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Mustang and Thud sweeps clear out a bunch of the better CAP from nearby bases, leaving the training units to deal with hundreds of B-29s and B-24s! Yikes!

Still, they do surprisingy well, but can't hold back ALL of he bombing runs. The Allies hit and hit hard, coming in at 4k!!! [X(]

Lots of 4E go dan to balloons and flak, but the damage is done ...

... as both targets are completely annihilated!![X(]

The Frank factory at Tsu is completely taken out ...

... while a bunch more Franks and a few other types are turned to rubble at Maebashi.

While this is obviously a good move, and I applaud the guts it takes to pull the trigger on this, it's a bit too late in this game to change the inevitable result. If it had happened 5 months ago, which it could have, it would have likely hastened the fall of he Empire by several months at least. Now we're already on track to wind things up around September (if we're lucky), so current pools will get us there along with anything that can be built each month.

I am upset to lose 30 Shindens before I get to try them!!! [:@] They will be ready to produce next week. I'll cover the other 60 factories with heavy CAP. I just want to see what they can do.

This raid takes a toll on Allied airframes and pilots though, which is all we can do. The CAP coverage was good, but reduced by sweeps and trying to hit bombers the CAP struggled to get in place in time. At 4k the balloons and flak are the major killers today.

Epic battles[X(]

With the Allied infantry now engaged at Masan the armour must be heading to Gunzan - are you ready?

Counting the units at Masan and the armour stack, there can't be many combat units in Moppo (from the original units listed in post 2954). Is there an opportunity (ability) to land on Jocs beach-head if the USN stays away?

It's taken me 4 weeks to read this epic AAR from start to here - I've enjoyed it immensely. Thankyou for this[&o]


EDIT:

There's 2 US IDs at Moppo (96th and 98th) according to combat intel. And a CD unit

Very good moves and results! It's nice to see that in may 1945 Japan can be still dangerous and strike back with so little assets remained!
Thanks for keepin on this AAR so long [8D]

[font="Times New Roman"]25 May 1945[/font]
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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The number of subs around Moppo is even visually reduced. They still haven't gotten any hits there, but maybe they're dropped mines in some of the open ocean hexes. I've encounter some new Fusan in an ocean hex this turn.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]KOREA: [/font] The Allies continue the bombardments with less devastating effect from our troops> They must have some forts built now. Still, a few guns a day getting blown up.

Sweeps go over Moppo, finding no CAP, but the bombers are grounded! Arrrgggg!!!![:@]

I'll try again tomorrow. I'm sure they will have recovered by then and will crush the strikes. I'll limit it to around 100 bombers this time. I'll think a bit about sending in another BB bombardment.

The Allied fleet is moving up, near Shanghai now, and didn't angle in to Moppo yet. Hmmmmmmm. Where are they going? The CD guns hasten to kaishu and Chinnampo. Port Arthur has a fort. Anything on the Chinese coast is easy pickings up there though, and not much to do about that. The KB wil begin to move in tomorrow. I'll come behind the Korean peninsula to start.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]STRAT BOMBING:[/font] The daylight raid comes as a surprise, but it shouldn't. I've been predicting this for a while, about 6 months really, and I'm glad it took this long to happen. Earlier would have been trouble. As is the pools are good and if the rest of the Frank, Shinden, Ki-83 and Sam production can be somewhat protected, then we can make it through the summer.

The strike takes a toll on the Allied bomber force, as it should. It looks like they lose about 40-50 B-29 on the day plus another 30-40 4E of various types. A lot of sweepers struggle with the range and number of defenders as well. They do their job, but a lot of good pilots won't be heading back home. About 60-70 fighters lost on the day for the Allies.

So in the first test against daylight strikes our defenses perform okay, but can't defend the factories. The Allies could do this every day until out of planes and really do some damage, but I doubt they will. [;)] It's nice to see the training units taking part, even Nates getting hits on B-24s. Every base also has a few kami/CAP units that do double duty and are air skill trained. That worked too, and will be made policy once the units train up.

On the whole, while this is a tough blow to the production centers, it's not going to change anything for a long while. Supply will be more of a factor going forward, and the Soviets matched with the increases in Allied fighter and bomber forces coming from Europe in late summer will provide the tipping point for this Empire I'm sure.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]HOME ISLANDS: [/font] The fighters will be allocated again to now protect the most vital of the airframe factories. I really want to make sure the Shindens get built and the Ki-83 keep building. The Franks have a pool that should last a few months, and I'l try to keep the 150 factories still producing in tact as well. Sams are spread out everywhere and will be tougher to cover. As with everything, the Japanese can't covert all, and for some reason at the end of May 5 fighter groups withdraw! [&:]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] I can't see anything at Pingsiang after recon. Odd. Unless my recon sucks worse than usual. The troops on the ground should at least pick up a unit if it's there as well. If it's open this is great. My divisions are 3-4 days from taking the base, and a few smaller units are a bit closer. Then to open the hex sides. If I can it would also seal the Allies from moving on this direction which would be nice. [;)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR May 25, 45
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TF 11 encounters mine field at Fusan (103,55)

Japanese Ships
AMc Shonon Maru #11

40 mines cleared


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TF 52 encounters mine field at 102,55

Japanese Ships
E Hachijo, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



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TF 194 encounters mine field at 102,55

Japanese Ships
E Chiburi
E Miyake

2 mines cleared


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TF 11 encounters mine field at Fusan (103,55)

Japanese Ships
AMc Shonon Maru #11

40 mines cleared

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TF 232 encounters mine field at 102,55

Japanese Ships
ML G-431

2 mines cleared

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Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 35,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes There is radar, but not enough.

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
A6M5b Zero x 5
A7M2 Sam x 16
J2M3 Jack x 12
N1K2-J George x 18
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 20
Ki-61-Id Tony x 4
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 16 These are all big 40-49 plane groups, and only a small portion bleed here only one hex from Osaka, which is too bad.
Ki-100-I Tony x 5
Ki-102b Randy x 4

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 14
A6M5b Zero x 3
A7M2 Sam x 16
J2M3 Jack x 7
N1K2-J George x 13
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 7
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 13
Ki-61-Id Tony x 4
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 13
Ki-100-I Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 2 destroyed
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-II KAI Tony: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 6
A7M2 Sam x 11
J2M3 Jack x 4
N1K2-J George x 9
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 7
Ki-61-Id Tony x 3
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 8
Ki-100-I Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-Id Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-61-II KAI Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-51D Mustang sweeping at 32000 feet *

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shanghai at 94,55

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 9
Ki-36 Ida x 8

Allied aircraft
Corsair II x 36
Corsair IV x 107
Hellcat I x 47
Seafire L.III x 4
F4U-1A Corsair x 194
F4U-1D Corsair x 362 The Allied CV CAP is a bit smaller now, but still huge!!! Still, if the KB could break through before with 1,000+ planes there, it can definitely get through now.

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 destroyed
Ki-36 Ida: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

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Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 2
A7M2 Sam x 6
J2M3 Jack x 3
N1K2-J George x 6
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 5
Ki-100-I Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 26
B-29-1 Superfort x 7
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 11 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-29-1 Superfort: 2 damaged
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

Ki-84r Frank factory hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 56 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 1
A7M2 Sam x 3
J2M3 Jack x 3
N1K2-J George x 1
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 1
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61-II KAI Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 3 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 6 damaged
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Ki-84r Frank factory hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 4000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Banzai! - Maeda H. in a Ki-43-IIa Oscar rams a B-29-1 Superfort for the Emperor
Banzai! - Kamei F. in a Ki-43-IIa Oscar rams a B-29-1 Superfort for the Emperor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 2
J2M3 Jack x 3
Ki-27b Nate x 1
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 30
B-29-1 Superfort x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-29-1 Superfort: 4 damaged

Ki-84r Frank factory hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 4000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maebashi , at 113,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 20
J2M3 Jack x 3
J2M5 Jack x 36 The Jacks are in this base, the rest are partial groups bleeding from Tokyo, but bleeding only a few planes unfortunately.
N1K2-J George x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-84a Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
B-29-25 Superfort x 113
B-29B Superfort x 87

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-25 Superfort: 4 destroyed, 12 damaged
B-29B Superfort: 2 destroyed, 6 damaged

Ki-84r Frank factory hits 66
J2M5 Jack factory hits 19
J7W1 Shinden factory hits 15
J2M3 Jack factory hits 43

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x B-29-25 Superfort bombing from 4000 feet *
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maebashi , at 113,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 10
J2M3 Jack x 1
J2M5 Jack x 21
N1K2-J George x 3
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2

Allied aircraft
B-29-25 Superfort x 34
B-29B Superfort x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-25 Superfort: 12 damaged
B-29B Superfort: 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-29-25 Superfort bombing from 4000 feet *
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Banzai! - Koizumi I. in a J2M5 Jack rams a B-29-25 Superfort for the Emperor
Banzai! - Nikaido M. in a A7M2 Sam rams a B-29-25 Superfort for the Emperor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Maebashi , at 113,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 2
J2M3 Jack x 1
J2M5 Jack x 7
N1K2-J George x 1

Allied aircraft
B-29-25 Superfort x 9
B-29B Superfort x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M5 Jack: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29B Superfort: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x B-29B Superfort bombing from 4000 feet *
City Attack: 18 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 2
J2M3 Jack x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 1
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 43

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 7 damaged

Ki-84r Frank factory hits 28

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 4000 feet *
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Banzai! - Ariyoshi D. in a Ki-27b Nate rams a B-29-1 Superfort for the Emperor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 2
J2M3 Jack x 2
Ki-27b Nate x 2
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1
Ki-61-II KAI Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Ki-84r Frank factory hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 4000 feet *
City Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Moppo at 101,54

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 59 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 11
Ki-102b Randy x 4

Allied aircraft
F6F-5 Hellcat x 40
SB2C-4 Helldiver x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
E No.64, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E No.20
E No.36
E No.124, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x SB2C-4 Helldiver releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 4
J2M3 Jack x 10
N1K2-J George x 13
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 10
Ki-61-Id Tony x 2
Ki-100-I Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
J2M3 Jack: 3 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Tsu , at 110,60

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5b Zero x 2
J2M3 Jack x 4
N1K2-J George x 8
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-61-Id Tony x 2
Ki-100-I Tony x 1

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M5b Zero: 1 destroyed
N1K2-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-I Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 3 destroyed [:)]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Masan (102,54)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 58341 troops, 1368 guns, 1168 vehicles, Assault Value = 3074

Defending force 157789 troops, 1928 guns, 472 vehicles, Assault Value = 5398

Japanese ground losses:
133 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 13 (5 destroyed, 8 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Tuyun (74,51)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 65557 troops, 788 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 2632

Defending force 6574 troops, 74 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 4

Allied adjusted assault: 1344

Japanese adjusted defense: 346

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1295 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 12 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
295 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
11th (East African) Division
81st (West African) Division
16th Chindit Brigade
3rd New Chinese Corps
6th New Chinese Corps

Defending units:
17th Division
12th Ind.Infantry Brigade
3rd Ind. Engr Rgt /1
149th JAAF AF Bn
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

Reinforcements:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]1001 Ku U-1 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
1021 Ku U-1 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto[/font]

Losses:

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Loss of E No.124 on May 25, 1945 is admitted[/font]

Ships Sunk: Maybe we only got 4 CVs not 5. Still, with a kami hit, and 800kg bomb, and a torpedo, that CV will be out for a bit.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]AKA Chara is reported to have been sunk near Moppo on May 16, 1945
Previous report of sinking of CV Shangri-La incorrect. Intelligence reports ship is still in service[/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[font="Trebuchet MS"]Now for round two in Korea? Or maybe just reinforcement of Moppo? Or perhaps a shot behind behind everything in China?

One line I didn't draw is to Saisho To. I've got a small brigade there and another bit of stuff flying in now, but I'm sure that would be another spot on the wish list for Allied acquisitions. We'll see. [/font]
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL: FOW

Epic battles[X(]

With the Allied infantry now engaged at Masan the armour must be heading to Gunzan - are you ready?

Counting the units at Masan and the armour stack, there can't be many combat units in Moppo (from the original units listed in post 2954). Is there an opportunity (ability) to land on Jocs beach-head if the USN stays away?

It's taken me 4 weeks to read this epic AAR from start to here - I've enjoyed it immensely. Thankyou for this[&o]


EDIT:

There's 2 US IDs at Moppo (96th and 98th) according to combat intel. And a CD unit

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I was going to go through that soon myself. I like the idea, but I plan to walk there! [;)]

If indeed a bunch of stuff moves to Gunzan I have some ideas. I can rail to Taiden and move behind through the open space near Masan. It would be slow, but effective I think in at least getting him worried. Now, if the Allied fleet is reinforcing Moppo, then this will not be an option. If it's landing behind, it still may not be an option. But I think initially I can hold at Gunzan. There are 2k AV there now, but CD guns, AA units and another 10 arty units are on the way once I can protect the ground forces better with AA.

Glad it's been a good read.

ORIGINAL: MrBlizzard

Very good moves and results! It's nice to see that in may 1945 Japan can be still dangerous and strike back with so little assets remained!
Thanks for keepin on this AAR so long [8D]

It was tough in late 44-early 45. I got a bit testy and slightly down after getting the Burma Army trapped, the HI/LI bombed out and Manila crushed beyond belief in about a month.

Now it's a bit more interesting again, and I can relax as anything we get from here on out is just frosting. The fact Japan can, as you say, be dangerous, is the only thing I can really hope for.

Here is the air losses screen for the 25th. At least it took a toll, but it could have been much better for me and worse for the Allies. I had a bunch of planes resting at Kobe getting their morale back up after escorting naval strikes a week before. Also, as I mentioned above, some of the bigger groups only sent a half strength CAP over to Tsu, while the Tokyo groups were also short.

I've gone through a bunch of groups and begun reallocating them all over Honshu. Hammamatsu and Gifu should be targets soon, while some smaller bases like Toyama have some critical factories. I've got cover there elsewhere, but these fighters, no matter how good, won't absolutely stop a big strike, only slow it.

