4 June 42
Today starts out with a small night raid on the Rahaeng airfield by my Blenheim IF’s and the net result is I lose a plane and one of the highly experienced pilots in the group. I’ve switched the squadron over to a night city attack on the Tavoy resource to see if they have better luck and meet with less flak.
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Night Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,36
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 10
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet
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Allied subs make two more attacks this turn and again miss. My subs are making lots of attacks, but they seem to miss a lot. If I had to guess I’d say less than 1 in 10 attacks scores a hit, and then half or more of those are duds.
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ASW attack near Portland Roads at 49,94
Japanese Ships
DD Minazuki
DD Ariake
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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Sub attack near Rabaul at 62,90
Japanese Ships
AK Lyons Maru
Allied Ships
SS Trigger
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Japan conducts two raids at Moulmein. A small raid on the base causes light damage, but the larger raid against the 2nd Burma brigade hits the unit hard. It has 50 disruption this turn. I can only hope my previous raids on Japan’s units have caused them a similar amount of disruption or else my guys are in for trouble. It’ll take weeks to get disruption back into the teens were it was last turn.
Allied bombers hit Luganville today.
At Townsville Japan launches a deliberate attack with his four divisions. The level 6 forts are pulled down to level 5 before his attack goes in, but he still gets bloodily repulsed by the fresh and well prepared allied troops defending the base.
Japan takes 6 times as many casualties as the allies do and the base is 90+% of the way to rebuilding that lost fort level. This good news is tempered though by several bits of news this turn.
First allied recon spots another 38,000+ troops at Cairns this turn. Second my opponent revealed to me in this turns email that 2 of his divisions accidently moved off road into the woods hex circled on this turns screenshot.
If I had to guess, I think he intended to plot them to move to the hex one hex further southwest than they moved to and accidently clicked the wrong hex when he plotted the move. This means he’s probably going for an end around move to take Charter Towers.
Finally allied recon also got good Intel of what is located at the Cairns airfield this turn and spots 243 Auxiliary aircraft at the base. I think this is a sign he probably intends to conduct a paradrop on Cloncurry and then airlift in heavier formations from Cairns once he captures the base.
Currently I have just a small Dutch battalion at about half strength defending Cloncurry. Charter Towers has its baseforce that has intrinsic AV and the NVGR battalion which is almost at full strength. Neither base could hold against 2 or more Japanese para regiments dropped at the same time, so redeployments are the order of the day.
I’ve ordered the NVGR battalion to move to Cloncurry right away, and the Australian 3rd Brigade which just arrived at Townsville to move to Charter Towers.
Eventually I’ll send either the 6th AIF or 7th AIF divisions (whichever arrives in the area first) to Charter Towers and the 3rd Brigade will take over garrison duties at Cloncurry. The other AIF division will join the troops at Townsville.
There is also a recently arrived in Australia full strength US tank battalion on route to Townsville, which is currently a few hexes north of Brisbane.
The only other troops that can enter the fray any time soon is the 32nd US division, which is about a month or more away from Australia still. It will need to stay at Sydney for a considerable period of time once it lands as it was embarked when it had almost 80% of its equipment in a disabled state. So I’m guessing it will be at least 2 months (probably longer) before that division can enter into combat.
I’m seriously thinking about bringing down the 2 British SEAC command infantry divisions from India. This would leave southern India wide open to attack however, so I think I’ll wait another month or so before deciding on the move, but I wanted to bring up the option for discussion here. Would it be better to use the SEAC British units in an offensive against Sumatra or Java, or should I defend Australia at all costs.
Given the size of the forces I now can see or have been made aware of by my opponent, Japan currently has at least 10+ divisions in Australia right now, and more task forces are arriving every day.
I’ve created a huge screenshot of all of Australia today, so I decided not to embed it into the post as it would cause major lag issues when viewing the thread. To view it simply click the link below.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4909/4june421wo1.jpg
As you can see, all Port cities along the east coast have pretty decent defenses, with the most important bases averaging 350-400 AV. I still have several brigades in the southeast that can be used as reserves to move to any new landings. Adelaide and Melbourne are less well defended since most of their units are undergoing reconstruction. But they are within easy redeployment range and I can rapidly send help should my opponent try a deep invasion at either city.
Sydney has lots of units undergoing reconstruction and an almost full strength brigade as well. There are also 2 brigades very nearby, so I can bring Sydney’s AV up to about 700 or so very quickly if needed. Once the 32nd US division arrives, Sydney will be in great shape.
I’m a bit nervous about my ability to hold at Tennant Creek with the forces I have arrayed there now. But this turns recon only detects 2 enemy units. Assuming they are the same two divisions that attacked Darwin, I’m pretty confident I can hold against them at least until the level 3 forts come down.
With 60 unopposed Hudson bombers added to my defense, I should be able to seriously disrupt the two attacking units, so I may be able to hold the base indefinitely until Japan can build up an airbase within fighter cover range of Tennant Creek. By then I’ll have the fifth and last independent company added to Tennant Creeks defense (its returning from Noumea now), and I may even add the 61st Philippine Reserve Division to the base by then as well.
Overall the big threat is in the northeast and I may not have time to stop him at Townsville given how exposed Charter Towers and Cloncurry are right now due to lack of sufficient units for defending inland bases. If I have to, I’ll simply run away and create a very strong defense at Rockhampton.
By falling back, I can add Rockhampton’s defending division and armor unit to the front line battle and with a river that needs to be crossed, I may be able to hold him there. If he forces Rockhampton, I’ll fall back to the woods hex along the rail south instead of falling all the way back to Brisbane.
By then I hope to have at least one or two more US divisions in Australia (and perhaps the British as well), so the momentum may be shifting by then. Also the further south he comes, the more he is open to a US counter-invasion north of his main army to cut off his supplies.
Jim
Burns vs. Yubari, CHS scenario 158 version 2.08c
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
-
Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
5 June 42
5 June 42
There is a lot more sub activity today, the net result of which is one US and one Japanese sub are damaged by ASW and a Japanese MSW at Singapore is sunk. My decision to send ASW task forces out to escort my damaged AO near Auckland paid off as the sub damaged there this turn is different than the one that torpedoed the AO in the first place, so it appears the vultures are descending on the stricken ship.
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ASW attack at 66,133
Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
MSW Tui
MSW Moa
MSW Kiwi
MSW Sanda
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Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51
Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 20
Allied Ships
SS Salmon
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ASW attack at 60,95
Japanese Ships
AK Kaga Maru
AK Manila Maru
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze
Allied Ships
SS Barracuda, hits 1
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Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51
Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 20, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Salmon
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ASW attack at 50,101
Japanese Ships
DD Oshio
DD Natsushio
DD Oyashio
DD Yugumo
BB Ise
Allied Ships
SS Permit, heavy damage
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The SS Permit is a few hexes east of Cooktown and Cairns (about half way between them) returning to base at Townsville to try and repair heavy float damage sustained in an attack about a week ago. It detects KB in its hex along with this BB task force, so it looks like Townsville is about to get hammered from the sea.
18 Japanese Helen’s hit Townsville today and cause minor damage to the base. I should be able to complete the level 6 forts next turn as its 99% of the way to completion. But a naval bombardment may disrupt the base too much if construction occurs after naval shore bombardments.
Allied medium bombers hit the Japanese 5th and 33rd Divisions at Moulmein today. Going in unescorted costs them though, as 16 bombers are lost today if you include those lost to ops with the air to air kills.
Japan then flies a large raid and hits the 16th Indian brigade, causing 60+ disruption to the unit. Yesterday’s brigade still has 30 disruption (had 50+ yesterday), so it looks like less than 50% of the disruption levels can be recovered each day in a malarial hex.
Allied bombers also hit Luganville today causing 2 port hits.
Japanese land units conduct land bombardments at Moulmein and Townsville today. At Townsville the 3rd Australian brigade has already made it to Charter Towers, so I’ve posted the bombardment to show our comparative AV’s now that the over-strength brigade (it has 144/132 squads in it) has left the hex.
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Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 77664 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1556
Defending force 55663 troops, 307 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 792
Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Looks like I just barley manage to stay under a 2-1 core AV with Japan after the recent disruption and disablements his first attack must have caused him. I’ll feel a lot better when the US tank battalion and its 70+ AV arrives in the hex.
Jim
There is a lot more sub activity today, the net result of which is one US and one Japanese sub are damaged by ASW and a Japanese MSW at Singapore is sunk. My decision to send ASW task forces out to escort my damaged AO near Auckland paid off as the sub damaged there this turn is different than the one that torpedoed the AO in the first place, so it appears the vultures are descending on the stricken ship.
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ASW attack at 66,133
Japanese Ships
SS I-23, hits 2, on fire
Allied Ships
MSW Tui
MSW Moa
MSW Kiwi
MSW Sanda
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Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51
Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 20
Allied Ships
SS Salmon
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ASW attack at 60,95
Japanese Ships
AK Kaga Maru
AK Manila Maru
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Hayashio
DD Yukikaze
Allied Ships
SS Barracuda, hits 1
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Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51
Japanese Ships
MSW Wa 20, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Salmon
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ASW attack at 50,101
Japanese Ships
DD Oshio
DD Natsushio
DD Oyashio
DD Yugumo
BB Ise
Allied Ships
SS Permit, heavy damage
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The SS Permit is a few hexes east of Cooktown and Cairns (about half way between them) returning to base at Townsville to try and repair heavy float damage sustained in an attack about a week ago. It detects KB in its hex along with this BB task force, so it looks like Townsville is about to get hammered from the sea.
18 Japanese Helen’s hit Townsville today and cause minor damage to the base. I should be able to complete the level 6 forts next turn as its 99% of the way to completion. But a naval bombardment may disrupt the base too much if construction occurs after naval shore bombardments.
Allied medium bombers hit the Japanese 5th and 33rd Divisions at Moulmein today. Going in unescorted costs them though, as 16 bombers are lost today if you include those lost to ops with the air to air kills.
Japan then flies a large raid and hits the 16th Indian brigade, causing 60+ disruption to the unit. Yesterday’s brigade still has 30 disruption (had 50+ yesterday), so it looks like less than 50% of the disruption levels can be recovered each day in a malarial hex.
Allied bombers also hit Luganville today causing 2 port hits.
Japanese land units conduct land bombardments at Moulmein and Townsville today. At Townsville the 3rd Australian brigade has already made it to Charter Towers, so I’ve posted the bombardment to show our comparative AV’s now that the over-strength brigade (it has 144/132 squads in it) has left the hex.
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Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 77664 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1556
Defending force 55663 troops, 307 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 792
Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Looks like I just barley manage to stay under a 2-1 core AV with Japan after the recent disruption and disablements his first attack must have caused him. I’ll feel a lot better when the US tank battalion and its 70+ AV arrives in the hex.
Jim
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
6 June 42
6 June 42
Another month has passed in game and it is again time to compare our air to air fighter losses. To date the allies have lost 540 fighters (+62 for the month) in air to air combat. Japan has lost a total of 118 fighters (+15 for the month) in air to air combat.
That’s a kill ratio for Japan of 4.5–1 for the war and 4.1–1 for the month.
Another frustrating thing to note is I’ve intentionally not used my P-40E’s in combat since the Philippine Islands campaign. What I wanted to do was upgrade most of my P-40B squadrons first and then get the P-40E’s into frontline service.
Well I’m six months into the war and I have only managed to upgrade about 70% of my P-40B groups and have zero P-40E’s in my replacement pools still. I’ve only lost 69 P-40E’s to all causes since war began, and 44 of those were on the ground in the opening turn/turns of the game.
Yet I still have 7 squadrons of P-40B’s yet to get upgraded and 3 squadrons of P-40E’s in India with only 12 or so planes in each squadron. Then there is the P-35A squadron from the Philippines that needs upgrading as well.
That means I have at least another 228 airframes (another 6 months worth of production) or more to go before I can flesh out all my obsolete squadrons with P-40E’s. And even then I’ll still have no reserves in the replacement pools.
Had I used the P-40E’s in combat, I never would have been able to upgrade my many P-40B groups, and with a production of only 2 airframes, those P-40B squadrons would have quickly run out of airframes just from normal op losses by now.
So basically the P-40E is unavailable for use in 1942 in CHS. If you do use it, you’ll run out of airframes rapidly as we saw happen with my Hurricanes and Kittyhawks (and I only had 3 squadrons of Kittyhawks engaged). Then all the P-40B squadrons will run out of airframes as the replacement rate for those isn’t high enough to cover ops losses for the 24 squadrons or so that use those airframes at game start.
Even once the obsolete squadrons are all fleshed out with shiny new P-40E’s, I’ll have 25 squadrons on map that use that model plane, 24 if I leave one squadron to use the P-40B’s. So even if each squadron loses only 2 planes a month to normal op losses, I’ll be running out of P-40E airframes as there are only 40 produced each month.
I think CHS has basically killed allied fighter strength to such an extent, that it is bad play on the part of the allies to try and use fighters in front line service until mid 1943 when newer models will eventually allow me to diversify my squadrons more and I can finally start to build up a reserve in the replacement pools.
Today begins with US sub SS S-39 running a gauntlet of Japanese ASW attacks in the shallow waters along the east coast of Australia near Cooktown. Luckily the skipper manages to avoid and damage.
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ASW attack at 49,98
Japanese Ships
PG Choan Maru #2
PG Uji
DD Arashi
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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ASW attack at 49,100
Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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ASW attack at 49,100
Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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18 Japanese Helen’s hit Townsville today and cause no damage to the base. Japan also hits Moulmein and the 1st Burma Rifles Brigade as well.
Allied heavy bombers hit the Japanese 5th Division at Moulmein.
Japan then launches a deliberate attack again at Moulmein and again pulls down another fort level before the attack goes in.
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Ground combat at Moulmein
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 78329 troops, 270 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1684
Defending force 24194 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 621
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese max assault: 1038 - adjusted assault: 907
Allied max defense: 536 - adjusted defense: 1365
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
1760 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
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Japanese casualties are a lot less severe this time, which I attribute to the disruption his air attacks have caused my land units. My guys are just too disrupted or too much equipment is disabled to make as big a dent in the attackers as they did on the first attack.
I would guess Moulmein will fall within a week or so at this point.
Japan also conducts a land bombardment at Townsville.
Jim
Another month has passed in game and it is again time to compare our air to air fighter losses. To date the allies have lost 540 fighters (+62 for the month) in air to air combat. Japan has lost a total of 118 fighters (+15 for the month) in air to air combat.
That’s a kill ratio for Japan of 4.5–1 for the war and 4.1–1 for the month.
Another frustrating thing to note is I’ve intentionally not used my P-40E’s in combat since the Philippine Islands campaign. What I wanted to do was upgrade most of my P-40B squadrons first and then get the P-40E’s into frontline service.
Well I’m six months into the war and I have only managed to upgrade about 70% of my P-40B groups and have zero P-40E’s in my replacement pools still. I’ve only lost 69 P-40E’s to all causes since war began, and 44 of those were on the ground in the opening turn/turns of the game.
Yet I still have 7 squadrons of P-40B’s yet to get upgraded and 3 squadrons of P-40E’s in India with only 12 or so planes in each squadron. Then there is the P-35A squadron from the Philippines that needs upgrading as well.
That means I have at least another 228 airframes (another 6 months worth of production) or more to go before I can flesh out all my obsolete squadrons with P-40E’s. And even then I’ll still have no reserves in the replacement pools.
Had I used the P-40E’s in combat, I never would have been able to upgrade my many P-40B groups, and with a production of only 2 airframes, those P-40B squadrons would have quickly run out of airframes just from normal op losses by now.
So basically the P-40E is unavailable for use in 1942 in CHS. If you do use it, you’ll run out of airframes rapidly as we saw happen with my Hurricanes and Kittyhawks (and I only had 3 squadrons of Kittyhawks engaged). Then all the P-40B squadrons will run out of airframes as the replacement rate for those isn’t high enough to cover ops losses for the 24 squadrons or so that use those airframes at game start.
Even once the obsolete squadrons are all fleshed out with shiny new P-40E’s, I’ll have 25 squadrons on map that use that model plane, 24 if I leave one squadron to use the P-40B’s. So even if each squadron loses only 2 planes a month to normal op losses, I’ll be running out of P-40E airframes as there are only 40 produced each month.
