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December 1, 1942

Subs

An ASW TF puts two penetrating DC hits into Seawolf in shallow waters near Djemadja. Nice.

Combined Fleet

MKB moves to the mouth of the Torres Strait. No enemy response and we have apparently moved out of his air search range, which is a pleasant surprise.

China

DA Kukong nets 54:1 odds, casualties 2055(188) vs 9(0). The enemy has at last crossed the point where degradation becomes destruction.

Other

Karachi makes a level 8 airfield and nets CF a bag of VPs.

Rabaul makes fort level 6. Question: is it worth it to go for level 9 here? My instinct is to leave it at 6, but input welcome. Port is at 4 and airfield at 7. I'd build the port more but since the base is within 4E range of Oz I don't see it as a safe repair yard. In fact, I'm really sweating the pumping out of Ryuho, hit by an SBD at Torres Islands.

I agree. I haven't been using Rabaul for just that reason. I would leave it at level 6.

Posting here as you need the hits and not on GreyJoy's, but you cannot say much about your Cowgirls UNTIL they win a playoff game or two. For all the talk about Romo being an 'elite' QB, he has to do better than 1-3 in playoff games.

Eli has more Super Bowl wins than Romo has playoff wins. [X(]

True enough. I'll say this for Romo - last year and last game he cleaned up his act on "Farvian" do too much INTs. Problem last year was pass D. This year it will be O line, which worries me a lot. Just surprised we won, honestly.

Giants were down to their 1st CB (Webster) and 5th CB (Coe). The other three are out. They still have some issues on the OL that many fans feel was overlooked during the draft. Its a long season.

December 2, 1942

Subs

I-170 misses PG Moresby (again) near Noumea. About time to end our sub blockade here and re-organize? Maybe not, as other subs in the area report overflights by Allied CV aircraft. Could be inaccurate, or could be dismounted orphans from the Torres Islands, but we'll know soon enough.

IJN convoy escorts chase off K XVIII near Donggala.

Combined Fleet

MKB runs the Torres Strait without incident except for a few fragmentary reports sent in by Allied coast watchers. Thus does Operation Bismarck reach its unsatisfactory conclusion.

SE Fleet

Nadi makes level 5 airfield.

China

The IJAAF raids Tsuyung for the first time as we continue to hammer at potential supply stockpiles.

ORIGINAL: Cribtop


... Rabaul makes fort level 6. Question: is it worth it to go for level 9 here? My instinct is to leave it at 6, but input welcome. Port is at 4 and airfield at 7. I'd build the port more but since the base is within 4E range of Oz I don't see it as a safe repair yard. In fact, I'm really sweating the pumping out of Ryuho, hit by an SBD at Torres Islands...

It is worthwhileto build the fortifications up if these two conditions apply:

(a) you intend to not abandon Rabaul and will fight them on the beaches in the event Allied LCUs arrive, and

(b) getting supplies in and maintaining them above 25k is feasible.

If these two conditions apply, then it is worthwhile because going from forts level 6 to forts level 9 sees the unadjusted assault value on the defense boosted by a further 0.75x modifier. IOW you go from 2.25x modifier to 3x modifier.

You also get additional relief from Allied air attacks.

As to further improving the port, generally speaking your idea of not doing so for the reason stated would be very sound, but ...
have you considered using Rabaul as a 4E trap. That of course depends on what anti 4E assets you can get into place both a Rabaul and at interlocking nearby airfields. Using relatively low value ships as 4E bait could be very profitable. If you went down that route, a bigger port to speed up ship turnaround time would be quite useful.

Alfred

Thanks, Alfred. In theory, I would defend Rabaul to the death if CF would let me. However, I envision the day when he bypasses it and I can't keep it supplied.

I have been chomping at the bit to use Rabaul as a 4E trap, with layered Nick and Zero CAP, keeping ships and even subs there in hopes of enticing CF. So far he hasn't taken the bait.

Question: If the enemy invades a base but doesn't/can't take it, and I fly in paratroopers, does that trigger a shock attack? I hope not, because about two weeks in the future CF stuck his hand in a bit of a cookie jar, and lost 2 [CENSORED]s and several [CENSORED]s, one of them loaded. I want to fly in mobile reserves while the big stuff loads up, but don't want to trigger a shock attack against the trapped [CENSORED] Division.

How's that for a tease!? [:'(]

Don't know ofhand for certain if it is dedicated paratroopers being dropped. But you can air transport in non-dedicated paratroop forces and they should not trigger an attack.

As to the supply importation aspect to Rabaul, the importation is only critical until the fortifications have been built up to level 9. IOW if the Allies bypass Rabaul and impose a blockade, that would not be a significant consideration if you had already reached forts level 9 and therefore the necessity of maintaining supplies above 25k was no longer critical.

Alfred

You still fightin' there Cribtop? [;)]

Still fighting but real life has been beating me up for months. One thing after another! Ugh. Hoping to catch up soon. The game is about 2 weeks ahead of the AAR. I'm fighting the urge to do a quick catch up as I like the daily format, but may have to do it.

December 3, 1942

Subs

Sunfish misses an xAK near Kagoshima. Trigger duds on an xAK near Truk. Triton is chased off by escorts near Hachinoe.

I-35 and I-5 are DC'd without effect near Noumea.

SE Fleet

Tarawa forts go to level 4, Gasmata to level 5. Our forts in the Pacific fronts are really getting strong.

Burma

Air recon and bombing runs spot IV Indian Corps near Akyab and British 18th Division approaching Warazup.

China

Something odd today. During the replay, the message "Allied unit(s) surrounded at Kukong" scrolls by. This despite the fact we rested and didn't attack today. After the replay, there is only one LCU left. Great news except that it doesn't appear we got the points for killing the other four LCUs. Not that we're playing for points, but if someone is they'd be bummed. Who knows how many more squads die but it has to be a lot. This will hasten the long overdue end here, and we hope it increases the flow of overland resource movement to Fusan once the Kukong hex is fully controlled.

Other

All independent 1E search units are now converted to Jakes. Nice.

December 4, 1942

Subs

Stingray duds on a small TK near Singers.

I-29 torpedoes BB Mississippi near Dutch Harbor. Banzai! No way the battlewagon is sunk, but that will send her back home and leave CF with only 1 BB and 1 CA in these waters. The sub takes two penetrating DCs in return but should live.

Allied ASW harasses I-19 near Noumea. 6th Fleet HQ orders the subs home.

4th Fleet

CF lands a US Infantry Regiment on Funafuti. The island is undefended and he is welcome to it, but we will scramble Bettys at TB, subs and a CL/DD TF to the region in hopes of killing shipping.

Southern Army

Our elite Sallies pound the stack near Daly Waters for 196 casualties, many of which are destroyed vehicles.

Burma

We try to bomb the approaching enemy near Warazup but weather scrubs all flights.

Other

Lexington replaces Hornet on the sunk list. We knew the Hornet listing was FoW, but are very confident we got Lex. She was crippled and trying to get back to Noumea after Torres Islands when she took a sub launched torp with ammo storage explosions.

December 5, 1942

I'm in my ancestral homeland (South Carolina) for a funeral. While I can't run turns I'll try to play catch up on the AAR.

Subs

Snapper sinks a small tanker near Kendari. O-16 torpedoes CL Jintsu, flagship of the Fleet Oiler TF on the way to meet MKB, near Boela. Jintsu will survive. I like to include a CL with the Oilers in part because they often soak up sub attacks that would be fatal to the precious fast AOs.

4th fleet

We fail to launch against ships at Funafuti. Marcus Island goes to level 4 forts.

SE Fleet

Bettys from Munda Point go after shipping at Ndeni. We lose four Zeros (2 pilots) to 3 P-40s but the bombers get through to sink 1 AM and 2xAKs, probably a supply convoy.

Burma

We again fail to launch against the 18th Division stack. Port Blair hits level 4 forts.

China

A DA at Kukong gets 217:1 odds but doesn't finish the lone remaining LCU. However, it dies later in the turn with the mysterious "Allied unit(s) surrounded" message. This completes the long siege in the hills outside Kukong and brings to a close the last holdover from Operation Red Dragon. The five corps destroyed here were some of the KMT's biggest, a shock army put together by CF in an ill-fated counter-attack against the LoC of the advancing 17th Army months ago. China is effectively out of it now, but Cribtop HQ wants to ensure they stay down. We are formulating a plan to come at Kweiyang from two directions if Operation Whirlwind is successful.

December 6, 1942

Subs

Something Allied hits a mine and we then get the sub sinking sounds. Cribtop Intel believes the minefields at Oosthaven and Merak have claimed another victim.

4th Fleet

Today the TB Bettys sortie against Funafuti. A strong Wildcat LRCAP indicates that the USN at least has CVEs present in support. The A2A combat shows how attrition has degraded enemy pilot quality - even CF commented on this fact. Despite the bounce going to the Wildcats, we shoot down 6 of the enemy in exchange for one Betty. Although 7 Zeros are lost, this is deceptive as most got home but were write offs with the pilots surviving. The attack is still a disappointment, as for reasons unknown the Bettys drop bombs. Double checking finds plenty of supply, torpedoes selected and available at the TB Air HQ, and the attack was in range for torp use. Annoying.

SE Fleet

P-38s and B-24s hit PM. They aren't coming in numbers and the engineers are keeping the airfield open. We plan on a layered CAP trap soon, but for now the fighters have to protect the rapidly repairing Ryuho at Rabaul.

Combined Fleet

MKB re-fuels DDs and gets into fuel problems as a result. However, the Fleet Oilers make the RV point at Taberfane. MKB is two hexes out and will juice up soon.

Southern Army

Taberfane makes level 5 forts. The IJAAF again hammers defenseless Allied armor outside Daly.

December 7, 1942

The war is one year old... And we spot enemy Carriers! ALERT!

Subs

Jakes from MKB report hits on O-16 near Taberfane. A glen boat spots a big convoy near Pearl. IJN subs in the area are put on intercept courses.

4th Fleet

Figuring CF would re-double his LRCAP over Funafuti today, we stand down the bombers and sweep with Zeros. Kill ratio is a wonderful 10:2.

SE Fleet

Ndeni hits level 4 airfield for the enemy.

Combined Fleet

As MKB RVs with the Fleet Oilers at Taberfane, picket PBs on station near Exmouth report overflights by enemy fighters and SBDs! If accurate, we have enemy carriers near to MKB! We will re-fuel and intercept if possible. Cribtop HQ also orders LBA to Denpasar. Interesting.

China

We sweep Chungking in preparation to begin supply bombing in earnest. No CAP is present.

Looks like your Cowboys are going to win today....damn!

Perhaps, but it reminds me of what a Mexican officer said after the Alamo - "With another victory such as this, we will all go to the Devil." At least I'm not a Saints fan. Ouch.

December 8, 1942

Subs

Another Allied sub strikes a mine in the Sunda Strait. Nice. Trusty is reported hit by an ASW pilot near Singers.

RO-34 misses a DD escorting a convoy near Pearl and takes a penetrating DC hit in return.

Combined Fleet

A Glen confirms the presence of multiple enemy CVs near Exmouth! MKB fuels from tankers and will move due West from Taberfane to intercept. In addition, LBA assets (two long range Nell groups and a big Zero group) move toward Denpasar in case the enemy moves into range.

As to why CF is doing this, Cribtop Intel sees three possibilities, in order of likelihood: 1) an invasion of Port Hedland (he will be rudely surprised to find a 125 AS special base force with CD guns if he tries this); 2) a feint designed to cover a move in the Pacific; 3) a raid on or even invasion of the islands near Java, although this seems too aggressive for CF's style.

4th Fleet

Search a/c spot an APD TF south of Funafuti. Are they picking up invaders or dropping new forces?

SE Fleet

PM is hit again by P-38s and B-24s.

Burma

Lots going on here. 56th Division unloads at Rangoon to assist with defenses. Other forces are gathering for the landings in India. Bhamo hits level 3 forts.

New enemy LCUs spotted at 74, 130 near Katha. Recon bombing of Akyab spots 17th Indian Division and 45th Indian Brigade. Recon bombing of 56, 43 spots 7th Aussie Division and 14th, 23rd and 25th Indian Divisions. Along with the two British Divisions moving on Warazup, the two Indian Divisions moving on Katha and another Oz Division at Kalemyo, we are looking at the kitchen sink descending on Burma. Anyone know how much CF will still have left in India after this massive commitment?

China

We sweep and bomb Chungking today and do well. No CAP is present, bombers destroy or damage 42 planes on the ground and inflict 81 runway hits. We will continue here in an effort to kill supply.

December 9, 1942

Subs

Escorts of a troop convoy DC O-23 near Saumlaki. The IJN has claimed kills on many of these Dutch subs throughout the war so often I have visions of unkillable zombie subs prowling the waters of the former NEI in search of vengeance.

We forgot to move I-1 near Perth, so the sub is again harassed by AMs.

A Val and a Pete from MKB attack enemy subs as we move West near Koepang. Will CF infer the presence of our carriers from this? The Pete reports a hit.

Combined Fleet

An Emily is shot down by CAP over the Allied CV TF NNW of Exmouth, but this gives confirmation that the enemy is headed NE toward Denpasar. The combatants are currently 30 hexes apart. Denpasar is now a full on Netty nest. Will we pin CF's remaining fleet carriers between MKB and LBA? What a dream scenario! We consider a full speed run tomorrow but ultimately reject it as even a flank move only puts us in strike range if CF continues on his course. Tensions are high at Cribtop HQ.

SE Fleet

B-24s raid PM. Brisbane goes to port 6.

Southern Army

Port Hedland is put on invasion alert. Yesterday one of our Oz tank regiments stumbles up next to the previously invisible 632nd TD Bttn. Today B-17s hammer our tanks. We plan to return the favor with the IJAAF and perhaps destroy a second TD unit over the coming days.

Manila makes airfield level 7.

Burma

P-40s jump Lilys recon bombing the British units approaching Warazup. We thus pay a price to learn that the second LCU in the hex is the 2nd British Division. CF has pushed all his chips onto the table in Burma.

We hit Akyab hard to keep it closed and deny the enemy a fighter base. Toungoo makes level 5 forts.

China

The IJAAF continues the bombing of Chungking. The KMT air force has fled the base.

Ichang goes to airfield three while Kweiyang goes to 5 for the enemy. The latter is a bit of a surprise. Surely CF doesn't have the supply left in China to be building airfields. Perhaps he just let them build from the beginning and doesn't realize the drain this is causing?