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Still working on the next turn.

In China, the biggest problem right now is getting air coverage. The advance is outpacing my ability to provide close air support, especially around Chengtu. Kunming is harder to reach in large numbers as well. Tuyun and Kweiyang will be important airbases and are currently expanding to accommodate more aircraft. AV support is being moved forward throughout the theatre.

I'm going to have to redeploy more air support to Burma as well to deal with the increased number of aircraft in theatre. I'm cycling some of the worst off Oscar Sentai's to Singapore for morale recovery and training. They will not be replenished with airframes until the Oscar pool is built up. I want a steady supply of replacements for my best fighter units.

Troops are pouring into Burma, but I'm going to also focus on shoring up Malaya's coast. I am starting to think an appearance from the Royal Navy supporting operations in Burma is a distinct possibility.

Resource wise, the second large tanker TF has left Singapore carrying 100k+ of fuel, the first was 92.8k worth of fuel/oil and is rounding Takao. A pure oil TF is loading now consisting of the Tonan Whaler class tankers. Another 11600 capacity tanker has completed construction and is ordered to Singapore. I'm really pleased with the reorganization and am seeing immediate results from being more efficient.

I'm still having trouble with fuel in Manchuria. Last turn was interesting though. I started shipping some resources from Saigon and the fuel stockpile in Bangkok jumped from 15k to a whopping 85k. I'll see if I can get it to move to Saigon by continuing resource extraction via sea transport to draw more to the port.

The Allies are still not interdicting my amphibious operations redeploying troops from Guadalcanal. My spidey sense is tingling though since I've withdrawn the covering SCTF. The smaller support LCU's I plan on withdrawing will begin to populate vulnerable bases in the Central Pacific. July will see a large increase in the number of reinforcements. If I can prevent any further Allied lodgement in the Pacific, excepting the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, I think I'll be in good shape.

Tonight will be spent finishing up the turn and trying to get the right units in the right place. I'm downgrading the number of aircraft in China, which frees up numerous Southern Army air support units for Burma and the Pacific. I'm critically short of engineers. The majority of Combined Fleet is still at Rabaul, but I must decide quickly where to redeploy a number of surface ships and KB. I particularly need to get some cruisers and DD's into the DEI as I'm shifting the CVL's and current surface forces back to Singapore to defend against the British.

More later...

I tried sweeping my own base in my game with obvert, and it didn't work. If it turns out that it can't be done, one obviously needs a houserule!

ORIGINAL: Historiker

I tried sweeping my own base in my game with obvert, and it didn't work. If it turns out that it can't be done, one obviously needs a houserule!

What can be done is sweeping any non-base hex that has an enemy LCU in it. That way you will catch his LRCAP... leaking! [;)] And thats the weakness of the offensive LRCAP - in addition to fatigue any air combat in the area that is not happening directly over the target hex will see them take part to as leaking CAP - and they'll suffer. More so if you use the ground attack(or sweep) as secondary mission-trick to make the attacks go in the PM phase when the LRCAP's fatigue is at its highest.

I'm having a bad day.

Another turn run, and another case of leaking Japanese LRCAP getting slaughtered over a base I did not set as a target to defend and beyond the maximum range I set for my units.

All Japanese fighters in Burma were set for and ordered to provide CAP or LRCAP over Toungoo. Ranges were set to allow no flights past Toungoo. The AI and air model once again conveniently ignored and overwrote my orders, and sent fighters based as far away as Moulmein to be destroyed over Meiktila. Fighters based directly at Toungoo and Chiang Mai did not react as intended, while the fighters the farthest away, at 8 hexes but set to 5, were sent in against enemy fighter sweeps. 10 aircraft were lost, 2 pilots KIA and 7 WIA. One enemy fighter was downed.

Mar. 10/43:

Burma:

Air AAR's follow:
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Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 19
P-40K Warhawk x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Martlet II sweeping at 22000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 6

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA/C Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 3
Blenheim IV x 17
Liberator II x 12
Wellington Ic x 3
B-24D Liberator x 36
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
344 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 5

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Liberator II x 16
Wellington Ic x 11
B-24D Liberator x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 16

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
16 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...

