Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Burma

One massive Allied raid happened today over Magwe. 75x British bombers escorted by 35x P-40Es and 12x Hurricane IIa Trops were opposed by 9x Zeros and 7x Oscars. For no Japanese loss (except for 4x Zero op losses – no pilots lost), 5x P-40s (plus up to 4 op losses) were shot down with a Hurricane and 3x bombers shot down and a bomber op loss. The remaining bombers bombed the oil field, damaging 13 more and bringing the remaining oil fields to 177 of 300. Just think of what I could accomplish if I had 80 instead of 16 fighters opposing them.

I do not know, why you can not put those 80 fighters there, but lvl-1 airfield support both CAP, and LRCAP. You just can not make attack missions, and SWEEP from them.
Also, early Hurricanes employ only .303, so you should think about placing your NICKs in place, as armor is really effective against 7mm.

The CA bombardment force rearmed and refueled at Singapore and will head out to bombard Akyab tomorrow. It’ll take a few days to get there. I’m hoping it nets a few fighters and puts the airfield out of commission for a while

Try to send two TFs to bombard also during next day, so you could catch any damaged plane on damaged airfield.

[Mike Solli]

You can LRCAP from a level 1 airfield? I always thought that was an offensive mission. Hmm, Gotta try that.

I'm not sure what it is, but his Hurricanes have been rather effective (compared to the P-40E). They are pretty hard to shoot down.

No Nicks yet. It's only Mar 42. All that is available is the A6M2 and Ki-43-Ic. I do have 8 Tojos, and they are working their way there now.

Good idea about using 2 bombardment TFs. That could create a nice little mess. I also have 4x BBs heading to Singapore. They'll visit as well.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

You can LRCAP from a level 1 airfield? I always thought that was an offensive mission. Hmm, Gotta try that.

Oh yeah. I made the same error in WITP, until I actually took another look into manual (after few months of game, and grinding througn India border [:D])

I'm not sure what it is, but his Hurricanes have been rather effective (compared to the P-40E). They are pretty hard to shoot down.

Your planes have no armor, so there is not much difference there. NICKs, on the other way, have (but are overall poor, so try not use it against other fighters)

One more thing - I am pretty sure CVEs use Merchant Points. SST probably also, but I do not know when first arrive.

[PaxMondo]

CVE use MSY
SST use NSY

[ny59giants]

You can LRCAP from a level 1 airfield? I always thought that was an offensive mission. Hmm, Gotta try that.

Not wanting to 'appear' as a smart-ass here, but isn't any form of CAP a defensive mission?? Escort and Sweep are offense. Going back to the old WITP days, if both sides LRCAP a base/hex, then they will not shoot at each other as both are defensive missions. I remember a lengthy thread on this topic.

[Cribtop]

Enemy fighters at 3o'clock low!

Don't shoot, you fool! Can't you see they're on a defensive mission?
[:D]

[Mike Solli]

7 Mar 12

Sub War

I believe Rangiroa may be a stopover point for shipments between the US and points west. The convoy I had been shadowing put into port there and discovered two midget subs that had been loitering there. Unfortunately, both of my subs missed and the resulting counterattack resulted in one being sunk and the other being damaged badly enough to be abandoned.

This is good news however. I’m going to allocate two sub divisions for observation and potential attacks. One will be to the NE and the other will be to the west.

5 Fleet

KB continues to move to this area, still undetected and a couple of days out. Small ASW TFs are present at Dutch Harbor and Umnak Island. Two brand spanking new Glen carrying subs are almost in position to the east of those islands to keep an eye out for the elusive US carrier and surface TFs. I hope they return to their demise.

4 Fleet

More construction…..

SE Fleet

The only action in this theater was a small Betty raid (6 aircraft) that sank an empty xAP in Pt.Moresby harbor. More troops are being sent there? My intel shows 25-30k troops there! Maybe he’s pulling some out. I have no clue at this point.

China

Tsiaotao (the dot hex just north of Loyang) fell, eliminating 4 more Chinese Corps and 1 Group Army HQ. For a loss of 1472(2) Japanese we captured 24,246(1885) Chinese! The place was trashed though – Manpower 1(1), Resources 0(40) and LI 0(40). That victorious army is now headed to Sian. The intent is to surround and destroy that garrison, and capture the oil intact, of course.

