Australia Invaded!! NY59Giants (A) vs Olorin (J)

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

India/Burma:
Mandalay - I send in 3 x 16 Hurricane groups and 2 x 25 P-38s on sweeps for two days. They face a mix of Oscars, Nicks, and Tojo. The Hurricanes break about even in losses vs Oscars and Nicks, but the P-38s does very well against the much hyped Tojo. Olorin's (Nick) email states that the Tojo is not the super fighter at this time in the war that others claim it to be. 5 groups of Liberator II and Wellington (39 total) hit the troops, but when I rest the fighter the next day..... I forget to rest the bombers. [:-]

Lashio - Getting Hurricanes and P-40s to sweep and/or LRCAP from Myitkyina and Katha to do much has not happened yet. I can break even here, but then cannot do anything when Helens with Oscars from Rangoon arrive to hit my troops. The number of his vs my fighters is lopsided in his favor by this time in the air battle. I'll figure this out. He has also targeted the 70th Brit Div to the NW trying to march to the hex directly to the west of Lashio.

Well, the P38 is better then the Tojo. But pools are no where near good enough to sustain sweeps for long. I don´t know if you remember but I tried an offensive air campaign in Burma twice during -43 but the pools simply couldn´t sustain it. [:(]

I have probably asked before but do you have any HR for altitude?

PS. Did you get my PM? [:)]

[ny59giants]

Jan 16, 17, 18 :
KB attacks shipping at. . .

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs:
Hake sinks an xAK at Attu.
S-40 gets a TT hit on a PB at Kusaie and needs a second TT hit to sink her later in the day.

CVs:
Mine are at Pearl.
KB makes a full speed run to get by my PBY patrols to end up 6 hexes SW of Tabiteuea. My CAP is down as I was still allowing my P-40E to K model upgrades to finish up. I pay the price for it. [:@] [:-]

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kuria at 134,132

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 18
B5N2 Kate x 13

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Benkoelen, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Canopus, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 13000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Benkoelen
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Canopus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,134

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 152 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 75
B5N2 Kate x 135
D4Y1 Judy x 108

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 8 damaged
D4Y1 Judy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Henry Dearborn, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
TK Paula, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
TK Petronella, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Bisayas, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Langley, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK James B. McPherson, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AS Sperry, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires
xAK Golden Gate, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
AM Muritai, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK William Vanderbilt, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CVE Nassau, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Fulton, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Samuel F. Miller, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Josefina, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC-517
TK Talang Akar, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
SC-518
AM Whippoorwill, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK San Lucas, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Charles McCormick
DD Isis
xAK Stephen M. White, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Jacob Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Dorothy Luckenbach
xAK Nisqually, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CVE Altamaha
AM Penguin, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AM Tern, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Joseph Holt, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Admiral Gove, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Robert Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
xAK Katrina Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Lillian Luckenbach, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK B. Livingston, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Admiral Day, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AG Vega
xAK Smith Thompson
AM Gale, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Robert C. Grier
xAK Admiral Williams, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Robert H. Harrison, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Florence Luckenbach, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Peter V. Daniel, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
14 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
8 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
11 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
12 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
27 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
2 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D4Y1 Judy releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 kg SAP Bomb

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Bisayas
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Muritai
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Katrina Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AM Tern
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Admiral Gove
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK B. Livingston
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AS Sperry

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Tabiteuea at 137,133

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M5 Zero x 13
B5N2 Kate x 18

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAP Corio, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Manukai, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Dilga
xAP Colac, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
SC-741

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Carrier support unable to supply air cover..

Losses are: 17 xAKs, 3 xAKLs, 4 TKs (very small), 4 AMs, 2 xAPs.

India/Burma:
Mandalay -

Lashio - 59 Helens bomb the 70th Brit Div to the NW on 18th.

China:
North - The greater Sian area is under attack from both the air and ground. Up to 112 Helen/Sally hit the troops 3 NE of Sian. 9 Sonia continue to hit the AF at Sian.

Ground combat at 85,39 (near Sian) 16th - triggered by moving over river.

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 31672 troops, 241 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 1008

Defending force 36581 troops, 158 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1184

Japanese adjusted assault: 351

Allied adjusted defense: 911

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
5938 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 632 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 53 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Guns lost 20 (1 destroyed, 19 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1099 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 96 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
35th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
36th Division

Defending units:
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
1st Construction Regiment
Jingcha War Area

More troops are following these.

South - Kukong has the AF attacked by Helens daily. Kweilin is swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia: [>:]

South Pacific: [>:]

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - Up to 22 B-17s keep the AF shut down daily (weather permitting).

Kwajalein - My bombers and SBDs continue to work over his troops. Up to 38 B-25s, 32 B-26s, 16 A-20s, 48 B-24s, 36 SBDs are involved. 15 A6M2 Zeros on LRCAP intercept 31 B-25s on 16th. 24 Wildcats are able to take down some of his Zeros in the afternoon escorting in SBDs. He losses 6 in A2A and another 6 in ops.

Night Naval bombardment of Kwajalein Island at 132,115 18th

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CL Danae
DD Jupiter
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Norman
DD Nizam
DD Nestor
DD Vendetta
DD Vampire

Japanese ground losses:
390 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 15
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 4

Kusaie Island - Recon flights only.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - Up to 19 A-29 Hudson, 12 B-18 Bolo, 18 SBDs, 18 TBF Avengers 12 B-26s now attack the troops daily, when weather permits. P-40s are escorts for the bombers. Supplies unloading over beach continues.

