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Merchant Marine all sunk and navy mostly as well apart from minelaying subs been pretty brutal

In other News operation Hydra kicked off in India and these were just preliminery moves to secure forward rail heads at Indor Surat and Bopal

But I got my arse kicked in the air - sweeps by P40K's, Hurricanes and Wildcats lost over 200 fighters in 4 days fighting for maybe 40 or 50 Tojos so not a good exhange rate for my 70/70 pilots

I also had heavies go in before the sweeps (grrrrr) so lost about 30 4E bombers as well - overall the air war is not going well only my 2 Groups of RAF Night bombers (4 Sqns of Blenheims in one and 2 of Wellingtons and Liberator II's in the other are achieving anything and they are annoying not decisive

I am going to revert to wating until I need to get the bombers through ie when my ground units are ready for the assault

Andy

I have P38's Corsairs and Spitfires either en route or waiting for the time to strike so I have better than I have shown so far

Do you consider removing small parts of Soviet units along the Pacific coast possible so they can rebuild in Conus and then be used elsewhere? That could allow the massive Soviet infantry to help you retake the Aleutians on your way to Siberia. If you could, subs could drop supplies to the Soviets there as well.

You might want to move your fastest AP types to Mombasa to pick up units there and then make a mad dash for Aden. At full speed when they come onto the map, they will not be seen for long. Even APDs could help move small detachments as well.

The P-38s can handle the Tojo but just make sure that they have your best pilots. But the high SR means that they have to stand down frequently so overstuff the fighter units with planes and pilots. Night bombing then sweeping. Maybe even go for leaking CAP if it is there.

Soviet communist taking over the Aleutian islands?

You have better explain to Harry S. Truman on why thats a good idea.

Not going to lie though Uncle Joe would love a few islands that effectively allows the Soviet Union to strike the heart of the West Coast of America.

ORIGINAL: 29000Kevin

Soviet communist taking over the Aleutian islands?

You have better explain to Harry S. Truman on why thats a good idea.

Not going to lie though Uncle Joe would love a few islands that effectively allows the Soviet Union to strike the heart of the West Coast of America.

While the original Soviet national bases can't be voluntarily changed by the Allied player, captured bases can.

This would allow the Allies to push into Siberia from the East and then other Allied forces move East from India. Or use them other places when the base is captured but the Allied units need some rest, then the Soviets can take over.

FDR would probably think that it would be a great idea.

OK Operation Hydra is 4 days in the last of my forces just arrived at Karachi but we are off the positon and objectives are below

His forces at Cawnpore will be cut off in 2 days he either evacs now or they will be isolated

Indore will take at least 4 or 5 days to isolate so he has more time to pull back from Indore

I actually hope he decides to stand and fight would make life easier if I write off a few Divisions before the hard fighting to come.

My biggest challenge remains the airpower he has so many elite pilots that my 70/70 pilots are getting eaten alive - I need to find a way to kill his pilots

I have 2 Spitfire Sqns, 4 Lightning Groups and 2 Corsair Sqns that can go toe to toe even if my pilots arent quite as good as his the rest of my fighters are simply there to get my bombers through !!!

I have committed 2 Armies, 7 Corps

made up of 20 Infantry Divs, 6 Inf Bdes, 7 Armoured or Motorised Bdes, 11 Independent Tank Regts, 3 Chindit/para Bdes and 1 Para Bn to this offensive

With 2 Divs and about 10 Bns dedicated to LOC duties and reinforcements of a further 3 Divs en route.

My edge in terms of combat power is thin and I have to assume with the defacto closure of the Northern Soviet sector he will be transferring units to India or Burma and this is a massive throw of the dice I have committed pretty much my entire 43 offensive power to this attack.

The force I have committed cannot afford the time to move to other theatres - no more force will be committed its win or die time in India

I have a vast weigth of airpower but I don't have air superiority I need to grind him down a bit to achieve that

I am picking up signs he is pulling out of Cawnpore the garrison seems to be falling - I suspect he knows he cannot hold it.

No movement at Indore yet but my Chindits landing just west of Nagpur and closing one of the main rail trunk routes has to have him worried.

I thought this was interesting what looks like a Japanese Army (2nd) with 4 Divs including a Tank Div at Gorakhpur

The USMC Paras have closed the rail line and until he moves them out he cannot use the rail line

Tomorrow a mechanised Cav Regt will close the rail line south which will leave that entire force in open ground in range of my AF.......

Ground combat at Gorakhpur (54,26)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3456 troops, 184 guns, 129 vehicles, Assault Value = 1708

Defending force 415 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Japanese adjusted assault: 43

Allied adjusted defense: 5

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Division
58th Division
Imperial Guards Division
21st Division
19th Naval Guard Unit
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
7th JAAF Base Force
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Air Division
8th RF Gun Battalion
Southern Army
2nd Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th RF Gun Battalion
7th Air Division
1st RF Gun Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
40th JNAF AF Unit

Defending units:
1st USMC Parachute Battalion

So thats pinpointed 4 Divs now did they come from the south or is this the Cawnpore garrison fleeing - I am not sure.

