Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[DuckofTindalos]

Well, penguins ARE flightless...

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Castor - yes afraid so. My boys are veterans though. Average Experience - 79. 221 kills in that unit.....I wonder what experience level Faber's were.............

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Songkhia's Resources are no more. We rest the boys now and the P38J's. The main reason for this is that I want to smash Hanoi. This is a major production center and recon has idnetified 100+ enemy fighters there! I will try to bomb the place in 5-7 days when everyone is fully rested and ready to go. P38G's from Yunan may even lend a hand.

Stalemate at Mandalay, Pagan and Moulmein still. Troops moving from Akyab - 20 miles covered so far.

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Kendari was successfully attacked again. 20 enemy planes were torched on the ground. No enemy CAP was present. The men are tired but have been ordered to smash the remaining resources tomorrow.

The P38J's at Maumere have been ordered to sweep the skies of Macassar tomorrow. Another suspected enemy infestation is there.

Raba forces are about 1/2 way to Koepang.

A troop convoy, just out of range of Cooktown CAP, was attacked by LBA rom PM west of Thursday Island. An AK was hit by a torpedo. Should be ok though.

The empty TK convoy moving to Brisbane was attacked 240 miles ENE of Cooktown:

Day Air attack on TF at 50,96

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zeke x 9
G4M2 Betty x 6
P1Y Frances x 3

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 15
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
G4M2 Betty: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
P1Y Frances: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufighter Mk 21: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
AO Guadalupe, Torpedo hits 1
AO Brazos

Damage to Guadalupe = 2/0/0[:D]

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SS Scuplin set AK Nozima Maru on fire with a torpedo east of Balikpapan. The escorts landed 1 x DC nearby - 10/0/0

SS Drum evaded 3 x APD 60 miles east of Menado.

Air sightings = 10
Air attacks = 2

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2 x AK, 2 x DD, an AO and SS Plaice arrive in theatre tomorrow as does a B25J Squadron and 31st USA Division.

[DuckofTindalos]

Damn! Was the Guadalupe carrying a cargo of cement?[:D]

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: Speedy


Allied Ships
AO Guadalupe, Torpedo hits 1
AO Brazos

Damage to Guadalupe = 2/0/0[:D]

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Probably FOW I would say! [:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Castor - nonsense! My ships are made of.....Adamantium[:D]

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Today was a very quiet day. I guess in many ways the quiet before the storm with invasions soon to mount in the SRA and with an advance on Rangoon in Burma and by the Chinese towards Mandalay.

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Bad weather prevented any air ops against Macassar or Kendari.

The Raba force is at Koepang. They move to Maumere and then Raba.

No air attacks on my convoys today.

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No subs attack! I wonder if Faber is hiding or if he has re-routed his convoys........

Air sightings = 14
Air attacks = 1

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An AK, LCI(G) and an APD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

Interestingly I receive 2 x CVE in Karachi over the next month giving me 3 x CVE to play with Corsairs....hmm..................

[Andy Mac]

Speedy you seem to be having the most successfull Allied Sub offensive I have seen my experience so far is one target hit for 2 subs lost to either HK groups or air ASW how do you manage to keep you subs a threat ?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Andy - I do pay a lot of attention to my subs. I track known convoy routes. I set picket lines but also group in known convoy areas. One of the most important things I would say is constant movement. Faber has upped his ASW defences with much increased air coverage and he has dedicated HK groups around the Mariana's, Borneo, HI, Java. The short is this I guess - constant movement of subs. When I suspect they have been remotely spotted by air, sea or any inkling I have by Faber's actions/plane movements I move them. This dramatically cuts down the number of successful attacks Faber has.

I feel a couple of other factors add into this success:

Submarine levels and experience. Due to the fact I lose on average 1 sub a month or 1 sub for every 20-30 enemy ships I have a high number of subs in service and the number grows. As such I have a lot of subs in active areas = more chance of kills. Also with the number of successful attacks my crews are seasoned veterans (almost all are 65-85 experience).

In short. I keep moving my subs, allowing a greater chance of attack but less chance of detection, I have more subs on service and the number is growing = more chance for attack and fewer safe areas for Faber.

On the flip side Faber's increased efforts has led to more of my subs becoming damaged but still only 1 sub a month sunk on average (Peto has been March's addition). If you have any further thoughts/queries please let me know. I love talking on this subject.

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Rangoon was shelled again today and clear weather allowing heavy bombing raids on IJA troop positions at Pagan.

The first Chinese Infantry have reached Lashio and they will take the place tomorrow. From there we wait for the following troops and advance to join the Allies at Mandalay.