I think CHS has basically killed allied fighter strength to such an extent, that it is bad play on the part of the allies to try and use fighters in front line service until mid 1943 when newer models will eventually allow me to diversify my squadrons more and I can finally start to build up a reserve in the replacement pools.
Today begins with US sub SS S-39 running a gauntlet of Japanese ASW attacks in the shallow waters along the east coast of Australia near Cooktown. Luckily the skipper manages to avoid and damage.
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ASW attack at 49,98
Japanese Ships
PG Choan Maru #2
PG Uji
DD Arashi
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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ASW attack at 49,100
Japanese Ships
DD Hamakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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ASW attack at 49,100
Japanese Ships
DD Sazanami
Allied Ships
SS S-39
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18 Japanese Helen’s hit Townsville today and cause no damage to the base. Japan also hits Moulmein and the 1st Burma Rifles Brigade as well.
Allied heavy bombers hit the Japanese 5th Division at Moulmein.
Japan then launches a deliberate attack again at Moulmein and again pulls down another fort level before the attack goes in.
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Ground combat at Moulmein
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 78329 troops, 270 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1684
Defending force 24194 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 621
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3
Japanese max assault: 1038 - adjusted assault: 907
Allied max defense: 536 - adjusted defense: 1365
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3)
Japanese ground losses:
1760 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
Vehicles lost 2
Allied ground losses:
656 casualties reported
Guns lost 21
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Japanese casualties are a lot less severe this time, which I attribute to the disruption his air attacks have caused my land units. My guys are just too disrupted or too much equipment is disabled to make as big a dent in the attackers as they did on the first attack.
I would guess Moulmein will fall within a week or so at this point.
Japan also conducts a land bombardment at Townsville.
Jim
- Attachments
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- 6Jun42.jpg (152.04 KiB) Viewed 216 times
-
Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
7 June 42
7 June 42
Lots of sub activity again today. Near Auckland another new Japanese sub appears in the area and gets chased under by one of my ASW task forces. At Kwajalein another Japanese ML is targeted but missed. Finally at Bangkok US sub SS Skipjack has a busy day and sends a torpedo into the side of a loaded Japanese AP.
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ASW attack near Auckland at 62,134
Japanese Ships
SS I-30
Allied Ships
MSW Tui
MSW Moa
MSW Kiwi
MSW Sanda
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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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Sub attack near Bangkok at 29,39
Japanese Ships
AP Aiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Fukui Maru
Allied Ships
SS Skipjack, hits 4
Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Sub attack near Bangkok at 29,39
Japanese Ships
AP Katsuragisan Maru
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Fukui Maru
Allied Ships
SS Skipjack, hits 1
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SS Skipjack suffered several near misses and minor hits, but system damage is only 8 and she’s ordered back to Perth for some yard time.
Japanese bombers conduct three air raids on Moulmein today. Two were against the base and one hit the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade.
US heavy bombers hit the Japanese 5th Division at Moulmein. Two small air raids are also flown against Luganville. One hits the base and another small 3 plane raid misses a Japanese PC spotted at the base.
Recon reports several Japanese task forces at Luganville this turn. Looks like Japan is either leaving the base (unlikely) or bringing in more troops.
Japan launches a land bombardment at Townsville. Nothing else of note to report today.
Jim
Lots of sub activity again today. Near Auckland another new Japanese sub appears in the area and gets chased under by one of my ASW task forces. At Kwajalein another Japanese ML is targeted but missed. Finally at Bangkok US sub SS Skipjack has a busy day and sends a torpedo into the side of a loaded Japanese AP.
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ASW attack near Auckland at 62,134
Japanese Ships
SS I-30
Allied Ships
MSW Tui
MSW Moa
MSW Kiwi
MSW Sanda
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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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Sub attack near Bangkok at 29,39
Japanese Ships
AP Aiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Fukui Maru
Allied Ships
SS Skipjack, hits 4
Japanese ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Sub attack near Bangkok at 29,39
Japanese Ships
AP Katsuragisan Maru
PG Takunan Maru #3
PG Shotoku Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
PG Fukui Maru
Allied Ships
SS Skipjack, hits 1
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SS Skipjack suffered several near misses and minor hits, but system damage is only 8 and she’s ordered back to Perth for some yard time.
Japanese bombers conduct three air raids on Moulmein today. Two were against the base and one hit the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade.
US heavy bombers hit the Japanese 5th Division at Moulmein. Two small air raids are also flown against Luganville. One hits the base and another small 3 plane raid misses a Japanese PC spotted at the base.
Recon reports several Japanese task forces at Luganville this turn. Looks like Japan is either leaving the base (unlikely) or bringing in more troops.
Japan launches a land bombardment at Townsville. Nothing else of note to report today.
Jim
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
8 June 42
8 June 42
Today’s sub activity has the Skipjack dodging a Japanese ASW attack south of Bangkok and the Grenadier dodging one at Kwajalein. US sub S-45 slams a torpedo into a Japanese AP at Luganville. The fact no Japanese troops were reported as casualties leads me to believe Japan has unloaded reinforcements at Luganville.
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ASW attack at 29,41
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 7
PC Ch 3
Allied Ships
SS Skipjack
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Sub attack near Luganville at 71,111
Japanese Ships
AP Nishiki Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-45, hits 1
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ASW attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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Japanese bombers hit the base at Moulmein and another raid hits the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade again.
Allied medium bombers hit both the 5th and 33rd Divisions at Moulmein. A small raid launched against the Japanese task forces at Luganville fails to score any hits.
At Townsville Japan has added another divisions and brigade to the battle. Here are our comparative AV’s this turn. I’ve gone ahead and ordered the 3rd Australian Brigade at Charter Towers back to Townsville as I doubt my current force at Townsville can hold now.
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Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 78657 troops, 294 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2209
Defending force 55776 troops, 313 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 793
Allied ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Both the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions landed at Brisbane this turn. Both are ordered to march to Townsville, but I doubt they’ll make it in time.
I now feel that sending the 7th AIF Division to Noumea was definitely a blunder (though I’d probably feel different if he had invaded Noumea by now). Had I left it in Australia, it would already be at Townsville and I’d be assured of holding the base long enough for the 6th AIF to arrive there as well. Now it looks like I’ll lose Townsville, Charter Towers and Cloncurry due to too few troops up north there to stop the Japanese juggernaut.
Counting the two divisions my opponent told me he accidently moved off the rail hex between Cooktown and Cairns, I now have confirmed 7 Japanese divisions and 1 brigade in northeastern Australia. He has another 2 divisions for sure marching on Tennant Creek.
I still think I can stop him in the northeast if the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions manage to join the fight before he forces me out. So I’ve rebased my medium bombers with ranges of less than 8 to Charter Towers this turn.
Those with ranges of 8 and my few remaining uncommitted Hudson’s (about 24 I think) will remain at Rockhampton. Both bases shall begin ground attacks on Townsville every turn. Hopefully the attacks will disrupt him enough to allow the base to hold on.
Replacement airframes for my heavy bombers are too low to risk them being destroyed on the ground at Charter Towers, so for now they’ll remain at Brisbane.
I have 4 groups of B-24D’s due in about a week, they have the range to reach Townsville from Brisbane. I’ll rebase them to Australia ASAP once they arrive.
Jim
Today’s sub activity has the Skipjack dodging a Japanese ASW attack south of Bangkok and the Grenadier dodging one at Kwajalein. US sub S-45 slams a torpedo into a Japanese AP at Luganville. The fact no Japanese troops were reported as casualties leads me to believe Japan has unloaded reinforcements at Luganville.
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ASW attack at 29,41
Japanese Ships
PC Ch 7
PC Ch 3
Allied Ships
SS Skipjack
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Sub attack near Luganville at 71,111
Japanese Ships
AP Nishiki Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-45, hits 1
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ASW attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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Japanese bombers hit the base at Moulmein and another raid hits the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade again.
Allied medium bombers hit both the 5th and 33rd Divisions at Moulmein. A small raid launched against the Japanese task forces at Luganville fails to score any hits.
At Townsville Japan has added another divisions and brigade to the battle. Here are our comparative AV’s this turn. I’ve gone ahead and ordered the 3rd Australian Brigade at Charter Towers back to Townsville as I doubt my current force at Townsville can hold now.
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Ground combat at Townsville
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 78657 troops, 294 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2209
Defending force 55776 troops, 313 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 793
Allied ground losses:
124 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
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Both the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions landed at Brisbane this turn. Both are ordered to march to Townsville, but I doubt they’ll make it in time.
I now feel that sending the 7th AIF Division to Noumea was definitely a blunder (though I’d probably feel different if he had invaded Noumea by now). Had I left it in Australia, it would already be at Townsville and I’d be assured of holding the base long enough for the 6th AIF to arrive there as well. Now it looks like I’ll lose Townsville, Charter Towers and Cloncurry due to too few troops up north there to stop the Japanese juggernaut.
Counting the two divisions my opponent told me he accidently moved off the rail hex between Cooktown and Cairns, I now have confirmed 7 Japanese divisions and 1 brigade in northeastern Australia. He has another 2 divisions for sure marching on Tennant Creek.
I still think I can stop him in the northeast if the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions manage to join the fight before he forces me out. So I’ve rebased my medium bombers with ranges of less than 8 to Charter Towers this turn.
Those with ranges of 8 and my few remaining uncommitted Hudson’s (about 24 I think) will remain at Rockhampton. Both bases shall begin ground attacks on Townsville every turn. Hopefully the attacks will disrupt him enough to allow the base to hold on.
Replacement airframes for my heavy bombers are too low to risk them being destroyed on the ground at Charter Towers, so for now they’ll remain at Brisbane.
I have 4 groups of B-24D’s due in about a week, they have the range to reach Townsville from Brisbane. I’ll rebase them to Australia ASAP once they arrive.
Jim
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
9 June 42
9 June 42
Today was a good day for the allies. Given all the air attacks Japan has been launching at Moulmein every day, I decided the time was ripe for a little air ambush with my 5 Hurricane squadrons from Mandalay.
I rebased them to Rangoon last turn and set them to LRCAP over Moulmein and they intercepted three Japanese raids over the hex. The total air frame losses today were, 8 Ann’s, 7 Hurricanes, 3 Zeroes, 2 Helen’s, 2 Sonia’s, 1 Marauder, 1 Hudson, 1 Sally and 1 Oscar.
Air to air losses today were 6 Hurricanes vs. 8 Ann’s, 3 Zeroes, 2 Sonia’s and 1 Oscar, so I would call today’s ambush a minor success. I had hoped to do a lot better given the fact Japan’s planes have been flying raids non-stop for over a week.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 62
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on 16th Indian Brigade, at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 37
Ki-21-II Sally x 46
Ki-49 Helen x 55
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-30 Ann x 19
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 43
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 damaged
Runway hits 9
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another success for me today was the rebasing of my US bombers to Charter Towers with orders to ground attack Japanese land units at Townsville. The bombers from Brisbane only flew one mission, but the bombers from Charter Towers flew three.
In total 3 of the Japanese divisions were hit and the timing of today’s raids couldn’t have been better.
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Day Air attack on 4th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-26B Marauder x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-26B Marauder x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-26B Marauder x 22
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 8 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Japan launched a deliberate attack on Townsville today and his adjusted AV was 262, that’s just a little over 10% of his 2200+ AV he has attacking the hex. Had I not hit his land units so hard today, I'd have probably lost the just reconstructed level 6 fort.
Another Japanese unit is spotted one hex north of Townsville today, so things are going to continue getting worse for the allies at Townsville in the near future. I'm really dreading when the 2 divisions that accidently moved off-road arrive, I can only hope my 2 AIF divisions arrive first.
Japanese bombers hit Wyndham and Moulmein today. They also hit the 16th Indian Brigade located at Moulmein. My units at Moulmein are rapidly losing their combat ability to all these Japanese air strikes, it simply takes too long to recover from any damage caused in the malaria terrain.
Allied bombers hit Luganville’s port today, causing 3 supply hits.
Japan conducted a naval bombardment of Wyndham as well today with 3 CA’s and 2 CL’s, several task forces also ended the turn in the hex. Looks like the mopping up campaign has begun in northern Australia.
Jim
Today was a good day for the allies. Given all the air attacks Japan has been launching at Moulmein every day, I decided the time was ripe for a little air ambush with my 5 Hurricane squadrons from Mandalay.
I rebased them to Rangoon last turn and set them to LRCAP over Moulmein and they intercepted three Japanese raids over the hex. The total air frame losses today were, 8 Ann’s, 7 Hurricanes, 3 Zeroes, 2 Helen’s, 2 Sonia’s, 1 Marauder, 1 Hudson, 1 Sally and 1 Oscar.
Air to air losses today were 6 Hurricanes vs. 8 Ann’s, 3 Zeroes, 2 Sonia’s and 1 Oscar, so I would call today’s ambush a minor success. I had hoped to do a lot better given the fact Japan’s planes have been flying raids non-stop for over a week.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-51 Sonia x 18
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 62
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on 16th Indian Brigade, at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 37
Ki-21-II Sally x 46
Ki-49 Helen x 55
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 9
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Guns lost 4
Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12
Ki-30 Ann x 19
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb x 43
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-30 Ann: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb: 3 damaged
Runway hits 9
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another success for me today was the rebasing of my US bombers to Charter Towers with orders to ground attack Japanese land units at Townsville. The bombers from Brisbane only flew one mission, but the bombers from Charter Towers flew three.
In total 3 of the Japanese divisions were hit and the timing of today’s raids couldn’t have been better.
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Day Air attack on 4th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-26B Marauder x 16
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-26B Marauder x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 21
B-25C Mitchell x 12
Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 46,105
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 5
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-26B Marauder x 22
Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 8 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
95 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japan launched a deliberate attack on Townsville today and his adjusted AV was 262, that’s just a little over 10% of his 2200+ AV he has attacking the hex. Had I not hit his land units so hard today, I'd have probably lost the just reconstructed level 6 fort.
Another Japanese unit is spotted one hex north of Townsville today, so things are going to continue getting worse for the allies at Townsville in the near future. I'm really dreading when the 2 divisions that accidently moved off-road arrive, I can only hope my 2 AIF divisions arrive first.
Japanese bombers hit Wyndham and Moulmein today. They also hit the 16th Indian Brigade located at Moulmein. My units at Moulmein are rapidly losing their combat ability to all these Japanese air strikes, it simply takes too long to recover from any damage caused in the malaria terrain.
Allied bombers hit Luganville’s port today, causing 3 supply hits.
Japan conducted a naval bombardment of Wyndham as well today with 3 CA’s and 2 CL’s, several task forces also ended the turn in the hex. Looks like the mopping up campaign has begun in northern Australia.
Jim
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Gen.Hoepner
- Posts: 3636
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: italy
RE: 9 June 42
Hi Jim...pretty strange that result at Townsville...4 divisions managed to obtain only a 200 adjusted AV...well, it seems that you can hold...your units should now be skilled enough to hold their ground even without the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions...
I'm confident about Oz...i bet he won't go much further in that theatre[;)]
I'm confident about Oz...i bet he won't go much further in that theatre[;)]
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
RE: 9 June 42
I attribute it to several things. First most of my units are at or near 100% prepped for Townsville. Second I have level 6 forts. Finally all of my defending units are at or near 0 disruption while he attacked after moving south, so a lot of his formations probably have 20+ disruption (just a guess).
I also have unopposed armor in the hex, that may be causing a lot of damage to his guys before the final odds adjustments. I also have the SWPAC HQ in the hex 100% prepped for the base, so that helps too.
That’s all I can think of, he may not be very highly prepped for the base, but he surely has the numbers to force me out eventually. Why his adjusted AV is so low though, I cannot understand fully.
But I think you may be right, I will probably be able to hold until the 6th and 7th arrive and then there is no way he’ll be coming further south, as those two units have 80-90 experience levels. The guys he’s fighting now only have 60+ experience, but morale is high.
Jim
Edit: By the way, it's 5 divisions and a brigade, not 4 divisions so something odd is happening to his adjusted AV.
I also have unopposed armor in the hex, that may be causing a lot of damage to his guys before the final odds adjustments. I also have the SWPAC HQ in the hex 100% prepped for the base, so that helps too.
That’s all I can think of, he may not be very highly prepped for the base, but he surely has the numbers to force me out eventually. Why his adjusted AV is so low though, I cannot understand fully.
But I think you may be right, I will probably be able to hold until the 6th and 7th arrive and then there is no way he’ll be coming further south, as those two units have 80-90 experience levels. The guys he’s fighting now only have 60+ experience, but morale is high.
Jim
Edit: By the way, it's 5 divisions and a brigade, not 4 divisions so something odd is happening to his adjusted AV.
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
10 June 42
10 June 42
Today starts with the US sub SS Cachalot engaging a Japanese transport fleet at Lunga. The first attack misses, but later in the turn the sub returns and scores a hit on a Japanese AP.
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Sub attack near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
AP Nachi Maru
PC Ch 22
Allied Ships
SS Cachalot, hits 1
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Sub attack near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
AP Nachi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 22
Allied Ships
SS Cachalot
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At Moulmein my little ambush last turn caused my opponent to go fishing this turn by conducting a fighter sweep over the hex. I chuckled when I saw this mission execute and felt like saying “a swing and a miss”.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26
No Japanese losses
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All my fighters are safely back at Mandalay recovering. Rangoon no longer has sufficient air support for sustained air operations.
Japanese bombers hit Wyndham again today. Two raids hit the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade at Moulmein and Japan also flew a small unescorted raid of 14 Helens over Charter Towers. I was extremely disappointed with the air to air results. No Helens were shot down in air to air, one was hit by flak.
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Day Air attack on Charters Towers , at 45,105
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 14
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
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Allied mediums bombers flew three raids over Townsville and hit the 16th and 18th Japanese divisions. Luganville was also raided and 3 port supply hits were scored. My guys just can’t seem to damage the base at Luganville on these raids. Perhaps once they gain some more experience they’ll do better.
At Moulmein Japan launched a deliberate attack and achieved 1-1 odds and reduced the fort to level 2. I doubt I’ll last another attack, so I decided to retreat this turn.
I’ve ordered my units to withdraw across the river one hex northeast. I’ve also ordered the two units defending Rangoon into that hex as well. Once everyone arrives, I’ll send the two units in the worst shape into Rangoon to recover damage.
If you look at the AV next to the Japanese units in the combat screenshot, you can see his units must be in pretty bad shape as well, since most Japanese divisions usually have 400-900 AV listed here when in top fighting trim. So if I can manage to successfully rotate my units through Rangoon, I may gain an edge and be able to hold him at the river for a while.
Of course his airforce is what has allowed him to carry the day here so far, and it may well allow him to force the river as well. If my guys can entrench to level 3 before he crosses, then I know at best he’ll get a 1-1. If not he may force them to retreat into Rangoon.
I have 100 large transport planes in India and China right now, so I can pull most of the units out of Rangoon by air, but it’s a risky operation and I may lose a lot of brigades. What does everyone think, hold at the river or just flee to Mandalay?
Jim
Today starts with the US sub SS Cachalot engaging a Japanese transport fleet at Lunga. The first attack misses, but later in the turn the sub returns and scores a hit on a Japanese AP.
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Sub attack near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
AP Nachi Maru
PC Ch 22
Allied Ships
SS Cachalot, hits 1
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Sub attack near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
AP Nachi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
PC Ch 22
Allied Ships
SS Cachalot
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At Moulmein my little ambush last turn caused my opponent to go fishing this turn by conducting a fighter sweep over the hex. I chuckled when I saw this mission execute and felt like saying “a swing and a miss”.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
A6M3 Zero x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26
No Japanese losses
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All my fighters are safely back at Mandalay recovering. Rangoon no longer has sufficient air support for sustained air operations.
Japanese bombers hit Wyndham again today. Two raids hit the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade at Moulmein and Japan also flew a small unescorted raid of 14 Helens over Charter Towers. I was extremely disappointed with the air to air results. No Helens were shot down in air to air, one was hit by flak.
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Day Air attack on Charters Towers , at 45,105
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 14
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2
Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 12
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed
Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12
Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet
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Allied mediums bombers flew three raids over Townsville and hit the 16th and 18th Japanese divisions. Luganville was also raided and 3 port supply hits were scored. My guys just can’t seem to damage the base at Luganville on these raids. Perhaps once they gain some more experience they’ll do better.
At Moulmein Japan launched a deliberate attack and achieved 1-1 odds and reduced the fort to level 2. I doubt I’ll last another attack, so I decided to retreat this turn.
I’ve ordered my units to withdraw across the river one hex northeast. I’ve also ordered the two units defending Rangoon into that hex as well. Once everyone arrives, I’ll send the two units in the worst shape into Rangoon to recover damage.
If you look at the AV next to the Japanese units in the combat screenshot, you can see his units must be in pretty bad shape as well, since most Japanese divisions usually have 400-900 AV listed here when in top fighting trim. So if I can manage to successfully rotate my units through Rangoon, I may gain an edge and be able to hold him at the river for a while.
Of course his airforce is what has allowed him to carry the day here so far, and it may well allow him to force the river as well. If my guys can entrench to level 3 before he crosses, then I know at best he’ll get a 1-1. If not he may force them to retreat into Rangoon.
I have 100 large transport planes in India and China right now, so I can pull most of the units out of Rangoon by air, but it’s a risky operation and I may lose a lot of brigades. What does everyone think, hold at the river or just flee to Mandalay?
Jim
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Gen.Hoepner
- Posts: 3636
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 8:00 am
- Location: italy
RE: 10 June 42
I'd say hold at the river. Use your bombers to distrupt his units. Yes, he can place his LRCAP there...you will lose some of your bombers...yes...but it's worth the exchange imho!
HAve you already brought to Mandalay some consistent forces? The chinese divs perhaps?
HAve you already brought to Mandalay some consistent forces? The chinese divs perhaps?
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Ron Saueracker
- Posts: 10967
- Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2002 10:00 am
- Location: Ottawa, Canada OR Zakynthos Island, Greece
RE: 10 June 42
I'd just leave the Rangoon Force and a base unit in Rangoon. Concentrate at hex between Moulmein and Rangoon to take advantage of the terrain. If he moves on Rangoon by sea or air he runs the risk of heavy transit losses and it is relatively easy to move back in some force.
I've been fortunate to never have had a Japanese PBEM player capture Moulmein. A few tried to bypass it and go into India but they failed miserably. CHS makes Japanese thrusts here and in China much more difficult.
I've been fortunate to never have had a Japanese PBEM player capture Moulmein. A few tried to bypass it and go into India but they failed miserably. CHS makes Japanese thrusts here and in China much more difficult.
Yammas from The Apo-Tiki Lounge. Future site of WITP AE benders! And then the s--t hit the fan
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
RE: 10 June 42
ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker
I'd just leave the Rangoon Force and a base unit in Rangoon. Concentrate at hex between Moulmein and Rangoon to take advantage of the terrain. If he moves on Rangoon by sea or air he runs the risk of heavy transit losses and it is relatively easy to move back in some force.
I've been fortunate to never have had a Japanese PBEM player capture Moulmein. A few tried to bypass it and go into India but they failed miserably. CHS makes Japanese thrusts here and in China much more difficult.
Hi Ron and G.H.,
Rangoon force is already at Akyab, I moved it there a long time ago as I assumed he'd come early for Burma. Great call on my part eh? [8|]
I'm mainly worried about a paradrop to take Rangoon followed by him airlifting in reinforcements, but at this stage I'm not really worried as much as I once was. My units are so chewed up from his air attacks, I may not be able to hold against his river crossing shock attack, and if I lose that hex, Rangoon is meaningless.
But with the fresh brigade and the Chinese division from Rangoon added to the river line, I probably can hold for at least one attack, so it’ll be safe to rotate at least one brigade through Rangoon I guess.
I mainly want to hold long enough to get the first Chindit Brigade to Mandalay. By then the forts should be level 9 and all but two of the starting brigades in Burma are 100% prepped for the base. Mandalay will be held by the Chindit brigade and all of the starting Burma brigades.
When I finally pull back from the river, I’ll send all 6 Chinese divisions to Ledo (only level 4 forts), and the Assam Rifles will guard Myitkyina against paradrops. Right now the Chinese are guarding all the bases in the rear areas of Burma that are on the rail lines, one division per base.
Jim
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
11 June 42
11 June 42
Sub activity today consists of two Japanese ASW attacks on my subs. The S-23 is hit hard (60 float) near Milne Bay and may not make it back to port.
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ASW attack at 56,97
Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki
DD Hamakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo
Allied Ships
SS S-23, hits 1, on fire
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ASW attack near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
PC Takunan Maru #10
PC Shonon Maru #15
Allied Ships
SS Cachalot
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Allied bombers hit the 33rd and 4th Japanese divisions at Moulmein today. Luganville was also hit again and another 2 supply hits were scored.
Japanese bombers hit the 13th Indian Brigade at Moulmein today.
My opponent then launches another deliberate attack at Moulmein and smashes my units hard with a 2-1 odds attack. Forts are pulled down to level 1 and worst of all, my move plots are reset! [:@]
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Ground combat at Moulmein
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 74164 troops, 225 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 1481
Defending force 20512 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 524
Japanese max assault: 865 - adjusted assault: 735
Allied max defense: 371 - adjusted defense: 263
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1455 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
876 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
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I’m screwed at Moulmein, no way will my guys get away and right now almost all non-squad equipment is disabled, so when he forces a retreat my units are going to get crushed in the retreat losses caused.
At this point I’ve abandoned any hope of holding at the river line and I ordered all my units to fall back to either Mandalay or Lashio. I may just end up abandoning Lashio as well, since I doubt my shattered British brigades will be able to defend Mandalay after the pounding they are about to take.
Japan conducts a land bombardment at Townsville, and as you can see from the below screenshot, he now has 6 divisions in the hex. Recon also spotted another unit one hex north of the base.
My opponent bragged to me in an email last turn that he’ll soon have almost 5,000 AV at Townsville.
5,000! [X(][X(][X(]
That means he must be bringing at least another 6 divisions or their equivalent to Townsville. I do not think even the two AIF divisions will make enough of a difference to hold against 5,000 AV.
I did note today that Townsville is 47% of the way to level 7 forts. Two engineer units with 20 engineer vehicles each landed at Brisbane today. So hopefully I can get another fort level or two done before that massive uberstack is finished forming up at Townsville.
Jim
Sub activity today consists of two Japanese ASW attacks on my subs. The S-23 is hit hard (60 float) near Milne Bay and may not make it back to port.
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ASW attack at 56,97
Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki
DD Hamakaze
DD Shiranuhi
DD Hatsukaze
DD Kagero
DD Akigumo
Allied Ships
SS S-23, hits 1, on fire
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ASW attack near Lunga at 67,101
Japanese Ships
PC Takunan Maru #10
PC Shonon Maru #15
Allied Ships
SS Cachalot
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Allied bombers hit the 33rd and 4th Japanese divisions at Moulmein today. Luganville was also hit again and another 2 supply hits were scored.
Japanese bombers hit the 13th Indian Brigade at Moulmein today.
My opponent then launches another deliberate attack at Moulmein and smashes my units hard with a 2-1 odds attack. Forts are pulled down to level 1 and worst of all, my move plots are reset! [:@]
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Ground combat at Moulmein
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 74164 troops, 225 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 1481
Defending force 20512 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 524
Japanese max assault: 865 - adjusted assault: 735
Allied max defense: 371 - adjusted defense: 263
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1
Japanese ground losses:
1455 casualties reported
Guns lost 14
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
876 casualties reported
Guns lost 12
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I’m screwed at Moulmein, no way will my guys get away and right now almost all non-squad equipment is disabled, so when he forces a retreat my units are going to get crushed in the retreat losses caused.
At this point I’ve abandoned any hope of holding at the river line and I ordered all my units to fall back to either Mandalay or Lashio. I may just end up abandoning Lashio as well, since I doubt my shattered British brigades will be able to defend Mandalay after the pounding they are about to take.
Japan conducts a land bombardment at Townsville, and as you can see from the below screenshot, he now has 6 divisions in the hex. Recon also spotted another unit one hex north of the base.
My opponent bragged to me in an email last turn that he’ll soon have almost 5,000 AV at Townsville.
5,000! [X(][X(][X(]
That means he must be bringing at least another 6 divisions or their equivalent to Townsville. I do not think even the two AIF divisions will make enough of a difference to hold against 5,000 AV.
I did note today that Townsville is 47% of the way to level 7 forts. Two engineer units with 20 engineer vehicles each landed at Brisbane today. So hopefully I can get another fort level or two done before that massive uberstack is finished forming up at Townsville.
Jim
- Attachments
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- 11Jun42.jpg (141.71 KiB) Viewed 216 times
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
12 June 42
12 June 42
The turn begins with Japanese troops unloading over the beach at Wyndham. I’m actually hoping he forces the baseforce unit there to surrender, as it would reappear on map from the reinforcement track long before it could march across the outback desert.
There is one sub attack this turn at Soerabaja. Dutch Sub KXVIII sends a torpedo into a Japanese AK and gets rattled in return by its escort. Damage is minor but I’ve ordered the sub to return to port.
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Sub attack near Soerabaja at 23,66
Japanese Ships
AK Taketoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nokaze
DD Okikaze
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 2
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I also had a sub at Singapore hit by a search aircraft. Damage is very heavy and I’ve ordered the sub to try and reach Diamond Harbor, but with fires aboard and 60 float damage, it’s doubtful she’ll make port.
Japanese fighters conduct another sweep over Rangoon and find the skies empty. This is the third turn in a row he’s conducted sweeps with his zeroes at a different base. Guess my little ambush a few turns back really irritated him.
15 Helens again show up over Charter Towers unescorted. This time my Kittyhawks manage to shoot 1 down. Damage to the base is minor and 1 Kittyhawk and 1 Marauder are destroyed on the ground. Japanese bombers also hit the 1st Burma Rifles Brigade at Moulmein this turn.
At Townsville, allied bombers hit the 4th and 38th Divisions. Allied bombers hit the 33rd and 5th Divisions at Moulmein flying 3 separate strikes. 5 Hudson’s from Broome launch a strike on a Japanese CA at Wyndham, but don’t manage to score any hits. Luganville is also hit today.
Had I remembered to give my units movement orders to a base rather than just a regular hex last turn, none of my move orders would have reset last turn and all my units would have left Moulmein this turn before Japan could have attacked them. As it is his deliberate attack went in today and 4 of my brigades remained in the hex.
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Ground combat at Moulmein
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 72030 troops, 209 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 1785
Defending force 12603 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 307
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese max assault: 730 - adjusted assault: 800
Allied max defense: 197 - adjusted defense: 303
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
583 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
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Needless to say my brigades are all shattered and have lost at least half of their non-squad equipment items. They’ve also lost a good chunk of their squads and what is left is 70% disabled.
I’ve ordered a general withdraw to Mandalay. All units in Burma will try to hunker down behind the level 9 forts.
My opponent should have to stop and refit at Rangoon for a while I hope. If he does, I’ll air lift the brigades with the most remaining equipment items out and left them refit in India for a while. If he comes straight on, I’ll simply try to hold with what I have left.
Amazing how fast my fortunes turned here in Burma. One turn I’m talking about a forward defense plan. Three turns later I’m reeling and running back to Mandalay. I hope the same thing doesn’t happen at Townsville.
Jim
The turn begins with Japanese troops unloading over the beach at Wyndham. I’m actually hoping he forces the baseforce unit there to surrender, as it would reappear on map from the reinforcement track long before it could march across the outback desert.
There is one sub attack this turn at Soerabaja. Dutch Sub KXVIII sends a torpedo into a Japanese AK and gets rattled in return by its escort. Damage is minor but I’ve ordered the sub to return to port.
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Sub attack near Soerabaja at 23,66
Japanese Ships
AK Taketoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Nokaze
DD Okikaze
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII, hits 2
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I also had a sub at Singapore hit by a search aircraft. Damage is very heavy and I’ve ordered the sub to try and reach Diamond Harbor, but with fires aboard and 60 float damage, it’s doubtful she’ll make port.
Japanese fighters conduct another sweep over Rangoon and find the skies empty. This is the third turn in a row he’s conducted sweeps with his zeroes at a different base. Guess my little ambush a few turns back really irritated him.
15 Helens again show up over Charter Towers unescorted. This time my Kittyhawks manage to shoot 1 down. Damage to the base is minor and 1 Kittyhawk and 1 Marauder are destroyed on the ground. Japanese bombers also hit the 1st Burma Rifles Brigade at Moulmein this turn.
At Townsville, allied bombers hit the 4th and 38th Divisions. Allied bombers hit the 33rd and 5th Divisions at Moulmein flying 3 separate strikes. 5 Hudson’s from Broome launch a strike on a Japanese CA at Wyndham, but don’t manage to score any hits. Luganville is also hit today.
Had I remembered to give my units movement orders to a base rather than just a regular hex last turn, none of my move orders would have reset last turn and all my units would have left Moulmein this turn before Japan could have attacked them. As it is his deliberate attack went in today and 4 of my brigades remained in the hex.
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Ground combat at Moulmein
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 72030 troops, 209 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 1785
Defending force 12603 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 307
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese max assault: 730 - adjusted assault: 800
Allied max defense: 197 - adjusted defense: 303
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!!
Japanese ground losses:
583 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1
Allied ground losses:
195 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
Defeated Allied Units Retreating!
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Needless to say my brigades are all shattered and have lost at least half of their non-squad equipment items. They’ve also lost a good chunk of their squads and what is left is 70% disabled.
I’ve ordered a general withdraw to Mandalay. All units in Burma will try to hunker down behind the level 9 forts.
My opponent should have to stop and refit at Rangoon for a while I hope. If he does, I’ll air lift the brigades with the most remaining equipment items out and left them refit in India for a while. If he comes straight on, I’ll simply try to hold with what I have left.
Amazing how fast my fortunes turned here in Burma. One turn I’m talking about a forward defense plan. Three turns later I’m reeling and running back to Mandalay. I hope the same thing doesn’t happen at Townsville.
Jim
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
13 June 42
13 June 42
The US sub SS Grenadier gets another shot at a Japanese ML at Kwajalein and the torpedoes hit, but they are duds.
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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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At Moulmein I sent every bomber within range to pound the base this turn. No Japanese planes were flying LRCAP over the base, so my boys hammered the place.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 68
Wellington III x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 13
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 45
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 17
B-17E Fortress x 43
LB-30 Liberator x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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I’m going to try and keep both Moulmein and Rangoon closed. If I can force him to fly his bombing missions over Mandalay from Bangkok and other bases further back, my Hurricanes might do better in a front line air to air duel this time around.
I barely have one month’s production of Hurricanes in the replacement pools, so at most I can only replace losses from one major pounding (Japan kills about one month’s production with his big air raids) to my fighters at Mandalay before I have to pull them back off the front line.
Were I to stick around and get hit twice, then all of a sudden my fighter squadrons would find themselves without any air frames and India would be wide open while I await replacements.
At Townsville, my planes flew two ground attack missions and both targeted the 3rd AA regiment. Damage to the unit appeared to be heavy. Luganville is hit and 1 supply hit is scored.
14 Helens hit Charter Towers again today, no planes are lost on the ground and 2 Helens are shot down by flak. Across the river from Moulmein Japan hits the 1st Burma Brigade.
Japan captures Wyndham this turn and the baseforce surrenders. I’m pissed to learn the baseforce did not appear in the reinforcement track. I could have easily evacuated all the northern Australian baseforces a long time ago had I known they didn’t respawn. Now I’m going to lose all three for no gain whatsoever.
Ok I exaggerated a bit the damage my troops at Moulmein suffered from last turns retreat, but that was mainly due to the fact I only checked the Burma Frontier Force Brigade and assumed all the brigades looked to be in a similar state. The units are still really messed up, but not as much as I had thought. Below is a screenshot of the brigades behind the river line.
As you can see 4 of them (the ones forced to retreat from the last battle) only moved 2-4 miles today. I’m hoping that’s due to last turns combat and they’ll make better time this turn. If not they’ll surely get caught by Japan and get forced into Rangoon and trapped.
Jim
The US sub SS Grenadier gets another shot at a Japanese ML at Kwajalein and the torpedoes hit, but they are duds.
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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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At Moulmein I sent every bomber within range to pound the base this turn. No Japanese planes were flying LRCAP over the base, so my boys hammered the place.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 68
Wellington III x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 13
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 45
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 17
B-17E Fortress x 43
LB-30 Liberator x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
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I’m going to try and keep both Moulmein and Rangoon closed. If I can force him to fly his bombing missions over Mandalay from Bangkok and other bases further back, my Hurricanes might do better in a front line air to air duel this time around.
I barely have one month’s production of Hurricanes in the replacement pools, so at most I can only replace losses from one major pounding (Japan kills about one month’s production with his big air raids) to my fighters at Mandalay before I have to pull them back off the front line.
Were I to stick around and get hit twice, then all of a sudden my fighter squadrons would find themselves without any air frames and India would be wide open while I await replacements.
At Townsville, my planes flew two ground attack missions and both targeted the 3rd AA regiment. Damage to the unit appeared to be heavy. Luganville is hit and 1 supply hit is scored.
14 Helens hit Charter Towers again today, no planes are lost on the ground and 2 Helens are shot down by flak. Across the river from Moulmein Japan hits the 1st Burma Brigade.
Japan captures Wyndham this turn and the baseforce surrenders. I’m pissed to learn the baseforce did not appear in the reinforcement track. I could have easily evacuated all the northern Australian baseforces a long time ago had I known they didn’t respawn. Now I’m going to lose all three for no gain whatsoever.
Ok I exaggerated a bit the damage my troops at Moulmein suffered from last turns retreat, but that was mainly due to the fact I only checked the Burma Frontier Force Brigade and assumed all the brigades looked to be in a similar state. The units are still really messed up, but not as much as I had thought. Below is a screenshot of the brigades behind the river line.
As you can see 4 of them (the ones forced to retreat from the last battle) only moved 2-4 miles today. I’m hoping that’s due to last turns combat and they’ll make better time this turn. If not they’ll surely get caught by Japan and get forced into Rangoon and trapped.
Jim
- Attachments
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- 13Jun42.jpg (259.03 KiB) Viewed 216 times
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: 12 June 42
I'm in mid-12/42 with my PBEM game using CHS 158c, but am using 2 day turns (hope to get to '44 before AE). I feel your pain about the number of P-40 airframes of all types. [:(] I'm looking forward to the OOB for Allied planes in AE as so many mods have done little to address the fighter shortage (so many P-40 squadrons, so few planes). Thankfully, I get Corsairs, Spits, and P-39Q to add to my P-38G bringing me to over 200 second generation fighters per month starting in 1/43. [:D]
However, your opponent should start to worry about the B-24 menace which will soon make his life very difficult. [:D] I've lost these planes mainly to flak and op losses and very few to a2a. The other thing that I find difficult to overcome is the low Political Points in CHS (50 per day). IMO, 75 per day would have been nice as I have almost always had to send ships back to Winny when he asked. [:(] I still have 4 American divisions on the WC awaiting PPs and I'm not even thinking about Australian LCUs yet.
The bad thing about your opponents position in Australia is he will have trouble evac those units once you start your counteroffensive without using KB for protection.
However, your opponent should start to worry about the B-24 menace which will soon make his life very difficult. [:D] I've lost these planes mainly to flak and op losses and very few to a2a. The other thing that I find difficult to overcome is the low Political Points in CHS (50 per day). IMO, 75 per day would have been nice as I have almost always had to send ships back to Winny when he asked. [:(] I still have 4 American divisions on the WC awaiting PPs and I'm not even thinking about Australian LCUs yet.
The bad thing about your opponents position in Australia is he will have trouble evac those units once you start your counteroffensive without using KB for protection.
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RE: 13 June 42
ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns
13 June 42
The US sub SS Grenadier gets another shot at a Japanese ML at Kwajalein and the torpedoes hit, but they are duds.
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Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84
Japanese Ships
ML Shirataka
Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
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At Moulmein I sent every bomber within range to pound the base this turn. No Japanese planes were flying LRCAP over the base, so my boys hammered the place.
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 68
Wellington III x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 13
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 3 damaged
Wellington III: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 45
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
<snip>
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Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34
Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 17
B-17E Fortress x 43
LB-30 Liberator x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 31
Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet
<snip>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m going to try and keep both Moulmein and Rangoon closed. If I can force him to fly his bombing missions over Mandalay from Bangkok and other bases further back, my Hurricanes might do better in a front line air to air duel this time around.
I barely have one month’s production of Hurricanes in the replacement pools, so at most I can only replace losses from one major pounding (Japan kills about one month’s production with his big air raids) to my fighters at Mandalay before I have to pull them back off the front line.
Were I to stick around and get hit twice, then all of a sudden my fighter squadrons would find themselves without any air frames and India would be wide open while I await replacements.
At Townsville, my planes flew two ground attack missions and both targeted the 3rd AA regiment. Damage to the unit appeared to be heavy. Luganville is hit and 1 supply hit is scored.
14 Helens hit Charter Towers again today, no planes are lost on the ground and 2 Helens are shot down by flak. Across the river from Moulmein Japan hits the 1st Burma Brigade.
Japan captures Wyndham this turn and the baseforce surrenders. I’m pissed to learn the baseforce did not appear in the reinforcement track. I could have easily evacuated all the northern Australian baseforces a long time ago had I known they didn’t respawn. Now I’m going to lose all three for no gain whatsoever.
Ok I exaggerated a bit the damage my troops at Moulmein suffered from last turns retreat, but that was mainly due to the fact I only checked the Burma Frontier Force Brigade and assumed all the brigades looked to be in a similar state. The units are still really messed up, but not as much as I had thought. Below is a screenshot of the brigades behind the river line.
As you can see 4 of them (the ones forced to retreat from the last battle) only moved 2-4 miles today. I’m hoping that’s due to last turns combat and they’ll make better time this turn. If not they’ll surely get caught by Japan and get forced into Rangoon and trapped.
Jim
Check the direction they are travelling - they're heading off into jungle!!!!, which is why they are only goin 2-4 miles per day.
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
RE: 13 June 42
ORIGINAL: Yakface
Check the direction they are travelling - they're heading off into jungle!!!!, which is why they are only goin 2-4 miles per day.
Gasp! WTF? [X(][&:]
Thank you for the heads up on that, I completely missed it. I have no idea what caused that to happen as all units were ordered to move to Mandalay. I'll address it next turn, though it's probably too late to get away now.
Jim
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Jim D Burns
- Posts: 4001
- Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:00 pm
- Location: Salida, CA.
RE: 12 June 42
Hi ny59giants,
Yeah my first B-24’s arrive in a few days. They’ll start to pound his land units at Townsville regularly from Brisbane every day. Once Rockhampton reaches a level 7 airfield, then B-24’s will hit Cooktown and Cairns every day from there and the B-17’s will hit his land troops at Townsville.
I’m actually happy that he’s going for Australia, as it’s something I’ve always wanted to defend against but never had the chance to do. There is so much new strategy involved here, it gives me lots to ponder over strategy wise.
It also makes the Solomon’s campaign one of the most critical campaigns of the game. If I can manage to hold Australia with just Australian units and units from SWPAC command, I can launch a strong drive into the Solomon’s with SPAC command units starting in late 42.
If I can get air power within range of all the sea hexes leading up to Milne Bay, I’ll have cut off his northeastern Australia thrust and will be in good position to then conduct an Inchon style landing north of wherever the front line is at that time. Destruction of his troops in detail will quickly follow.
But I suspect my opponent knows this, that’s why he’s brought 5,000+ AV to northeastern Australia. He’s going for either the knockout blow, or he wants to force me to also have to commit all/most of my SPAC land units to Australia as well as all my SWPAC units.
I’m really starting to lean in the direction of bringing some British units down from India, but that will pretty much negate any offensives in that region of the world for quite some time, thus freeing up a lot of his airforce for duty in Australia.
I don’t know if it’s such a good idea to bring them down actually. I’ll wait to see how the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions stand up to the full might of his uberstack. If they get blown away or it’s obvious they won’t hold for long, I’ll probably bring down some British troops.
Two SPAC units, the 1st Marine Division and another Army division (can’t remember its designation right now) are both in SF fleshing out their strength and recovering disablements. Once they’re ready to go, I’ll send them both to Noumea and then send the Americal Division to Australia if it’s needed there.
The 1st Marine Division will launch my first attack against Luganville (I also have a RCT prepping for Luganville). I’d like to use the Americal Division (CENTPAC unit) to land somewhere in the Gilbert's about the same time, but I’ll send it to Australia if things are tough there.
Jim
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
However, your opponent should start to worry about the B-24 menace which will soon make his life very difficult. [:D] I've lost these planes mainly to flak and op losses and very few to a2a. The other thing that I find difficult to overcome is the low Political Points in CHS (50 per day). IMO, 75 per day would have been nice as I have almost always had to send ships back to Winny when he asked. [:(] I still have 4 American divisions on the WC awaiting PPs and I'm not even thinking about Australian LCUs yet.
Yeah my first B-24’s arrive in a few days. They’ll start to pound his land units at Townsville regularly from Brisbane every day. Once Rockhampton reaches a level 7 airfield, then B-24’s will hit Cooktown and Cairns every day from there and the B-17’s will hit his land troops at Townsville.
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
The bad thing about your opponents position in Australia is he will have trouble evac those units once you start your counteroffensive without using KB for protection.
I’m actually happy that he’s going for Australia, as it’s something I’ve always wanted to defend against but never had the chance to do. There is so much new strategy involved here, it gives me lots to ponder over strategy wise.
It also makes the Solomon’s campaign one of the most critical campaigns of the game. If I can manage to hold Australia with just Australian units and units from SWPAC command, I can launch a strong drive into the Solomon’s with SPAC command units starting in late 42.
If I can get air power within range of all the sea hexes leading up to Milne Bay, I’ll have cut off his northeastern Australia thrust and will be in good position to then conduct an Inchon style landing north of wherever the front line is at that time. Destruction of his troops in detail will quickly follow.
But I suspect my opponent knows this, that’s why he’s brought 5,000+ AV to northeastern Australia. He’s going for either the knockout blow, or he wants to force me to also have to commit all/most of my SPAC land units to Australia as well as all my SWPAC units.
I’m really starting to lean in the direction of bringing some British units down from India, but that will pretty much negate any offensives in that region of the world for quite some time, thus freeing up a lot of his airforce for duty in Australia.
I don’t know if it’s such a good idea to bring them down actually. I’ll wait to see how the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions stand up to the full might of his uberstack. If they get blown away or it’s obvious they won’t hold for long, I’ll probably bring down some British troops.
Two SPAC units, the 1st Marine Division and another Army division (can’t remember its designation right now) are both in SF fleshing out their strength and recovering disablements. Once they’re ready to go, I’ll send them both to Noumea and then send the Americal Division to Australia if it’s needed there.
The 1st Marine Division will launch my first attack against Luganville (I also have a RCT prepping for Luganville). I’d like to use the Americal Division (CENTPAC unit) to land somewhere in the Gilbert's about the same time, but I’ll send it to Australia if things are tough there.
Jim
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: 12 June 42
You might want to look at your disposition of Aviation Support. I sent a large Avaition Rgt from SE Asia to Oz and was able to evac most of my large Aviation units from Java and PI to Oz. They are now rebuilt (except the infantry for the British ones). There is a lot of Aviation Rgt (270 support) and large BF (90 support) in India/Burma that may be more than you need while Oz will be hurting for it until late 42. Having excessive (2 Aviation Rgt would be nice) will aid your 4e bomber recovery time at Rock or Brisbane. [;)]
Your opponent may continue to move west along the north coast of Australia and cut off any flow between India and Australia. Thus, you may need to plan ahead now and move excessive AK/AP down to Australia and eventually USA along with any LCUs before this happens. Thankfully, my game has a HR that allows me to move along the west map edge to near Australia without being attacked.
Your opponent may continue to move west along the north coast of Australia and cut off any flow between India and Australia. Thus, you may need to plan ahead now and move excessive AK/AP down to Australia and eventually USA along with any LCUs before this happens. Thankfully, my game has a HR that allows me to move along the west map edge to near Australia without being attacked.
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