ON the coastal Axis 1st US Corps attacked and cleared Surat

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Ground combat at 39,21 (near Surat)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10288 troops, 211 guns, 205 vehicles, Assault Value = 789

Defending force 203 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 414

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 414 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
32nd Infantry Division
1st Marine Division

Defending units:

15th JAAF AF Bn



And in the centre a Chindit Bde made an assault landing securing Chanda

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Ground combat at Chanda (42,29)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 243 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 15

Defending force 158 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 12

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Chanda !!!

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

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

Assaulting units:
111th Chindit Bde /2

Defending units:
3rd Indpt SNLF Coy

The identification of such a large force at Gorakhpur may change my intentions

1st Australian Corps Advancing south is one of my 'Heavy' Corps 4 Strong Inf Divs but its supposed to take Lucknow and mask Cawnpore in passing whereas III and IV Indian Corps between them only have 4 Divs

III Corps is supposed to cut the railine south below Gorakhpur and hold onto Allabad whilst IV Indian Corps heads south for Patna.

This intel of the location of the IJA 2nd Army with a LOT of Arty in the open may change my plans slightly

I am tempted to weaken XXXIII Corps drive on Jubbelpore and transfer 2 Divs to III Corps that way I can keep IV Corps Driving South and use the beefed up III Corps to try and pin IJA 2nd Army in place.

BUT that leaves XXXIII Corps weak and leaves the flank of XV Corps slightly open depending on what he has at Jubbelpore/Nagpur may stop XXXIII Corps achieving its goal.

Choices choices

I could use 77th Chindits and 50th Indian Para Bde to try and take Nagpur or Raipur via coup de main but that means I will have committed all my air assault assets but if they succeed would give me time to leave the full investing of Nagpur to 1st US Corps

They have a very good raod once Bombay is invested.

Need to think this through

4/1st Tank Division is loaded on a Lima Cargo class xAK moving to Calcutta.....

2/Guards Mixed Brigade is loaded on a Lima Cargo class xAK moving to Calcutta.

Four engine beasts on troops in the open![X(][:'(]

It doesn't look like a lot of additional AAA there either so go down low with the 4Es!

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

4/1st Tank Division is loaded on a Lima Cargo class xAK moving to Calcutta.....

Do you have subs to pave the path from Calcutta to the Strait of Malacca?

What would Lee and Jackson do? You troops are faster than his on the ground, with your highly mechanized force. Remember Patton and operation Cobra; breakout and run wild in open ground cutting his forces off from their major bases of Calcutta, Madras and Chittagong. Your use of coordinated air drops to cut rail lines can continue to move forward and make him to start garrison key railroad links and further stretch out his forces. Pummel him in the open with your 4-engine beasts and his retreats will be turned into routs. If he has control of the sea then he may try to Dunkirk major forces cut off behind your lines, so have torpedo and dive bombers ready to punish him if he goes that route.

The other side of the "control of the sea" issue is getting enough supply into India to sustain that many troops in combat ...
Two can play at the cutting off supply lines game.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

4/1st Tank Division is loaded on a Lima Cargo class xAK moving to Calcutta.....

Do you have subs to pave the path from Calcutta to the Strait of Malacca?

Yes but not enough

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

What would Lee and Jackson do? You troops are faster than his on the ground, with your highly mechanized force. Remember Patton and operation Cobra; breakout and run wild in open ground cutting his forces off from their major bases of Calcutta, Madras and Chittagong. Your use of coordinated air drops to cut rail lines can continue to move forward and make him to start garrison key railroad links and further stretch out his forces. Pummel him in the open with your 4-engine beasts and his retreats will be turned into routs. If he has control of the sea then he may try to Dunkirk major forces cut off behind your lines, so have torpedo and dive bombers ready to punish him if he goes that route.

Yes and no I hate being unbalanced and my tank units are vulnerable if on their own I only have Armoured and Motorised Bdes and I never send troops into battle unsupplied or unsupported unless I have to

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The other side of the "control of the sea" issue is getting enough supply into India to sustain that many troops in combat ...
Two can play at the cutting off supply lines game.

About 3m supply in India at present = not worried about supply I built up a great Admin base before i launched this attack

He is pulling back no question about it Indore is bombed at night by my 2 Night Bombing Groups and the defences are getting weaker

IJA bombers hit Allahabad as I am saving my fighters he got a free hit - cost him 42 bombers to Flak for 30 of mine on the ground....he hasnt been back since I think the concentrated Flak was an unpleasant surprise....

Morning Air attack on Allahabad , at 51,26

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 3
G3M3 Nell x 24
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G3M3 Nell: 7 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 4 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
IL-2: 7 damaged
IL-2: 1 destroyed on ground
C-47 Skytrain: 3 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 1 destroyed on ground
R4D-1 Skytrain: 3 damaged
R4D-1 Skytrain: 2 destroyed on ground
SB-2: 2 damaged
SB-2: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Allahabad , at 51,26

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 27
G3M2 Nell x 30
G4M1 Betty x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 11 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 4 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 5 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
C-47 Skytrain: 6 damaged
C-47 Skytrain: 6 destroyed on ground
Beaufighter Ic: 1 damaged
R4D-1 Skytrain: 8 damaged
R4D-1 Skytrain: 2 destroyed on ground
IL-2: 3 damaged
IL-2: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb