Matrix Games Forums

Earlier in your thread you mentioned that your ASW effort is generally so effective that the Allied player "gives up" after awhile. Could you give a little more detail on how you set up your convoys and your ASW TFs and air groups. As of 1/12/42 playing as Japan my ASW TFs(limited to a 6 ship max) have lost 3 MSWs and a DD and I have yet to sink an Allied sub(all these attacks are in shallow water on subs that have been tracked day after day).

You mentioned that you do a main convoy route from Java to Palembang to Singapore to coastal China to west coast of Japan. Im playing with Advanced weather and its usually thunderstorms from Kuantan to Japan along that coastal route so Im not sure how effective my ASW aircraft are. With continuous bad weather would I be better off with a deep water convoy route around Borneo past Luzon and Formosa?

Do you form one large convoy with dozens of ASW ships in it?

Do you have your ASW TFs escorting your transport TF or do you form ASW hunter/killer TFs(Thats what Ive been doing)?

Do you put high rated Admirals in charge of your ASW TFs?

Do you place your aircraft on Naval Strike/ Search 100% or on ASW/100% ? Which is more effective in scoring hits?

Which aircraft types do you place on naval strike and ASW? Do you designate high value commanders for these airgroups?

Thanks!

8/17/42

CENPAC: Well big news is that the US carriers are out to play. They hit Wake this turn, but no clear sign of an Invasion Convoy. KB had been driven South last turn by subs entering the Port at Kwajalein, so KB now at Jaluit, he shouldn't be looking for us there anyway. No indication that he has spotted us. Subs seem to be swarming the Marshalls though so we will head ENE out of Kwajalein and attempt to get on the flank/rear of the American carriers. Neither side will have landbased air support out in the "Gap" between Wotje and Johnson ... but we did move 3 Emily units into the area to give us maximum range on air search. We have 490 carrier planes and 43 float planes aboard the KB. North of Wake, the Shok/Zuik group and the Yam/Mus group are proceeding South.

CHINA: We will try Ichang again, this time the 2nd Yok will go in. Hopefully we've engineering things better this time.

BURMA: The Tony/Tojo units are still working up their new planes so the zeros are still trying to hold the fort for another couple of turns.

ORIGINAL: AdmSpruance

Earlier in your thread you mentioned that your ASW effort is generally so effective that the Allied player "gives up" after awhile. Could you give a little more detail on how you set up your convoys and your ASW TFs and air groups. As of 1/12/42 playing as Japan my ASW TFs(limited to a 6 ship max) have lost 3 MSWs and a DD and I have yet to sink an Allied sub(all these attacks are in shallow water on subs that have been tracked day after day).

You mentioned that you do a main convoy route from Java to Palembang to Singapore to coastal China to west coast of Japan. Im playing with Advanced weather and its usually thunderstorms from Kuantan to Japan along that coastal route so Im not sure how effective my ASW aircraft are. With continuous bad weather would I be better off with a deep water convoy route around Borneo past Luzon and Formosa?

Oh Boy, questions, questions, questions ... could probably write a book about all these questions ... well I try to be brief!

Primary purpose of ASW aircraft is to spot the enemy subs. That makes them more vulnerable and reduces their attack. Generally, deep water routes are good for subs and bad for ASW, but like all "rules" there are exceptions ... like if you think your normal shallow routes are full of enemies. But generally I avoid deep water routes.

Do you form one large convoy with dozens of ASW ships in it?

One large convoy? Heavens no, I have more convoys than I can count. Somewhere way back in the AAR I gave organization concepts for IJN task units. Basically a "light" ASW group is four ships of the PC, PG, MSW flavor and a "heavy" ASW group is six ships with the additional allowance for APD or DD to be added. IIRC I started with about 200 of the PC,PG,MSW so this gave me about 50 of the light ASW groups. I do not know how many I have, but there are usually all busy, so I'd guess I have 45+ of these light groups running around. General a "convoy" is about 10 merchant ships AP or AK or TK, usually just one type and usually has one of these "light" group embedded as close escort. A few additional "light" and "heavy" groups lurk around likely spots for enemy subs to act as "hunter killer" groups. I'd say there are probably only about 6 of these right now, most are within about 10 hexes of Singapore.

I do sometimes consolidate homeward bound convoys carrying oil/resouces and I usually combine the escort groups in as well, though once I get ASW value 20+ I usually stop combining in the escorts.

Do you have your ASW TFs escorting your transport TF or do you form ASW hunter/killer TFs(Thats what Ive been doing)?

I do both, but generally all convoys have one light group embedded. Generally, the hunter killer groups stay at a particular port and "lunge out" to prosecute spots by the ASW air.

Large invasion convoys are exceptions, they usually have both types of escort, but also have MSW groups and Surfaces groups and carrier groups and oilers etc. Organization for invasions is a separate topic.

Do you put high rated Admirals in charge of your ASW TFs?

Some games I've played have house rules against this, my current one with Moses does not. But I generally do not do this, because I have too many ASW groups. I probably do, do this for at least some of the Hunter-Killer groups. In fact, I do recall that right now Raizo is running one in the Gulf of Martaban. Moses was flooding subs in there, but use of Raizo and two "heavy" H-K groups and a pile of ASW air has seemingly cleaned this area out. We got hits on about 4 subs in as many turns and I think he has departeed for healthier areas. We will probably heliport Raizo to his next assignment soon.

Do you place your aircraft on Naval Strike/ Search 100% or on ASW/100% ? Which is more effective in scoring hits?

Both. I generally use Naval Search, but switch to ASW when enemy subs are 0-1 hexes away from the airbase. If the enemy subs are in close then ASW will get about three times as many attacks and Naval Search will. But if you want maximum coverage of your full search area, then Naval Seach is best. Of course this means you need to monitor the status every turn and be willing to switch the orders as necessary. Because I place a high priority on ASW operations and because Moses tends to use subs in large all or nothing groups, this is acceptable for me.

Which aircraft types do you place on naval strike and ASW? Do you designate high value commanders for these airgroups?

Thanks!

Well Betty/Nell are the Naval Strike aircraft. ASW I use floatplanes primarily, but in areas where I expect heavy concentrations I use Sallys. Like in Gulf of Martaban I have one 36 plane Sally group (EXP 80) and one 27 Plane Val Group (EXP 81).

I have two primary convoy routes right now ... Singapore to Siagon to Taan to Shanghai and on to Home Islands, the entire course of this route is covered by ASW planes. The other route is Balikpapan to Tarakan, to Menando, to Palau to Guam, to Iwo to Tokyo and again, the entiire route is covered by ASW planes, including a Mavis and Alf group and Palau to cover the Palau, Menande gap better. There is a "heavy" group and Camh Ranh Bay and a Heavy Group at Tarakan at this point.

====

But, in summary, if enemy subs are beating you in a given area, then you need to beef up your ASW assets in that area. First toss in some more ASW aircraft, seeing the enemy subs is #1 ... then toss in some H-K groups. But also always escort (embedded) your convoys through these areas.

Good luck, let us know if things improve!

8/19/42

China: Well we took Ichang, for what it is worth. Might be able to (if lucky) cut off three Chinese Corps ...

Burma: Allies launched big air attacks on Akyab. Killed about 90 zeros, though we only lost 31 pilots .. and even beat the Allies on the air to air side ... the Tony/Tojo groups staged forward to Rangoon this turn. Also we are planning a "last hurrah" for the zeros in conjunction with several Lily/Sally groups we will hit one of the Allied AB in Burma, probably Imphal.

CENPAC: The Americans hit Wake hard today, but still no invasion. KB will cruise to the NE... Shok/Zuik and Yam/Mus will continue through Wakt towards Kwaj.

And here is KB which will head basically ENE from where it sits ... we will continue cruising with the AO group until we actually see something to hit.

And to the South, we do see some potential heavy ships, but no clear forward motion yet ...

8/21/42

Well this sure will be an interesting turn. Moses is landing at Nanomea, we're committing the KB off Johnston Is. against some pieces of the US fleet we see out there and we're launching an air attack in Burma to cover the first forward deployment of 4 Tony/Tojo groups and we have a small attack in China. Only "quiet" sector this turn looks like the Aleutians, well that and the area around Oz.

So, first the KB attack. Our Glen boats finally spotted some elements of the US fleet. This looks like some parts of the fleet are withdrawing to Johnston Is. after the Wake raid, so we will go in with everything and hope for the best. We will have 490 aircraft on the decks and 43 float planes. The zeros are on 70% cap at 15,000 feet, the Vals a Nvl Attk only, 5 hex, 10% search, 15k feet. The Kates on Nvl Attk only, 5 hex, 0% search, 5k feet. Everyone will be doing high speed run, and because we are doing 2 day turns this will be a double high speed run, so we will have to withdraw and gas up after this attack.

Shok/Zuik are visible in the upper left corner of the map. And Yam/Mus are right behind em. These guys will all go to Kwaj and gas up, we may have to send these guys South before Moses gobbles up everything down there for free!

8/21/42

Down in Polynesia, Moses looks like he is landing at Nanomea - and getting a freebee. We could just barely make it with KB if we did a high speed run down this way, but then the US main fleet would get away and we have a chance up there to maybe fight a carrier battle on not the best terms for the Americans, since as far as we know, he still has no idea we've even left Tulagi. But we know he hit Wake and has at least some groups of ships withdrawing to Johnston. If we miss carriers and get BBs instead that is ok.

8/21/42

Over in CBI, Moses has one stack of 11 units milling around outside Sian, not sure which way these guy are going yet. We've moved more Armor to Ichang and will be heading out into the "clear" terrain North of Ichang to play out there. SE of Ichang we will again attack this stack who are probably really low on supply. We will do our usual bombing of Changsha. In the South, around Canton everyone has resumed their normal positions, the musical hexes is over down there for a while. But this "diversion" gave us enough time to grab Ichang (for what it is worth) prior to a big stack (15 units this time) heading from Changsha to Wuhan to threaten us back. We returned one big division back to Wuhan this turn.

Over in Burma we flew 2 Tony Group to Mandalay, they are on 90% cap and 1 Tony and 1 Tojo groups to Pagan also 90% cap. All the zeros in the forward area will sweep Imphal were he has a big bunch of fighters and several Lily/Sally groups will also attack Imphal. This most unusual (for us) air attack is designed to distract Moses further while we deploy the Tony/Tojo groups and provide a "last hurrah" for the Zeros which we will now be pulling out of Burma.

8/23/42 Wow - what a turn - I am my messages set to max time and the replay ran over an hour ... whew ... and I sweatin' up a storm ...

The first turn our Tony/Tojo (4 groups worth) appear at the front in Burma is also the first turn that Moses and I have a real Naval Battle (over by Johnston Is. at the other end of the map).

Here are the air losses.

8/23/42

And here is an annotated combatreport.

Bottom line in the naval battle

Wasp, Hornet, Indomitable, Hermes sunk
Enterprise damaged, and several other vessels damaged as well.

Akagi 24/8/17 (from 3x1000 hits)
Junyo 26/4/17 (from 1x1000 hit)

No other vessels hit on our side. We will be withdrawing to the West, after the double high speed run, we are getting low on gas. So big question will be whether we can get both of these guys home. Time will tell.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/21/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 105 encounters mine field at 25942384,68

Japanese Ships
MSW Fumi Maru #2 I think this is near Tulagi - was too excited to check ...

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Naval bombardment of Nanomea Atoll, at 87,101

Allied Ships
DD Pakenham
DD Voyager
DD Stewart
DD Pillsbury
DD Barker
DD Hull
DD Clark
DD McCall
DD Gridley
CL Concord
CL Glasgow
CL Dauntless
CL Emerald
CA Indianapolis
BB Resolution
BB Ramilles
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Mississippi
BB Nevada
BB Colorado
Hum six more BBs down here - well we might have carrier superiority, but the Allies certainly have BB superiority ...

Japanese ground losses:
420 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Nanomea Atoll, at 87,101

Allied Ships
DD Kane
DD Sands
DD Witte de With
DD Ward

Japanese ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Port hits 2
Port supply hits 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1002 encounters mine field at Nanomea Atoll (87,101)

TF 1002 troops unloading over beach at Nanomea Atoll, 87,101


Allied Ships
AP Empire Pride, Mine hits 1 Not much to show for our 2000+ mine field here ...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 1015 encounters mine field at Nanomea Atoll (87,101)

TF 1015 troops unloading over beach at Nanomea Atoll, 87,101


Allied Ships
MSW Kapunda
MSW Cessnock
MSW Castlemaine
MSW Junee
MSW Cowra
MSW Cootamundra
APD Manley
DD Phelps
APD Gregory
APD Little
DD Drayton
APD McKean

Coastal Guns at Nanomea Atoll, 87,101, firing at TF 1015
20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
622 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 105 encounters mine field at 25942384,68

Japanese Ships
MSW Fumi Maru #2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 105 encounters mine field at Tulagi (68,96)

Japanese Ships
MSW Fumi Maru #2

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Sub attack near Johnston Island at 102,74

Japanese Ships
SS I-9, hits 3

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Torpedo hits 2, on fire We open the big battle with a pair of hits on a FBB !
DD Kennison
DD Dent

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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 48
Ki-21 Sally x 102
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 6 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 81

Aircraft Attacking:
Ki-21 Sally bombing at 10000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 24

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
LB-30 Liberator: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
285 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 16

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pagan , at 31,31

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIb Tojo x 23
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 18

Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 3
Blenheim I x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Catalina I: 1 damaged
Blenheim I: 11 destroyed Our new fighters doing their thing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 36

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 12 destroyed And again

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Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 10

Allied aircraft
CW-22 Falcon x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 52

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged The rest turned back ...

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 4

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 51

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17

Aircraft Attacking:
44 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 9000 feet
6 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 14


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
5 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26
First big strike on Imphal .. using our Lily AF busters .. they are EXP 80+ ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 54
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 20
Ki-21 Sally x 25
Ki-48 Lily x 45
Ki-46-II Dinah x 5

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 5
Mohawk IV x 12
Buffalo I x 11
Hurricane II x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 6 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 13 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 3 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 11 destroyed
Buffalo I: 8 destroyed
Hurricane II: 14 destroyed
Martin 139: 5 destroyed
Beaufighter VIF: 2 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 115

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Ki-48 Lily bombing at 6000 feet
9 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 6000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24 Follow up sweep

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 1
Mohawk IV x 1
Hurricane II x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 3 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 1 damaged
Hurricane II: 2 destroyed

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Day Air attack on Pamakasan , at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 12
Ki-46-II Dinah x 2

No Japanese losses

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
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Day Air attack on San Jose , at 41,53

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

No Japanese losses

Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 3


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
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Day Air attack on Yokosuka 6th SNLF, at 94,92


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
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Day Air attack on 3rd Mongolian Cavalry Division, at 49,22


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 16
Martin 139 x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Tank Regiment, at 49,32


Allied aircraft
SB-2c x 3


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 7th Tank Regiment, at 49,32


Allied aircraft
SB-2c x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SB-2c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 56th Division, at 30,29 At Akyab

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6
Blenheim IV x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 5th NLF , at 49,90


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 40


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
2 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
18 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 87,101


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 7


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st New Chinese Corps, at 43,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 83
Ki-32 Mary x 10

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
3 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
16 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
20 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
18 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 48,34

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 48
Ki-15 Babs x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
30 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 78th Chinese Corps, at 48,34

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 12
Ki-27 Nate x 36
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
12 x B5N Kate bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/A Brigade, at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 3 destroyed At Akyab

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Mixed/B Brigade, at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 9

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet

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Ground combat at 48,34 Between Wuhan and Ichang

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24027 troops, 254 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 461

Defending force 27689 troops, 136 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 744

Japanese max assault: 494 - adjusted assault: 796

Allied max defense: 623 - adjusted defense: 127

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
190 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
67 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanomea Atoll

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2550 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Defending force 2928 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 67



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2749 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 88

Defending force 4587 troops, 0 guns, 285 vehicles, Assault Value = 143



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanomea Atoll

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 2928 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Defending force 3766 troops, 13 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 80

Allied max assault: 138 - adjusted assault: 17

Japanese max defense: 41 - adjusted defense: 26

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 1) We held for the first turn - doubt we will for the second !


Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Allied ground losses:
140 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/22/42


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Sub attack near Johnston Island at 102,74

Japanese Ships
SS I-174, hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
AO Cuyama, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage Back at the battle site
MSW Starling
AO Kankakee

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Day Air attack on Changsha , at 47,36

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 41
Ki-21 Sally x 132
Ki-36 Ida x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-36 Ida: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 155

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 53

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
86 casualties reported

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 70

Aircraft Attacking:
42 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 9000 feet
11 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 9000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 14


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26 Second days raid ...

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 46
Ki-61 KAIc Tony x 16
Ki-21 Sally x 17
Ki-48 Lily x 38
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 4
Mohawk IV x 3
Buffalo I x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-61 KAIc Tony: 1 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-48 Lily: 1 destroyed, 13 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 5 destroyed
Mohawk IV: 3 destroyed
Buffalo I: 5 destroyed
Martin 139: 3 destroyed
Hudson I: 2 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 58

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Pamakasan , at 24,66

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 12
Ki-46-II Dinah x 1

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on San Jose , at 41,53

Japanese aircraft
E13A1 Jake x 7

No Japanese losses

Port supply hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x E13A1 Jake bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Adak Island , at 98,36


Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 9
B-25C Mitchell x 8


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
4 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 11000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 3rd Mongolian Cavalry Division, at 49,22


Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 14
Martin 139 x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
15 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
3 x Martin 139 bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 4th Mongolian Cavalry Division, at 48,27


Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 7


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
3 x IL-4c bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 56th Division, at 30,29


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6
Blenheim IV x 6
Wellington III x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Blenheim I bombing at 6000 feet
6 x Wellington III bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Kure 7th SNLF, at 87,101


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 133rd IJNAF Base Force, at 94,92


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 1st New Chinese Corps, at 42,40

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 87
Ki-32 Mary x 10

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
8 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Ki-32 Mary bombing at 2000 feet
18 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
20 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
20 x Ki-27 Nate bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 100,74
... Heeeere they come !!!

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 102
A6M3 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 26
F4F-4 Wildcat x 34
SBD Dauntless x 52
Swordfish x 26
TBF Avenger x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 16 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire: 26 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 34 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 25 destroyed, 2 damaged
Swordfish: 13 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 10 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CV Akagi, Bomb hits 3, on fire 24/8/17
CV Kaga
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 1
BB Hiei

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Swordfish launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 100,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 98
A6M3 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 15
SBD Dauntless x 28
TBF Avenger x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed, 2 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 15 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 22 destroyed
TBF Avenger: 7 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1, on fire 26/4/17

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x SBD Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 101,74
And here we go ...


Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 44
A6M3 Zero x 9
D3A Val x 60
B5N Kate x 112

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 13
F4F-4 Wildcat x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed
D3A Val: 5 destroyed, 20 damaged
B5N Kate: 11 destroyed, 59 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 23 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CV Indomitable, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Mauritius, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CVL Hermes, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA Juneau, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
DD Anderson, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 101,74

Japanese aircraft
D3A Val x 22
B5N Kate x 24

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 damaged
B5N Kate: 7 damaged


Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Diego, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Indomitable, on fire, heavy damage
CV Wasp, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage Sunk
CVL Hermes, on fire, heavy damage Sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 101,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
D3A Val x 16

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 5
F4F-4 Wildcat x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 3 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Seafire: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Hornet, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
7 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 101,74

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 17

Allied aircraft
Seafire x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged


Allied Ships
CV Enterprise, on fire, heavy damage
CV Indomitable, on fire, heavy damage Sunk
CL Hobart
BC Repulse, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Johnston Island at 102,74

Japanese aircraft
B5N Kate x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged

Allied Ships
BB New Mexico, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Tennessee

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Imphal , at 33,26

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24

Allied aircraft
F2A Buffalo x 4
Buffalo I x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F2A Buffalo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 101,74

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
A6M3 Zero x 2
D3A Val x 60
B5N Kate x 72

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A Val: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged

Allied Ships
CVL Hermes, on fire, heavy damage
CV Indomitable, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CV Hornet, on fire, heavy damage
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CLAA San Diego, on fire
CV Wasp, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
5 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
6 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x D3A Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Nanomea Atoll

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2409 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 71

Defending force 2638 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 48


Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Guns lost 5


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,32

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2719 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1949

Defending force 4567 troops, 0 guns, 284 vehicles, Assault Value = 143



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 48,34

Allied Shock attack Big stack came across the river ... Ichang now threaten from both N and S !!!

Attacking force 68387 troops, 445 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2092

Defending force 23761 troops, 250 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 451

Allied max assault: 2300 - adjusted assault: 1377

Japanese max defense: 473 - adjusted defense: 160

Allied assault odds: 8 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
1064 casualties reported
Guns lost 41

Allied ground losses:
2296 casualties reported
Guns lost 45


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

great victory....congrats!...been waiting for this AAR update all day

to soon to probably ask...but any plans on how to exploit this victory? gonna just continue to dig in?...or any more offensive actions on your part?

Yeah it is pretty soon to ask - we have to get Akagi and Junyo safely home before we break out the brass bands!

===

But we'll hazzard a few thoughts about strategy, subject to change of course ...


Strategy August 1942.

Well, I haven't done a strategy review in several months, so we'll try one.

CHINA
Here we are pretty much in a stalemate. Maybe two other players could find a hole somewhere - but every time Moses or I think we see one, it turns out to be some variation on a revolving door. Even Ichang may swing back around and we might have to pull out. But Ichang isn't strategic either way. So, the real issue here will be how quickly Moses can bring in enough additional supply to support additional American air units, that is what will change the landscape in China. WIth more good planes he can (a) shut down our training programs and (b) knock out our resources and heavy industry and (c) shut down the coastal convoy route between Hainan and Shanghai, one of our favorite routes. Lots of good reasons for him to beef up his air presence in China, but he probably needs more supply - and to get that he needs to keep pushing the air war in Burma and start sending more transports and bomber/transports to Ledo area.

BURMA
Well here we have at least held Akyab for now. We have all of 56ID, 56IMB, 21IMB and 2 regiments of the 55ID. The 33ID is headed back to Rangoon to refit.
We are rolling in the Tony/Tojos and rolling out the Zeroes which have been badly battered, though they did do their job of trading their blood to keep Akyab. The Allies made one attempt with two Armored Bdes, but things did not work out for the Allies and those Bdes have headed back home.
The Allies have been relying on a combination of all types of bombers and fighters though their 4EB have done most of the effective work. With the Tony's and Tojos we may be able to inflict greater casualties on the 4EB and thus for a while, gain the upper hand in Burma. But once the P-38s show up things will switch back to the Allied side and our Tony/Tojos will become Nates. Then their will be no stopping Moses from winnig a ground offensive.
Of course Burma is critical for us because it keeps the lid on China and keeps the Allies out of range of most of our resources/oil and heavy industry in the SRA. Once the Allies take Burma things change big time for the worse for us. Our goal is to hold Burma through 1943, but this is problematic. We are digging in at Andaman, the Nicobars and Sabang. And also at Moulmein, Tavoy and Victory Point. These bases control the Gulf of Martaban which controls the sea approaches to Rangoon. As long as we can own the sea here we can retard Allied operations in Burma and protect the bulk of the SRA.


