Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)

[Mundy]

02 January 1944

Subs earning their keep.

Sub attack near Torishima at 114,70

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryugi Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
E Yurijima
xAK Sanura Maru
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Hokuzyu Maru
E Nuwashima

Allied Ships
SS Gar

SS Gar launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Ryugi Maru
Gar diving deep ....
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Nuwashima fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Sub attack near Shanghai at 93,56

Japanese Ships
xAK Anzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1
PB Nishho Maru
PB Chitose Maru

Allied Ships
SS Runner, hits 3

SS Runner launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Anzan Maru
PB Nishho Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Chitose Maru attacking submerged sub ....
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Chitose Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

Submarine attack near Daito Shoto at 96,70

Japanese Ships
xAK Kikukawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

xAK Kikukawa Maru is sighted by SS Pompano
SS Pompano launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Kikukawa Maru

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

Sub attack near Daito Shoto at 97,70

Japanese Ships
xAK Kikukawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Pompano

xAK Kikukawa Maru is sighted by SS Pompano
SS Pompano launches 2 torpedoes

Another of my subs took some hits near the south part of Formosa. Those little SCs with the four depth charge salvo tend to hit me a lot.

CVE White Plains arrives next turn. New Jersey is six days out.

My invaders will arrive at Baker at night next turn. They're spotted, as my carriers still are.

I'm slowly getting more forces to Cocanada and Nagpur.

[Mundy]

03 January 1943

I had this little incident.

ASW attack near Ponape at 119,109

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
DD Shikinami
DD Murasame
DD Oboro
DD Yugiri
DD Asagiri
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
SS KXIV

SS KXIV is sighted by escort
KXIV diving deep ....
DD Oboro fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yugiri attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asagiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Ayanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yugiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Yugiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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

ASW attack near Ponape at 119,109

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
DD Shikinami
DD Murasame
DD Oboro
DD Yugiri
DD Asagiri
DD Ayanami

Allied Ships
SS KXIV, hits 6, heavy damage

SS KXIV is sighted by escort
KXIV diving deep ....
DD Oboro fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Yugiri fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagiri attacking submerged sub ....
DD Ayanami fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Asagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Asagiri fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I'm fairly sure this was the group I tried chasing down with my carriers. Apparently, they're continuing westward, so I doubt they'll contest my landing.

Speaking of... I failed to realize that follow-on troops landing will also shock attack, so the 111th was left by themselves to make a futile assault. They're pretty worn down, so I'll give them time to heal up before I start any attacks. I'll have enough supplies landed to get them built up. Planes at Canton will also attack the troops there next turn. Should be clear skies.

Pre-Invasion action off Baker Island (149,136)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB California
CL Detroit
CLAA Prince Robert
DD Nicholson
DD Picking
DD Hickox
DD Bradford
DD Bell
DD Charles Ausburne
AP Gen. J.R. Brooke
CVE Wake Island
DD Aaron Ward

Japanese ground losses:
398 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

BB Tennessee firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
BB California firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
CL Detroit firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
CLAA Prince Robert firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
DD Nicholson firing at 85th Naval Guard Unit
DD Picking firing at 7th JNAF Coy
DD Hickox firing at 85th Naval Guard Unit
DD Bradford firing at 85th Naval Guard Unit
DD Bell firing at 85th Naval Guard Unit
DD Charles Ausburne firing at Maizuru 2nd SNLF
DD Hickox fired at enemy troops
DD Bradford fired at enemy troops
DD Bell fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

Amphibious Assault at Baker Island (149,136)

TF 58 troops unloading over beach at Baker Island, 149,136

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 55 (1 destroyed, 54 disabled)
Vehicles lost 29 (0 destroyed, 29 disabled)

90mm M1A1 AA lost in surf during unload of 76th Cst AA Rgt

Invasion Support action off Baker Island (149,136)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB California
CL Detroit
CLAA Prince Robert
DD Nicholson
DD Hickox
DD Charles Ausburne
AP Gen. J.R. Brooke
DD Aaron Ward

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

CL Detroit firing at 85th Naval Guard Unit
CLAA Prince Robert firing at 85th Naval Guard Unit
DD Hickox fired at enemy troops
DD Charles Ausburne fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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

Invasion Support action off Baker Island (149,136)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Gen. J.R. Brooke
DD Aaron Ward

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Ground combat at Baker Island (149,136)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1853 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 88

Defending force 7326 troops, 269 guns, 181 vehicles, Assault Value = 227

Japanese ground losses:
230 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
409 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (7 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
85th Naval Guard Unit
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
44th Field Const Co
7th JNAF Coy

Defending units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
4th USMC Tank Battalion
111th(Sep) Infantry Rgt /3
97th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
76th Coast AA Regiment


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


Ground combat at Baker Island (149,136)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 5296 troops, 188 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 194

Defending force 3523 troops, 23 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 63

Allied adjusted assault: 1

Japanese adjusted defense: 45

Allied assault odds: 1 to 45 (fort level 4)

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

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

Allied ground losses:
522 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Assaulting units:
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
111th(Sep) Infantry Rgt /3
225th Field Artillery Battalion
7th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion
76th Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
Maizuru 2nd SNLF
85th Naval Guard Unit
6th Indpt SNLF Coy
44th Field Const Co
7th JNAF Coy

[BBfanboy]

I think there is a ratio that determines whether subsequent landings shock attack - something like if the already landed troops have at least 30% of the AV of the newly landing troops, the AI deems the beachhead secure enough that they do not have to attack. Not positive of the figure 30%, but that is how it seems to work (unless I am getting mixed up with river crossings through the same hex side!) [:D]

[Mundy]

I'm sure I'll forget those figures every time.

[:D]

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think there is a ratio that determines whether subsequent landings shock attack - something like if the already landed troops have at least 30% of the AV of the newly landing troops, the AI deems the beachhead secure enough that they do not have to attack. Not positive of the figure 30%, but that is how it seems to work (unless I am getting mixed up with river crossings through the same hex side!) [:D]

Never heard of that applying to atolls only river crossings.

And its 30% of the defenders value having already crossed that hex side.

It isn't about having enough troops to screen the crossing point, its about having enough to pin the enemy down.

Also only works if the units doing the pinning crossed the same hex side.

Doesn't do any good to move units in from another hex, they can't get into position to screen the enemy from the crossing point.

[BBfanboy]

Thanks HB - I only brought it up in relation to atolls because I thought I had seen subsequent landings without a shock attack at some of them, but I guess the first SA took the atoll in those cases. Curse the fading memory of the aged!

[Mundy]

06 January 1944

I started assigning troops to land at Diamond Harbor, Addu and Diego. About 7 divisions, two USMC armored battalions and some artillery for DH. I had been thinking about forward basing them out of Madras, but with KB out and about, I'm nervous about moving anything right now. No sign of them for several days, but he's got some Es patrolling near Diego Garcia.

Other than that, more troops are slowly arriving at Nagpur and Cocanada. Supplies are almost unloaded at Baker. I attacked there two days ago, and only managed 1-2 odds on him. I'll just grind him down slowly for now. The rest of my ships will head back and prepare for Kwajalein.

[Mundy]

08 January 1944

My subs took shots at four different destroyers this turn. All whiffed. Another missed an AKL near Rangoon, too. Now that my torpedoes work, I hate seeing them wasted on misses.

New Jersey arrives at Panama. I'm sending her to Pearl, with a KV in tow. Once she's on-map, I'll send destroyers out to meet her so she's not tied down by that Flower tub. Extra bodies with my small fleet carrier group can only help, along with her wall of flak.

Kasaan Bay arrives at Portland. Interestingly, she's carrying SB2Cs instead of the usual TBM, which I found odd. I didn't think Helldivers ran of jeep carriers until at least postwar.

One of my subs near Diego reported being shadowed by a Judy, so I'm guessing KB is still lurking about. I'm running Cape Town convoys to Karachi again, well to the north, so he can sit and stew.

A bunch of APAs ran my three US para units to Cochin and will reach next turn. I'll rail them to a suitable base and then dump them east of Vizagapatnam. Their objective is the rail junction one hex east of there, but I may drop them further out to avoid any CAP from that base. I wonder of CF scrutinizes hex side colors each turn.

