Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:19 pm**

Luganville only has a base force and was never attacked. The base will recieve some reinforcements, soon. I didn't bother how far south he intended to go, so I didn't defend anything. As his advance there seems to have stopped, I will reinforce my bases in the region in the next months.

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:41 pm**

Wake Island is still in my hands and some troops are preparing for an invasion of Marcus Island.

The Aleutians haven't seen any action, yet. I started deploying some troops to build bases.

China has suffered a lot. Sian is under siege and without Supplies - but will be able to hold for some time. The scattered units are fragments and almost destroyed units - used to annoy him by cutting supply lines.

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 2013 5:02 pm**

I tried to take a stand at Burma with almost 5k AV in total. After he had broken through to Magwe, I managed to withdraw almost everything unharmed to Myitkyina. After some consideration, I decided taking a stand there has no strategic value, so I am in the process of retreating to India.
These forces will be used in an invasion into Thailand or Sumatra , soon.

As you can see, Paoshan is reinfoced and should be able to hold against any assault from Burma.

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 2013 5:14 pm**

I think I have told in one of my last updates, that my focus will be on the India theatre. Consequently, most allied reinforcemnts went there, including all carriers. I knew that it'll be tempting to invade india when I take a stand in Burma, so I had to prepare.

As the British CVs are about to withdraw, I made several sorties to seek battle. On these sorties, some of his DDs were attacked without effect by US SBD-3. So he knew that I have at least one or two US CVs there, too.

I started another sortie two days ago, when one of my subs in the straight of malacca was dept charged by DDs escorting BBs. They didn't catch the BBs that were bombarding Port Blair, but the following turn, he invaded the base.

So I sent the CVs there to take a shot at the invasion force.

Then, they met his carriers....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,58

Weather in hex: Light rain

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 50

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 6
Sea Hurricane Ib x 7
Martlet II x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 48
SBD-3 Dauntless x 34
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 destroyed, 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Shinyubari Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Shinonome
xAK Atago Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Ayanami, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Teihoku Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Usugumo
xAK Montreal Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
150 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 47,60

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 10

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 48,60

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara
CL Isuzu
DD Hayashio

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 47,60

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 4

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
CL Natori
CL Yura

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 109 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 46 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 42
B5N1 Kate x 17
B5N2 Kate x 29
D3A1 Val x 18

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 6
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Martlet II x 35
F4F-4 Wildcat x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 6 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 16 destroyed, 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 13 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 1
CV Indomitable

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 43,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 117 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
B5N2 Kate x 49
D3A1 Val x 61

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 5
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Martlet II x 26
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed, 14 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 5 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 25 destroyed, 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 1
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 3
CV Illustrious
CV Enterprise
CV Yorktown
CV Formidable
CV Indomitable

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
12 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
2 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Ammo storage explosion on CV Lexington

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 46,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 61
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 53
TBF-1 Avenger x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 3 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 destroyed, 11 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 1
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVL Shoho, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVL Zuiho, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CVL Ryujo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Mikuma
DD Asagumo
DD Yamagumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
15 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Junyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 14 on standby, 9 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Ryujo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CV Junyo
Ammo storage explosion on CVL Shoho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Shoho
Ammo storage explosion on CV Junyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVL Zuiho
Fuel storage explosion on CVL Zuiho

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Little Andaman at 45,60

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 38
Fulmar II x 6
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Swordfish I x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged
Albacore I: 1 destroyed by flak
Fulmar II: 1 destroyed
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Swordfish I: 2 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CV Shokaku, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Akagi, Torpedo hits 1

So:
Almost certainly doomed:
CV Shokaku
CVL Shoho
CVL Ryujo
CV Junyo

Propably doomed:
CVL Zuiho

My losses: None!

Formidable is 13-32-0-0
Lexington is 21-31-11-1
Hornet 3-1-1-0

The only risk is a night battle against his BBs, as my escorts only include 8 CA and BC Repulse. But even if he succeds and sinks - let's say two carriers, it is still a battle won.
I am retreating full speed into the bay of bengal with the ships now and unless 14 or 16in shells don't scratch them and unless one of his many subs doesn't hit - it is a total victory!

Posted: **Wed Apr 10, 2013 5:18 pm**

His subs were spotted by SBD-3 last turn. So he knew my carriers were coming. I can't understand why he was willing to slug it out. Did he expect me to send only 3 british CV and one US? What did he think?
Some US CVs were off Timor some months ago, so it wasn't unlikely they might be in India now. He knew for at least a month that there have been US CVs in the Bay of Bengal.

And it is July, so most carrier TBs are Avengers now and the F-Groups are at size 36. I just can't understand it why he risked that.

I would've bombarded Port Blair and then sent in fast transports. There was absolutly no need to risk his CVs!

Posted: **Fri Apr 12, 2013 3:11 pm**

four of his BBs face my carriers at night. While most are barely scratched or not hit at all, two CAs and the Lexington sinks.
Still, one CV lost against propably two of his CV, one CVE and a CVL.

Nice outcome. Once they are repaired, I have absolute naval superiority in carrier planes. So the first amphibious invasions are possible in september and october.

Posted: **Fri May 31, 2013 8:41 am**

August 8th 1942:

The fronts have stabilized. He is solidifying his front and take a few last bases, but it is obvious that his offensive days are over. Time for me...

Burma/Sumatra
No need to go through the jungle, when I have superiority on the waves. The first offensive invasion from the allied side happend today on Little Andaman under heavy cover. The base changed sides just three turns ago, so the invasion was without opposition. I intend to close the Bay of Bengal with the Andamanes and Nicobraes island chains.
After that, I'll use the roughly 10 allied divisions (US, Brit, Australian, Indian, Chinese) to invade Sumatra. Sabang is the obvious target, so he'll defend it with a significant garrison. But his engineers won't be able to increase the size of the forts far enough, especially in an open hex.
The invasion there, sceduled for late September, will be supported from the Andamanes and Nicobares from the air. Additional invasions will occur at Phuket and Langkawi.
As soon as the air cover can be removed from the straight of malacca, all islands along the western coast (game) of Sumatra will be invaded by 1 Division + support each.

Solomones:
The Australian forces will mount a small offensive into the Solomones, mostly taking undefended or lightly defended islands. It is just a diversion with the hope to draw some of his troops into a theatre I have no intention to advance.

Pacific:
Roughly in November, the allied advance will start in the Pacific. First, Marcus Island will be taken, followed by an invasion on either the Bonin Islands or the Marianas.
Both are possible, but every reinforcement will need air cover from carriers. So this phase is dependent on how many of his remaining carriers I'll be able to sink until then.

Carriers:
Officially, I've sunk all of KB except Soryu. An additional Ryujo and Hosho are also sunk. All for the price of CV Lexington. It is still too close to the event to rule out FOW, so I have to expect some inaccuracy. Maybe one less CV and maybe one additional light carrier.
While many of his ships were hit hard, they were almost in home waters. So even heavily hit ships might have gotten away for now.
One clue that this is true shows me the map. Victoria Point shows ships in harbour for several turns now. The base is the biggest harbour (3) close the site of the last battle.
But while this makes it a likely retreat for heavily damaged ships, the harbour itself is too small to be used for any other use. He has the huge bases of Rabaul (still save from air threat) and Singapore nearby. So why would he use this base? The only other option than as a site for emergency repairs I can thik of is as a base for an AG to resupply SC.
Still, the base also has a lvl 6 airfield, so he might have 200, 300 or maybe even more fighters as cover over it, should one of the IJN carriers really be in the harbour.

I can't throw my CV-aircrews against such a force, so my idea now is to try a combination of bombardement by ships with night attacks from carrier planes. Regarding the small size of the harbour, just a few hits might seal the deal.

Posted: **Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:03 pm**

August 9th to 15th

Andaman Sea:

On August 10th, I send a bombardement TF to Victoria Point. The night illumination fails and the TF aims for the airfields, not the harbor. While the results are fine, I still don't know what's in the harbor. It is still very possible that he has wounded carriers there. Attacks by carrier air groups from land feed this suspicion, they might be remnants of sunken KB-CVs, too.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Victoria Point at 51,66

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 21 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 88 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed on ground
D3A1 Val: 12 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed on ground
H6K4 Mavis: 52 damaged
H6K4 Mavis: 1 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 21 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 37 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
E13A1 Jake: 9 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Devonshire
CA Dorsetshire
CA Canberra
CL Newcastle
CL Birmingham
CL Mauritius

Japanese ground losses:
142 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 68
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1

Various sea battles occour in these days:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Victoria Point at 51,66, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Fumizuki
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 1
CA Devonshire
CL Mauritius
CL Birmingham
CL Newcastle
DD Bagley
DD Blue
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Henley
DD Stack
DD Sterett
DD Wilson
DD Dunlap

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Victoria Point at 51,66, Range 26,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 1
BB Haruna, Shell hits 4
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Kirishima, Shell hits 1
BB Yamato, Shell hits 3
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Kuroshio, Shell hits 2
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 2

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Dorsetshire, Shell hits 3
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 7, on fire
CL Mauritius
CL Birmingham, Shell hits 4
CL Newcastle, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
DD Bagley, Shell hits 1
DD Blue
DD Ralph Talbot, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Henley
DD Stack, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Sterett, Shell hits 1
DD Wilson, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Dunlap

Air attacks on his ships:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 44,69

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 45
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Minegumo
CA Chokai
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Atago, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Blair at 43,55

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 10
F4F-4 Wildcat x 69
SBD-3 Dauntless x 46
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 7 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Chikuma, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Natsugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tanikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 44,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 58
SBC-4 Helldiver x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 33
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 12 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 8, on fire
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 3, on fire
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 4
DD Kazegumo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 13
Martlet II x 10
SBD-3 Dauntless x 49
TBF-1 Avenger x 29

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Oi
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kiso
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Asagiri, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Sagiri
DD Oboro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 43,64

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
DD Hayashio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 44,66

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 11

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 44,66

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBC-4 Helldiver x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 45
TBF-1 Avenger x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
SBC-4 Helldiver: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 4
BB Kongo
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 6, on fire
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kuroshio
DD Kazegumo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 43,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-3 Dauntless x 14
TBF-1 Avenger x 7

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo
CL Yubari, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, heavy damage
DD Ushio
DD Oboro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Trinkat at 43,64

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD-2 Dauntless x 12

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Car Nicobar at 43,61

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 36
SBC-4 Helldiver x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 28
TBF-1 Avenger x 21

Allied aircraft losses
SBC-4 Helldiver: 2 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 5 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
DD Asashio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Arashio
DD Oshio, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 46,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBF-1 Avenger x 2

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kuroshio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Victoria Point at 48,66

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 7
SBD-3 Dauntless x 31

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 46,66

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kazegumo
DD Kuroshio, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Japanese attacks on civilian shipping:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Trinkat at 44,64, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Kinugasa
DD Arashi
DD Hagikaze
DD Asashio
DD Oshio
DD Arashio

Allied Ships
xAP Rajula, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Rohna, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Deslock, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Vitorlock, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PG Yarra, Shell hits 19, and is sunk
PG Hindustan, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
2663 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 154 destroyed, 219 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 59 (51 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (8 destroyed, 1 disabled)

One Indian Regiment goes down:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Little Andaman at 44,59, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Chokai
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
DD Hayashio
DD Tanikaze
DD Natsugumo

Allied Ships
xAP Doumer, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
xAP Malda, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Talma, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Tilawa, Shell hits 13
xAP Khedive Ismail, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
KV Jasmine, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
KV Thyme, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
KV Auricula, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
KV Nigella, Shell hits 23, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
4419 casualties reported
Squads: 175 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 188 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 35 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 65 (50 destroyed, 15 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Port Blair at 45,58, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chikuma
CA Chokai
CA Suzuya
DD Hayashio
DD Tanikaze
DD Natsugumo

Allied Ships
xAP Tilawa, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1481 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 30 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (9 destroyed, 0 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Great Nicobar at 41,65, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Kazegumo
DD Kuroshio

Allied Ships
xAP Amra, Shell hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Takliwa, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Santhia, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1842 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 124 destroyed, 120 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 64 (64 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Car Nicobar at 44,62, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Isuzu
CL Natori
CL Yura
CL Kinu
DD Shigure
DD Murasame
DD Yudachi
DD Umikaze

Allied Ships
xAK Bhima, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Caithness, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Catrine, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Fultala, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Hong Siang, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
PG Clive, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
PG Lawrence, Shell hits 21, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1575 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 113 destroyed, 88 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 56 (52 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)

So while I have lost no combat ship so far, the game says he has lost 2 CA, 5DD and 1BB in the Battles of the Andaman Sea.

The plan was to either occupy the islands down the chain and maybe draw him into battle. The only downside so far is the loss of the Indian Regiment, which was the result of - once more - not sticking to the plan. After he had dropped paras on my first landing, I intended to reinforce the site without having sufficiant surface cover. Still, the rest of the losses are fragments of Base forces - they always managed to get some parts ashore, so all the chain now has allied troops on it except port blair.
The ships lost are neglible.

Unless he manages to shoot my carriers to obliviion in a night battle, this operation is judged a total success so far. [:)]

Posted: **Tue Jun 11, 2013 5:16 am**

August 16-17th 1942

Rest:
Relatively quiet. The usual bombing in China and the usual duds on his xAK and TK

Andaman Sea:
One of his SCTF finally connects with my screen, Dutch subs do their job and more air strikes:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Trinkat at 45,64, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Abukuma, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
CL Tama, Shell hits 14, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Mutsuki, Shell hits 1
DD Kisaragi
DD Yayoi, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 2
DD Nagatsuki

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina
BC Repulse, Shell hits 2
CA Louisville, Shell hits 1
CA Pensacola
CA Minneapolis, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA San Francisco, Shell hits 2
DD Aaron Ward
DD Buchanan, Shell hits 1
DD Arunta, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
DD Isaac Sweers, Shell hits 2
DD Griffin, Shell hits 24, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Trinkat at 45,63

Japanese Ships
CA Kinugasa, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS KXII

CA Kinugasa is sighted by SS KXII
SS KXII launches 4 torpedoes at CA Kinugasa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 44,70

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 9 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Jintsu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Great Nicobar at 42,64

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD-2 Dauntless x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Sabang at 44,70

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 35
SBD-3 Dauntless x 29

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma, Bomb hits 9, and is sunk
CL Jintsu, Bomb hits 2, on fire

The 17th sees my forces retreat to Ceylon to replenish there.

The whole operation has cost him significan numbers of CA and CL, one or two BBs (right now, Kongo and Hiei are marked sunk, Kongo was reported sunk and is no longer on the list, Kirishima was heavily damaged, too).

My losses are a few airframes and carrier pilots was significantly increased experience. [:)]

Posted: **Mon Jun 24, 2013 6:45 am**

August 18th to 31st 1942

As soon as the carriers are back in Colombo, they sortie again. My subs had spotted enemy freighters in the straight of Malacca and I suspected a possible invasion.
That's when something bad unfolded...

First:
I had discussed night attacks with Erik. When he complained about the results of the battle in the Andaman sea, I told him that many of my pilots were rookies as I didn't have the time to replace them. So all his Kongos might be lost, had my TBs been piloted by veterans.
So I gave away free intel...

Second:
As my pilots were rookies (and I once more didn't have the time to exchange them), they were all set to train. Somehow, I forgot to change that, so a naval strike hit the CV group without any CAP...
Luckily, these were only Jakes from Port Blair, so while 8 of them were shot down by flak, all they achieved was one 60kg bomb hit on the Wasp - which ended up with 2 sys damage.

Third:
With the settings to Escort, attack, etc. I decided I'll try to intercept possible shipping in the Andaman Sea. So my carriers moved between Trinkat and Car Nicobar - to be attacked by swarms of enemy planes.
He seems to have taken all the carrier airgroups available and have thrown them onto me.
While most carriers get hit, none is sunk. The only one seriously damaged was the Illustrious. As it would've taken it 102 days to repair, it was withdrawn immediately (sceduled withdrawl was 130 days).
Unfortunately though, many Kates concentrate on one of my valuable fast BBs, the North Carolina. She goes down after several Torpedo hits. [:@] Renown will need some two months dock time [:(]

At least all carriers are still afloat and within two weeks, I'll be back at a strength 5CV with the damaged one repaired and the Saratoga finally arriving from her three months yard time in the drydocks of Cape Town. The CVL Hermes is damaged for about 2-3 months, but that's something I can propably live with.

So while this was a setback, the preparations for the offensive continue. 8 BBs arrive in two weeks from Cape Town, though many of their DDs should be upgraded.
5 CVs and 8 BBs will cover the invasions of 10 divisions, 4 regiments, 4 brigades + tons of tank units and batallions.

Posted: **Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:38 pm**

September 1st to November 8th:

Burma:
Some air battles, usually at least at 1 to 1 for me. Unfortunately, the bombers go in unescorted or before any sweeps from time to time, so he can take down some dozends in one turn. Still, my force is mostly intact, my fighters are numerous with XP around 70. I think I can standy my ground if need be.

I did a para assault on Magwe to probe his defences. While it was almost successfull, it failed. If it had been successfull, I was prepared to airlief strong forces with 150 transport planes to gain his attention there. The forces to be used were units that withdraw within three months, so every squad lost here wouldn't be a real loss, except in points (which I don't care much about). While this may sound gamey, he has used his Thai forces the days before the were withdrawn for suicide attacks against JocMeister, so he obviously doesn't see this as gamey himself.

Last turn, a para invasion in Ramree Island was successfull. 40 PB will airlift a strong Chinese Corps while my land forces will try to threaten his LOC. We'll see whether this'll succeed, but I'll mostly use units I can spare.

Posted: **Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:48 pm**

Andamanes / Nicobares:

After my first probing wave was unsuccessfull, I had to lick my wounds and repair the carriers. As the 1942/10 upgrades were coming, I waited to finish them to increase the radar range and give me a small advantege.
Once this was done, I took a Base Force and an Indian regiment to invade Car Nicobar.
Once more, this is rather a probing attack than a serious invasion.
I can't afford a big invasion without land cover right now, as he has Tojos which are far superior than my F-4F. So I have to get land bases first, before I can risk anything.

Without APA, AP and AK, unloading my invasions takes ages. In a serious invasion, it is likely that he'll send his surface forces under LR-CAP. While I have 10 BBs ready to cover my CVs and the invasions, it is still a high risk. He might sweep the beaches one or two days with Tojos, neutering my CAP. This would force me to retreat no matter what. As I can't afford to send LR-Cap over any invasion - my CV-CAP would be too weak - I have to stay close. This brings the whole invasion fleet into high risk as he sneds dozends of subs to confront me.

So I'll do small invasions with limited risk. If I achieve to conquer islands in the Andamanes/Nicobares chain, I'll build them big enough until they are able to provide LR-Cap over any invasion along the Burma/Sumatra coast. Unfortunately, that seems to be the only way to go without going all in.

As he knows my CVs are there, he has massed his troops, planes and ships in the threatre. I could reorganize, but that would take months. So I'd simply go it bit by bit as time is on my side anyways.

After the first invasion nearly conquered Car Nicobar, he - once more - started his infamous use of transport planes. An island can be as weak as it gets, the day after the invasion at least another 100 AV appear. I'm not sure whether that is how it should be...
Right now, another brigade is on its way to reinforce Car Nicobar. It isn't prepared for it, so this might become intersting....

Posted: **Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:55 pm**

China:

With his blocking forces of Chihkiang weakend to just one unit, he obviously is reshifting troops - so I starting doing that as well.
The roadblock north of Kweilin is at 4.800 AV with artillery and AT support and should be able to hold. So unless he doesn't plan to go with his head through the wall, this only leaves the road at Tuyun.

As expected, several additional units appeared in the base in the last turn, increasing the number of units to nine - from two or three just two weeks ago. The base itself was evacuated a few months ago. I saw no use defending a base without any supply production that offers him to bomb my supply while blocking any entrenchment. So i withdrew north of the river shorting the front lines.
Right now, several thousand AV are on their way to reinforce this front if need arises. He mustn't break through here, as the way to the mountains would lay open and 15.000 AV east of the base would be in danger of being cut off.

Australia:
Reconquered Exmouth by land with "withdraw-units".

Salomones:
Occasional air battles over Port Moresby whenever I send supply convoys. I usually get a better ration than 1:1 while the P-39 prove to be at the end of their usefulness.

Rest:
Mostly quiet.

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