It was nice to see Nates even getting damage on B-24s during the replay! Lots of experienced pilots now in the training groups at least.

I'd bet that's not actually an APA in that TF. It's probably some other kind of auxiliary, with some DDs or DMSes or APDs. I've seen cruisers and the like misidentified as APAs sometimes, depending on the DL.

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I'd bet that's not actually an APA in that TF. It's probably some other kind of auxiliary, with some DDs or DMSes or APDs. I've seen cruisers and the like misidentified as APAs sometimes, depending on the DL.

I've gotten a bit better at reading Jocke's TFs, and I would bet there is at least an AP in there. He usually will get them up to 25-50 ships, so the reading of ten ships can be really skewed since recon only works to 10 sip limits for some odd reason. If it says APA though it's most likely got some kind of transept at the least.

The CACAAVAVAV is most likely either a CV TF or a SAG. It's tough though. I do know from a kami strike that ALL of the remaining CVs are in attendance.

If he's moving AUX in to Moppo that's a bit early I'd think. He doesn't yet have complete control here, so if he thinks he does it could get interesting. [;)]

ORIGINAL: obvert
He usually will get them up to 25-50 ships, so the reading of ten ships can be really skewed since recon only works to 10 sip limits for some odd reason.

Are you serious? No wonder I'm scratching my head at the rate Jocke is unloading amphibious TF's. I see 9 DD's and 1 xAP and wonder how is he unloading so fast. Sorry, but that's a brutal change if the beta won't identify more than 10 ships in a single TF. I can guarantee there's a good chance a player might play/react differently knowing he's trying to intercept a TF of 50 ships. Jocke's informed me that the beta has also reduced the effectiveness of search. No wonder I'm struggling spotting anything or getting enough intelligence to make informed decisions. I may think only a few transports have unloaded supply when it could be 10x that number. Wow, hardly a change for the better in my opinion.

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert
He usually will get them up to 25-50 ships, so the reading of ten ships can be really skewed since recon only works to 10 sip limits for some odd reason.

Are you serious? No wonder I'm scratching my head at the rate Jocke is unloading amphibious TF's. I see 9 DD's and 1 xAP and wonder how is he unloading so fast. Sorry, but that's a brutal change if the beta won't identify more than 10 ships in a single TF. I can guarantee there's a good chance a player might play/react differently knowing he's trying to intercept a TF of 50 ships. Jocke's informed me that the beta has also reduced the effectiveness of search. No wonder I'm struggling spotting anything or getting enough intelligence to make informed decisions. I may think only a few transports have unloaded supply when it could be 10x that number. Wow, hardly a change for the better in my opinion.

I don't think it's the beta. I think it's always been that way, but I could of course by very wrong.

Yeah, he used not one but three or four 40-50 ship TFs to unload in the Marianas. I managed to get some fast Es in there and the collision reports were through the roof. In your position it should work to your advantage at some point when you get to them.

My search is working fine. I don't think it's worse now than before. I train to 70 skill though, and I search extensively during the day AND night phases. If the DL goes up at night it doesn't go all of the way down by the time the sun is up.

Also, if he's moving somewhere and you really need to see, just blast away with about 50 Jakes and another 50 netties and it will all be crystal clear. [:)]

ORIGINAL: obvert

My search is working fine. I don't think it's worse now than before. I train to 70 skill though, and I search extensively during the day AND night phases. If the DL goes up at night it doesn't go all of the way down by the time the sun is up.

+1
DL after every phase is reduced by 50%. So having DL at night will make TF starting AM phase with some DL

I have yet to spot anything during the night phase and have it stick. I've mostly been dealing with submarines though. One thing I've noticed is if I have an air unit set to ASW search I'll get the odd sighting, but if I stick to just naval search I spot way more submarines despite the submarine being within both mission ranges. I'm just struggling in all aspects of the game anyway so I shouldn't really be surprised that what I think should be more effective...isn't.

Most of the plan works again for the 26th. The Es do their job effectively knocking out at least another 5-7 subs, even battling right into Moppo against the 10-15 subs on station there. In the shallow hexes if a sub is detected it's almost surely a goner. Some of these ships experience is getting pretty decent, but the life expectancy of an E crew member is dropping quickly. They are the equivalent of ocean-going kamis, pretty much.

Night search sees the subs a bit, the Es raise their DLs more, and so far (fingers crossed) the bombardments and SAGs have been able to get through with a few shots coming at DDs but nothing against the big boys. The old boys again nailed Moppo! [8D]

Looks like the base might actually be closed now, and the ground crews took another big hit, hopefully rendering them less capable of fixing the base and the planes in it.