AAR-The Italian Affair--Hoepner vs. mc3744

[Alikchi2]

The Allied heavy bombers are really frighteningly effective. There's not much you can do against them, even this early in the war. [:(]

You can win on the ground though, if you play your cards right.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Thanks for the support mate!
I learnt the hard way how effective can be those nasty heavy bombers. No way to fight with them. Too many and too powerfull.
I'm already thinking of a new land effort in Burma ( akyab and Lashio) , now that many chinese divisions are free to move, but supplies will be an issue. I'm already running out of them in the whole asian theatre and cannot hope to have enough for an offensive operation...and with all those bombers burning my supply depots it's gonna be even harder!

BTW the SHO2 operation keeps on going. 3 more days and we'll begin the landing operations at Wake.
Timor has been bombed again heavily and for few days it won't give me anymore problems.
The last western Chinese base has gone. Only 3 are left in the north east.
Some more units are going to fortify the Parumushima jima ( ok, bad spelling, i know[:D]) to face a possible invasion from Attu and Siska that are growing fast, too fast!

Nothing more to report.
The usual hordes of b-17 over lunga and Pm
The usual rush of B-25 and blenheims over Rangoon and Mandalay.
The usual depressing routine

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/29/42

Ground combat at Chengtu

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31715 troops, 329 guns, 144 vehicles

Defending force 3282 troops, 17 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 59 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengtu base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported

Allied ground losses:
4243 casualties reported
Guns lost 14



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Koepang, at 28,77


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
P-35A: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Kagero
DD Natsushio
DD Hatsukaze
DD Oyashio
DD Kuroshio
DD Kazegumo
CA Kumano
CA Aoba
CA Furutaka
CA Kako
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
489 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 43
Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 12
Port supply hits 23

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

Here's the strategic map.
The yellow arrows rapresent the directions of the main allied offensives ( only air warfare for the moment).
With the black lines are shown the two next japanese objectives and the new perimeter that will be created.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Approaching July. Mid summer 42.
As everyone knows the tide has changed in Asia and in the Southwest Pacific. The massive Allied Air Power reduced a lot the "superHuman" feeling of the Japanese Army. My A6M2s are still able to stop most of the unescorted allied bomber raids, but just do not have enough of them to defend in mass every threatened base and the night bombing is still a manace against with i have no weapons.
The upcomming offensive operations scheldued for this summer will have a defensive goal: enlarge the defensive perimeter so to better defend my key-bases.
As said Sho1 and Sho2 ( the conquest of Nanoumea Atoll and Wake Island ) have been slightly changed after a long discussion upon the HQ in Tokyo. Sho1 has been changed into a decoy operation and SHO 2 ( Wake ) became the main one.
We're 3 day far from the first landings at Wake and i still do not know what will be waiting for us there. It's been a month since i did not order any Air Recon, because i did want him not to bring any attention in this very quite theatre. I know there are many B-25s there and plenty of P-40s and Wildcats. At least one US RCT will be waiting for me there and some CD guns for sure. 4 divisions and the cream of Japanese War fleet should be enough to get rid of them.
Then, if everything will go smooth with SHO operation, in 2 weeks we'll begin the preparation for operation KAI-TA, the invasion of Timor. For the moment my new west Seas fleet is taking care of Timor AFs, keeping shut the air bases there.
Timor must be taken in order to defend my resources centers in the DEI.
In Burma i'm still playing the cat 'n mouse game vs his bombers. The battle for Rangoon is not lost yet. I have to hold this statlemate for one more month, then in august i'll start to upgrade my oscars and nates with tonies and these planes will finally substitute the zeros in their defensive role, freeing them up for escorting my bombers.
in the meanwhile China is falling. Only 3 bases are left and i plan to finish the chinese campaign by the end of August. Already 2000 assault points are moving from China towards Burma via the Burma road. These troops will join the Burma Armies and try to push back the brits from Akyab and Lashio.

I do not know where he's going to attack. Probably my weakest defensive point at the moment is DEI, but he'd need to commit everything he has to try a landing there. Lunga, altough not covered by my aviation, is strongly fortified and he'll need more than a division to try to land there. Same for Tarawa and PM.
Paramushiro Jima can be an objective for the next allied offensive. I've already sent there the Mixed Guard Brigade and some 30 oscars and 27 Sonias, but i know that from his bases at Aleutinas he can launch massive bombing raids. I need a fleet to defend those isles. When op. SHO will be finished i'll dispatch some DDs and some cruisers into that theatre.


Here's the chinese situation map

[Gen.Hoepner]

The last day of June saw the first air battle in the waters south of Wake.
A strong CAP umbrella saved the day for the approaching japanese fleet. 16 B-25s and 16 P-40E were shot down for the high cost of 6 zeros! One more day and the bombardment TF will shut Wake's AF. Now he knows i'm comming and it's possible that he'll move to Midway his planes. Will his CVs come in? that's the question...

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 06/30/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 4 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 11 damaged

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
Tried to intercept these monsters but i lost 3 zeros in exchange of only one b-17[:(]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 170

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 11
B-25C Mitchell x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 16 destroyed, 2 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 20 destroyed, 8 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 165

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 2
B-25C Mitchell x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 6 destroyed, 3 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 161

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 8 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,67

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 161

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed

[Gen.Hoepner]

One day to go.
Tonight we'll bomb Wake with BBs and CAs and a minesweeper TF will start clearing the path.
Tomorrow night the landings will begin.
No signs of life from the aviation at Wake.

A strong LRCAP ordered over Rangoon for tomorrow ( overcast previewed) starting from Mouleim's AF

5 divisions already waiting at Soearbjia for the Timor affair.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/01/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 140 encounters mine field at Onnekotan Jima (81,34)

Japanese Ships
DD Akizuki, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

He keeps laying mines with his subs.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 5
Wellington III x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 69
B-25C Mitchell x 30


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Wellington III: 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged

Resources hits 8

Aircraft Attacking:

Let's see if tomorrow i can do some damage here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[Gen.Hoepner]

During the night of the 2nd July my HUGE BB TF started what should have been a mourderous bombardment of Wake. Useless to say that i was very confident about that. The results were so poor that i was nearly throwing my pc out of the window[:D]

Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

42 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Myoko, Shell hits 8
CA Chokai
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso, Shell hits 11
BB Yamato
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
1078 casualties reported
Guns lost 31
Vehicles lost 6

Runway hits 1
Port hits 2

Only 2 port hits?!?!?! and 1 runaway?!?!?! WTF!!!! How is that possible?!?! The commander was the best one i culd find and very aggressive....his costal guns must have done a great job.....and tomorrow my trasports will suffer...i know:(

The only good news of the day was a great victory over the skies of Rangoon

Day Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 58

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 6
Wellington III x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 47
B-25C Mitchell x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 19 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Wellington III: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 81 destroyed, 3 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 8 destroyed, 12 damaged

Resources hits 6

He managed to hit my resources, but he lost 37 planes in the process while i lost only 7 zeros...i know, 7 skilled pilots are priceless, but these results will make him less confident in this theatre and i can gain some time waiting for my tonies

The other bad news is that his mines are beginning to hurt me

TF 132 encounters mine field at Onnekotan Jima (81,34)

Japanese Ships
ML Sokuten, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage*sinks*

I had to dispatch some MSWs and send them here in the north where he's planning a major invasion...

Tomorrow will be the day of truth...if the first landings will go fine i can hope to get Wake, if not....it's going to be a massacre![:(]

[Tom Hunter]

I read your opponets post saying he did not have a complete understanding of land movement while trying to defend China and that contributed to his defeat, but

wow...

I am glad my China situation does not look like that.

It makes me wonder what you can do with all those troops once China is finished.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Hi tom,

I read what Max said on the AAR thread. It's sure he did not get all the implications of being sourrounded and i really thank god for this:)
I think that my 7,000 assault points i have in China won't do anything against the WALL the Brits are setting up in Eastern India. There are something like 400,000 troops there and forts are up to level 9.....and my supplies are really low in that theatre.

The breaking news of Today is the fell of Wake Island. The Japanese Perimeter expands again!!
Lost more or less 5000 men during the landings and some ships got hit hard ( one DD has already sunk), but my main fleet is in good shape! The crack of my assault troops is already loading up on convoys. They'll move towards Truk where they will get some replacements and get ready for the Timor operation scheldued for August.
4 Naval garrison Units, 2 SNLF units , a Special Base force , 2 AA rgts and 1 Costal Gun regiment are already moving towards Wake.

BANZAI!

