The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[Capt. Harlock]

After my game with Jocke I knew of it, but prioritised fuel/oil for continued supply production. In this game with the Northern strategy Dan played so well after taking over I ended up being short of resources, as those were the first big strategic centres he could bomb and take out. Toyohara, Kushiro, Sendai and other Northern bases were hit early, and in spite of a last ditch effort to get as many back from the SRA as I could it may not be enough for the duration into 46.

Learning curves take so long to develop in this beast of a game. In five years if I'm playing another IJ endgame I'll know more, but may encounter something else new and won't be prepared for that.

IMHO Dan's move to the Northern route cost him more than it gained. Leaving the SRA open allowed you to be in much better shape at this point: fuel is up even if resources are down. After all, how often do you see a functioning Japanese economy in late October '45?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

After my game with Jocke I knew of it, but prioritised fuel/oil for continued supply production. In this game with the Northern strategy Dan played so well after taking over I ended up being short of resources, as those were the first big strategic centres he could bomb and take out. Toyohara, Kushiro, Sendai and other Northern bases were hit early, and in spite of a last ditch effort to get as many back from the SRA as I could it may not be enough for the duration into 46.

Learning curves take so long to develop in this beast of a game. In five years if I'm playing another IJ endgame I'll know more, but may encounter something else new and won't be prepared for that.

IMHO Dan's move to the Northern route cost him more than it gained. Leaving the SRA open allowed you to be in much better shape at this point: fuel is up even if resources are down. After all, how often do you see a functioning Japanese economy in late October '45?

Yes. There is that. Had I been better at realising the threat from lost resources I could have dealt with the deficit sooner, though, too. It is my fault for not being better right now, and I take that on.

I agree more effort to shut down transport from the SRA would have been ideal, and not hard to achieve even by late 44.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]October 27-28, 1945[/font]

---

After months of threatening, the Allies moved into Shanghai in force on the 27th.

On the 28th a night strike appears at Utsonomiya, maybe trying to assess the defences near Tokyo? Not sure, but interested enough to up the NF and FB night CAP over Tokyo and in surrounding bases. Utsonomiya has decent resources, and those take a hit in the firebombing strikes, but not too badly. The Allies bomb lower in general than at Osaka, but are not so effective due to severe storms.

The Allies begin to crush the bases on the Chinese coastline and will move inland soon. Will they strike fro Canton/Hong Kong? Or head into the depths of the mountains at Kukong? At the next level inland an army is just arriving in Changsha from farther East and will set up blocks at well defended x3 hexes and river crossings. I'll try to keep Chungking and Chengtu in IJA hands for the duration.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 27, 1945
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Ground combat at Shanghai (92,55)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 131385 troops, 2000 guns, 2295 vehicles, Assault Value = 4578

Defending force 96226 troops, 824 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 2822

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

Allied ground losses:
118 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
93rd Infantry Division
2nd Marine Division
37th Infantry Division
38th Infantry Division
2/6th Armoured Regiment
XIV Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
4th USMC Tank Battalion
711th Tank Battalion
96th Infantry Division
6th USMC Tank Battalion
44th Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
2/4th Armoured Regiment
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
1st Marine Division
192nd Tank Battalion
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
8th Australian Division
2nd Medium Regiment
694th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
154th FA Bn
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
148th Field Artillery Battalion
4th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Medium Regiment
71/72/80 Mortar Regiment
XXIV CorpsArtillery
225th Field Artillery Battalion
2/16th Field Regiment
XI US Corps
422nd Rocket FA Bn /4

Defending units:
131st Division
132nd Division
Det. 3rd Special Base Force
2nd RGC Capital Division
89th Ind.Mixed Brigade
61st Ind.Mixed Brigade
10th RGC Temp. Division
161st Division
North China Gsn Brigade
RGC Tax Police Regiment
90th Ind.Mixed Brigade
Shanghai SNLF
38th Division
52nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
67th Naval Guard Unit
3rd Special Base Force
28th RF Gun Battalion
60th JAAF AF Bn
20th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
129th JAAF AF Bn
13th Air Division
Shanghai Special Base Force
China Area Fleet
57th JAAF AF Bn
Chugoku JNAF Base Force

