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Wow, a service rating of 3 is making a huge difference in repair time. I'm waiting for the last component of 78th Sentai to repair the new Ki-61-Ia Tony's it received and only one is repaired a day. Mind you, I'm short a few aviation support so that is also contributing, but so far it's taking forever! I want to get this aircraft into action and see what she can do.

And before anyone comments on it being a dog, with PDU off pretty much every new aircraft is something to get excited about.

And it looks cool. [8D]

Here's the Solomons with a bit of info and intel from last turn and what I've been gleaning about comments from Bart and his positioning of TF's. Know your enemy!

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Wow, a service rating of 3 is making a huge difference in repair time. I'm waiting for the last component of 78th Sentai to repair the new Ki-61-Ia Tony's it received and only one is repaired a day. Mind you, I'm short a few aviation support so that is also contributing, but so far it's taking forever! I want to get this aircraft into action and see what she can do.

And before anyone comments on it being a dog, with PDU off pretty much every new aircraft is something to get excited about.

And it looks cool. [8D]

The licence built DB601 it has also SOUNDS awesome! [;)]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

... I'm accelerating the CL because I want it available when it will be effective. Waiting to produce any combat ships till 44 or later seems like a waste to me, especially if things go sour and I don't have much of a fleet left by then. One CL won't change things in a year, but it might make a difference now.

Mmmm. They're so undergunned compared to the allies. Boise would eat any 3 of them up. I often don't even build them, instead I accelerate DD's. IJN DD Yugumo's will match up well against any allied DD except the Fletchers which are armored.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Mmmm. They're so undergunned compared to the allies. Boise would eat any 3 of them up. I often don't even build them, instead I accelerate DD's. IJN DD Yugumo's will match up well against any allied DD except the Fletchers which are armored.

I'm already accelerating every DD and E that can be. I tend to use my CL's as raiders, so generally I'm looking at whacking escorts and transports with them, not going toe to toe against superior Allied ships.

About those 12 & 8 capacity CVEs-do you think they might be worth building as ASW platforms that could sail along your convoy routes?

I was thinking of the discovery and placement of the enemy two ship TF south of Port Moresby last night. This could be an effort to gage reaction in preparation for an amphibious landing against Port Moresby. With my fleet and air focused on the Solomons, perhaps the Allies think they can gain a foothold on New Guinea. Other than a quick strike against ASW TF's east of Buna, there's no other reason to have ships positioned here. They are two far away to make a run in against the Solomons and still retire out of LBA range. Something is up and I'll be reinforcing Port Moresby and Milne Bay. I quick adjustment of LBA will ensure if anything comes within range it will be attacked, barring weather of course.

It could be something completely different, but this is my initial gut feeling.

I reorganized my CV TF's last night as well as numerous SCTF's. Amphibious TF's are beginning to gather and load support units for the Lunga assault.

Elsewhere, reinforcements have landed on Timor including the first infantry regiment bought out from China. I'm also looking at shoring up the Andaman Islands with infantry regiments withdrawn from Burma. Sumatra is getting attention as well with the priority being Sabang. Airbases on Malaya are being expanded to accomodate strike aircraft.

Essentially my rationale for defence is this. No forward bases will deploy bombers, only fighters. The bombers will be based behind the MLR, but within stirke distance of enemy amphibious assault against any forward base. If the enemy concentrates on neutralizing forward airbases, my rear bases should still be intact and capable of delivering strong naval air strikes when needed. That's the plan anyway.

After a poor initial deployment, the Empire is quickly getting it's act together and the defensive situation is improving daily.

ORIGINAL: House Stark

About those 12 & 8 capacity CVEs-do you think they might be worth building as ASW platforms that could sail along your convoy routes?

Hi House Stark, welcome to the AAR. I think those late war CVE's could be used in the role you mention, but they won't be used that way by me. I think they'll be torpedo magnets and my E's will be more effective protection by then. I still have my two CS's available and the already constructed CVE's could be used this way if Allied submarines do become more of a problem. I don't see them contributing much to the war effort in late 43 or early 44.

Thanks for posting and glad to see you're following along.

It looks like another Saturday without a turn. I think we only completed two turns so far this week. Bart's busy, but the pace is agonizingly slow right now. It may seem funny coming from the person who almost quit the game, but now that we actually have a war on it would be nice to pick up the pace.