Getting very close to 30000 points, while the allies are at 6500[8D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/03/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 87 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63)

Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 106 encounters mine field at Wake Island (82,63)

Japanese Ships
MSW W.19
MSW Hinode Maru #20
MSW Toshi Maru #1
MSW Tamozono Maru #2
MSW Kaiyo Maru #1
MSW Tamozono Maru #1
DD Hatsukari
PG Saga
PG Santo Maru
PG Tamo Maru #7
PG Yachiyo Maru
PG Hashidate
AP Minto Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
36 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bulla , at 40,75


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Takao
CA Chikuma
BB Nagato
BB Yamato
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro


Allied ground losses:
157 casualties reported
Guns lost 5
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Wake Island, at 82,63 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
CA Myoko
CA Chokai, Shell hits 7
CA Tone
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
BB Mutsu


Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 87
TF 87 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


33 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
414 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 87
TF 87 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


32 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 93
TF 93 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


227 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Daaban Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AP Daifuku Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Yugumo, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Akigumo
CL Kashii, Shell hits 6
AP Eiko Maru, Shell hits 3
AP Genkai Maru
AP Ginyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Hagikaze
AP Buenos Aires Maru
AP Atuta Maru, Shell hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
1815 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 95
TF 95 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


231 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Josho Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Samidare
AP Kashima Maru, Shell hits 6, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kuma

Japanese ground losses:
1345 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 97
TF 97 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


379 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Syoka Maru, Shell hits 1
DD Kikuzuki, Shell hits 3, on fire
AP Tatibana Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Yukaze
AP Tatuharu Maru
AP Tatumiya Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Mikazuki, Shell hits 1
AP Nichiryo Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
1805 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 98
TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


57 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Kamo

Japanese ground losses:
385 casualties reported
Vehicles lost 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 106
TF 106 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


88 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
DD Kuri, Shell hits 5
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 5
DD Hatsukari

Japanese ground losses:
938 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coastal Guns at Wake Island, 82,63, firing at TF 107
TF 107 troops unloading over beach at Wake Island, 82,63


40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
AP Shintoku Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
355 casualties reported


Look at these bloody landings...wow!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Merauke , at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 40
Ki-21 Sally x 64
Ki-46-II Dinah x 6

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 8 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15

Aircraft Attacking:

You cannot feelsafe in New Guinea!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Port Moresby , at 53,91


Allied aircraft
CW-21B Demon x 7
Kittyhawk I x 10
P-40E Warhawk x 23


Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x CW-21B Demon bombing at 2000 feet
10 x Kittyhawk I bombing at 2000 feet
8 x P-40E Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
15 x P-40E Warhawk bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Wake Island , at 82,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 104
B5N Kate x 171

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N Kate: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 102

Aircraft Attacking:

A little help from Kido Butai...--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Wake Island

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 50840 troops, 577 guns, 80 vehicles

Defending force 12379 troops, 127 guns, 15 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 5)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wake Island base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 9 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
1481 casualties reported
Guns lost 29

Allied ground losses:
12383 casualties reported
Guns lost 151
Vehicles lost 6

....and some more 12,000 americans in the bag![:D]

[Tom Hunter]

It will be interesting to see if your opponent can kill enough Japanese over the next 5 months to stop the 4 to 1 victory. I am sure he can stop your advance by late 42 but every time you put 12,000 troops in the bag that 4 to 1 ratio gets a little bit closer to reality in 1943.

Blackwatch has been pushing his numbers up against me its now 20k to 8k in our game but China is not in the same kind of trouble. I am still having difficulty getting the situation under control but its much better than it was in early 42 when it was one defeat after another.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Well, a part from China i think the overall allied situation in this match is much better than what was IRL in mid 42. In an hypotetical scenario were Midway doesn't happen i guess the allied could not even think to stop the japs only using their Air power.
In the next 5/6 months he'll be able to bomb to dust Tarawa, lunga, PM, Lae,Buna, Gili Gili and invade the one he prefers and i won't have anything to stop him.
In Burma will be the same, unless i will be able to redeploy fast my chinese divisions and try to push him back from Akyab or Lashio.
I think that he should have been a bit more aggressive with his carriers in these months....


