Olorin (J) vs Sdhundt (A) --- GC (No Sdhundt please)

[PaxMondo]

Ach, sorry to hear.  IJ damage control is so lousy, but accurately modeled from all the accounts I have read. 
 
I never know for fires whether it is better to have them in a TF with DD in port or to disband them or if it makes no difference.  I lose them all the time any way I choose.  If you get any to survive, let me know what you did ...
 

[Olorin]

Aug 16, 42

Aftermath of the Battle of the Andaman Sea
- The enemy CV TF moved another 5 hexes closer to Diego Garcia in this turn. Hiyo is near Sabang and will hopefully reach a position between the allied CVs and Ceylon in two turns. No naval strike yet by my Netties in Ceylon.

- The two wounded CVLs at Port Blair are in dreadful condition and it's getting worse turn by turn. I am bringing the 2nd Fleet HQ from Georgetwon, hoping that a bit of naval support might reverse their fate.

China
- 11th Army: One division will enter Kweiyang soon, which is very lightly held. Thus, another stack of 140.000 Chinese troops will be partially cut off at Tuyun. The heavy elements of the 11th Army are still bogged down in the forests NW of Ichang and another two divisions are kept busy protecting the line of advance.

- 13th Army: After taking Hengyan, the 13th Army entered Changsha, which is defended by 55.000 Chinese soldiers. I don't think I can take it yet, but I will test its defenses, hoping that supply is low.

- 1st Army: This army surrounded another large Chinese stack south of Sian, taking advantage of the massive redeployment of the Chinese army to the southwest.

In total, over 450.000 Chinese troops are cut off in three different pockets (Tuyun, Sian, Changsha).

Operation Gandhi
Still trying to concentrate the two tank divisions in Comilla, which is now reinforced by the units that retreated from Chittagong. Enemy bombers are becoming more active turn by turn. Mitchels and Liberators are spotted for the first time in this theater. Luckily, their main target seems to be the 15th Army at Imphal and Dimapur, instead of my spearhead SW of Comila.

N. Australia
The enemy is marching towards Derby with 1700 AV. I am withdrawing everyone to Broome (700 AV).

SE Fleet
Following the loss of Ndeni, this theater is very quiet. I am facing a severe lack of fuel at the moment.

Aleutians
A big transport convoy is heading to Adak and Amchitka to resupply and reinforce them with another two battalions and an aviation support unit. Once there, 27 Nells will rebase here to provide search cover.

[Olorin]

Aug 17, 42

Aftermath of the Battle of the Andaman Sea
Hiyo moved closer but not close enough to launch a strike. Neither did the enemy, or my LBA (again). They split their TF in two, the one probably being some wounded ships.Their main carrier TF picked up pace in this turn, moving 7 hexes. Their damage control is amazing, in contrast to ours. Ryujo and Zuiho are one step closer to their doom than yesterday.

Two submarine divisions (9 subs) and two pairs of DDs flocked in the area, hoping to engage the allied carriers during the night. Instead they find the second, smaller TF, that amazingly contains BC Repulse, previously thought to have sunk in the Battle of Andaman. Well, it's DEFINITELY sunk now and along with it CA Houston:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Car Nicobar at 33,62, Range 5,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DD Kagero, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio, Shell hits 7, and is sunk

Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
CA Houston, Shell hits 1

Poor visibility due to Rain with 32% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 32% moonlight: 6,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
Range closes to 7,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
Imazato, Hiroshi crosses the 'T'
BC Repulse engages DD Oshio at 5,000 yards
DD Kagero engages BC Repulse at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
BC Repulse sunk by DD Kagero at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages CA Houston at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 3,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Oshio at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Oshio at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Oshio sunk by CA Houston at 7,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Kagero at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Kagero at 11,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Houston engages DD Kagero at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Koggala at 31,62

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-162 launches 4 torpedoes
I-162 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Koggala at 30,62

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

CA Houston is sighted by SS I-164
SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes

SE Fleet
Allied activity in the area increased recently, but if they try anything fishy KB won't be able to operate for long if at all, due to a complete lack of fuel. 25.000 tons of fuel are on their way, but they won't reach Rabaul for another week.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ndeni at 120,143
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
G4M1 Betty x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Stuart
DD Kennison
xAK Steel Maker, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Operation Gandhi
Their bombers still attack the 15th Army. Comilla is reinforced with the 267th Armoured Brigade:

Morning Air attack on 267th Armoured Brigade, at 56,39 (Comilla)
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 2
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 59

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

N.Australia
Here is what the enemy brought into Exmouth. I think I will hold the base for the time being, no more allied reinforcements are spotted from the south. Also, I have a small recon battalion just SW of Exmouth, ordered to move there from Broome ages ago. Perfect timing to cut off their supply:

Ground combat at Exmouth (50,129)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 2137 troops, 66 guns, 33 vehicles, Assault Value = 272
Defending force 7167 troops, 86 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 214

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

Assaulting units:
13th Australian Brigade
25th MG Battalion
44th Australian Battalion
10th Light Horse Battalion
3rd Australian/A Division
109th Tank Attack Regiment

Defending units:
20th Infantry Regiment
3rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
Kure 2nd SNLF
41st Air Defense AA Regiment
8th JNAF Coy

[Olorin]

Aug 18, 42

Today, the 22nd Flotilla launched at last its bombers against Lex and Sara. From the 109 Netties in Ceylon, 32 are devoted to naval search. From the rest, only 43 found their target, due to bad weather, but facing no CAP at all, they really compensated for all the lack of activity they showed this past week.
Hiyo launched an afternoon strike of its own, again facing no CAP:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 24,62
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 18
G4M1 Betty x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
G4M1 Betty: 10 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
CV Saratoga
CA Portland

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
18 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Lexington dead in the water ...
Saratoga dead in the water ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 24,62
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
B5N2 Kate x 18
D3A1 Val x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Saratoga, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Torpedo hits 1
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Portland, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Pensacola, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Saratoga dead in the water ...
Phoenix dead in the water ...
Lexington dead in the water ...
Salt Lake City dead in the water ...
Pensacola dead in the water ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 24,62
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Phoenix dead in the water ...

At the end of the day, Lex is reported sunk, but not Sara. At least one Carrier survived, if not both. I bet they will be fixed before reaching Diego Garcia, which is 13 hexes away.
Kaga is near Sabang and hopefully it will manage to finish off what's left of the allied carriers.

[Olorin]

I forgot to add that CVLs Ryujo and Zuiho are still battling with flames and it looks unlikely they will survive,

[Grfin Zeppelin]

Zuiho will likely make it if you keep her disbanded in port.

[PaxMondo]

I'd chase with Hiyo now. I don't think he can launch, so his CV's are sitting ducks .... kill'em or they will be back.

Agree with Graffin ... Zuiho might make it ... sys dam isn't that bad ...

Ryujo goes down next turn. Sorry. [:(]

[Olorin]

Gräfin Zeppelin, PaxMondo

Yup, Ryujo is surely doomed, unless a miracle happens. About Zuiho...I don't know, I hope you're right.
Perhaps some naval support would help (a naval HQ is on its way).

[Olorin]

Aug 19, 42

Aftermath of the Battle of the Andaman Sea
It looks like CV Saratoga sunk yesterday. CV Lexington was split from most of its escorts, because of very low speed (it moved only one hex). A sub put another two torpedoes into it.
Hiyo did not launch an air strike today, nor did the 22nd Air Flotilla. Kaga did launch an 8 hex strike but it was ineffective.

Sub attack near Koggala at 23,62

Japanese Ships
SS I-162

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis

SS I-162 launches 2 torpedoes at CA Indianapolis
I-162 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Diego Garcia at 18,62

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
CL Boise

SS I-155 launches 6 torpedoes at CL Boise
I-155 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Koggala at 24,62

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CL Phoenix

SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes at CV Lexington
I-164 diving deep ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 23,63
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
B5N2 Kate x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Chester, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Chester dead in the water ...
Lexington dead in the water ...
Pensacola dead in the water ...
Phoenix dead in the water ...

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

Paxmondo was right, Ryujo sunk today [:(]. The 2nd Fleet HQ is now at Port Blair, I hope it helps against the fires on Zuiho.

Tomorrow, the two CVs will form a single TF. I am thinking of forming a SCTF with Kongo and Haruna and send them to finish off Lex.


China

The big news is that we captured Kweiyang, thus cutting off 130.000 Chinese troops at Tuyun. They have only one way available to them to evacuate, through the forest west of Tuyun.

Ground combat at Kweiyang (74,49)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 12758 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 463
Defending force 3672 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 103

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 754
Allied adjusted defense: 51
Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiyang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
414 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1343 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Division

Defending units:
5th New Chinese Corps
1st Group Army
20th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Siangtan (81,52)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 5847 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 601
Defending force 9617 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 361

Japanese adjusted assault: 190
Allied adjusted defense: 434

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 4)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1151 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
38 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
116th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade

Defending units:
4th Chinese Corps

[PaxMondo]

2 torps and 2 more bombs into Lex ... she won't make it. Make sure though ... it will help mitigate your losses.

[Olorin]

Double post

[Olorin]

Aug 20, 42

Aftermath of the Battle of the Andaman Sea
Kaga and Hiryu joined to form the new Kido Buttai 2 under Yamaguchi. CV Lexington is officially, 100% sunk. CV Saratoga is 98% sunk, as I didn't get a message for her, but she is nowhere to be seen. All that survives from the enemy TF is a few cruisers. They will be dealt with next turn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Diego Garcia at 22,63

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

SS I-159 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Salt Lake City
I-159 diving deep ....
Sub escapes detection
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Diego Garcia at 21,63
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
B5N2 Kate x 38
D3A1 Val x 33

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 28 destroyed
TBF-1 Avenger: 9 destroyed
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Pensacola, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CA Portland, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CA Northampton, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CA Chester
CL Phoenix, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
26 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
11 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 9000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Pensacola dead in the water ...
Salt Lake City dead in the water ...
Lexington dead in the water ...
Portland dead in the water ...
Chicago dead in the water ...
Northampton dead in the water ...
Chester dead in the water ...
Phoenix dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring an Allied DD
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chicago
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 23,62
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
D3A1 Val x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.. (Does this mean there is still a carrier here?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ceylon
Enemy bombers are spotted in Ceylon after months. They are trying naval strikes but fail. Afew Hudsons even attacked KB2 but inside extended range and without escorts, they fail miserably.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trincomalee at 31,47
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 2,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 57

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
Mohawk IV x 3
B-24D Liberator x 2

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

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
TB Kiji
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma
- The enemy reinforces Comila even further, thanks to my delaying of the exploitation phase. 38.000 enemy troops and 800 AFVs are counted. I have 800 tanks and the 38th Division, plus smaller infantry units, 1200 AV in total. I will attack tomorrow.

- The enemy abandons Akyab, leaving only 4000 troops there. Opposite Akyab is the 33rd Division, which is ordered to cross the river and enter Akyab.

- Obviously the enemy intends to retake Chittagong and relieve the Akyab pocket both from the outside and the inside. I can check both moves.


China
They are trying to break out from the pocket of Changsha/Chanteh/Chihkiang:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Chihkiang (78,50)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 49960 troops, 263 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2039
Defending force 13149 troops, 104 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 512

Allied adjusted assault: 890
Japanese adjusted defense: 910

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1482 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 171 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Assaulting units:
46th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps

Defending units:
13th Tank Regiment
13th Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a preliminary bombardment of Changsha. I don't have enough to take the base, but that's alright, the pocket will soon be out of supply.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 28389 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1141
Defending force 34725 troops, 277 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1177

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

Assaulting units:
8th Armored Car Co
60th Division
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Division
68th/A Division

Defending units:
44th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
14th Construction Regiment
9th War Area
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force
19th Group Army
29th Group Army
30th Group Army
100th Chinese/B Corps
100th Chinese/A Corps
27th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force
100th Chinese/C Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[House Stark]

Nice haul on the USN cruisers. Looks like a couple are down and a couple more might follow. The US gets carrier replacements in droves, but CAs are considerably scarcer.

[Olorin]

Yes, getting them cruisers was nice.[:D] A few survived the day but they have no hope for tomorrow.

Overall this is a very bloody war for both navies so far.


Carrier comparison

IJN
Akagi, Kaga, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Soryu, Hiyo
Zuiho (severely damaged, fires slowly increasing every turn)

Allies
Wasp, Hornet, Yorktown, Indomitable
Illustrious, Formidable

I get CVL Ryuho in November and CV Taiho in January. They get CV Victorious (a light carrier actually) in February.
In addition, their carrier air groups suffered heavily in this series of battles. They were very experienced (by admission of my opponent), but they lost over 250 carrier based aircraft during the summer. In contrast, my CAGs are almost intact and pilot quality is still great.

So it looks like I will maintain a slight carrier superiority until May '43 at least. This makes me fear an allied major offensive a little less now and I will proceed with my current plans.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.. (Does this mean there is still a carrier here?)[/i]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[/quote]
I always interpret that as a YES. however, the timing is tricky ... the Lex may not have gone down at this time ... If she was still afloat, you could get this. Or another CV is still floating, but unable to provide CAP due to damage ... keep pounding!!!

BANZAI!!!!