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Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12
B-24D Liberator x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
107 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA/C Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

This is what I can look forward to over the next 2 1/2 years of game time. Trying to intercept these attacks is a waste of time. CAP is degraded after the first few sweeps and most likely my fighter strength will already have been destroyed, allowing follow up raids to go in unmolested. Fun times.

China:

Chungking is bombed causing 0(11) infantry and 1(18) non-combat squads lost totalling 165 casualties. The airbase suffers 1 ABS and 19 Runway hits.

A second Shock Attack against Chinese troops achieves 2:1 odds, but fails to rout the defenders. I've seen this before and I'll have to attack until they are wiped out. AAR follows:
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Ground combat at 80,41 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11749 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 426

Defending force 5292 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Japanese adjusted assault: 554

Allied adjusted defense: 217

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
722 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (9 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
35th Division

Defending units:
33rd Chinese Corps
47th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
2nd Group Army

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Saipan expands fortifications to size 5
Umboi Island expands airfield to size 3

68th Sentai/B converting to Ki-61-Ia Tony

TK Palembang Maru arrives at Maizuru

Allied:

Nonouti expands airfield to size 2

Mar. 11/43:

Sub Ops:

SS RO-65 is spotted by DD Kortenaer off the coast of Port Hedland. Six near miss hits causing damage are recorded.

Burma:

Air AAR's follow:
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Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 5

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

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Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA/C Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
A-29A Hudson x 3
Blenheim IV x 5
Wellington Ic x 6
B-24D Liberator x 35
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
216 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 18 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A-29A Hudson bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington Ic x 20
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA/C Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Liberator II x 12
B-24D Liberator x 23
P-40K Warhawk x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...

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Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA/C Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 12

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Liberator II bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 12

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 57

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 20000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd RTA/C Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 8 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 19
P-40K Warhawk x 11

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Martlet II sweeping at 22000 feet

Australia:

A sharp little surface engagement as my small SCTF finds the remnants of the supply TF on it's return journey to Perth. AAR follows:
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Day Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 53,127, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
DD Akebono
DD Sazanami, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Van Nes, Shell hits 6, on fire
DD Kortenaer, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
xAK Gorgon, Shell hits 18, and is sunk

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Fusan expands airfield to size 7
Tassafaronga expands airfield to size 1
Sining expands fortifications to size 3
Tanahdjampea Island expands airfield to size 1
Long Island expands fortifications to size 3

TK Kotai Maru arrives at Fukuoka

61st Division Engineer Battalion arrives at Utsonomiya

Allied:

Ndeni expands airfield to size 6
Chittagong expands port to size 8
Darwin expands port to size 4

Mar. 12/43:

Sub Ops:

SS RO-63 misses a damaged and smoking DD Van Ness near Exmouth with four torpedoes.

Burma:

In an effort to counter the tactic of using LRCAP to support sweep and bomber strikes, I target Magwe to catch leaking LRCAP. It works. I lose roughly 9 Oscar's against 12 P-40K's. AAR's follow:
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Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 18

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
51st FG/16th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
51st FG/26th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 62 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
51st FG/26th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
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 2 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40K Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 116 minutes
51st FG/25th FS with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 10

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 24000 feet

Interestingly enough, no bomber raids on the exact day I sweep. Odd.

China:

Chinese forces west of Chengtu are bombed and than attacked by ground forces. Bombers cause 0(8) infantry and 0(12) non-combat squad losses totalling 159 casualties. The follow up Deliberate attack then routes the defenders. AAR follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 74,41 (near Chengtu)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 45568 troops, 458 guns, 1035 vehicles, Assault Value = 1861

Defending force 3268 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 23

Japanese adjusted assault: 2603

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 2603 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1929 casualties reported
Squads: 203 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 282 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (26 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Tank Regiment
20th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
27th Division
3rd Tank Division
63rd Division
12th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps

Another Shock Attack is launched against Chinese troops near Ankang. AAR follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 80,41 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 11609 troops, 94 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 581

Defending force 4596 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Japanese adjusted assault: 656

Allied adjusted defense: 43

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
709 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 78 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
47th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
2nd Group Army
33rd Chinese Corps

Interestingly, a Chinese Corps has respawned at Chungking, increasing the AV of the defenders. AAR follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Chungking (76,45)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 240 troops, 29 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 883

Defending force 29518 troops, 133 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1024 (AV was 703 the day before)

Assaulting units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
32nd Division
12th Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
85th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
62nd Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
China Command
CAF HQ

I've decided I'll assault Chungking sooner than later. I need some beat up divisions to buy out cheaply for the Pacific anyway. 1st and 12th Armies are tasked with this mission. I'm awaiting more troops to arrive, in the meantime every hex side is being closed off to prevent a retreat.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Tassafaronga expands fortifications to size 2
Madang expands fortifications to size 3
Padang expands fortifications to size 4
Kienko expands fortifications to size 1

TK Mirii Maru arrives at Maizuru

Allied:

Nothing

Mar. 13/43:

Sub Ops:

SS RO-33 misses DD Chevalier with two torpedoes near Kirakira. No surprise here. Actually, this was funny. I predicted an Allied attempt to interfere with loading operations. The Allies reacted, but were unable to bring my amphibious TF to battle. I was lucky. I'll have to send screening SCTF's back to Lunga.

Burma:

Air AAR's follow:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
21st Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes

This is leaking Japanese LRCAP. They flew from Moulmein, 8 hexes away, while their maximum range was set to 5. I don't get the time to intercept either. My LRCAP is supposed to be over Toungoo, 138 miles away, yet can respond in 2 mins? The entire air routine is beyond comprehension and makes no sense to me. I lost 3 Nick's and 7 Oscar's including 2 pilots KIA and 7 WIA. This is a gamebreaker for me and is the cause of my fighter strength in Burma being decimated in only two large scale attacks. LRCAP not covering the assigned base and instead being deployed stupidly by the AI is ruining the game. Then again, does it matter since after 3 sweeps I'd have no fighters left in the air anyway. [8|]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (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 25000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 104 minutes

Still leaking. [:@]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 21

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 14

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 45th Recce Regiment, at 56,49 , near Toungoo

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 8000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

I snuck a bombing raid of my own in.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 18

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Martlet II sweeping at 22000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 56th Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 24
Wellington Ic x 20
B-25C Mitchell x 9
B-25D1 Mitchell x 10

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
314 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
8 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 56th Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 56th Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 16

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

Commonwealth forces have invested Meiktila and recon the base with an artillery bombardment. AAR follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 6916 troops, 109 guns, 90 vehicles, Assault Value = 2620

Defending force 13864 troops, 133 guns, 86 vehicles, Assault Value = 489

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
19th Indian Division
7th Australian Division
17th Indian Division
20th Indian Division
39th Indian Division
18th British Division
36th Chinese Division
2/9th Field Regiment
Eastern Army
IV Indian Corps
2/11th Field Regiment
2/13th Field Regiment

Defending units:
56th Division
Ichiki Det.
2nd RTA/C Division

The 56th Division is trashed at 82% disruption despite level 4 forts. If the Allies assault tomorrow, it will most likely be routed. Dumb on my part to even move this division forward considering I can't touch Allied bombers in Burma. Yep, just loving the game right now that sees an entire division made combat ineffective after one day of bombing. Every Allied player should count themselves lucky to have an actual Japanese opponent, when results like this are routine.

China:

I concentrated bombers on Chinese forces now in clear terrain near Kienko. A wapping 1(53) infantry and 4(75) non-combat squads were lost totalling 723 casualties. Note, I have to be at 6k to achieve results like these. The Allied bombers in Burma are flying at 10k and causing even greater loss.

The 3rd Shock Attack against Chinese forces near Ankang still fails to rout or elimiate the defenders. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 80,41 (near Ankang)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 17071 troops, 132 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 578

Defending force 4076 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 51

Japanese adjusted assault: 444

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 34 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
553 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 75 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
35th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
47th Chinese Corps
1st War Area
2nd Group Army
33rd Chinese Corps

I will stop these attacks until Chungking is captured. No point adding to the defence.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Mandalay expands fortifications to size 6
Great Nicobar expands port to size 1
Raba expands fortifications to size 3

63rd JNAF AF Unit arrives at Tokyo

Allied:

Umnak Island expands airfield to size 6
Lahat expands airfield to size 5

Thoughts:

Other than the game sucks right now? Not many.

I'm going to throw my fighter strength at the enemy once again in Burma. If the 56th Division is routed and retreats to Mandalay, instead of Taung Gyi, I'll have lost Burma. If so, I'll have to withdraw completely from Burma. I can't defend my troops from bombing and I can't stop supply from reaching the Chinese. China will get supply and that will be that. It was fun while it lasted.

I made a strategic error, Meiktila is the key to Burma, not Mandalay. My fault, I should have spotted it a long time ago.

Sorry to hear you are struggling with game mechanics! [:(]

My knowledge is very limited but so far in my game I have not encountered anything like what you are describing. That being said the limited range of allied fighters early on means I have not used LRCAP for defensive purposes very much. As I wrote in obverts AAR I think you should have michelm look at it. It doesn´t sound right the way you are experiencing things.

On groundbombing I certainly agree with you. Its way too powerful as it is right now. Part of the problem is probably the non existing AAA in the game which allows bombers to attack ground formations almost unmolested. No losses mean they can keep up an impossible tempo. Only confort I can offer is that it goes both way. I´ve probably lost a gazillion men in China due ground bombing. [:D]

Can you perhaps give some numbers on airwar in Burma. Looking at the combat report it seems both of you are understrenght? Loosing 10 aircraft doesn´t sounds very catastrophic too me unless you are seriously understrengh? I have lost 50 in a day several times and we are still in 42. I think me and obvert peaked at around 120-150 fighter losses in a single day in Burma.

You shouldn´t have to struggle this much this early. It very hard to do offensive missions as the allies with Hurries and P40s. They lack range and fatigue very fast. Also the P40 just plainly sucks. The K variant is miles better then the E but it still sucks! [:D] But I guess the problem for you is PDU off? Can you get any Tojos to burma? They will eat P40s and Hurries alive.

I think I know how you are feeling as I had a very bad situation in China that really sucked all the fun out of the game for me. The key was good communication with your opponent. Perhaps let him know how you are feeling and see if you can come to an agreement of some kind? Its a game and its supposed to be fun! [:)]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Sorry to hear you are struggling with game mechanics! [:(]

My knowledge is very limited but so far in my game I have not encountered anything like what you are describing. That being said the limited range of allied fighters early on means I have not used LRCAP for defensive purposes very much. As I wrote in obverts AAR I think you should have michelm look at it. It doesn´t sound right the way you are experiencing things.

On groundbombing I certainly agree with you. Its way too powerful as it is right now. Part of the problem is probably the non existing AAA in the game which allows bombers to attack ground formations almost unmolested. No losses mean they can keep up an impossible tempo. Only confort I can offer is that it goes both way. I´ve probably lost a gazillion men in China due ground bombing. [:D]

Can you perhaps give some numbers on airwar in Burma. Looking at the combat report it seems both of you are understrenght? Loosing 10 aircraft doesn´t sounds very catastrophic too me unless you are seriously understrengh? I have lost 50 in a day several times and we are still in 42. I think me and obvert peaked at around 120-150 fighter losses in a single day in Burma.

You shouldn´t have to struggle this much this early. It very hard to do offensive missions as the allies with Hurries and P40s. They lack range and fatigue very fast. Also the P40 just plainly sucks. The K variant is miles better then the E but it still sucks! [:D] But I guess the problem for you is PDU off? Can you get any Tojos to burma? They will eat P40s and Hurries alive.

I think I know how you are feeling as I had a very bad situation in China that really sucked all the fun out of the game for me. The key was good communication with your opponent. Perhaps let him know how you are feeling and see if you can come to an agreement of some kind? Its a game and its supposed to be fun! [:)]

Hi Joc,

Thanks for the post. It's just the frustration level is high on my end right now, but I'll try and answer your comments lucidly. [:D]

I believe leaking CAP is an issue that every developer is aware of, but to my understanding there is nothing that can be done about it under this current game engine. It's the leaking CAP that is decimating my fighter strength and the apparent inability for me to set a target to defend with LRCAP. My issue is how my forces are being committed by the AI.

The March 6/43 Allied air attack against Meiktila was the killer. My CAP and LRCAP was committed in driblets and in such a way as to see 120 aircraft downed in one day over a target I didn't set to be defended. I'm still trying to recover from that. Considering it takes 6 days to replace 12 aircraft per air unit, yes, losing 10 aircraft to leaking CAP is a big deal when I'm trying to replace my losses. If this happens everyday, I'll never recover.

I have now committed every Tojo and Tony unit I have to Burma. So yes, they are there. However, when my Tojo's and Tony's are not committed against enemy sweeps in conjunction with supporting the Oscar's and Nick's, it kind of turns into a bloodbath. When my Tojo's and Tony's are committed in two's and three's during enemy sweeps, it tends to turn into a bloodbath. My issue isn't with the losses, my issue is with the AI and how my air units are being committed in such a way that my forces are being destroyed in detail, while causing very little loss on the enemy. I just want a fighting chance and my forces committed in a way that makes sense. Right now, that just isn't happening.

I appreciate your thoughts, but unfortunately what appears to be whining on my end just can't be understood by anybody unless they sit down and watch each individual air action during the combat replay. You need to see what is happening to my air units during the turns to fully appreciate where I'm coming from. I expect to take losses and not win every battle, but I do want to feel like I have a chance to fight back. Right now, I don't and the results prove it.

As far as bombing the Chinese, I agree I've had it good and have reaped the benefits. Now it's Bart's turn to do the same to me in Burma, and I actually don't have a problem with that. The problem is the fact I can't defend against it, when I actually do have an air force unlike the Chinese.

Thanks for posting, I hope this clears some things up for you.

If it's possible, and I know this is hard when a lot of things are not going well in game and it's not from something you've clearly done or not done, try different stuff.

If LR CAP is not working, then use regular CAP set to a distance you are comfortable with, and let the commanders try to make it in time to get masses there to defend a base. This has worked for me and they haven't gone outside that distance.

I've also had times when I've set the CAP to ONLY that base, at 0, and that can also be effective. I have had no problems with either leaking outside of their distance settings. If the problem is LR CAP, don't use that. Use another way.

I mean this most respectfully, as I hope you know. I just struggle to see you losing your enjoyment of what can be such an amazing game experience.

PS - Also, if it's a tactic your opponent is using that enhances the negative effects of what you're experiencing, make sure you guys talk it out and get something that works.

ORIGINAL: obvert

If the problem is LR CAP, don't use that. Use another way.

You nailed it with this comment. LRCAP in a defensive capacity doesn't work. I'm resorting to CAP and sweeps from now on.

Bear in mind. It only took one Allied air attack to discover that LRCAP doesn't actually take into consideration a players input. That one attack is all it took to wipe out 75% of my fighter strength in Burma. My entire AAR shows I'm willing to change tactics and strategies and adapt to things the game throws at me. In this case, it was the first time this was discovered and I just don't have a chance to recover from it anytime soon.

As always, totally appreciate your thoughts. Never feel like you are walking on eggshells when offering advice to me.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

If the problem is LR CAP, don't use that. Use another way.

You nailed it with this comment. LRCAP in a defensive capacity doesn't work. I'm resorting to CAP and sweeps from now on.

Bear in mind. It only took one Allied air attack to discover that LRCAP doesn't actually take into consideration a players input. That one attack is all it took to wipe out 75% of my fighter strength in Burma. My entire AAR shows I'm willing to change tactics and strategies and adapt to things the game throws at me. In this case, it was the first time this was discovered and I just don't have a chance to recover from it anytime soon.

As always, totally appreciate your thoughts. Never feel like you are walking on eggshells when offering advice to me.

Will do! We all need both the encouragement and the suggestions from time to time. This game is too complex to play on your own!

SqzMyLemon,

In Burma, my opponent set up his air defenses slightly different than what you're describing. He has taken Ramree island and Akyab and built up sizeable fighter airdromes there. His CAP was leaking over his nearby troop formations, making the inevitable uncoordinated IJAAF bombing effort against his troops extremely painful.

I started 'sweeping the bleed'. Rather than sweeping his heavily defended air bases, I'd sweep the hexes above his troops that I was trying to get at. My concentrated 36 plane sweeps would meet a handful of 'bleeders' over the hex and-at least partially due my superior numbers-deal effectively with them.

Sure, it's no way to attack focal air Allied strength, but it can be a useful attritional tactic. If it gets too annoying for him, he may resort to CAP with range set to "0" over his airdromes. When that happens, then you can resume the escorted bombing runs over his troops.

ORIGINAL: Erkki

ORIGINAL: Historiker

I tried sweeping my own base in my game with obvert, and it didn't work. If it turns out that it can't be done, one obviously needs a houserule!

What can be done is sweeping any non-base hex that has an enemy LCU in it. That way you will catch his LRCAP... leaking! [;)] And thats the weakness of the offensive LRCAP - in addition to fatigue any air combat in the area that is not happening directly over the target hex will see them take part to as leaking CAP - and they'll suffer. More so if you use the ground attack(or sweep) as secondary mission-trick to make the attacks go in the PM phase when the LRCAP's fatigue is at its highest.

Oops. I saw this comment by Erkki after I posted. +1 to what he describes.

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I started 'sweeping the bleed'. Rather than sweeping his heavily defended air bases, I'd sweep the hexes above his troops that I was trying to get at. My concentrated 36 plane sweeps would meet a handful of 'bleeders' over the hex and-at least partially due my superior numbers-deal effectively with them.

I started to do that on March 12th. It works well. I will continue to do so as long as I see LRCAP appearing in any Allied raids. After last turn, I won't use LRCAP unless protecting a TF at sea. I will no longer provide free kills due to a LRCAP routine that does it's own thing at my expense. [:-]

Thanks for posting. [8D]

Post removed.

The next turn has arrived so looks like the war progresses another day.

I'm prediciting the fall of Meiktila to the Allies today. Japanese fighter strength is committed to sweeps in an effort to target enemy LRCAP in Burma. Tomorrow, the last Tojo and Nick units arrive in theatre. Providing I don't suffer any disasters in the air war over the next two days, I should be able to mount my best fighter force in terms of quality yet seen in Burma.

Amphibious transports are ordered to stop loading troops at Lunga and make for Shortlands at all possible speed to avoid enemy SCTF's until covering forces arrive. I'm sending strong surface forces supported by CV's to take up station near Lunga to allow the redeployment of the remaining troops from Guadalcanal free from enemy interference. I want this operation finished up within 10-14 days.

Can't be bothered to rant. I made a huge mistake and I've lost Burma because of it. Live and learn, and a tough lesson to have to endure. Defend all of Burma or none of it. My situation is also compounded by the fact this game does not restrict supply flow or apply Monsoon rules in Burma. That alone should have been enough to force me to pull out completely.

The rout is now on.



Mar. 13/43:

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 17

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 30
Wellington Ic x 27
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...
Also attacking Ichiki Det. ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...
Also attacking 2nd RTA/C Division ...
Also attacking 56th Division ...

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Morning Air attack on 56th Division, at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 10

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 58,47 (Meiktila)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 19

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Martlet II sweeping at 22000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 23

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x P-40E Warhawk sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 17

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 20000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Meiktila (58,47)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69029 troops, 1193 guns, 1113 vehicles, Assault Value = 3486

Defending force 13572 troops, 136 guns, 86 vehicles, Assault Value = 467

Allied adjusted assault: 2036

Japanese adjusted defense: 87

Allied assault odds: 23 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Meiktila !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2376 casualties reported
Squads: 143 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 176 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 53 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 65 (63 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 60 (59 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
399 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
7th Australian Division
39th Indian Division
50th Tank Brigade
17th Indian Division
18th British Division
19th Indian Division
20th Indian Division
3rd Carbiniers Regiment
254th Armoured Brigade
268th Motorised Brigade
255th Armoured Brigade
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
36th Chinese Division
2/11th Field Regiment
2/9th Field Regiment
Eastern Army
IV Indian Corps
2/13th Field Regiment
85th British AT Gun Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment

Defending units:
Ichiki Det.
56th Division
2nd RTA/C Division

Wow.

All of a sudden mentioning whether a fort level increased, or I received a new tanker just doesn't seem to matter.

The game continues, but I'm taking some time off from posting.

Sorry to hear. I do enjoy the AAR.

Even though you've had a setback in Burma there is a lot of good defensive territory still there. The tough thing with playing Japan is that a few small mistakes can cause a landslide.

Since you're not posting for a while, maybe you could show us a model or two! [;)]

Yes, sorry to hear this. Just out of curiosity, are you playing a fully patched game?

Troops have always retreated towards the closest base followed by the hex with the easiest movement, which in you case is the clear terrain at Mandalay. It has been this way since old WITP days. A case of WAD, but a frustration for any player that would to have his troops retreat in a direction that they want, not what the AI wants. [:@]