BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

Indeed, nothing like emulating a major disaster Inqistor [;)]

I had to make a difficult decision this turn; march my troops out of Shwebo and leave 3 AA and one Recon unit to the enemy or stay and fight with a lack of supplies.
- I chose the latter, hope it wasn't the wrong one. 9 enemy units have now marched into Shwebo but I don't know their makeup but expect it to be some Chinese as well as the units I routed before. Have to wait and see were the enemy army is marching, a single Bde has already moved south closer to Magwe.

There's nothing I'd like more than to withdraw from the open basin, but this would be the end of Rangoon and that's not an option.

I also started the process of splitting up the Base Force units around Magwe; since the bases can be closed at will it doesn't make sense to try to keep any single major base open, much as you suggested Inqistor! A fine mix of expendable Oscars and more capable Tojo's could work. It always seem like the worst fighters are those that go down first.

The idea about using LRCAP is good, we can probably cause more Allied bombers losses. The draw back is that many of those individual 20 ac CAP packets most likely will face superior numbers of enemy fighters sweeping at high altitude. Allied fighters will also suffer though and I have realised that nothing but a painful battle of attrition is possible. Lost airframes we can afford, but we're also talking about the best fighter pilots in the Jap Army Air Force here.

A few cunning plans have been set in motion though, Port Blair has been upgraded and now holds 70 crack Nell naval bombers and an Air HQ.
- Surface combat TFs are operating in the area and 2 bombardment group will hit Cox's and Chittagong again tomorrow.

Supplies;

Hm it's certainly possible that such supply drains caused by bombing will have a major impact. My experience is still that even before Shwebo was bombed I could never manage to get supplies into the base; it was constantly in the red. If I want to hit back most of my bombers have to fly at extended range unless I wish to base them within range of enemy 4Es...(I don't).

So what's the implications of your understanding of supply management in Oz; can Andy easily supply his armies in Tennant Creek and beyond?
- Any smaller para unit or remnant will be quickly disposed of I'm afraid, we also don't drop para's on non-base hexes.

Sending Glen's on recon missions over major cities like LA and SF would most likely see them shot down in no time.
Think I got 5 subs with Glen's in the Central Pacific right now.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: PzB
I also started the process of splitting up the Base Force units around Magwe; since the bases can be closed at will it doesn't make sense to try to keep any single major base open, much as you suggested Inqistor! A fine mix of expendable Oscars and more capable Tojo's could work. It always seem like the worst fighters are those that go down first.

I don't think Oscar is good choice, but the only other are ZEROs, so it risks navy pilots. Anyway OSCARs at least can patrol higher, as they have troubles with downing bombers.

The idea about using LRCAP is good, we can probably cause more Allied bombers losses. The draw back is that many of those individual 20 ac CAP packets most likely will face superior numbers of enemy fighters sweeping at high altitude.

20 planes is something like WORST CASE SCENARIO. There should be 20-30 fighters from attacked base, and 5-15 from every nearby unit, so I'm guessing average will be 40-50 at least, but even 20 should be enough for fair combat. Japan still have better pilots, and most Allied planes are not better, than Japanese.

Allied fighters will also suffer though and I have realised that nothing but a painful battle of attrition is possible. Lost airframes we can afford, but we're also talking about the best fighter pilots in the Jap Army Air Force here.

Yup, maybe it is time to release pilots from training somewhere sooner? The situation with time will only be worse. Anyway Allies should lost more pilots in this engagement. Actually if A2A will be good, it is worth considering to man units with greenier pilots, if they are expected only to shot down unescorted bombers.

If I want to hit back most of my bombers have to fly at extended range unless I wish to base them within range of enemy 4Es...(I don't).

Airfield bombardments weren't so far especially effective, so there are always other targets. With full bomb payload.

So what's the implications of your understanding of supply management in Oz; can Andy easily supply his armies in Tennant Creek and beyond?

I would guess the PANZER FIST operates currently at 50-70% maximum efficiency, because of lack of supplies. It is actually possible to count days it needs to march one hex, and count it effectiveness by it. If you have troubles at Shwebo, there should be even more problems in Australia. But hey, even identical Allied bomb payload makes much more damages, than Japanese, so who knows?