Ground combat at Amchitka Island (158,52)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 180 troops, 21 guns, 15 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Defending force 5515 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Assaulting units:
14th Canadian Brigade
Rifles of Canada Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
177th Construction Regiment
28th Canadian AA Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
5th JNAF AF Unit
7th Base Force
23rd Special Base Force /1

I finally looked closely at the number of troops here. Thus, the ground bb attack to find out what he has. Looks like I can take the base without more troops.

The first deliberate attack goes in on 17th. It looks hopeful.

Ground combat at Amchitka Island (158,52)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5068 troops, 100 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 172

Defending force 5293 troops, 24 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 62

Allied adjusted assault: 72

Japanese adjusted defense: 85

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
14th Canadian Brigade
Rifles of Canada Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
177th Construction Regiment
28th Canadian AA Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
7th Base Force
5th JNAF AF Unit
23rd Special Base Force /1

Engineering: - Makin F4; Bombay AF9; Liuchow F5; Maloelap P2; Wagga Wagga F6; Coff's Harbor F6;

Notes:
KBs raid hurt my pride more than actual damage to the Allied war efforts. It was about a months worth of merchant shipping, at the most. Lesson learned is not to rely too much on naval search to give early warning. Second, i had become lazy as Nick had not been that aggressive in the last few months counter-attacking my advances in the Gilberts/Marshalls.

[ny59giants]

I have probably asked before but do you have any HR for altitude?

Fighter Altitude Rules:
Combat altitude from:
Dec 1941- May 1942 20,000
June 1942-Dec 1942 25,000
1943 30,000
1944--45 Whatever

Yes, I got the PM. I don't remember what the (W) stands for. [:(]

[ny59giants]

Jan 19, 20, 21 :
KB hit and is now running away to SW, but...

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs:
S-35 is 6 NE of Ndeni when she gets a TT hit on a DD within KB. Then, a lot more valuable target comes into her periscope. CV Hiryu is shot at with 4 TT, but all miss.
Kingfish is NE of Rabaul when 2 TT hit and sink a TK.
Seawolf sinks an APD off Victoria Point.
Pollack is off Sabang and takes two rounds of combat to sink a big xAP with 3 TT hits.
Haddock is in transit from Maloelap to south of Tokyo. She ends up being off Eniwetok on 21st and sinks a PB and xAK in two separate phases.

With a lower dud rate and subs reaching patrol zones, his merchant shipping is being hit daily.

CVs:
Mine are at Pearl.
KB escapes to SW, but not without some drama. [:)]

India/Burma:
Katha - Multiple sweeps by 30, 41, and 44 Tojo from Mandalay on 21st. He finds the skies empty.

Lashio - 58 Helens target the 70th Brit Div again.

China:
North - The greater Sian area is under attack from both the air and ground. Up to 62 Helen/Sally hit the troops 3 NE of Sian (AV = 1053). 9 Sonia continue to hit the AF at Sian.

The march towards Lanchow continues on the 21st.

Ground combat at 87,32 (near Ningsia)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 729

Defending force 1241 troops, 24 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Japanese adjusted assault: 76

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 38 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Units pursuing 6

Allied ground losses:
762 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 21 (19 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank/C Division
1st Tank/A Division
15th Tank Regiment
1st Tank/B Division
2nd Tank/A Division
2nd Tank/B Division
2nd Tank/C Division

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

South - Kukong has the AF attacked by Helens daily. Kweilin is swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia:
Recon confirms mouseovers. I can now leave the south. [:)] Port Augusta shows 1 LCU with 411 troops, Broken Hills and Bourke are both empty. Troops are placed in Move and/or Strat Mode to head north. The F-4 group divided into 3 components had moved from Gilberts/Marshalls via Suva over the last week plus. They show Brisbane will not be as easy - 13 LCUs: 24,380 troops, 308 guns, 260 AFVs.

South Pacific:
Luganville - Only 7 Zeros rise up as CAP (losing 1) to 5 B-17s & 48 B-24s as the AF is hit.

Efate - The target is switched further south as KB was within range of getting close enough to Luganville on 20th to put up a large LRCAP. Didn't want to lose a large chunk of my 4e bomber fleet. Here I have 50 B-17s & 38 B-24s hit the AF.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - Up to 20 B-17s keep the AF shut down daily (weather permitting). A BB TF hits base on 21st.

Night Naval bombardment of Roi-Namur at 132,114

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales
BC Repulse
CA Australia
CL Danae
DD Jupiter
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Norman
DD Nizam
DD Nestor
DD Vendetta
DD Vampire

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

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 7
Port hits 6
Port supply hits 2

Kwajalein - My bombers and SBDs continue to work over his troops. Up to 38 B-25s, 32 B-26s, 16 A-20s, 48 B-24s, 36 SBDs are involved. A BB TF hits the base on 21st while the Amphib TF waits for the next day to unload.

Night Naval bombardment of Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Colorado
CL Marblehead
CL Trenton
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh
CL Concord
DD Jarvis
DD Patterson
DD Henley
DD Buchanan
DD Aaron Ward
DD Monssen

Japanese ground losses:
598 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 22
Port hits 24
Port fuel hits 6

A very weak LRCAP is not enough on 21st. [X(]

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 18
G3M3 Nell x 5

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
BB Warspite, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage [31-76(60)-1-0]

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

North Pacific:
Amchitka - Up to 19 A-29 Hudson, 12 B-18 Bolo, 18 SBDs, 18 TBF Avengers 12 B-26s now attack the troops daily, when weather permits. P-40s are escorts for the bombers. Supplies unloading over beach continues.

Ground combat at Amchitka Island (158,52)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5024 troops, 100 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 167

Defending force 4538 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 24

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 310

Japanese adjusted defense: 31

Allied assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Amchitka Island !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

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

Japanese ground losses:
275 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
14th Canadian Brigade
Rifles of Canada Battalion
165th Field Artillery Battalion
177th Construction Regiment
28th Canadian AA Regiment

Defending units:
Sasebo 5th SNLF
7th Base Force
23rd Special Base Force /1
5th JNAF AF Unit /1

With the capture of this base, there is only one left in the Aleutians with Japanese troops, Attu. I will need a few more attacks to wipe out the survivors and then the base will be repaired and expanded before the next leap forward.

Only the SNLF is left after two more deliberate attacks.

Engineering: - Akyab AF9; Myitkyina AF4; Nonouti F6; Chittagong p&; Port Kembla AF7; Ailinglaplap P1; Coff's Harbor Af1; Cimilla AF7; Bora Bora P4; Wellington AF9; Spokane AF9; Tahiti P4;

Notes:
Due to KBs presence, I ordered many ships from Tabiteuea and Maloelap to head in the general direction of Hawaii. Now, that she is gone, they are ordered back. Most have arrived back to these ports.

With the changed situation is Australia, most areas on the map have now become active. Lots of micro-management for this Allied player.

[JocMeister]

Ouchi! [:(]

Turns like that isn´t much fun at all! Its hard to tell but as you say it looks like most things important got away relatively sound! And 5 Nells getting 3 hits...well...[8|] Looks like Warspite will be out from the war for a while. Doesn´t she withdraw sometime in 43?

[ny59giants]

Jan 22, 23, 24 :
Kwajalein captured.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs:
Four midget subs are encounter at Kwajalein. One is sunk.
O21 sinks a SC off Tavoy.

CVs:
Mine are at Pearl, but are ordered to South Pacific on 24th.

India/Burma:
Lashio - [>:]

China:
North - Sian's AF is attacked by 9 Sonia daily. 6 hexes east of Lanchow, Japanese 1st & 2nd Tank Division easily attack and retreat the Corp on 22nd. Tank Rgt and Cav Bde continue their push to the far north. The two tank divisions continue their push west on the 23rd.

Lanchow - 123 Sally/Helen hit the AF on 23rd and the AF is moderately damaged 0-38-58. I moved 80 of my Chinese fighters (H81, P-66, P-43) here on 23rd after he hit the AF. It pays off as he losses 71 Sally/Helens to my fighters on the 24th. Ouch!! [:D] I lose 8 planes total for the day everywhere.

Ground combat at Ningsia (84,33)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2530 troops, 38 guns, 130 vehicles, Assault Value = 471

Defending force 9277 troops, 62 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 320

Japanese adjusted assault: 117

Allied adjusted defense: 111

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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

Allied ground losses:
161 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Tank/B Division
1st Tank/A Division
1st Tank/C Division
2nd Tank/A Division

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps

I'm able to hold this dot base 4 hexes to east of Lanchow on the 24th.

South -
Kukong - AF attacked by Helens daily.
Kweilin - Swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia:
Bourke - This empty base goes back to Allied control on 22nd.

Port Augusta - This base is easily captured on 24th.

Ground combat at Port Augusta (75,159)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1680 troops, 6 guns, 270 vehicles, Assault Value = 157

Defending force 285 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 127

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 127 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Port Augusta !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
287 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
2/10th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
33rd JAAF AF Coy

South Pacific:
Efate - 95 B-17/24s hit the AF from Suva. Light to moderate damage.

Tanna - I shift the 88 B-17/24s to this base on 23rd & 24th.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Kwajalein -
22nd - Landings commence with warships in Amphib firing at base. There is no return CD fire. [:)] Thankfully, I brought a Minesweeping TF with me as I encounter mines. Two MTB get by warships to sink an xAK.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 66 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 25
G3M3 Nell x 14

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 5
Kittyhawk III x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 8 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
G3M3 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Phoenix
AM Bobolink
AM Finch
AM Kingfisher

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x G3M3 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
10 x A6M3a Zero sweeping at 6000 feet *

My LRCAP does well enough today, but I don't have enough aircraft there for my liking (setting are 60% LRCAP with 20% Rest).

29 B-25s & 36 SBDs continue to hit his highly disrupted troops. Two groups of B-26s and an A-20 group go off on their own and hit his troops a Jaluit vs here. [:(] [X(]

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kwajalein Island at 132,115

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 67 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 19
G3M3 Nell x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 5
Kittyhawk III x 6
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
F4F-4 Wildcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed
G3M3 Nell: 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
DD Russell
AM Kingfisher
CL Honolulu
AM Finch, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x G3M3 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

A weakened LRCAP is not enough.

Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4055 troops, 19 guns, 35 vehicles, Assault Value = 185

Defending force 1601 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Allied adjusted assault: 121

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 121 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kwajalein Island !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E13A1 Jake: 3 destroyed

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2161 casualties reported
Squads: 78 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 198 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 18 (18 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

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

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine/B Div /1
110th Cmbt Engr Bn /1
1st AmphTrac Engineer Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion

Defending units:
6th Fleet
47th Naval Guard Unit
Kwajalein Base Force

The base is easily captured due to multiple BB TFs hitting the base over a series of days and my 2e bombers hitting the troops. My 4e bombers were very good at destroying his CD guns. Damage is at 100-78-55.

On 23rd, 39 A6M2 Zeros sweep the base and I lose 2 fighters. I get two of his later in the day.

Roi-Namur - 67 B-25/26s, 16 A-20s hit the troops for the next two days now that Kwajalein is mine. 35 B-17s keep the AF closed.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - The last of the defenders is eliminated on the 22nd. Base damage is at 28-100-13. More engineers will need to be shipped in.

Attu - On 22nd,

Night Naval bombardment of Attu Island at 153,49

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 8 damaged
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CL Nashville
CL Boise
DD Maury
DD Gridley
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
1266 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 71 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 11
Runway hits 32
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

We hit the base again on 23rd.

Night Naval bombardment of Attu Island at 153,49

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CL Capetown
CL Ceres
CL Hobart
CL Perth
DD Ralph Talbot
DD Helm
DD Caldwell
DD Woodworth
DD Farenholt

Japanese ground losses:
318 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
Port hits 19
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 5

Engineering: - Addu - F5; Changteh AF3; Kalemyo AF5; Coff's Harbour AF2;Trincomalee AF5; Nadi - P3; Roto F6; Coff's harbour AF3;

Notes:
Now that all my damaged warships are repaired and are leaving Pearl, BB North Carolina has 97 days left to repair the one TT hit.

[ny59giants]

Jan 25, 26, 27 :
Break out from southern Australia.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs: [>:]

CVs:
Mine are headed for SoPac.

India/Burma: [>:]

China:
North - Sian's AF is attacked by 12 Sonia daily (was only 9 till this round).

Ground combat at Ningsia (84,33)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 7431 troops, 112 guns, 398 vehicles, Assault Value = 462

Defending force 9113 troops, 60 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 303

Japanese adjusted assault: 646

Allied adjusted defense: 43

Japanese assault odds: 15 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ningsia !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Units pursuing 1

Allied ground losses:
2931 casualties reported
Squads: 91 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 70 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 13 (11 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
2nd Tank/A Division

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps

My dot base to the west of Lanchow falls easily. I continue to take huge casualties to my Chinese troops when facing his tanks.

Lanchow - The expected sweeps come on the 25th as 26(3) Oscar face 8(1) H81-A3, 6(1) P-43, 12(1) P-66. 2 of 14 Oscars are lost for 2 Chinese fighter on 26th.

South -
Kukong - AF attacked by 29 Helens daily.
Kweilin - Swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia:
Bourke - Troops that have been placed in Strat Mode start to arrive. They will go into Move Mode and head north for Charlesville with my tanks leading.

Port Augusta - More troops from Adelaide and beyond start to arrive. Four groups of American transport planes leave Palmrya for this base. They will island/base hop their way over.

Broken Hills - Troops are headed here as recon shows its empty. It is mine on the 27th.

South Pacific:
Anatom - I shift further south with 79 B-17/24s.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Kwajalein - Ships finish unloading and repairs begin

Roi-Namur - 67 B-25/26s, 16 A-20s hit the troops. 23 B-17s keep the AF closed.

North Pacific:
Amchitka - Base slowly repairs while more engineers are being loaded and shipped in.

Attu - The base is bombarded from the sea for the third straight day.

Night Naval bombardment of Attu Island at 153,49

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Panama Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis
CL Nashville
CL Boise
DD Maury
DD Gridley
DD Mugford
DD Bagley

Japanese ground losses:
513 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 31
Port hits 31
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 19

I take the 26th off, but another BB TF hits the base again on 27th.

Engineering: - Eureka AF4; Mili AF4; Tongatapu P4; Newcastle AF8; Vancouver F5; Ailinglaplap AF3; Wotje P2; Cox's Bazar AF8; Coff's Harbour AF4; Nauru AF5; Corvallis AF9; Iman AF8;

Notes:
China - While GreyJoy did well by moving large numbers of tank units into China from the beginning. I'm now seeing this happen in early '43 with Nick using two tank divisions, a few tank rgts, and three guards divisions pushing back everything I had in the far north (this is DBB scenario 30 which is stock Scenario 2 moved over to DaBabes mod system). I was lazy in moving more LCUs up there until he started this offensive way to the east that is around the 7 Dec '41 start line. This will give an Allied player pause and a Japanese player thoughts of doing this in mid'42 before the eventual Allied counter offensive begins in earnest. A big KUDOS to Nick (Olorin) for coming up with this. [&o][&o] Now, can I do something to slow it down??

[ny59giants]

Jan 28, 29, 30, 31 :
Break out from southern Australia continues.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs:
Searaven sinks an xAKL off Georgetown.
Tunny is hit once by the DD escorting CL Teshio off Tokyo Bay. Nick now knows that I have subs off Japan. She will limp back to Pearl.
O21 is hit once by 3 DDs off Tavoy. She will head back to Colombo for repairs.

CVs:
Mine are headed for SoPac.

India/Burma:
near Shwebo - 23rd Indian Division is targeted by 63 Helens with 30 Oscar = 48c.

Lashio - 16 CAP Tojo are there when 33 Helens got after XV Indian Corp HQ. On 31st, 93 Helens hit the troops.

China:
North - Sian's AF is attacked by 12 Sonia daily (was only 9 till this round). An empty Yenan goes over to Japan. Over 100k in resources are lost.
On 29th,

Ground combat at 86,29 (near Ningsia)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1305 troops, 20 guns, 50 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Defending force 392 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 72

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 72 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Units pursuing 1

Allied ground losses:
183 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
1st Cavalry Brigade

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps
17th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 84,34 (near Ningsia)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4999 troops, 74 guns, 259 vehicles, Assault Value = 697

Defending force 6647 troops, 49 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 195

Japanese adjusted assault: 352

Allied adjusted defense: 135

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), fatigue(-), morale(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
389 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Units pursuing 1

Allied ground losses:
1126 casualties reported
Squads: 44 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 26 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
2nd Tank/A Division
2nd Tank/B Division
2nd Tank/C Division

Defending units:
24th Chinese Corps
81st Chinese Corps

With his tanks now two hexes from Lanchow, I had moved three B-24 groups from Karachi to Ledo while a recon group moved to Chungking. They hit the 1st Tank Division on the 31st = 31c. More of a move to let him known I have some recourse. Hopefully, just to keep him out of Move Mode so my troops can arrive at Lanchow first.

Lanchow - 26 Oscars destroy 6 Chinese fighters for no losses. His tank divisions are now two hexes to east after another successful attack.

South -
Kukong - AF attacked by 29 Helens daily.
Kweilin - Swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia:
Bourke - Troops moving in and then head north. No enemy encountered.

South Pacific:
B-17/24s now placed in rest mode after too many days in the air.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - 77 B-25/26s, 16 A-20s hit the troops. 23 B-17s keep the AF closed.
On 28th, 16(1) A6M2 Zero are on LRCAP and destroy 4 B-25s out of 45.
On 29th, since the horse has bolted, I send in 24 P-38s to sweep the now empty skies. [8|]

Morning Air attack on 10th RF Gun Battalion, at 132,114 (Roi-Namur)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 32
P-38G Lightning x 24

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 22 (14 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (10 destroyed, 9 disabled)
OUCH!!

North Pacific:
Attu - 18 rested A-29s hit the AF on 31st from Adak.

Kiska - empty base changes hands.

Engineering: - Akyab P4; Nauru F1; Port Augusta F2; Corvallis - F2; Bhamo AF1;

Notes:
Feb means going from 35 B-24s & B-25s to 78 per month.

Amphib TFs start to arrive at Wellington to unload and rest troops from trip across Pacific. His damn Emily see them. Must be from Norfolk Island. [:@]

[ny59giants]

Feb 1, 2, 3 :
Most theaters of operation are slowly becoming more active.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs:
Sealion is hit once off Georgetown. She will return to Colombo for repairs.

CVs:
Mine are headed for SoPac.

India/Burma:
Lashio - 8 P-40s from Bhamo leak over from the size 1 AF to interfere lightly with his bombers. Their range is changed back to range 1. Once this AF goes to 2, then I'll LRCAP my troops more. Up to 29 Oscars with 56 Helens hit the troops again. They switch over to the Brit division to the west on 3rd.

Troops from the jungles north of Schwebo are ordered south. The big stack next to Katha has 4 AA units embedded.

China:
North - Sian's AF is attacked by up to 12 Sonia daily.

Lanchow - 10 B-24s from Ledo find 6 Oscars over his tank divisions still two hexes to the east. Up to 130 Sally/Helen hit the AF starting on 2nd. I had withdrawn my functional fighters back to Chungking. I had to disband the damaged fighters left here as my supply situation went from OK to very bad (less than 100) after the series of battles to the east sucked it all out. The tank division and a regiment push the two Corps back to one east of Lanchow on 3rd.

South -
Kukong - AF attacked by 29 Helens daily.
Kweilin - Swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Supplies at Chungking have gone from the upper 20k to around 12k to 13k over the last few weeks. My transport planes are busy at Ledo supplying my new bases in Burma.

Australia:
Bourke - Troops moving in and then head north. No enemy encountered.

Toowoomba - I have the 1st Aussie Division here with a Dutch AA unit, FA, and SeaBee unit on the road hex to the SW. 20 Tojo, 37 Oscars, and 33 Helens hit the troops. Very few casualties occur even though he is coming in at 6000. I order an American AA unit from Tamworth to head here.

South Pacific:
B-17/24s now placed in rest mode after too many days in the air.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - Up to 25 P-38s sweep the base to help ensure no LRCAP trap of Zeros appear. Up 73 B-25/26s, 16 A-20s hit the troops while up to 23 B-17s keep the AF closed. 18 Wildcats from Wotje take over sweep duties from the P-38s.

North Pacific:
Attu - Up to 20 A-29 Hudsons hit the troops daily, weather permitting.

Engineering: - Tacoma AF8; Baker AF2; Naura F3; Lahore AF7; Christchurch F5; Coff's Harbour AF6;

Notes:
The B-25C factory upgrades to the B-25D1. [:)] However, the B-24D doesn't change up to B-24D1. [:(]

[ny59giants]

Feb 4, 5, 6 :
Marshall Island group almost secured.

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs:
O16 is unable to hit the Transport TF off Victoria Point, but is slightly damaged by the escort DC attack.
Gato is hit by a pair of PBs off Rabaul. Back to Pearl she will go.

CVs:
Mine are 3 to 4 days east of Wellington, NZ

India/Burma:
Lashio - Around 90 Helens attack the Brit division to the west again with Oscars and/or Nicks as escort.

China:
North - Sian's AF is attacked by up to 12 Sonia daily.

Lanchow - Only 7 B-24s make the trip from Ledo to hit the 1st Tank Div still two hexes to east of base. Over 130 Sally/Helens hit the fighter-less AF daily.

South -
Kukong - AF attacked by 29 Helens daily.
Kweilin - Swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia:
Bourke - Troops moving in and then head north. No enemy encountered.

Toowoomba - Up to 30 Helens hit the 1st Aussie Div again.

Oodnadatta (dot base between Port Augusta and Alice Springs) and Ceduna (base to west of Port Augusta on coast) are captured by Aussie para on 5th. BFs and engineers have already been marching for Ceduna for a few days. Plans are to expand AF to max and later base B-24s to hit Esperance and Kalgoorlie.

Charlesville - 4x Aussie Armored Rgts and an American Tank Bn captured this empty base on 6th. They are ordered to head SE down the road towards Toowoomba, but will be the forward recon screen. The rest of the Allied army is still marching for this base.

South Pacific:
B-17/24s resting and awaiting the new B-24D1 models to come out so I can upgrade some of the B-17Es. In a few weeks I'll have three different BGs with B-17Es, B-24Ds, and B-24D1s totally around 140 bombers.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - Up to 18 Wildcats from Wotje sweep the base to help ensure no LRCAP trap of Zeros appear. Up 73 B-25/26s, 16 A-20s, 36 SBDs hit the troops while up to 23 B-17s now switch over to hit the troops. The Amphib TF ends up here on 6th and will invade on 7th.

North Pacific:
Attu - Up to 20 A-29 Hudsons and 6 B-18 Bolo hit the troops daily, weather permitting.

Engineering: - Baldir P1 (Aluetians); Dutch Harbor AF2; Lahaina AF6; Hobart F6; Colombo AF8; Invercargill AF5;

Notes:
A highly damaged BB Warspite is sent on a one way trip form Maloelap through Kwajalein towards Eniwotok. She is sunk by 4 DDs on 5th. She was due to withdraw in less than 60 days. It would have cost me 65 PP per day and months to get her repaired enough to be able to withdraw. So, the decision was made.

The B-24 factory at San Diego finally upgrades on 6th. Now I can get 48 airframes per month.
I've lost only 39 to date.

[ny59giants]

Feb 7, 8, 9 :
Decisions....Decisions...

Key: TT = Torpedo; bb = ground bombardment; c = casualties; b = base hits; s = supply hits; r = runway hits; p = port hits; f = fuel hits; AV = Assault Value; DC = Depth Charged; (*) = destroyed aircraft; If odds are underlined, they are the Allies; BG = Bomber Group of 48 planes (4 x 12 bomber squadrons)

Subs: [>:]

CVs:
Mine arrive at Wellington on 9th. Every ship with 4 or more system damage is disbanded for repairs. It will be over 10 days before fully repaired.

India/Burma:
Lashio - Up to 92 Helens with Oscars as escort remained focused on the Brit division just to the west.

China:
North -
Sian - AF is attacked by up to 12 Sonia daily.

Lanchow - B-24s are stood down at Ledo. Up to 30 Oscars sweep while up to 111 Sally/Helen continue to bomb the AF daily. His "Panzer Corp" sits across the river to the east.

My construction engineer sacrifices herself by moving across the river to the NE between Sian and Yenan. However, my troops now have a path to retreat.

South -
Kukong - AF attacked by 29 Helens daily.
Kweilin - Swept by up to 30 Oscars daily.

Australia:
Charlesville - Units flow in and out now.

South Pacific:
B-17/24s resting and taking in new airframes.

Central Pacific: -
Marshalls -
Roi-Namur - Landings commence on 7th!! A midget subs misses the transports. My B-25/26s along with A-20s hit the troops one more time.

Ground combat at Roi-Namur (132,114)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 3762 troops, 62 guns, 93 vehicles, Assault Value = 235

Defending force 1615 troops, 22 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 10

Allied engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Allied adjusted assault: 100

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 100 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Roi-Namur !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
1260 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 72 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 25 (25 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled

Assaulting units:
102nd Cmbt Engr Rgt /1
2nd Marine/C Div /1
3rd USMC Tank Bn /1

Defending units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
9th JNAF Coy
59th JNAF AF Unit

I landed in the Gilberts on Aug 12th '42. Today ends the 6 month long campaign and places me in a good position going forward.

North Pacific:
Attu - Up to 20 A-29 Hudsons and 6 B-18 Bolo hit the troops daily, weather permitting.

Engineering: - Buldir Island (Aleutians) AF1; Coff's Harbour AF7; Makin F5;

Notes:
Finally, my AAR is caught up. [&o]
Next, I will go through each theater to give more details of what is going to happen from an Allied perspective.

CHINA
As the screenshot shows, the "Panzer Corp" is just outside of Lanchow. Within Lanchow, I have F5 and 1420 AV. However, I'm below 100 supplies.

To the NE of Sian the MLR is expanding and I hope to get troops into the mountains just south of Lanchow.

[ny59giants]

BURMA:
Lashio is under siege by 6th Chinese Corp and 7th Indian Division with 4 FA, XV Indian Corp HQ, AA. This equals 1074 AV. The Indian Command HQ is within range and along with the Corp HQ are 100% prepped along with the troops.

Bhamo did go to AF2 next turn. A large BF is there (Aviation Support 72) along with two P-40K air groups.

Katha is AF6 with 3x Brit air groups of Hurricanes and 1x P-40. Aviation Support is 192.

Just to the west and almost ready to move into clear hex NE of Schwebo is 5th Chinese Corp, 39th Indian Div, BFF Bde, 254 & 255 Armoured Bde, RAC Rgt, 4x AA, and III Indian Corp HQ. The AV is 1714.

Coming out of the jungle to the clear terrain to the NW of Schwebo will be 2nd Brit Div, a Motorized Bde, 2x FA.

This force should be enough to clear out the central plains in Burma, I hope. [;)]

Over at Akyab, the AF9 is max. At each Akyab, Cox's Bazar, and Chittagong is a full division. Just to east of Akyab is another division with FA and AA. I'm awaiting more PP to be able to head south.

The two big AA Bde are now ordered out of India to bases in Burma.

OT - Just found the 50th Tank Brigade at Hyderabad. She needs a few months worth of General Lee tanks and PPs before jointing the fight.

Outlook - I hope to be down to Toungoo/Prome line in a few months as recon shows little in plains bases (Magwe and Mandalay) to slow me down.

[ny59giants]

AUSTRALIA:

The breakout is progressing as Charlesville is the choke point for my troops.

Brisbane - Most recent recon shows 13 LCUS and 23k in troops. I have 3rd, 4th, & 5th Aussie Div plus a Corp HQ and Command HQ prepping for it. He has 74F, 93B, 50 Aux based there.

Toowoomba - last recon was 5 LCUs and 20k in troops. I have 1st & 2nd Aussie Div prepping along with a Command HQ and Corp HQ.

Maryborough - showed only 2 LCUs and 1800 troops. I have 6th Aussie Div and Corp HQ prepping for it.

Bundaberg - only a single LCU was shown and I have the 32 American Div prepping along with a Corp HQ.

Rockhampton - showed only one LCU. Nothing headed there or prepping for.

If you look at screenshot, the 5 trail junction to the NW of Charlesville will have an American Tank Bn and an Aussie Armoured Rgt as screen. Then three more will be similarly placed to the east to keep the Japanese out.

Outlook - the plan is to drive to Maryborough and Bundaberg to take both cities and cut off those at Brisbane and Toowoomba, if they stay.

The Americal Division is over at Port Augusta.

[ny59giants]

NORTH PACIFIC:

The Aleutians has been a slow campaign, but after he was unable to get the freshly landed 4th Division at Amchitka to quickly defeat my Canadians, Nick has steadily pulled back and out.

Attu - I just ordered an Amphib TF to go back to Dutch Harbor to pick up Combat engineers while another goes to Kodiak to get the Inf RGt. Both are fully prepped and should easily take the base by the end of the month.

Buldir Island - It is my most westerly base and is working to get to AF2. With over 300 engineers, even the blizzard conditions should be overcome.

Amchitka - It took some time to repair the damage as I had to get engineers ashore. It is almost up to P2 and then back to the AF.

Adak - This is my main base as the screenshot shows. She will be the home port to many subs that will engage in commerce raiding around japan and beyond.

This four bases will each get a regiment or a Canadian brigade. I will build up the bases and fortify them. This will take two to three more months. The 37th Division will soon head back to the USA for transport to the South Pacific.

Dutch Harbor and Dora Harbor will have just a few troops left on them. I picked Dora vs Cold Bay at game start due to the greater AF potential.

Outlook - This area will be a back water theater in a few months. Shemya Island next to Attu will eventually be built up to its full potential AF of 7 just in case I want B-29s to hit northern japan later.

[ny59giants]

CENTRAL PACIFIC:

The campaign is over...for now. [;)]

Rio-Namur AF4 and Ailinglaplap AF5 will be my main western bases in Marshalls while Maloelap P4 will serve as my sub refueling and quick rearming base. The others will have small garrisons, if at all.

Nauru Island has fully expanded its AF5. Bad news for Japan as I can hit the lower Solomons with B-24s. Too bad it is one hex too far for me getting to Rabaul. [:(] However, I can base those long legged PB4Y-1P recon planes to see into Truk and Rabaul. [:D]

Tabiteuea and Nonouti in southern Gilberts will still have a strong presence and be a supply/fuel hub.

Outlook - I will be reshuffling LCUs around to get what I want, where I want. Then, some down sizing. The 1st Marine Division is being transported back from Tarawa to Tabiteuea for further redeployments.

OT - IMO, the lack of defending the Gilberts back in August '42 and not much efforts to actively defend the Gilberts/Marshalls till now was at least a tactical, if not a strategic error on Nicks part. I can now base subs up forward from Pearl and it will support any move into the Solomons (see South Pacific below). I did have 3 BBs sunk, but I think it was worth the price.

[ny59giants]

SOUTH PACIFIC:

I saved the this theater for last as it is the one of major concern for the next few weeks/months.

Santa Cruz Islands - Ndeni & Vanikoro
Ndeni - 40th Division plus lots of support troops
Vanikoro - 159 Inf Rgt plus support troops

New Hebrides - Luganville & Vanua Lava
Luganville - 3rd Marine Division & 41st Division plus support troops.
Vanua Lava - 14 NZ Bde

The good news will be all but the NZ have or are being upgraded to '43 Rifle Squads with significant improvement in Anti-Armor values.

Most of the American fleet is at either NZ or Vava'u. The troops for the invasion are at these bases plus some at Suva.

Questions that I NEED feedback from my readers are:
1) I have the first group of LSTs over two weeks from NZ. Are they worth waiting for??
2) Ship upgrades - I have some Fletchers at Aukland going through 2/43 upgrades. I have more DDs that just got to Wellington repairing damage, but are due upgrades. Is it worth another two to three weeks for upgrades??
3) In 3/43, I can start to convert APs to APAs, This will significantly speed up unloading.
4) I still have F4F-4 Wildcats and the Hellcats come out in just less than two months (4/43). Another delay to consider??
5) I would finally expect to see KB contest this invasion and part of me is thinking about doing three of four bases. Postpone Luganville so I can load all the ships lightly to expedite unloading time. Luganville will be done slightly later or soon if the other invasions go well.
6) I can hit greater Luganville area bases from Suva and Tulagi from Nauru.
7) Thinking about using my CV/CVL/CVEs differently. I have the 6 American heavy CVs, 3 CVEs (21F, 9 TBs), 3 CVEs (Replenishment with 28 planes - the second groups is ashore), CVL Hermes (now with Wildcats), CVE Long Island (SBDs for ASW work). I have some Marine fighter groups (18 planes each) carrier trained. I was considering after the re-sizing of the DBs from 2x 18 to one large 36 planes groups, to pull off one or two of them along with one to three of the Avenger to gain about 90 more fighters. I figure about 440 F4F-4 Wildcats vs KB and company.

Are these good odds??

Anything else I'm overlooking as this may be my first serious invasion to date??

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Questions that I NEED feedback from my readers are:
1) I have the first group of LSTs over two weeks from NZ. Are they worth waiting for??
2) Ship upgrades - I have some Fletchers at Aukland going through 2/43 upgrades. I have more DDs that just got to Wellington repairing damage, but are due upgrades. Is it worth another two to three weeks for upgrades??
3) In 3/43, I can start to convert APs to APAs, This will significantly speed up unloading.
4) I still have F4F-4 Wildcats and the Hellcats come out in just less than two months (4/43). Another delay to consider??
5) I would finally expect to see KB contest this invasion and part of me is thinking about doing three of four bases. Postpone Luganville so I can load all the ships lightly to expedite unloading time. Luganville will be done slightly later or soon if the other invasions go well.
6) I can hit greater Luganville area bases from Suva and Tulagi from Nauru.
7) Thinking about using my CV/CVL/CVEs differently. I have the 6 American heavy CVs, 3 CVEs (21F, 9 TBs), 3 CVEs (Replenishment with 28 planes - the second groups is ashore), CVL Hermes (now with Wildcats), CVE Long Island (SBDs for ASW work). I have some Marine fighter groups (18 planes each) carrier trained. I was considering after the re-sizing of the DBs from 2x 18 to one large 36 planes groups, to pull off one or two of them along with one to three of the Avenger to gain about 90 more fighters. I figure about 440 F4F-4 Wildcats vs KB and company.

Are these good odds??

Anything else I'm overlooking as this may be my first serious invasion to date??

Good job on the Marshalls/Gilberts! [:)]

You are doing better then I could only dream on doing but here is my advice anyway! [:D]

Hellcats and APAs/AKAs are worth the wait alone. With Hellcats on your CVs he has almost no hope of winning a CV clash. Without them its a 50/50 deal. Why take the chance when you are so close?

LST unloads armor almost instantly. Can´t say no to that? [:)]

I would also ditch the TBs for more fighters as you consider. I have had little luck with TBs in my game and 90 extra fighters can certainly make a difference! 90 Hellcats are will kill A LOT of Zeroes! [:)]

[ny59giants]

Thanks for the feedback, Jocke. I was thinking about what to do "IF" I delayed these invasions for over two to three months (need time to get enough Hellcats for my CVs). The best use would be to shift some of that combat power over to Australia and push hard up the east coast.

Anybody else??

[jrcar]

My thoughts below.

Questions that I NEED feedback from my readers are:
1) I have the first group of LSTs over two weeks from NZ. Are they worth waiting for??

Yes I think so, a few weeks won't make a difference really.

2) Ship upgrades - I have some Fletchers at Aukland going through 2/43 upgrades. I have more DDs that just got to Wellington repairing damage, but are due upgrades. Is it worth another two to three weeks for upgrades??

I wouldn't delay because of them.

3) In 3/43, I can start to convert APs to APAs, This will significantly speed up unloading.

Really a must for any places where you expect a strong enemy reaction.

4) I still have F4F-4 Wildcats and the Hellcats come out in just less than two months (4/43). Another delay to consider??

No, the F4F-4 gives you about parity, should be enough.

5) I would finally expect to see KB contest this invasion and part of me is thinking about doing three of four bases. Postpone Luganville so I can load all the ships lightly to expedite unloading time. Luganville will be done slightly later or soon if the other invasions go well.

Try to create tactical dilemas so that no matter what you win in one area... and try to not put all eggs in one basket. Plan to attack in depth along two axis with 3-4 days KB sailing between the two... this could include feints or small movements in the CENTPAC...

6) I can hit greater Luganville area bases from Suva and Tulagi from Nauru.

Sounds good.

7) Thinking about using my CV/CVL/CVEs differently. I have the 6 American heavy CVs, 3 CVEs (21F, 9 TBs), 3 CVEs (Replenishment with 28 planes - the second groups is ashore), CVL Hermes (now with Wildcats), CVE Long Island (SBDs for ASW work). I have some Marine fighter groups (18 planes each) carrier trained. I was considering after the re-sizing of the DBs from 2x 18 to one large 36 planes groups, to pull off one or two of them along with one to three of the Avenger to gain about 90 more fighters. I figure about 440 F4F-4 Wildcats vs KB and company.

Yes yes yes. Pull the teeth on KB, even if it costs you an invasion force, and he will out for a month or more. Do it twice and he will be out for 4-5 months... KB is a brittle tool with the pilot pools.... just try not to loose your CV's! Sacrifice assault shipping if you have to.

Operate under land fighter cover as much as you can. Build momentum. Consider some CL raids as well... maybe even a go at Marcus Island...

Cheers
Rob

[JocMeister]

On the Wildcat/Hellcat. While the Wildcats is equal to the zero yes, the Hellcat is miles ahead. Why take on the KB on equal turns when you can wait a few months and then with certainty come out on top! [&:]

As soon as Hellcats started arriving in my LBA squadrons my opponent stopped using Zeroes all together. I would certainly wait to take on the KB head to head. I´m not saying to postpone the operation. But with Wildcats you should perhaps try and avoid a CV confrontation while if you have Hellcats you can go hunt the KB.