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

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RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 2:27 pm
by Mundy
I do love using it. It's amazing what the ability to sort can do.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 8:12 pm
by Mundy
18 February 1942

Looks like Div 1 of KB is at Horn Island. All the other bombers got turned back by the weather.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Horn Island at 93,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Naval Attack: 4 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

He's also take Cocos Islands. If this gets built up, it may screw with my ability to move shipping from India to Oz -- as if Ceylon didn't do that already. That may be a bit far. When I start getting serious, they will wind up getting wiped or starved. I'm favoring the latter when my torpedoes get fixed next year.

Fuso and Yamashiro bombarded Calicut, where my Australian division in India now lives.

Other than that, not much, apart from the mass bombings in China, killing hundreds.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 12:04 pm
by Mundy
19 February 1942

Where to start...?

The turn opened up in exciting fashion with some bombardment work.
Night Naval bombardment of Calicut at 29,38

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied ground losses:
27 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

E8N2 Dave acting as spotter for BB Yamashiro
BB Yamashiro firing at 6th Australian Division
BB Fuso firing at 6th Australian Division

Followed by my reply at Adak:
Night Naval bombardment of Adak Island at 162,52

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 4 damaged

Allied Ships
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
DD Clark
DD Drayton
DD Preston

Japanese ground losses:
257 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 13
Port supply hits 3

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA San Francisco
CA San Francisco firing at Adak Island
SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Minneapolis
CA Minneapolis firing at 83rd Naval Guard Unit
DD Clark firing at 83rd Naval Guard Unit
DD Drayton firing at Adak Island
DD Preston firing at Adak Island

Things started to take a turn with this:
Amphibious Assault at Mangalore (30,34)

TF 309 troops unloading over beach at Mangalore, 30,34

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

75mm T90 Field Gun damaged beyond repair during unload of 4th/C Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 4th/C Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th/C Div /2
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 4th/C Div /2
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th/C Div
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 4th/C Div
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 4th/C Div

Looking at Mangalore, I'm currently not seeing any troops there, so I'm wondering if they're having problems getting ashore. As it is, the 15th/1st Punjab Battalion and the 6th Australian are on the march there from Calicut. Royal Sovereign's beaten carcass is currently portside at Mangalore, and I doubt she'll survive the experience. Whatever else I can strip from India is currently on rail for Goa. The Aussies bound for Addu and Diego are going to be re-routed towards Karachi and recombined. The Oz divisions will pretty much be the backbone of anything I do. I found some forgotten units in the north of India, which are also bound for Goa. I'm still leaving something credible at Madras -- basically the weak 19th Indian Division. The 23 Indian Division there is bound for Goa.

Elsewhere, he does not appear to be making a move on Mandalay. It should be a real fight if he does. He finally CAPped Meiktila, so the Buffaloes are standing down.

This is pretty new to me, as I haven't dealt with this situation before. I also haven't read too deeply of other AARs where this happened. I'm hoping I'm not being lured into something stupid at this point.

A few thousand miles away, at Horn Island:
Amphibious Assault at Horn Island (91,128)

TF 253 troops unloading over beach at Horn Island, 91,128

Japanese ground losses:
189 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /2
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 65th Bde /2
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /2
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 65th Bde /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /4
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 65th Bde /4
12 troops of a IJA HMG Section accidentally lost during unload of 65th Bde /4
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 65th Bde /4
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 65th Bde /4

He must be serious here, if he's using a brigade to take this island. It did fall immediately. The main thing I lament is the loss of the PBY squadron there. Despite their patrolling the NW, I had no clue transports were inbound. B-17Ds are currently inbound from Townsville to welcome them from 15,000 ft. I don't know how Moresby will fare at this point, but even evacuating them will be a no-go with the situation as it is. APDs are at least a few weeks away.

Noumea just upgraded the airfield to level 5, which instantly puts Ndini within range of the Forts there. I can probably bomb with impunity there right now. Once Luganville's set up, B-26s from Noumea will relocate there. and add to the fun.

So it appears Cannonfodder's main thrust is India, with a strong defensive presence at SWPac and a lesser defensive stand at SPac. Two divisions of KB are accounted for with CARDIV 1 in the Darwin area and probably CARDIV 2 off of India. Thus far, his divisions have been boosted by a CVL like Ryujo.

The USA 27th Infantry Division is currently at Cape Town, but if I don't spend any PPs, it will still be a little over a month before I can buy them out. A regiment of Americal is also there under West Coast command. The other two Americal regiments are or shortly will be in Oz proper. They'll deal with the defense there.

This may bump up my Marshalls plan a bit, but it's still a long ways off, due to the political point situation.

One small bit of good news is one of his DDs hit my new minefield in the shallows 2 hexes SW of Kobe, courtesy of Argonaut. I heard sinking sounds afterwards, so I think she's gone.
TF 306 encounters mine field at 108,60

Japanese Ships
DD Wakatake, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Anyone with an inkling of potential leapfrog landing sites in India to watch for?

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:05 pm
by Mundy
20 February 1942

Fairly quiet day.

Merak falls. Once Batavia falls, the left half of Java will be secured by the Japanese. No action on the right side yet.

No attacks in Manila again. It's become a Stalingrad of sorts. Quite a ways to go before Manila and Bataan will fall.

About 5 squadrons of Blenheims are set to strike Bangalore, with a good amount of escorts. Horn Island was also struck for casualties.

Intel Monkey is warning that 7th Manchukuo Inf Brigade is prepping for Calcutta. I doubt they'll land there directly, more likely someplace like Chittagong.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:49 pm
by Mundy
21 February 1942

Not much on the ground front.

Landings at Port Hedland.

There was an ugly fight at Sining by the IJA 5th Tank Regiment:
round combat at Sining (80,32)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 39

Defending force 13331 troops, 75 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 368

Japanese adjusted assault: 2

Allied adjusted defense: 1141

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 570 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 45 (1 destroyed, 44 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
82nd Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Base Force

The odds look good enough that the Chinese will counterattack next turn -- maybe kill a bunch more tanks.

To keep things honest on his part, all my bombers at Liuchow hit the port at Hong Kong. A minimal Tojo CAP was present.
Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44 Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
SB-III x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SB-III: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
1 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
2 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44 Tojo (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead



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

Morning Air attack on Hong Kong , at 77,61

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB-III x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Atago, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SB-III bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb

KB is now 7 hexes NE of Townsville. All my bombers there and at Cairns tried to hit them without fighter escort. I need to watch that aspect more. Of all the planes hurled at them, only 2 A-24s broke through, nailing an oiler. He had close to 40 Zekes on CAP.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3
SBD-3 Dauntless x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 2 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 47 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 38

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 2 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 48 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 80 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes



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

Morning Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Severe storms

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 35

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 29 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 29070.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 5 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 2000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 4
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 3 destroyed
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 4 destroyed
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 8 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AO Tsurumi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Banshee releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 24 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Tsurumi


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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 2 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes



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

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cairns at 97,141

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 29 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33

Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Akagi-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
Soryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Hiryu-1 with A6M2 Zero (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Shokaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
Zuikaku-1 with A6M2 Zero (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 4 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes

Looking at the readout, it appears most, if not all the carriers of KB are present. A beefed mini-KB must be parked off India, if that's the case.

My raid on Mangalore seems to confirm this:
Morning Air attack on Mangalore , at 30,34

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26

Allied aircraft
Fulmar II x 12
Blenheim IV x 30
Hudson IIIa x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar II: 6 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
TB Hayabusa, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAP Mizuho Maru, Bomb hits 1

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
5 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
2 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 7000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Blenheim IV bombing from 7000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (12 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
Zuiho-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(8 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers
Shoho-1 with A6M2 Zero (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 10000.
Raid is overhead
2 planes vectored on to bombers

My two carriers at Sydney are getting ready to pull out, and I'm rerouting transport traffic south of there. One of my carriers has the 3 day delay off the blocks, so that may cut it close. A transport group from the states with air and ground support is rerouting to Noumea instead of Brisbane. I have 4 subs crisscrossing the Torres Strait.

Intel Chimp lists 2/21st Division as prepping for Chittagong.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:51 pm
by Mundy
22 February 1942

New Mexico was accompanying the transport group I re-routed to Noumea. There, she promptly ate a torpedo. After holding my breath, she has 1 sys and 3 flt, with one major. But a scratch.

My group landing at Luganville also got shot at. He must have been expecting that landing to happen. It missed and ate about 7 peripheral hits without a direct hit. Torpedo tubes got damaged, though, which is promising.

I lost sight of KB off the East coast of Oz.

Ratcrap...

I don't think they went NW, as my coverage that ways is pretty good. Possibly a run towards Rabaul, as my search is non-existent east of Port Moresby.

I'm caught thinking one turn behind. I got two VP squadrons at Noumea combing towards the Australian coast. I should have done this last turn. I'm hoping (praying) he didn't duck south. My carriers in Sydney are still two days from being ready to sail. All the B-26s loaded up at Brisbane are ready to hit what comes in range. At this point, I'm hoping he'll make a go at New Mexico. I hope I'm not the only one who makes dumb moves. I'm not being proactive, and my attention to detail sucks.

As expected. I beat off his armored regiment at Sining.

I've been getting a number of big, burly Chinese units at Chungking. I'm starting to move a bunch of stuff towards Wuchow. I'm contemplating a move at Canton. At worst, I can tie up stuff forever there. At best, it can help my supply situation. I want something like 2,000 AP plus artillery before starting anything serious. I suppose I should watch the stacking limits.

No apparent move towards Mandalay on his part. We're just staring at each other over the river.

I notice he has recon monitoring Alice Springs. He most likely sees my buildup there. Between there and Cloncurry, once built up, I can harass him with B-17s.

Argonaut's getting repaired for her next run. I see he's sweeping the hex next to Kobe, but I got a kill, anyway. I'll need to double check to be sure she doesn't upgrade.

Port Hedland and Tarakan both fall, as does Lautem. Survivors from Lautem retreat to Dili.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:04 pm
by Sangeli
ORIGINAL: Mundy
I started prepping some USA infantry and arty and armour in San Fran and Pearl for the future Marshalls invasion. This is a long ways off, as I have yet to buy the infantry out. I would like to hit four of the islands simultaneously. I can support this with at least 8 BBs when the time comes, plus carriers. This is a minimum of 6 months out -- maybe not until December. I want to structure some plans right now instead of being purely reactionary, like the war has gone. As mentioned before, I'm not sure I'm up to an ugly mud wrestling match in the Solomons. Between Noumea and Suva, I think I have enough Marines to hold it right now. The downside with the Marshalls is I don't think I can really run any further invasions from there, due to the stacking limit count. The main bases are capped at around 6,000 troop capacity.
You are thinking waaay too far ahead right now. Noumea is a *very* difficult base to defend for the Allies. I can almost certainly guarantee you will have a tough fight for it right now. Don't fall into the trap of planning your future amphibious operations...you need to first stop Japan. My advice to you is don't even think about these operations until at least summer 1942. Your opponent is capable and is going to keep pushing you around until you stop him cold somewhere and that hasn't happened yet.
ORIGINAL: Mundy
He's also take Cocos Islands. If this gets built up, it may screw with my ability to move shipping from India to Oz -- as if Ceylon didn't do that already. That may be a bit far. When I start getting serious, they will wind up getting wiped or starved. I'm favoring the latter when my torpedoes get fixed next year.
Eh. You can always get your convoys to head far west around Cocos to really negate the impact of Japan holding it. Just be diligent with your orders; easy to forget to set the waypoints and next thing you know your convoy is on the bottom of the ocean.
ORIGINAL: Mundy
This is pretty new to me, as I haven't dealt with this situation before. I also haven't read too deeply of other AARs where this happened. I'm hoping I'm not being lured into something stupid at this point.
Well if you are really routing all that for Goa like you say you are...then you very well may be. Bombay is all you should worry about; form a perimeter there and get some strong units in Bombay proper. Everything else you have will be bypassed or shred to pieces.
ORIGINAL: Mundy
So it appears Cannonfodder's main thrust is India, with a strong defensive presence at SWPac and a lesser defensive stand at SPac. Two divisions of KB are accounted for with CARDIV 1 in the Darwin area and probably CARDIV 2 off of India. Thus far, his divisions have been boosted by a CVL like Ryujo.
If that's the case then this is your best opportunity to decisively reinforce the SoPac. If you choose to go this route I would also recommend occupying a couple of bases between Noumea and Luganville. Build up the forts first then when the amphibious bonus runs out you can build up the airbases. Having a chain 2 airbases capable of providing interlocking CAP will be very critical in trying to stop a Japanese push in the SoPac down the line. You probably have at least a couple of weeks to bring in reinforcements without the Japanese really trying to stop you so make it count. If you have CD guns available then bring them here as well.

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:50 am
by Mundy
Make's sense.  Better to beef up Bombay then to have everyone get weaker in some kind of fallback defense.  I don't want to leave Madras empty.  Two weak-ish divisions are there now, one better off than the other.

My SPac movements are pretty much disrupted until KB leaves.  I have transports at Noumea unloading more base forces.  I can re-route them to other islands to the north.  If I can get the base network up, I have no shortage of planes to put there.  I'm also well stocked with VP squadrons in that area, which helps.  I've been pounding Ndini daily.  I was hitting the troops themselves, but have switched to port attack.  I'm not sure if/when is too early to hit the airfield.

With Cocos, I was worried about Nells running from there, which could conceivably reach to the map edge, but looking further, its max AF size may prevent this.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:48 am
by Sangeli
ORIGINAL: Mundy

Make's sense.  Better to beef up Bombay then to have everyone get weaker in some kind of fallback defense.  I don't want to leave Madras empty.  Two weak-ish divisions are there now, one better off than the other.

My SPac movements are pretty much disrupted until KB leaves.  I have transports at Noumea unloading more base forces.  I can re-route them to other islands to the north.  If I can get the base network up, I have no shortage of planes to put there.  I'm also well stocked with VP squadrons in that area, which helps.  I've been pounding Ndini daily.  I was hitting the troops themselves, but have switched to port attack.  I'm not sure if/when is too early to hit the airfield.

With Cocos, I was worried about Nells running from there, which could conceivably reach to the map edge, but looking further, its max AF size may prevent this.

Ed-
Well leave your units in Madras in strat mode so they can leave in a hurry; that seems like a good compromise.

I thought you said the KB was in the SWPac and IO? Its now in the SoPac? And hitting the airfield should probably come before ground attack; I'd switch ASAP.

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 12:09 pm
by Mundy
I thought KB was still split, but the air attacks on Mangalore and KB pretty much identified everyone.  They were scattered around between Singapore, DEI and Philippines for the first two months.
 
All of KB is/was near Townsville.  There's sorta a maxi-mini KB with a bunch of CVLs are off of India.  At a minimum, Ryujo, Shoho and Zuiho are there.  They've been LRCAPping the  landing site, putting up almost 30 planes.  See the big result above.
 
A ton of SWPac's AAF are at Brisbane, including B-26s, P-39s and one P-40 squadron -- at least 75 fighters present.  If he strays close, it will most likely get bloody at my end, but you never know...  The last attack on KB was very piecemeal, which contributed to their losses. 
 
I don't know if hitting his oiler will disrupt things.  I doubt there's a lot of fuel at Rabaul yet.  I left AO Tsurumi burning pretty badly.  I would think there would be at least another AO present.
 
Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:03 pm
by Mundy
23 February 1942

KB is parked about 5 hexes WNW of Luganville. They struck the transports unloading there, beating them up badly, but the troops were almost all ashore. 1 support squad, 1 air support squad and 1 bulldozer are all that's left, plus supplies. Apart from vacating the area completely, I would rate this as the best case scenario. Everyone at Noumea, including New Mexico are evacuation for Aukland. I'll consider the transports and their AM escorts as expendable at this point. I have a Dutch sub a day's travel there from the north, so maybe I can get lucky. There is another IJN TF 4-5 hexes west of the air group, which appears to have battleships, so a bombardment is possible. My feeling is that they'll head to Truk after this. But what do I know.

I-24 at Noumea took a real live hit, with engine damage, so that pest should be leaving. One of my patrol planes also claimed a hit on her, but I've learned not to trust them.

The only ground activity of note:
Ground combat at Taung Gyi (59,48)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 3979 troops, 34 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 96

Defending force 2330 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards/C Division

Defending units:
BFF Brigade

Both these units are roughly evenly matched, with slight AP advantage to him.

Arty and coast arty are shipping off for Dutch Harbor. I'm getting to a point where I need to watch the stacking limits. I have about 12,000 to play with, so I'm safe.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:44 pm
by Richard III
Lurking here with your interesting Allied AAR...[8D]

Some questions please, since you have some PBEM past games.
Have you found that DBB/DaIron Allied game more challenging then stock? Especially in China ?
How is China BTW ?
Would you do "yes" to Units withdrawals again [;)]

It will interesting to see if he commits to Going Big in India, or just settle for interdicting the shipping routes with his LR air from Colombo. Any clues from SIGNET yet ?

Any chance of seeing the Strat Map pic ?

Good Luck.

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:05 pm
by Mundy
Thanks, Richard [:)]

It's hard to tell right now how "hard" it is compared to stock or DBB-C. The Allied setup doesn't seem too different to my eyes. I have a feeling that the Japanese probably are better stocked on the oil side on this one, but that's impossible for me to tell.

Likewise with China. The "feel" is about the same as the other games. I think the only game which really stood out as different to me was the game I had going with RA 3.0, which introduced a lot a differences with ships. The Omaha's there could be converted to CLAA (weak CLAA at that).

I think withdrawals are part of the game, so I've coped with it. I've yanked three ships out recently -- transports thus far. QE has probably a month and a half left.

Details tend to sail past my faulty memory. [:D]

Forgot to mention... Three units arrived at Goa. They're now re-routed to Bombay. Two transport TFs I forgot about headed towards Addu are re-routed towards Karachi. One got attacked by bomb-toting Nells, to no effect. They're sticking to the west edge. His CVLs are still covering Mangalore.

Ed-

Intel says, he has units prepping for Calcutta and Brisbane. They haven't been wrong thus far, so we'll see. I have two out of the three regiments of Americal headed to Brisbane, along with some Oz armor.

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:02 pm
by Mundy
24 February 1942,

KB is about 7 hexes north of Noumea now. The transports at Luganville got polished off by a CA with a few DDs. All the dive bombers, Marauders and Fortresses at Noumea are ready to go. I'm hoping he comes within dive bomber range, as he'll have to deal with a lot of ablative armor.

Chuhsien falls. That was my one far east outpost of Chinese units. I wasn't real comfortable with them stuck out on their own out there.

Pare Pare falls on Celebes.

He tries an attack on the BFF Brigade on Taung Gyi. It was 1-2 odds, but losses were about even. I had 8 combat squads disabled, while he has 7 plus an engineer disabled.

My carriers at Sydney are off towards Melbourne. He won't catch them, or even know they're there. I may re-route them to Pearl to meet the other two. I can decide what to do from there. I don't want to run divisions at this point, unless they're together.

Intel list 3/5th Division as heading towards Colombo. He'll have at least a corps there before he's done. Recon Buffaloes have arrived at Madras, and I'm having them check out Trincomalee. They're probably the only recon assets I have anywhere near the front at this point.

Raids on Horn Island are getting less productive as I go. I think they were on port attack, so I'll flip to airfield to see if that helps.

Fighters on Moresby, as well as the Dutch transports are relocating to Townsville and Charter Towers, respectively. I need to conserve supply at this point.

A TF with a "CS" is parked on Addu. I don't know if this is an invasion or not. The VP squadron relocated to Madras, where they actually have better coverage. I'm worried about raids, but seaplanes seem to get off more lightly.

On the pic below, I actually have Sydney highlighted, which is why you see what you see at the bottom.

Ed-

Image

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:56 pm
by Mundy
26 February 1942

Things are moving quickly.

Daly Waters falls. My Oz division is only a few hexes away, and should be able to beat him off of there. All the Darwin survivors are now extinct.

He's also been busy polishing off strays on Sumatra, E Java and Borneo.

In this last turn, He's also landed at Luganville and Koumac. I have an arty unit at Luganville in addition to the Base force there, so they may bite a bit before they go down. Koumac was uninhabited. I have roughly a division's worth of troops at Noumea, including two USMC regiments. Some artillery is also present. The land based air there mainly went after the escorts at Koumac, with SBDs managing one hit on Maya. They were heavily CAPped. I'm standing them down right now to recover a bit. My two Sydney carriers are now re-routed to Pearl, keeping well to the south. I've done some troop shifting. A heavy artillery unit at Auckland is enroute to Suva as well as two USMC armored battalions at Pearl. I'm a little weaker in infantry at Suva (not by much), but I have lots of big guns there.

At Luganville, I was slightly prepared. S-18 hits an xAP, earning about a dozen sys points in return. An IJN DD also hit a mine there that I placed with a pair of DMs out of Suva only about two days ago. Yakaze. Pretty sure she's dead.

Nautilus claimed her second xAKL a hex from Fusan, Korea. 6" guns were used on both, since the torps are worthless.

I also got pushed out of Taung Gyi, since he added two artillery units, in addition to the infantry already there. They seemed to act as force multipliers, since raw APs were nearly even.

Pretty new stuff to me. In all my other games, Noumea has always been sort of a rear area. I've been sloppy to assume this will always be the case. Cannonfodder's running the Japanese like a real pro, and I really admire how he's driving things. When Hornet and Wasp show up, and everyone else gets a good AA upgrade, maybe I can try something daring.

Intel Lemur now lists the IJA 29th Division as prepping for Townsville. I think he'll find that and Brisbane a harder row to hoe if/when he tries it. I don't know if IronBabes gives him enough extra ground troops to pull off an India and Oz offensive at the same time.

I truly wish I was very intimate with the IJA order of battle. If I were, I could probably make hay with all the location reports I'm getting on all his units. Someone like Mike Solli or maybe Greyjoy could probably figure out how Cannonfodder's got his army aimed.

The 3rd Bomb Group is starting to arrive at Cape Town. I'm glad I thought ahead on this side to get more stuff into India. When I shipped them out of East USA a month or so back, my intent was to flood Burma with these. Burma's pretty dead right now. I have a ton of ground air support at Mandalay, but not enough airplanes to make a difference. I may pull everyone out through the jungle towards Imphal, though it will be a long tiring hike. Stuff's starting to reach Bombay now. That will be a tough nut to crack if he tries. I'll have about three slow RN BBs in Karachi within a few weeks, too.

No matter what happens, I won't get bummed. Come mid to late '43, his butt is mine.

Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 11:14 pm
by Sangeli
ORIGINAL: Mundy
Pretty new stuff to me. In all my other games, Noumea has always been sort of a rear area. I've been sloppy to assume this will always be the case. Cannonfodder's running the Japanese like a real pro, and I really admire how he's driving things. When Hornet and Wasp show up, and everyone else gets a good AA upgrade, maybe I can try something daring.
You have to lose the mindset that certain areas are beyond the reach of the Japanese because of past experience. You should ONLY base it off the current situation in the game you are in. I've Japanese players who manage to take all of Australia. If the Japanese have the forces and desire to do something the only thing that will stop it is you.
ORIGINAL: Mundy
Intel Lemur now lists the IJA 29th Division as prepping for Townsville. I think he'll find that and Brisbane a harder row to hoe if/when he tries it. I don't know if IronBabes gives him enough extra ground troops to pull off an India and Oz offensive at the same time.
Both bases are very difficult to defend given the 1x terrain there. Don't count on LBA either; it might dent some ships but you can't take on the KB with LBA alone. I don't think I've ever seen a Japanese player invade NE OZ and India in the same game but it's probably been done at some point. I think in this game with the way its going its certainly possible.
ORIGINAL: Mundy
I truly wish I was very intimate with the IJA order of battle. If I were, I could probably make hay with all the location reports I'm getting on all his units. Someone like Mike Solli or maybe Greyjoy could probably figure out how Cannonfodder's got his army aimed.
I'm sure someone can compile a list of unrestricted major LCUs for Japan. That being said, that can't really tell you where his army is aiming.

That being said, after the Japanese finish off your holdings in the Solomons and New Caledonia I can almost guarantee that Japan is going to try something aggressive in the SoPac like invading OZ or Suva. But you still have some time to prepare defenses here so make good use of it before its too late!

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:24 am
by BBfanboy
ORIGINAL: Mundy
I truly wish I was very intimate with the IJA order of battle. If I were, I could probably make hay with all the location reports I'm getting on all his units. Someone like Mike Solli or maybe Greyjoy could probably figure out how Cannonfodder's got his army aimed.
I'm sure someone can compile a list of unrestricted major LCUs for Japan. That being said, that can't really tell you where his army is aiming.

That being said, after the Japanese finish off your holdings in the Solomons and New Caledonia I can almost guarantee that Japan is going to try something aggressive in the SoPac like invading OZ or Suva. But you still have some time to prepare defenses here so make good use of it before its too late!
[/quote]

Such a list of Japanese units has been done in an Excel file format. Search the forum for "spreadsheet" or "IJA unit list" and you should find it.
I think witpqs was the one who compiled it.

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:41 am
by Mundy
Back in my aborted Japanese campaign, I was trying to sort out the OOB with little sticky notes.  Even running the Japanese, it appeared at the start that everything from Malaya through the Philippines was already in a mess.  "Southern Army" seemed very vague.
 
I do have two USMC armored battalions on fast transports on the way to Suva from Pearl.  Lots of infantry in Hawaii and the States are restricted yet.  I could probably buy out a regiment at this point, but I have a division in Cape Town (25th, I think) waiting to get bought for India duty. 
 
I'm getting pushed into making a choice.
 
If I were to commit carriers, I wonder if half a dozen old BBs in the air TF would suck up enough hits.
 
Ed-

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 3:28 pm
by BBfanboy
What do you mean by "commit the carriers"?
If it is merely to cover the transport and landing of troops on your own bases, having the BBs along seems unnecessary.
If you intend to go in harm's way, the BBs WILL eat some of the attacks on the TF, but they will also slow it down so much that it
will be easily outmaneuvered, whether attacking or running.
The only way I would see this working is if the BBs go in advance of the Carrier TF up to the point of contact, then the Carriers maneuver independently but a KB strike would still be split between the BBs and CV TF.

CAs, CLAAs and the big CLs are the best AA escort for your TF.

Just checked - it is only Feb 1942 - you do not have the plane types, numbers nor pilot experience to go head to head with the full KB. If you KNOW where the big KB is, you can seek out the mini-KB and attack.
Or if KB is split and you KNOW where most of it is, you can attack a fragment. Anything else is risking too much before your Essex class arrives.
The strategic use of carriers at this stage is:

1. cover large transport convoys moving troops, fuel and supplies to the bases you want to secure, like Suva and Pago-Pago.

2. oppose a Japanese landing on an essential base - à la Midway.

