Speedy vs Fabertong: Death to the Penguin!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A weird turn with eveythign being out of sync including a whole series of night surface attacks at Taan! See the attachment for an example. Luckily it was not true.......no combat even occured.

It was a fairly quiet day overall with Singapore being cleared of all enemy forces. A couple of enemy subs were attacked by ASW forces inbetween Camranh Bay and Taan. No major damage was achieved.

All quiet everywhere else. We continue to rest in CentPac.

The Singapore forces will rest and then be ready for operations against China or Formosa.

[pauk]

Bah! Another conspiracy, i smell![;)]

nice to see this game is still going on. What about your game against DadMan?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

A weird turn with eveythign being out of sync including a whole series of night surface attacks at Taan! See the attachment for an example. Luckily it was not true.......no combat even occured.

It was an 'Internet rumor' is all - or maybe a Dan Rather report! [:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi guys - pffft. Conspiracy my arse Pauk[;)] The game vs Dadman is still going on (see other AAR) but at a slower pace. I intend (as I always have) to make this game my priority (it being the first chronologically for me to start of my current PBEM's). witpqs - internet rumour or game glitch? A fine line[;)]

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

2 more days have passed in the battering of Japan. It's amazing the government hasn't sued for peace but if they want more they shall get more......

Allied infantry is but 10 miles from the Japanese defences outside Kiungahan, Hainan. All supplies/support forces have been unloaded at Taan and yestrerday all ships moved back to Camranh Bay. There are quite a few enemy submarines in the area and Allied DD's have been searching for them. 2 submarines have been located and damaged by DC's over the past 2 days.

Enemy Peggy's sank 2 damaged AK's returning to Camranh Bay.

The Allied forces outside Balikpapan will try to attack tomorrow after months and months of bombardment. Howwever the enemy has many men and is probably still in supply. It will be a tough fight:

Ground combat at Balikpapan

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 67630 troops, 678 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 1739

Defending force 51002 troops, 175 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 989


Japanese ground losses:
73 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

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

Over the past 2 days Kitakyushu has been bombed hard by over 400+ B29's with 200 P51D's as escort. The focus so far has been on the large HI, Resource production along with Manpower. Tomorrow we go again for the Shipyards, factories and HI. 1700 Strategic points have been gained in these 2 attacks.

Interestingly Faber has re-invaded Wewak with a token force. No real threat here. If he stays there I will send my RCT from Lunga with CVE support. I will also take along BF's and planes to garrison the place this time.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Speedy
Interestingly Faber has re-invaded Wewak with a token force. No real threat here.

I'm reminded of Monty Python - "I'll bite your leg off!"

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi witpqs - LOL[:D]

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Allied infantry have now reached the main Japanese defence line west of Kiungahan. Bombardments will occur tomorrow along with probes to test the enemies strength.

The attack at Balikpapan was heavy as expected. I am clearly stronger than the enemy but in-depth fixed positions with covering MG's and mines made the attack costly although it did brach part of the defences. We'll need to rest now before attacking again:

Ground combat at Balikpapan

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72661 troops, 679 guns, 292 vehicles, Assault Value = 1738

Defending force 50874 troops, 172 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 985

Allied max assault: 1677 - adjusted assault: 783

Japanese max defense: 798 - adjusted defense: 235

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 9)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 8


Japanese ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
3066 casualties reported
Guns lost 109
Vehicles lost 12

A Mustang sweep over Legaspi netted 18 x George for no loss whilst PV1's bombed the port scoring no hits on the 2 damaged ships there.

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

Kitakyushu was pounded again today scoring 850 more Strategic points. We rest for now.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A couple of relatively quiet days as CentPac rests (decided not to go for Wewak). The sheer time investment for me to prepare, load up and get there would mean it would probably be time for Japanese surrender.

The Hiroshima/Kure area has been reconned for days now and B29's will hit the Heavy Industry complexes along with the resource production centres tomorrow.

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

SRA -

The battle for Kiungahan has begun with the 5th Australian and 32nd USA Division attacking across a wide arc on the left flank. They met mixed enemy resistance but did encounter some tough fortifications and strength in depth. A counter attack by Japanese tanks left 20 of them burning for 3 Shermans (2 more were damaged but recovered) Approximately 1 mile of territory was gained after the attack:

Ground combat at Kiungahan

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53492 troops, 471 guns, 468 vehicles, Assault Value = 1453

Defending force 31039 troops, 158 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 476

Allied max assault: 1296 - adjusted assault: 745

Japanese max defense: 494 - adjusted defense: 531

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

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3


Japanese ground losses:
405 casualties reported
Guns lost 16
Vehicles lost 20

Allied ground losses:
1088 casualties reported
Guns lost 33
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ASW patrols still search the waters around Taan. The located and sunk I-166 today 180 miles south of Taan.

On the flip side Japanese PC's located and moderately damaged SS Tinosa with 2 x DC's 120 miles NE of Lingayen.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

On the 22nd 398 x B29 flew to bomb Hiroshima......only they found over 100 enemy planes on CAP. The P51D's had failed to show (bad weather[:@]). The heavy laden bombers put up a brave show in shooting down 34 enemy planes. 58 of their number were lost. About 10% damage was sustained on the HI industry. We'll have to rest for a few days now.

The usual air and land bombardments across the SRA by the Allies....so numerous and daily to name nowadays[;)]

The 23rd was fairly quiet all round. The enemy I-47 tried to sneak into Taan harbour but was chased away by DD Tyrian who damaged the I-boat leaving oil on the sea surface.......

Land attacks will be made against Kiungahan and Balikpapan tomorrow.

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

This game has become strange to say the least. Due to the situation it has basically become a bit of a routine 'chore'. My reason for saying this is nothing against Faber (who has my full admiration for continuing this and being an honourable and GREAT oppponent). It is solely based on the fact that ever since the Mariana's and the breakthrough in Burma it has been realtively routine with me knowing there is little Faber can really do to affect things massively and I know the same. As such I don't need to take risks and have no time worries. Faber probably feels it's pointless to take risks due to the UBER air model meaning he is virtually toast wherever he decides to attack. Really can't be easy. It's a shame IMO the game is not more iof a contest due to the mechanics. Once more just IMO. I have still enjoyed this game massively as we enter the final weeks of the war[:)]

[DuckofTindalos]

15% losses? Oh boo-hoo...[;)][:'(]

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
Actually, you do have to keep an eye on the time factor if you want to achieve a decisive Allied auto victory.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - sure but I only need 6K more points to get 2:1. Should be fine to get this if I get it before August 1945 right?

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

A good day on the ground today as 2 other bases became liberated. Firstly, Balikpapan on Brunei:

Ground combat at Balikpapan

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69815 troops, 577 guns, 288 vehicles, Assault Value = 1542

Defending force 47766 troops, 153 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 885

Allied max assault: 1453 - adjusted assault: 1447

Japanese max defense: 631 - adjusted defense: 131

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 8)

Allied forces CAPTURE Balikpapan base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
441 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Allied ground losses:
2193 casualties reported
Guns lost 79
Vehicles lost 4


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

The enemy force was surprisingly weak. I wonder if supplies are a problem for them. Nonetheless the Allies will pursue them onto Samarinda.........

Kiungahan also fell which is very good news since Hainan is all mine. Soon Kiungahan will be an operational airbase and that means the Japanese air presence will end over Hong Kong and Canton. The Allies will continue to wipe out the remaining Japanese soliders at Kiungahan.

I also conducted a very useful operation against the port of Palembang by over 100 x FB's from Johore Bharu which sank SS I-11, and AK and an MSW.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet day all round.

The attacks on Palembang harbour continued with the FB's sinking another MSW and an AK.

An Allied air attack caught the Japanese by surprise at Legaspi destroying 23 planes on the ground (Dinah, Jill, Theresa)

2 small Japanese air attacks were launched on shipping at Taan (ASW DD TF. 5 x Peggy shot down. 7 attacked. No hits) and an Aviation Rgt carrying TF near Kiungahan (6 x Frank attacked and shot down by covering Mustangs/Thunderbolts.

Another 1800 enemy men were struck from the roster at Kiungahan for 600 friendly casualties.

Tomorrow Saipan's B29's go for Hiroshima's industry again. Let's hope the P51D's cover this time (no enemy planes have been on CAP for 4 days now anyway).

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
IIRC, for a decisive auto victory, you need to achieve the 2:1 ratio by the end of April, not August.  I could be wrong but that is what I remember I calculated before in compiling one of my long analysis posts.  What definitely destroys your chance of gaining a decisive victory is the dropping of any atomic bombs.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - thanks. In that case I should be fine. I will be at 2:1 by the end of next month all being well.

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

A 2-day update. The 26th was fairly quiet other than the fact that Hiroshima/Kure's industry was hit hard by over 360 x B29's scoring 900 Strategic points. No enemy fighters were present but AA shot down 2 x B29 and 7 others were lost operationally. I'm going to bomb Rabaul's airfields next to keep them surpressed.......

The reason for this is that Faber has re-landed at Kavieng. I'm sending my CVE's from Lunga to attack this small TF so I want them covered from an air threat at Rabaul.

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

The 27th was a delightful battle over the skies of Canton as the Allies begin to wrestle the skies from the Japanese:

Day Air attack on Canton , at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 55
J2M Jack x 10
A6M3a Zero x 6
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 31
Ki-84-Ic Frank x 7
Ki-102a Randy x 18

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 21
P-51D Mustang x 52
A-26B Invader x 110

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 30 destroyed
J2M Jack: 14 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 14 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 21 destroyed
Ki-84-Ic Frank: 8 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 12 destroyed
D4Y Judy: 7 destroyed
Ki-57-II Topsy: 12 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed
Ki-67 Peggy: 6 destroyed
A6M5 Zeke: 3 destroyed
P1Y Frances: 1 destroyed
Ki-46-III Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 9 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-51D Mustang: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
A-26B Invader: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 70

Over 200 enemy planes were destroyed today for the loss of 34 Allied.

Recon identified 2 small Japanese TF's at Canton and another potential warship TF approaching from the SE. As such i've ordered the A26's, Mossie's, TBM's and Beaufort's to go for the ships tomorrow from Kiungahan. Let's see what happens........

[Alfred]

Speedy,
 
My mistake.  I rechecked s.16.2 of the manual and it allows you a decisive auto victory if it is achieved before 31 August 1945.
 
Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - thanks. No worries here then. I am still aiming for Japanese capitulation by the end of March.

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

The last day of february has come and gone. The Japanese were brave today in sending in CA Ashigara, CL Sendai + 4 x DD to attack my shiping at Kiungahan. The AK escorts fought bravely but 2 x DE and an SC sank due to enemy fire. Ashigara, Sendai and DD Shikinami all hit Japanese mines though and Shikinami was finished off by Allied air in the afternoon. Here is where Allied luck failed. Despite there being clear weather and the main Japanese TF being spotted and in range none of 48 x TB took off to attack the fleeing Japanese ships.....luck of war I guess.

On the plus side for the day 94 enemy planes were destroyed for 23 Allied. A large B29 raid put Rabaul out of commission again destroying 50 enemy planes. Raids on Haiphong and Legaspi netted others.......

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Points:

Japanese: +738
Allied: +9775

Bases:

Japanese: -8 (+61 points)
Allied: +8 (+121 points)

Planes:

Allies lost: 479
Japanese lost: 962

Troops:

Allies lost: 97 points
Japanese lost: 1347 points

Ships:

Allies lost: 15 ships (101 points)
Japanese lost: 41 ships (334 points)

Strategic points: +7084 points

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

Thoughts:

As predicted by the analysts the Japanese economy must be at a standstill. If this carries on they are surely going to have to capitulate within a month. Many Japanese men have been struck off the roster this month. A large proportion of them at Singapore.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Allied air attacks begin to increase over Japanese airspace at Hong Kong and Canton:

Day Air attack on TF, near Canton at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 24
J2M Jack x 2
A6M3a Zero x 6
Ki-84-Ia Frank x 4
Ki-102a Randy x 12

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 16
F4U-1D Corsair x 17
Beaufighter VIC x 10
Mosquito FB.VI x 10
P-51D Mustang x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 15 destroyed
J2M Jack: 2 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-84-Ia Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F Hellcat: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4U-1D Corsair: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
ML Kuroshima, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Canton at 43,41

Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 5

Allied aircraft
F6F Hellcat x 2
F4U-1D Corsair x 7
Beaufighter VIC x 3
Beaufort V-IX x 3
P-51D Mustang x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 4 destroyed


Japanese Ships
ML Ashizaki, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Tomorrow an all out effort has been ordered for all DB/TB/FB to attack Hong Kong's port.

Hainan ,although in Allied hands (except remnant Japanese forces outside of Kiungahan), is still not 100% safe. Today an AK and DE Steele were sunk returning to Camranh Bay unprotected 42 x Judy Kamikazi sank them whilst damaging another AK.

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Elsewhere just the usual bombing throughout the SRA. On Brunei the Japanese have withdrawn from Samarinda towards Tarakan....their last stand there. Allied forces will enter Samarinda within 2 days.

B29's rest tomorrow and then pound Sendai.

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

Since this will probably be the last month I thought i'd post a few screenshots of the major areas of the war. Today shows the major Japanese Capitol ships that have been sunk. As you can see a large proportion of the Japanese CV/BB fleet is still afloat and are probably skulking somehwere in the China/Korea area. The only ship sunk outright by a Submarine was CVL Chiyoda.

Whilst i'm at it is there anything that you guys want to see/know on before the game ends?

[wernerpruckner]

Whilst i'm at it is there anything that you guys want to see/know on before the game ends?

 
Operation Coronet ( Invasion at Tokyo Bay )
just to give the Penguin some chance for a few points [:'(][:'(][:'(]

[DuckofTindalos]

He's too much of a wuss for that...[:'(][:D]