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Supplies are finally rising... 8/10K every day!...but from now on it will be a long way to stockpile enough for late war theatres... 2.7M now...far from being enough.

Feb 4-8, 1943

INDIA: we managed to reinforce Madras with 2 more IDs and some more guns. He now has brought 230,000 men there...quite an army![X(]... i can count on 1,800 rough AVs, 6 forts and the +2 light urban terrain. Supplies aren't a problem for the moment, having more than 60K. The seas at my back are still under my possession, so my garrison won't starve as long as i manage to keep the air and seas mine.
I am pretty curious to see how this battle will unfold. Willbe risky, i know. The KB-1 is in place to help in a fast Dunkerque if needed.
The allies have also massed a big fleet on the western coast of India...i see BBs, CAs and CLs...maybe even CVs south of Bombay... soon the basterds will start hitting Ceylon and i must be ready for that. Eastern India is safe for the moment being.

CHINA: we have reached Kienko, thus cutting Chungking from the oil of the north. We are also starting to reduce Changsha soon. Then i'll need to extract the 6 divisions i intend to move out of that theatre (4 Tank IDs and two heavy infantry IDs, along with 10 heavy artillery regiments). These guys will need to get to Sumatra/Malaya asap.

OZ: as soon as he discovered i abbandoned SW Oz, he started to move again towards Kalgoo. Good. Just in time. We're now reinforcing Exmouth with 800 AVs. Don't wanna let him cross the corner easily once he gets back t Perth.

SOPAC: As he conquered Rekata Bay and Munda, we moved some SAGs to Bouganville. He decided to go bold and launched an air operation against my shippings there. Sweeps, LRCAP and Escorted SDBs... 80 to 22 planes lost in my favour and 3 light bombs hits on the Musashi and on 2 CAs. Not a big deal but feels good to start killing some of his pilots. The defences are in place. He will need quite an effort to take or bypass Bouganville and this should buy me enough time to settle up the second defensive line as i wish.

CENTPAC: Nauru is bombed mercylessly every single day. Ponape is getting the planned division (the 19th) and will be more than safe for a while. This will free up some 4 SNLF units that can be used to reinforce Eniwetok, Kwajalein and Roi-Namur.

3 Divisions are in reserve in the Mariannas, ready to be sent where needed.

RnD: A6M5c confirmed for late Feb 43[8D]
J2M2 confirmed for March 1943 (can't use it anyway untill Sept 43)

Economy: Pretty happy to see the supplies rising constantly by 8k every day. Fuel is going well as well, even if we had some heavy reduction lately and i still need to investigate why




Morning Air attack on Torokina , at 109,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 60

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(25 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 15 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 21 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes


These two groups did a wonderfull job today, downing more than 80 enemy planes![&o]



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Buin at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 26 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 32

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26
SBD-3 Dauntless x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Myoko, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Haguro
CA Nachi, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (9 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 26000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Torokina at 109,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 43

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 55 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 12 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers



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Morning Air attack on Torokina , at 109,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 40

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 114 minutes
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 12 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Buin at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
Beaufort VIII x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort VIII: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 4 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Nachi

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Beaufort VIII launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 72 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 69 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers



-
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Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 13

Allied aircraft
P-70 Havoc x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x P-70 Havoc sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Torokina , at 109,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 25500 and 31500.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes

Feb 9-12, 1943

India: nothing new to report.

China: See map below

SOPAC/CENTPAC: nothing

Oz: nothing

NOPAC: lots of transports spotted near Attu...mmm...

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
OZ: as soon as he discovered i abbandoned SW Oz, he started to move again towards Kalgoo. Good. Just in time. We're now reinforcing Exmouth with 800 AVs. Don't wanna let him cross the corner easily once he gets back t Perth.

So you decided to abandon SW OZ after all? What was the calculus behind this?

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
OZ: as soon as he discovered i abbandoned SW Oz, he started to move again towards Kalgoo. Good. Just in time. We're now reinforcing Exmouth with 800 AVs. Don't wanna let him cross the corner easily once he gets back t Perth.

So you decided to abandon SW OZ after all? What was the calculus behind this?