[BBfanboy]

If that SB2C squadron on Kasaan Bay has an R at the end of the unit designation, it is a replenishment squadron, for topping up CV squadrons so they don't have to RTB for replacement aircraft. They should start training intensively on their trip west as their bombing skills are not so good.

[Mundy]

I didn't really look, but CVEs designed to replenish are generally overstacked with planes. In this case, there were a flyable number on the ship.

**EDIT**
You're right. VRF-9F and VRF-9B are on board. I guess they're replenishment-oriented.

[Mundy]

10 January 1944

I've bagged about four xAKs between Rangoon and Victoria Point the last two days. I also got a shot at CL Isuzu, which missed.

The Monkey said this.

1944-01-09 18th Army - - is planning for an attack on Townsville -

Yeah, right... Please try.

I've been shipping UK and Indian infantry from Colombo to Cochin. I've noticed that once ships are away from Colombo proper, they're unsighted at that point. Not much Naval search, I guess. Plenty of recon over Colombo lately, though. These troops will go to Cocanada to hopefully tip that siege over the edge. I'm probably close to doing it at this point. I do want the paras to get in place first, though.

Four more rocket ships have arrived at San Diego, all of which are enroute to Pearl. My next assault should be interesting.

[zuluhour]

Whoa, I'm in August and have not seen a rocket, mortar, or any other fire support ship yet.....Where's my turn[X(]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

Whoa, I'm in August and have not seen a rocket, mortar, or any other fire support ship yet.....Where's my turn[X(]

The year is wrong in the last posting by Mundy - previous posts say he is in 1944!

[Mundy]

Fixed it...sorry.

[zuluhour]

[:D]

[Mundy]

11 January 1944

Isuzu's luck runs out.

ASW attack near Rangoon at 52,56

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Takaoka Maru
xAK Osaka Maru
xAK Kokai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Escolar

SS Escolar launches 4 torpedoes at CL Isuzu
Escort abandons search for sub

Both hits mess up the engines. Unless she can creep to Rangoon, she's probably toast.

No indication on KB recently. I was hoping for some loose lips on the radio.

I'm gathering up my pieces for the push in India. This will probably kick off at Cocanada within 10 days or so.

[BBfanboy]

Escolar? What nation's sub is that? Columbian? Mexican?
Nice work whatever the case! [:)]

[Mundy]

South of Rangoon is pretty much a sea of subs right now. A lesser amount are near Calcutta. I've been getting roughly a new sub a week at Aden, which helps.

Shipments from Cape Town have slowed for the time being. I've run the port out of fuel. I'm readying an emergency shipment from Abadan, but this won't be a quick fix. I got hopeful when a convoy marker showed up a couple days ago, but it had ONE tanker in it.

Paras at Bezwada will depart eastwards next turn. The Army regiment and one USMC group will fly. The other USMC unit needs another day to get off the train. I've about 120 transports ready to go there. Bezwada is level 9 with an overload of support. Two P-47 and one P-38 squadron are sweeping this turn to knock the fighters down at Vizagapatnam. The more I chew them up, the closer I can drop the paras.

Isuzu ate three more torps the following day. (one a dud) Sinking sounds followed and she shows up sunk in the ops report. I wish my subs would back off on attacking his destroyers. They're taking 2-3 shots a day at them, for no result.

[BBfanboy]

Mundy: - Shipments from Cape Town have slowed for the time being. I've run the port out of fuel.

Don't forget the off-map African base north of Cape Town - it accumulates fuel slowly but if you have not been draining it there should be enough there to fuel a convoy. You don't use any fuel between two off-map places so send your convoy up there to fuel and continue on their way. Once the convoy delivers their supply to India they can go to Abadan to load fuel to take back to CT.

[Mundy]

Thanks, I didn't think of that. I think I have some tankers at Cape Town, so I can just send them north.

I'm rebasing some xAPs to Mombasa anyway, as troops have been trickling in there. PCs have been accumulating there also.

Anxiously awaiting my sweep results before sending the paras in...

I have an infantry division at Pearl prepping for Roi-Namur. Another which showed up in Eastern US is prepping for Kwajalein. This one's almost on the main US part of the map now. By the time it finally reaches Hawaii, I can think about kicking this off.