Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[jdsrae]

Aussie Jungle Division TOE explained here.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_division

It was designed for service in PNG, so if you are keeping them in SEAsia Command they might have kept their Standard British TOE.

I’ve just been looking at Aussie unit TOEs the last few weeks.
I’ve wondered what happens to the units that withdraw as the Aus Army shrinks due to the manpower crisis of maintaining too large an Army. Do those devices go back to the pools or are they lost?
If they are lost, can you disband some units at Sydney just before their withdrawal dates to try and keep the devices?

I think I read an AndyMac AAR where he disbanded some units early to help with upgrades and fill out other units.

[Lowpe]

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October 3, 1942

Our first shots miss...

Sub attack near Marcus Island at 122,87

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Mutsu
CA Kako
CA Takao
DD Kikuzuki
DD Amagiri
DD Hamakaze

Allied Ships
SS Drum

SS Drum launches 6 torpedoes at BB Kongo

[Lowpe]

Thank goodness, I don't know how long I could have kept this up with no pictures.... I dislike these emojiis....I wonder if I can get the old boards emojiis somehow.

[Lowpe]

Our 2nd attempt misses...

Sub attack near Truk at 114,104

Japanese Ships
xAK Jusan Maru
xAK Minami Maru
xAK Teishun Maru
xAK Yamakuni Maru
xAK Teiren Maru
xAK Kisogawa Maru
xAK Hukuyo Maru
SC Ch 8

Allied Ships
SS Pollack

SS Pollack launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Jusan Maru
Pollack diving deep ....

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[Lowpe]

Although not worth many VPs, sinking IJN minesweepers, no matter how small is always good....I believe two sank during the turn.

TF 15 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AMc Fumi Maru #5, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Sapporo Maru

54th Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at AMc Fumi Maru #5
54th Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at AMc Fumi Maru #5
15 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 127 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AMc Kiku Maru, Shell hits 1
AMc Hino Maru, Shell hits 1

54th Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at AMc Kiku Maru
54th Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at AMc Hino Maru
6 mines cleared


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 242 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AMc Banshu Maru #8, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

54th Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at AMc Banshu Maru #8
AMc Banshu Maru #8 firing at 54th Coastal Artillery Regiment
8 mines cleared

[Lowpe]

This sub attack over in the Marshalls failed too...

Submarine attack near Majuro at 136,120

Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu

Allied Ships
SS Peto

CL Tenryu is sighted by SS Peto
SS Peto launches 4 torpedoes

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[Lowpe]

Japan just grinding up their assault value....got to love those field fortifications.

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[Lowpe]

We attempt an ill advised attack at Akyab shipping. A spoiler CL task forces bombards Chittagong, on the same day it is filled with planes, although they don't destroy any planes they damage alot...destroying the Allied coordination on Akyab. Old torpedo bombers and Banshees go in first without escort and are shot down....sweeps occur later in the day, and afternoon...we score one large xak...set of fire with fuel burning, but lose 70 planes for the day while Japan loses 30 fighters.

Well done Japan!

[Q-Ball]

Aussie Jungle Division TOE explained here.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_division

I’ve just been looking at Aussie unit TOEs the last few weeks.
I’ve wondered what happens to the units that withdraw as the Aus Army shrinks due to the manpower crisis of maintaining too large an Army. Do those devices go back to the pools or are they lost?
If they are lost, can you disband some units at Sydney just before their withdrawal dates to try and keep the devices?

I think I read an AndyMac AAR where he disbanded some units early to help with upgrades and fill out other units.

You can't disband units that have withdrawl dates. Units withdrawn do not drop their items into the pool. If you disband a unit though it DOES drop all elements into the pool, so that is a valid tactic if you are short of squads or 25lbers (which are usually the elements that are limited).

For the Australians, this usually means you don't have the squads available to re-build the 8th Division unless you disband some of the Militia Brigades (making sure you upgrade the INF squads first!).

In-game, the old TOE is better. The game doesn't really model the real-life advantages of the Jungle TOE, including the net gain in manpower.

[Lowpe]

Units withdrawn do not drop their items into the pool.

I don't think that is always true. On the unit screen it will report "Unit withdrawn from theater" and those units do not drop into the pool. However, if it simply reports "Unit withdrawn" then those items can end up in the pool.

I found a patch note on it recently.

When I get my turn back I will try to find a few pictures for you...and the relevant patch note.

[Lowpe]

October 4, 1942

In addition to the losses in the graphic, Japanese Kates bomb Marcus and lose 5 Kates to Ops...inflicting only very minor damage.

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Sinking sounds heard...most likely just the baby sweeper

[Lowpe]

Two types of Withdrawals....

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[Lowpe]

Burma

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The larger 500# bombs are much better suited at penetrating the harsh terrain the 21st Division is hiding in...again one of many attacks.

Morning Air attack on 21st Division, at 62,45 , near Lashio

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 15
B-25C Mitchell x 25
B-26 Marauder x 7

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
13 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[Lowpe]

Truk

Wolfpack off Truk's restricted waters....not sure if the IJN is sending ships here, but my guess is yes and some naval search points to it. Probably plenty of fuel, AKEs and supplies.

When the sub pack is so large, it is hard to tell what the DL level is...

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[Lowpe]

October is a good month for new plane models....that P38 is around for 6-7 months I think.

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[witpqs]

Good show with those mines at Mili!

[jdsrae]

Two types of Withdrawals....

a.jpg

Good to know.
Probably not a good idea to upgrade those improvised tanks if they are just going to withdraw out of theatre (like to Nth Africa).
Let Bernie Montgomery upgrade those training tanks from his own pools.

[Lowpe]

Our submarines have to carry on the war now...while most of the USN gets upgrades.

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[Capt. Harlock]

TF 15 encounters mine field at Marcus Island (123,85) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

1 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
AMc Fumi Maru #5, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Apparently you have a gun that fires submunitions!

[Lowpe]

October 5th, 1942

Two good developments for China...but supply has dropped below 15K there....a low point.

IJA Tank Regiments attack on the road from Tienshui

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Running out of units to stop this tank regiment...more on the way, plus a big supply airlift.

Ground combat at 80,40 (near Tienshui)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22128 troops, 144 guns, 674 vehicles, Assault Value = 773

Defending force 17387 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Japanese adjusted assault: 412

Allied adjusted defense: 544

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
663 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 32 (3 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1081 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 110 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
19th Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
51st Recon Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
18th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
55th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
91st Chinese Corps