- Any smaller para unit or remnant will be quickly disposed of I'm afraid, we also don't drop para's on non-base hexes.

Only by other para drop. If they are to be countered by land, Allies must first march through like 3 hexes, and it will take a week.
It is possible, that on every second road hex is guarding unit, but I don't think so.

Sending Glen's on recon missions over major cities like LA and SF would most likely see them shot down in no time.
Think I got 5 subs with Glen's in the Central Pacific right now.

In my experience GLENs much more often are destroyed by operational losses. 2 flies should be enough to detect bigger ships.

[PzB74]

I actually don't have more spare Zero's; the ones I have escort naval bombers or have been deployed in the Pacific.
Nicks I don't want to burn completely as they're deterent to 4Es. That leaves Tojo's and Oscars.

This turn I have deployed a piecemeal LR and CAP over various bases to increase enemy losses.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 14, 42

Surface Combat

Bombardment TF picks up a ship on the way in!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Cox's Bazar at 54,42, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CA Aoba
DD Arashi
DD Oshio
DD Michishio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
xAKL Kalarand, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bombardments

The bombardments cause some damage but nothing to write home about.

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Nagato
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Minegumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Natsugumo

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 22
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

BB Ise firing at 77th Coast AA Regiment
BB Nagato firing at 109th RN Base Force
109th RN Base Force firing at BB Nagato
DD Shiratsuyu firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Minegumo firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Yamagumo firing at Cox's Bazar
DD Natsugumo firing at Cox's Bazar
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground

53 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 4
CA Atago
DD Arashio
DD Michishio
DD Oshio
DD Arashi

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

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 13

CA Aoba firing at Chittagong Fortress
Chittagong Fortress firing at CA Aoba
1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at CA Atago
CA Atago firing at 1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
DD Arashio firing at Chittagong
DD Michishio firing at Chittagong
DD Oshio firing at Chittagong
DD Arashi firing at RAF 225 Group Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Invasions

Fast transport to get rid of enemy paras

Pre-Invasion action off Groote Eylandt
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Hamakaze
DD Amatsukaze

DD Hagikaze firing at 3rd RAAF M/W Sqn
DD Hamakaze firing at 3rd RAAF M/W Sqn
DD Amatsukaze firing at 3rd RAAF M/W Sqn
DD Hagikaze fired at enemy troops
DD Hamakaze fired at enemy troops
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Groote Eylandt

TF 211 troops unloading over beach at Groote Eylandt, 82,130

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sub Attacks

More sub attacks and more duds around the Home Islands.
Got 4-5 ASW groups at work and need longer range ASW ac.

Submarine attack near Kochi at 107,62

Japanese Ships
TK Nitiei Maru

Allied Ships
SS Gudgeon

TK Nitiei Maru is sighted by SS Gudgeon
SS Gudgeon launches 6 torpedoes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Koshiki-jima Retto at 100,60

Japanese Ships
xAK Totori Maru
PB Keinan Maru
xAK Tosei Maru
PB Rikusen Maru

Allied Ships
SS Kingfish

SS Kingfish launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Totori Maru
Kingfish diving deep ....
PB Rikusen Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Rikusen Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Rikusen Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Rikusen Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Rikusen Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Our naval bombers at Port Blair score their first kill.
- By mistake our bombardment TF at Chittagong hangs around and is saved by the fact that only
9 SBD's take of to attack them....

4E's perform ground attack against our paras; In real life such bombings usually nuked friends as foes
as bombs couldn't be dropped accross frontlines with much precision.

Morning Air attack on 39th Indian Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th Indian Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 14000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 42
Blenheim VD x 10
Hudson I x 23
Mitchell II x 4

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Hudson I: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12

No Allied losses

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Madras at 39,43
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 10
G3M3 Nell x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
xAKL Meroendoeng, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
DD Norman
DD Nepal
DD Phelps

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
10 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 14th Indian Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
45 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 14th Indian Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 destroyed, 17 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 14000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 2nd USMC Parachute Battalion, at 83,126 (Wessel Islands)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tennant Creek , at 76,137
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 5th Chinese Corps, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 31
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 9 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 16000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Chittagong at 55,41
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 9
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 11

