ENLIST TODAY (Docup (A) vs Koniu (J) No Koniu

[DOCUP]

28th Feb
 
KB heading towards Truk
 
China
Bombed.  I am seeing 5 Jap units moving towards a stack of our Chinese protecting the NE yellow road next to Russia.
 
NE Aus
All ships except the CVE are in port. [&o][&o][:D]  Subs are moving towards the ports of Cooktown and Carines.  I have ASW TF in position and waiting.  I am moving some damaged ships out other will stay to lower the minor damage.
 
Maloelap
Japs sink 3 AKLs and an SC.

[JocMeister]

Congrats!

Well done! [:)]

[DOCUP]

1st Mar
 
Carriers heading towards Truk.  Apparently their was a collision between a CV and CA.  Intel from Koniu.
 
Milne Bay
2 Jap DDs sink xAK, 2 APDs, and an AVD.  AF 44% port 30%.  Supply 3k and climbing.
 
Makin
Japs land and take the island.[:o]
 
Our CVE makes Cooktown and is now on pier side repair. [&o][:D]  Other damaged ships are heading to their ports for repair.
 
Burma
We are sending a large force down to Shwebo.  Shwebo is unoccupied, but Mandalay is well defended with reinforcements one hex away.  I have a thought for this operation.  Crossing the river would be bad.  I am thinking of bringing in over 100 P38s and sweep his CAP to death then bomb Mandalay to dust.  Akyab South, I am trying to flank this stack with 2 IDs and close the hex doors on Koniu.
 
Aus
Lots of troops waiting and training.  I am currently replacing Navy and Marine AC.  Once MB gets an AF planes will fly in and provide CAP for resupply and reinforcements.  Mines should be dropped off tonite.  Once MB is good I will focus on getting Tagula resupplied and reinforced.  Losing the fast transports hurt.

[DOCUP]

2nd Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
Quiet day only combat was Japs crossed a river and attack a stack of Chinese troops in NE China. 
 
Ground combat at 89,31 (near Paotow)
 
Japanese Shock attack
 
Attacking force 19751 troops, 140 guns, 206 vehicles, Assault Value = 787
 
Defending force 23215 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 861
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 522
 
Allied adjusted defense: 263
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1476 casualties reported
         Squads: 8 destroyed, 192 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
         Engineers: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
      Vehicles lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)
 
Allied ground losses:
      2277 casualties reported
         Squads: 8 destroyed, 186 disabled
         Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
      Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
 
Assaulting units:
    6th Division
    9th Tank Regiment
    3rd Tank Regiment
    2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
    13th Army
 
Defending units:
    42nd Chinese Corps
    95th Chinese Corps
    17th Chinese Corps
    22nd Chinese Corps
    83rd Chinese Corps
    4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
 
I am trying to replenish my planes and pilots while ships are moving to ports for repair. MB has almost 4k worth of supply with AF 58% and Port at 44%.  Fighter squadrons are ready to go.  TI is not doing very well off loading supplies from xAKs. The planes that flew their are repairing daily 20 still remain on the island damaged.
 

[DOCUP]

3rd Mar
 
No signs of enemy carriers.
 
Burma
Massive sweeps over my stack heading towards Schwedo.  I expect bombings tomorrow.  180 bombers are spotted at Rangoon.  I have 5 AA units in my stack so they should be able to hold them off.
 
MB and TI
Sweeps over both.  MB is 2 days away from having an AF.  I spotted a TF heading somewhere towards Buna or Luna not for sure where but bombers are on alert and ready to attack.
 
Maloelap and Wotje
Bombed.

[Crackaces]

I have 5 AA units in my stack so they should be able to hold them off

As you know .. it depends on what type of AA units light or heavy .. and the altitude the IJ decide to attack . what I do find is that the concentration of AA even of light type and the attack at 12,000 feet disrupts the bombing run and lowers accuracy .. at least I think [8D]

Your game is getting to that interesting stage where the IJ have to make some decisions and cannot cover it all .. then there is March '44 [;)]

[DOCUP]

I have both light, heavy and US AA in the stack so I should be able to cover it all.  We will see.  My problem will be crossing the river at Mandalay.
 
Also Ships are repairing nicely.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

I have both light, heavy and US AA in the stack so I should be able to cover it all.  We will see.  My problem will be crossing the river at Mandalay.
......

I find Burma the most interesting of all the fronts in this game. The crossing of the Irrawaddy River for example is a great point.