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 28, 1945
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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 32
P1Y2-S Frances x 15
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 6
Ki-102b Randy x 19
Ki-102c Randy x 33

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-2 Privateer x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-102b Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-2 Privateer: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x PB4Y-2 Privateer bombing from 16000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 29
P1Y2-S Frances x 10
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 4
Ki-102b Randy x 17
Ki-102c Randy x 31

Allied aircraft
B-17G Fortress x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-Sa Irving: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17G Fortress: 6 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17G Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
City Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 23
P1Y2-S Frances x 10
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 4
Ki-102b Randy x 15
Ki-102c Randy x 27

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 9
B-29-25 Superfort x 69
B-29B Superfort x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 3 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 22 damaged
B-29B Superfort: 7 damaged

Manpower hits 9
Fires 8400

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-29B Superfort bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 36 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Utsonomiya , at 115,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 13
P1Y2-S Frances x 7
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 2
Ki-102b Randy x 10
Ki-102c Randy x 16

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Afternoon Air attack on 20th Division, at 94,39 , near Peiping

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-83 x 9

Allied aircraft
La-5FN x 18
Li-2VV x 3
Tu-2S x 26
Yak-9 x 29
Yak-9D x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
La-5FN: 1 destroyed
Tu-2S: 1 damaged
Yak-9D: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Tu-2S bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

Almost out. But a lot of damage.

[obvert]

Here are air losses. Not as much. But still decent for a night strike.

[Wuffer]

Your pilots are really impressing.
Over 1200 sorties...

I allways wondered if recruits are all the same same or if there hidden genius' in between.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Wuffer

Your pilots are really impressing.
Over 1200 sorties...

I allways wondered if recruits are all the same same or if there hidden genius' in between.

I think it's probably all in the numbers. Some of the best of mine were also KIA, so they're not invulnerable.

If they start at 80+exp in 41 with 70+AIR/DEF skills, they will likely rack up many more kills and increases in every category up until mid-43 if they survive. Then they get better airframes, fight more often defensively over their own bases (so more likely to be WIA only), and pilot quality can almost be a feedback loop if managed. I try to keep them out of the unarmored A6M2/Ki-43 Ia/b/c as much as possible until armoured frames arrive later. You have to use them in the first months, but the ones that survive get replaced by trainees and go into reserve/rear CAP to wait for the A6M5c/J2M2/Ki-43 IIb/Tojo IIc.

After the game turned to Allied advantages in airframes and numbers I rarely swept, tried to do so with troops in the hex or ships in the base hex, and used low layered CAP to fight on advantageous terms. If the Allies continue to lose good pilots over enemy territory, mine keep getting a higher proportion saved, suddenly it gets harder and harder to achieve positive results for the Allies.

I've also refrained (mostly) from expensive naval strikes by LBA which give the Allies hundreds of kills in a day to their best pilots. These mega strikes are usually what create the best Allied pilots, and as I noticed in previous games, the naval pilots especially became almost unbeatable.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]October 29, 1945[/font]

---

Simoneseki with it's massive resources is the target on the 29th. A good strike, not as much flak here or NF, but some get in play and do cause a few problems. Since manpower numbers are lower, fires are limited. Still some damage accumulating though.

Not much else to report. I'm still able to pull some resources off of Mindanao from Davao. I've just sent a big transport TF to Babeldaob to pick up what the xAKLs have delivered. We'll see if it's allowed.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 29, 1945
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Night Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 4
P1Y2-S Frances x 8
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 9
Ki-102c Randy x 10

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 13
B-24J Liberator x 31
B-29-25 Superfort x 9
B-29B Superfort x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 18 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 4 damaged

Manpower hits 18
Fires 9525

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Lancaster B.1 FE bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 4000 lb GP Bomb, 6 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 4
P1Y2-S Frances x 8
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 12
Ki-102c Randy x 7

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 10

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 3
P1Y2-S Frances x 2
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 9
Ki-102c Randy x 9

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Lancaster B.1 FE bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 4000 lb GP Bomb, 6 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 2
P1Y2-S Frances x 2
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 6
Ki-102c Randy x 9

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Lancaster B.1 FE bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 4000 lb GP Bomb, 6 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 2
P1Y2-S Frances x 1
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 1
Ki-102c Randy x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17G Fortress x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-Sa Irving: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17G Fortress: 5 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 1 destroyed by flak

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17G Fortress bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 28th Division, at 94,39 , near Peiping

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-83 x 6

Allied aircraft
IL-4T x 25
La-5FN x 25
Li-2VV x 31
Tu-2S x 75
Yak-9 x 50
Yak-9D x 20

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4T: 1 damaged
La-5FN: 1 destroyed
Li-2VV: 1 damaged
Tu-2S: 2 damaged
Yak-9: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
648 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x Tu-2S bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

The Allies lose another good crop of 4Es with the Lancasters continuing to be very vulnerable.

[obvert]

The damage at Shimoneseki is not all from this turn's bombing, but fires still burn and it'll accumulate more.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]October 30, 1945[/font]

---

Nagoya on the 30th.

The Allies also try their first DA at Shanghai, a small tank led attack that disrupts the tanks and a bit of IJA infancy but does not lower forts, thankfully. I am curious about these kinds of attacks. I wonder if it's more productive to do this, since my troops don't really end up very disrupted, although they do lose 120-30AV rating for a few days anyway. If the next attack is not for another week, the IJA can recover a bit in its own base, while the attacker has lost the use of 200+ tanks, most likely.

I would guess tanks hitting with the infantry would be very effective. I tend to lean toward either keeping up attacks over multiple days with smaller portions of the attacking army, or hitting with everything together. Thoughts?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 30, 1945
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Night Air attack on Nagoya , at 111,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 17
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 13
Ki-102c Randy x 14

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 21
B-24J Liberator x 22
B-29-25 Superfort x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 9 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 4 damaged

Manpower hits 1
Fires 640

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Lancaster B.1 FE bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 4000 lb GP Bomb, 6 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Nagoya , at 111,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 64 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 19
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 13
Ki-102c Randy x 17

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 3
B-24J Liberator x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Lancaster B.1 FE bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 4000 lb GP Bomb, 6 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Nagoya , at 111,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 18
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 9
Ki-102c Randy x 14

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 9
B-29-25 Superfort x 35
B-29B Superfort x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-102c Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 4 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 9 damaged
B-29B Superfort: 4 damaged

Manpower hits 14
Fires 8320

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-1 Superfort bombing from 15000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Night Air attack on Nagoya , at 111,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 15
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 7
Ki-102c Randy x 10

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 20
B-29-1 Superfort x 3
B-29-25 Superfort x 24
B-29B Superfort x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-45 KAId Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 5 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 9 damaged

Manpower hits 6
Fires 11495

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-29-25 Superfort bombing from 10000 feet
City Attack: 20 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Nagoya , at 111,60

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 8
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 3
Ki-102c Randy x 9

Allied aircraft
B-24J Liberator x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
J1N1-Sa Irving: 1 destroyed

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 13000 feet
City Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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

Ground combat at Amoy (83,61)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 12436 troops, 67 guns, 477 vehicles, Assault Value = 1160

Defending force 8117 troops, 63 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Allied adjusted assault: 276

Japanese adjusted defense: 17

Allied assault odds: 16 to 1 (fort level 5)

Allied forces CAPTURE Amoy !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), disruption(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
3454 casualties reported
Squads: 99 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 162 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (23 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Allied ground losses:
127 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
25th Infantry Div /14
150th RAC Regiment
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
7th Australian Div /15
6th Infantry Div /23
18th British Div /15
193rd Tank Battalion
4th Armoured Bde /5
2/9th Field Regiment
2/11th Field Regiment

Defending units:
86th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Army
Amoy Special Base Force


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Ground combat at Shanghai (92,55)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25449 troops, 445 guns, 1883 vehicles, Assault Value = 4581

Defending force 96063 troops, 823 guns, 167 vehicles, Assault Value = 2814

Allied adjusted assault: 392

Japanese adjusted defense: 28277

Allied assault odds: 1 to 72 (fort level 7)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1372 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 148 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (2 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 113 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
Vehicles lost 237 (12 destroyed, 225 disabled)

Assaulting units:
XIV Corps Combat Engineer Regiment
96th Infantry Division
38th Infantry Division
1st Marine Division
4th USMC Tank Battalion
2/6th Armoured Regiment
37th Infantry Division
3rd USMC Tank Battalion
2/4th Armoured Regiment
44th Tank Battalion
CenPac Amphib Tank Brigade
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Amphb Tank Battalion
3rd Marine Division
6th USMC Tank Battalion
192nd Tank Battalion
93rd Infantry Division
711th Tank Battalion
8th Australian Division
9th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
XXIV CorpsArtillery
2/16th Field Regiment
71/72/80 Mortar Regiment
33rd Medium Regiment
4th USMC Field Artillery Battalion
694th Field Artillery Battalion
249th Field Artillery Battalion
225th Field Artillery Battalion
XI US Corps
2nd Medium Regiment
154th FA Bn
148th Field Artillery Battalion
422nd Rocket FA Bn /4

Defending units:
61st Ind.Mixed Brigade
52nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd RGC Capital Division
132nd Division
89th Ind.Mixed Brigade
38th Division
131st Division
Shanghai SNLF
RGC Tax Police Regiment
Det. 3rd Special Base Force
161st Division
North China Gsn Brigade
10th RGC Temp. Division
34th Ind.Mixed Brigade
90th Ind.Mixed Brigade
67th Naval Guard Unit
28th RF Gun Battalion
60th JAAF AF Bn
13th Air Division
China Area Fleet
Shanghai Special Base Force
129th JAAF AF Bn
57th JAAF AF Bn
3rd Special Base Force
20th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
Chugoku JNAF Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]October 31, 1945[/font]

---

No night bombing strike on the 31st!

Instead massive sets of fighter sweeps all went for Fukuoka. Not sure how this base was targeted but it's kind of good for the defence since it's between several other large fighter concentrations all set to support, and it has decent radar. So the Allies deplete the CAP to the extent that the last 300-400 fighters involved don't find anything in the air, but the total losses are about 120:95 in favour of the Allies. Not bad.

Strangely the later sweeps did much worse than the earlier ones. This may be related to the low layered CAP tactic. I've noticed a larger amount of planes involved can reduce the effectiveness of the layers, probably allowing for more chance for planes diving to be met by rising CAP on different layers, and with more airframes up, more targets for the first pass dives. Either way, it's still working just fine. The Allies have enormous resources now though, and there is no hope of stopping them from striking any place they want to strike.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 31, 1945
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Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 43,700 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 78
J7W1 Shinden x 14
N1K5-J George x 164
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 9
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 51
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 10
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 7
Ki-83 x 62
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 38
Ki-84r Frank x 8
Ki-100-II Tony x 7
Ki-102a Randy x 13
Ki-102b Randy x 11

Allied aircraft
F8F-1 Bearcat x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
J7W1 Shinden: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-II Tony: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F8F-1 Bearcat: 3 destroyed

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Morning Air attack on Shimonoseki , at 104,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 41,700 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-84b Frank x 9

Allied aircraft
FR-1 Fireball x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84b Frank: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x FR-1 Fireball sweeping at 38700 feet

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Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 71
J7W1 Shinden x 11
N1K5-J George x 136
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 9
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 40
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 6
Ki-83 x 51
Ki-84a Frank x 4
Ki-84b Frank x 31
Ki-84r Frank x 6
Ki-100-II Tony x 4
Ki-102a Randy x 13
Ki-102b Randy x 7

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 45,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 60
J7W1 Shinden x 7
N1K5-J George x 103
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 7
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 21
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 32
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 17
Ki-84r Frank x 3
Ki-100-II Tony x 3
Ki-102a Randy x 8
Ki-102b Randy x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 2 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 52
J7W1 Shinden x 7
N1K5-J George x 82
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 4
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 17
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 24
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 14
Ki-84r Frank x 2
Ki-100-II Tony x 3
Ki-102a Randy x 5
Ki-102b Randy x 3

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 7 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 47
J7W1 Shinden x 7
N1K5-J George x 72
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 3
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 2
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 22
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 12
Ki-84r Frank x 2
Ki-100-II Tony x 3
Ki-102a Randy x 5
Ki-102b Randy x 3

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-102a Randy: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x P-51D Mustang sweeping at 26000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 31
J7W1 Shinden x 6
N1K5-J George x 51
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 8
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 15
Ki-84a Frank x 3
Ki-84b Frank x 9
Ki-84r Frank x 1
Ki-100-II Tony x 1
Ki-102b Randy x 2

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
J7W1 Shinden: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-83: 2 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x P-51D Mustang sweeping at 26000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 46 NM, estimated altitude 42,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 29
J7W1 Shinden x 5
N1K5-J George x 42
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 1
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 6
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 9
Ki-84a Frank x 2
Ki-84b Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 1
Ki-100-II Tony x 1
Ki-102b Randy x 2

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 8 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 25 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 25
J7W1 Shinden x 5
N1K5-J George x 35
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 5
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 1
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 7
Ki-84a Frank x 2
Ki-84b Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 1

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x P-51D Mustang sweeping at 26000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 11 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 21
J7W1 Shinden x 4
N1K5-J George x 24
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Ki-83 x 5
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 5

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 13
J7W1 Shinden x 2
N1K5-J George x 14
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 2
Ki-83 x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 4

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 2 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 7 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x P-51D Mustang sweeping at 26000 feet

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

Ground combat at Shanghai (92,55)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 7671 troops, 416 guns, 294 vehicles, Assault Value = 4490

Defending force 94854 troops, 821 guns, 165 vehicles, Assault Value = 2695

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[Bif1961]

It seems the vaunted Mustangs don't fare so well against late war Japanese planes and pilots, the P-38s is mostly meat now for the Japanese.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It seems the vaunted Mustangs don't fare so well against late war Japanese planes and pilots, the P-38s is mostly meat now for the Japanese.

+1

In this scenario, do the Allies get the P-51H?

[JohnDillworth]

[/quote]

am curious about these kinds of attacks

Probing attack. Dan gets to see what you have in the hex

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It seems the vaunted Mustangs don't fare so well against late war Japanese planes and pilots, the P-38s is mostly meat now for the Japanese.

+1

In this scenario, do the Allies get the P-51H?

They do. It is a stock Scen 1 game.

The P-51H has been very involved, and to be honest it was surprising to see all of these P-51D groups sweeping without any of the 'H' models. Also no Corsairs, but the inclusion of Bearcats and Fireballs. Feels like a setup for something else.And saving some top resources while wearing down my CAP.

[obvert]

Probing attack. Dan gets to see what you have in the hex

Your reply includes the air losses but I think is about the combat at Shanghai, yes?

This was my full piece about that.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]The Allies also try their first DA at Shanghai, a small tank led attack that disrupts the tanks and a bit of IJA infantry but does not lower forts, thankfully. I am curious about these kinds of attacks. I wonder if it's more productive to do this, since my troops don't really end up very disrupted, although they do lose 120-30AV rating for a few days anyway. If the next attack is not for another week, the IJA can recover a bit in its own base, while the attacker has lost the use of 200+ tanks, most likely.