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CA Atago
DD Michishio

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 14th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Bolingbroke IV x 4
P-38E Lightning x 4

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Bolingbroke IV bombing from 17000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 1st Raiding Regiment, at 82,130 (Groote Eylandt)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 8

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 3rd Indpt SNLF Coy , at 82,130 (Groote Eylandt)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Enemy bombardment attack at Shwebo reveals that the enemy is stronger than us but that
we have more tanks. The supply shortage could be telling though; if Andy can supply his Army at Shwebo and
we don't we're toast..and I'll be mighty pi$$ed :p)

Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)
Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 42075 troops, 475 guns, 203 vehicles, Assault Value = 1858
Defending force 33869 troops, 349 guns, 572 vehicles, Assault Value = 1324

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

Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
17th Indian Division
46th Indian Brigade
14th Indian Division
5th Chinese Corps
39th Indian Division
66th Chinese/C Corps
Burma Corps

Defending units:
14th Division
2nd Recon Battalion
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
23rd Tank Regiment
4th Division
14th Tank Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
56th Field AA Battalion
50th Field AA Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We wipe out the enemy infestation, one island to go - an amph landing unit and a naval guard
will handle that.

Ground combat at Groote Eylandt (82,130)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 730 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39
Defending force 317 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Japanese adjusted assault: 11
Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Groote Eylandt !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
389 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /2
3rd Indpt SNLF Coy /1
Yokosuka Assault SNLF /3

Defending units:
2nd USMC Parachute Bn /10
3rd RAAF M/W Sqn /1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Action in Burma

[PzB74]

Northern Australia

[PzB74]

Burma

Ok we have reached a critical junction in this first Allied offensive of the war.
23 enemy units have marched onto the plains between Magwe and Mandalay.

In Shwebo our 1350 AV is facing 1850 AV of enemy (inferior?) troops and will try to fight them to a standstill.
- I now need your advice for one of the most important decisions;

Should we move all our troops in Mandalay and Magwe towards the enemy units and try to trap and defeat them?
I have already ordered most combat units to march (move mode) and we can besiege the enemy in 2 days.
We got ca 3200 AV to deploy, leaving a garrison at Magwe and Mandalay. In 7-10 days a reserve division will arrive at Rangoon.

Worries:
a) the enemy Army will march into Magwe or Mandalay as we march to meet them, is this possible?
b) if we sit idle the enemy Army may overpower the garrison at Mandalay and trap our troops in Shwebo.

I've ordered most of our bombers to hit the enemy and expect and uber effort by the enemy as well.
If we succeed here Burma will be saved for this time, if we fail we loose the central Basin and Rangoon will be threatened.

We should be more tank heavy than the Allied troops as they have cut down the jungle to get their tank units and supply convoys through the jungle.
Quite a feat [;)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Worries:
a) the enemy Army will march into Magwe or Mandalay as we march to meet them, is this possible?

Do you mean if the two armies are marching toward each other and both accumulate the necessary miles to advance 1 hex on the same turn?

I don't know what will happen - I've never seen it. Purely guessing, I think the IJ force would move and the Allied force would be blocked from moving. I base this only upon the fact that the IJ seems to move first in ground combat, so I presume same in ground movement.

Might be a good developer question in the main forum?

[PzB74]

Yes, but I'm not sure I'd like to ask Andy this question right now [;)]
- Still I want to avoid major FUBAR even more.... [:D]

[witpqs]

PM one of the programmers?

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Burma
...
23 enemy units have marched onto the plains between Magwe and Mandalay.

In Shwebo our 1350 AV is facing 1850 AV of enemy (inferior?) troops and will try to fight them to a standstill.
- I now need your advice for one of the most important decisions;

Should we move all our troops in Mandalay and Magwe towards the enemy units and try to trap and defeat them?
I have already ordered most combat units to march (move mode) and we can besiege the enemy in 2 days.
We got ca 3200 AV to deploy, leaving a garrison at Magwe and Mandalay. In 7-10 days a reserve division will arrive at Rangoon.

Worries:
a) the enemy Army will march into Magwe or Mandalay as we march to meet them, is this possible?
b) if we sit idle the enemy Army may overpower the garrison at Mandalay and trap our troops in Shwebo.
...

Hmmh, this theater has really become a thorn in your side. I would say if you allow Andy to take the basin, and particularly give him access to a harbor like Rangoon, then the Malayian peninsula and Vietnam will be in British-Indian hands by mid 1943. Then he will attack Sumatra or Java, or alternative jump from Vietnam into Borneo and complete isolate the theater will all it's assets -- then all the garrison forces and air there would be wasted and taken out without a battle. Plus supply flowing into China (see what Nemo121 is achieving there with additional supply!). I don't want to paint worse ghosts, but I think your goal must be to hold Burma at least until late 1943, if not longer, even if you have to strip SRA and DEI for troops and air.

For this year, when does monsoon start and end? Can you hold the basin until the rain comes? Even if Andy has fully supplied and undisrupted troops, which logically must be close to impossible, Andy's supply situation must get much worse so far off his bases connected only through long supplies lines in poor jungle terrain if this engine handle the supply and weather only reasonably well. Then he either will need to have a port to get supplies faster, or needs to stop offensive actions and maybe even withdraw back to India if you push. So I would try in your situation to contain him where he is. Maybe he is actually only putting up a big demonstration for you to channel as much of your forces into Burma and attrit them meanwhile a bit using forces he doesn't plan to use elsewhere, and knows would be idle otherwise (as you voluntarily ceded initiative not attacking India).

The exact tactical dispositions of how and where to stop Andy I think you can handle best yourself. Mandalay and Magwe, I don't know, but I guess I would personally be tempted to move your forces there. However, I would be daring and move less forces into the better fortified place, and try to concentrate as much as possible on the other enemy stack. Try to whip them one after the other...

As for the air war... I think you are actually doing quite fine. The hit accuracy and calculated effects of the 4E and 2E bombers maybe be a bit over the top, though. If I translate the effect of a few bomber here over to a 1000 bomber strike in Europe historically, then I wonder how war could have lasted beyond spring 1944. After all wasn't one "hit criterion" for a 4E bomber crew that it's bombs fell in a 5km circle around the target area? I recall that from a canadian docu series on the air war. Likely the accuracy for a well-defined, visible target was in truth better, but if it was so much better, why would this criterion have existed? Anyway, I think you are doing really fine and Andy must be short on replacements, and loosing a higher ratio of valuable pilots since you are fighting on your own terrain...
Good luck!

[PzB74]

Yes, could do that - suggestions for a good candidate?
Can ask JW as well if he's around!

My problem is that the basin in Burma is clear terrain, if it was jungle I could defend with 1 hand and 4 fingers tied to my back as terrain modifiers are extremely powerful in AE.
- Loose the Basin and we will be absolutely pummeled from the air, making it impossible to reinforce Rangoon from the sea.
- Loose Rangoon and Port Blair will suffer the same fate and then the bases south can be trashed while Sumatra is threatened.

All this would of course take most of 43, but it's still a very ugly worst case picture.
Monsoon period last from May-September which means we still got another 5.5 months left [8|]
In real life October would be a "drying up" month.

So yes, I'm pulling lots of resources in. With the extra division enroute we will have 5500 AV in the area.
Reserves will then be limited to 1 Guards Rgt at Bangkok, 1 Regiment and 1 Bde at Singapore as well as numerous smaller garrison units in Sumatra.
- More substantial reinforcements are held in Java, but I can't move this and one div is still rebuilding. In a worst case scenario I got 1 division at Rabaul that can be shipped in.

The next couple of turns will see 2 decisive revelations; Can Andy defeat us at Shwebo and what will be the strength ratio between our Burma Basin Army and the "Stack" that Andy has deployed there.

If we can manage a 1-1 against the "Stack" it should be possible to sustain things and maybe also drive it back into the jungle if supplies becomes an issue for Andy.
This is Andy doing what he likes best and knows best, so I'm not expecting an easy run.

Losses in the air will also be heavy, but there's no holding back now; LAST MAN STANDING!!!

[witpqs]

Here is what I saved about the monsoon:

"The monsoon thing (may 15 to oct 15) is only for bases that have max draw.