CV Formidable docked at Columbo today. She has 56 SYS damage.

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My Raba force will be at Maumere tomorrow.

P38J's took off from Maumere today to sweep over Macassar. They encountered a mixed force of Tojo's and Nick's. 20 enemy planes were shot down for damage to 3 x P38J.

The Darwin Heavies hit Kendari's resources but scored no further damage.

Annoyingly as an aircraft carrying convoy just reached Thursday Island, and out of range from fighter cover, LBA from PM hit it. 3 x AK were hit by torpedoes, 1 heavily damaged. I may end up diverting some P38J's to protect convoys down there now or I may station a Base Force at Merauke.

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SS Tantalus hit AK Hoko Maru with a torpedo 240 miles east of Palembang.

AP Iwaki Maru was confirmed sunk today at Tokyo.

Air sightings = 15
Air attacks = 1

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4 x AK, 2 x DD, an AP, AO, MSW and 2 x SS arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[pauk]

Interesting.... i know we disscused about sub experience but i must mention that again - my subs NEVER gain any experience points. Doesn't matter if they damage or sink enemy ship their exp level remains the same...

on a funny note, Speedy, don't you ever get tired of such huge numbers of CVs and CVEs[8|][;)]?

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: pauk


Interesting.... i know we disscused about sub experience but i must mention that again - my subs NEVER gain any experience points. Doesn't matter if they damage or sink enemy ship their exp level remains the same...

on a funny note, Speedy, don't you ever get tired of such huge numbers of CVs and CVEs[8|][;)]?

He's been cutting down on the number of CVs (on both sides...) [:D]

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: pauk


Interesting.... i know we disscused about sub experience but i must mention that again - my subs NEVER gain any experience points. Doesn't matter if they damage or sink enemy ship their exp level remains the same...

That's due to the special Anti-Pauk code module. You should be honoured: aside from Ron and Scholl, you're the only one to get one...[:'(]

[pauk]

rtrapasso...[:D]

Spammer (T) - lets not pollute this nice AAR[:)]... seriously speaking... i did track my subs (same as aircraft groups and ships - now i have a prove that even you can't resist my outstanding AAR[:'(]) and my subs geting exp extremely rarely (in 95% didnt get not a single one exp point for sinking the enemy ship!)

[DuckofTindalos]

Sure you did, Balkan Berk... Croat Cretin... Excuses, excuses, excuses...[:'(]

[Andy Mac]

OK I Guess I need to pay more attention Pauk, SPrior  and especially PZB have devastated my subs every time I have attacked normally with air ASW but this time its HK groups of PC's and PG's that are doing the damage

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Ok you win. I know I said I would track subs experience before but the next 10 subs that leave port for patrols I will note here their experience levels. Let's check them out in 6 months time and then a years time[:)]

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Afraid the combat report didn't run properly (hung every time it reached the divide crippled TF stage.......[8|]). As such i'm going off the copy Faber sent..............

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Rangoon shelled.

Heavy bombing on IJA troop positions of 55th Division and 29th Ind. Mixed Brigade at Pagan.

Lashio was occupied by Chinese troops today.

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The Raba force reached Maumere and stumbled into some remaining Japanese mines. AK William W. Mayo hit 3 of them leaving her heavily damaged.

Later on in the day whilst the Lightnings were away over Macassar 20 x G4M2 swooped in to attack the TF. The Spitfire VIII on CAP shot down 2 of them but the rest slipped through putting a torpedo into AK William G. Fargo. Both of these ships were detached fro mthe main TF and ordered to unload the 36th SeeBees at Maumere. The rest will head out to Raba tomorrow covered by P38J's.............

The P38J sweep over Macassar encountered a mixed force of 75 enemy planes including some George's. 4 x P38J were lost against 33 enemy planes.

The damaged plane carrying AK's reached Maumere and another torpedo hit one of them from Betties. Enough of this.......

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SS Trespasser heavily damaged the troop carrying AK Uyo Maru with a torpeod 300 miles ENE of Palembang.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Further heavy bombing on 55th Division positions at Pagan. I've decided to attack tomorrow.

Rangoon shelled.

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The landings have taken place at Raba. The only enemy opposition was a mine that hit AK William Ellery.

We'll secure the empty place tomorrow.

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SS I-11 fired 6 torpedoes at BB Queen Elizabeth appproaching Moulmein! They all missed and the escorts fired 10's of DC's 5 of which were near misses.

No sub contacts my end. Hmm......

Air sightings = 14
Air attacks = 0

SS Lionfish leaves Darwin for patrol - 62/62
SS Cabrilla leaves Wake for patrol - 74/76
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An AK and a DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Capt. Harlock]

Faber's AAR says there has been significant action around Pagan. Can you give us your input?