I would guess tanks hitting with the infantry would be very effective. I tend to lean toward either keeping up attacks over multiple days with smaller portions of the attacking army, or hitting with everything together. Thoughts? [/font]

I would say it's a probing attack if he hadn't crashed over the river ages ago with some other tanks. So he knows exactly what is here. He has for a good long time. And he's done this before. Even after a first DA/SA he might then try some smaller attacks before the next one. But not in succession, which for me is key.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]November 1, 1945[/font]

---

November 45. Only 6 months possible in this war remaining. I have a feeling it will end sooner.

Another night strike forms over Yokohama on Nov 1st. This is a big one, but the flak does well to disrupt and knock down some bombers. I still feel the massive flak batteries here are slightly underpowered. There are like 100 12.7cm DP guns here, one of the most powerful AA guns the Japanese field in game. The 12cm DP guns in IJA units are murderous, but these seem somehow not as strong. The stats look good, but the effect isn't wowing me.

The Allies continued their sweeps over Fukuoka, but again no bombing runs after. The results are similar, but a bit less bloody as all of the Allied groups were reduced in numbers. About 113:97 in favour of the Allies on the day.

Another important event occurred this day. I'll leave that until the next post since this one is already long.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 1, 1945
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Air attack on Yokohama/Yokosuka , at 113,61

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 34
P1Y2-S Frances x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 6
Ki-102c Randy x 40

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 8
B-17G Fortress x 7
PB4Y-2 Privateer x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 3 damaged
Lancaster B.1 FE: 1 destroyed by flak
B-17G Fortress: 3 damaged
PB4Y-2 Privateer: 3 damaged
PB4Y-2 Privateer: 2 destroyed by flak

Manpower hits 1
Fires 605

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x PB4Y-2 Privateer bombing from 12000 feet
City Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Yokohama/Yokosuka , at 113,61

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 32
P1Y2-S Frances x 15
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 19
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 6
Ki-102c Randy x 39

Allied aircraft
Lancaster B.1 FE x 10
B-24J Liberator x 18
B-29-25 Superfort x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Lancaster B.1 FE: 3 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 7 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak
B-29-25 Superfort: 2 damaged

Manpower hits 11
Fires 9805

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Lancaster B.1 FE bombing from 12000 feet
City Attack: 1 x 4000 lb GP Bomb, 6 x 1000 lb GP Bomb, 2 x 250 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Yokohama/Yokosuka , at 113,61

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J1N1-Sa Irving x 16
P1Y2-S Frances x 7
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 10
Ki-45 KAId Nick x 3
Ki-102c Randy x 19

Allied aircraft
B-29-1 Superfort x 3
B-29-25 Superfort x 34
B-29B Superfort x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-1 Superfort: 1 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 11 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 1 destroyed by flak
B-29B Superfort: 3 damaged

Manpower hits 17
Fires 20935

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x B-29B Superfort bombing from 16000 feet
City Attack: 36 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 41,700 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 56
J7W1 Shinden x 32
N1K5-J George x 124
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 6
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 40
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5
Ki-83 x 36
Ki-84a Frank x 2
Ki-84b Frank x 19
Ki-84r Frank x 6
Ki-100-II Tony x 20
Ki-102b Randy x 20

Allied aircraft
F8F-1 Bearcat x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F8F-1 Bearcat: 4 destroyed