Posted by BigJ62 (AE developer): < Message edited by BigJ62 -- 2/21/2010 3:12:39 AM >"

[PzB74]

Yep, so plenty of time and the fight is on&nbsp;until someone withdraws....
&nbsp;
A little about Burma Geography
&nbsp;
Communications
In 1941, communications within Burma were poorly developed and overland routes with bordering countries were almost non-existent.
Almost all communications ran north-south, including the Rangoon-Mandalay railway. Other lines ran from Mandalay to Lashio, from Rangoon to Prome and from Pegu across the Sittang to Martaban, connecting to Moulmein and the line through Tenasserim to Ye by rail ferry.
&nbsp;
The road system in 1941 was primitive, with some parts of the country connected by little more than tracks. There were all weather roads - from Rangoon to Mandalay, from Meiktila through the Shan State, through the Karen Hills connecting Toungoo with Loilem, from Rangoon to Prome and on to Mandalay (though not always passable in heavy rains).
&nbsp;
Due to the reliance on cheap sea communications with India across the Bay of Bengal there had been little interest in developing overland communications between India and Burma. There were no roads through the mountainous border area and overland communications with India were restricted to a few dangerous tracks.
&nbsp;
The frontier with China was crossed by the Burma Road near Wantung, north east of Mandalay. Communications with Siam depended on tracks, the major routes being across the Dawna Range from Moulmein and from Moulmein through Three Pagodas Pass to Bangkok.
The most important internal communication route was the river traffic on the Irrawaddy and the Chindwin. Services were provided by the large fleet of river craft operated by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.
&nbsp;
Burma was an important link in the Imperial route from Britain to Australia. There was an airport near Rangoon, at Mingaladon, and landing grounds Akyab and Lashio. There were emergency landing grounds running down Tenasserim on the way to Singapore, at Moulmein, Tavoy and Mergui. There was an air service between Rangoon and Chungking and flying boats landed at Rangoon and Akyab. Defence of this leg of the Imperial air route was strategic for Britain.

[castor troy]

IMO you don´t need Rangoon at all. You´ve got Bangkok with a big port and rail connection. Takes only a couple of days to have a unit at the front if it starts at Bangkok.

Losing Burma is a mess (not because you lose Burma but because China will draw ample supply from Burma). In my PBEM, Rainer79 lost Burma to my advance in a couple of days as his troops were kicked out of high level forts in clear terrain easily (I really brought the hammer) but he now holds in the Moulmein area and I can´t really see a way to break through here, everything is either jungle or jungle rough which is even worse. BUT, I´ve started a big offensive in China now (2 weeks ahead in my game compared to my AAR) with all the supplies I´ve got available and this is happening in South Western China with the Japanese caught on the wrong foot. What I would suggest every Japanese player is to try to defend Burma in hexes that can be defended (means jungle, North and West of the basin) or give up on Burma and hold the border to Thailand AND take out Western China. Taking out Western China and stalemating the Allied in Northern Thailand (East of Pegu) means the Chinese won´t get supplies and the Allied won´t advance further, at least not with a ground offensive.

[PzB74]

I fear the longer term (43-44) effects of Loosing Burma and Rangoon to the Allies in late 42 and early 43.
- Bypassing Port Blaire and Rangoon efficiently opens the road to Sumatra and defenses must be built and prepared.
- Rangoon will provide a 4E hub for bombing missions against cities and convoys in a 10-20 hex radius.
&nbsp;
Any offensive in Northern China will take a lot of time and resources and can at earliest be completed sometime in 43.
If I have to something will be arranged, but otherwise Burma and Rangoon will be defended to the end.
&nbsp;
Everything depends on the outcome of 2 coming engagements in the Basin between the troops in Shwebo and the "Stack".
Victory and we have won another year, that's the only conceivable outcome for the Empire!

[PzB74]

A short update regarding ground movement: this turn 1 enemy unit from the "stack" marched into Mandalay and this caused ALL our units in Mandalay to cancel their movement orders both towards
Shwebo and "the stack". If I want to move now it requires a major detour....

2 tank units from Magwe moved into the "stack" and probably halted movement of Andy's Army.

I'm just frustrated about ground combat these days; I don't know what to expect either way.