[Olorin]

Yup, I will keep pounding

I have a suspicion that an allied carrier survived and is lurking somewhere near, but perhaps I'm paranoid.

[Olorin]

Aug 21, 42

Aftermath of the Battle of the Andaman Sea
Well, the surviving enemy cruisers are attacked again. No sign of a carrier, although an AV is reported among the survivors. I will keep KB2 in the area, despite its lack of torpedoes, and will place a few Nells in Sumatra to search the waters west of it, just in case Saratoga is there.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Diego Garcia at 21,62
Weather in hex: Partial cloud
Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 27
D3A1 Val x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 3 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Chicago, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chester, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Portland, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Chicago dead in the water ...
Chester dead in the water ...
Northampton dead in the water ...
Portland dead in the water ...
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a Hawkins class CA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring a London S class CA
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chester
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CA Chicago

A thought occurred to me: what if the enemy sends his remaining CVs to the Indian Ocean? If he ordered them to move a few days ago with full speed they could cover the distance from Numea to Diego Garcia in...roughly 13 days. So, theoretically I have another week before they arrive.


Operation Gandhi
Here is what he has at Comila. Breaking his defense will be tough, but I am counting on the 3rd Air Div.

Morning Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 18
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 82

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 13 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 6

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Comilla (56,39)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 24871 troops, 394 guns, 632 vehicles, Assault Value = 1170
Defending force 26531 troops, 286 guns, 1167 vehicles, Assault Value = 1082

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

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
2nd British Division
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
267th Armoured Brigade
42nd Cavalry Regiment
14th Indian Division
1/4 Central Detach.
RAF 223 Group Base Force
77th Heavy AA Regiment
823rd Engineer Aviation Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Tank Regiment
1st Mobile Infantry Regiment
7th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Regiment
1st Recon Battalion
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
8th Tank Regiment
38th Division
18th Tank Rgt /2
20th Fld AA Machinecannon Company
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
16th AA Rgt /1

His airforce is still pre-occupied with bombing the 15th Army at Imphal. He managed to cause some disruption, but not significant enough for his ground assault to succeed. I am happy for him to continue his assault here.

Morning Air attack on 21st Ind.Mixed Brigade, at 60,40 (Imphal)
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 13
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16
Wellington Ic x 11
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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Imphal (60,40)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 18767 troops, 258 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 557
Defending force 9132 troops, 119 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 314

Allied adjusted assault: 183
Japanese adjusted defense: 802

Allied assault odds: 1 to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
793 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Allied ground losses:
404 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled

Assaulting units:
Mandalay BMP Battalion
4th Assam Rifles Battalion
20th Indian Division
26th Indian Brigade
4/4th Det NW Front
2nd Central India Base Force
104th RAF Base Force
2/1st Det. Peshawar
1/2 Central Detach.
Burma Corps
108th RAF Base Force
221 Group RAF
4/1st Det. NW Front
2/2nd Det. Peshawar

Defending units:
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
143rd Infantry Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

There is still hope that the operation will succeed in all its objectives. I think the fate of the allied forces at Akyab and Cox'Bazar is sealed, the question is if I can push him back at Comila and exploit towards Tezpur, encircling his forces at Imphal, Dimapur and Ledo.


SE Fleet
As I said before, enemy activity in the last week is increased. Several transport and destroyer TFs spotted, one of them at Ndeni. I sent DesDiv6 there for a quick night engagement and it turned out better than expected: 3 allied destroyers and 7 transports sink, while my SCTF suffers only superficial damage.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu, Shell hits 1
DD Kuroshio
DD Oyashio
DD Hatsukaze, Shell hits 3
DD Natsushio

Allied Ships
DD Stuart
DD Kennison, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Crane, Shell hits 10, heavy fires
DD King, Shell hits 1
xAK West Isleta, Shell hits 32, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Engineer, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Steel Inventor, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Steel Traveler, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Florence Luckenbach, Shell hits 6
xAK Robert Luckenbach, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage

Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 75% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Allied ships attempt to get underway
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Crane at 9,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Crane at 9,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 9,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK West Isleta at 9,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages DD Stuart at 9,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Natsushio at 9,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Kennison at 9,000 yards
DD Kennison engages DD Oyashio at 9,000 yards
xAK Steel Engineer sunk by DD Hatsukaze at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Kennison engages CL Tenryu at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Crane at 5,000 yards
DD Kennison engages DD Hatsukaze at 5,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 5,000 yards
xAK Steel Inventor sunk by DD Natsushio at 5,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages xAK West Isleta at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 3,000 yards
DD King engages DD Natsushio at 3,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Stuart at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Kennison at 3,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Oyashio at 3,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Stuart at 3,000 yards
xAK Steel Traveler sunk by DD Oyashio at 3,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAK West Isleta at 3,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD King at 3,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Crane at 3,000 yards
DD Kennison engages DD Hatsukaze at 3,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD King at 3,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 3,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAK Florence Luckenbach at 3,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages xAK West Isleta at 3,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD Kennison engages CL Tenryu at 2,000 yards
DD Crane engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Kennison at 2,000 yards
DD Crane engages DD Oyashio at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages xAK Florence Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK West Isleta at 2,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Kennison engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Hatsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK Florence Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK West Isleta at 2,000 yards
DD King engages DD Hatsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Kennison engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Kennison at 2,000 yards
DD Crane engages DD Oyashio at 2,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages xAK Robert Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages xAK West Isleta at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD King at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Crane at 4,000 yards
DD Crane engages DD Hatsukaze at 4,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Kennison at 4,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 3
DD Oyashio, Shell hits 3
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Stuart, Shell hits 2
DD Kennison, Shell hits 7, and is sunk
DD Crane, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
DD King, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK West Isleta, and is sunk
xAK Florence Luckenbach, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Robert Luckenbach, and is sunk

Improved night sighting under 75% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 75% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 13,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Marushige, Kuniori crosses the 'T'
CL Tenryu engages DD King at 11,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages DD Crane at 11,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages DD Stuart at 11,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages xAK West Isleta at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DD King engages DD Kuroshio at 9,000 yards
DD Crane engages DD Kuroshio at 9,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Kennison at 9,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Stuart at 9,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Crane engages CL Tenryu at 5,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Crane at 5,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Kuroshio at 5,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Stuart at 5,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages xAK Florence Luckenbach at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD King engages DD Kuroshio at 4,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Crane at 4,000 yards
DD Kennison engages DD Kuroshio at 4,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Stuart at 4,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Kuroshio at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
DD King engages DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Crane sunk by DD Natsushio at 2,000 yards
DD Kennison sunk by DD Hatsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Oyashio at 2,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages xAK Florence Luckenbach at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD King at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Hatsukaze at 2,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
CL Tenryu engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD Oyashio engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD Stuart engages DD Oyashio at 2,000 yards
DD Kuroshio engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD King engages DD Oyashio at 2,000 yards
DD Natsushio engages DD Stuart at 2,000 yards
DD Hatsukaze engages DD King at 2,000 yards
Allied Task Force Manages to Escape
Task forces break off...

China
Another breakout attempt by the chinese, this time at Tuyun. They fail again[:D] Things look very promising indeed in China.

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 85202 troops, 371 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3482
Defending force 21089 troops, 188 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 681

Allied adjusted assault: 315
Japanese adjusted defense: 3232

Allied assault odds: 1 to 10

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

Japanese ground losses:
1940 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 80 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled

Allied ground losses:
3186 casualties reported
Squads: 20 destroyed, 644 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 32 disabled

Assaulting units:
94th Chinese Corps
22nd Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Division
99th Chinese Corps
60th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
73rd Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
10th Chinese Corps
55th Prov Chinese Division
38th New Chinese Division

Defending units:
66th Infantry Regiment
104th Division
51st Recon Regiment
51st Engineer Regiment
23rd Army
21st Mortar Battalion

[Erkki]

I see you have the Tenryu being used as a surface action cruiser... Have you considered the CLAA upgrade Tenryu and Tatsuta have available from 2/1942? It gives them the AA firepower equal to a Kongo class BB(actually marginally better as one of the heavy gun stations can shoot to both sides). Japan never has enough AA guns defending CVs...

[Olorin]

I totally forgot about CLAAs! Thanks for reminding me. Tatsuta is sunk, only Tenryu will convert. Better than nothing I guess. It will make a nice AA platform for KB.

How about the BB conversions of the Fuso and Ise classes? They will lose some firepower for increased AA and can carry float planes. Is it worth it?

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: Olorin

I totally forgot about CLAAs! Thanks for reminding me. Tatsuta is sunk, only Tenryu will convert. Better than nothing I guess. It will make a nice AA platform for KB.

How about the BB conversions of the Fuso and Ise classes? They will lose some firepower for increased AA and can carry float planes. Is it worth it?

Actually, they'll carry CV aircraft instead of floatplanes... [;)] 22 planes isnt much but you get 4 of them and they're Japan's most useless BBs any way.