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We only got a few Nicks units and they're mainly deployed as bomber interceptors and are not trained in a ground attack role.
I think sending them in from 10 hexes would do little else good than loosing them to ground fire and OPS.
The main purpose in bombing Darwin now is to keep supplies low and suppress the place, enemy restricted armor is only a secondary objective.

The Judy's were set to 9000 deliberately and they scored hits - been testing different altitudes, usually setting them to 12 or 15k.
Was under the impression that skip bombing is a low naval skill; a huge differnenc in effectiveness of bombing at 100feet instead of 1-2-3000.

The Yamato's are on readiness alert and not part of the Darwin bombardment force.
Based on the experiences from the carrier battle described in the last post I'm going to make a few changes; the Escort Carrier Division will be deployed well forward at Kwajalein.
It's very difficult for them to keep up with the KB and need a headstart.

I've also been poundering on what exactly are the decisive factors in a carrier battle.
If you noticed Jap TFs detected the enemy 45min away from the fleet while US TFs only detected the strike 15min away.
- Both Shokaku and Zuikaku had received their radar upgrade.

The hit efficiency of the 45+ enemy SBDs were also poor, 3 hits. A similar number of Val's scored 13!! hits.
My conclusion draws towards weather as the decisive factor; moderate rain vs moderate clouds.
- Weather is very random but I do have a few "certains" I will test out in the next carrier battles.
As undergod we need some tricks up our sleeve.

Today we bombarded Exmouth; the Defense battalion fired back and results were again not great.
We also bombed Darwin again.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 06, 43

Bombardments

Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

47 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Aoba
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
DD Usugumo
DD Hatsushima
DD Hagikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Urakaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiranui

Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CA Furutaka firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Furutaka
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Aoba
CA Aoba firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CA Aoba
CL Kinu firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at CL Kinu
DD Usugumo firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Usugumo
DD Hatsushima firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Hatsushima
DD Hagikaze firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Hagikaze
DD Urakaze firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Urakaze
DD Shiranui firing at 9th Marine Defense Battalion
9th Marine Defense Battalion firing at DD Shiranui
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 36

No Japanese losses

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 19

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 33

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 40

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting, skip bombing is a Low Naval Skill but I understood that below 70 Low Naval Skill it was very ineffective while above 80 Low Naval Skill it was like having laser guidance....

This is important to me since I'm trying to decide which altitude to use for the upcoming strikes on USN invasion fleets in my game vs PH.

I can either send torpedo bombers in at 200 feet OR have them level bomb from 5,000 feet ( above 20mm FlAK from USN DDs/DEs etc ) OR have them skip bomb at 100 feet. My Low Naval Skill is only barely in the 50s though so I think I might be better off just having them level bomb from 8,000 feet or so where they can avoid 20mm and 40mm FlAK entirely and thus survive to strike again on the 2nd day - trading fewer hits per day for more survivability.

Hmm, I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas PzB?

I wonder how the durability of Frances will compare to HelenII's?  As the Frances is armored, it should do as well, right?  I think I need to be training my Frances in low-level NAV ....
 
For your HelenII training, how long is it taking you to complete your training cycle?  You're training them: Ground, Nav, low Nav, ASW, that's 6 months?

In general it's suicide to deploy low flying Jap ac against a US invasion fleet with heavy carrier support in 44...
Personally I will use my specialized low altitude attack planes against smaller and less defended targets.

What I would recommend is preparing a set piece battle; prepare the battlefield so you are prepared for the most likely enemy invasions.
E.g the SRA.

In 42 and 43 it's possible to use naval air to attrit US Carriers as they enter a friendly LBA zone.
This is hardly an option in 44 with 300-400 Hellcats on CAP.

So there are 2 options:
1. Defensive battle with LBA alone
2. Defensive with LBA supported by KB

If you can organize nr 2 you will have much better chances to succeed.
If the KB carriers field say 800 ac (400 fighters, 400 bombers) while you also field 800 operational LBA (400 fighters, 400 bombers) plus reserves
you should be able to win the day if you can keep the enemy invasion fleet around for a few days.

