RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:35 pm
Can you build PT's yet? Might come in handy in those narrow waters...
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The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Page 125 of 708
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:35 pm
Have you heard anything from John? He hasn't posted since yesterday. Here's hoping he's either he's tied up at work or consulting with JFBs wiser than me on the correct course of action.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:38 pm
Re: John. He's fine. He sent a turn early this morning (which I just finished and sent back to him). He's been at work all day - a longer day than he planned, so he'll probably be muttering dark things when he finally gets home. 
Re: PT boats. Sabang is a British SE Asia base. I can convert it to USA for 80 PP (cheap!). I"ve already tested and learned that my PT boat inventory is low - I could only build one. So I'll wait for awhile and try again later. Meanswhile, 20 or so PT boats are enroute from Akyab.
Re: PT boats. Sabang is a British SE Asia base. I can convert it to USA for 80 PP (cheap!). I"ve already tested and learned that my PT boat inventory is low - I could only build one. So I'll wait for awhile and try again later. Meanswhile, 20 or so PT boats are enroute from Akyab.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:30 pm
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Yeah, I think John brings his carriers and combat ships for the decisive battle. I agree.
But no matter what happens, I doubt John is going to recapture Sumatra. The Allies are going to end up with 500 to 750 AV at Sabang including tanks and SWPac HQ. The Allies have already gone toe-to-toe with the IJ airforce for months in Burma and have held their own. Veteran pilots from that campaign will be flying the best fighters available - I think the P-40K can stand up to anything. At sea, I think Allied combat seapower should be roughly equal to Japan (which has at least four BBs down or out now). The carriers are a wild card. Don't know how that ends up. But my early guess is that the Allies have too much, with relatively short LOCs to Ceylon and Assam. Even if things go sour for the Allies it should be months before John could close the chapter on this operation. I don't intend to lose, of course, and the Allies have a big headstart on Fortress Sabang.
Not going to disagree with anything you've said. However, the shortest LOC here is N. Sumatra to Singapore-John's LOC. Ceylon isn't exactly in your backyard. Nor is Perth. Assam is even further. All are subject to interdiction.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:57 pm
I don't think the equaiton works out that way as long as the current base configuration is in place.
I bet the KB comes west (south true) of Sumatra, as John won't want to transit narrow waters clogged with subs next to a level three airfield.
If he comes west of Sumatra, any battle takes place out in the open somewhere in the open reaches. Damaged Allies ships report to Diego and Colombo. Subs will be there, but there are many choices. Damaged Japanese ships probably don't chance the Malacca Straits, so they have to go back around Oosthaven and thence to Batavia or Singapore or Saigon or Manila.
I bet the KB comes west (south true) of Sumatra, as John won't want to transit narrow waters clogged with subs next to a level three airfield.
If he comes west of Sumatra, any battle takes place out in the open somewhere in the open reaches. Damaged Allies ships report to Diego and Colombo. Subs will be there, but there are many choices. Damaged Japanese ships probably don't chance the Malacca Straits, so they have to go back around Oosthaven and thence to Batavia or Singapore or Saigon or Manila.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:30 am
Dan, the shortest LOS here is Medan to Singapore. It's shorter than Sabang to Ceylon. Whether or not you think it's as subject to interdiction is a matter of your strategic opinion. You can't argue distance on the map though.
The Malacca straits are quite shallow. Any player worth their salt has beaucoup naval search and ASW aircraft plying these choked waters. In such constrained circumstances, submarine warfare will be less effective. Upshot: even if choked with Allied subs, there may still be 'free' movement and reinforcement of the Japanese position.
The Malacca straits are quite shallow. Any player worth their salt has beaucoup naval search and ASW aircraft plying these choked waters. In such constrained circumstances, submarine warfare will be less effective. Upshot: even if choked with Allied subs, there may still be 'free' movement and reinforcement of the Japanese position.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:38 am
11/14/42: D+4, Operation Des Wallace
A good day for the Allies. Excerpts from the combat report:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 14, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Langsa - 1st Marines still landing here. Much more needed (sealift of 27 Div. from Sabang may begin tomorrow).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Sibolga - Lots more troops coming ashore at Sibolga, including those diverted from Padang.
The Dutch go on the offensive:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
xAK Ayato Maru
xAK Chihaya Maru
xAK Jinshu Maru
xAK Kashiwara Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Kuroshio Maru
xAK Meisho Maru
xAK Misaku Maru
xAK Neikai Maru
xAK Nittei Maru
xAK Otori Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Ryugi Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Ryujo Maru
xAK Sanuki Maru
xAK Sanura Maru
xAK Shoho Maru
xAK Taibun Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tatsuho Maru
xAK Tone Maru
xAK Uyo Maru
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Yamakisan Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Yahiko Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Isis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-43, hits 10, and is sunk - Four or five of these encounters at Sabang - three or four SSX sunk or heavil damaged.
Allied Ships
DM Preble
DM Tracy
DM Ramsay
DM Montgomery
DM Gamble
AM Skylark
DD Dent
PC Crawford
PC Kimball
DM Pruitt
Arleigh Burke proves his mettle as a leader of a combat patrol TF:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Shuko Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Shonon Maru #10, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Syoto Maru, Shell hits 6
xAK Yamagiku Maru
xAK Yuzan Maru
xAK Nanko Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Argun Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Ryuun Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Daisin Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tyoko Maru, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-40, hits 11, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan
DD Gridley
BB Washington
CA Northampton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Langsa at 46,74
Allied Ships - Bombardment not particularly effective.
BB South Dakota
BB North Carolina
CA San Francisco
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 7
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB South Dakota
BB South Dakota firing at Langsa
BB North Carolina firing at Langsa
CA San Francisco firing at Imperial Guards Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-41, hits 5, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Napier
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Phuket (48,69) - Marine Raider detachment lands at vacant Phuket.
1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Waters
APD Waters fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Phuket (48,69)
TF 257 troops unloading over beach at Phuket, 48,69
Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Alor Star (49,73) - Turns out John is airlifting in troops, but the contingent is weak. An opportunity? We'll see.
TF 495 troops unloading over beach at Alor Star, 49,73
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
75mm GMC Halftrack damaged beyond repair during unload of 762nd Tank Bn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Batoe-eilanden (43,82) - Infantry landing to take this island, which will be the last of the four off Sumatra's west coast.
TF 585 troops unloading over beach at Batoe-eilanden, 43,82
Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Langkawi (49,72) - Landing at an undefended island near Alor Star.
TF 589 troops unloading over beach at Langkawi, 49,72
Allied ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (0 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (0 destroyed, 15 disabled)
10 troops of a Brit Inf Section lost overboard during unload of 18th British Div /3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Alor Star (49,73)
TF 600 troops unloading over beach at Alor Star, 49,73
Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
10 troops of a Brit Inf Section lost overboard during unload of 18th British Div /7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 32
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
An encouraging first round. The P-40K is a robust fighter in the hands of good pilots. The Assam Air Force has graduated alot of good pilots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK Edgar Luckenbach
xAK Mormacsul
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AP Henderson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 31
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 6
B-24D Liberator x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
No luck with the port attacks at Port Blair today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/C Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 14
Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
One of a handful of attacks vs. an RTA Divisionin the open. The Allies also bombed 18th Div. in the jungle, with minimal effect. The Japanese hit some of the Allied troops in the open. I had configured major LRCAP and sweeps, but not a single fighter flew. Weather, I suppose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 55,47 , near Akyab
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 26
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 55,47 , near Akyab
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 12
Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/C Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 10
Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11
Effective for such a small raid. I think Rangoon airfield is currently around 25% to 30% damaged.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Not used to seeing a small fighter force get the best of a much larger Tojo force.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK San Vincente
xAK Edgar Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Langkawi at 49,72
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Procyon
AP J. Franklin Bell
I don't like exposing these kinds of ships, but speed outweighs everything right now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 18
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 1
AK Castor, Bomb hits 2, on fire
I'll try to get these guys back to Sabang ASAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mergui at 52,62
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD Inconstant
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Siberoet at 42,85
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Bucegi
xAK Centaur
The Allies still have some ships down "south" - near Padang, plus pickets well offshore. I sure hope the KB isn't able to sneak by.... I'm beginning to think those carriers could pop up any day, but in all likelihood it may be four to six more. But I am playing it safe on that side of Sumatra. Expose merchant ships - yes. Expose carriers and big combat ships - no.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Langkawi at 49,72
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Vera, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-42, hits 2, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Napier
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Alor Star (49,73)
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Mormacsul
xAK San Vincente
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Langkawi (49,72)
Allied Ships
AK Procyon
AP J. Franklin Bell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Langkawi (49,72)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Lihue
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Alor Star (49,73)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Henderson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79) - The Allies need to take this base, but I suspect my troops will need more rest.
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3164 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113
Defending force 7636 troops, 195 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 271
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
91st Naval Guard Unit
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Defending units:
145th Infantry Regiment
129th Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
58th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /5
9th Marine Rgt /5
21st Marine Rgt /3
E Det USN Port Svc
175th USAAF Base Force /4
A Det USN Port Svc
110th USA Base Force /5
205th FA Bn /4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 55,47 (near Akyab) - This probing attack in the jungle doesn't reveal anything promising.
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 20135 troops, 308 guns, 495 vehicles, Assault Value = 608
Defending force 14295 troops, 168 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 468
Allied adjusted assault: 468
Japanese adjusted defense: 1105
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
436 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 35 (7 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Assaulting units:
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
6th British Brigade
4th British Brigade
1st USMC Tank Battalion
19th Indian Division
2nd Recce Regiment
Eastern Army
198th Coast AA Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
18th Division
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5392 troops, 173 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 271
Defending force 3891 troops, 27 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 112
Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
58th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /5
9th Marine Rgt /5
129th Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
21st Marine Rgt /3
110th USA Base Force /5
A Det USN Port Svc
E Det USN Port Svc
175th USAAF Base Force /4
205th FA Bn /4
Defending units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
91st Naval Guard Unit
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,71 (near Sabang) - Tanks fail to roll up the small enemy infantry that retired from Sabang. I need more - again, drat.
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 955 troops, 0 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 99
Defending force 2647 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Allied adjusted assault: 22
Japanese adjusted defense: 42
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Assaulting units:
763rd Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
Defending units:
10th Garrison Unit
Imperial Guards Div /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Alor Star (49,73) - John is airlifting Imperial Guards from Port Blair to here, there, everywhere. The Allies have a chance here if I move fast to reinforce and if John doesn't. I'm going to try, but I bet John's able to stop me.
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 337 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 21
Defending force 685 troops, 65 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Div /3
10th Indpt SNLF Coy /1
Defending units:
762nd Tank Bn /1
18th British Div /8
A good day for the Allies. Excerpts from the combat report:
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 14, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Langsa - 1st Marines still landing here. Much more needed (sealift of 27 Div. from Sabang may begin tomorrow).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Sibolga - Lots more troops coming ashore at Sibolga, including those diverted from Padang.
The Dutch go on the offensive:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
xAK Ayato Maru
xAK Chihaya Maru
xAK Jinshu Maru
xAK Kashiwara Maru, Shell hits 2
xAK Kuroshio Maru
xAK Meisho Maru
xAK Misaku Maru
xAK Neikai Maru
xAK Nittei Maru
xAK Otori Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Ryugi Maru, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAK Ryujo Maru
xAK Sanuki Maru
xAK Sanura Maru
xAK Shoho Maru
xAK Taibun Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tatsuho Maru
xAK Tone Maru
xAK Uyo Maru
xAK Yuzan Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAK Yamakisan Maru, Shell hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Yahiko Maru, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Isis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-43, hits 10, and is sunk - Four or five of these encounters at Sabang - three or four SSX sunk or heavil damaged.
Allied Ships
DM Preble
DM Tracy
DM Ramsay
DM Montgomery
DM Gamble
AM Skylark
DD Dent
PC Crawford
PC Kimball
DM Pruitt
Arleigh Burke proves his mettle as a leader of a combat patrol TF:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Shuko Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Shonon Maru #10, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Syoto Maru, Shell hits 6
xAK Yamagiku Maru
xAK Yuzan Maru
xAK Nanko Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Argun Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Ryuun Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Daisin Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tyoko Maru, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submarine attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-40, hits 11, and is sunk
Allied Ships
CLAA San Juan
DD Gridley
BB Washington
CA Northampton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Langsa at 46,74
Allied Ships - Bombardment not particularly effective.
BB South Dakota
BB North Carolina
CA San Francisco
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 7
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB South Dakota
BB South Dakota firing at Langsa
BB North Carolina firing at Langsa
CA San Francisco firing at Imperial Guards Division
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-41, hits 5, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Napier
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Phuket (48,69) - Marine Raider detachment lands at vacant Phuket.
1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Waters
APD Waters fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Phuket (48,69)
TF 257 troops unloading over beach at Phuket, 48,69
Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Alor Star (49,73) - Turns out John is airlifting in troops, but the contingent is weak. An opportunity? We'll see.
TF 495 troops unloading over beach at Alor Star, 49,73
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
75mm GMC Halftrack damaged beyond repair during unload of 762nd Tank Bn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Batoe-eilanden (43,82) - Infantry landing to take this island, which will be the last of the four off Sumatra's west coast.
TF 585 troops unloading over beach at Batoe-eilanden, 43,82
Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Langkawi (49,72) - Landing at an undefended island near Alor Star.
TF 589 troops unloading over beach at Langkawi, 49,72
Allied ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 14 (0 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (0 destroyed, 15 disabled)
10 troops of a Brit Inf Section lost overboard during unload of 18th British Div /3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Alor Star (49,73)
TF 600 troops unloading over beach at Alor Star, 49,73
Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)
10 troops of a Brit Inf Section lost overboard during unload of 18th British Div /7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 32
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
An encouraging first round. The P-40K is a robust fighter in the hands of good pilots. The Assam Air Force has graduated alot of good pilots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK Edgar Luckenbach
xAK Mormacsul
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AP Henderson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Sabang , at 44,70
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 104 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 2
Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 31
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 27
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed
No Allied losses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6
Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 6
B-24D Liberator x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged
No luck with the port attacks at Port Blair today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Blair , at 46,58
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 6 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/C Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 14
Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 1 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
One of a handful of attacks vs. an RTA Divisionin the open. The Allies also bombed 18th Div. in the jungle, with minimal effect. The Japanese hit some of the Allied troops in the open. I had configured major LRCAP and sweeps, but not a single fighter flew. Weather, I suppose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 55,47 , near Akyab
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 26
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 18th Division, at 55,47 , near Akyab
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-20A1 Havoc x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 12
Allied aircraft losses
A-20A1 Havoc: 2 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st RTA/C Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 10
Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 9 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 11
Effective for such a small raid. I think Rangoon airfield is currently around 25% to 30% damaged.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Ramree Island , at 54,48
Weather in hex: Moderate rain
Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Not used to seeing a small fighter force get the best of a much larger Tojo force.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 7
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
xAK San Vincente
xAK Edgar Luckenbach, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Langkawi at 49,72
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 8
G4M1 Betty x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
AK Procyon
AP J. Franklin Bell
I don't like exposing these kinds of ships, but speed outweighs everything right now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 18
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 1
AK Castor, Bomb hits 2, on fire
I'll try to get these guys back to Sabang ASAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mergui at 52,62
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD Inconstant
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Siberoet at 42,85
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 6
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Bucegi
xAK Centaur
The Allies still have some ships down "south" - near Padang, plus pickets well offshore. I sure hope the KB isn't able to sneak by.... I'm beginning to think those carriers could pop up any day, but in all likelihood it may be four to six more. But I am playing it safe on that side of Sumatra. Expose merchant ships - yes. Expose carriers and big combat ships - no.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Langkawi at 49,72
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 2
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Vera, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Sabang at 44,70
Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-42, hits 2, heavy damage
Allied Ships
DD Napier
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Alor Star (49,73)
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Mormacsul
xAK San Vincente
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Langkawi (49,72)
Allied Ships
AK Procyon
AP J. Franklin Bell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Langkawi (49,72)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Lihue
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Alor Star (49,73)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
AP Henderson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79) - The Allies need to take this base, but I suspect my troops will need more rest.
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 3164 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 113
Defending force 7636 troops, 195 guns, 161 vehicles, Assault Value = 271
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
91st Naval Guard Unit
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
Defending units:
145th Infantry Regiment
129th Infantry Regiment
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
58th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /5
9th Marine Rgt /5
21st Marine Rgt /3
E Det USN Port Svc
175th USAAF Base Force /4
A Det USN Port Svc
110th USA Base Force /5
205th FA Bn /4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 55,47 (near Akyab) - This probing attack in the jungle doesn't reveal anything promising.
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 20135 troops, 308 guns, 495 vehicles, Assault Value = 608
Defending force 14295 troops, 168 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 468
Allied adjusted assault: 468
Japanese adjusted defense: 1105
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
436 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 35 (7 destroyed, 28 disabled)
Allied ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 47 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 14 (2 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Assaulting units:
1st Gloucestershire Battalion
6th British Brigade
4th British Brigade
1st USMC Tank Battalion
19th Indian Division
2nd Recce Regiment
Eastern Army
198th Coast AA Regiment
134th Field Artillery Battalion
Defending units:
18th Division
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
10th RF Gun Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Sibolga (44,79)
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 5392 troops, 173 guns, 122 vehicles, Assault Value = 271
Defending force 3891 troops, 27 guns, 8 vehicles, Assault Value = 112
Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Assaulting units:
34th Combat Engineer Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
58th (Sep) Infantry Rgt /5
9th Marine Rgt /5
129th Infantry Regiment
145th Infantry Regiment
21st Marine Rgt /3
110th USA Base Force /5
A Det USN Port Svc
E Det USN Port Svc
175th USAAF Base Force /4
205th FA Bn /4
Defending units:
16th Naval Guard Unit
91st Naval Guard Unit
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 44,71 (near Sabang) - Tanks fail to roll up the small enemy infantry that retired from Sabang. I need more - again, drat.
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 955 troops, 0 guns, 163 vehicles, Assault Value = 99
Defending force 2647 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Allied adjusted assault: 22
Japanese adjusted defense: 42
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2
Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+)
Japanese ground losses:
114 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 23 (1 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Assaulting units:
763rd Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
Defending units:
10th Garrison Unit
Imperial Guards Div /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Alor Star (49,73) - John is airlifting Imperial Guards from Port Blair to here, there, everywhere. The Allies have a chance here if I move fast to reinforce and if John doesn't. I'm going to try, but I bet John's able to stop me.
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 337 troops, 5 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 21
Defending force 685 troops, 65 guns, 49 vehicles, Assault Value = 26
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Div /3
10th Indpt SNLF Coy /1
Defending units:
762nd Tank Bn /1
18th British Div /8
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:44 am
If he can read a map, why was Sumatra and vicinity undefended?
"Vulcans do not speculate."
--Spock
Live long, prosper, and obliterate the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere!
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:48 am
Andre (Chickenboy), I realize the straight line distance. I know Singers is much closer than Allied ports. But I'm talking about practical and likely vectors. I'm going to watch the Malacca Straits, of course, but I'm 95% sure John doesn't send his carriers up that way. If he sends them up the west side of Sumatra, I'm 80% sure he doesn't send badly damaged ships through those straits. They are choked with subs. Yes, John can fill the skies with ASW (he's totally stood them down, no doubt temporarily, to focus on what he regards as more important duty). I just don't see John steering a moderately damaged CV or BB past level 3 airfield Sabang into tight waters packed with subs. He might surprise me, but I'd wager he sends them through the Sunda Straits or Soerabaja.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:13 am
A couple questions on your combat reports:
You mention that it is vacant, but it is showing coastal gun fire. I thought that you would only receive fire if there were a unit there? What is recon showing?
I noticed Vals and Kates in these reports (and at least one other with Kates), do you think these are land-based squadrons, or has he staged some of his carrier groups to local bases? Or does he have a couple CV/CVL close enough to be using them ahead of his main body?
Pre-Invasion action off Phuket (48,69) - Marine Raider detachment lands at vacant Phuket.
1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
APD Waters
APD Waters fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Phuket (48,69)
TF 257 troops unloading over beach at Phuket, 48,69
Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
You mention that it is vacant, but it is showing coastal gun fire. I thought that you would only receive fire if there were a unit there? What is recon showing?
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Alor Star at 49,73
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 18
Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 1
AK Castor, Bomb hits 2, on fire
I'll try to get these guys back to Sabang ASAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mergui at 52,62
Weather in hex: Light cloud
Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes
Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 8
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
DD Inconstant
Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
I noticed Vals and Kates in these reports (and at least one other with Kates), do you think these are land-based squadrons, or has he staged some of his carrier groups to local bases? Or does he have a couple CV/CVL close enough to be using them ahead of his main body?
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:00 am
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
I don't think the equaiton works out that way as long as the current base configuration is in place.
I bet the KB comes west (south true) of Sumatra, as John won't want to transit narrow waters clogged with subs next to a level three airfield.
If he comes west of Sumatra, any battle takes place out in the open somewhere in the open reaches. Damaged Allies ships report to Diego and Colombo. Subs will be there, but there are many choices. Damaged Japanese ships probably don't chance the Malacca Straits, so they have to go back around Oosthaven and thence to Batavia or Singapore or Saigon or Manila.
I'd put my 5c on JIII making a wide sweep outside of Cocos with the intention of hitting your returning shipping and avoiding a head on in an environment where your LBA can be of great help.
I also wouldnt be worrying about how my damaged ships would retire. I would be planning to win.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:37 am
Arleigh Burke proves his mettle as a leader of a combat patrol TF:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singapore at 50,84, Range 12,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
PB Shuko Maru #2, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PB Shonon Maru #10, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
PB Showa Maru #3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Syoto Maru, Shell hits 6
xAK Yamagiku Maru
xAK Yuzan Maru
xAK Nanko Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Argun Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kosin Maru, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
xAK Kurohime Maru
xAK Ryuun Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Daisin Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tyoko Maru, Shell hits 19, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hakusika Maru, Shell hits 32, and is sunk
Allied Ships
DD Fletcher
DD Nicholas
DD O'Bannon
I stand corrected and am eating my words! Japanese nightmare. Parts of the "co-prosperity sphere" are becoming a "no shipping allowed area". If Tojo wants to ship it, he can CAP it and provide a heavy combat escort. Hope you have your B-25's training on low level naval.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:05 am
I'm sure John will be crowing over sinking a ship or two here and there - but his losses are certainly piling up now (added to what he lost in his recent abortive IO adventure).
I don't think he really understands the level of experience your crews have gained....this is going to be a lot bloodier than he expects, I'm sure.
I don't think he really understands the level of experience your crews have gained....this is going to be a lot bloodier than he expects, I'm sure.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:19 am
All the Kates and Vals are coming from airfields. Vals I think from Victoria Point, Kates I think from Singapore, Benkolen, etc. I think John is scrambling to get a torp-HQ into place. I think he also has his CVE TF somewhere close by awaiting the KB. Overall, I think John had no defenses to speak of in this theater. Everything was concentrated in Burma and New Guinea.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:23 am
ORIGINAL: JeffK
I'd put my 5c on JIII making a wide sweep outside of Cocos with the intention of hitting your returning shipping and avoiding a head on in an environment where your LBA can be of great help.
I also wouldnt be worrying about how my damaged ships would retire. I would be planning to win.
I think he'll take a more or less direct route between Cocos and Java. Sumatra is priority one for him. I do think he has his eyes on the waters to the south, for reasons you've pointed out, and he may sweep there at some point, or divert some escort carriers for patrol. Early this morning, I mulled over how to get some sealift capacity back to Oz. I think I might hazard xAK and xAP, but I think AK and AP might stay in India or take the safe Capetown route.
There is one important TF way down NW of Cocos - an air transport carrying critical naval aircraft. When the USN carriers left Pearl Harbor a long time ago, I replaced a few strike aircraft with fighter squadrons. The strike aircraft have been following in an air transport TF that has always lagged badly. That poor little exposed TF had to pass New Zealand (sub choked waters) by it's lonesome. Now it's low on fuel - but it does have enough - and stumbling towards Cocos, where I can unload those air squadrons.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:26 am
ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth
I stand corrected and am eating my words! Japanese nightmare. Parts of the "co-prosperity sphere" are becoming a "no shipping allowed area". If Tojo wants to ship it, he can CAP it and provide a heavy combat escort. Hope you have your B-25's training on low level naval.
I think these were empty troop transports awaiting units to arrive by rail in Singapore. If Singers isn't secure, and if John can't safely land troops at Tandjoen, then his timeline for Sumatra lengthens considerably. Meanwhile, I want to get Burke and his TF back to Sabang to reprovision. Three more Fletchers are inbound to Sabang - one a day or two away, the others perhaps four days out.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:34 am
The Allies have a large concentration of B-25s in Assam (and thus readily available to Sumatra). For the first four or five months, every one of them was training Low Naval, but that changed. During the Assam campaign, those bombers have been the workhouse of my efforts to pound exposed and vulnerable enemy troops in the plains of Burma. Since we have a house rule preventing the use of 4EB against troops outside of bases, the Mitchells have had to serve as ground pounders.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:12 pm
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
Yeah, I think John brings his carriers and combat ships for the decisive battle. I agree.
But no matter what happens, I doubt John is going to recapture Sumatra. The Allies are going to end up with 500 to 750 AV at Sabang including tanks and SWPac HQ. The Allies have already gone toe-to-toe with the IJ airforce for months in Burma and have held their own. Veteran pilots from that campaign will be flying the best fighters available - I think the P-40K can stand up to anything. At sea, I think Allied combat seapower should be roughly equal to Japan (which has at least four BBs down or out now). The carriers are a wild card. Don't know how that ends up. But my early guess is that the Allies have too much, with relatively short LOCs to Ceylon and Assam. Even if things go sour for the Allies it should be months before John could close the chapter on this operation. I don't intend to lose, of course, and the Allies have a big headstart on Fortress Sabang.
Yes, I think you are right here. He is unlikely to throw you out. Which sort of answers your question to yourself. You know he has to try.
You have built your "tar baby" and he will have no choice but to put his fist in it....[;)]
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:07 pm
I'm working on orders for the next turn right now, so I've just had my first chance to "look at the map" and see what's where and the details behind the combat report I posted last night. Some important gleanings:
1. Sabang is replenishing all ammunition, including main armaments for the fast USN battleships. The port is only level one, but there is 153 naval support (and growing) plus three AE and an AKE. This is critical - the Allied fleet does not have to retire to Colombo to replenish (as long as Sabang is operational).
2. Two Air HQ units have landed at Sabang. The Allies have land-based torp capability. The Avenger squadron has jumped to Sabang from Akyab.
3. John appears to be shifting everything he can from Burma to Victoria Point. I had two combat TFs slated to hit that base last night. One (three DDs) is a few hexes away (no detection) and will go in tonight. A much bigger TF with a CA didn't even leave Sabang, which is very odd. I hope it decides to do so tonight. The Allied carriers are also going to take station six hexes from Victoria Point. There's a ton of Japanese shipping in the water between Rangoon and Victoria Point. There's also a mass retrograde movement of Japanese troops in Burma. If the Allies can blunt or cripple Japanese ability to reinforce Malaya from Burma, well, wow!
4. I think there's a chance the Allied army at Sibolga is in good enough shape to attack. They're going to try tomorrow. I'm hoping a bombardment TF with two fast BBs can make it that far from Sabang. I would bring in B-25s to hit the enemy, but jungle bombing is not effective.
5. 38th Division is landing at Sabang. There's one more big troop convoy inbound, carrying another division and 2nd Marine Paratroops. That's a critical convoy.
6. The advance Marine units that landed at Langsa have "vanished." They're gone. 60 AV that had lots of supply. Don't know what the problem is. 27th Div. will make an amphibious landing there. They can begin loading tomorrow, as soon as the AP and AK at Sabang finish unloading supply.
7. It looks like Phuket, the island to the south and Alor Star are weakly garrisoned (I thought the former two were vacant). I'm sending reinforcements - including 100+ AV of 18th UK Div. already loaded at Sabang and making for Alor Star (and Indian brigade is two days away). At full speed, they might make it next turn. The small contingent of 18th Div. already at Alor Star will attack tomorrow. If the ships arrive and unload the reinforcements, the attack could succeed. If the ships don't arrive, the attack will fail, but it'll be round one. I can see the wisdom of pushing hard at Alor Star (and Phuket and vicinity). If these operations succeed, John has a new crisis much closer to Singers that takes all his priority. Until that crisis is resolved, it probably takes off alot of the heat at "rear" bases like Sibolga and Langsa.
8. By tomorrow, the Allies will have the last of the four islands of the west side of upper Sumatra. None are strongly garrisoned - 20 to 30 AV - but these troops are well supplied and prepping hard (most in the 20s or 30s now). So these bases aren't "freebies."
9. The USN carrier air is in great shape. Only a few aircraft lost thus far - nearly all squadrons are currently 99% airworthy. Not sure if the carriers can replenish yet at Sabang. Don't have time to find out yet and nt sure I ever will (don't want carriers at Sabang when the KB shows up).
10. And what about the KB? It's time to start looking and watching. Patrols operating out of those western Sumatra Islands are reporting IJ shipping at Singapore and near Palembang, but nothing at sea. I'm watching.
11. A remnant Dutch unit in the jungles of south Sumatra has moved into an unoccupied enemy base adjacnet to Palembang and reports one enemy units at that oil center. The Dutch unit has no AV, so it can't do anything except provide intel.
12. John has opportunities. He's coming hard. But, darn, he is just totally caught with his pants down around his ankles and midway through his daily constitutional. He's gotta be agitated and discombobulated and stressed to the max. He'll bring overwhelming force, but proximity and pressure = an environment in which mistakes thrive. Job one for me is to be on the positive side of that equation.
1. Sabang is replenishing all ammunition, including main armaments for the fast USN battleships. The port is only level one, but there is 153 naval support (and growing) plus three AE and an AKE. This is critical - the Allied fleet does not have to retire to Colombo to replenish (as long as Sabang is operational).
2. Two Air HQ units have landed at Sabang. The Allies have land-based torp capability. The Avenger squadron has jumped to Sabang from Akyab.
3. John appears to be shifting everything he can from Burma to Victoria Point. I had two combat TFs slated to hit that base last night. One (three DDs) is a few hexes away (no detection) and will go in tonight. A much bigger TF with a CA didn't even leave Sabang, which is very odd. I hope it decides to do so tonight. The Allied carriers are also going to take station six hexes from Victoria Point. There's a ton of Japanese shipping in the water between Rangoon and Victoria Point. There's also a mass retrograde movement of Japanese troops in Burma. If the Allies can blunt or cripple Japanese ability to reinforce Malaya from Burma, well, wow!
4. I think there's a chance the Allied army at Sibolga is in good enough shape to attack. They're going to try tomorrow. I'm hoping a bombardment TF with two fast BBs can make it that far from Sabang. I would bring in B-25s to hit the enemy, but jungle bombing is not effective.
5. 38th Division is landing at Sabang. There's one more big troop convoy inbound, carrying another division and 2nd Marine Paratroops. That's a critical convoy.
6. The advance Marine units that landed at Langsa have "vanished." They're gone. 60 AV that had lots of supply. Don't know what the problem is. 27th Div. will make an amphibious landing there. They can begin loading tomorrow, as soon as the AP and AK at Sabang finish unloading supply.
7. It looks like Phuket, the island to the south and Alor Star are weakly garrisoned (I thought the former two were vacant). I'm sending reinforcements - including 100+ AV of 18th UK Div. already loaded at Sabang and making for Alor Star (and Indian brigade is two days away). At full speed, they might make it next turn. The small contingent of 18th Div. already at Alor Star will attack tomorrow. If the ships arrive and unload the reinforcements, the attack could succeed. If the ships don't arrive, the attack will fail, but it'll be round one. I can see the wisdom of pushing hard at Alor Star (and Phuket and vicinity). If these operations succeed, John has a new crisis much closer to Singers that takes all his priority. Until that crisis is resolved, it probably takes off alot of the heat at "rear" bases like Sibolga and Langsa.
8. By tomorrow, the Allies will have the last of the four islands of the west side of upper Sumatra. None are strongly garrisoned - 20 to 30 AV - but these troops are well supplied and prepping hard (most in the 20s or 30s now). So these bases aren't "freebies."
9. The USN carrier air is in great shape. Only a few aircraft lost thus far - nearly all squadrons are currently 99% airworthy. Not sure if the carriers can replenish yet at Sabang. Don't have time to find out yet and nt sure I ever will (don't want carriers at Sabang when the KB shows up).
10. And what about the KB? It's time to start looking and watching. Patrols operating out of those western Sumatra Islands are reporting IJ shipping at Singapore and near Palembang, but nothing at sea. I'm watching.
11. A remnant Dutch unit in the jungles of south Sumatra has moved into an unoccupied enemy base adjacnet to Palembang and reports one enemy units at that oil center. The Dutch unit has no AV, so it can't do anything except provide intel.
12. John has opportunities. He's coming hard. But, darn, he is just totally caught with his pants down around his ankles and midway through his daily constitutional. He's gotta be agitated and discombobulated and stressed to the max. He'll bring overwhelming force, but proximity and pressure = an environment in which mistakes thrive. Job one for me is to be on the positive side of that equation.
RE: The Good The Bad & The Indifferent
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:28 pm
7. It looks like Phuket, the island to the south and Alor Star are weakly garrisoned (I thought the former two were vacant). I'm sending reinforcements - including 100+ AV of 18th UK Div. already loaded at Sabang and making for Alor Star (and Indian brigade is two days away). At full speed, they might make it next turn. The small contingent of 18th Div. already at Alor Star will attack tomorrow. If the ships arrive and unload the reinforcements, the attack could succeed. If the ships don't arrive, the attack will fail, but it'll be round one. I can see the wisdom of pushing hard at Alor Star (and Phuket and vicinity). If these operations succeed, John has a new crisis much closer to Singers that takes all his priority. Until that crisis is resolved, it probably takes off alot of the heat at "rear" bases like Sibolga and Langsa.
And then push hard and fast east to cut the rail link between Singers and Bangkok. Maybe those Marine paratroopers could lend a hand. With a viable threat to SE Asia and Malaya, Sumatra becomes a backwater. Just my 2 cents.
No wait, disregard that! I'm supposed to be a JFB.