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Dan and I have really plowed through the turns today.  I just our 6th one of the day to him.  It is nice being home alone for 8 hours!
 
Here is what I have available for the operation:
 
Navy
Airpower:  147 Zero/58 DB/99 TB = 304 Planes
CarDiv  Junyo/Hiyo  102 Planes (34Z/34DB/34TB)
CarDiv  Shoho/Zuiho  60 Planes (36Z/24TB)
CarDiv  Hosho/Kaiyo/Unyo  64 Planes  (41Z/23TB)
CarDiv  Taiyo/Chuyo/???  81 Planes  (36Z/24DB/18TB)
 
3 BB (Mutsu/Nagato/Yamato)
 
3 CA, 4 CL, 34 DD and 11 SS
 
LBA
400 Fighters (Tony/Tojo/Zero) all skill 70+
200 Bombers (Lily/Helen-Sally/Betty)
 
Ground Forces
I have the same troops that mentioned earlier in the discussion.
 
Observation
I did recon for 4 straight days and saw NOTHING in Cuttack...
 
Just shifted my recon to Viza... and Madras to keep him thinking.
 
Thoughts
Landing Sites:
1.  The most practical landing would be at Chittagong because it is close for CAP and retreat once the operation plays out.
2.  IF Cuttack isn't defended then THAT is perfect.  Could grab it with my Paras and then land without opposition.  Need to check the Port/AF size.
3.  Viza is good because there are no real close supporting AF as mentioned above.  Would take longer to get there with the ships though.
 
I feel like this is Operation Torch with 3 landing sites. 
 
What do people think?  Chittagong, Cuttack, or Viza??  Good and bad points will not bother me.  I'll post a current screenshot of the area in just a few minutes...
 
 
 
 

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Dan and I have really plowed through the turns today.  I just our 6th one of the day to him.  It is nice being home alone for 8 hours!

Here is what I have available for the operation:

Navy
Airpower:  147 Zero/58 DB/99 TB = 304 Planes
CarDiv  Junyo/Hiyo  102 Planes (34Z/34DB/34TB)
CarDiv  Shoho/Zuiho  60 Planes (36Z/24TB)
CarDiv  Hosho/Kaiyo/Unyo  64 Planes  (41Z/23TB)
CarDiv  Taiyo/Chuyo/???  81 Planes  (36Z/24DB/18TB)

3 BB (Mutsu/Nagato/Yamato)

3 CA, 4 CL, 34 DD and 11 SS

LBA
400 Fighters (Tony/Tojo/Zero) all skill 70+
200 Bombers (Lily/Helen-Sally/Betty)

Ground Forces
I have the same troops that mentioned earlier in the discussion.

Observation
I did recon for 4 straight days and saw NOTHING in Cuttack...

Just shifted my recon to Viza... and Madras to keep him thinking.

Thoughts
Landing Sites:
1.  The most practical landing would be at Chittagong because it is close for CAP and retreat once the operation plays out.
2.  IF Cuttack isn't defended then THAT is perfect.  Could grab it with my Paras and then land without opposition.  Need to check the Port/AF size.
3.  Viza is good because there are no real close supporting AF as mentioned above.  Would take longer to get there with the ships though.

I feel like this is Operation Torch with 3 landing sites. 

What do people think?  Chittagong, Cuttack, or Viza??  Good and bad points will not bother me.  I'll post a current screenshot of the area in just a few minutes...

I wish you all the luck John, but smells like a trap to me. Where are all of his LBA?

WHY do I keep getting a 'file too large' note for uploading a screenshot?
 

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

WHY do I keep getting a 'file too large' note for uploading a screenshot?

save it in jpg format it is alot smaller , perhaps you are exceding the site's limit.

I have been constantly smacking it down. 
 
He probably has 2-300 fighters and a similar amount of bombers in Burma.  He has about half that in China.  Don't know what an Allied Player SHOULD have at this point over there...
 
I have maintained aerial superiority over Rangoon and Moulmein with about 400 fighters.
 

It is jpeg and STILL states that it is too large.
 

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

It is jpeg and STILL states that it is too large.

If you can, try reducing the quality of the jpg (if your software allows) - it can easily double the bytes if it is high quality.

Maybe it's a sign to call off the attack![:D]

It COULD be an omen...

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I have been constantly smacking it down. 

He probably has 2-300 fighters and a similar amount of bombers in Burma.  He has about half that in China.  Don't know what an Allied Player SHOULD have at this point over there...

I have maintained aerial superiority over Rangoon and Moulmein with about 400 fighters.

It only takes 1 day to re-base these, as soon as he has an inkling of your plan he should be in position (one positive of 2-3 landings would be to minimize this) In addition to the RN he could have 4-500 aircraft in positon to counter your approach.

If your opponent is on the ball, he probably is going to have search aircraft at Trin., Madras, and Calcutta... this could make for a hot time in the slow approach with the AKs and APs through the Bay of Bengal...

i am not that familiar with Big B mod nor your opponent, but with limited CVE and CVL protection, it could make for a difficult approach if he starts moving his LBA bombers in to counter an invasion even a couple of turns before they land... your invasion forces might not be terribly intact on landing, esp. if his British CVs have time to react (from say - Columbo).