As soon as enemy resistance has been reduced and numerous ships and cripples are all over the place you send in your specialized attack squadrons and subs
to finish them off.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 07, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 45

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet *
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 63

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 146th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, at 75,124
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 2

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 17
G4M1 Betty x 33

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 46

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes PaxMondo, I think the Frances will perform similar to the Helen II but remember it has a service rating of 3, so it will be harder to keep them in the air.
6 months or more is probably a good estimate; but I don't train all Helen's in all of these skills.

I have numerous Helen units flying ASW missions, they are specialized in ASW and one other skill.
The frontline Helens are specialized in the  ground attack roles; these units have much higher...turnaround rates [:'(] and need numerous reinforcements.
Behind the lines I have the specialized attack units - these are kept back and can be trained in low naval, asw, ground attack etc.

Whenever possible I try to rotate a dedicated asw unit with a specialized attack unit; this allows me to give the asw units more special skills because we all know they will have to fight
more than subs when the going gets tough....

I've just now replcaed all Sonia's with 2 engined medium bombers; there are still quite a few Lily's, Helen I's and Sally's around - these units fly only asw and training missions.

The naval bombers is another matter; I'm not fond of using them at all because the Netties and Betties are so fragile.
So they spend much time on search, asw and training missions too. The crack units will be replaced with France's asap; this should keep our best pilots alive a bit longer.

ORIGINAL: PzB

Yes PaxMondo, I think the Frances will perform similar to the Helen II but remember it has a service rating of 3, so it will be harder to keep them in the air.
6 months or more is probably a good estimate; but I don't train all Helen's in all of these skills.

I have numerous Helen units flying ASW missions, they are specialized in ASW and one other skill.
The frontline Helens are specialized in the  ground attack roles; these units have much higher...turnaround rates [:'(] and need numerous reinforcements.
Behind the lines I have the specialized attack units - these are kept back and can be trained in low naval, asw, ground attack etc.

Whenever possible I try to rotate a dedicated asw unit with a specialized attack unit; this allows me to give the asw units more special skills because we all know they will have to fight
more than subs when the going gets tough....

I've just now replcaed all Sonia's with 2 engined medium bombers; there are still quite a few Lily's, Helen I's and Sally's around - these units fly only asw and training missions.

The naval bombers is another matter; I'm not fond of using them at all because the Netties and Betties are so fragile.
So they spend much time on search, asw and training missions too. The crack units will be replaced with France's asap; this should keep our best pilots alive a bit longer.

I REALLY need to be develop my training schemes. I just can't seem to find enough units ... I always feel I am short of front line units! [:D] If I have 50, I feel like I need 75. If I had 75, I would feel the need for 100. Maybe I need to return to the darkside and play the allies.[;)]

Anyway, thanks for sharing these insights. I though I was doing "ok". Obviously I am way short yet. Back to the drawing board.

ORIGINAL: PzB

We only got a few Nicks units and they're mainly deployed as bomber interceptors and are not trained in a ground attack role.
I think sending them in from 10 hexes would do little else good than loosing them to ground fire and OPS.

But, think about FREE EXPERIENCE!
I agree, that it is not worth with strong AA, but is there actually lots of AA fire? You do not seem to lost anything yet. With armoured strafers it could be pretty safe.

The Yamato's are on readiness alert and not part of the Darwin bombardment force.

I was talking rather, about keeping them with Carriers. Great AA, but great risk before they actually engage.

I've also been poundering on what exactly are the decisive factors in a carrier battle.
If you noticed Jap TFs detected the enemy 45min away from the fleet while US TFs only detected the strike 15min away.
- Both Shokaku and Zuikaku had received their radar upgrade.

Probably luck during checks of radar, I am afraid.

The hit efficiency of the 45+ enemy SBDs were also poor, 3 hits. A similar number of Val's scored 13!! hits.

And here is probably CAP, and AA strength. Maybe US is still armed with 1.1 inch? Remember about the date of this engagement.

Whenever possible I try to rotate a dedicated asw unit with a specialized attack unit; this allows me to give the asw units more special skills because we all know they will have to fight
more than subs when the going gets tough....

I do not know, if wasting ASW trained pilots on ground attack is wise. But agree, that naval bombers should be either used on "safe" attacks, or in "real need".

ORIGINAL: Nemo121
I can either send torpedo bombers in at 200 feet OR have them level bomb from 5,000 feet ( above 20mm FlAK from USN DDs/DEs etc ) OR have them skip bomb at 100 feet. My Low Naval Skill is only barely in the 50s though so I think I might be better off just having them level bomb from 8,000 feet or so where they can avoid 20mm and 40mm FlAK entirely and thus survive to strike again on the 2nd day - trading fewer hits per day for more survivability.