1. First, units not on a base hex in a Malaria Zone take some P(x) of disablement / Disruption. Unlike any other area one cannot simply stack engineers, build fort levels in clear terrain and wait for the shock attack, beacuse attrition will take take its toll. Not enough as compared to historical values but insiduious enough that when the big battle comes .. some forces are disabled. The Malaira zone rules has an intersting effect as we progress to point #2 ..

2. The clear terrain hex right south of Swebo is especally vulnerable as it sits one hex away from Magwe and Mandalay. The hex just south of Magwe is also especally vulnerable as I prefer a the indirect route toward toward Toungoo cutting LOC in teh Irrawaddy Valley.. Once you find the weak hex -- 4E's and 2E's are quite capable of raining hell on earth on these clear terrain targets and attriting units. What is far more important in my opinion is the results NOT reported in the combat results -- Disruption. It appears to me that disuption/disablement is affected by the malaria area rules and units suffer some sort of delay in recovery if they are not in a base hex. I do know that disabled squads have some P(x) of attirtion while not in a base hex in a malaria zone.

3. A river crossing in my book is exactly like smacking an atoll -- without the added attrition of the amphibious phase ... simply units are disrupted by the river crossing and the attacker is forced to shock. I beleive it is key to have the defense as disrupted as the attacking forces. Large 4E-2E raids ensure these results. The other point that is important in my opinion is that units under air attack go from move to combat mode. This action delays the movement of reserves.

Once you cross the Irrawaddy River whatever armor you have will have a field day crushing the IJA ....

I do think it takes a lot of stratgic planning although to truly break Burma. For example. I beleive 1 maybe 2 USA divisions are required to provide overwheling numbers in the area. That would mean that Burma is truly the center of focus rather than a sideshow .. although early 44 the 14th Army and units under Slim make a pretty good OOB package.. Cetainly, I think at least 5 -7 USN Seabee units to build up airfields in India.

Just my .02 ...

[DOCUP]

Aces:  I agree Burma is an interesting and really important theater. Thanks for your insight into Burma.   More on Burma later.
 
4th Mar
 
Carriers at Truk
 
Burma
My stack of LCU's are just 1 hex north of Shwebo.  I will stop their and build up the base and prepare to move on the Japs.  Mandalay has around 200 fighters with 37k worth of troops.  I don't think my fighters or bombers can break his CAP yet.  I am thinking of bringing in 100 P38s, but not for sure yet.  If I can get across the river he's done for.  I have several plans on the table right now just not sure what one is right.  I will decide that when the time is right. 140 or so figthers swept the hex then 180 bombers attacked this stack today from 14k, they killed around 120 men and lost atleast 4 to flak and around 30 or so damaged.  Not enought to cause me to put any LRCAP up. 
 
Hex south of Akyab.  I have 3 IDs and several small units with about 5 Jap IDs and 1 tank Div.  I wasn't expecting so many troops here.  I can't attack him and force him to move so I am flanking him.  Tomorrow 1 Indian ID will be on his right flank and I will close off that hex.  Once that is done I should have another ID in the same hex.  They will move to the hex south where the road is and cut him off completely.  If he is watching me he will have to fall back or be surrended.
 
Solomons
MB is ready to have an AF and Port. AF will take 1 day to be a Lv 1 and port needs 2 days.  So I am stopping the AF for a day.  I have troop ships loaded and moving out to sea.  I want to time this move just right.  My recon of Rabaul is down right now, but should be up tomorrow.  TI was bombed today. I need to get a Naval BF their now.  I have one on ships moving in that direction.  Maybe I can drop them off quickly (1 turn) and get the hell out of dodge.
 
Maloelap and Wotje
Both are bombed and running low on supplies.  I am moving my few CVs to here, so supplies can be dropped off.  I am also thinking of running 2 Omaha CLs into Roi Namur to pound the AF, then follow up with air strikes from my CVs.
 
Truk
Recon shows a CV in port.  This goes with what Koniu told me.  Wish I had bombers that could reach Truk.
 
Burma
Build up Shwebo, then look for an opening to cross the river.  I'm not ready to tell my plans yet.  I am putting 2 plans into motion now.  Just in case one will work.  Most of mine don't. 
 
Akyab south.  Flanking movement is going on.  I have a small HQ unit that will move into the contested hex closeing off the east hex side.  Then they will move to the south hex side and try to close that off.  If he retreats I will follow and keep trying to flank him.  Ramree Island is being prepped for, If I do this he will have to fall way back or be cut off and destroyed.

