THE WAR COLLEGE-Rio Bravo (A) v. El Lobo (J)

[Rusty1961]

The only weak-point, as I see it, to Operation Bottle, Cork and JBH is the operation's vulnerability to BB bombardment.

If you can catch the Japanese BBs below the Formosa/Pescadores invasion zone than by all means proceed with the operation-as long as you proceed to attack the BBs and render them incapable of attacking the operation zone after you leave for HI.

So if you have RECON coverage of the major harbors of Asia and the Western Pacific as well as the Subs deployed in picket lines capable of informing you of the moves of the BBs by all means proceed with the operation.

Perhaps you can launch some feint in the South that draws the Japanese BBs down to Indonesia or the PI?

All bets are off, though, if the Japanese keep their BBs in the Sea of Japan and wait for you to leave after the invasion.

Take out the BBs and you win.

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Rusty1961

The only weak-point, as I see it, to Operation Bottle, Cork and JBH is the operation's vulnerability to BB bombardment.

If you can catch the Japanese BBs below the Formosa/Pescadores invasion zone than by all means proceed with the operation-as long as you proceed to attack the BBs and render them incapable of attacking the operation zone after you leave for HI.

So if you have RECON coverage of the major harbors of Asia and the Western Pacific as well as the Subs deployed in picket lines capable of informing you of the moves of the BBs by all means proceed with the operation.

Perhaps you can launch some feint in the South that draws the Japanese BBs down to Indonesia or the PI?

All bets are off, though, if the Japanese keep their BBs in the Sea of Japan and wait for you to leave after the invasion.

Take out the BBs and you win.

Rusty-


I agree that the most dangerous Japanese threat to Operations Bottle, Cork, and John B. Hood are the Japanese Bombardment Fleets.

I am fairly convinced that El Lobo believes that the next major Allied Invasion will be the Bonin Islands. Nothing is going to convince El Lobo to move his battleships south. He will keep his battleships very close to the Bonin Islands; close enough to get there in plenty of time should the Allies head to the Bonin Islands.

Accordingly, as we are all in consensus, after the Allied carriers head back to Guam and Pearl, El Lobo will send his battleships to bombard Takao, Pescadores, and Amoy.

However, I am fairly confident that El Lobo will not be able to kick the marines off of Formosa nor kick the U.S. Army out of southern China.

Pescadores, will be ripe for the taking as I don't plan to leave much behind on Pescadores; at the most two infantry divisions. Though I would love to have the shipyard at Pescadores, for now, I can live with the fall of Pescadores. When the Allied carriers return, Pescadores can be captured for the second time and then held.

At this point, I remain inclined to proceed with Operations Bottle, Cork, and John b. Hood. I will accept moderate losses of ships and aircraft to 1.) Land a minimum of five U.S. Army Infantry Divisions with 500,000 supply on the southern coast of to China to support the Chinese and Operation Land Shark, and 2.) By owning Formosa, being in a position to implement the naval blockade of Japan Proper (i.e., denying Japanese access from the south to the China and Philippine Seas.

As I mentioned to Bifi, I will make a final decision shortly prior to Operation Stockpile unloading everything at the Marianas Islands.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 16, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


El Lobo has laid mines at Guam and elements of the Haggard Group is busy clearing mines.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Allied PC Travis hits Japanese Submarine SS I-7 4 times off the coast of Wake Island.

2.) Japanese bombed Chungking.

3.) Japanese deliberately attacked near Chengtu. The Japanese didn't suffer a single casualty while inflicting substantial casualties on the Chinese. However, the Chinese held their ground.

4.) Japanese deliberately attacked near Kweiyang. The Japanese suffered minimal casualties while inflicting moderate casualties on the Chinese and forced the Chinese to retreat.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 16, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Rio Bravo, a well fought campaign so far and we look forward to future developments. I suspect that if the Bomb had not been invented the Allies would have shifted to a long-term blockade and not invaded Kyushu. The experiences at Okinawa and Iwo Jima as well as the extremely worrying evidence that Japan had guessed correctly where the invasion would be (and subsequent huge build-up of forces) were making Allied commanders increasingly leery of ground combat on the home island.

In your game, hopefully we get to see such a blockade in action.

Anachro-


Sorry, I neglected to respond to your post.

Thank you for the compliment.

I too think it will be interesting to discover just how well a naval blockade will do to shut down Japan's economy.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]PB4Y-1P Liberators Reconnaissance

Pacific Ocean

August 16, 1943[/center]

PB4Y-1P Liberators flying out of Saipan and Guam report that El Lobo has the following assets at the following Pacific Locations:

Chichi-jima

Ground Forces: 18 units; 38,980 troops; 274 guns; and 107 AFVs.
Aircraft: 103 fighters; 17 bombers; and 16 auxiliary.
Ships in Port: 63

Haha-jima

Ground Forces: 13 units; 37,260 troops; 358 guns; and 122 AFVs.
Aircraft: 73 fighters and 6 auxilliary.
Ships in Port: 11
Ships in TF: 5

Iwo-jima

Ground Forces: 18 units; 32,200 troops; 468 guns; and 64 AFVs.
Aircraft: 60 fighters; 36 bombers; and 63 auxilliary.
Ships in Port: 16

Pagan

Ground Forces: 14 units; 28,860 troops; 233 guns; and 40 AFVs.
Aircraft: 62 fighters; 79 bombers; and 21 auxilliary.
Ships in Port: 6
Ships in TF: 26

Ulithi

Ground Forces: 3 units; 5,320 troops; 20 guns; and 6 AFVs.
Ships in TF: 32

Yap

Ground Forces: 4 units; 10,160 troops; 48 guns; and 80 AFVs.

A Map of the vicinity of the Marianas is displayed below.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rusty1961]

I suspect he is weak where you intend to hit him in B&C&JBH.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 17, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


The 3rd New Chinese Corps is on a vindictive pilgrimage. First they capture Pegu and today they shoved the Japanese out of the hex just southeast of Pegu. Revenge is a powerful motivator.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Japanese bombed Chungking.

2.) Japanese bombed near Toungoo (hex 56,51).

3.) Chinese shock attacked near Moulmeim (hex 56,54). Japanese retreated.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 17, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 18, 1943[/center]


Highlights for Today


1.) The Allies captured Rangoon.

2.) The Operation Stockpile Fleet (i.e., the operation to move more Ground Forces, LBA and Carrier Capable Aircraft, fuel, and supply to the four southern Marianas Islands) is 960 miles NW of Pearl Harbor and 2,240 miles SE of Guam.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) El Lobo's E Boats get the best of Captain Haggard's PT Boats off the coast of Saipan and Rota. The E Ishinui takes two hits and PT Boats 154, 155, and 161 are sunk.

2.) Japanese bomb Chungking continuing with their endeavor to keep Chungking ablaze with hundreds of thousands of fires while destroying Manpower and LI. The cost to Japan is but a few damaged bombers.

3.) Japanese bombed near Toungoo (hex 56,51). Japan lost one bomber and had six bombers damaged. The Allies did not suffer a single casualty.

4.) Japanese bombed near Chiang Mai (hex 57,52). Japan did not suffer a single damaged bomber. The Americal Division took 4 casualties with one squad being disabled.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 19, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

[center]The Burma Situation

August 19, 1943[/center]

With the fall of Rangoon, the Allies control all the Burma bases north of Moulmein. The Allies are moving to close off a few remaining open hex-sides to trap the Japanese within hex 56,51 (SW of Toungoo) and within Pegu.

Trapping the Japanese is one thing, destroying them is another. El Lobo has 227,280 troops in hex 56,51 and 55,540 troops in Pegu. Though the Japanese should shortly, if not already, be hurting for supply, it will still be bloody and costly to Allied ground and air forces.

The Allies are hoping to wrap things up in Burma by the end of September in order to move into China with the American, Australian, British, and Chinese forces. These forces should arrive in China shortly before five U. S. Army Infantry Divisions with supporting tank, support, AA, artillery, and engineer units hit the beach at Amoy, China.

The Burma Corps and Indian forces will remain in Burma to garrison Burma.

The following known Japanese forces are at the following locations:

Burma


Hex 60,49: 9 units; 21,440 troops; 166 guns; and 172 AFV.

Hex 56,51: 52 units; 227,280 troops; 1,992 guns; and 1,395 AFV.

Pegu: 10 units; 55,540 troops; 282 guns; and 156 AFV.

Hex 56,53: 7 units; 4,220 troops; 31 guns; and 42 AFV.

Moulmien: 16 units; 6,540 troops; 130 guns; 6 AFV.

Thailand

Hex 58,52: 1 unit; 2,280 troops; 13 guns; and 6 AFV.

Hex 57,53: 3 units; 2,080 troops; 5 guns; and 0 AFV.

Chiang Mai: 16 units; 16,040 troops; 124 guns; 141 AFV; 78 fighters; and 55 bombers.

A map of the Burma vicinity is below.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[BBfanboy]

Pegu is a clear hex and you own the base, so trap him, build forts and let them attack while you bomb them to bits.

The other hex has good defensive position so surround him for now and starve them for a few months. Again, let them be the attackers if possible so you get the defensive bonuses. Bombing here will be much less effective so wait until Pegu is cleared and your bombers can concentrate on this mass.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

Rusty it looks like the us 1961 brothers are the old men in the balcony of the muppets.

Not so fast you whipper snapper!
Circa 1957 here.
Vintage space age baby born the year Sputnik launched.

[HansBolter]

Now that Rangoon has fallen get massive fighter cover there and set up three Tfs if at least a dozen liberty ships each bringing in supplies for China in a rotation.

You will suffer some attrition to anti shipping air assets in Bangkok that leak through the CAP, but you will succeed in supplying China.

As times goes on add more TFs or add more ships to the three.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 19, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


Since the Allied invasion of the four southern Marianas Islands, El Lobo has been building up Chichi-jima, Haha-jima, Iwo-jima, and Pagan. Over 30,000 troops with supporting fighter and bomber aircraft garrison each of the aforementioned islands.


Synopsis of Combat Events for August 19, 1943


1.) Each day Japanese bombers start more fires than the Chinese can put out.

2.) Japanese bombed near Toungoo (hex 56,51). Fifteen Helens were damaged without inflicting a single Allied casualty.

3.) The 15th Indian Division shock attacked near Pegu (hex 56,53). The Indians suffered minimal casualties while inflicting moderate Japanese casualties and forced the Japanese to retreat.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 19, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: Rusty1961

I suspect he is weak where you intend to hit him in B&C&JBH.

Rusty-

I agree. It appears that El Lobo is dedicating resources to the Bonin Islands.

Accordingly, hopefully, Takao, Pescadores, and Amoy will be lightly defended.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Pegu is a clear hex and you own the base, so trap him, build forts and let them attack while you bomb them to bits.

The other hex has good defensive position so surround him for now and starve them for a few months. Again, let them be the attackers if possible so you get the defensive bonuses. Bombing here will be much less effective so wait until Pegu is cleared and your bombers can concentrate on this mass.

BBfanboy-

Yes, the idea is to trap the Japanese southwest of Toungoo and also those at Pegu.

The problem with bombing those two locations is that El Lobo has over 100 Georges in the vicinity. The Allies have 100 Thunderbolts at Rangoon. Hopefully the Thunderbolts can dent the Georges.

Though I am not fond of ordering the infantry to attack either location, I am less fond of having the Allies sit in Burma for several more months. Operation Land Shark needs to drive into China and head for Manchukua and Korea.

The Allies have 24 artillery units southwest of Toungoo. The artillery will commence to pound the 226,000 Japanese troops occupying the jungle.

Allied Warhawks, Lightnings, Airacobras, Hurricanes, Mitchells, Liberators, and Fortress' are flying into position to bomb both locations.

The Allies will wait a month or so for the artillery and bombers to disrupt some Japanese squads and for the Japanese to run low on supply.

The Allies will attack the Japanese at Pegu sometime around mid September.

Not exactly sure yet when the Allies will attack the Japanese southwest of Toungoo.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Now that Rangoon has fallen get massive fighter cover there and set up three Tfs if at least a dozen liberty ships each bringing in supplies for China in a rotation.

You will suffer some attrition to anti shipping air assets in Bangkok that leak through the CAP, but you will succeed in supplying China.

As times goes on add more TFs or add more ships to the three.

Hans-

The Allies will ship supply to Rangoon as soon as Captain Haggard clears the mines laid by the enemy and as soon as the Allies have smashed the Japanese air force in the vicinity of Rangoon.

The Allies presently have plans to get supply to China by invading Amoy. Operation John B. Hood is presently scheduled to land at Amoy on or before November 1, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

P.S. You will be pleased to learned that several Allied xAKs are in the shipyards presently converting to AKVs and AKEs.

[BBfanboy]

Do you have a plan named after Gen. Hooker? There's a man that knew his priorities ...[;)]

[CaptHaggard]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Do you have a plan named after Gen. Hooker? There's a man that knew his priorities ...[;)]

BB—

We renamed that operation "Hot Tramps of Chancellorsville" because we didn't want to offend anybody.

[Rio Bravo]

[center]August 20, 1943[/center]


Highlight for Today


The Operation Stockpile Fleet is 1,200 miles northwest of Pearl and 2,000 miles southeast of Guam presently moving at 12 knots.


Synopsis of Combat Events for Today


1.) Japanese bombed Chungking. Everything is shredded and on fire.

2.) Japanese bombed near Toungoo (hex 56,51). 2 Helens were destroyed and 9 Helens were damaged. The Allies did not suffer any casualties.

3.) Japanese bombed near Chiang Mai (hex 57,52). The Americal Division suffered minimal casualties.

4.) Allies bombarded southwest of Toungoo (hex 56,51). Both sides received minimal casualties.


Attached below as a link is the entire Combat Report for August 20, 1943.

Best Regards,

-Terry

[Rio Bravo]

ORIGINAL: CaptHaggard

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Do you have a plan named after Gen. Hooker? There's a man that knew his priorities ...[;)]

BB—

We renamed that operation "Hot Tramps of Chancellorsville" because we didn't want to offend anybody.

BBfanboy-

Not yet.

*laughing*

Best Regards,

-Terry