ALEUTIANS
Well the Allied base at Atka is rapidly building up. Soon we will not be able to support any bases East of Kiska. But we are building up Kiska and will pass 10k mines here this next turn. The 35IMB is digging in. Our Northern Fleet will attempt to maintain some presence near Kiska to prevent Allied minesweeping operations.

CENPAC
Well the Allies will take Nanomea and possibly Baker also as this Island is not defendable - these are the buffers to the buffer. We can base KB in the Marshalls or Solomons and so can cover the Gilberts more closely. We may also consider building up the air bases in the Marshalls, we have avoided that thus far. But I suspect KB will remain in this area indefinitely. Now that the Allies have take another hit to their carriers, Moses will have to use 4EB and surface forces to cover his landings and this will work for a while. So I'd still expect him to make slow but steady progress in this area over the next several months.

SOLOMONS
We have more airbases in this area and I doubt Moses will challenge here any time soon.

New Guinea.
Ditto

OZ
In Northern Oz Moses could send massive ground forces against either Darwin or Derby and I'm not sure we could hold, but thus far he has not tried this. We are building up in Timor and environs as we know that eventually Northern Oz will fall.

DEI
We are slowly building up here. The Western Fleet is based at Singapore, but currently is reftting.

SUMMARY
So will we attack any further? I'd say no. There are lots of level-4 airbases all though the Allied forward areas and even one level-4 can put a hurt on KB and I'm not willing to lose a carrier fighting a level-4 just for the hecque of it. It think overall we will use KB to delay the American advance in the CENPAC area. And try to hold on in China, Burma and Northern Oz while building up bases in the areas we can cover with multiple level-4s. I'll try to put together some more detailed thoughts on airpower.

Congrats! Moses won´t be very pleased with this outcome! The attack on Wake did nothing and he lost everything it seems! [&o]

Regarding your Tonies and Tojos. I don´t think they will become Nates when Lightnings will show up. IIRC it´s a stock game? My experience of stock PBEMs that are well into 43 has shown that a Tony or Tojo has absolutely no problem with a P38 when flown by a 75-80 exp pilot (of course it´s hard to maintain 80 exp...). When on the defense a 80 exp. Tony or Tojo achieves 2:1 + kill rates against attacking Lightnings. If he starts using them fast instead of waiting for 3 months until deploying them, then you can kill a good number of them and he runs out fast. Then you can use the time for training the two sentais you lost, while replacing them with trained ones.

If he builds up 200+ and comes in for two "big weeks" then you´re probably toast! [:D]

That was an knockout punch! [:D] ...2 damaged IJN CV's for punch of Allied CV's = That is an total victory! [;)][:D]
 
Congrats!

ORIGINAL: castor troy

Congrats! Moses won´t be very pleased with this outcome! The attack on Wake did nothing and he lost everything it seems! [&o]

Regarding your Tonies and Tojos. I don´t think they will become Nates when Lightnings will show up. IIRC it´s a stock game? My experience of stock PBEMs that are well into 43 has shown that a Tony or Tojo has absolutely no problem with a P38 when flown by a 75-80 exp pilot (of course it´s hard to maintain 80 exp...). When on the defense a 80 exp. Tony or Tojo achieves 2:1 + kill rates against attacking Lightnings. If he starts using them fast instead of waiting for 3 months until deploying them, then you can kill a good number of them and he runs out fast. Then you can use the time for training the two sentais you lost, while replacing them with trained ones.

