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With any luck, you're going to get some fuel when you take Bombay ... how much? Unknown, but you should get some ...

ORIGINAL: njp72

Apr 42- Dawn of the critical battle of the game has arrived [:)]

5 IJA inf divs are now besieging Bombay and are just waiting for additional reinforcements before they commence their assault.

6th Aussie, 18th British and quite a few of their Indian friends, are attempting a major breakout from North. Blocking them are 2 IJA divs and a couple of inf regts, KB flying ground support missions and daily bombardment runs with a mixture of heavy and light naval units. This is a dangerous battle and more than just a breakout. If the Allies gain the ascendancy and capture the position, the 2 IJA divisions would be cut off and their life expectancy short.

It will be fascinating to see whether Jeff cuts his losses here or goes all in.

What I found playing the Allies is that in 42 the Indian divisions have such poor experience they're not worth much. You should be fine in Bombay, but depending on forts could still need a few weeks to do this.

So, can your defensive position hold? Is there any chance you can bombard them? What are your fort levels?

I think you should be fine if you can get some forts built and you have at least a 1:2 ratio in AV. Some kind of disruption to his troops before an attack would really help you out.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

With any luck, you're going to get some fuel when you take Bombay ... how much? Unknown, but you should get some ...

Not sure, I did manage to grab a nice little haul at Ceylon but he has had plenty of time to evac Bombay. Fingers crossed.[:)]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: njp72

Apr 42- Dawn of the critical battle of the game has arrived [:)]

5 IJA inf divs are now besieging Bombay and are just waiting for additional reinforcements before they commence their assault.

6th Aussie, 18th British and quite a few of their Indian friends, are attempting a major breakout from North. Blocking them are 2 IJA divs and a couple of inf regts, KB flying ground support missions and daily bombardment runs with a mixture of heavy and light naval units. This is a dangerous battle and more than just a breakout. If the Allies gain the ascendancy and capture the position, the 2 IJA divisions would be cut off and their life expectancy short.

It will be fascinating to see whether Jeff cuts his losses here or goes all in.

What I found playing the Allies is that in 42 the Indian divisions have such poor experience they're not worth much. You should be fine in Bombay, but depending on forts could still need a few weeks to do this.

So, can your defensive position hold? Is there any chance you can bombard them? What are your fort levels?

I think you should be fine if you can get some forts built and you have at least a 1:2 ratio in AV. Some kind of disruption to his troops before an attack would really help you out.

No deliberate attack from the Allies yet. The BB bombardments and KB ground strikes badly disrupted the Aussie 6th and thus prevented any form of attack. Other Indian formations are massing on the position but help is also arriving shortly including the veteran 38th Inf Div. I have become more confident of holding the position and even moved KB back into its normal naval strike role.

First deliberate attack went in at Bombay terrible odds 1:4 but the forts were reduced and the Allies suffered a similar amount of destroyed/ disabled squads. His 2 Armoured brigades in particualr took a fairly heavy pounding. I am growing more confident this position can be taken relatively quickly which opens up all sorts of possibilities.

In summary, as you have pointed out, the Indian formations are just not up to scratch in early 42 [:D]

ORIGINAL: njp72



In summary, as you have pointed out, the Indian formations are just not up to scratch in early 42 [:D]

no, they are not. quick VP harvesting is what they are if you are quick enough ...

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: njp72

Apr 42- Dawn of the critical battle of the game has arrived [:)]

5 IJA inf divs are now besieging Bombay and are just waiting for additional reinforcements before they commence their assault.

6th Aussie, 18th British and quite a few of their Indian friends, are attempting a major breakout from North. Blocking them are 2 IJA divs and a couple of inf regts, KB flying ground support missions and daily bombardment runs with a mixture of heavy and light naval units. This is a dangerous battle and more than just a breakout. If the Allies gain the ascendancy and capture the position, the 2 IJA divisions would be cut off and their life expectancy short.

It will be fascinating to see whether Jeff cuts his losses here or goes all in.

What I found playing the Allies is that in 42 the Indian divisions have such poor experience they're not worth much. You should be fine in Bombay, but depending on forts could still need a few weeks to do this.

So, can your defensive position hold? Is there any chance you can bombard them? What are your fort levels?

I think you should be fine if you can get some forts built and you have at least a 1:2 ratio in AV. Some kind of disruption to his troops before an attack would really help you out.

No deliberate attack from the Allies yet. The BB bombardments and KB ground strikes badly disrupted the Aussie 6th and thus prevented any form of attack. Other Indian formations are massing on the position but help is also arriving shortly including the veteran 38th Inf Div. I have become more confident of holding the position and even moved KB back into its normal naval strike role.

Can you determine what the AV balance will be for the forces once your 38th Div arrives? Also, what are your fort levels there, and are they close to going up?

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: obvert




What I found playing the Allies is that in 42 the Indian divisions have such poor experience they're not worth much. You should be fine in Bombay, but depending on forts could still need a few weeks to do this.

So, can your defensive position hold? Is there any chance you can bombard them? What are your fort levels?

I think you should be fine if you can get some forts built and you have at least a 1:2 ratio in AV. Some kind of disruption to his troops before an attack would really help you out.

No deliberate attack from the Allies yet. The BB bombardments and KB ground strikes badly disrupted the Aussie 6th and thus prevented any form of attack. Other Indian formations are massing on the position but help is also arriving shortly including the veteran 38th Inf Div. I have become more confident of holding the position and even moved KB back into its normal naval strike role.

Can you determine what the AV balance will be for the forces once your 38th Div arrives? Also, what are your fort levels there, and are they close to going up?