Burma

Three air attacks occurred over Magwe, a large bombing raid followed by 2 Allied sweeps. The compilation of losses is as follows:

1 Zero shot down (+4 op losses) of 38 sorties
4 Oscars shot down (+1 op loss) of 29 sorties

Fortunately, only 1 Zero pilot was KIA and another was WIA.

15 P-40Es shot down of 41 sorties
3 Hurricane IIa Trop shot down of 23 sorties
11 Hurricane IIb Trop shot down (+ 2 op losses) of 43 sorties

Unfortunately, out fighters didn’t penetrate the fighter screen to hit the bombers and 36 oil centers at Magwe went up in smoke. That leaves 141 remaining of 300.

Pt. Blair’s airfield reached level 4. That was my goal. Now I’ll start working on forts.

SRA

Not much to report. Palembang will be attacked tomorrow by 4 Division and 3x independent engineer regiments. Fingers crossed concerning capturing the infrastructure intact. This is probably the most important attack of the game.

[Mike Solli]

8 Mar 12

Sub War

That damn S-39 sank a second APD that was searching for her south of Balikpapan. Not sure what I can effectively do about that. No real effective ASW ships there (not that there are really any effective ASW ships anywhere in the Japanese inventory).

The Ro-33 had been sitting in the deep water just off Chittagong for a couple of days looking at a Brit TF and hoping it would leave harbor. Yesterday, I gave orders for her to move into that base hex to see if she could do something about that. She ended up surfacing, shelling, torpedoing and sinking an xAKL parked there! I pulled her out again, just in case there are any ASW ships disbanded in port. Small ship, but pretty gutsy for that commander.

5 Fleet

Nothing new to report. The TFs are still at Dutch Harbor and Umnak Island and KB draws near. I’ll top KB off probably tomorrow and then wait for the Glen subs to get into position to snoop around for some good targets.

4 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

SE Fleet

Minor action over and around Pt. Moresby today. A Zero sweep met only 4 Allied fighters (3 Aussie Kittyhawks and 1 P-40E) and resulted in 1 lost Zero and its pilot MIA.

A small Betty raid on a TF in Pt. Moresby planted a 60 kg bomb on an xAKL. Wow, that was worth it.

Finally, the Lilys flying out of Lae bombed the airfield and were followed by a handful of Bettys bombing Pt. Moresby airfield (their secondary mission after the primary Naval Attack mission). Between the two, they caused 3 airbase and 19 runway hits. It’s interesting to note that there were still some runway hits left, according to my intel. I wonder what that means?!

China

The only surviving surrounded Chinese units are the 10 units spread out over 3 hexes in west central China (near Sinyang). The attack continues on one of them (a pretty large one). Being in terrain without a base, it’ll take a while to kill them off. No big deal.

Elsewhere, the recently victorious armies are headed to their new targets, both oil producing bases.

Burma

Bloody day in the air over Magwe again. Four attacks this time. In chronological order:

#1 – Big Allied sweep:

14 Zero (7 De) – 3 KIA, 2 WIA
20 Oscar (3 De) – 1 KIA, 1 WIA

9 Hurricane IIa (none lost)
30 Hurricane IIb (7 De)
18 P-40E (3 De)

#2 – First bombing raid:

9 Zero (none lost)
22 Oscar (none lost)

12 P-40E (6 De)
8 Hurricane IIa (4 De)
12 Blenheim I (4 De)
27 Blenheim IV (3 De)
12 Hudson I (none lost)

This attack resulted in 5 oil lost. We’re down to 136 of 300 remaining.

#3 – Second bombing raid – This one apparently got separated from the main event:

9 Zero (none lost)
12 Oscar (none lost)

9 Blenheim IV (All 9 De!!!) – BANZAI!!!

#4 – Third bombing raid – More lost sheep:

5 Zero (none lost)
8 Oscar (none lost)

11 Hudson IIIa (3 De)

This raid was ineffective.

Total op losses:
1 Zero
2 Oscar

4 P-40E
4 Blenheim IV

Not a bad day. For the total price of 5 oil centers, 13 aircraft and 4 pilots, they destroyed 14 fighters and 23 bombers.