The pop-up of waves of allied subs between Exmouth and Perth made up my mind. To seriously defend SW Oz i would need many more units than i have. At least 3 IDs. Not only for the first line, but also to protect the SLOCs between Port Hedland and Perth. And the KB would be needed permanently if he commits his carriers.
If i didn't have India theatre so active, that would be a valid strategy, but with my flanks exposed in India, i had to give priorities and i decided that defending the Bay of Bengal was much more important than Western Oz.
If i am not mistaken, as long as i hold Exmouth, a direct blow to Java and DEI would be pretty difficult for him. Not impossible, but difficult.
So the same strategic goal (defending the DEI) could be achieved without exposing my flank.
At the same time, shrinking my perimeter till Exmouth woul give me a much easier defensive position and could give the KB the Chance to effectively support the siege of Madras and the defence of Ceylon, at least untill this summer (43).
It's a pity, i know. The western Oz campaign didn't give me the hoped fruits...didn't destroy anything special (LCUs) there and didn't force him to committ a dangerous landing in 1942 (when i still had the upper hand). At leasti gained enough time to create a good line in northern Oz... but, once again, the cost in terms of supplies and fuel has been probably too high for what has effectively been achieved. Another good lesson learnt

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
OZ: as soon as he discovered i abbandoned SW Oz, he started to move again towards Kalgoo. Good. Just in time. We're now reinforcing Exmouth with 800 AVs. Don't wanna let him cross the corner easily once he gets back t Perth.

So you decided to abandon SW OZ after all? What was the calculus behind this?

The pop-up of waves of allied subs between Exmouth and Perth made up my mind. To seriously defend SW Oz i would need many more units than i have. At least 3 IDs. Not only for the first line, but also to protect the SLOCs between Port Hedland and Perth. And the KB would be needed permanently if he commits his carriers.
If i didn't have India theatre so active, that would be a valid strategy, but with my flanks exposed in India, i had to give priorities and i decided that defending the Bay of Bengal was much more important than Western Oz.
If i am not mistaken, as long as i hold Exmouth, a direct blow to Java and DEI would be pretty difficult for him. Not impossible, but difficult.
So the same strategic goal (defending the DEI) could be achieved without exposing my flank.
At the same time, shrinking my perimeter till Exmouth woul give me a much easier defensive position and could give the KB the Chance to effectively support the siege of Madras and the defence of Ceylon, at least untill this summer (43).
It's a pity, i know. The western Oz campaign didn't give me the hoped fruits...didn't destroy anything special (LCUs) there and didn't force him to committ a dangerous landing in 1942 (when i still had the upper hand). At leasti gained enough time to create a good line in northern Oz... but, once again, the cost in terms of supplies and fuel has been probably too high for what has effectively been achieved. Another good lesson learnt

Ya, that makes sense. I think your biggest problem was going after western OZ and India at the same time. You had enough to establish a good frontier in both regions to delay an Allied push in 43 but with those 3 IDs in Western OZ you lacked the army in India to decisively defeat the Allies there. Overall it's not a bad strategy in my mind but it's a conservative strategy and its success is contingent on Allied counter-moves falling on their head. Against an impatient player it likely could have yielded better results but your opponent was wise not to fall into that trap.

For the Japanese player it all comes down to timing as no position can be held forever. You seem to have a pretty good grip on that. Experience playing both sides helps in a matter like this.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

For the Japanese player it all comes down to timing as no position can be held forever. You seem to have a pretty good grip on that. Experience playing both sides helps in a matter like this.

Timing is everything. I agree. Against QBall i've learnt a lot about that, just as i learnt the importance of some strategic positions (Darwin among the others). Against Mr.Kane i've learnt how the strategic strongpoints can slow down the allies, even when they havesuperior firepower and can dominate the seas and the airspace.

However i do not have any dreams. I know my fate and i know obvert is a crack player, so he will soon suprise me.

I am now preparing my defences in the Kuriles (the winter will end soon...) and am planning the Sumatra-Java defences.
Soon i'll have to abbandon India, and, by then, i'll need to have some good pre-built positions in Burma and Sumatra (and in the Adamans)

Feb 13-16, 1943

Mid month is reached. In the last 9 turns overall supplies stocks have raised to 90K! that's 10K each day!
The Ki-61b is online and now producing 80 planes each month. I got only one KI-43IIb group that can upgrade to this model, so I won't be producing too many of them.
Moved 2x30 repaired factories to the KI-61d model (which is a good one!).
Tomorrow, feb 17, the A6M5c will be online!
I will produce immediately 200 of them, then i'll move some factories to the A6M8 model, while more factories will be moved to other lines (and I am not happy with the supplies expenditure related to these changements).

Anyway, in China we've launched the first DA against Chengteh. 1-2 but forts down to 2. Not bad. We'll get there...and then it will just be Changsha. My plan is to get to Changsha by the end of April 43.

Now I am looking forward to the KI-61c, which should arrive in july 43. I will have 3 good groups that will be able to upgrade to this beauty.
367 mhp
SR=3 (I know I know...)
but two HMGs in CL and 2 20mm on Front.. the same armament of the KI-84a. More than enough to down a 4E.

The KI-44 IIc will be another important addition. 8 groups will be able to upgrade to it and it should arrive by mid-march 43.
Finally I will have an armoured fighter for my KI-44a and b crack groups.

Feb 17-18, 1943

Erik must have accumulated enough of his brand new corsairs, because on the 17th and 18th they suddenly appear over Madras sweeping. 30 of them. We held our positions witnout too much sweat. Losses over Madras are 2-1 in his favour in thee two days of battle, and my groups are still strong. He needs much more of that if he wants the break my air force over Madras.

Erik sweeps Bouganville too with his P-38Gs.They found a group of KI-43 IIb and easily broke them, but not without losing 8 of their precious planes (between op and A2A losses).

The allies also finally tried to bombard at Madras to see what i have there...

Ground combat at Madras (35,40)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 154431 troops, 2458 guns, 3017 vehicles, Assault Value = 5822

Defending force 74640 troops, 746 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 1961


Assaulting units:
7th Indian Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
3rd Marine Division
6th Australian Division
754th Tank Battalion
254th Armoured Brigade
75th IAC Regiment
7th Australian Division
19th Indian Division
267th Armoured Brigade
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
26th Indian Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
102nd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
2nd British Division
73rd Motorised Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
762nd Tank Battalion
84th Indian Brigade
194th Tank Battalion
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
3rd Cavalry Regiment
70th British Division
7th Armoured Brigade
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
150th RAC Regiment
63rd Indian Brigade
1st USMC Tank Battalion
26th Indian Division
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Waziristan Division
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
501st Coast AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
369th Coast AA Regiment
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
64th Coast AA Regiment
198th Field Artillery Battalion
65th Coast AA Regiment
209th Field Artillery Battalion
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
94th Coast AA Regiment
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Medium Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
IV Indian Corps
28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
15th NZ AA Bde
30th Field Artillery Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
41st Division
22nd Tank Regiment
10th Garrison Unit
6th Guards Division
38th Division
5th Guards Division
12th JAAF Base Force
3rd Air Defense AA Regiment
5th Field Construction Battalion
11th Air Defense AA Regiment
23rd Ind.AA Gun Co
2nd JAAF Base Force
6th Field Construction Battalion
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Mortar Battalion
22nd Air Flotilla
50th Field AA Battalion
4th Air Defense AA Regiment
54th Const Co
15th Army
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
52nd Field AA Battalion
16th AA Regiment
62nd JAAF AF Bn


Nearly 6000 AVs against my 1900... [X(]




Finally caught some of his hated APDs unloading men at Panggoe

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Panggoe at 111,133

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Sands
APD Manley, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
APD Lawrence, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
APD Kennison, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Manley
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Lawrence
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring APD Kennison

This should keep him a bit more honest in the Solomons now that he's approaching Bouganville...



The first unit of 30 A6M5c is now operative at Tricomale[8D]. Feels good to finally have an armoured Zeke[:'(].
The A6M8 RnD will now have a boost. Planning to have it online by the end of this spring. This will give me a decent fighter that should be able to stand at decent terms against his arriving F3F Hellcats.

From what i've seen so far, the KI-43 IIIa holds his own even against Corsairs. It's a fast plane (364 mhp)for the japanese standards and even if it's very fragile (23 DUR) it is better than the best navy fighter i can field at the moment (the A6M5).



CHINA: we finally managed to get through the damned mountain hex NW of Kweyiang, thus clearing the main road that leads to the central plains. At Chengteh we had a bloody nose (1-2 and forts still up to 2), but the defenders are getting worn down and i have reserves right behind the first line, so i am not really worried...

What are your fort levels at Madras?

ORIGINAL: witpqs

What are your fort levels at Madras?

6 and building

Feb 19, 43


A not-so-lucky day.

INDIA: we've set up the perfect ambush for the RN stationing in western India.
The KB moved in unseen...
Weather was perfect.
Settings perfect.
Good leaders everywhere.
KB divided into 3 TFs.
D/L has 10/10 for days
Only less than half of the DBs and TBs launched...results were horrible[:o]

I hope, at least, that this little adventure will force him to be a little bit more honest with his navy in India...thus buying me more time

But now that the KB is spotted... his CVs may appear everywhere!

