Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

[SqzMyLemon]

We've reached July 20th and I'm awaiting the replay file. The pace of the game has been slow with numerous delays for various reasons, however, recently turn rate has increased and may be steady for the remainder of March.

There isn't much to update in terms of action, but there is always progress behind the front lines. India remains the focus for me, but China has drawn Andre's attention once again.

In India it's a stalemate. Allied forces are deploying for two main offensive pushes at the moment. With Andre concentrating 20 units at Bezwada, I've decided to push on the flanks towards Mangalore in the west, and Ranchi in the east. Bezwada remains the primary objective, but I'm not yet in a position to move fully on the base without weakening my overall defensive position. I've decided to try and force Andre to spread out his forces so I can isolate and defeat portions of them in detail. Interestingly enough, Japanese recon units have pushed to within 46 miles of Benares and Patna. Patna is weakly held by a lone British base force, while Benares has just been reinforced with an Indian division and the Americal Division. Allied forces continue to advance towards Ranchi, spearheaded by the Burma Division. These troops remain undetected to my knowledge, so far. In the west, Indian units are moving out from Goa towards Mangalore, but this move is more of an effort to draw Japanese reinforcements away from Bezwada than a serious attempt to take the base.

To my knowledge, Andre is unaware that there are three U.S. divisions in India, the Americal, 27th and 32nd. The remaining components of British 2nd Division should arrive at Karachi within a week and will rail to Jubbulpore to reform, where it will reinforce the drive against Ranchi.

Allied bombers have been stood down for almost a week to allow all units to rest, replenish and train for the upcoming offensives. Airbase expansion has been ongoing and the Allies are now in a position to hit hard throughout India with B-17's and B-24's.

No further Japanese move against Diego Garcia. I've reinforced the Atoll with the 1st USMC EAB and elements of U.S. 40th Division.

In China, Lanchow fell to Japanese assault on July 19th, so the supply situation will begin to deteriorate quickly for me in China. A Japanese assault against Kweilin is imminent, but I'm hoping to withdraw from the base before the first assault and waste the months of preparation Japanese forces have undergone. China is going to get ugly real fast, but no supply means I can't conduct offensive operations so all I can do is delay and try to withdraw in good order.

That's about it. I'll post some screens to bring things up to date, but those are pending on the completion of a planned operation that I won't go into detail on just yet.

[BBfanboy]

Glad to hear you are still playing. You are just getting to the stage where it starts to be fun for the Allies, so I hope the contest continues.

[obvert]

Nice work stopping the advance Joseph. Looks like you'll be pushing back soon.

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks for the comments Erik and BBfanboy.

I don't think there is any fear of the game ending prematurely. Andre's got a lot going on and I just have to be patient for turns sometimes. It's turning out to be a great game.

Teaser Alert...It's on.

U.S. carriers have reached their staging area undetected and are now ordered to make a full speed run of 13 hexes to their launch position. They will then turn into the wind and launch all aircraft from 6 hexes away, target...

Colombo!

I've attached a screen showing the position of my CV's and the Japanese TF's currently at Colombo. There are additionally 49 ships docked in port. All bombers have been assigned enemy surface ships as the primary target and the port as secondary. Recon still shows no fighters based at Colombo, but there are 70 bombers and 7 auxiliary aircraft indicated so the threat of enemy attacks against my forces remains high. I've assigned CAP of 50% to protect the fleet.

I've also moved into position all the U.S. heavy bomber squadrons and targeted Colombo's port and airbase. Range for the bombers is between 15 and 19 hexes, so some will be carrying reduced loads.

My fingers are crossed that my CV's complete their move as ordered and lay one hell of a surprise on Andre, while avoiding any serious damage/loss to enemy LBA.

[BBfanboy]

Here's hoping RL does not get in the way of getting the next turn running ... and reported on in 3D detail!

[SqzMyLemon]

Well, score one for the Allies. The operation went well, if not exactly according to plan, as Andre actually picked the same day to begin a massive move towards Diego Garcia with all those SCTF's. Despite the enemy ships not being where I had planned, Japan still got a bloody nose today.

The U.S. carriers arrived where they were supposed to and launched their strike packages against numerous Japanese TF's that were spotted northwest of my position heading towards Diego Garcia. In addition to the carrier based attacks, all the American bomber squadrons got the green light and hit the port at Colombo. Much to my surprise, look who was still around after taking four torpedoes from a Dutch submarine months back. I'll post all the relevant AAR's to make things easier.

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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 38
B-24D Liberator x 4

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 9, on fire
CA Ashigara, Bomb hits 1
xAK Unyo Maru #2, Bomb hits 1, on fire
SS I-155, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

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

Port hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 5 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Fuel storage explosion on CV Kaga

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Morning Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Repair Shipyard hits 3
Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 7
Port hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 24,52

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 32
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Isokaze

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Colombo at 29,48

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 48
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Nowaki, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
DD Yugumo
DD Kagero
DD Hagikaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hagikaze
Magazine explodes on DD Nowaki

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 25,51

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 64
SBD-3 Dauntless x 79
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 10 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hatsukaze
CA Chokai, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CS Mizuho, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Hayashio
BB Mutsu, Bomb hits 2
DD Maikaze, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
DD Natsushio, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA Mikuma

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CVE Unyo
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring CS Mizuho
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Maikaze

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Afternoon Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 16

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 10000 feet *
Port Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 26,54

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 22

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 85

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 3 destroyed, 6 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Yorktown
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 2
CA Northampton, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
VF-42 with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 34000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 19 minutes
VF-6 with F4F-4 Wildcat (1 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
VF-8 with F4F-4 Wildcat (4 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
VF-71 with F4F-4 Wildcat (5 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 14000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 14000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 15 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 24,52

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
DD Amatsukaze
DD Isokaze

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo
1 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Addu at 22,53

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Satsuki
DD Suzukaze
DD Yugiri, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Yugiri

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Colombo , at 29,48

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 16
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 3, on fire
SS I-7, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage
DD Arare, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
13 x TBF-1 Avenger bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koggala at 25,51

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 13

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CVE Unyo, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x TBF-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22in Mk 13 Torpedo

Carrier support unable to supply air cover.

I'm happy with the results despite not scoring more hits on the BB's and CA's. Unfortunately, most of my Devastator's targeted the CVE and DD's rather than the more valuable capital ships. Still, any losses I can inflict for the remainder of 1942 are huge. I'm surprised the Kate's got through such a heavy CAP. Seventeen made it through thanks to the poor warning time. Only the Lexington has been through it's June upgrade, all the other carriers are due their June and July refits. I'm guessing the lack of the radar upgrades played a big role in the poor air defence. The hits on North Carolina are negligible, but the cruiser has about 30 system damage and is reduced to 26 kts.

Kaga has to be hurting again and suffering a fuel storage explosion can't be good. It will come down to Japan's damage control, but considering she's already survived four torpedo hits, I'm not optimistic she'll go down in port.

The plan now is to get out of Dodge. I am glad to have ambushed Andre, but the number of surface combat ships in such close proximity to my CV's is alarming. I've detached a SCTF to try and run interference to allow the CV's to bolt southwest. If all goes well I will avoid a night surface action ("For the night is full or terrors" as GreyJoy likes to quote [:D]) and also be out of Betty/Nell range come daylight. I'm not sure Andre will pursue. If he doesn't catch me and ends up in within range come daylight it could get even uglier for him. It's going to be interesting to see what he does.

In India, the Japanese Imperial Guards Division captured Patna. However, that leaves it exposed to air attack and Allied ground forces are moving out from Benares to engage the gaggle of Japanese ground units that has appeared in the area. All the 4E's have been re-deployed and after a day of rest they will be ordered to close Patna's airbase and hammer the IG.

A good day for the Allies, now to get away clean. Screenshot of the naval dispositions follows:

[BBfanboy]

After several disappointments in other AARs when significant clashes failed to happen, you really delivered!

Here's hoping Kaga burns up after all those bomb hits - the FSE explosion did some damage but by afternoon strikes was down to "Fires" from the morning's "Heavy Fires", until your further bomb hits got the "Heavy Fires, Heavy Damage" assessment again. I give her survival odds of 50-50 only because she is in a major port, maybe even in the Shipyard drydock.

Well done on the planning, sneaking and execution of that raid! [&o]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

After several disappointments in other AARs when significant clashes failed to happen, you really delivered

Well done on the planning, sneaking and execution of that raid! [&o]

Thank you. I'm glad to have delivered.

However, I've had my share of units laying a giant, steaming, turd at times too. Sometimes it all comes down to luck, no matter how much preparation you undertake.

[SqzMyLemon]

Well the AE gods giveth, then take away.

Andre sends some small expendable SCTF's to try and cause some havoc, and well, they do and it's rather embarrassing for Allied forces, especially the Australian Navy. Despite a solid first engagement against a Japanese CA, the tide completely turned during the next two engagements resulting in a good old ass whooping. I guess the old DD's are just that, old, and no match for Japanese DD's at night. Anyway, kudos to Andre for throwing out some expendable DD's (CA Mogami an exception of course) and achieving fantastic results. It definitely takes away from the day before.

I detached CA's Australia, Canberra and three old American DD's to run interference while the CV's withdrew at full speed. Three separate Japanese SCTF's interdicted my forces at night and by morning the Allies were shredded. The only positive spin I can put on this is that the CV's got away. In hindsight, I wonder if I had simply withdrawn all my TF's at full speed without creating a diversionary SCTF, I'd not have been better off. Instead, I lose one CA, two DD's and the second CA is alone without escort, heavily damaged and facing a bleak future. AAR's follow:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jul 23, 42
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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 25,53, Range 10,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Isokaze
DD Amatsukaze
DD Oshio

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 4
CA Canberra, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hughes, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Anderson
DD Russell, Shell hits 4, heavy fires

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 78% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 10,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 10,000 yards
Sone, Akira crosses the 'T'
CA Mogami engages CA Australia at 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Oshio at 10,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Russell at 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Oshio at 10,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Hughes at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Australia at 5,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Oshio at 5,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Russell at 5,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Oshio at 5,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Hughes at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Australia at 2,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Australia at 2,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Oshio at 2,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DD Anderson at 2,000 yards
DD Oshio engages DD Hughes at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Canberra at 5,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Mogami at 5,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Oshio at 5,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Oshio at 5,000 yards
CA Mogami engages DD Hughes at 5,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Mogami engages CA Canberra at 7,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Oshio at 7,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Amatsukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Hughes at 7,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Isokaze at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Australia engages CA Mogami at 10,000 yards
DD Hughes engages DD Amatsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Anderson at 10,000 yards
DD Isokaze engages DD Hughes at 10,000 yards
Sone, Akira orders Japanese TF to disengage
Task forces break off...

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 25,53, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Hatsukaze
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Canberra, on fire
DD Hughes, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
DD Anderson
DD Russell, heavy fires

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Sub attack near Koggala at 24,53

Japanese Ships
SS I-156, hits 1

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Russell, heavy fires
DD Hughes, heavy fires
DD Anderson

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Night Time Surface Combat, near Koggala at 25,54, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Satsuki

Allied Ships
CA Australia, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Canberra, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Hughes, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Anderson
DD Russell, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Improved night sighting under 78% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 78% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 16,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CA Canberra at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Russell at 11,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Suzukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Hughes at 11,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Satsuki at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CA Australia at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Hughes at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Satsuki at 10,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Suzukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Hughes at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CA Canberra at 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CA Australia at 6,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Suzukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Hughes at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Satsuki at 7,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Suzukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Russell at 7,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Anderson at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Russell at 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Russell at 6,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Satsuki at 6,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Anderson at 6,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Russell at 6,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Suzukaze at 6,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Satsuki at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 7,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Satsuki at 7,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Suzukaze at 7,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages DD Anderson at 7,000 yards
Kamiyama, Masao orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Canberra engages DD Suzukaze at 8,000 yards
CA Australia engages DD Suzukaze at 8,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Hughes at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
DD Russell engages DD Satsuki at 13,000 yards
DD Anderson engages DD Satsuki at 13,000 yards
DD Satsuki engages DD Hughes at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Anyway, the focus will shift back to India and the Allied ground offensive to put pressure on the Japanese. The CV's will head back to Shangri-La and await their next mission.

[Lokasenna]

Honestly, regardless of whether those ships sank or not... massive strategic victory. Very well done!

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks Lokasenna. If anything, it's caused Andre to have to watch his back door, which takes some pressure off my forces in India. A direct result of the raid is that 100+ Japanese fighters have been redeployed to Colombo. Gaining local air superiority in support of my ground offensive just became a little easier.

[SqzMyLemon]

July 24/42:

Following the successful strike against Colombo, Allied air and ground forces begin to exert pressure on a number of Japanese positions. To start the day, P-38E Lightning's sweep Patna and clear a weak CAP of eight Oscar's, shooting down four for no loss. The B-17's are next, heavily escorted by P-40E's, and hit Patna's airbase against no opposition.

The IJA 90th Inf. Rgt. occupying the hex southeast of Benares, has been the target of Allied tactical bombers for a few days in preparation for a river crossing assault by U.S. Americal Division out of Benares. B-25C Mitchell's, B-26 Marauder's and British Blenheim's cause heavy disruption and losses in the clear terrain. The British lose three Blenheim's because Hurricane IIb's failed to perform their assigned escort mission. The river assault goes ahead and the Japanese are routed. It's nice to see one of the elite units of the IJA take a drubbing. AAR follows:

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Ground combat at 52,28 (near Benares)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 18759 troops, 317 guns, 623 vehicles, Assault Value = 729

Defending force 2912 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 94

Allied adjusted assault: 383

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 383 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3297 casualties reported
Squads: 67 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 83 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 22 (22 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
254th Armoured Brigade
Americal Infantry Division
19th Indian Division
97th Field Artillery Battalion
24th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
90th Infantry Regiment

See the screenshot below:



Following the assault, Americal Division and supporting Allied forces are ordered to advance towards Patna. Allied tactical bombers will continue to target IJA 90th Inf. Rgt. while the 4E's will target Patna's airbase once again, and also begin to hammer IJA Imperial Guards Division. It appears Andre realizes his recent conquest of Patna leaves him in a vulnerable position. I hope to beat him to the primary road and then crush the IG.

The threat developing towards Ranchi is having an effect on Japanese positions in Southern India. See the next post.

[SqzMyLemon]

Allied operations in India are starting to take form and the extended Japanese position is starting to look a little exposed. After the successful assault by Americal Division, it appears a number of Japanese units have been ordered to re-deploy by rail from Mangalore, Bangalore and even Bezwada. In light of this development, Allied units have been ordered to advance on both Mangalore and Bangalore. Allied air units will target the airbase at Mangalore as the first stage in gaining local air superiority in the south. 14th Indian Division is about to reform at Bellary and will reinforce the move on Bangalore. See screenshot below for current dispositions:



It's on in India. Time to turn this into a nightmare for Andre. In the meantime, Allied preparations for operations in other theatres are ramping up and the transition of Australia into a logistical and offensive springboard is underway.

[BBfanboy]

Excellent turnaround! If I recall, you said he did not know about the American troops in India, so your assault with Americal Division was a shock for him. It has clearly rattled him if he is clearing out of South India. He will likely get out before being engaged, but Ceylon will not be so easy to withdraw from. Hope you can keep some pressure on there.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Excellent turnaround! If I recall, you said he did not know about the American troops in India, so your assault with Americal Division was a shock for him. It has clearly rattled him if he is clearing out of South India. He will likely get out before being engaged, but Ceylon will not be so easy to withdraw from. Hope you can keep some pressure on there.

I think it's premature to expect a complete withdrawal from Southern India. He has to stay and fight if he's to protect the higher VP bases on Ceylon and India to achieve AV. All those 10, 20 and 30 VP bases will begin to pad the Allied score if he lets me get them on the cheap. If he does weaken his position in Southern India though, Madras is the prize I want. I'm not getting any of the British or Commonwealth reinforcements that arrive at that base currently. Madras is the key for me, more so than even Ceylon.

I'm not exactly sure what is or isn't moving at this stage, but it's clear he's going to need help around Ranchi. What is going to work in favour for him near Ranchi and Southern India is the lack of mutually supporting airbases I can use to cover my advance. I'll expect to receive a fair amount of Japanese air attacks against my ground forces as they approach Ranchi, Mangalore and Bangalore.