The 8 CA bombardment TF will halt a day out of Akyab and wait for the 4 BB bombardment TF which is a day or two behind them. The CAs will go in first and the BBs will hit Akyab the next day. Hopefully, this will destroy some of the fighters based there and beat up the airbase. It’ll work once, but then Ted will work to counter another attempt. I suspect he’ll put some of his bombers on Naval Attack. This works to my advantage because it takes bombers away from bombing Magwe’s oil. I’m going to base some Sallys at Rangoon and have them bomb Akyab’s airbase the day the BBs hit to add to the mayhem at Akyab. I won’t send the Sally’s in after the CA bombardment because Ted will most likely have scheduled for his bombers to hit Magwe. I’m hoping the CA bombardment reduces (ideally eliminates – one can hope, right?) his fighter escort for those bombers. I’m going to do a maximum effort in CAP over Magwe to try and ambush the bombers in the air. I can’t do this if I have to escort the bombers over Akyab.

If this works as planned, several events will have successfully occurred:

1. Ted’s fighters in Akyab will have taken significant losses that he cannot afford at this time (especially the P-40E and Hurricane IIb Trop).
2. Akyab’s airfield will be damaged to a point where it hinders the ability of his fighters to support his bombers.
3. Ted’s bombers will take serious losses in the air over Magwe.
4. My fighter jockeys will get some nice experience shooting down defenseless bombers.
5. The Magwe oil fields will get a temporary reprieve in their current path to destruction.

Then, future mission requirements, in order to prolong Ted’s agony, will be:

1. Bombing of Akyab must continue. This is the primary Hurricane base due to their short legs. As long as Akyab is out of commission, the only fighters that will be available to escort Ted’s bombers will be P-40Es and H81-A3s (if there are any left).
2. Initiation of bombing of Allied bomber base (Chittagong, I think).
3. Possible continued naval bombardment of Akyab. This will be done with 3 bombardment TFs: 4 CAs, 4 CAs and 4 BBs. I’ll be cautious with this. Ted will try to find a way to counter this. I am performing naval search out of Pt. Blair with Mavis and other recon aircraft. I will add a Dinah II chutai (or 2) with naval search trained pilots. I’m in the process of transferring those pilots. There are over 60 Netties on naval attack missions at Pt. Blair as well. That force should be able to cause significant damage to any foray by the RN. To date, there has been no sign of the RN in this region.

Things that must occur for this operation to be successful:

1. Magwe, Mandalay and Tongoo airfields must reach level 2. This will allow my fighters to be able to fly offensive missions out of several airfields as opposed to just two right now (Taung Gyi and Rangoon).
2. More AS is required for this theater. In order for a successful bombing campaign to occur, I’ll need more AS in this theater. More is on the way by land but that’s a long walk. I am going to send some by sea, but a minesweeping TF needs to precede it. The minesweeping TF will head out tomorrow, with the AS TF a day or two later.

Sumatra

The Palembang DA went in today. Man, I was sweating the rest of the turn to find out what really happened. The defenders were easily swept aside and the base was taken. Final result……. Drum roll please…… Yup, they captured the infrastructure intact! BANZAI!!!

Manpower 2(0)
Resources 20(0)
Oil 900(0)
Refinery 1020(0)

There was ~150k fuel there, more than the max allowed so I shut off the refinery temporarily. A bunch of 7950 and 1250 TKs (and xAKs too) are headed there to syphon off the fuel as quickly as possible to get it below the max. I’ll drain the fuel first and then go to work on the oil and resources while maintaining the fuel draw. The 4 Division will split into thirds with two of them going after the former garrison and the last third going after Djambi for the remaining 250 oil. The 3x independent engineer regiments will remain at Palembang to build another airfield level (currently at 4(4)) in order to eliminate the max for fuel and supply. The excess supply will be sent to Java to help in rebuilding the infrastructure at Soerabaja.

The SNLF that arrived at Medan tested the defense with a DA. The 1:1 attack (fort level 1) wasn’t enough to take the base. I’m sending the 2 Division from Singapore to do the job.