If he builds up 200+ and comes in for two "big weeks" then you´re probably toast! [:D]

His attack on Wake did draw us away from the Nanomea invasion. Actually last turn we had a choice, we could have - with a double high speed run - just barely reached Nanomea by the end of the second day, though not sure we would've hit the BB group even had we done that - they were probably gone by then. But there was a choice. But the probability of high value targets around Johnston was greater than around Nanomea and we resigned ourselves to losing this outpost for the chance of a big naval battle at Johnston. In the event we probably made the correct decision.

As to the P-38s. Well my experience includes one CHS (1.02) game that got to 2/44 and one stock game to 11/43 and another stock game to 2/43 .. and IIRC P-38s were kicking my a$$ all over the place in all of those games. But it is true that Tony's are weaker in CHS as CHS differentiates the armament a bit more. But I'm leary of raising my expectations too much. And it won't be long now anyway before they're showing up. So we shall see how tough they are! As to tactics, well Moses is a pretty good player so I would assume he would do as I did and commit his new effective fighters on-mass. We're still only one turn into the advent of the Tony/Tojo in Burma, but so far my expectations have been exceeded!!! We are building up the Jack r&d and the Jack's might buy us a bit more time - but the Jack's compete with the LR Zeros for landbased Navy fighter slots and we need the LR fighters to support the Air Striking force built around the Betty/Nell/Frances ... so probably no more than half the slots can go to the Jack's and that really isn't enough to completely take over from the Tony/Tojos. And the Franks are a loooong way off. So I'm still figuring late 43 is gonna be a really tough time in the air war.

Well .. here is shot 1 of 2 of our air pools. The first one is the combat aircraft. The fighters and bombers. Overall pool levels are fine. We wish we could have more Lily's for occasional AF busting and we have about 100 deployed in units right now. We will pull those out and replace them with Sally's and try to preserve the Lily's for AF raids. But they are dwindling fast and won't be around forever.

And here are the pools for the combat support planes. Again everything looks good here.

8/29/42

Picking up the story a few days later ...

In China, the situation around Ichang is getting "very complicated" [:D]. Moses has one large group to the SE and another to the NE (of Ichang). he can certainly cut us off at Ichang. But, we have lots of transports standing by to keep us supplied. On the other hand, we are bombing Changsha and Sian, his two supply bases and he will be hard pressed to remain in supply and also remain concentrated. But the possibilities are endless, so we're letting him drive right now. The 1st Armored Division is approaching the N. China/Manchurian border and we should release it next turn. It will then be able to shortly enter the fray around Ichang, where armor has some spots to apply itself to advantage.

8/28/42

CENPAC

Out in the Pacific, KB is one hex out from Kwajalein and will arrive next turn and auto-disband and suck up most of the 84k fuel at Kwaj. We will then send some 20+ ships back to the Home Islands for upgrades and repairs. The carriers going home will be Akagi (29 sys), Junyo (33 sys) as well as Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu all due for upgrade. Hiyo, Ryujo, Zuiho will remain in the CENPAC area.

As reinforcements, we are tranferring Taiyo and Hosho and Nagato from the Western Fleet to the Northern Fleet. And then we will release Shoho and Ryuho from the Northern fleet to KB.

The Shokaku and Zuikaku are down around Nanomea (more on their explots shortly). So, after the reorg is complete, KB will consist of:

Shokaku
Zuikaku
Hiyo
Ryujo
Shoho
Zuiho
Ryuho

So 3xCV and 4xCVL this force will have a deskspace of just over 300 planes.

===

Meanwhile, the Shok/Zuik Group and the Yam/Mus Grp finally arrived in the Nanomea area after refueling and Kwaj and topping off at Makin. The Americans are still just barely unable to actually capture Nanomea, so we will probably remain around here for a few turns and try to pick off some ships. If things go long enough, we should be able to get reinforcements down from Kwajalein in just under a week.

Here is a shot of some Shok/Zuik planes bouncing some bombs off the Allied Battle Force, which has been supporting Nanomea. We doubt any substantial damage was done.

8/29/42

We did have better luck with the transport and escort shipping in the area, though weather impedded our flight operations.