In one of the patches there came ability for TBs to glide attack. I think you should set them at 10k-20k.

Lol, well I think we all feel that way Pax [:)]
As soon as you have your army and naval bomber squadrons you discover that you also need long range escort fighters for them.
- Dang, the A6M5 doesn't have the long legs of the A6M3a (15 hexes) and you stopped production of the Oscar IIb in favor of the Tojo IIb (14 vs 8 hexes range).
So you need to get both short and long range fighters / interceptors in place - only to realize that you don't have enough base units to support them all [8|]

I currently have 4 fully manned defensive zones;
1. Line Islands - Gilbert - Marshall zone
2. Solomons - New Guinea zone
3. SRA zone
4. Burma zone

I'm also building the following zones:

1. Marianas
2. Philippines
3. Malaya - Sumatra

The goal is to have 3-5 fort levels in all attractive bases in these regions, provide supply and finally various type of garrisons.
A counterattack force is placed centrally so it can support several zones if required.
- Same applies to Air Fleets and air support. Much of this will have to be provided for later when reinforcements become available.
It will be too late to build the foundation for future defensive zones and kill zones "later". As much as possible need to be done now.

It's now 28 days until the enlarged KB can be gathered.
Tomorrow the Kaga completes her lengthy refit and 2 CVLs complete their conversions in 3-4 weeks, in the same time period the first
2 Katsuragi's arrive together with a new CL and 2 upgraded older CLs. This will bring us up to 9 fleet carriers, 4 CVLs and 5 CVEs.

Inq; actually, the range from our nearest operational air base to Darwin is 11 hexes Inq, Nick range is max 10...
If we had some Stuka tank busters I'd be more excited about the prospect of blowing up enemy tanks [;)]
Our Nells performed very well in todays ground attack role against Corunna Downs though, take a look!

The Yamato's are fuel guzlers with short legs and their speed is much lower than that of our fast carriers.
But yes, before a major fleet battle they will find their place amidst our carriers to attract bombs [:'(]

I've never had luck with radar checks; was wondering if weather influence radar detection..
It's 08-42 and I think Al upgraded his carriers before sending them into battle. Maybe he can confirm this, not a big deal since they're
with Davy Jones now [8|] A surface combat group found the damaged Yorktown and escort and sank them with gunfire, very satisfying to watch [:D]

Jills are excellent bomb platforms at 10k feet [:)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 09, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 57,131 (Corunna Downs)
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 146th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, at 75,124
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 2

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 4th Armoured Brigade, at 76,127
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 7
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 4000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 57,131 (Corunna Downs)
Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 14 (4 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Corunna Downs (57,131)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2685 troops, 18 guns, 278 vehicles, Assault Value = 195
Defending force 1080 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 53

Allied adjusted assault: 44
Japanese adjusted defense: 14

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)
Allied forces CAPTURE Corunna Downs !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
503 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
255th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
II/19th Naval Guard Unit
70th Div /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 08, 43

Sub-ASW Attacks

ASW attack near Talaud-eilanden at 83,95

Japanese Ships
SC CHa-43
E Sagi
PB Teshio Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trout, hits 6

SS Trout is located by SC CHa-43
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Teshio Maru fails to find sub and abandons search
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Sagi attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 182,103

Japanese Ships
SS I-170

Allied Ships
xAK Havildar, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Whangpu
xAK Margaret Fuller
xAK James M. Goodhue
xAK Christopher Greenup
SC-641
SC-638

SS I-170 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Havildar
SC-641 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-638 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-638 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-638 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-638 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-638 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-638 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 56,131
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 5000 feet
Port Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northern Oz

The last turns have seen an enemy armored brigade move into Corunna Downs from the desert.
Nells attack from 18 hexes away and together with local Helens pounded the enemy troops, but our modified defensive value was too low.
- Within a few weeks all of Northern Oz will be gobbled up.

If we had stayed it would have required a large Army to garrison all the bases properly.
Will be quite some time until Northern Oz becomes a direct threat to the SRA so all of this is a sideshow - for now.
Andy will not forget about the Line Islands, believe me... [;)]

In the meanwhile I'm slowly extracting surplus troops from Burma. Going over to the defensive requires a lot less troops and I need to
garrison the coastline between Rangoon - Singapore and Sumatra.

