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

[Mundy]

19 April 1944

Bombs away.

The Superforts finally flew to Magwe.

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 24

No Allied losses

Oil hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 13

No Allied losses

Oil hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Oil hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Oil hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Oil hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Magwe , at 57,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Oil hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 20000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

It looks like 21 hits on the facilities, but I'm not sure how that translates into real damage. Tooltip over the base shows 299(2), but I don't know how accurate that is without any recon over the city. Two more squadrons relocated to Trincomalee and Rangoon's the target next turn, with its refineries. I'll only be picking weak targets for awhile.

My Indian troops are about a day from Benares, having taken Allahabad. No enemies nearby. I'm railing several divisions from Bezwada over that ways as well as some base forces for Benares when I take it. It is at a level 4 airfield, so I want an air presence set up pretty quickly. Supply seems slow that ways right now, but I'm hoping it ramps up quickly. Another convoy is unloading at Karachi, putting them over 200k, with three more arriving within two weeks. As mentioned, every new Liberty ship that shows up in the states is routed to Cape Town. I'm keeping the faster transports at San Francisco. I'm hoping to eventually have all fast cargo ships running from there eventually.

Another Independence class CVL is leaving Pearl for Christmas. When it arrives, I'll kick off the Tarawa invasion. I probably have a few weeks until troops are ready for Addu.

[Mundy]

20 April 1944

29s hit Rangoon. I've got that city under recon, so I can see some real results.

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 11

No Allied losses

Refinery hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 45

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Refinery hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Refineries there show 160(41), so it looks like they took 20% losses.

My troops arrive at Benares. A single Japanese unit is one hex SE of there. I'm hitting them with a bunch of planes, including my B-29s. After this, I'll rest them a few days. I'm reluctant to hit the same target twice, in case CF moves fighters in. Some newly arrived bases units at Karachi are destined for that area to get some cover up.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Mundy
A single Japanese unit is one hex SE of there. I'm hitting them with a bunch of planes, including my B-29s. After this, I'll rest them a few days. I'm reluctant to hit the same target twice, in case CF moves fighters in. Some newly arrived bases units at Karachi are destined for that area to get some cover up.

I really don't like the idea of using B-29s in ground support, especially when you have other planes available that can reach. Best to save them for important targets.

[Mundy]

Yeah, kinda an impulse move. The 20 bombs on board gets tempting to use. With the weather, they may not fly anyway.

I don't have a whole lot of strategic targets in the area. Mainly Magwe, Rangoon and Calcutta, and Calcutta has lots of fighters present. I have some recon Liberators checking the unit next to Benares, but I'll re-task them and the other long range stuff to solely watch these three. If no fighters arrive, I'll hit them again. I really wish Singapore was in range.

I'm gong to get more of my B-25s and such over to the Bhopal area, along with a bunch of Jugs and the like.

We'll see if I get a big reaction from my move in the north. I'm curious of he'll pull troops out of Calcutta to deal with this. It could be a new lease of life on them. Cruisers have been bombarding them daily, but only inflicting about 60 casualties each time.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: Mundy
A single Japanese unit is one hex SE of there. I'm hitting them with a bunch of planes, including my B-29s. After this, I'll rest them a few days. I'm reluctant to hit the same target twice, in case CF moves fighters in. Some newly arrived bases units at Karachi are destined for that area to get some cover up.

I really don't like the idea of using B-29s in ground support, especially when you have other planes available that can reach. Best to save them for important targets.

IIRC the B-29s have just arrived on map and need to get some experience before taking on tough targets. I would use them to hit any target that appears to have no fighter CAP and weak AA. Forcing the enemy to disperse defensive assets is worthwhile, and developing experience and bombing skills is essential for the HI strat bombing campaign. Biggest problem is the B-29s servicing time- hard to get continuous training when you can only fly once in a while.

[Mundy]

I don't think I've had any ops losses or even damaged aircraft thus far after two missions. There's about 8 in the pool right now. I plan to use them gently for the time being.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Mundy
I don't have a whole lot of strategic targets in the area. Mainly Magwe, Rangoon and Calcutta, and Calcutta has lots of fighters present. I have some recon Liberators checking the unit next to Benares, but I'll re-task them and the other long range stuff to solely watch these three. If no fighters arrive, I'll hit them again. I really wish Singapore was in range.

I don't think you should feel pressure to use B-29s if you don't have a good use for them yet. With PDU ON, saving B-29 air frames today means you could fill out more squadrons in the future. And I think that strategic bombing with B-29s in mid 45 could be a huge VP opportunity for you. Can't do that with B-29s today. So I say save them until you have some good targets to go after.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
IIRC the B-29s have just arrived on map and need to get some experience before taking on tough targets. I would use them to hit any target that appears to have no fighter CAP and weak AA. Forcing the enemy to disperse defensive assets is worthwhile, and developing experience and bombing skills is essential for the HI strat bombing campaign. Biggest problem is the B-29s servicing time- hard to get continuous training when you can only fly once in a while.

I don't like this approach either. Instead, you should simply put your very best bomber pilots into the combat B-29 squadrons so they don't need training. Ya it requires some manual effort but IMO it's worth it.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: Mundy
I don't have a whole lot of strategic targets in the area. Mainly Magwe, Rangoon and Calcutta, and Calcutta has lots of fighters present. I have some recon Liberators checking the unit next to Benares, but I'll re-task them and the other long range stuff to solely watch these three. If no fighters arrive, I'll hit them again. I really wish Singapore was in range.

I don't think you should feel pressure to use B-29s if you don't have a good use for them yet. With PDU ON, saving B-29 air frames today means you could fill out more squadrons in the future. And I think that strategic bombing with B-29s in mid 45 could be a huge VP opportunity for you. Can't do that with B-29s today. So I say save them until you have some good targets to go after.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
IIRC the B-29s have just arrived on map and need to get some experience before taking on tough targets. I would use them to hit any target that appears to have no fighter CAP and weak AA. Forcing the enemy to disperse defensive assets is worthwhile, and developing experience and bombing skills is essential for the HI strat bombing campaign. Biggest problem is the B-29s servicing time- hard to get continuous training when you can only fly once in a while.

I don't like this approach either. Instead, you should simply put your very best bomber pilots into the combat B-29 squadrons so they don't need training. Ya it requires some manual effort but IMO it's worth it.

This is what I do, too. And with the many improvements that Michael made in the user interface it really is not that much effort.

[Mundy]

Thanks guys.
 
Leadership tends to be an afterthought, and I hadn't reviewed who was leading these squadrons.  Nice to know I can stock up on good line pilots also.
 
Hopefully I have a bunch.  I haven't dedicated bomber squadrons to training for several months, since the perma-based US units got withdrawn.  Those two B-10s are in San Francisco yet.  [:)]
 
I forgot to mention, invaders for Tarawa are now loading, so hopefully, I can seal up the Gilberts.  I have two army regiments and three tank/TD battalions going in for this.  CF appears to have roughly 7,000 troops there.  What mix, I haven't a clue.  My fleet carriers are supporting, and my late arriving CVL at Pearl will catch up.
 
I have at least three divisions training up for the Marshalls, plus the usual extras.  I'll run that one from Pearl Harbor.  One is in San Francisco yet, waiting for transport across.  Lots of base support units and LVT utility units have been sprouting lately at Stockton and Ft Ord.

[Mundy]

21 April 1944

Well, I hit the unit SE of Benares. It looked to be 1/3 of the 4th Guards Division.

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 12

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator B.III x 9

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Liberator B.III bombing from 9000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 23

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
286 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
P-38H Lightning x 25

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
221 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
87 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on 4th Guards/C Division, at 52,28 , near Benares

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet *
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Either it left the hex, or I destroyed it, as it's no longer at that location. I didn't think it was moving at the time.

I've re-tasked my recon assets to visit the bases south and east of Benares. I'll look for a weak point to advance upon. The recon B-24s are visiting Magwe, so I can decide whether or not to hit the oil fields again. As usual, the forecast calls for thunderstorms, which is getting to be a pain. My troops at Benares will stay put until the reinforcements rail themselves in.

I have only three squadrons of B-29s at Karachi left. They'll be coming in more slowly now also. Next one in about 10 days, and the following one in about a month or so. They did pretty well against the infantry. Before long, I'll start the LeMay offensive against Calcutta's heavy industry with my B-24s. Hopefully I get results at night. I'll put them at 5,000 ft.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Mundy
Before long, I'll start the LeMay offensive against Calcutta's heavy industry with my B-24s. Hopefully I get results at night. I'll put them at 5,000 ft.

Just be sure to not burn a bunch of 4E on this attack. You don't get VPs for destroying Indian industry. Also, 5,000 feet is far too low against a city like Calcutta that is bristling with AA guns. Japanese AA is underpowered no doubt, but even those 25mm guns can reach 5k feet.

[Mundy]

22 April 1944

Little incident on my supply mission to Makin. I didn't dog-leg south far enough. Need to keep that magic number 9 in mind. They'll be in CAP range next turn. Seafires appear to suck.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tarawa at 140,129

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13
N1K1-J George x 34

Allied aircraft
Seafire IIC x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
N1K1-J George: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire IIC: 7 destroyed
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CVE Shah, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
VC(F)-78 with F6F-3 Hellcat (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 9 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.851 Sqn-FF FAA with Seafire IIC (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 6 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 12000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers

Ammo storage explosion on CVE Shah
Fuel storage explosion on CVE Shah

Oh well... CVEs are a dime a dozen right now.

Recon shows something like 7 fighters at Magwe right now. I'll stand down yet this turn. Recon's going to Rangoon next turn. One more squadron moved to Trincomalee. Only two left at Karachi.

I'm paying the airfield at Raipur a visit next turn. Four squadrons of P-47s will sweep, and then an escorted wave of 8 squadrons of B-25s to finish the job. About 35 IJAAF fighters are there right now. The Mitchells are all at Bhopal right now. P-40s and Lightnings will provide escort. I've moved most of my B-24s out that way right now, as the supply situation is better there. As far as supply, another 100k convoy will reach Karachi next turn. Another is about three turns into the map in the west. Another two in transit. More cargo ships just reached Cape Town, so after repairing up, they'll be outbound again next turn. My fleet carriers made it there this turn and they're now enroute to Panama and then Pearl.

[Mundy]

23 April 1944

Bombers.

I gave Raipur a poke last turn. Nothing but Nicks flying CAP, but, weirdly, I shot down few of them.

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 35

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 10
Blenheim VD x 8
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
Spitfire VIII x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Blenheim VD: 4 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Blenheim VD bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Beaufighter VIc bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (6 airborne, 12 on standby, 17 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 2000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
14 planes vectored on to bombers

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 39,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 17

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 11
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 7 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet
8 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet
3 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 11 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 31190.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 69 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 3
B-25D1 Mitchell x 35
B-25G Mitchell x 3
B-25H Mitchell x 3
P-38H Lightning x 16
P-40K Warhawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 25

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x P-40K Warhawk sweeping at 10000 feet *
11 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 20000 feet
3 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 32190.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 70 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 9
P-40K Warhawk x 7

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25H Mitchell x 7
P-40K Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

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

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25H Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 73 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
B-25G Mitchell x 9
P-38H Lightning x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25G Mitchell: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25G Mitchell bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 41,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x P-47D2 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

CAP engaged:
66th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 13000.
Raid is overhead

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

Morning Air attack on Raipur , at 45,31

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 51 NM, estimated altitude 40,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
P-47D25 Thunderbolt x 20

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x P-47D25 Thunderbolt sweeping at 37000 feet

They'll fly again next turn, with me adding P-51Bs to the sweep. B-24s from Delhi will also join in. Damage to the airfield was only around 10%, despite the bombers being unmolested.

More B-24s at Hyderabad will do a night raid on the heavy industry at Calcutta. I'm pessimistic, but we'll see.

My troops there are still under their nightly bombardments from IJN cruisers. HMS Trusty is enroute with some mines, so maybe I can break it up a bit. The RN still has its supply of mines, so I'm using their subs for the job lately.

B-29s are hitting the refineries at Rangoon again, since no fighters appear to have been sent there. Two more squadrons than last time. The two at Karachi are still trying to heal their last planes. Supposedly, they'll be ready next turn.

More RAF Liberators are on an AKV from Aden to Karachi.

Most of my railed troops have reached the Benares area and are unpacking. I'll focus more eastwards, taking the unheld or underheld bases, leaving enough to guard here also.

Carriers departed Cape Town. Still 29 days to reach Panama.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Mundy

23 April 1944

Bombers.

I gave Raipur a poke last turn. Nothing but Nicks flying CAP, but, weirdly, I shot down few of them.

[

You shot down 9 out of an original CAP of 35 - that's over 25% and darn good in my estimate. In the follow-on combats it appears the remaining Nicks mostly flew away rather than engage.

[Mundy]

I missed that one part with the 7.

He moved a bunch of Franks in this turn. Oddly enough, despite fighting my way though, I did more damage this time. Everyone's standing down, as my fighters strength is weakening. Raipur's at about 35% now. B-25 losses have been very minimal. One unescorted group shot down two Franks with only damage in return.

The 29s didn't fly last turn. The night raids didn't accomplish anything.

At Makin, I swapped the bombers there out for more fighters. My other CVE got sunk there, so I'm trying to figure out where they flew from where the Georges could reach. I have only one recon asset in the area, so the search is a bit slow.

I'm guessing 4-5 days before the landings at Tarawa.

[Mundy]

25 April 1944

Moving some stuff. I'm moving a division, a brigade and an armored battalion from Benares to Patna, which has about 5,800 Japanese troops there. Ranchi has about 17,000 there, so that could be doable in the near future.

About half the refineries at Rangoon are wrecked. I'm hitting the airfield at Sambalpur, as there only appear to be 20 each of bombers and recon. Maybe I can get into his head a little with an airfield shell game. All the Superfortresses are at Trincomalee now.

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 33

No Allied losses

Refinery hits 20

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 21

No Allied losses

Refinery hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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

Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 7

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged

Refinery hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Looking at my B-29s at Trincomalee, I could, if I wanted, move them all the way to Geraldton in one flight. Pretty nice, if things were to heat up that ways.

[Mundy]

26 April 1944

29s grounded again. Weather's overcast next turn, so odds are better.

I paid an in-transit visit to Male.

Night Naval bombardment of North Male at 20,45

Allied Ships
BB Richelieu
BC Renown

Japanese ground losses:
309 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 16
Port hits 21
Port supply hits 5

BB Richelieu firing at North Male
BC Renown firing at North Male

The Nowshera Brigade reached Gorakhpur, east of Benares. More resources for me. The bigger group is enroute to Patna.

Another attack at Calcutta. Looks like the beginning of the end there. Also looks like more troops showed up. Wonder where they came from. I'll take some time to look at previous combats, look for new ones and then consult the Intel Monkey.

Ground combat at Calcutta (52,37)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 80895 troops, 967 guns, 1061 vehicles, Assault Value = 2859

Defending force 59710 troops, 1147 guns, 644 vehicles, Assault Value = 1674

Japanese adjusted assault: 3114

Allied adjusted defense: 1685

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3804 casualties reported
Squads: 27 destroyed, 326 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 48 disabled
Guns lost 56 (3 destroyed, 53 disabled)
Vehicles lost 115 (23 destroyed, 92 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1351 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 28 (2 destroyed, 26 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
53rd Division
2nd Tank Division
6th Guards Division
5th Division
38th Division
18th Division
21st Division
Guards Tank Division
50th Field AA Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
7th JAAF Base Force
30th Fld AA Gun Co
Southern Army
45th Field AA Battalion
44th Ind. AA Gun Co
8th Field Construction Battalion
40th Field AA Battalion
29th Fld AA Gun Co
15th Army
62nd JAAF AF Bn
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
16th AA Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
85th JAAF AF Bn
14th Ind. Art. Mortar Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
48th Field AA Battalion
26th Air Defense AA Regiment
35th JAAF AF Bn
54th Field AA Battalion
3rd Air Division
96th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
Americal Infantry Division
33rd Infantry Division
25th Infantry Division
3rd Marine Division
1st Marine Division
24th Infantry Division
7th Infantry Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
1st USMC Tank Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion

The Tarawa invasion will reach in two days, being two hexes short for tomorrow. Land based air will start their attacks there.

[Mundy]

27 April 1944

29s finally flew, clobbering Sambalpur.

Morning Air attack on Sambalpur , at 48,34

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 40

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 85

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Morning Air attack on Sambalpur , at 48,34

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 24

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb
2 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

I'm going to have to back off with them for awhile. Their maintenance factor is catching up with them. One squadron has zero planes serviceable. Fortunately, I haven't lost a single one of these bombers to ops or anything else. Haven't touched the pool yet. Another squadron is due in about five days. After that, it's two months until the next one.

Troops are advancing on Patna. I'll hold my advances at this point, to decide how to orient my forces in the area.

Troops will hit Tarawa's beaches next turn. Hopefully, it's smooth and short.

[jwolf]

I'm going to have to back off with them for awhile. Their maintenance factor is catching up with them. One squadron has zero planes serviceable. Fortunately, I haven't lost a single one of these bombers to ops or anything else. Haven't touched the pool yet. Another squadron is due in about five days. After that, it's two months until the next one.

This is the key problem using a strategic asset for tactical purposes. I think it's legitimate in some cases but you really have to be choosy and not use them just because there is a nice target to bomb somewhere. I wonder if they could hit a key Jap port and wipe it out.

[Mundy]

I just need to be careful to hit "safe" areas. There isn't a whole lot to choose from right now.

28 April 1944

Landing.

Pre-Invasion action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

113 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB California
DD Charles Badger
LCI-727
CVE Kasaan Bay
LCI-725
LCI-726
LCI-729
DD Boyd
LCI-734

Japanese ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

BB Tennessee firing at 18th Garrison Unit
BB California firing at 18th Garrison Unit
DD Charles Badger firing at 53rd Naval Guard Unit
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 5,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

101 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Tennessee
BB California
DD Boyd
DD Bell
LCI-725, heavy damage
CVE Kasaan Bay
LCI-727
LCI-726

Japanese ground losses:
303 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

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

BB California firing at 18th Garrison Unit
DD Boyd firing at 18th Garrison Unit
DD Bell firing at 18th Garrison Unit
DD Bell fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards


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

Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
LCI-738
LCI-733
LCI-725, heavy damage
LCI-726
LCI-727

LCI-738 fired at enemy troops
LCI-733 fired at enemy troops

Amphibious Assault at Tarawa (136,128)

TF 233 troops unloading over beach at Tarawa, 136,128

Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 147th(Sep) Infantry Rgt
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 111th(Sep) Infantry Rgt /3

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1943 troops, 33 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 212

Defending force 8466 troops, 188 guns, 230 vehicles, Assault Value = 321

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th Garrison Unit
1st Engineer Co
53rd Naval Guard Unit
11th RF Gun Battalion
4th Ship Engineer Regiment
80th JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
4th USMC Tank Battalion
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
763rd Tank Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion


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


Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8460 troops, 188 guns, 227 vehicles, Assault Value = 312

Defending force 8661 troops, 69 guns, 21 vehicles, Assault Value = 205

Allied adjusted assault: 95

Japanese adjusted defense: 143

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

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
702 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 16 (2 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2356 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 154 disabled
Non Combat: 59 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 65 (52 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 84 (12 destroyed, 72 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
111th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
763rd Tank Battalion
97th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
18th Garrison Unit
1st Engineer Co
53rd Naval Guard Unit
11th RF Gun Battalion
4th Ship Engineer Regiment
80th JAAF AF Bn

Didn't turn out so well. I would think two regular Army infantry battalions would be a match for these "guard" units on the island. My battleships took their toll, too, plus landing losses were minimal. I guess I'll have to settle for a grinder-type affair like with what happened on Baker. The trick is to keep the supplies coming in. Fortunately, this is a more secure area to send my ships in that someplace like Makin. I'll probably also with the supply, send in my new USMC defense battalion from Pearl.

Mainly quiet everywhere else. Some troop transport showed up again in San Francisco, so one of my new divisions is shipping to Pearl. You can probably expect the Marshalls invasion to be a big affair like I did with Colombo.