If this has any chance of success, i think it depends on good recon (esp. "Where are the Brit CVs?", and "What are the defenses along the coast"), and your opponent not having his defenses in order... that is something you must evaluate.

Sir John,
We went through a possible scenario of you invading India a while back. While landing at Vizagapatam seems to be OK, you would have just 1 base and I would bet that he will use every 4e bomber and whatever else he can get hold of to try to close that AF down. It is close enough to Calcutta for him to shift forces over in a few days. In Big B's mod, he has a lot of Indian Bde with an AV just over 100 to act as road blocks. Plus, I have a level 9 fort there by this time.
Chittagong is level 9 forts and he has too many bases close by even if you use LRCAP. Your LRCAP will get worn down very quickly. [:(]
I go back to my original idea. Land on the west coast at either Trivandrum and/or Mangalore. I would be surprised if any of those bases have level 9 forts, but you will need more CVs to do this. You may force him to send his 3 or 4 British CVs to intervene. [;)] However, you are probably outside of ferry range of much of your LBA. There are many bases there that could be taken quickly and he would have to worry about a quick strike along the coast to Bombay (which would be a good place for final battle if you manage to capture it). I would come up the west map edge and make a sprint for the coast. If your going to be insane, then truly be insane. [:D][:D]
 
p.s. As soon as I saw the title of this thread, I knew this was what you were thinking about. Scary. [;)]
 
p.s.s. How many transport does he have in this theater??  If he has a lot, then he could use them at Manadaly to fly ttroops back to Dacca quickly and then march them to where ever. Those squads that are too large to transport would march back through Imphal.  

Dammit Mike!  You just about made me spew all over the computer for the SECOND day in a row!  [:D][X(][:D]
 
I just sent the April 3rd turn to Dan. 
 
Am going to order a Fleet concentration at Soerabaja on the 5th.  It will take 10 days for everything to get there.  My troops the for attack just got there and are unloading so they can build up to full strength and prep.  I am ordering them to prep for Viza.  If Dan gets Intel as to this, then the whole thing makes the objective without having to land.  He will pull troops back...
 
He just had ANOTHER block of 10 units move into the hex east of Rangoon heading there.  My Forts just went to 8 and my AS is 2200. 
 
Hitting the West Coast of India is INSANE and--thus--I REALLY like it.  Didn't know about those little Indian Divisions within Big B.  Thats make for some additional concern.
 
Rtrapasso is dead right about Dan's ability to whallop my AK/AP with his LBA.  It is my only real concern.  His CVs are at Columbo.  Know this for certain.  I think I would take prohibitive losses if I was spotted at 3 or more days away from target.  Also--Viza--is only a Lvl 1 Port so offloading will be slow. 

John,
IMHO this could be your first major mistake. You should weight your gains by doing that. What will be next? Cut his road from Karachi to Calcutta?
You do not have enough forces do this and keep it for long. Anyway he will barely feel its influence.
If you plan just to take several bases in India and throw away your elite divisions for no strategic gain then you will be forced to play defensively once he will pin down your troops.

I suggest you to go for Ceylon. Take it, Create a strong air and naval base and close his naval supply lanes south to Australia and east from Aden to Karachi (with naval raids). Then pull out your elite divisions and use them as a strategic reserve or for another operation. I bet you will find his CV's close when you will do that.

ORIGINAL: emek

John,
IMHO this could be your first major mistake. You should weight your gains by doing that. What will be next? Cut his road from Karachi to Calcutta?
You do not have enough forces do this and keep it for long. Anyway he will barely feel its influence.
If you plan just to take several bases in India and throw away your elite divisions for no strategic gain then you will be forced to play defensively once he will pin down your troops.

I suggest you to go for Ceylon. Take it, Create a strong air and naval base and close his naval supply lanes south to Australia and east from Aden to Karachi (with naval raids). Then pull out your elite divisions and use them as a strategic reserve or for another operation. I bet you will find his CV's close when you will do that.

Well, since he said they were in Colombo (the Brits, anyway) - i think that is a safe bet! [;)]

I have been reconning the heck out of the IO.  He has only a few units in Columbo and Trimcomalee.  That idea does have merit to take it and then force him to make assault landings there later.  Only major issue is that I would have to make an assault landing THERE as well to grab it.
 
My troops are training at Soerabaja right now (4/7).  Shipping is gathering as well.  Will make a go/no go decision by the 15th. 
 
My gut agrees with emek about the potential for this being a major mistake.  This is why I am not jumping immediately and am giving it thorough thought.
 

I should also note that I cannot divert more CV strength into the operation because I have the KB prowling NORTH of Hawaii right now looking for big game!  There are 7 CV and 2 CVL looking to rumble...
 

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I have been reconning the heck out of the IO. He has only a few units in Columbo and Trimcomalee. That idea does have merit to take it and then force him to make assault landings there later. Only major issue is that I would have to make an assault landing THERE as well to grab it.

My troops are training at Soerabaja right now (4/7). Shipping is gathering as well. Will make a go/no go decision by the 15th.

My gut agrees with emek about the potential for this being a major mistake. This is why I am not jumping immediately and am giving it thorough thought.

Bob, I agree!  Watching John's games is always quite entertaining.  [:D]

Thanks guys.  I been very BAD with not updating my AAR with a log of events.  Life here has been pretty nuts.  Maybe I will simply stay up late after everyone goes to sleep and do some writing...