I was bored and added up all the available AV for offensive operations in China. I'm at full strength with most units and the AV total is a whopping 14511. If Bart lets me concentrate this amount of force against a single objective he may be in big trouble. I don't plan on bludgeoning my force against a mass of Chinese defenders behind high fort levels, but rather maneuver around them. The enemy will be forced to withdraw or face a siege situation. With the supply problems for the Chinese, the chances of actually breaking a siege situation is minimal. A lot will depend on Chinese moves, but I'm optimistic that I can use maneuver to my advantage and make the enemy pay for giving up so much of China without a fight.

Well, that's all I have for you today to ease my WitPAE itch. It looks like another model night or with the spouse out tonight, I may be able to catch up on some movies or PVR'd programs. I haven't started watching the second season of "Game of Thrones" yet, so maybe a mini-marathon is in order tonight. [8D]

Hopefully, I'll get a turn after I post this or at least early tomorrow morning.

SML, Why not post a few pics of some of your model projects for us to see?

And just like that a turn arrived. A late night for Bart, but I'm glad he was able to get a turn away today. A quiet turn, although there is a lot happening behind the scenes on both side I think. On to the update.

Feb. 21/43:

Sub Ops:

SS KXIV is spotted near Donggala and actually attacked by E W-22. A sustained DC attack recorded no hits though. [8|]

SS Shad misses E Shimushu near Ponape. No ASW attack.

China:

Chengtu's airbase is bombed for 6 AB, 2 ABS and 33 Runway hits.

Chinese forces in clear terrain near Chungking are strafed by Ki-43-IIa Oscar's (25) and 1(0) infantry squad is destroyed. Bombers then hit the same force and a further 6(0) infantry and 7(5) non-combat squads are lost totalling 144 casualties.

Chinese forces west of Kweiyang are bombed to slow their withdrawal and sustain 0(12) infantry and 0(9) non-combat squad losses totalling 142 casualties. Kweiyang switches control to Japanese. It will take a week to repair damage to the airbase.

A Japanese artillery bombardment of Chinese forces east of Kienko does not go as planned. No Chinese casualties, yet 0(3) infantry squads are disabled on the Japanese side. AV comparison is 1357 to 743 in Japan's favour. I will bomb the enemy heavily for one day and then launch a Shock Attack.

The Gilbert Islands:

The Allies appear to be able to wipe out my island garrisons without the need for amphibious operations. A surprise bombing result from B-25C Mitchell's (12) against Abemama yields 8(15) infantry and 10(10) non-combat squads destroyed totalling 299 casualties. A second wave of B-26B Marauder's (10) destroys a further 8(0) infantry and 4(0) non-combat squads. The 7th Indpt SNLF Coy is wiped out.

The Solomons:

Lunga is treated to another naval bombardment. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Fuso

Allied ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Ise
BB Ise firing at 27th Infantry Division
BB Fuso firing at 27th Infantry Division

The airbase at Lunga is then bombed by Ki-21-IIb Sally's (21) and 2 AB, 2 ABS and 2 Runway hits are recorded.

Finally, the majority of troops are ashore at Tassafaronga. The transports can withdraw into safer waters. Numbers of enemy submarines in the area are increasing substantially. Bombardment missions will continue, but I'll have to increase ASW patrols to counter the submarine threat. Still no mine hits despite a constant presence of enemy submarines in mined hexes.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Marcus Island expands fortifications to size 4
Bhamo expands fortifications to size 4
Singapore expands airfield to size 8
Lolobato expands fortifications to size 2
Chumphon expands airfield to size 2
Long Island expands airfield to size 1

Aircraft Ki-44-IIc Tojo advances R&D

Allied:

Chittagong expands port to size 7
Perth expands airfield to size 8
Port Hedland expands airfield to size 6

Thoughts:

Australian base expansions are increasing and I will waste little time in getting more troops and aircraft established in the DEI. There will be a large defensive transition begun once Guadalcanal is dealt with. It is imperative no Allied lodgement occurs in the DEI for the remainder of 43. I'm walking a fine line with the bulk of my strength now in the Solomons, but it's a risk worth taking. I can't be strong everywhere and defeating the force on Guadacanal may slow the pace of Allied operations long enough for me to re-deploy in time for the next threat.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

SML, Why not post a few pics of some of your model projects for us to see?

