The Italian Job 2- Gen.Hoepner(J)-vs.-Mc3744

[Tom Hunter]

If you can cause a CV battle and sink the US carriers the benefits of going for Canton are huge.

On the other hand the British cannot stop you, whereas the US might get lucky and beat you at sea. Also the British are strong in this game but they are rapier strong, if you break them they will not come back. Freeboy did a lot of damage to Zeta with an intact force coming out of India, if you can inflict heavy losses this force will come a year or two later, in 44 or 45 instead of 43.

Leave them alone and you never know what will happen, you might wake up and find them pooring into Malaya one morning.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Just come back. Tired. Completely annihilated by 1780 km ( by car) in 3 days[>:][>:][>:]

A quick report of the last 2 turns.

We bombed Chungking yesterday but we lost more planes than what we destroyed. Today was raining so my guys had some relax. If tomorrow doesn't rain again we'll attack with 230 bombers and 60 zeros....

At Brhome in Northern Oz my small naval unit did not achieve any good result in attacking the lightly defended australian base. Already in the way from Kendari another SNLF.
At Base waters we spotted 10 units going back to Alice Spring...it means that he wants to fight here...good. Already 1007 AP fortifying ...hope to hold Northern Oz for at least 12 months.
1 Regiment is ready to be sent to Rangoon, from where it will be fast trasported to Akyab along with a base force.
Now the Imperial Navy is studying the future operation RAG ( Raid and go). 3 divisions, 2 eng regiment, 2 bdes and 4 arty units will be the core of this brand new assault force. the objective are enormous: Take in 3 weeks PM, Buna, and Gili Gili, securing the Rabaul defensive perimeter. Then going back at Truk, load fuel and supplies and go for Canton with the WHOLE KB in its brighting power ( The CVL soho is arriving in 2 days). 2 BB divisions and 4 DD divisions will operate as escort. Canton,Palmyra and Baker are the main objs. Destroy the american garrisons there and let small naval units with base forces and mavis there. Hopefully he's going to come out and play with his CVs....the well known decisive battle!

the 21st Division will be brought back from Hanoi to Luzon. Its place will be taken by 2 SNLF units comming from Legaspi.

One bde will go for Southern Sumatra, while the rest of the 25th army will be unloaded in 1 month at Java, closing the jaws of my DEI offensive.

In China i'm changing my mind. 4 units are comming back from ichang and will march towards Sian. Gotta try to close the northern theatre asap.

In The solomons everything is quite for the moment.

For what concerns the mini-hangover...everything is stopped for the moment. Gotta conquest Java before doing anything in India....

Thanks for reading guys

Now i have to sleep[>:][:)]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/22/42


Another day of good weather over China. My bombers took off and hit Chungking badly. 15 vs 15 A2A losses ( 12 sallies + 3 zeros) but more 30 allied planes destroyed on the ground. He can't last for long! He needs more fighters here and if he places his AVG fragments that are at Chandupur i'll start the bombing campaign of India from Burma!

At Akyab he sent 2 land units...my paras will be pushed back and destroyed! I need to speed up the operations of the regiment that needs to be placed there! Now 2 DDs divisions and 4 CAs are moving towards Rangoon. Tomorrow the regiment will sail from Singapore to Rangoon. More bombers and fighters are comming to Burma from Malaya.

Nothing new elsewhere. My 14th Army is still at Koepang, resting and recovering and getting ready for PM and RAG operation
4 naval units along with 4 air units are moving from Tokyo to Truk.

I cannot let him take Akyab and estabilish there an operative AF...gotta think and act fast now!



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Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 51
Ki-21 Sally x 220
Ki-49 Helen x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 10 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 11 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 5 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed
I-16c: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
310 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 125

Aircraft Attacking:

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/23/42
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/24/42

Yesterday thunderstorms prevented my to bomb Chungking.
Today my planes took off but he brought in another AVG fragment...15 planes lost against 7...bad bad results:-(((
And above all...the Chungking AF is not suffering that big damage...always under the 20 damage level...
Tomorrow Chandupur and Chungking targeted again...hope the weather will be on my side!

Nothing more to report....quite everywhere

Lost a sub yesterday at Canton...he's moving in the area a LOT of TFs...wonder what is he doing there[&:]

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Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-21 Sally x 180

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 3
P-40E Warhawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed
LB-30 Liberator: 3 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
145 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 47

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 19000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
8 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
7 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
5 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 19000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 19000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 19000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
1 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 19000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
3 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 14000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 7000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/25/42

Bad weather again over China[:@][:@] every day of delaying air activities costs me men and planes...cause he repairs his fighters and get in more hurricanes[:(]
But the sun was shining over Mandalay.
A small raid at Chandupur gave me good results. 23 vs 13 A2A but 30 planes destroyed on the ground!!! The AVG cannot be everywhere! I have to use the Zero Bonus now that it still counts something!

At Sian he's evacuating his units....do not know where he's going ( Langchow or Chungking?). Tomorrow i will deliberate attack. If Sian falls easily i can provide to my planes a closer base for the assault over Chungking!
With Sian in my hands i can try to march southwards towards Chungking and force him to retreat from ichang...well, we'll see

Mi sub mines finally hit something...ML Oglala hits a mine at Midway[8D]

Getting ready to start the RAG op. 2 more turns and my divisions will be loaded at Koepang,Singapore and Truk.
CVL Soho on its way from Tokyo to Truk.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chandpur , at 31,25

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 47
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 28
Ki-21 Sally x 79
Ki-48 Lily x 31
Ki-15 Babs x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 22
P-40B Tomahawk x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 8 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane II: 19 destroyed[:D]
P-40B Tomahawk: 8 destroyed
Lysander I: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Vildebeest IV: 4 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
72 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 61

Aircraft Attacking:

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/26/42

Today Akyab fell in enemy's hands. It was predicted. He has 12000 men there now...i'll need at least 2 regiments and a strong Air support. We're getting ready for this.
Chungking was saved again by the weather![:@]...again 27 fighters present there....hope tomorrow my 60 zeros will all fly

Sian abbandoned was captured by the 1st jap army. ( see map below). My troops now will march northwards, then go south towards Chungking

The RAG operation will start tomorrow. in 2 weeks we should be at PM

Palembang seems to be empty! That's good!!!!![:'(]



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Ground combat at Sian

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 142775 troops, 1842 guns, 31 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 5

Japanese assault odds: 4017 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Sian base !!!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7519 troops, 60 guns, 1 vehicles

Defending force 819 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Akyab base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
92 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 2


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/27/42

Today good weather in China.
3 daitais of zeros destroyed 17 AVG planes...that's good! Lost 4 zeros and some sallies but at least now the AVG is out of order for a while.

In Burma my planes attacked Akyab, burning some supplies there, preparing the landing of the 2 assault regiments

The RAG operation officially started. Loading 4 divisions( 2 at Koepang and 2 at Singapore), 4 Arty units and 2 Eng regiments....this will be the most important operation since the conquest of Darwin!

The usual sub-anti sub activities next to Canton Island

Nothing more to report




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 71
Ki-21 Sally x 187
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 13 destroyed
Hurricane II: 4 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
250 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 81

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/28/42

Today my planes did not find any opposition at Chungking! He has retreated his planes!! Tomorrow we'll start bombing the resources centres!
My troops are marching towards Langchow, which will be now defended by 200,000 chineses....gotta find something to move them from there!

The RAG loading operations proceed smoothly both at timor and at Singapore

in 2 weeks we should launch the Akyab operation

He brought to Chandupur a big supply TF...probably some troops and a lot of supplies...i scored few bombs in there but lost 6 planes due to the last AVG fragment....tomorrow we'll sweep the base with 20 zeros!

Benjarmais will be invaded in 3 days.

Whyndam in 3 days too

He's finally unloading at Baker island...very good! This will be usefull for the RAG operation!

At Daily waters we spotted the 3rd and the 4th Australian Divisions..this means he's massing troops at Alice Spring..gotta be carefull here!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Chungking , at 43,32

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 56
Ki-21 Sally x 176

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 13 damaged


Allied ground losses:
168 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 86

Aircraft Attacking:

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/31/42


I lost 2 combat reports...but there was nothing interesting.
These days are quite calm indeed.
In Burma everything should be ready for the new akyab conquest in 4/5 days. We'll bomb Akyab with 4 CAs and few DDs, while the 55th Division will be loaded at Rangoon in 3 different fragments. A MSW TF will look for eventual mines there.

In China our troops conquered the abbandoned KungChang base, just 2 hexes south of Langchow. There he's massing 20 units ...really too much to handle...i do not know what to do now. I'm building up as fast as i can Sian and Yenen AF so i can bomb the place with my sallies...but that's won't be enough. I'd need my whole army which is fragmentated between Changsha,Ichang and Canton. So i'll try to use my mogolian divisions to flank him and force him to retreat again towards Sining. Then i'll move southwards towards Chungking.
In the Air my planes are unmacthed for the moment. He pulled back everything. Now his planes are based at Sining and Langchow

While the conquest of Sumatra has been a bit delayed( no APs available at the moment) the RAG ( raid and go ) operation is moving:
the 14th Army is ready to move from the Banda Sea to PM, with the S.S.det. loading up at Rabaul and the KB waiting at Truk for the Soho CVL. The 18th div and the Imperial guard are already on their way for Truk. Hope in 1 month to have PM in my hands so that i can move towards Canton island.

There, in the central pacific, he keeps sending TFs to Canton, Noumea,Baker etc....i know it's going to be very very hard to get there, but i need to try to unbalance him in the pacific and delay his reinforcing operations.

Today we get Benjarmais: now the whole borneo is in my hands


About the map....the yellow arrows are for the RAG operation, while the white ones are for the scheldued advances in Dei and China

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/02/42

Nothing really impressive happened today. Constant bombing of Chungking and building up Sian and Yenen AF.
He's massed his troops at Langchow from where he's attacking my 20000 men of the Mongolian 1st army...the got 1 vs 1...so probably tomorrow my troops will be dislodged.
No way to destroy those partisans sorrounded behind my lines in China....they're sucking resources and men![:@]

The Akyab op started today. A MSW TF is on its way and a Bombardment TF is following. The first regiment is loading up at Rangoon. My bombers will keep hitting Akyab while 30 oscars and 20 zeros will LRCAP the transports

I must retreat my subs from Canton island area...too many ASW TFs lurking there...they will R&R for 2 weeks at Kwalajein and will be redeployed en masse in the area 2 weeks before the RAG operation will reach those latitudes

RAG:

the 18th and the Imperial Div are already moving towards Truk. 1 Eng Regiment and 2 Arty units will move tomorrow from Singapore.

The other 2 divisions ( the ones that partecipated to the Oz operations ) are already in the Banda Sea, waiting for the carriers that are comming from Darwin.

The S.S.D. is loading up at Rabaul, with a SNLF and a base force. The KB is moving from Rabaul to Truk.

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/03/42

I'm a bit late 'cause i'm experiencing a lot of problems with witp due to my attempt to install a separate CHS witp...


Today we captured Wyndham. Now only Derby needs to be taken in Northern Oz.
2 Hexes South of Daily Waters he's massing a HUGE autralian Army. 3 divisions and one brigade are already there....mmm..this can be really dangereous. I have 1010 Assault points at Daily with level 5 forts growing...

In China the resources bombing af Chungking goes on. At the moment there are no allied fighters in China...which is good, but it means that he's recovering his groups for an ambush somewhere...gotta be carefull and not go overconfident!

In Burma the first invasion fleet for Akyab has movede from Rangoon. The 55th Division will stay as tactical reserve. No sign of enemy planes in Eastern India.

The PM invasion fleet is moving smoothly towards Thursday island. We'll unload a small SNLF unit there and then we'll go for PM. S.S.Det. is moving with a base force and a naval unit from Rabaul. KB and another support group are comming from Truk. They'll act as tactical reserve in case PM will be too hard to take with the regular 14th Army ( 2 div,1 eng, 2 arty)

In the central Pacific he's massing many many forces and supplies at Canton, which is at the moment at level 3 both for port and AF. My main concern is about his CD guns...they can be deadly. 2 fresh divisions along with 2 more fatigued divisions, 2 Eng Regiments and 4 Arty units should be enough i hope...cannot send more... 6 BBs divided in 3 different bombarment Task force will constitute my main "breaing force". I'm quite sure i'll need to use the Kates and Vals of the KB to smooth the place...it's gonna be full of enemy planes!!! ...I admit that i'm quite scared...if this operation won't go as i'm planning i can lose the entire war...a kinda Midway...

My Subs are going back To Kwalein( Sp?)...for R&R...lost 3 subs till now which is not that bad considering the great ASW activities he's making in these days.

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/04/42

Ok, today the campaign for the Northern oz can be considered over. Derby, the last allied base in the north coast, has fallen to our brave marines. Now it's time to settle down and build up the Fortress!

In Burma our Bomb TF pounded Akyab. The base was healily hit both by planes and ships. My troops should not find too many problems...i hope:-)

in China we repulsed several attacks made by the Lungchow garrison ( now up to 130,000 men). They want to dislodge my brave 20000 mongolian soldiers! They're holding the ground and my main northern Army is comming!

I'm planning a BIG para operation in China. Starting from Mytykina and Mandalay 4 paras unit will be dropped over Chengtu, where only a base force seems to guard the place. Every single transport plane is being transported at Bankok. in 1 week we should be ready to launch this operation!

The RAG preparations for PM are going on without problems. The fleet hasn't been spotted yet.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Akyab, at 30,28

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Suzuya
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Chokai


Allied ground losses:
1171 casualties reported
Guns lost 14

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 17

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,28

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 30
Ki-21 Sally x 78
Ki-48 Lily x 32

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 82

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Derby

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 886 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 2058 troops, 9 guns, 2 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Derby base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 1 destroyed
Wirraway: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
3330 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/05/42


JAVA AND SUMATRA:

In 2 days there will be the first landings in Java. 2 Naval units and the 5th Division will be the first japanese units to take place there. My recon says that very few tropps and no planes are base in Java...very strange[&:]...well: the less the better[:D]

In the PI the first regiment of the 21st division is unloading at S.Marcelino.

RAG for PM proceeds without problem.No sign of enemy naval activities in the Area Around PM,Gili Gili and Lunga.

The usual air bombings in China with my troops approaching Langchow.

In Burma tomorrow we'll unload at Akyab: let's hope the best. 60 oscars will LRCAP AKYAB and my TFs


Nothing more to report..very quite days

[Gen.Hoepner]

Is somebody still reading? it's been a while since i do not see comments or feedbacks... Do you prefer the old style full combat report?

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/06/42

Today we landed at Akyab with the first regiment. The landing has not been particularly bloody , but the Indian Brigade defending Akyab seems to have its combat power still intact! So 2 more Bombardment TFs are comming From Rangoon and 150 bombers will hit the base and the Indian brigade for the next 3 days. At the same time 60 oscars are LRCAPping Akyab and the 55th division is being loaded at Rangoon in 3 different regiments....

In China the flanking of Langchow is going quite well. The fact that he was not able with 130,000men to push my 20,000 mongolian out of the city should low down his morale.I really hope that he will evacuate the city , going for Sining. At this stage i will have the chance of leaving a 50,000 garrison there and move 150,000 men towards Chungking, forcing him to evacuate ichang as well....Let's see.
At the moment only one thing is clear: he has moved back every single plane from China and Eastern India to somewhere else.

Today 2 naval units landed at Kreagen, in the middle of Java. the 5th div along with the HQ of the 25th army and one mix bde are loading at Singapore: Destination batavia!

one of my sub scored a good shot on a american Transport near Baker, but it was on the surface and the damned cargo fired back![:@]


Sub attack at 91,91

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
AK Admiral Halstead, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Akyab, 30,28, firing at TF 43
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,28


19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
267 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Akyab, 30,28, firing at TF 43
TF 43 troops unloading over beach at Akyab, 30,28


44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Isonami, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
139 casualties reported


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Muntok

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3988 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 142 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Muntok base !!!






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Buna

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 769 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Buna base !!!






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Akyab

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3290 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 5456 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles



Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

[invernomuto]

Is somebody still reading? it's been a while since i do not see comments or feedbacks... Do you prefer the old style full combat report?

I am still present (and silent as usual) and I like the new format.

BYE!!!

[Gen.Hoepner]

Grazie Inverno[:)]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/07/42

The landings at Akyab go on without any serious opposition. Seems that he doesn't even try to stop me. That's ok as long as my plans aren't interrupted:-)

Nothing noew in china...the same old boring story of bombings...

We attacked and conquered Kreagen in Java. in few days the whole 25th army should be ready there!


Now let's say something about PM and the operation RAG. PM will be its first step, so i call it RAG-1.
The recon shows only 2 units for 4500 men at PM. 7 fighters and 5 aux....really nothing serious! It seems that , after the last match where he lost 70,000 men there he doesn't wanna gamble again in NG[:D]
As you can see in the map below, 2 divisions and the SSD were ordered to move there....but now that i saw that there will be any real threat at PM i do not wanna risk anymore my 2 exp divisions..already fatigued after 3 months of continued fightings. I will use only the SSD and the 1st Sasebo SNLF. With some BBs pounding the place should be enough.
My 2 divisions will remain in the waters near PM, loaded. If i show him now that those 2 divs are not in Northern oz, defending Daily Waters he can attack sooner than what i want!
So we'll get PM, then we'll move back to Truk, waiting for the other 2 divs comming from Singapore. At PM will remain only a SNLF unit and a good 90 aviation base force. 27 zeros and some mavis will be dispatched here.

The Real challenge will be RAD-2....Canton Island!

[Crimefighter]

Of course Im still reading!

This is a great war you two have going on. And I guarantee there are lots more of us old armchair generals back at HQ watching.

I also like the style you are using, it plays well with MCs style.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Thanks a lot. That's the best boost to keep on writing!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/08/42

Nothing really new to report.
In China he's trying to push my out of Langchow, but that won't be easy[:D]

In Northern Oz he built up a dot base called exmouth....already sending 3 SNLF units and a little DD force ( 5 DDs with a CL)

The RAD-1 is going well. He hasn't spotted my CVs yet. I'm quite sure he won't send his CVs at this stage of the war.

At Baker he keeps sending TFs...probably troops and supplies to build up the dot base. That's fine because when we'll reach those waters Baker won't be already a good AF for bombers and once Canton is taken...Baker will be just a walk in the park[:D]

I really can't wait for the RAG-2 operation! It will be the greatest Landing of the war. 4 Divisions, 1 Mix Bde, 4 arty units, 2 Eng regiments, supported by the entire Combined fleet! The real problem could be the CD guns and the allied fighters. If i was him i would send my carrier wildcats there as soon as i understand what's going on....the there will be tons of mines and PTs...he had 3 months to prepare the place!
My biggest problem now is the recon. i do not have any! And without it my BBs won't do a good job. I need every single Glen and every single sub available in this theatre!

God...can't wait[:D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 02/09/42

An important day.

In China he clearly decided not to remain on the defensive. From Changsha some troops are moving towards Hengchow( my main Air base).At the same time my troops that are trying to flank his positions at Ichang have been intercepted..they will be repulsed cause are just small naval units. At Langchow, he managed to push back one of my flanking mongolian division. Now Langchow has 3 different retreat hexes free from jap units. It's so damned hard to fight on those mountains! My troops take forever to move!
At Akyab i managed to unload 2 regiments. Tomorrow they will attack under the support of heavy Air and naval bombardment.

At PM he finally decided to make a stand for it. 40 fighters are reported to be there. Not a single bomber present for the moment. He probably guess i will be bombing with betties and nells...but i won't. My BBs will do the job. 6 CVs and 4 between CVE and CVLs should manage to guarantee a good aircover....5/6 more days to go for RAD-1( Port Moresby)

In central Pac a strange TF movement. 10 ships are reported to be moving from Baker to Tarawa. 36 sonias are at Tarawa with 9 zeros and 16 mavis. 60 Betties are at kwalayen. If they want to land at Apaneba( sp???) they will surely suffer heavy losses!

At Java my troops get Meodien, just one hex far from Sosarbaja. No plane or ships present in Java. 6 troops spotted at Sosarbaja.

the 21st div keeps unloading at S.Marcelino.

[Tom Hunter]

Its more fun to comment on the guy thats losing than the guy that is winning.[;)]