CAP engaged:
S-302 Kokutai with A7M2 Sam (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(18 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
Yokosuka Ku S-1 with N1K5-J George (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
S-303 Hikotai with N1K5-J George (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(15 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 8 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
901 Ku S-1 with N1K5-J George (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(11 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
721 Ku S-1 with N1K5-J George (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
1001 Ku U-1 with N1K5-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 5 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
S-306 Hikotai with N1K5-J George (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 43 minutes
S-315 Hikotai with A7M2 Sam (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 37 minutes
Kaga-1 with J7W1 Shinden (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 10 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
Soryu-1 with N1K5-J George (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(23 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 19 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
Shoho-1 with J7W1 Shinden (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
20th Sentai with Ki-83 (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
23rd Sentai with Ki-84b Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 4 minutes
29th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(5 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 8000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 8000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
47th Sentai with Ki-83 (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(14 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 8 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
48th Sentai with Ki-100-II Tony (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
51st Sentai with Ki-84b Frank (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
56th Sentai with Ki-100-II Tony (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 7000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
87th Sentai with Ki-43-IV Oscar (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(12 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 5000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 5000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes
204th Sentai with Ki-83 (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(17 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 7 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 44 minutes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 18 NM, estimated altitude 41,700 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 48
J7W1 Shinden x 24
N1K5-J George x 115
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 6
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 36
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 6
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 4
Ki-83 x 32
Ki-84a Frank x 2
Ki-84b Frank x 18
Ki-84r Frank x 5
Ki-100-II Tony x 15
Ki-102b Randy x 15

Allied aircraft
FR-1 Fireball x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
J7W1 Shinden: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-102b Randy: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
FR-1 Fireball: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 49 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 38
J7W1 Shinden x 18
N1K5-J George x 86
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 5
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 28
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 5
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 3
Ki-83 x 23
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 15
Ki-84r Frank x 3
Ki-100-II Tony x 12
Ki-102b Randy x 8

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 2 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 44,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 31
J7W1 Shinden x 15
N1K5-J George x 66
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 19
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 4
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-83 x 18
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 12
Ki-84r Frank x 3
Ki-100-II Tony x 10
Ki-102b Randy x 6

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 12 NM, estimated altitude 47,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 28
J7W1 Shinden x 13
N1K5-J George x 49
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 14
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1
Ki-83 x 17
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 10
Ki-84r Frank x 3
Ki-100-II Tony x 9
Ki-102b Randy x 6

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-84r Frank: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-II Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 6 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 25
J7W1 Shinden x 12
N1K5-J George x 44
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 11
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-83 x 16
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 2
Ki-100-II Tony x 7
Ki-102b Randy x 5

Allied aircraft
P-51D Mustang x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
J7W1 Shinden: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed
Ki-100-II Tony: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-51D Mustang: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x P-51D Mustang sweeping at 21000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 46,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 19
J7W1 Shinden x 10
N1K5-J George x 34
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar x 2
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 9
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-83 x 12
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 2
Ki-100-II Tony x 3
Ki-102b Randy x 4

Allied aircraft
P-47N Thunderbolt x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
A7M2 Sam: 1 destroyed
N1K5-J George: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-IV Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-83: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-47N Thunderbolt: 4 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Fukuoka , at 103,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 43,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 13
J7W1 Shinden x 8
N1K5-J George x 25
Ki-43-IV Oscar x 4
Ki-44-IIc Tojo x 3
Ki-83 x 8
Ki-84a Frank x 1
Ki-84b Frank x 6
Ki-84r Frank x 2
Ki-100-II Tony x 2
Ki-102b Randy x 3

Allied aircraft
P-38L Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
N1K5-J George: 1 destroyed
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed
Ki-84b Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38L Lightning: 3 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[obvert]

A nice shot to see at this point in game!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]November 1, 1945 (continued)[/font]

---

So. I'd been trying to get a chance to do this for over a month, since Manchuria collapsed and big Allied airbases moved closer to the Home Islands. It turns out I found my opportunity on Hokkaido, where the Allies have been basing for a year now. Suddenly a chance opened up!

I sent every 2E bomber Japan has at this point to hit Kushiro, a level 9 base with 1000+ plus guns listed, but amazingly, no CAP. Over 200 bombers were listed in base with another chunk of auxiliary planes, but no fighters. I watched for two days and then pulled the trigger. Bingo!!

All planes flew. The weather was decent. The flak was tough but not what I expected.

On the day the Allies had another 150 4E torched not the ground. About 6 planes were reported still in the base after the strikes. I had thought of hitting both Kushiro and Wakkanai, which also had no CAP and about 300 planes listed in base by recon, but I think hitting one base may have been the right call. Wiped it clean. [:)]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Nov 1, 1945
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Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M8 Zero x 36
A7M2 Sam x 70
N1K5-J George x 45
P1Y2 Frances x 150

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 18 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
B-17G Fortress: 87 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 12 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 89 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 10 destroyed on ground
PV-1 Ventura: 14 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 4 destroyed on ground
F-13 Superfortress: 32 damaged
F-13 Superfortress: 2 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 38 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 6 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 8 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 destroyed on ground
PBM-5 Mariner: 2 damaged
PBM-5 Mariner: 2 destroyed on ground
TBM-3 Avenger: 25 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 4 destroyed on ground
F6F-5P Hellcat: 3 damaged
F6F-5P Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 43
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 108

Aircraft Attacking:
32 x P1Y2 Frances bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 30
Ki-84r Frank x 26

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 11 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
B-17G Fortress: 11 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 2 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 17 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 1 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 3 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 1 destroyed on ground
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
B-25J11 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25J11 Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
F-13 Superfortress: 5 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 94 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
P1Y2 Frances x 36

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
P1Y2 Frances: 5 damaged
P1Y2 Frances: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-3 Avenger: 2 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 2 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 8 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 destroyed on ground
F-13 Superfortress: 1 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 3 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 1 destroyed on ground
B-17G Fortress: 33 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 3 destroyed on ground
F6F-5P Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 1 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
35 x P1Y2 Frances bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 119 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 32 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A7M2 Sam x 2
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 57
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 63
Ki-100-II Tony x 34

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 4 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 8 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 7 damaged
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
B-17G Fortress: 88 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 12 destroyed on ground
TBM-3 Avenger: 14 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 8 destroyed on ground
B-29-25 Superfort: 16 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 3 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 54 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 9 destroyed on ground
B-25J11 Mitchell: 2 damaged
B-25J11 Mitchell: 1 destroyed on ground
F-13 Superfortress: 8 damaged
F-13 Superfortress: 2 destroyed on ground
F6F-5P Hellcat: 1 damaged
F6F-5P Hellcat: 1 destroyed on ground
PBM-5 Mariner: 2 damaged
PBM-5 Mariner: 1 destroyed on ground
PV-1 Ventura: 2 damaged
PV-1 Ventura: 1 destroyed on ground

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

Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 41

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 105 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-IIb Helen x 36
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 20
Ki-100-II Tony x 3

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 14 damaged
Ki-49-IIb Helen: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-29-25 Superfort: 5 damaged
B-29-25 Superfort: 2 destroyed on ground
TBM-3 Avenger: 3 damaged
TBM-3 Avenger: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 20 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 3 destroyed on ground
B-17G Fortress: 11 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 3 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-49-IIb Helen bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 38
Ki-84r Frank x 26

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 14 damaged
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
B-24J Liberator: 2 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 2 destroyed on ground
TBM-3 Avenger: 2 damaged
F-13 Superfortress: 1 damaged
F-13 Superfortress: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kushiro , at 123,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy x 9

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 4 damaged
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-3 Avenger: 2 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17G Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
B-24J Liberator: 3 damaged

Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/color][/font]

[tolsdorff]

How your opponent would leave that many 4EB's defenseless is beyond me, as he always seems very meticulous. Nevertheless, congrats on a very good strike! Losing over 200 4EB's in a day. Wow, that is going to set him back a little bit.

[Bif1961]

You lulled him into a false sense of security, shown by him not having a single plane up as a night fighter, as the Americans have many NF squadrons by this point. Since 160 of the ground loses were B-17s, B-24s and TBMs, this will
slow but hinder his night bombings. I would follow up and try to destroy all those damaged air frames sitting like ducks on a heavily damaged airfield. If you do you could double or triple his loses.