Sure thing. Let me get some primer on the Mk. IV Cromwell and I'll finish up the cockpit of the Ki-46-IIIa Dinah. I'm sort of all over the place with the models for the bet right now. I'm trying to get as much of the prep work on all five done before I start painting, so right now there's just hundreds of parts on my desk and in the boxes. Thanks for your interest crsutton. I actually went to a small model and diecast show today and picked up some WW1 decals and a 1:72 Halifax B Mk. I/II or GR. II for only $20!

It was billed as a car model show, but surprisingly very few car models available. I was looking for a 1967 Ford Shelby GT 500, but there was only a 1968 there. I will probably never be able to do it, but in my model utopia I'd like to build all 50 cars stolen in the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds", well the remake version at least.

I'll take some pictures of my model stash and everyone can see I have a serious case of buying more models than I'll be able to finish in my lifetime obsession. That's why my Spouse made the bet, she's trying to get me to finish them rather than keep buying more. Makes sense, but's there's so many great kits out there and so little time.

Ack, I digress...there I go again.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

China:

A Japanese artillery bombardment of Chinese forces east of Kienko does not go as planned. No Chinese casualties, yet 0(3) infantry squads are disabled on the Japanese side. AV comparison is 1357 to 743 in Japan's favour. I will bomb the enemy heavily for one day and then launch a Shock Attack.

I usually hold back if I got a bad bombardment result. Seems to indicate they are full of supply and dug in, or some other good combat modifier.

[/quote]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I'll take some pictures of my model stash and everyone can see I have a serious case of buying more models than I'll be able to finish in my lifetime obsession. That's why my Spouse made the bet, she's trying to get me to finish them rather than keep buying more. Makes sense, but's there's so many great kits out there and so little time.

The more you make, the more you want to buy! I've held off for now, as I just don't have the time for another two months. Once summer hits though, model time!

Just a quick shot of China showing the location of the "Horde" and what my potential movement from Kweiyang is. If I catch the Chinese napping, there's a real possibility for an Eastern Front encirclement type move. The chances are slim at this point due to the time it would take to get forces in position, but an attempt will still be made.

ORIGINAL: obvert

I usually hold back if I got a bad bombardment result. Seems to indicate they are full of supply and dug in, or some other good combat modifier.

I'm going to wait for another division to arrive tomorrow before launching an attack. Two more divisions are a week away. I can afford to be patient, but then again I could use some beat up divisions to make it cheaper to redeploy them to the Pacific.

You don't need my help in China-looks like you're doing admirably there. [&o] If my opponent parked 50,000 troops in an open hex in China, I'd have every LBA bomber pasting them 24/7 that I could. Are you taking advantage of this (rare) positioning of his army in open terrain?

A mixed turn that could have seen better Japanese results, again.

Feb. 22/43:

Sub Ops:

SS Shad is spotted near Ponape and E Shimushu attacks with DC's. One near miss hit causing engine damage is reported.

SS S-32 is sighted near Rekata Bay and SC Ch 38 scores one near miss DC hit.

Burma:

Allied movement tick west indicated at Shwebo. The long awaited attempt to flank the Mandalay position. I'll be monitoring this closely to see how many troops leave Shwebo. Reserve units enter strategic mode to allow for a quick repositioning of forces.

China:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

If my opponent parked 50,000 troops in an open hex in China, I'd have every LBA bomber pasting them 24/7 that I could. Are you taking advantage of this (rare) positioning of his army in open terrain?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 80th Chinese Corps, at 77,43 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 54
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
430 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Chinese Corps, at 77,43 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
117 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 16th Chinese Corps, at 77,43 , near Chungking

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Yes, I am. [:D]

Bombers also hit the other Chinese force near Chungking located at 78,44 prior to a ground assault. The bombers inflict 6(13) infantry and 1(7) non-combat losses totalling 233 casualties.

The ground assault follows with Japanese troops launching a Deliberate Attack. The Chinese 39th, 89th Corps and 13th Group Army are wiped out suffering 63(0) infantry and 78(0) non-combat squads destroyed totalling 1003 casualties.

