Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

Subs are still out and about making some waves, but primarily they are headed back or already in refit.

[Lowpe]

First attack on Wenchow, after about one month of battleship bombardment.

[Lowpe]

2nd Big attack on Trin...after the IJA combined forces...but no HQc present.

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

On the dive bombers, I've always struggled to use the Vengeance. Six hex max range is just meh, and given that they mostly operate on the western side of the map I've never felt they've had much impact compared to the longer ranged anti-shipping platforms like the Beaufighters/Beauforts.

Thanks m-m.[&o]

Have you used the Vengeance at night as an anti shore bombardment role? This is what I was planning on doing.

Nope, that use didn't occur to me.

The only place it really shined for me was if it was based out of Ramree Island to deny IJ shipping shelter in Rangoon, but by that point you've already got Ramree and so you've already got enough nails in Rangoon's coffin.

The only other place I ever think of using them is in China, if I get wind of any coastal/river traffic. The Chinese Air Force isn't well set up for anti-shipping, and a squadron or two of those can potentially do a bit of damage. Very much a one-shot affair, however.

[Lowpe]

Save Diego Garcia...I just flew the Cats in last turn, supply down to 488. Will let it go one more day before I try to unload more supply at Diego...hopefully the Cats will get a full day of NavS in.

[Lowpe]

One of our goals is for HBs, beasts, to destroy all useable conquered industry within range. They have not, and most likely will not, bomb troops.

[Lowpe]

Australia

[Lowpe]

Should have included a intel on Rangoon, B17Es hit it at night periodically.

[Lowpe]

I noticed Koggala has seen a huge reduction in fighter planes, so will try a daring raid on the shipping/port there...high, low, night, etc...combined air ops including sweeps, secondary objectives, low altitude strafing.

Also, just for M-M, I put some Vindicators on night airfield attack in Australia. Years ago, Tiemanj used Avengers against me at night to very good effect late war...curious to see what some dive bombers can do.



Should be fun!

[Lowpe]

April 4th, 1942

Well, well...straining the Japanese air force leaves weak spots, especially when Japan tries to do too much at the same time.[:)]

[Lowpe]

Airacobra goodness! Lots of 30 caliber strafing hits, perhaps 1 in 10 was the 30mm cannons.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 29,50

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
Albacore I x 7
Hurricane IIb Trop x 1
P-39D Airacobra x 49

Allied aircraft losses
Albacore I: 1 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Kaga Maru, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
xAK Kirikawa Maru, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 5, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ushio
DMS W-20
AMc Fukkai Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Tarushima Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Koei Maru, Shell hits 2
xAP Ural Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kinsyo Maru, Shell hits 4, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Akebono
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 10
xAK Tyuwa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Albacore I launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Mk XII Torpedo
23 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
20 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
3 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x P-39D Airacobra bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Kirikawa Maru dead in the water ...

[Lowpe]

These are nice ships being hung out to dry![8|]

[Lowpe]

No safe harbor, this.

[Lowpe]

Oops, this isn't a safe harbor either.[:-]

[Lowpe]

Clear blue skies, not too much to ask for...

[Lowpe]

Sink away, sink away...

[Lowpe]

When will it end?

[Lowpe]

Still kicking, with 99% system damage.

[Lowpe]

We demand an investigation into the purchasing of these torpedoes!

[Lowpe]

Afternoon strikes aren't that great...pilots tired, but we riddle a destroyer...and some Petes.