Greyjoy(J) vs. Obvert(A) - The air war in China- DBB, SLs, PDU OFF

[modrow]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


The only real news comes from India.

India again ? Why always you ? [8D]

Hartwig

[ny59giants]

Mr Kane came in the same way vs me, but it was a little later. I think it was in March and with a few more divisions (nine) and lots of artillery. I had both Aussie divisions there along with some Indian that still had only 20 experience levels. I was just getting wore down after a few weeks and had to withdraw or have my troops totally destroyed.

[Cribtop]

Whoa, looks like you knocked out a budding festung at Cocos just in time! Nice.

I like the Indian adventure given the air difficulties in China. You can starve the Chinese front to the point he won't be able to fly his planes out.

[MrKane]

DH is very nice place to land. I would recommend to send same small forces to block nearby rail lines as fast as possible.

[GreyJoy]

Jan 19, 1942

Landings at Diamond Harbour went smoothly.
Preceeded by heavy naval bombing, 3 Divisions land with AA and Engineers. Tomorrow the base will fall. The garrison has been shocked by the heavy naval bombings and didn't even shoot back!


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Night Naval bombardment of Diamond Harbour at 52,38 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
CA Atago, Shell hits 1

Allied ground losses:
219 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8
Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1


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Pre-Invasion action off Diamond Harbour (52,38) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

44 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
CL Kiso
DD Uruyuke
DD Tatsuyuke
DD Hatsuharu
APD Aoi
xAK Akiura Maru
TB Kamo
SC Ch 16
SC Ch 14
DD Katsutade

Allied ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


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Amphibious Assault at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

TF 12 troops unloading over beach at Diamond Harbour, 52,38

Japanese ground losses:
196 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

12 troops of a IJA HMG Section lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 33rd Div
37mm Type 01 AT Gun lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /3
75mm T94 Mtn Gun lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Const Eng Sq lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Field Const Bn
10cm T92 Gun dropped into water during unload of 18th Medium FA Rgt
75mm/40 T88 AA damaged beyond repair during unload of 47th Fld AA Bn
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 6th Field Const Bn
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 51st Fld AA Bn
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 40th Fld AA Bn
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 33rd Div /5
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 33rd Div /6
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div /7
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 33rd Div /8
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div /9
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /10
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 33rd Div /12
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 33rd Div /14
81mm Mortar lost in surf during unload of 2nd Mortar Bn
81mm Mortar accidentally lost during unload of 2nd Mortar Bn
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 2nd Mortar Bn
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 3rd Medium FA Rgt
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 33rd Div /20


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Pre-Invasion action off Diamond Harbour (52,38) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
CL Kinu, Shell hits 1
DD Kyukaze
DD Yamakaze
DD Tokitsukaze
PB Kyo Maru #13
PB Yodozo Maru
PB Kamitsu Maru
PB Chosa Maru
SC Ch 13
AK Sado Maru
DD Umikaze

Allied ground losses:
301 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)

BB Hyuga firing at Diamond Harbour Fortress
Diamond Harbour Fortress firing at BB Hyuga
CL Kinu firing at Diamond Harbour Fortress
Diamond Harbour Fortress firing at CL Kinu
DD Kyukaze firing at Diamond Harbour Fortress
DD Yamakaze firing at Diamond Harbour Fortress
DD Tokitsukaze firing at Diamond Harbour Fortress
PB Kyo Maru #13 fired at enemy guns
PB Yodozo Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Kamitsu Maru fired at enemy guns
PB Chosa Maru fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 13 fired at enemy guns
DD Kyukaze fired at enemy guns
DD Yamakaze fired at enemy guns
DD Tokitsukaze fired at enemy guns
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards


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Amphibious Assault at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

TF 53 troops unloading over beach at Diamond Harbour, 52,38

Japanese ground losses:
242 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)

17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Div /1
12 troops of a IJA HMG Section lost in surf during unload of 5th Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 38th Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 38th Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 38th Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 38th Div /5
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Div /3
70mm T92 Bn Gun lost overboard during unload of 5th Div /3
Type 95 Light Tank accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div /4
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 5th Div /4
70mm T92 Bn Gun lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Div /5
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 5th Div /7
Motorized Support accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div /7
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div /8
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Div /8
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 5th Div /10
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 5th Div /10
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 5th Div /11
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div /11
15 Engineers lost in surf during unload of 5th Div /13
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 5th Div /14
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 5th Div /15
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /6
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 38th Div /7
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 38th Div /8
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /10
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 38th Div /10
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /12




From Calcutta the RAF took off, but the LRCAP did its job and we have a the first ace of the war[8D]
PO1 Minegishi U. of Ryujo-1 is credited with kill number 5
PO1 Minegishi U. of Ryujo-1 attains ace status!!
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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diamond Harbour at 52,38

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 57

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 14
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Swordfish I x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 4 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed
Swordfish I: 6 destroyed

CAP engaged:
Ryujo-1 with A6M2 Zero (33 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
33 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 7000
Raid is overhead
Taiyo-1 with A6M2 Zero (24 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
24 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead




At Akyab, the Gurkha Bde, heavily bombed by long range Betties from Bankok, had no chance against the 55th ID
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Ground combat at Akyab (54,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 6541 troops, 93 guns, 9 vehicles, Assault Value = 287

Defending force 2559 troops, 14 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 218

Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Akyab !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
315 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 31 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
892 casualties reported
Squads: 31 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
55th Cavalry Regiment
112th Infantry Rgt /7
55th Engineer Regiment
143rd Infantry Rgt /6
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
4th JAAF Base Force

Defending units:
48th Gurkha Brigade



At Clark another DA with a 1-2 results and forts back to 2

The first result of the indian campaign has already been achieved: enemy's fighters seem to have left Luzon[:D]

[Cribtop]

Banzai!

[GreyJoy]

Jan 20, 1942

Diamond Harbour fell without problems. Now the 3 leading divisions will immediately move towards Calcutta, while the rest of the 25th Army will unload.
British subs pop up near my invasion fleet. One sinks a PB at Akyab, where more units are flowing (Air HQ, base forces and engineers).
Two carrier based Zero groups sweep Calcutta and start the war of attrition against the RAF. We found the AVG there, along with the RAF and some Chinese. Good odds: 14-2 and one more ace!
100 fighters are already based at DH, covering the landings.

The departure of the american P40s from Luzon give me the chance to hit Manila and Clark again. Good.

The KB is approaching Merak. Lots of enemy subs there...will be tough to reach Singa!

CarDiv2 is moving to Timor, where the 4th ID landed at Koepang, while a company conquers Dili.

The 144th Rgt is moving to India, in order to recombine with the 55th ID.

More units loading at Singapore.

Recon says 55,000 men at Calcutta. Not much. Probably an Aus division and a couple of Indian Division. 6 IDs may be enough.

Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 2
H81-A3 x 11
Buffalo I x 15
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 1 destroyed
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th FG/42nd FS CAF with I-16-III (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
No.21 Sqn RAAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
No.488 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes



Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
H81-A3 x 5
Buffalo I x 3
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
H81-A3: 2 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with H81-A3 (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
No.453 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 22130.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 13 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Buffalo I (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 40 minutes
No.232 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes



Ground combat at Diamond Harbour (52,38)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40587 troops, 461 guns, 244 vehicles, Assault Value = 1255

Defending force 4331 troops, 39 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 9

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 805

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 402 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Diamond Harbour !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), preparation(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

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

Allied ground losses:
5976 casualties reported
Squads: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 478 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 47 (47 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
5th Division
38th Division
33rd Division
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
26th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
30th Fld AA Gun Co
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
34th Field AA Battalion
5th Field Construction Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
51st Field AA Battalion
47th Field AA Battalion
20th AA Regiment
39th Field Const Co
6th Field Construction Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
35th Field AA Battalion
31st Fld AA Gun Co
40th Field AA Battalion
45th Field AA Battalion
302nd Ship Eng Coy

Defending units:
Diamond Harbour Fortress

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Mr Kane came in the same way vs me, but it was a little later. I think it was in March and with a few more divisions (nine) and lots of artillery. I had both Aussie divisions there along with some Indian that still had only 20 experience levels. I was just getting wore down after a few weeks and had to withdraw or have my troops totally destroyed.

I've seen that! And decided to go for Calcutta right because of the results Tom was getting against you[;)]

It will all depends on what kind of units he has there. The AUS divisions are tough... but i'm pretty confident to be able to get the air supremacy over there pretty quickly. We'll see... pretty curious.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Whoa, looks like you knocked out a budding festung at Cocos just in time! Nice.

I like the Indian adventure given the air difficulties in China. You can starve the Chinese front to the point he won't be able to fly his planes out.

Cocos: i've suffered a lot against QBall because of Cocos and Mr.Kane against me lost 2 BBs, had 1 CV damaged and 5 SNLF units knocked out trying to get there too late. Lesson learnt!


Yes, the idea is right that one: if i can't conquer China, i need to starve it and the best way is to isolate it.


If Calcutta falls, Ceylon will be next

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: MrKane

DH is very nice place to land. I would recommend to send same small forces to block nearby rail lines as fast as possible.

Yes Tom. Already working on that! [&o]

[GreyJoy]

So, i should be able to have 2400/2600 AVs at Calcutta within 5/6 days. How many AVs does he have at Calcutta? How many forts? How many AVs can he rail in? Hard to tell...

The Imperial ID, with its 400 AVs, could be at Calcutta in 3 weeks i guess. What else? Maybe the 55th ID could be at Calcutta in 3 weeks if everything goes well...

Too much time?

I think a big part of the upcoming battle will be decided in the skies. If i manage to get the air superiority over Calcutta i may have a chance. i'd like not to bring in the BBs...but if i really need...well...i'll do!

However, that's why i grabbed Akyab. It's the only developed airbase around (3 AF level), so i can base fighters and bombers there, waiting for DH to develop a bit (1 AF at the moment).

[Lowpe]

Depends if he was building forts or airbases at Calcutta. Usually most Allied players build the air base up to 7 first. But given recent games, including yours, I would build forts.[:D]

What an exciting game to follow...thanks for keeping up with the posting.

[ny59giants]

Multiple BB TFs with CAs and maybe BBs embedded in them will significantly raise the disruption levels at Calcutta which will shorten the siege. If Erik brings in more troops, then use your tanks to gain control of all the hexsides and then his troops will die there. Capturing Howrah to the NW will be the key, IMO.

After my experience with Mr Kane, I focus now on forts at Calcutta first and AF at places like Delhi to allow airframe upgrades.

[MrKane]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Multiple BB TFs with CAs and maybe BBs embedded in them will significantly raise the disruption levels at Calcutta which will shorten the siege.

Micheal, it can be very risky. It is river hex and Calcutta starts game with a lot of mines. If allied player have there a few coastal defense guns it will be be suicidal run. I am strongly recommend recon place with smaller ships.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Multiple BB TFs with CAs and maybe BBs embedded in them will significantly raise the disruption levels at Calcutta which will shorten the siege. If Erik brings in more troops, then use your tanks to gain control of all the hexsides and then his troops will die there. Capturing Howrah to the NW will be the key, IMO.

After my experience with Mr Kane, I focus now on forts at Calcutta first and AF at places like Delhi to allow airframe upgrades.

BBs in those TFs will prevent the TFs from getting to Calcutta (like Palembang and Rangoon). [;)]

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: MrKane

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Multiple BB TFs with CAs and maybe BBs embedded in them will significantly raise the disruption levels at Calcutta which will shorten the siege.

Micheal, it can be very risky. It is river hex and Calcutta starts game with a lot of mines. If allied player have there a few coastal defense guns it will be be suicidal run. I am strongly recommend recon place with smaller ships.

Yes, another good reason not to bomb it. Moreover, there's the real risk of destroying the HI completely...which would be bad

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Multiple BB TFs with CAs and maybe BBs embedded in them will significantly raise the disruption levels at Calcutta which will shorten the siege. If Erik brings in more troops, then use your tanks to gain control of all the hexsides and then his troops will die there. Capturing Howrah to the NW will be the key, IMO.

After my experience with Mr Kane, I focus now on forts at Calcutta first and AF at places like Delhi to allow airframe upgrades.

BBs in those TFs will prevent the TFs from getting to Calcutta (like Palembang and Rangoon). [;)]

OPsss... True!

[GreyJoy]

In the meanwhile, 3 cruiser TFs are patrolling the Bay of Bengal. Two of them are ordered to move to the western coast of India. A CAR DIV will join them as soon as i am able to refuel/rearm at Singa.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Depends if he was building forts or airbases at Calcutta. Usually most Allied players build the air base up to 7 first. But given recent games, including yours, I would build forts.[:D]

What an exciting game to follow...thanks for keeping up with the posting.

Few turns ago i got the message that Calcutta AF reached level 5. So he must be building AF and forts (probably).

[GreyJoy]

Just not to forget the rest of the world