[PzB74]

According to Andy his armored unit "won" the race into Mandalay, capturing the "flag" (hex side) and denying our units the ability to move west until
defeating the Allied LCU that moved into Mandalay. What I don't understand is why this unit managed to move faster than our tank units moving in the opposite direction [&:]
- Ref my earlier question; units don't bypass each other, they race each other....

I have ordered an attack against the enemy tank unit but Andy informs that many other units will also move into Mandalay this turn.
- I though my tank units entering the hex with is "stack" from Magwe would also cancell his units moving, but this isn't so...it would only cancel his units moving towards Magwe.

Aargh, I'm playing in the dark here; got absolutely no clue about how all this works.

My problems keeping Shwebo supplies is caused by the base size according to Andy;
"Swebo has a supply cap of 250 that means it can receive MAX 250 x ( 1+ Fort Level/3 +Port + AF)

So that’s the max per day supply amount the base can receive so if the base is lvl 1 AF and lvl 6 forts it can receive a maximum of about 1,000 tonnes of supply per day now my round the clock bombing and the size of your LCU stack will prevent fast forward dumping of supplies its one of the main reasons why so many of the bases on my side are maxing out AF’s to build the infrastructure to improve my supply net."

I thought the railnetwork would keep the units supplied independently of the base size, but it's obviously not so.

I'm learning a lot, but it's all costly lessons and I'm afraid I'll loose Shwebo and Mandalay and suffer some routes in the process.
But it's all hanging in the balance; Andy is supplying his troops from the air via Chittagong which we are constantly interdicting. A few forced battles and Allied units may run completely out of supplies.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 15, 42

Invasions

Securing the last enemy occupied dot island. Jeez, half the unit got disabled when landing unopposed.
Think they needed this training [;)]

Amphibious Assault at Wessel Islands
TF 233 troops unloading over beach at Wessel Islands, 83,126

Japanese ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Our limited CAP over the basin claimed 9 enemy fighters while loosing 8 friendly.
Pilot losses were lighter fighting over friendly turf. Combat report today indicates a totla of 24 enemy ac lost in all theaters while Japan lost 20.

While we bombed enemy LCU's moderately Allied bombers returned the favor 4 times.
I've removed these bombing reports, just leaving the first xx number of Allied fighter sweeps that removed all our CAP fighters before the bombers arrived.
It's almost impossible to get to the bombers unless deploying 1.5 times more fighters in the exact area were the enemy is attacking.

We also continue to suppress Tennant Creek and Changsha.


Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
50th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(10 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 176 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 14th Guards Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hurricane IIa Trop sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hurricane IIa Trop sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 29000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 29000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mini KB launched 2 good strikes and sank 6 light (loaded) frighters, an escort and 3 fleet destroyers!
That's quite a scoop! [8D]

With 70 Nells at Port Blair and the Mini KB in the Indian Sea it will be very dangerous for Andy to sortie again.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Vizagapatnam at 42,41
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35
B5N2 Kate x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AM Poole, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Kwangtung, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Norman
DD Nepal

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vizagapatnam at 42,41
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38
B5N1 Kate x 12
B5N2 Kate x 46

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Phelps, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL De Haan, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
DD Nepal, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Norman, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Lematang, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Siaoe, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL De Klerk, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Bintoehan, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
7 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 4000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
5 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 2000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL De Haan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Captured a dot base behind the Burma basin to divert Allied resources.

Ground combat at Kalemyo (59,42)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 63 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 3
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kalemyo !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /2
---------------------------------------------------------------

Burma

[witpqs]

Remember that while that is the daily cap, the rules on which days a base can actually draw supplies depend upon movement range to another base.

I forget the values, but there is short range, medium range, and long range. For example a railroad from one hex to the next makes that hex 'cheap' in terms of range, while mountain terrain with not even a road makes that hex very expensive.

Short range: 4 days per week.
Medium range: 2 days per week.
Long range: 1 day per week.

I am not sure if the algorithm makes them be cumulative (in other words if a base at short range partakes in all 3 cycles thereby being eligible to receive supply 7 days per week).

You might have a cluster of inland bases all within short range of each other, but if the closest base from which that cluster (as a whole) can receive supply is at medium range, then you are stuck with 2 (or 3) days per week.