3. conduct occasional pinprick raids on his perimeter to make him invest heavily in the defence everywhere as opposed to continuing to advance.

RE: Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy vs Cannonfodder

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 5:17 pm
by Mundy
I meant in harm's way. Just musing if they'd be bomb magnets. As it is, they're armed pretty lamely with a few 5"/25s each. The Nevadas are due to get the 5"/38 turrets later this year, I think.

I had been watching his carriers fairly closely, but ID-ing who was who was an issue. I didn't think KB was reformed already and thought mini-KB off of India was a division or two. My VP squadrons haven't been giving all the info I need. As it is, they're sitting two hexes off of Koumac and not pestering Noumea at the moment. It looks like some oiler support is a couple hexes behind them. Not sure what their staying power is right now.

27 February 1942

Along those lines, the infantry and artillery which spawned at Bora Bora are loading for Suva. Since port facilities there are minimal, it will probably be 2-3 days before they depart. Support and motorized support are all that's left -- about 10 of each. If he goes for Suva, I will most likely fight for it, hopefully striking after he's busy striking the base awhile.

Intel has this over time:
1942-01-23 8th Division is planning for an attack on Colombo -
1942-01-26 8th Division - - is planning for an attack on Colombo -
1942-02-09 25th Army - - is located at Colombo 29,48
1942-02-11 6/5th Amphibious Brigade is loaded on xAK Okuni Maru moving to Colombo -
1942-02-12 21st Fld AA Gun Co is loaded on a Japanese xAK moving to Colombo -
1942-02-13 25th Army - - is located at Colombo 29,48
1942-02-17 15/5th Amphibious Brigade is loaded on xAK Sanuki Maru moving to Colombo -
1942-02-18 21st Fld AA Gun Co - - is located at Colombo 29,48
1942-02-18 7/5th Amphibious Brigade is loaded on xAK Osaka Maru moving to Colombo -
1942-02-19 17/5th Amphibious Brigade is loaded on a Lima Cargo class xAK moving to Colombo -
1942-02-21 18th Division - - is located at Colombo 29,48
1942-02-22 Southern Army is loaded on xAK Asakasan Maru moving to Colombo -
1942-02-23 3/5th Division is loaded on a Hakone Maru class xAP moving to Colombo -
1942-02-26 1st Tank Regiment is loaded on xAK Osaka Maru moving to Colombo -
1941-12-21 57th Division - - is planning for an attack on Brisbane -
1942-01-31 57th Division - - is planning for an attack on Brisbane -
1942-02-25 29th Division - - is planning for an attack on Townsville -

The Monkey's been spot on thus far, so I have to respect the Oz intel here. I have plenty of troops and big guns at or enroute to both.

Nautilus has bagged her third ship so far on this cruise alone. That and a one-shot damage on a fourth.
Submarine attack near Shimonoseki at 104,56

Japanese Ships
xAKL Genkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus

xAKL Genkai Maru is sighted by SS Nautilus
SS Nautilus launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Genkai Maru

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

Submarine attack near Shimonoseki at 104,56

Japanese Ships
xAKL Ryuun Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Nautilus

xAKL Ryuun Maru is sighted by SS Nautilus
SS Nautilus attacking xAKL Ryuun Maru on the surface
SS Nautilus low on gun ammo, Brockman, W.H. breaks off surface engagement and submerges

Koumac and Luganville both fall this turn, plus the Japanese are landing at Exmouth.

Bombers at Cochin are making another run at Mangalore next turn, just to probe if CAP from the CVLs has left. I don't know if those ships are still around or not.

My two Nevadas (Nevada and Oklahoma), plus the two previous cruisers and destroyers are bound for Adak, just for Mischief's sake. Right now, there's really nothing he can do about it. If I were serious, I could probably drive him out of the Aleutians, if there wasn't a wider war going on.

USAAF has been arriving or are enroute to Karachi. I've finagled an HQ squadron into P-38Es, so I'll see how that works. No tanks for them, so range is a bit limited.
Ed-

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