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Capt. - I assume Faber means the attack at Pagan by me? Today my forces stormed the NE sector of the defences over running a line of fortifications[:)] We go again tomorrow:

Ground combat at Pagan

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33597 troops, 309 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 815

Defending force 18978 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 376

Allied max assault: 819 - adjusted assault: 833

Japanese max defense: 239 - adjusted defense: 220

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 8)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 7


Japanese ground losses:
266 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
411 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

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Raba was taken today by Allied forces. Good good. AK William Ellery hit another 2 mines leaving her heavily damaged.

Recon detected an approaching enemy TF near Java. Probably a SC TF. As such i'm pulling out the ships tomorrow until it's safe to return.

A Spitfire VIII Squadron has been flown into Raba to provide air cover.

I'm now thinking something guys - Bali is an atoll attack IIRC. Faber now has 4 units on there. With the lack of surface support in the area I can't bombard the place or surpess it before invasion. As such maybe it's time to think of a different place to land on that won't be a atoll..............i'm now thinking maybe Macassar and then Banjarmasin and then Bormeo? I dominate Macassar with air power from Timor, Maumere and in the future Raba. Your thoughts?

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SS Pomfret heavily damaged AP Meiu Maru with a torpedo 240 miles south of Palau.

SS Grayling was hunted to extinction by PC's 240 miles west of Tori Shima. R.I.P[:(]. Hmm 2 subs lost for this month.

Air sightings = 8
Air attacks = 2

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An AP, LSV and DD arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Burma is getting interesting.

For the 1st time 3 x BB divisions bombarded Rangoon. I believe no BF's are left there for the simple reason very few casualties are caused by the bombardments despite good recon.

Pagan - the follow up attack failed today due to the arrival of 30th IJA Division. Fine by me. More troops away from the back areas. In fact the rail between Rangoon and Pagan is full of IJA units.....Rangoon only has 3 x unit now. the rail north of Moulmein only 8 now....interesting. Lots of recon of these areas.

One WORRYING development though. 2 x IJA units are on the rail north of Rangoon facing Akyab. You see guys you wonder why i'm 'paranoid'. Faber has NO recon in the area and yet he has all of a sudden moved 2 units there to counter any Akyab move.

I hope he keeps moving units away from Rangoon/north of Moulmein though.

Tomorrow a big combat may develop. I am ordering my Heavies at Moulmein to bomb Hanoi's HI. They are to escorted by 4 x P38 FG..........Recon indicates 100ish enemy fighters on CAP.

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As predicted Faber tried to sweep Raba but my ships were away. Helldiver's attacked BB Ise and Hyuga as they retreat to Java. 3 bomb hits achieved blowing up a 5" mount on Ise. No real damage though.

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SS Flounder damaged the large transport Seiwa Maru with a torpedo 300 miles east of Morotai.

SS Corvina heavily damaged AK Momoyama Maru with a torpedo 120 miles east of Tarakan.

Air sightings = 12
Air attacks = 0

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CVE St. Lo, SS Hardhead and an MSW arrive in theatre tomorrow.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The usual action in Burma with Rangoon being shelled.

My advance is 40 miles out from Akyab now. 80 miles to go.

Chinese advance forces are 60 miles east of Mandalay.

With the arrival of B29's over the next 3 weeks (yes Faber watch out. They are going to smash your men in Burma!) i'm moving an Aviation Rgt to both Dacca and Calcutta.

Hanoi was attacked for the 1st time in the war today. Over 170 P38 escorted 90+ Liberator. Only 61 enemy fighters were on CAP. They were decimated. 50 were shot down for the loss of 7 x P38. 1/2 of the HI was damaged. We go again tomorrow.

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Further men and supplies are ashore at Raba. AK William Emery sank with some engineering vehicles of 40th SeeBee's.

6 x US air group will arrive at Darwin tomorrow.

Guys - you haven't answered. What do you think of Macassar and then Borneo rather than the atoll attack of Bali?

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SS S-38 set the large Tanker San Diego Maru on fire with a torpedo 180 miles east of Balikpapan.

SS Devilfish was attacked by convoy escorts 180 miles east of Palembang. 2 x DC near miss - 12/0/0.

SS Golet blew up MSW W.6 with 2 torpeodes 60 miles NW of Brunei.

Air sightings = 8
Air attacks = 0

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An SS arrives in theatre tomorrow as does a B17E BG and a USA Tk Bn.

[DuckofTindalos]

Always avoid the atolls if possible. I'd take the other route...