I suppose the railroad to central Burma will make supply easy, but this can matter for you at other times. Like if roads and rail lines get cut. It most likely is a limiting factor for Andy's forces getting supplies.

[Lomri]

Keep an eye on hex-side ownership. (forget the key to turn on the view off the top of my head). Andy is going to be using hex-side ownership to his advantage in this theater, so make sure you are aware on how it will cut off your movement. (which you learned the hard with him moving that unit through the hexside of your advance).

This really is Andy playing to his strengths. He appears to be putting all his energy into this theater because he doesn't feel capable of the same bold advances in a more naval/aviation setting like the pacific.

[witpqs]

Good point! Hex side ownership affects supply movement, too.

[PzB74]

Hm, what is short - medium and long range then?
What is the distance Rangoon - Shwebo considered as and how many weekly supply burst will Shewbo get?
Will supply still move into Shewbo as long as I control Mandalay and the hex side going south to Rangoon?

I think Andy is playing his best card; he can't do a Cent Pac offensive yet and he knows all about ground combat and loves SEAC [8|]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 16, 42

Sub Attacks

Our sub is spotted by the escorts and given a beating...
This east of Auckland!

ASW attack near Raoul Island at 124,185

Japanese Ships
SS I-8, hits 2

Allied Ships
TK Salland
TK Osthav
TK Gulfcoast
xAK Michael Livanos
xAK George Livanos
xAK Sophocles
xAK Skagerak
xAK Borgfred
xAK Bintang
DD Dent
DD Farragut
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Again there are a dozen sweeps which we fight to a draw!
Numerous Allied (and some) Jap attacks on troops continue to harass the ground armies.
- This is a ground interdiction on a D-Day scale in 42.

We manage to organize our air defense so well that there are fighters left when the bombers appear
over some central targets.

Despite that over 40 fighters intercept the bombers, especially B-17's not _ONE_ bomber is claimed lost in A2A.
2 B-17's and 2 B-25's are op losses, heavy flak didn't count either.
- Gawd almighty, this is truly mission impossible!

Still, 40 Allied ac losses must hurt. We lost only 5 pilots KIA, 1 MIA and 11 WIA.
That's acceptable.

Morning Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 41
Hudson I x 14
Mitchell II x 4
B-17D Fortress x 5
B-17E Fortress x 28
P-40E Warhawk x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 4 damaged
Hudson I: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th Guards Division, at 76,133
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 4 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
1st Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2
B-17F Fortress x 9
P-40E Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 5 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
11th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
21st Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead
77th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 11

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2
B-17F Fortress x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 5 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 7

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 2
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Our first attack in Mandalay meet a large Army and our adjust AV is crap!

Ground combat at Mandalay (59,46)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11232 troops, 168 guns, 706 vehicles, Assault Value = 1370
Defending force 44929 troops, 751 guns, 1228 vehicles, Assault Value = 1615

Japanese adjusted assault: 211
Allied adjusted defense: 607

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(+), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1370 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 105 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 107 (12 destroyed, 95 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
277 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Vehicles lost 46 (1 destroyed, 45 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
90th Infantry Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Tank Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
Guards Tank Division
16th Field AA Machinecannon Company
33rd Road Const Co
55th Field AA Battalion
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
15th Army
21st Army

Defending units:
267th Armoured Brigade
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
32nd Infantry Division
73rd Motorised Brigade
7th Australian Division
9th Indian Division
6th Medium Regiment
205th Coast AA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
12th Indian Engineer Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wessel Islands (83,126)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1106 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 39
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 20
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wessel Islands !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
48th Naval Guard Unit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A brigade is used to chase our recon unit into the jungle - behind the enemy forces in the Burma basin.

Ground combat at 58,44
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2453 troops, 42 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 120
Defending force 597 troops, 3 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 222
Japanese adjusted defense: 29

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th British Brigade

Defending units:
56th Recon Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Counter attack against our paras; they retreat into the jungle.

Ground combat at Kalemyo (59,42)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 205 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Defending force 63 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 13

Japanese adjusted defense: 1
Allied assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kalemyo !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
77th Chindit Bde /1
111th Chindit Bde /4

Defending units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /2
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