Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

1944 September 01

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:
Little Andaman

There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:


Imperial Naval Bombardments


Allied Naval Bombardments:



Our subs - you know.

Quiet in China, except for a nice sweep of Tuyun by those same two CAP-trap groups flying out of Tsuyung. 19x Franks destroyed for 2x P-51B. When these groups recover they will sweep Chungking (same range as Tuyun) to pave the way for a B-29 strike.

Good attacks near Chiang Mai.

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Ground combat at 60,53 (near Chiang Mai)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7849 troops, 244 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 1932 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 95

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 95 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
524 casualties reported
Squads: 64 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
209th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
13th Indian Brigade
1st Burma Brigade
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
30th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
56th Infantry Regiment


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Ground combat at 60,52 (near Chiang Mai)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25432 troops, 481 guns, 282 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

Defending force 5627 troops, 53 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 54

Allied adjusted assault: 364

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 364 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
793 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Division


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Those must be good quality troops because even without supply they are taking pretty small losses against big odds, lots of heavy weapons, and constant air strikes. The same attacks tomorrow, plus we are moving some units back across the border into Burma to head off the lead Imperial troops.

Victoria Point has built the port to size 2. Although it will help, tomorrow the port will be totally overwhelmed with the arrival of a large convoy. Several more already on the way will keep the stevedores hopping.

A good outcome NE of Vinh.

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Ground combat at 66,58 (near Vinh)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25407 troops, 366 guns, 602 vehicles, Assault Value = 1085

Defending force 1707 troops, 11 guns, 59 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 419

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 419 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1576 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 86 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 64 (64 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
711th Tank Battalion
775th Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
31st Infantry Division
706th Tank Battalion
5th Australian Division

Defending units:
70th Infantry Brigade
10th Tank Regiment


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Ground combat at Vinh (65,59)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 648 troops, 61 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 862

Defending force 24552 troops, 154 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 649

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2/5th Armoured Regiment
124th Cavalry Regiment
503rd Parachute Regiment
23rd Australian Brigade
81st Infantry Division
22nd Australian Brigade
27th Australian Brigade
II Australian Corps
251st Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV US Corps
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
16th Recon Regiment
66th Infantry Brigade
51st Infantry Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
83rd Infantry Brigade
22nd/B Division


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The TD Bn from NE of Vinh is heading into Vinh in hopes of trapping all units there. The other units from NE of Vinh are heading E at top speed to smite the enemy units in that clear terrain. If the TD Bn fails to flip the hex side in time it will be joined by 5 more armored units by the time the two infantry divisions leave the hex, so in no event will there be a breakout for the Imperials now in Vinh. The additional division and brigade of infantry have arrived in Vinh from the SE. The 4x CA have rearmed at Cam Ranh Bay and are returning to Hue. The units in Vinh will wait for the results of the NE hex side flip race. If some enemy units exit the hex, they will attack as soon as the cruisers are in place to bombard. If all enemy units are trapped within Vinh, they will wait for those 5 additional armor units mentioned earlier to bolster their fort busting ability.

As for the enemy's movements, one or more units in Vinh are moving NE. On the road 2 hexes NE of Vinh, there are 2 enemy units spotted and 1 is moving W, the other moving NE.

The reduction of Ternate is gaining momentum.

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Ground combat at Ternate (78,102)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1002 troops, 126 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Defending force 7545 troops, 41 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 159

Japanese ground losses:
31 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
31st Infantry Regiment
147th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
260th Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
12th Garrison Unit
70th JAAF AF Bn
11th Special Base Force
34th Ind Engineer Regiment
2nd JNAF AF Unit
72nd JAAF AF Bn


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5x F4U-1D - the first carrier capable Corsair model to carry a service level of 1 - were produced on the first day. Just prior to loading for the Okinawa operation we should be able to upgrade several squadrons to F6F-5 and F4U-1D from F6F-3.

Indochina.

[witpqs]

Malay Peninsula.

[witpqs]

Vinh.

[witpqs]

NE of Vinh.

[witpqs]

Today's air losses.

[witpqs]

1944 September 02

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious or airborne operations at:


There were Allied amphibious or airborne operations at:
Lomblen
Larantoeka

Imperial Naval Bombardments


Allied Naval Bombardments:
Allied Ships Bombarding Ternate


Our subs saw some ASW action north of Okinawa, one of ours taking heavy damage.

Quiet in China. That sweep of Chungking is ordered for tomorrow.

Major progress in the elimination of the Chiang Mai holdouts.

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Ground combat at 60,53 (near Chiang Mai)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7841 troops, 244 guns, 139 vehicles, Assault Value = 178

Defending force 1526 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Allied adjusted assault: 106

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 106 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1754 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 165 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (10 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
209th Cmbt Engineer Battalion
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
13th Indian Brigade
1st Burma Brigade
30th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
18th SP Field Artillery Regiment
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
56th Infantry Regiment


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Ground combat at 60,52 (near Chiang Mai)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25496 troops, 481 guns, 282 vehicles, Assault Value = 437

Defending force 5132 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 11

Allied adjusted assault: 390

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 390 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
5901 casualties reported
Squads: 236 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 441 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 27 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 43 (43 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
22nd (East African) Brigade
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
40th Division


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The elimination of both pockets that were under assault now allows us to redeploy those troops against the two other pockets, which contain >15,000 troops each. One (just E of Chiang Mai) is completely trapped. The other is the one attempting to run through the jungle just over the Burma border. With the aid of air strikes we should be able to both catch them in-hex and head off their movement. The artillery will move to Chiang Mai for redeployment instead of leaving the road.

The Vinh bombardment.

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Ground combat at Vinh (65,59)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 648 troops, 61 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 918

Defending force 24561 troops, 154 guns, 52 vehicles, Assault Value = 650

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

Assaulting units:
23rd Australian Brigade
640th Tank Destroyer Battalion
22nd Australian Brigade
503rd Parachute Regiment
124th Cavalry Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
81st Infantry Division
27th Australian Brigade
1st Medium Regiment
251st Field Artillery Battalion
II Australian Corps
XXIV US Corps
2nd Medium Regiment

Defending units:
51st Infantry Brigade
83rd Infantry Brigade
16th Recon Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
66th Infantry Brigade
22nd/B Division


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Our armored units won both races, flipping the last enemy hex side into Vinh and stopping enemy westward movement NE of Vinh. There is now only 1 unit there (2 hexes NE of Vinh), and the two Tk Bn which made their positions in one day will attack tomorrow. At Vinh itself we have fixed in place more than 34,000 troops so our attack will wait three or four days until all the additional armor is in place.

Haiphong currently has only 1 unit of 1,600 troops and could be seized quickly if we can get there before major reinforcements. There must be continuing reshuffling of Imperial units underway, because there were significantly more troops there. I think DAW HQ has decided that Hanoi and Haiphong, both in clear terrain, cannot be long held. There are still 16,000 troops at Hanoi. Lao Cai (north of Hanoi) is down to 2 units of 1,900 troops.

Ternate.

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Night Naval bombardment of Ternate at 78,102

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma
DD O'Brien
DD LaVallette
DD Claxton

Japanese ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10
Port hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Oklahoma
BB Oklahoma firing at Ternate
DD O'Brien firing at Ternate
DD LaVallette firing at 12th Garrison Unit
DD Claxton firing at Ternate


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Ground combat at Ternate (78,102)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1002 troops, 126 guns, 85 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Defending force 7214 troops, 40 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
31st Infantry Regiment
148th Field Artillery Battalion
205th Field Artillery Battalion
131st Field Artillery Battalion
147th Field Artillery Battalion
260th Field Artillery Battalion
134th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
12th Garrison Unit
2nd JNAF AF Unit
34th Ind Engineer Regiment
70th JAAF AF Bn
11th Special Base Force
72nd JAAF AF Bn


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The USA 158 IR will attack the enemy base force near Bandjermasin tomorrow. A large base force is finally ashore at Kuching. Highly disrupted from bouncing around in landing craft, they will get to work on securing and expanding their airfield.

CV Ticonderoga has arrived at Balboa and is getting underway to Pearl Harbor.

Indochina.

[witpqs]

Malay Peninsula.

[BBfanboy]

Your tanks may have caught up with that unit 2 hexes ENE of Vinh, but at 30 miles a day the unit will leave the hex just before your attack goes in - unless your aircraft can disrupt their movement. Even then, if they have enough progress already they will get out. You should be able to get them in the next hex though, if you can continue disrupting their movement.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Your tanks may have caught up with that unit 2 hexes ENE of Vinh, but at 30 miles a day the unit will leave the hex just before your attack goes in - unless your aircraft can disrupt their movement. Even then, if they have enough progress already they will get out. You should be able to get them in the next hex though, if you can continue disrupting their movement.

There were two units there last turn, so I figure this is the one that was just retreated. Had lots of attack bombers hitting them while our tanks moved. They'll hit them again today, just hope it's enough.

What I'm thinking about for Vinh is, when all the assigned armor is there (~4 days), make a shock attack. Pretty sure they are out of supply there, so in concert with the naval bombardment that just might do it.

[zuluhour]

I smell roses.

[witpqs]

You mean that you think it will work, or you think I am kidding myself?

[zuluhour]

[:D] It just appears so under control. I'd tip my cap, but I'm no organ grinder. No comments from the peanut gallery, Mandrake. [:D][:D]

[witpqs]

We'll see if Okinawa looks like that! [:D]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: zuluhour

[:D] It just appears so under control. I'd tip my cap, but I'm no organ grinder. No comments from the peanut gallery, Mandrake. [:D][:D]

Well I'm not Mandrake, so can I mention that you look like you might work for an organ grinder?

Oh, wait ... that's just your avatar.[:)]

[zuluhour]

Some of these monkey pictures.........It's like they know something we don't (not surprising if you read the paper).
**eerie

[Drakanel]

ITT: talking about monkeys [:D]

The progression at/near Vinh is going rather well. Your opponent must surely being reinforcing China, maybe he didn't think so many troops would be near Vinh so quickly, and I agree he must have deemed Hanoi and Haiphong impossible to hold...
He surely doesn't want to lose Canton and Hong Kong quickly though!

I don't know about a shock attack at Vinh though... Don't have enough experience to comment [:)]

[witpqs]

I don't (can't!) mention everything I see on the map during a turn, but within the last turn or two I saw one or more units pulling out of the base that is NW of Chungking, so I think he really is starting to gather all-available hands for defense of the Canton/Hong Kong area (meaning that to include the approaches across the Indochina border).

If he thinks there are a lot of troops pushing up that way now, wait until Vinh falls and all those extra infantry divisions and more start pulling in. Plus, if I can clear Vinh quickly (to allow strategic movement departures) and grab Haiphong then all those units can strategic move straight into Haiphong before marching. THAT would be nice and quick!

I'll obviously keep reevaluating right up until it's trigger pulling time on that shock attack. With good LRCAP over the the base and lots of air strikes daily to augment the artillery, the Imperial supply situation isn't improving any.

[zuluhour]

All I have left is confidence, I'm running out of ships![:D]

I can't imagine his supply to be good there, why not try a small deliberate attack, a brigade?, just
to get a no bullsh&t assessment.

[witpqs]

Bullsh&t is underrated.

[witpqs]

I just want to deliver maximum smack with the shock attack.