Yep, I will post some reports now. Feeling more confident by the day as I suspect the Allies will be forced into a hasty retreat soon.[:D]

Critical Battles India April 42

Bombay- forts have been reduced and his 2 Armoured brigades have been smashed up pretty hard. Some heavy ighting still to come in the next 2 weeks but it will definitely fall. Just resting at the moment to recover some of the disabled squads.

Surat- feeling a lot better about Surat. The relief forces including the veteran 38th Div are rapidly closing in. Jeff has deployed light armoured forces to block the path but they have been easily swept away. In the next couples of days he will have a hard decision to make with the deployment of the 6th Aussie and 18th Brit divisions. The Indian brigades and divisions have once again proved completely inadequate in any form of offensive action. Fort levels at Surat are 3 and slowly rising.

Force dispositions- Battle of Surat

Ground combat at Surat (39,20)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3168 troops, 6 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 1118

Defending force 34821 troops, 298 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 919

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

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
6th Australian/B Division
6/18th Royal Garwal Battalion
50th Tank Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
6th Australian/A Division
46th Indian Brigade
6th Australian/C Division

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
52nd Division
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
91st Nav Gd /3
5th Air Division
7th JAAF Base Force

Battle of Bombay- fort levels now 2


Ground combat at Bombay (36,24)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1236 troops, 71 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 2007

Defending force 37966 troops, 342 guns, 557 vehicles, Assault Value = 642

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
148th Infantry Regiment
4th Division
53rd Division
21st Division
54th Division
6th Guards Division
112th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
14th Tank Regiment
5th Guards Cav Regiment
14th Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
7th Indian Division
19th Indian Division
254th Armoured Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
Bombay Fortress
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
Southern Command
Cochin Base Force
23rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
AHQ India
1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
1st Indian Light AA Regiment
3rd Hyderabad Base Force
1st Bengal Construction Battalion
225 RAF Base Force
1st South India Base Force
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Bombay Construction Battalion
1st West Coast Base Force
221 RAF Base Force

I don't bombard ,,, just raises the IND forces exp fast ...

ORIGINAL: njp72

Force dispositions- Battle of Surat

Ground combat at Surat (39,20)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3168 troops, 6 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 1118

Defending force 34821 troops, 298 guns, 102 vehicles, Assault Value = 919

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

Assaulting units:
18th British Division
6th Australian/B Division
6/18th Royal Garwal Battalion
50th Tank Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
6th Australian/A Division
46th Indian Brigade
6th Australian/C Division

Defending units:
Imperial Guards Division
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
52nd Division
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
91st Nav Gd /3
5th Air Division
7th JAAF Base Force

You're fine. No worries here even without reinforcements. If he's taking losses on a bombardment to none for you, he's most likely in no position to threaten the base yet.

Battle of Surat- the Allies make their move before the 38th breaks through.

Jeff brought in the British 70th into the battle which commenced at Karachi thus negating my naval blockade.

Surat is hit daily by light bombardments from a IJN CL taskforce which doesn't appear to be causing too much damage but perhaps causing a bit of disruption. The battle below.

And the result..........


Ground combat at Surat (39,20)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 49492 troops, 627 guns, 728 vehicles, Assault Value = 1640

Defending force 40756 troops, 351 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 1126

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 1037

Japanese adjusted defense: 854

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1989 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 54 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
3173 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 227 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Australian Division
18th British Division
6/18th Royal Garwal Battalion
44th Indian Brigade
7th Armoured Brigade
50th Tank Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
70th British Division

Defending units:
5th Engr Rgt /3
Imperial Guards Division
16th Guards Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
52nd Division
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
91st Nav Gd /3
5th Air Division
7th JAAF Base Force


- I can live with that despite my engineers being wiped out. 38th arrives in 2 more days. [:)]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I don't bombard ,,, just raises the IND forces exp fast ...

Yep makes good sense. I occasionally bombard to assess the recovery of some of his troops before assaulting again.

Break through in China

The critical hex has now been captured. The whole Chinese line can be flanked and turned.

After some stoic resistance, the Chinese are now headed for the hurt locker.

ORIGINAL: njp72

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I don't bombard ,,, just raises the IND forces exp fast ...

Yep makes good sense. I occasionally bombard to assess the recovery of some of his troops before assaulting again.

I only do it if I don't have good recon and need to know better what I am facing ... I try to make sure I have ample recon units around any "action".

Update April 42.

Major battles now raging in India which are critical for both sides. Largely due to luck, the Empire has emerged victorious in a series of vicious battles around Surat which has seen the best Allied formations in India savaged.

Over the course of the last week, the Aussie 6th, British 18th and 70th, 3 Armd brigades and numerous Indian formations broke through an encirclement but at a heavy cost. With this damage inflicted on his best formations, I now believe Bombay's fate is sealed.

One of the major battles below:


Ground combat at Surat (39,20)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 47072 troops, 418 guns, 178 vehicles, Assault Value = 1290

Defending force 26902 troops, 459 guns, 519 vehicles, Assault Value = 651

Japanese adjusted assault: 846

Allied adjusted defense: 192

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1119 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 93 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3751 casualties reported
Squads: 236 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 346 destroyed, 70 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 52 (37 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 158 (112 destroyed, 46 disabled)
Units retreated 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
52nd Division
16th Guards Regiment
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
Yokosuka 4th SNLF
Imperial Guards Division
42nd Infantry Regiment
11th Infantry Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
91st Nav Gd /3
5th Air Division
7th JAAF Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
6th Australian Division
7th Armoured Brigade
70th British Division

China- break through achieved into the plains.

Now beginning to manoeuvre to turn the Allies flank and release more IJA formations.