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Burma is a puzzle.  He intimated by email six weeks ago (game time) that he smelled a Burma ambush.  Yet he isn't doing a thing there.  And I mean nothing.  He may be scrambling to bring stuff in, but I swear the only thing that makes sense is that he wants me to come forward so that he can come in behind.  But he does't have a prayer of doing that without the full KB and even then it would be far too late for him.  Burma is a puzzle.

The eve before the fray begins.

Uh oh, I just noticed three of my four carriers have expended 250 ops points (apparently refueling somebody).  That leaves me at extreme range on hitting Carnavon's airfield with my SBDs - eight hexes while normal range is seven/extend eight.  What do you think:  better to hit at extreme range, or hold back a bit and plan for a strong hit at close range day after tomorrow?
 
This should be on the assumption that John will load up the airfield tomorrow with naval strike aircraft with good CAP.  I have 4EB targeting the field, which might disrupt CAP a bit, but I never count on that, though I have made sure each squadron has an aggressive leader. 

ORIGINAL: obvert

+1

Uh oh, I just noticed three of my four carriers have expended 250 ops points (apparently refueling somebody).  That leaves me at extreme range on hitting Carnavon's airfield with my SBDs - eight hexes while normal range is seven/extend eight.  What do you think:  better to hit at extreme range, or hold back a bit and plan for a strong hit at close range day after tomorrow?
 
This should be on the assumption that John will load up the airfield tomorrow with naval strike aircraft with good CAP.  I have 4EB targeting the field, which might disrupt CAP a bit, but I never count on that, though I have made sure each squadron has an aggressive leader. 

personally I only attack at extended range if absolutely critical. Given the extra op losses, fatigue and reduced payload it is rarely worth it. Exceptions would be if I was hitting a crippled carrier or other high value target, or if it was the only way to counter an enemy invasion fleet. This even applies to my 4E for the most part, never exceed normal range unless a target is particularly juicy.

Secondly, if he has spotted your forces is it possible he will have cap up? SBDs don't do well against zeros.

Then again I'm the new guy, and haven't even tried a PBEM yet so take it for what it is worth.

I would set my CV aircraft with Primary as Naval Attack (10% Search) and Secondary AF with Carnarvon as the selected target. This way the LBA air will go in AM Phase to deal with his CAP and then in PM Phase the SBD/Avengers get go after the base. This way you are prepared for any surprise they you could encounter. This is SOP for me.

Per GMoney's insight, I reconfigured the orders to fly naval mission only with fighters on heightened CAP.  The carriers will still take approximately the same position, midway between the combat TF and the amphibious TF, hopefully to confuse the enemy and prevent a concerted strike against anyone anywhere at any time.  Or something like that.  The SBDs can hit the airfield the day after tomorrow as long as something unpleasant doesn't change my mind or my mood. 

Of course, if they are on naval attack, they may still attack low value naval targets at 7 hex range and run afoul of CAP at Carnarvon.

No way to avoid that really, short of chopping the range down, which is dangerous in the event that something nasty turns up. I suppose you could do fighter sweeps from Geraldton if you have something with legs. They might go in ahead of the carrier planes.

I'd hold off. In addition to the factors already stated, the likelihood of SBDs at long range doing enough damage to matter makes a long range attack low reward/high risk, IMHO.

For what its worth I would also wait the additional day. If you are going to do something you might just as well do it properly! [:)]

Well, I sent the file back to John nearly two hours ago.  I waited. 

Fingers crossed then!

Good luck! [:)]

Well? Any news yet, the world wonders. [:)]

File should be here soon, but I'll have to watch it before I can post.  You might get the news from John's AAR first.

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

File should be here soon, but I'll have to watch it before I can post.  You might get the news from John's AAR first.

Yep. [:)]

6/14/42
 
Australia Today:  Oddly quiet on all accounts.  No enemy air missions at all.  No enemy combat ships present.  No Allied LBA bombing missions fly - not B-24s, B-17s, B-25s, Vindicators, nor reconnaissance.  My cruiser float planes apparently didn't fly recon.  Nothing happened!  Except one squadron of carrier SBDs sortied and sank five xAKL leaving Carnavon.  Not sure what to make of this, but...well...okay.

Australia Tomorrow:  I assume something's going to happen tomorrow.  A very complicated scenario for the Allies.  The Japanese can add to that...or not.  Here's the basic plan:

1.  Carriers take station between Exmouth and Carnavon, with most strike aircraft set to naval strike primary/airfield strike (Carnovon) secondary.  This hopefully will help suppress the field while also providing a measure of protection for the amphibious TF.

2.  Exmouth invasion TF could possibly reach the invasion hex tomorrow, which would suit me fine.  She'll be preceded by the Salt Lake City TF that will provide some measure of protection against a surface clash.

3.  Advance ground units should reach Carnavon tomorrow. 

4.  LBA orders all the same.  Whether these guys fly I have no idea.  It's like magic.  It's a mystery.

John may have orchestrated a stunning and thorough ambush.  He may have known this was coming.  He may have goaded me into this course of action.  But I don't think so.  I think I've caught him by surprise.  Here's his recent email:  "Time to jump into the slit trench I think! A whole bunch of Victory Points are coming down the line..."  That sounds boastful, but I think that's John trying to pull a bluff.  We'll find out tomorrow.  If, by chance, I've caught him by surprise, with most of his Netties in SoPac and CenPac, it will be pretty sweet.  If I get clobbered it will not be sweet.  I hate the "Banzaii!" messages from John.

Bay of Bengal:  Again, no enemy activity except unsuccessful sub shots.  Lots of TFs unloading at Akyab.  A minelayer deposits her load at Ramree.  Part of a USN port service will unload tonight at Ramree if she isn't molested.  The armored unit reaches the front line in the Burma jungle tomorrow.

China:  Looking good.  I'm still holding Kweilin and Chengte and thus far John hasn't organized a threat sufficient to indicate any withdrawal in the foreseeable future.

NoPac:  Waiting to see if something's coming for Akutan.

CenPac:  More molestation by KB aircraft.  John's almost surely set his sights on retaking the Gilberts.

That's a lot of quiet before a possible storm. LBA not flying at all seems strange; do your A/C commanders have high aggression? In this thread it is suggested that having one leader with low aggr. may cause a whole mission to be cancelled. Please note that I am no expert at all, so I'm probably wrong. [:)

Quick question.  USN CV fighters set to 50% CAP, 50% escort.  Should I assign any of these targets?  IE, should I give orders "target Carnavon" or will that mess things up?  I seldom if ever give CAP/escort fighters a target, so I have no idea if it would work.  If I don't get a quick answer, I won't.  But if it does work it might help create enough fighter presence to persuade my LBA to fly.