We're now into "construction week" in Japan were we receive 8-10 new naval construction units.
These are sorely needed and I will immediately send them to fortify the remaining vulnerable spots on our flanks.
Building forts and moving in supplies first, then inserting LCUs as they become available.

Cunning Plans Time [8D]

The raid wasn't a spectacular success - for several reasons;

1. In the AM phase weather was clear over Camilla but the pilots overslept and didn't fly until PM - by then weather was rainy over the target, thus severly reducing bombing accuracy [:o]
2. The raid was split into 3 parts: First a Tojo unit went in and fought Hurries on CAP. Since the Tojo's were on escort at 12k feet and not sweep they fought an even battle with the CAP, costing us more
fighters than I liked. The bombers were also split into 2; not sure if this mattered. The remaining CAP was easily dealt with and bombs rained down on the enemy fields.
3. Andy has collected a huge number of AA units and despite what Castor Troy says they work just fine when concentrated enough. We lost almost a dozen bombers to flak today.

In total the raid cost us 15 Tojo's and 13 Helens while the enemy lost 20 Hurries and 4 bombers on the ground.
I also suspect that Andy has moved his 4Es out of India and into the Pacific - Australia. Lots of enemy 4E ops losses reported and I've not seen any in Burma - India for quite some time.

If we are to repeat raids against India I will revert to the old recite; 2 fighter units on sweep missions first followed by a heavily escorted bomber force bombing from at least 15k feet.
Lower than this is too costly, I was aware of this today but had hoped the armored Helen's would fare slightly better and inflict more casualties on the ground.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 10, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 57,131 (Corunna Downs)
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Weather in hex: Moderate rain <- Annoying...

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 42

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 7 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 12000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead
No.146 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
No.242 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
No.605 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 36
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 36
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 43

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 destroyed, 23 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
Wellington Ic: 1 destroyed on ground
Blenheim VD: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
22 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-43-IIb Oscar sweeping at 12000 feet
12 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 12000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 119 minutes
No.136 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.146 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
No.242 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 38 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 34
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 27

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Ventura GR.V: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Our small para contingent on Katherine has been left alone for quite some time.

Ground combat at Katherine (76,128)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3358 troops, 16 guns, 348 vehicles, Assault Value = 228
Defending force 175 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 106
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 106 to 1 (fort level 0)
Allied forces CAPTURE Katherine !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
4th Armoured Brigade
810th Engineer Aviation Battalion
96th Coast AA Regiment

Defending units:
4th Raiding Rgt /2
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Raid on Comilla

Nothing to report this turn...very quiet!


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 11, 43

In the first "Andy game" I struggled in the IndoChina - Malaya region so I won't be surprised if someone wants to try similar moves in this game.

So I've been plundering over defensive zones againe...by 44 we need to have the outer framework more or less complete.
Work will then switch the inner defensive zones (PI, inner SRA, Marianas).

The clue is to enable interlocking zones to easily provide reinforcements to its neigbouring zones, either via rail, air or sea.
Large Air HQs is especially important. If we have 250 air support in a size 9 base it's possible project a lot of force.

Defensive Zone Planning

Numerous engineer units have been building up fortifications and bases for more than a year already.

I had more than 300 3.7 inch flak guns at Magwe and Rainer bombed at 10-15000 ft. Loss rate of his bombers was around 5%. I don´t know what was more unrealistic, stacking a Berlin like flak defense (Berlin had around 400 heavy flak guns at it´s peak) in a jungle base in Burma where you could expect perhaps one or two such flak units, or the loss rates of my enemy´s bombers. And he didn´t just fly one attack, so it didn´t happen by accident. Can be read in my AAR together with screenshots about all the flak units there. The 1000+ smaller flak guns wouldn´t do anything at 15000ft of course. As the stacking of so many units is just as off as the result, I could live with it in the end and I got other pet peeves anyway. [:D]

121 attacking bombers, 62 dropping bombs at 11000ft, 3 shot down by flak when 150 3.7 inch guns were available. 4.7% loss rate, not much for an unrealistic stack of flak guns in the middle of the Burmese jungle. And that was a common result as we had these fights going on for weeks which has fed me up for some time back then. Can be read around page 25 of my AAR. Neither land based flak nor sea based flak seems to be something you can count on, while Japanese flak is something I totally ignore in 99% of the time.

Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 24
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 24



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 22
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15
Hurricane XIIb x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 27
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 8


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 7 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 7 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 3 damaged
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 destroyed, 18 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane XIIb: 4 damaged
Hurricane XIIb: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40K Warhawk: 27 damaged
P-40K Warhawk: 5 destroyed on ground
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
20 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
17 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb


Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 24
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Hurricane IIc Trop x 10
Hurricane XIIb x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 20
P-47D2 Thunderbolt x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 10 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
Hurricane XIIb: 1 damaged
P-47D2 Thunderbolt: 4 damaged


Allied ground losses:
4 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 18

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

sorry to spam your AAR but I also couldn´t resist posting this, as it was just copy paste. I´m glad that other ppl get better results as they sure should, but my flak has done more or less nothing despite everything being just fine.

Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 30
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 32
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 28
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 5



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 8 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 7 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 23
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 64

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
28 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 11000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
30 x Ki-21-IIb Sally bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb


Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 7
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 19



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 8 damaged



Airbase hits 6
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 11000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb




104 bombers dropping their load at 11000, 2 shot down by flak. 149 3.7 inch guns at that time. Loss rate not even 2%. Again, not a one time special. Of course I don´t know how Andy is defending his places, while I found it to be unrealistic to have such a force in a jungle base, I don´t know how much more Andy cramps into his bases to get a much more lethal flak defense at twice the altitude. Probably much more flak but that is of course a matter of taste and most of the things we, the players, do is nothing but command & conquer anyway. But go ahead and try to use realistic numbers when talking about flak for example. just my two cents

I don't know Castor Troy, maybe you should ask Andy how many AA guns he got in Comilla.
Was your results achieved with the latest public patch?

Also notice the date in your game; May 43. In my game we're now in August 43.
Maybe Allied radar and gunnery got better?


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 12, 43

ASW Attacks

ASW attack near Soc Trang at 61,76

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 12
E Ishinui
E Tobui

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon, hits 5

SS Tarpon is sighted by escort
Tarpon bottoming out ....
E Ishinui fails to find sub and abandons search
E Tobui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tobui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tobui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tobui attacking submerged sub ....
E Tobui fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Tobui attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Bombing enemy ground units in Northern Oz to slow them down a bit.

Morning Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 57,131 (Corunna Downs)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd USMC Tank Battalion, at 75,125
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 4000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 146th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, at 75,124
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
85th Sentai/A with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 67,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 21 (4 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 67,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 7

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on 146th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, at 75,124
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 1

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25D1 Mitchell: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
85th Sentai/A with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

I'm a little confused by this. An RCT is a US unit, so I don't think the Mitchell's target it the infantry, but then, what is it doing? As an attack bomber it must be making some kind of attack, but then why is the target a US unit?[&:]

Good question [:)]
There are Jap remnants in the hex including parts of a regiment. The 146th RCT sounds like a US regiment but I can't find any reference to such a unit.
Will look into it when I get the next turn. As you can see the B-25s bombed this very same unti and inflicted casualties again today.

Andy is now moving towards the coast and we're bombing his isolated armored units.
Not much else happening. In 9 days the first 27 ac Frances unit arrives and production is slowly picking up.

The Escort Car Div is in place in Kwajalein, the BB Ise is patching up in Singapore while the KB is resting - waiting for substantial reinforcements.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 13, 43

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 67,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd USMC Tank Battalion, at 75,125
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 18 (4 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 4000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 146th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, at 75,124
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 3

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 67,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Aircraft attacking:
20 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 67,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D4Y1 Judy x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 500 kg GP Bomb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The mysterious attack on the 146th....

ORIGINAL: PzB

I don't know Castor Troy, maybe you should ask Andy how many AA guns he got in Comilla.
Was your results achieved with the latest public patch?

