picture it looks like I passed a scout group. Somehow they have not spotted the carriers TF.
I decided to set only one SBD squadron on naval attack. To avoid giving away the real strength of the formation.
Anyway I don’t like it. I think I’ll pull out next turn.
I’ve had a radical change of mind.
My next path of counter-offensive will be New Guinea and/or the Solomons. I’ll forget about the Indian Pond.
The 1st Marine Division, now in Perth, is loading for Townsville. I’m transferring there all the units I have in Central and Western Australia and in Bora Bora.
GH has built up only two airfields beside Rabaul. He can of course shift his forces as well, but at least I’ll be closer to my bases. And the Japs would be a bit more stretched.
I won’t be able to start any operation before the end of next month anyway.

CENPAC
I’m building up Rarotonga as the last stop between CENPAC and New Zealand.

[DuckofTindalos]

It's really excellent to be able to follow both sides of this campaign concurrently. Kudos to the both of you!

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

It's really excellent to be able to follow both sides of this campaign concurrently. Kudos to the both of you!

Thanks, [:)]

I wish I could read GH's AAR too. [:D]
I'm dying to know where his carriers are. [:'(]

[Speedysteve]

I could tell you but then i'd have to kill you [:D]

[Speedysteve]

Alternatively money, beer or pizza will suffice MC [;)]

[mc3744]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Alternatively money, beer or pizza will suffice MC [;)]

Pizza!! Have we got a deal? [;)]

[Speedysteve]

I forgot. You're Italian (I guess so anyhow[;)])!

Deal. Pizza - once a week. I will then constantly update you as to what GH is upto.

I prefer the following piza

Cheese
Tomatoes
Ham
Mushrooms
Green peppers.

Please send to (warm please):

FAO Stud,
1 eat a lotta pizza boulevard,
Tomato Town,
England

Once received i'll be in touch on GH's movements [;)]

[mc3744]

Ok, we have a deal. [:)]

Pizza's on its way. Too bad for the green peppers , no wonder you are British [:D] [:D]

[Speedysteve]

[:D][;)]

[mc3744]

September 8th, 1942

IBC
I’m feeling unwell IRL and this is leading me to a more quiet approach also in WitP, right now I’m not feeling like taking too much suspense.
On top of that I noticed two dangerous Jap forces concentrations.
1) In Sabang there are (11) land units. What are they? 2-3 divisions ready to strike back at Port Blair and wipe away my initial landing force? It may very well be the case. O20 is loading a commando from the 5th Indian Division to investigate further.
2) Singapore is reported to have (177) ships docked. [X(] That sounds pretty dangerous too.
Hence I’ve decided to postpone any offensive action till I have some more air power. Looks like I’m chickening out.

AUSTRALIA
After my mighty DBs sank nothing less than a dangerous AK [8D], operation “Fishing in the Pond” is being cancelled. I’m just not feeling in the right mood for action.
I’ll go at it again with the Long Island in a month time.

PACIFIC
Bora Bora is now stronger than PH, (3) CVs, (1) CVE, (5) BBs and countless cruisers, destroyers and other support ships are docked there. Plus several ground units.
It’s the new Pacific HUB. There goes the flow of troops and supplies to Eastern Australia.

[Fornadan]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

I could tell you but then i'd have to kill you [:D]

Correction:

If you tell, Gen. Hoepner would kill you

[mc3744]

September 9th, 1942

IBC
Supply level at Chungking is now 18k, the minimum should be 14k.
Training continues nicely. (5) fighter squadrons are now at (81) exp.
Ramree Island airfield is size (3).

AUSTRALIA
One ASW TF returning to Perth encountered a sub (RO model) and hit it with two depth charges.

PACIFIC
(50) warships are leaving Bora Bora for New Zealand and then Australia.