It's going to be an interesting campaign. Considering what Andre brought to India, I think my position for mid 42 in this theatre is looking good. He hasn't seen U.S. 27th or 32nd Divisions yet either. I think not preventing, or at least disrupting, the flow of Allied reinforcements to India will come back to haunt him.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the game as the Allies right now and it's a nice change of pace to the stress playing Japan causes me. [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

July 25/42:

Bataan finally falls. It was always a question of when. A big boost to Japan's VP total. The ratio now stands at 25508 to 7638.

In other news...

IJA Imperial Guards Division rails out from Patna, destination unknown. Patna's airbase is hammered again by 4E's and P-38's sweeping the base shoot down 10 Japanese aircraft (Oscar's and Nick's) for one loss.

More Blenheim's are lost bombing IJA 90th Inf. Rgt. The Hurricane's, for some reason, simply will not rendezvous with the bombers and escort. I've assigned an American squadron of P-40E's to try from Benares.

The 4E attack against Mangalore slightly damages the airbase. More importantly, there is no Japanese CAP.

With the loss of Bataan, every VP becomes even more important to me. Too bad my CV raid didn't net more VP's. I'm going to have to ramp up operations in India and get moving elsewhere to nibble away at Andre's increasing lead.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

July 25/42:

Bataan finally falls. It was always a question of when. A big boost to Japan's VP total. The ratio now stands at 25508 to 7638.

In other news...

IJA Imperial Guards Division rails out from Patna, destination unknown. Patna's airbase is hammered again by 4E's and P-38's sweeping the base shoot down 10 Japanese aircraft (Oscar's and Nick's) for one loss.

More Blenheim's are lost bombing IJA 90th Inf. Rgt. The Hurricane's, for some reason, simply will not rendezvous with the bombers and escort. I've assigned an American squadron of P-40E's to try from Benares.

The 4E attack against Mangalore slightly damages the airbase. More importantly, there is no Japanese CAP.

With the loss of Bataan, every VP becomes even more important to me. Too bad my CV raid didn't net more VP's. I'm going to have to ramp up operations in India and get moving elsewhere to nibble away at Andre's increasing lead.

Other than Bataan, what is the general VP trend these days? Can you take and build up the high multiplier bases - Noumea, Tahiti, Canberra, etc.? I don't think you're exactly on a knife's edge right now as there's no way he's going to trade 4:1 in the air and on the ground, so only a big naval loss can lose it for you, but it is a little tight.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Other than Bataan, what is the general VP trend these days? Can you take and build up the high multiplier bases - Noumea, Tahiti, Canberra, etc.? I don't think you're exactly on a knife's edge right now as there's no way he's going to trade 4:1 in the air and on the ground, so only a big naval loss can lose it for you, but it is a little tight.

New Caledonia is Japanese controlled, as is Fiji. Japan's VP's have spiked recently with the fall of Bataan and the capture of Lanchow (300 VP's). Sining is about to fall which will be another 300 VP's for Japan. So the remaining VP increases for Andre will mostly occur in China. He could grab positions in the Aleutians as well, but VP's are minimal there.

Allied VP's have been trending upwards. I'm usually destroying more Japanese aircraft than I'm losing, but the numbers are relatively small. India is where I am making gains and in the most recent naval engagements, I've been coming out ahead in VP's. There isn't much low hanging fruit with high VP's left for Andre to take.

[SqzMyLemon]

Can anyone confirm for me that units due to arrive at Madras (Japanese occupied), or for that matter any occupied base in India, will arrive at Aden instead?

[SqzMyLemon]

A couple more things of note. Two U.S. Marine Paratroop units will arrive in India within two weeks. These units will allow me a deep exploitation threat. I'd really like to somehow move towards Ledo and threaten to open up a supply source for China. There are a few dot bases that appear to be unoccupied along the rail line to Dimapur. I'll assess things over the coming weeks to see if anything is feasible.

On another note, turn rate has increased as expected, and I think we are both into the game right now with all the recent action. I mentioned in my last e-mail to Andre about my growing tension regarding the VP situation. He says it's mutual, he's been nervous putting together his orders of late with the increasing pressure on him in India. I think the raid on Colombo definitely caught him of guard and it's rattled him a little.

Always nice to get into your opponents kitchen and upset their comfort level.