Enemy forces withdrawing to Kunming suffer 0(7) infantry, 0(9) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost totalling 113 casualties. Japanese armoured units moved a complete hex today, if I slow the enemy force down long enough I could win a race blocking their route to Kunming. Would the 3rd Tank Division and three Tank Rgt.'s be able to hold against 700k+ Chinese troops? Yeah right! [:D]

The Gilbert Islands:

Allied bombers turn their attention back to Tarawa. Damage to the airbase is 1 AB, 2 ABS and 13 Runway hits. The airbase has been closed for some time and Mavis's are actually evacuating what ground forces they can.

The Solomons:

See screenshot.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Tjilitjap expands fortifications to size 4
Djailolo expands airfield to size 1

DD Ayanami beginning refit while under repair in shipyard at Manila

Allied:

Portland Roads expands port to size 1

Thoughts:

Must watch Burma carefuly now. Bummed about bad luck with carrier forces. I need to catch a break when I'm consistently in position to hit enemy naval forces caught with their pants down from no error on my part.

I'm trying a Shock attack against Chinese forces east of Kienko today following a heavy aerial bombardment. It's risky, but I'd like to maul this force is I can before they move on Kienko and escape across the river. I'm ok if I take heavy casualties, two reserves divisions are on the way.

The "Horde" is moving towards Chengtu, I hit them just before they moved. One unit is left blocking the river. I'll bomb the "Horde" as long as they are in open terrain.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Enemy forces withdrawing to Kunming suffer 0(7) infantry, 0(9) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost totalling 113 casualties. Japanese armoured units moved a complete hex today, if I slow the enemy force down long enough I could win a race blocking their route to Kunming. Would the 3rd Tank Division and three Tank Rgt.'s be able to hold against 700k+ Chinese troops? Yeah right! [:D]

Seems I'm about to find out. I have about 300,000 marching on one base. How much AV would that be? 8-10k? Except I don't have tank divisions, just the little regiments.

For offensive operations would a lack of supply will matter more? For you, getting as much out of the hordes as you can would still help. He can only replace 350 a month right? That's about 4,000 a year, right?

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Yes, I am. [:D]

Sweet. That'll certainly help in time. Greasing 6,000-7,000 troops a month will certainly limit his combat effectiveness. I'd bet his disruption is sky high too. A real debbie downer for trying to field effective combat units. [&o]

We were able to get another turn in today which was great. A great turn in China and missed chance in the Coral Sea.

Feb. 23/43:

China:

Bombers are grounded due to weather against enemy troops withdrawing to Kunming. Bummer, as any delay is crucial now. The ground bombing mission against enemy troops east of Kienko is also grounded.

The "Horde" is hit again today. Bombers inflict 1(51) infantry, 1(22) non-combat and 0(2) engineer squad losses totalling 598 casualties.

The decision to risk a Shock Attack against Chinese forces east of Kienko was the correct one. Despite no disruptive air bombardment a 2:1 was achieved and the Chinese routed to the S.W. Lack of supply seems to be the cause of the collapse and that is due to the paratroops capturing Kienko. I good move and it paid huge dividends as the road to Chengtu is open. AAR follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 79,41 (near Kienko)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 54259 troops, 445 guns, 228 vehicles, Assault Value = 1847

Defending force 20872 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 748

Japanese adjusted assault: 2170

Allied adjusted defense: 886

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
972 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 274 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Vehicles lost 39 (1 destroyed, 38 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
6586 casualties reported
Squads: 250 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 238 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 54 (19 destroyed, 35 disabled)
Units retreated 6

Chinese casualties are mounting throughout China. Now to try and tear a chunk or two out of the "Hordes" and march on Burma!

The Gilbert Islands:

Allied mediums again hit Tarawa. The base suffers 2 AB, 4 ABS and 10 Runway hits.

The Coral Sea:

My SCTF interdicts the enemy SCTF, but strangely no naval action occurs. If I had kept the CVL Ryuho in place she might have had a shot, as the SCTF remained within range, however I withdrew her back to Rabaul to avoid submarines. This is obviously some kind of picket force and is there for a reason. I will try and deal with it shortly. Another presumed enemy picket force of two ships has appeared east of Guadalcanal. This tells me the Allies fear a movement by KB and that perhaps an invasion of Tarawa is near.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Saigon expands fortifications to size 2

Allied:

Nothing

Thoughts:

China. Do I order the armour towards Kunming or Chengtu? Stay tuned...

Here's the situation in China: