Greyjoy(J) vs. Obvert(A) - The air war in China- DBB, SLs, PDU OFF

[GreyJoy]

Mar 18-20, 43

The 18th and 19th of March pass by pretty quiet, with the usual naval bombardment of Nauru Is. and the slow but steady allied advance from Milne Bay towards Lae (conquering all the dot hexes around the corner, thus getting closer and closer to my first line of resistance in SWPAC and SOPAC).

But it's on the 20th that the hammer falls down at Ceylon.
The allies this time go for Colombo. We were still recovering from the battle of Madras, while the allies seem to have an infinite number of fresh squadrons to throw into the meatgrinder...
Again their coordination was simply amazing. Sweeps always first, with some heavy LRCAP, followed by hordes of well coordinated and well escorted 4Es... my defences are shattered. Lost some of my best pilots today (my top ace with 8 kills is WIA, while the second best one with 7 is KIA ( )
The allies also attack and close Dambulla... amazed by the quality of his air operation...hat's off

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Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 10

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x P-43A-1 Lancer sweeping at 25000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 83
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 44
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
25th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
286 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 18 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 29000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 30
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 64
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 32

Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1 Corsair: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 26
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 45
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 31

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 2
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-43A-1 Lancer sweeping at 25000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 25
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 36
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 21
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 35
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 27

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 64
Kittyhawk III x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 78[X(]

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 25000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
16 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
11 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
22 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
22 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 24
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet *
12 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet




When the bombers arrived, my CAP was too worn down and too scattered to make any resistance...

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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 32
B-17E Fortress x 18
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 21
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed on ground
H8K1 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 1 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 26
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 46

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
11th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
10 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 26705 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
286 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 31550.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 59 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 24000 and 29580.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
25th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 29580 and 33000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes



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Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 18
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
B-26 Marauder x 30
B-26B Marauder x 15
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 31


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 5
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K1 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 3
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 6
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6
P-400 Airacobra x 21
P-40K Warhawk x 10

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 31 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
H8K1 Emily: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4



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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2




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Morning Air attack on Dambulla , at 30,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 12
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2


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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 13

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet



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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 22

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet




The result of this is again an allied victory. 80 planes lost for me and less than 40 for him. Colombo and Dambulla are closed and now only Tricolamle resists... he outnumbers me and i need to fall back now... can't keep on doing this for long. Operation "rescue" is on the GO! May the God of war assist us all...

[GreyJoy]

In Oz, Kalgoorite is conquered and now Perth is stripped by everything usefull. Only non combat troops are left there. Next stop is Exmouth and Port Hedland. Gotta keep these locations mine at all costs for the rest of 1943 at least.

Horn Island and Mereuake are being heavily reinforced, while Taberfane is being built up... the perimeter is really shrinking

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Yaab

I would save Ki-45 for attacks against bombers and naval/ground bombardment and strafing. Clearly they are not made for CAP/sweep stuff.

Mine have done OK, even against P-38 stratosweeps. It really depends on pilot quality.

Mine were flown by top quality IJAAF pilots (a lot of Tracom ones!). They are simply sittin ducks against these well coordinated allied massive sweeps. The only thing i need to do now is to fall back and keep the distance from his main bases. The more the distance, the less chance he has to get these coordinated massive operations

[JohnDillworth]

Your opponent is smart to press you with junk that is sometimes thrown away. Lancers, P-39's, P-400's F4F's that will be replaced in a month or two. good use of airframes on his part. You did well in India but it is time to go. The calendar says it is not time to get involved in logistics battle with the Allies, their resources are now unlimited

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

Your opponent is smart to press you with junk that is sometimes thrown away. Lancers, P-39's, P-400's F4F's that will be replaced in a month or two. good use of airframes on his part. You did well in India but it is time to go. The calendar says it is not time to get involved in logistics battle with the Allies, their resources are now unlimited

Yup, very true!
Let's just hope it isn't too late already!!!!
Can't wait to get away from there!...

[GreyJoy]

Umboi Island will now get a division. I think the corner between NG and New Britain is now pretty secure. Now i need to do something for Kavieng and Manus.
Sarmi and Biak are already well fortified. Pretty happy about their state.

The idea is to get out of India and repositioned before the allies upgrade their CVs to the Hellcats

[Lowpe]

I am happy with losing 2 planes for each Allied plane, especially if a bunch are 4E. It is losing 10 to 1 or worse that upsets me.[:D]

This is a fascinating game, quick tempo, neat strategies, you guys are to be commended.

PS: Quite the investment in Umboi - don't forget to get plentiful supplies there now while it is easy!

[GreyJoy]

Thanks Lowpe!

Umboi is getting 50k supplies soon. Won't last forever but the key is to avoid the allies to get on the NG coastal route


Mar 21-22, 43

Forced to abandon Colombo. All the flyable planes are moved out to Madras and Trico. The fighters that cannot be railed to Trico are destroyed.
On the 21st a storm consisting of more than 1000 planes flew over Colombo, leaving the base completely closed.
On the 22nd a great battle over Tricomale. clearly Erik doesn't want to let me breath and is getting up his tempo of operation... weather favours him too cause very seldom my AFs seem to be clouded...
However.... the battle was the best one we've fought in the last weeks.
Our guys did wonders, but his numbers were simply amazing. Again perfect coordination (with the bombers always arriving after several mega-sweeps+LRCAP). Can't really do much more than that...
Now Trico is almost closed.. we're down to just Madras...[X(][:-]

The good news comes from china. The doors of Kunming are finally broken and we can advance in the base-hex! BANZAI!

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 102
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 42
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 105

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 8
P-38G Lightning x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 18
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 7 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
F4U-1 Corsair: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
252 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 22 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
253 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 22 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
582 Ku S-1 with A6M3 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 29 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
33rd Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 25 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 23000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
54th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 19 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
77th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 21 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 31000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
286 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 21 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 18000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 27
A6M5 Zero x 83
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 39
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 100

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 2

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

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed



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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 25
A6M5 Zero x 81
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 39
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 95

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x F4U-1 Corsair sweeping at 25000 feet


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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 24
A6M5 Zero x 71
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 35
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 89

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 13
Hurricane IIc Trop x 66
Kittyhawk III x 14
P-40K Warhawk x 78
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 25000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
24 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
23 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
21 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
13 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22
A6M5 Zero x 63
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 79

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 4

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 21
A6M5 Zero x 61
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 76

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
12 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
6 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 19
A6M5 Zero x 55
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 65

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 24
B-24D1 Liberator x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-400 Airacobra x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
P-400 Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

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

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 38

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 18
A6M5 Zero x 53
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 26
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 63

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 3 destroyed
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 17
A6M5 Zero x 50
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 21
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 55

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 14
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 8
B-25D1 Mitchell x 11
P-40K Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 5 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

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

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 15
A6M5 Zero x 38
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 14
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 43

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 22
P-40K Warhawk x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 11
A6M5 Zero x 30
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 11
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 34

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 45 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8
A6M5 Zero x 26
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 23

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 7
A6M5 Zero x 22
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 28

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3
Kittyhawk I x 1
B-24D Liberator x 12
P-39D Airacobra x 25
P-400 Airacobra x 20
P-40K Warhawk x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 5
A6M5 Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 8
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 20
P-40K Warhawk x 4
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged





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

Ground combat at 70,48 (near Kunming)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 15501 troops, 317 guns, 922 vehicles, Assault Value = 613

Defending force 20322 troops, 110 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 476

Japanese adjusted assault: 537

Allied adjusted defense: 121

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
226 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5643 casualties reported
Squads: 235 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 232 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 15 (13 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2nd Tank Division
Guards Tank Division
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
56th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps




I now badly need a day of bad weather over Trico...

The day-result was marginally in my favour, especially for those 25+ 4Es downed... but my groups are really suffering now, both on morale and on damaged planes.
Moved some of the damaged groups out of Trico back to Madras, where they took as many replacements as possible. Don't know for how long I can efford to defend the whole place with these conditions...

The operation "rescue" has begun...but I need at least another 10 days...

[GreyJoy]

butcher's bill of the day over Trico...

[GreyJoy]

Lost 3 more aces today and some 32 skilled pilots [:o].
Ceylon-Madras is really becoming my Guadalcanal... gotta get out of here ASAP!

[GreyJoy]

Once fallen back (If I will ever be able to), I will need quite a lot of time to lick my wounds... recover air units morale, train a bunch of new pilots and feed back my planes pools (I am down to 80 A6M5, 4 A6M5cs and less than 70 KI-43IIIa...[X(]). Losing way more than what I am producing now...
I just hope that Erik cannot keep this pace for much longer, otherwise I'm screwed

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Lost 3 more aces today and some 32 skilled pilots [:o].
Ceylon-Madras is really becoming my Guadalcanal... gotta get out of here ASAP!

I think he could have been more effective but we differ on tactics. With that sort of fighter support, I don't think it is necessary for the Allies to lose 40 bombers-especially the 30 4Es. But still he is getting the job done and is at a point where he can replace his losses. So who am I to be critical... The hard fact for the Japanese player is that at this stage the Allies can pretty much close any airbase that is within fighter range-no matter how strong the defense. Good luck clearing out. Sometimes that can be more of a challenge that getting in..

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton




I think he could have been more effective but we differ on tactics. With that sort of fighter support, I don't think it is necessary for the Allies to lose 40 bombers-especially the 30 4Es.

What do you mean? I do not understand. He's following the "book" pretty completely and everything is working fine for him, imho. don't understand what u mean Mr.Sutton...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

The hard fact for the Japanese player is that at this stage the Allies can pretty much close any airbase that is within fighter range-no matter how strong the defense. Good luck clearing out. Sometimes that can be more of a challenge that getting in..

Yeah, especially in a PDU OFF game. If those had been all KI-44 IIc and N1K1s (as it could have easily been in a PDU ON game) the results could have been slightly different. Maybe the base could have been closed anyhow, but the price paid by the allies would have been much higher.
I think these happenings really show the beauty of PDU OFF. fighting in March/april 1943 with A6M3, A6M5, KI-44 IIa, IIb and IIIa, KI-61 Ia and Ib is somehow intriguing and interesting. You really have to find out the best of every plane and so does the allied player, which uses Lancers, P39s, P-400s, Martlets, and mainly every thing that flies

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: crsutton




I think he could have been more effective but we differ on tactics. With that sort of fighter support, I don't think it is necessary for the Allies to lose 40 bombers-especially the 30 4Es.

What do you mean? I do not understand. He's following the "book" pretty completely and everything is working fine for him, imho. don't understand what u mean Mr.Sutton...

Well, I think he should have a greater mix of LRCAP with his sweeps. If the sweeps go in first then this really tends to wear down the Japanese fighters more and there are less left over to face the bombers. In fact, it can be very effective if the sweeps go in one at a time instead of in a large mass as there is generally some LRCAP with each sweep to help grind down the CAP. This seems to cut down on heavy bomber losses. The real weakness of Japanese fighters is durability. Any damage on a Japanese fighter and it leaves the fight. Allies fighters will take damage and many will not abort but continue to fight. The downside is that the LRCAP is totally fatiqued after the turn and needs to stand down but I don't think that I have lost 30 heavies more than a few times and that is the important thing. Obvert is not as big of a fan of LRCAP as I am but I think in this case it saves bombers.

[veji1]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: crsutton

The hard fact for the Japanese player is that at this stage the Allies can pretty much close any airbase that is within fighter range-no matter how strong the defense. Good luck clearing out. Sometimes that can be more of a challenge that getting in..

Yeah, especially in a PDU OFF game. If those had been all KI-44 IIc and N1K1s (as it could have easily been in a PDU ON game) the results could have been slightly different. Maybe the base could have been closed anyhow, but the price paid by the allies would have been much higher.
I think these happenings really show the beauty of PDU OFF. fighting in March/april 1943 with A6M3, A6M5, KI-44 IIa, IIb and IIIa, KI-61 Ia and Ib is somehow intriguing and interesting. You really have to find out the best of every plane and so does the allied player, which uses Lancers, P39s, P-400s, Martlets, and mainly every thing that flies

Sure, that's the whole point of PDU off right ? No more super duper AF festungs with 3rd gen fighters, you have to resort again to all those tricks and tactics players forget in a PDU game to pick your spots, bring lots of planes forward for a trap than scamper away from his fighter range, etc...

Still, the pain is there for him too in terms of pools and pilots. This isn't 44 yet, so he cannot sustain this type of air campaign for too long. In a way it plays into your hands from a strategic point of view because it keeps him focused on the Indian theater where he is scoring points but not going to knock you out. It's late march 43 already, by the time you move out, he rebases his troops for a Burma/DEI campaign, etc, it'll be the second half of 43. This is positive, as long as you can save the important stuff from Madras/Ceylon of course.

I enjoy watching this game unfold that's sure !

[GreyJoy]

Mar 23, 43

Erik is blessed by another day of good weather over Trico. And he seems to be needing no rest for his pilots, who face every battle after battle, every single day, with the same good result!
I've managed to move to Trico some more 250 fighters. Those who couldn't fly were detroyed. Pilots sent to the pools. New frames taken as replacements. Runaways are damaged (44) but i cans till efford another day of CAP... but if he came today, if the weather didn't help me... no joy.