[DOCUP]

Ships are repairing nicely.  Lexington and the CL are almost ready to move to a larger port.  CVE still has some time before she can be moved.

[Crackaces]

Akyab south. Flanking movement is going on. I have a small HQ unit that will move into the contested hex closeing off the east hex side. Then they will move to the south hex side and try to close that off. If he retreats I will follow and keep trying to flank him. Ramree Island is being prepped for, If I do this he will have to fall way back or be cut off and destroyed.

Personally I love this approach. Very subtile... rather than try and overwhelm AV to AV and fight a WWI contest I sense you are using the game mechanics to your advantage in that you are matching AV / firepower to pin forces in a hex while your maneuver forces penetrate deeply into the enemy LOC. Either the IJ retreat or get pinned, surrounded, and buchered .... I beleive Burma offers this opportunity unlike any other area because your defense value is also increased for his counterattacks ... a perfect stalemate within the hex while armor maneuvers [One might argue that Oz offers such an opporunity, but I contend the clear terrain of Northern Oz in my opinion means that simply matching AV results in an effective couterattack rather than pinning .. also the clear terrain opens up the 4E terror campaign combined with direct armor attacks makes the more direct approach of overwhelming fiirepower and AV a better choice ]


I like this maneuver more in the Irrawaddy Valley, only that this is going to draw the attention of the IJN. Allied forces near the coast are going to receive bombardment and at the very least get disruption .. combined with air attacks and the IJ can severely delay your maneuver and attrite your forces ...

[DOCUP]

Aces:  Thanks,  I'm not a big fan of WW1,  I like to shoot, move and communicate.  I wonder why I like to do that.[:D]  I would rather do my combat in the Irrawaddy valley also, but can't at the moment.  Both Jap and Allied forces would be open to nav bombardment, but I haven't been able to do it in a non base hex.  I think I did long time ago, but have tried since the last patch and it didn't happen.  So if I can't he can't, and that takes nav bombardment out of the equation.  I would almost like to see him try and nav bombard me.  I think I could attrit his naval forces some.

[DOCUP]

5th Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
China
Japs attack my stack in the NE of China again.  We hold but not for much longer.
 
Burma
Akyab South.  Japs look like they are p ulling out now that I am on their right flank.  I will follow.
 
Solomons
Sweeps and bombings.
 
PH
We sink I 2.

[DOCUP]

6th Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
Burma
My AFs in the nothern part of Burma are bombed.  We bomb the stack of Jap units south of Akyab.
 
Solomons
MB has 2 forts now. Getting ready to move in more troops and supplies, along with finishing an AF and port.  TI some how gained a bunch of supplies this turn almost all units in the white on supplies.
 
Nothing much going on besides moving stuff and getting ready for whatever comes next.

[DOCUP]

7th Mar

Carriers spotted NE of Kausie Island

China
Delib attack by Jap forces.

Ground combat at 89,31 (near Paotow)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 17646 troops, 140 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 558

Defending force 20539 troops, 161 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 532

Japanese adjusted assault: 375

Allied adjusted defense: 270

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
     553 casualties reported
        Squads: 5 destroyed, 88 disabled
        Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
     Vehicles lost 40 (1 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
     536 casualties reported
        Squads: 75 destroyed, 42 disabled
        Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 50 disabled
        Engineers: 4 destroyed, 2 disabled
     Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
   9th Tank Regiment
   3rd Tank Regiment
   6th Division
   2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
   13th Army

Defending units:
   17th Chinese Corps
   83rd Chinese Corps
   95th Chinese Corps
   42nd Chinese Corps
   22nd Chinese Corps
   4th Chinese Cavalry Corps

Burma
Tojos sweep Akyab south.  They down 4 P40Ks for the loss of one of their own. We will be in Shwebo tomorrow.

TI
2 Jap DDs attack and sink an xAKL, luckily they retired befor they got my troop ship.

MB
Troops are going in tomorrow with 2 small SAGs, AF and port will be finished tomorrow also. PT boats will be their also.

Tulagi
B25s hit an xAK with a 500lber.

Marshall's
I was planning a resupply mission for Maloelap and Wotje with some air support, but I 2 decided to attack my CV TFs and gave it away.  Now that carriers are in the area I will hold off.  Maybe Koniu is tired of me advancing and wants to attack the islands.  I don't know.  Supplys are low at both bases.

[DOCUP]

8th Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
Rangoon
We bomb at night and destroy 2 Nells.
 
Shwebo
We have entered the hex and will take it tomorrow.
 
MB
2 DDs sink an xAK. AF and Port are Lv 1.  150 Zero's sweep MB today[X(].  I have flown in 84 planes overstacking the AF but have to do something.  I have 36 F4Fs (31K) 25 P40Ks (29K), and 25 P39s(5K) at the AF now.  I want to combat the sweep.  I am also moving in my resupply TFs.  1 CL SAG, 1 DD SAG, and a PT squadron will be patroling the water ways.  I have several fighter groups that can and will be rotated in and out of MB.
 
Kausie
We sink an xAK.

[DOCUP]

9th Mar

Carriers unknown

MB
2 Jap BB SAGs ran into our shipping at MB. Combat report listed below.

Sub attack near Normanby Island at 103,133

Japanese Ships
DD Murasame, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare

Allied Ships
SS KXVI

SS KXVI launches 4 torpedoes at DD Murasame
KXVI diving deep ....
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Samidare attacking submerged sub ....
DD Samidare is out of ASW ammo
DD Samidare is out of ASW ammo
Escort abandons search for sub

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 7,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 2
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 8, on fire
CA Mogami
DD Ayanami, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Yayoi
DD Minazuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Susuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
CL Concord, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
DD Maury, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Cassin, Shell hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hull, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
DD Allen, Shell hits 2

Low visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 7,000 yard

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
CA Mogami
DD Ayanami, heavy fires
DD Yayoi
DD Minazuki
DD Mochizuki
DD Susuki

Allied Ships
PG Warrego, Shell hits 2, on fire
PG Indus, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
PG Hindustan, Shell hits 8, and is sunk

Reduced visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 7,000 yards

Day Time Surface Combat, near Milne Bay at 101,133, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Nagato, Shell hits 8
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3
DD Yayoi
DD Minazuki, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD O'Bannon, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Waller, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Blue, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Patterson

Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms: 7,000 yards

This last SAG is still in the MB hex and recon shows it heading east. My PT boats did not engage and I don't like it. A6m5's sweep and escort Helens to MB. Our CAP do a great job. 63 Zeros shot down or forced to crash along with 14 Helens. We lose7 F4Fs, 7 P40Ks, and 6 P39s. A squadron of P38s sweep Rangoon and get tore up 12 are lost. Most of my CAP is damaged and can't fly out. I'm not for sure if I should bring more in, like I had planned. I have 35 operational with 6 more that might be able to fly tomorrow.

My amphib TF is safe one hex away from MB. They will withdraw for a few hexs then try and go back in later. I need the aviation support at MB now. I didn't see his SAGs on nav search. But I am happy how my ships performed. CL Concord did a great job before she went down. I hope my subs get some chances at the wounded ships.

I don't think Koniu can do this for more than a few more days. The morale of his pilots has to be low now and in a few more days they should be easy pickings for my fresh pilots.

Overall not a bad day, I wished my PT boats would have gotten into the fight and my P38s would of performed better but oh well.

[DOCUP]

10th Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
China
Delib attack again this time we take alot more casualties than the Japs.
 
Rangoon
We hit 2 xAKs from the air.
 
N Oz
Bettys and Nells sink 7 xAKs returning to from a resupply mission to Derby.
 
Christmas Island IO
Small troop TF is unloading.  I heard about his from my intel.  I have a small SAG that should go in on the next turn.
 
Solomons
Quiet.

[DOCUP]

11th Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
China
Bombed. 
 
Shwebo
I am having trouble getting supplies to this base now.  Aces how did you do it in your game?
 
Christmas Island IO
Our SAG attacks the transports unloading supplies and sinks all 6 AKs.
 
 

[DOCUP]

12th Mar
 
Carriers unknown
 
China
Bombed.  Japs shock attack my outpost in the NE and force the chinese troops to retreat.  These brave soldiers fought hard.
 
Burma
Troops at Shwebo are still without supplies.
 
Solomons
Troops and supplies unload at MB and TI.  I don't know why he hasn't tried to attack them again.  Everyday I get stronger. 
 
NE coast of Oz
Subs sink 2 tankers and an xAK.
 
Thoughts
I am prepareing for the next offensive invasion.  I haven't decided if I will wait for Hellcats or not.  I want to strike as soon as possible but I also like what you guys are saying about waiting till I get them.
 
I am not sure why my supplies are not flowing to Shwebo.  I am pushing them south.