Java

I attempted a recon in force (DA) at Kalidjati with the 40 Brigade (20 Division) and 1/3 of the 21 Division. That wasn’t enough. The 1:2 attack against fort level 3 resulted in 583(0) Japanese casualties to 135(5) Dutch casualties. The disruption really isn’t a problem. It’ll go away soon enough. The victors of Soerabaja are headed there and we’ll try it again with a proper force in a few days. Kalidjati is surrounded so the defenders will surrender when I’m victorious. Then I’ll do it all over again at Batavia and the Java campaign will conclude.

SRA

The first Singapore-Home Islands convoy is almost completely filled with resources and oil. (It’s a bunch of Kyushus).

Many of the other small convoys are beginning to reach their starting destinations to begin their war long ritual of hauling stuff from their port to their hub. Once they are going for a month or so, it’ll be the small matter of occasionally checking to make sure they’re keeping up with production and adjusting as needed.

Other Stuff

Reinforcements:

22, 23, 24 & 32 Port units arrived in the Home Islands. They’ll all head to the SRA and meet up with their respective SNLFs to create special base forces. They will go to interior bases that have IJA base forces (with radar) and replace them. The IJA base forces will relocate to the fringe to maximize radar coverage along the frontier.

43 JNAF AF Unit arrived and will head to the SE Fleet area. We definitely need more AS there. My initial thought is to send it to Milne Bay so I can move some fighters (and later, bombers) there to form a semicircle of airfields around Pt. Moresby. After that, I’ll send the next AS reinforcement to Buna for the same reason.

Bangkok’s airbase finally made level 7.

So did Rabaul’s airbase. This is significant because I can now start to upgrade 24 Air Flotilla’s Claudes to Zeros. As a matter of fact, some are already done and will be headed back to the Kwajalein area in the next few days.

I’ve been keeping an eye on P-40E losses. Ted gets 35 replacements each month. That’s in addition to the multitude of reinforcement squadrons that come with P-40Es, of course. Anyway, so far this month, he’s lost 60 of them, and it’s only 8 days into the month!!! That’s great. His Hurricane losses are mounting as well. He’s lost 26 Hurricane IIb this month with a replacement rate of 16. On the flip side, I still have ~70 Zeros in the pool and 21 pilots in reserve. The IJA is not in that good of shape with only a handful of Oscars in the pool and only a few pilots in reserve. Many of the training pilots are reaching their graduation goal of 50 exp & 70 air skill minimum. They will be culled in 7 days. That should help out both of the reserves quite a bit.

When I start to see P-39Ds again, I’ll know he’s hurting. The last P-39D I saw was on 22 Feb.

Ted has no air power at all in China. I suspect the Chinese air force is around, but they’re hiding. I have a couple of chutai flying the Ki-43-Ib and a 30 plane sentai flying the Ki-43-Ic. I’m going to convert the sentai back to Nates and replenish my Ic pool with those planes. There are 150+ Nates in the pool with all the IJA training units flying Nates. I’ll have Nates available for a long time, and that’s without producing a single one.

I had my second Helen Ia R&D sentai finish it’s repairs and upgrade to the Helen IIa. That’s 2 of 3 done with the third one pretty close to being completely repaired. So far, no other R&D factories are completely repaired but some are getting close. I’d really like to get the Helen IIa out a few months early. The Sally IIa (40 plane factory) was not keeping up with losses, although with the conclusion of the Singapore campaign, they are not taking any losses and are making headway. Some will head to Burma shortly so losses will most likely resume.

The Ha-34 factory is still increasing in size. The final size will be 270 engines per month, which will support 90 Tojos and 90 Helens. That will cost 9720 HI per month, or 324 HI per day.

I still have the 34 plane Lily factory off. I am going to turn it back on to replace losses in the front line units and to create a pool for training units. (I shut it off with the pool at 40 and it’s down to a handful now.) I currently use the Sally Ic as my trainer (3 sentai in Manchuoko) and the pool is slowly being depleted from op losses. Soon, I’ll get two more training bomber sentai that fly the Sally Ia but come with only 2 planes in each. I’m going to convert them to the Lily and go from there. I didn’t want to build any more Lilys, but it appears that I’ll have to do that. I’m hoping that when the Helen come along (currently in Sep 42, but I hope 2-3 months early), the 90 planes a month will allow me to upgrade some front line Sally and Lily units in order to build up a sufficient pool of each of them. Eventually, the Lilys will be relegated to training (along with the Sally Ic) and the Helen’s will be the front line IJA bomber with the Sally IIa being the primary IJA ASW aircraft.

I have a >150 B5N1s and will continue to produce them until the engines are gone. I also have 55 B2N2s and have shut off that factory due to low losses and lots of N1s in the pool. I’ve found that the different models are equally effective.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

The Ha-34 factory is still increasing in size. The final size will be 270 engines per month, which will support 90 Tojos and 90 Helens. That will cost 9720 HI per month, or 324 HI per day.

I still have the 34 plane Lily factory off. I am going to turn it back on to replace losses in the front line units and to create a pool for training units. (I shut it off with the pool at 40 and it’s down to a handful now.) I currently use the Sally Ic as my trainer (3 sentai in Manchuoko) and the pool is slowly being depleted from op losses. Soon, I’ll get two more training bomber sentai that fly the Sally Ia but come with only 2 planes in each. I’m going to convert them to the Lily and go from there. I didn’t want to build any more Lilys, but it appears that I’ll have to do that. I’m hoping that when the Helen come along (currently in Sep 42, but I hope 2-3 months early), the 90 planes a month will allow me to upgrade some front line Sally and Lily units in order to build up a sufficient pool of each of them. Eventually, the Lilys will be relegated to training (along with the Sally Ic) and the Helen’s will be the front line IJA bomber with the Sally IIa being the primary IJA ASW aircraft.

I have a >150 B5N1s and will continue to produce them until the engines are gone. I also have 55 B2N2s and have shut off that factory due to low losses and lots of N1s in the pool. I’ve found that the different models are equally effective.

I love it when you post the actual numbers for what these things cost in HI! I haven't gotten to the point of being able to add that to my logistical arsenal.

Glad the Lilys proved useful. I too still have a bunch around, some just now phasing out of an ASW role, but they're great for transitioning groups between bomber types as well if my pools aren't sufficient and there are some lagging in the netherlands of upgrade delays. When I need to add them in a pinch, they're there.

Now that the Tojo is in production I've turned off all of the Oscar factories. Once the Oscar IIa arrives I'll turn one back on through the rest of the war. It's a very fun process, this plane management.

I do think in combat the B5N2 is slightly better due to its speed. If the B5N1 meets fighters it has a tougher time getting through for an attack. For ASW and other tasks it should be fine, but most of mine will be in the HI for training and hunting subs all war.

[Mike Solli]

I hope the Lily is useful. I've used it so far because I didn't have any other choice. I don't want to increase Sally production with the Helen coming out (which I calculate to arrive in Jun 42 so 3 months yet). I hope 90 Tojos is sufficient. I'll increase each factory by up to 10 if needed after it becomes operational but I hope I don't have to do that. It'll become my primary IJA fighter as well. I'll taper off Oscar production; probably shut it off as because as the Tojo replaces front line Oscars, the Oscar pool will climb. I think 90 Tojos per month will work well.

[ny59giants]

Oosthaven - assign a lot of TFs to this base as their home port. The AI will pull some fuel out of Palembang in anticipation of them going there to re-fuel. You don't have to send them there, just have the home port be Oosthaven.

[Captain Cruft]

I think Lilies definitely have their uses. They're the fastest IJA bomber you get until the Peggy and can deliver ordnance two hexes further than the Nick.

[SqzMyLemon]

I agree on the Lily's as well. I used them exclusively as ASW platforms since they didn't seem to be very effective tactical bombers. Then again...I have no choice, but to use them. [:D]

[Captain Cruft]

Low-level naval attack is actually what I was thinking. Doing ASW with the IJAAF is outside my comfort zone.

[ny59giants]

Mike - You do know the process to change the commands of some of your bases?? Both the Kuriles and Okinawa may need to be changes to "General Defense" command to allow you to operate air units up there that are Restricted.

1) Move a BF to the base you wish to change.
2) Spend the PP to change the BF command to "General Defense."
3) Select the command as you would normally do to change a command, but on the base screen. The command line for the base should now show "General Defense" in yellow. Spend the PP to change it. I did so for two bases in Kurile already and now they have Air HQs on each in August '43.

Now, I'll be able to move all those Restricted air units in Honshu up there, if needed. You may know about this, but it seems some Japanese players don't known about it.

[Phanatikk]

Nice.

[SuluSea]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

I agree on the Lily's as well. I used them exclusively as ASW platforms since they didn't seem to be very effective tactical bombers. Then again...I have no choice, but to use them. [:D]

My thoughts with Lillies as well because of the longer legs. The planes intended for ASW with short legs I train them as naval search and drop them down to 1-2k and feel they do an adequate job.

On another note I just finished off Bowfin and it seems like MAD is underpowered in this game if the late war IJ players opinions are to be believed. (which I do) Even without MAD I didn't realize Allied subs (even one of the most storied vessels) had such a difficult time operating when under dedicated ASW search.

[Mike Solli]

9 Mar 42

Sub War

Off Pt. Moresby, the Ro-60 caught an xAKL and put her under with a couple of shells and a torpedo. I wonder why Ted is sending unescorted rowboats out there knowing I have subs in the area?

I had sent a BB TF to clear out Tulagi in preparation for the arrival of an invasion TF. What did they happen upon but the Dutch O23. Two DDs pummeled the Dutch sub getting a direct hit and numerous near misses. She was not reported as sunk (and I don’t believe she did sink), but she’s definitely headed to the barn for repairs.

5 Fleet

The Allied TFs at Dutch Harbor and Umnak Island have vanished. KB will meet the replenishment TF and refuel tomorrow or the day after. Then KB will stand by for a bit to see if anyone shows up for the party.

4 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

SE Fleet

Aside from the incident at Tulagi mentioned above, only a small skirmish between half a dozen Kittyhawks and 1x P-40E and about a dozen Zeros over Pt. Moresby. We lost 2 Zeros with one pilot KIA and another WIA to no Allied losses or op losses. Hmmm… Gotta check my pilot fatigue to see if that’s the culprit.

China

Still beating on surrounded Chinese Corps. This one is about done. Nine to go after this one capitulates.

Burma

There were two bombing runs and a sweep over Magwe today. Overall, 3 oil were destroyed reducing the oil facility there to 133 of 300.

Here are the total losses:

5 Zeros shot down (+1 op loss) – Only 1 WIA
8 Oscars shot down (+1 op loss) – 4 KIA, 2 WIA

4 P-40Es shot down (+2 op losses)
5 Hurricane IIb Trop shot down (+2 op losses)
3 Blenheim IVs shot down

There were only 38 Allied bomber sorties today, about half the norm. That’s good. My IJA losses were a bit high. I can live with it though.

The CA TF is two days out from their bombardment. The BB TF is a day behind them.

Tongoo’s airfield finally hit level 2. We’re getting there.

SRA

The first TF of xAKs is loading fuel from Palembang. A TK TF will arrive tomorrow.

Forces are congregating at Kalidjati for its liberation. They haven’t all arrived yet.

Other Stuff

Ted has lost over 200 P-40Es. That’s got to hurt. Also, I believe he’s lost all of his H81-A3s as well. If not, there aren’t more than 1 or 2 left (for his museum after the war).

The Aichi Ha-60 R&D factory has advanced one month to Sep 42. That’s the engine for all of the Judy variants.

[Mike Solli]

10 Mar 12

Sub War

The I-28 caught a convoy headed toward Rangiroa (presumably) (about 8 hexes NNE) and put down a huge tanker, the Larry Doheny, a T2-SE-A class tanker of 12,600 tons. Very nice! She was loaded with fuel and burned like a torch. I definitely need more subs in this area.

5 Fleet

More of my subs are headed this way. I’ll have 2x fleet subs and 2x Glen subs with 2 more fleet subs in reserve to replace them and 2 more fleet subs repairing. KB will refuel tomorrow and stay on station to the WSW. There is still no sight of any Allied ships. KB has not been sighted either. Not sure if Ted will return, but I have fuel to burn on the off chance something shows up.

4 Fleet

I get a lot of Naval Guard units in a couple of days for 4 Fleet. Gotta figure out where to send them. I’m finally getting some garrisons for these bases.

SE Fleet

The Tulagi invasion force landed without incident today. It is composed of a Naval Guard and a naval construction battalion. It’ll take the base tomorrow then build up a level 2 airfield, then level 3 port, then forts.

There was no opposition in the air today. 36 Zeros swept Pt. Moresby but no one came up to play. Lilys bombed Pt. Moresby causing minor runway damage and 4x Betties went after a very lucky AM that has been attacked numerous times by air and subs for no damage.

Philippines

The 16 Division has reached Clark Field and is headed to Bataan. When it arrives, I’ll attack to test the waters. It will attack along with the 48 Division and 65 Brigade. Hopefully, the Allied in Bataan will capitulate this month to free up 14 Army for other missions as yet undecided. I’m debating whether or not to do a shock attack. That could backfire but it could hasten the demise of the Allies here.

China

The single Chinese Corps surrounded 2 hexes east of Sinyang finally succumbed. 5440(615) Chinese surrendered. The victorious Japanese army will now move 1 hex over where there are 6 more surrounded Chinese units.

Burma

No Allied bombers visited Magwe today, so the oil facilities remain at 133/300. There was one sweep of 25x Hurricane IIb Trops vs. 13x Zeros, 22 Oscars and 7 Tojos. Here were the results:

2x Zeros De + 2 op losses – 2 WIA
1x Oscar De + 1 op loss – 1 WIA
1x Tojo De + 2 op losses – 1 WIA (Only 5 Tojos remain of the original 9 prototypes that started the war.)

8x Hurricane IIb Trop De + 2 op losses

Ted moved practically all of his fighters out of Akyab. There are only a handful there. Now, he has fighters at Chittagong and fighters and bombers at Imphal. I’m considering using my naval bombardment TFs against Chittagong. Tomorrow, the CA and BB TFs will be within reach of both Akyab and Chittagong. I’ll make my final decision as to what to do then. Right now I’m leaning toward Chittagong because of all the bombers there (>70!).

Sumatra

Fuel is being sucked out of Palembang. A few days of this and I should be able to turn the refineries on there. Until then, I’ll just keep sucking fuel out.

Java

Forces are still moving toward Kalidjati. Not enough to attack yet, but we’re getting there.

SRA

Nothing new to report.

Other Stuff

I just got an email from Ted: “Well I think its time for a rest and refit for my guys up in India. Taking too many losses up there to justify the effort. Had to be done though...when I saw Magwe flip to you I knew I could get a few missions in to knock down the oil before you got decent fighters up there. Looks like it worked somewhat. And my Hurricanes are doing fairly well too, whats up with that ? In previous versions they were next to useless aircraft. Anyway, dont get too comfortable, my boys will be back ”

Interesting email. He’s got to be hurting in the fighter department. Probably some of his bombers as well. I’m pretty sure he’s out of Blenheim Is, not that that means much. His Blenheim IV pool should be low as well. That’s his staple bomber for a while and he doesn’t begin to get replacements for this model until May 42 and then only 12 per month. I can’t get to the game right now but I want to list the Allied air reinforcements to date to see what rough numbers of significant planes he has available (I have the replacement schedule).

I’m thinking of hitting Chittagong tomorrow with the CA TF and then hitting Chittagong the next day with the BB TF and hitting Akyab with the CA TF the next day as well.

My R&D factories are coming along nicely. I have 3x30 Rufe factories. Two of them have repaired completely and have upgraded to the A6M5. The third is at 28(2) and will remain a Rufe factory. There are 3x30 Helen Ia factories. Two are completely repaired and upgraded to the Helen IIa, the model I want. The third is also at 28(2) and will upgrade when it is completely repaired. The R&D for the Helen IIa is at 25%, which is wonderful. I expect it to be available in Jun 42, fully 3 months early.

[ny59giants]

The 16 Division has reached Clark Field and is headed to Bataan. When it arrives, I’ll attack to test the waters. It will attack along with the 48 Division and 65 Brigade. Hopefully, the Allied in Bataan will capitulate this month to free up 14 Army for other missions as yet undecided. I’m debating whether or not to do a shock attack. That could backfire but it could hasten the demise of the Allies here.

I would advise against it. Fly your bombers at 10k and wait for the flak to decrease. This will show you how low his supply situation is. Now until the flak is inconsistent would I try an assault.