And no joy it had been... he came


At night, the dreaded 4Es on night mission...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb



Then a sub sinks one of the transports bringing reinforcements to Trico...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Trincomalee at 32,49

Japanese Ships
xAK Bisan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Hukuyo Maru
xAK Ayo Maru
PB Keiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Stingray

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




Then the morning arrives... light clouds over Trico... DAMN!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 79
A6M5c Zero x 29
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 35
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 41
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 73

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
P-40K Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 27 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
Hosho-1 with A6M5 Zero (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 28 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes
Chitose-1 with A6M5c Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 20 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 30 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 30000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
13th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 24 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 22000 and 28000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (0 airborne, 14 on standby, 20 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 28 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 79
A6M5c Zero x 26
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 33
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 35
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 70

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 4
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-43A-1 Lancer: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 70
A6M5c Zero x 26
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 33
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 28
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 68

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 66
A6M5c Zero x 24
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 31
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 27
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 64

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 16
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 4 destroyed


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 61
A6M5c Zero x 22
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 30
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 26
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 55

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 1
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
F4U-1 Corsair x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses




The "usual" MEGA-SWEEP of mid-morning....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 53
A6M5c Zero x 18
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 29
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 25
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 50

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 36
Kittyhawk III x 15
Kittyhawk III x 12
P-38G Lightning x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 23
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 3 destroyed
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Kittyhawk III sweeping at 25000 feet
6 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
4 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
8 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 48
A6M5c Zero x 17
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 25
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 23
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 47

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 38
P-38G Lightning x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 22
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
4 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
3 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
12 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 25000 feet
10 x Hurricane IIc Trop sweeping at 25000 feet
2 x Hurricane IIb Trop sweeping at 25000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 44
A6M5c Zero x 16
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 22
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 21
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 44

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
P-38G Lightning x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 4 destroyed
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed


Then the bombers arrived... and my CAP was scattered all over the sky and, despite i still had good numbers in the air, the bombers have come and gone almost without a scratch... the base is defenetly closed[:(]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 42
A6M5c Zero x 15
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 20
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 43

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 12
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-25D1 Mitchell x 6
B-26 Marauder x 3
B-26B Marauder x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 22
P-400 Airacobra x 18
P-40K Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
204 Ku S-1 with A6M5 Zero (10 airborne, 0 on standby, 10 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 32580.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
17 planes vectored on to bombers
Hosho-1 with A6M5 Zero (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
Chitose-1 with A6M5c Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 32580.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
9th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 28000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers
13th Sentai with Ki-43-IIIa Oscar (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 9 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 33140.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
70th Sentai with Ki-44-IIb Tojo (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 7 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 32552.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
9 planes vectored on to bombers
87th Sentai with Ki-44-IIc Tojo (11 airborne, 0 on standby, 3 scrambling)
11 plane(s) intercepting now.
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 32000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 34
A6M5c Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 36

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
B-24D1 Liberator x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 27
B-25D1 Mitchell x 9
B-26 Marauder x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 5 damaged
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 4 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 22


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 31
A6M5c Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 28

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12
B-25D1 Mitchell x 8
B-26 Marauder x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged
B-25D1 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 destroyed by flak
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 20
A6M5c Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5c Zero x 7
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 9

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
A6M5c Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 12
B-26B Marauder x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M5c Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIb Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 4
A6M5c Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb





Ok, so now Trico is officially closed. This was my last operative base in Ceylon. Now we're down to Madras...and our left flank is open... need to call the KB to cover this flank... and it poses me another problem: how to evacuate Ceylon without an operative AF that can cover the transports....
Need to save at least 1 Division and some important HQs from Ceylon...mmmm.....

[GreyJoy]

At least this one was costly for Erik... the baptism of fire of our Tojos was a good one. We killed more than we lost, but yet it wasn't enough... simply too many enemies to face....

[GreyJoy]

More 20 pilots KIA and 18 WIA...
This was pretty much the best result i had so far in the last weeks of air battles in India... the Tojos did wonders... but we just couln't stop all those waves... he overwhelmed us!

[GreyJoy]

Also the radars didn't work so well today, probably due to the damaged suffered yesterday... that may answer to the question why we couldn't get on the first wave of bombers in time...

Erik did everything right. This whole offensive air operation, despite being expensive for the allies, have succeded... i now have a Ceylon completely undefended[:-]