At the same time the allies launched another air attack against the Musashi's TF at Buin... results weren't great for him either

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Morning Air attack on Mangalore , at 30,34

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 27 *SHOKAKU's Sentai*

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x A6M5 Zero sweeping at 25000 feet


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Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 81

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 12
P-70 Havoc x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed
P-70 Havoc: 3 destroyed



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Morning Air attack on Buin , at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 79

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 17
P-39D Airacobra x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 1 on standby, 10 scrambling)
25 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 4 scrambling)
33 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 29600.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Mangalore , at 30,34

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 42
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 42

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
42 x Ki-45 KAIa Nick sweeping at 25000 feet
42 x Ki-43-IIIa Oscar sweeping at 25000 feet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Mangalore , at 30,34

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 78

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed



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Morning Air attack on TF, near Buin at 109,131

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 88

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 29
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Nachi
CA Haguro
BB Musashi

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
201 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (21 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(24 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
21 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
8 planes vectored on to bombers
Yokosuka Ku S-2 with A6M5 Zero (14 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 25000.
Raid is overhead
4 planes vectored on to bombers
281 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead
7 planes vectored on to bombers
282 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 8 scrambling)
(27 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
12 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 51 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Mangalore at 30,34

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 92 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 78
B6N1 Jill x 25
D4Y1 Judy x 30

ONLY!?!?!!?!?!? This should be the whole KB!!?!?!?

Japanese aircraft losses
B6N1 Jill: 1 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 5 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Caradoc, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
CL Danae
CA Frobisher, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Dauntless, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Capetown
CA Hawkins
DD Arunta
DD Nizam

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
24 x B6N1 Jill launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
7 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CL Caradoc


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Buin at 109,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 58

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 33
SBD-3 Dauntless x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 8 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 destroyed



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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mangalore at 30,34 * in the afternoon a little bit better but still half of the bombers never took off*

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 78
B5N2 Kate x 25
B6N1 Jill x 37
D4Y1 Judy x 27

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 5 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 1 destroyed by flak
D4Y1 Judy: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Capetown, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CL Dauntless, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Warramunga
CA Frobisher, Torpedo hits 1
DD Nestor
CA Hawkins, Torpedo hits 1
DD Isaac Sweers
CL Danae, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Napier
CL Caradoc, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage




So, results aren't great... but at least I used the KB... need now to get back into the shadows...

Now the KB will move back into the shadows, where it will upgrade half of its fighters to the A6M5c and complete the transition from the B5N2 to the B6N1.
I think we've sunk 2 or 3 old CLs, damaging 2 more and putting out of the war for a couple of weeks the 2 CAs involved. But the best goal could be to force Erik to cover a little more his bases and to be more cautious with his fleet, thus slowing down the pace of his advance.
We've lost 5 A6M5 (3 pilots KIA/MIA) and some 7 bombers in this little raid. Not bad.

On the other side of the planet, the allied in the Solomons are becoming more and more aggressive, but so far they have suffered every time they moved away from the main basic scheme (meaning advancing one island at time under a HUGE CAP umbrella). The presence of my strong BB/CA SAGs and a strong LBA should force him to keep a slow pace there...hopefully at least

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ONLY!?!?!!?!?!? This should be the whole KB!!?!?!?

Game engine is always calculation airstrike size base on detected ships number, types and size. You cannot expect full KB strike against a few cruisers.

ORIGINAL: MrKane

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ONLY!?!?!!?!?!? This should be the whole KB!!?!?!?

Game engine is always calculation airstrike size base on detected ships number, types and size. You cannot expect full KB strike against a few cruisers.

You are right Tom!
However I did hope I could make a single devastating strike so to sink the whole damned fleet... don't wanna stay one more day and being forced to face the LBA or PT/subs threats...

Pity... well, it will be for the next time[:D]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

What are your fort levels at Madras?

6 forts.
If my calculations are right, the adjusted AV should be:

1900*2(terrain type)*2.25(fortication multiplier)

roughly 8,400 AVs.

I know I know...firepower etc... but how can he get an higher AV adjusted AVs as long as he can't use his bombers and navy to soften the place?

Yes, I find fault with Obvert going for a massive siege in Madras. He knows you have one tank division bottled up there and with his superior mobile units should be driving down the open ground between Deli and Calcutta. It is a total waste to use these great units in siege fighting. No Japanese unit at this stage can fight them in open ground. In 1944 the Allies can engage in slugging matches but in early 43 they need to capitalize on their mobility.

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Yes, I find fault with Obvert going for a massive siege in Madras. He knows you have one tank division bottled up there and with his superior mobile units should be driving down the open ground between Deli and Calcutta. It is a total waste to use these great units in siege fighting. No Japanese unit at this stage can fight them in open ground. In 1944 the Allies can engage in slugging matches but in early 43 they need to capitalize on their mobility.

Don't even have a tank division there, just 4 ordinary IJA divisions. The normal ones, without extra artillery or Heavy IJA 43 squads. Plain divisions under the 15th Army HQ.
As u may remember my original plan was to lure Erik to make a push in the plains between Patna and Calcutta forcing him to outflank Patna on the right and going down the plains, then moving in with a huge army of Tanks and cut his supply paths and bottle him there. The plan didn't work because Erik suffered those massive defeats at Ranchi and Patna and decided to aim at western India...

Now if i could only lure him to make a landing at Ceylon...


Feb 20 was an important day: we spotted the enemy's CVs moving from Sydney to Melbourne (lost a sub due to Avengers in the middle of the ocean there...)
My CVs are moving back, dancing against an horde of enemy subs...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 20, 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 184,99

Japanese Ships
SS I-4

Allied Ships
ARD AFDM-5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage[:D]...finally, it's been a while since we sunk something
ACM Pine
YMS-99

SS I-4 launches 2 torpedoes at ARD AFDM-5
YMS-99 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-99 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-99 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-99 fails to find sub, continues to search...
YMS-99 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 345 encounters mine field at Buin (109,131)[8D]

Allied Ships
SS Pollack, Mine hits 1


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

ohhhh...this is good and un-hoped!
Now Changsha is in sight....

Ground combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 42769 troops, 485 guns, 677 vehicles, Assault Value = 1273

Defending force 39999 troops, 148 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1088

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 918

Allied adjusted defense: 241

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Changteh !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1505 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 116 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled

Allied ground losses:
15065 casualties reported
Squads: 400 destroyed, 70 disabled
Non Combat: 241 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 77 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
116th Division
39th Division
3rd Tank Division
60th Division
11th Army
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment

Defending units:
53rd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
20th Group Army
6th Construction Regiment
39th Chinese Corps
17th Construction Regiment



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

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1878 troops, 161 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 1511

Defending force 70973 troops, 245 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1841

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
68th Division
58th Division
70th Division
13th Division
8th Mongol Cavalry Division
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
12th Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
10th Mortar Battalion
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
14th Construction Regiment
29th Group Army
9th War Area
19th Group Army
27th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at Madras (35,40)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 154318 troops, 2458 guns, 3017 vehicles, Assault Value = 5810

Defending force 74636 troops, 746 guns, 497 vehicles, Assault Value = 1958

Japanese ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
305 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
26th Indian Brigade
75th IAC Regiment
22nd (East African) Brigade
84th Indian Brigade
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
7th Australian Division
19th Indian Division
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
24th (Sep) Infantry Regiment
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
254th Armoured Brigade
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
63rd Indian Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
6th Australian Division
7th Indian Division
754th Tank Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
3rd Cavalry Regiment
762nd Tank Battalion
159th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
102nd(Sep) Infantry Regiment
73rd Motorised Brigade
2nd British Division
70th British Division
267th Armoured Brigade
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
194th Tank Battalion
268th Motorised Brigade
3rd Marine Division
26th Indian Division
1st USMC Tank Battalion
150th RAC Regiment
Waziristan Division
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
26th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
6th Medium Regiment
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
III Indian Corps
2/9th Field Regiment
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment
198th Field Artillery Battalion
85th British AT Gun Regiment
94th Coast AA Regiment
1st USMC Field Artillery Battalion
28th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
369th Coast AA Regiment
65th Coast AA Regiment
2nd Indian Heavy AA Regiment
30th Field Artillery Regiment
IV Indian Corps
501st Coast AA Regiment
209th Field Artillery Battalion
64th Coast AA Regiment
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
15th NZ AA Bde
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
41st Division
22nd Tank Regiment
38th Division
6th Guards Division
10th Garrison Unit
5th Guards Division
16th AA Regiment
6th Field Construction Battalion
5th Field Construction Battalion
52nd Field AA Battalion
4th Air Defense AA Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
22nd Air Flotilla
2nd JAAF Base Force
15th Army
50th Field AA Battalion
12th JAAF Base Force
3rd Air Defense AA Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
23rd Ind.AA Gun Co
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
11th Air Defense AA Regiment
54th Const Co
3rd Mortar Battalion
62nd JAAF AF Bn




mmm.... 1800 AVs at Changsha...i think i can overcome them. Am massing 8 Divisions for this goal...