Also notice the date in your game; May 43. In my game we're now in August 43.
Maybe Allied radar and gunnery got better?

latest patch at that time, not the latest official patch available now though. While the latest beta patch seems to have screwed up something with flak (weren´t there some tests showing it being three or four times more lethal?) I have never noticed anything in the official patches that changed something and radar isn´t used for gunnery AFAIK. I´m going to ask Andy about the number of flak guns, I find it really odd to see his flak defense being so much more deadly than the two dozen examples of my AAR that had already a (to me) ridicoulos high number of flak guns involved and the Japanese flying at 11000ft, not 23000ft like you do. Flak in my PBEM is 100% [;)] useless, being in 4/44 I (Allied) IIRC I have lost something like 8000 aircaft (200 to flak [:D]), the Japanese lost 14000 (700 to flak). 2.5% of total Allied losses, 5% of total Japanese losses. Weren´t real live losses to flak in total higher than losses to enemy fighters or is this just a myth? The % has been far higher, that´s for sure. I know, damage from flak/fighters can also result in an op loss so it can be hard to tell if it´s from flak, fighters, weather or whatever but that was the same in real life too. I guess I have lost three or four times more aircraft flying nav search/recon/transport than I have lost to enemy flak fire. And this with arealistic stacking of flak units. Of course beefing up flak would mean the players still stacking huge numbers of flak guns into some jungle bases or mini islands, so there would have to be de diminishing returns. Neither me nor my opponent fears any kind of flak in our PBEM, like I´ve said, perhaps it´s not enough stacking, while it is already completely unrealistic.

Since you already bombarding Darwin, you could actually use fast transports, and evacuate those beaten units. Why waste experienced troops?

ORIGINAL: PzB
If we had some Stuka tank busters I'd be more excited about the prospect of blowing up enemy tanks [;)]

Now, that is interesting idea. TOJO IIb have 37mm guns, but lacks armour, but I think IIc model is already armoured. And considering that IIRC NICK model c have 2 points of armour, we have Japan candidate for tankbuster. Start train strafing [8D]

It's 08-42 and I think Al upgraded his carriers before sending them into battle.

Allied CVs get AA upgrade on Sep-Oct 42, so I am afraid engagement was just error from Allied side. Better not get conclusions regarding 44 battles [;)]

I also suspect that Andy has moved his 4Es out of India and into the Pacific - Australia.

Uuu action. How can we use that? Placing more planes on frontline in Burma maybe?

No idea Castor, let me know what Andy says [:)]
- I'm more concerned about another squeel of yours; the problem with carrier fighters escorting (or failing to) escort LBA strikes.
May take this up in the dev forum... An option to order fighters not to escort LBA would be great. I still have problems with Zero's routinely escorting
strike's they're not meant to escort. This builds OPS losses and fatigue at an alarming rate. When the fighters are truly needed they then perform absolutely horrible in a close escort role.

As far as I can see no ac have more than 1 point of armor; it's either armor or no armor...
If you have evidence of anything else, please post a screen Inq [:)]
- I got some Nicks trained in low ground but it's simply not worth the hassle of trying to get them all killed for very few returns.
Allied fighters are now becoming way to numerous and dangerous.

Not so sure if AA upgrades mean that much anymore; proper radar is more important IMO!

Yes, we have to keep Andy honest in Burma [:)]
The entire place is a well fortified battle zone so not easy to find openings, and when we do flak claims so many kills that it's not worth attacking.
The loss of the Bombardment Squadron means that we don't have the big guns to deliver with either. My old battleships always suffer, Al performed a similar stunt as Andy with his carriers last sortie.
3 Ise and Fuso class ships were pummeled with bombs and torps; the Ise took numerous heavy bombs and 3-4-5? torps - the only difference is that they all lived...

In general I can't afford to come up with too many potentially expensive riposte's right now; need to prepare kill zones and gather strength for the big fights to come.
- When Andy comes to us we will strike back with full force. Need to attrit Allied builup continously without loosing to much, only way of keeping them at bay.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Aug 14, 43

Today saw the combat debut of the Rex; sent in a supply ship and provided some local CAP.
A B-24 was lost today while P-38's claimed a Rex later in the day.

Air Combat

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 41 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Singapore Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Merauke at 89,124
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
N1K1 Rex x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6
P-38H Lightning x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1 Rex: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Tatuha Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Naval Attack: 10 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x P-38H Lightning sweeping at 14000 feet

CAP engaged:
452 Ku S-1 with N1K1 Rex (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 54 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 255th Armoured Brigade, at 58,130
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M3 Nell x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M3 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operational debut; Rex