Nothing more to report for the 4th July:

The loading/unloading operations go on at Wake under the air cover of KB
Siska became level 4 AF....it's gonna be dangerous nowup there
one of his subs hit a mine near Sumatra[:D]....i love this game[8D]

[Gen.Hoepner]

The allies started again to night bomb my AFs ...that's a good sign! it means that he does not feel so confortable to bomb during the daylights[:)]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/05/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged


Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Chengtu , at 41,29


Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6
B-24D Liberator x 3


No Allied losses

Heavy Industry hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 5000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 10
Wellington III x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 destroyed


Japanese ground losses:
10 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bulla , at 40,75


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 4


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 16


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 82 encounters mine field at Onnekotan Jima (81,34)

Japanese Ships
AP Yamura Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Shuko Maru, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
56 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

His mines are beginning to Hurt my ships...very effective! and i lost some precious men today[:(]

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

[Gen.Hoepner]

Yes, he defently switched again for night bombing, trying to avoid my hit&run defensive tactic[8D]
Not too much damage for the moment, 'cause i've spread my planes all over the rear bases^_^.
Tomorrow night there'll be a Huge night raid against Akyab where more than 300 planes are waiting for my bombs......let's hope in a clear full-moon night!
It will take me another entire week to collect all the units i need for the KIA operation
In 2 days the AF at Wake will be operative and 27 zeros and 50 betties and 9 Hemilies will be transfered there.
Zuikaku has been repaired at Shangai. She's already moving towards Truk to get ready for the next operations in the southern DEI.
Kongo and Haruna are under repair at Singapore and Osaka.



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/06/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37


Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 9


No Allied losses

Heavy Industry hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 5000 feet

well...i know this would have happen...Hanoi cannot be defended
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 18


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Sining , at 44,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49 Helen x 11

Allied aircraft
no flights

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet

mmm....he brough some fighters and some Dakotas here...what's his plan?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Tavoy , at 28,37


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington III x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 11


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Blenheim IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Wellington III bombing at 5000 feet
8 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Bulla , at 40,75


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 9


No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Lunga , at 67,97


Allied aircraft
Hudson I x 20


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson I: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
6 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Hudson I bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Mandalay , at 33,30


Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 22
Wirraway x 7
Buffalo I x 30


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 12

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
7 x Wirraway bombing at 2000 feet
22 x Fulmar bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
2 x Buffalo I bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Myitkyina , at 36,28


Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 63
I-153c x 22


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
11 x I-153c bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Mohawk IV bombing at 2000 feet
12 x Mohawk IV bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Mohawk IV bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Mohawk IV bombing at 2000 feet
13 x Mohawk IV bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Merauke , at 47,87

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 50
Ki-46-II Dinah x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:

He had to evacuate the AF[8D]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Gen.Hoepner]

A Japanese War photographer sent us this picture that shows how the Sons of the Emperor are training and getting ready at Tarawa for the future defensive battle

[PzB74]

Still not had time to read your entire AAR, but I glanced over the last few pages! Seems like the tidal wave has reached its zenith but the Allies are still to weak to push it back. China certainly bagged you a lot of points. I'm glad I don't have to face the torrent of Allied bombers against Rangoon. That was a re-occuring development in when I played the AI in the old Pacific War, caused me much chagrin. ..somehow I think this is what me invade India in the game against Wobbly - now Dave. Wanted to eraze the threat once and for all. The pain I'm taking in Bombay is tiny compared to what Rangoon et al will face in 43-44-45.

Seems like you could manage an auto victory, but again it will be close. It'll be a long road if you don't! You know that mid 42 is still 'Happy times' for Japan!? [;)]

Good luck

[Tom Hunter]

An interesting observation from PzB,that 1942 is still the happy time for the Japanese.

I wonder how many Japanese will make it to the Kamikazi stage of the war. My impression is that Wobbly surrendered because being pounded for months was not much fun. Since we play to have fun leaving because the game is not fun any more seems legitimate to me and I have already let one opponent go because it was no longer fun for him (or me for that matter).

I have made it through the allied valley of death because I was able to hit back from time to time. I am still losing but I can stand losing because I made my opponent bleed. Will the Japanese players be able to adopt this mind set? Is the game rewarding when you are playing to lose by less rather than win?

We will see.

[Gen.Hoepner]

First of all, Thanks for reading it PzB and TomHunter! It's always a pleasure to discover that you're not talking with walls[:'(]

Unfortunately Rangoon isn't my first problem. My opponent has used since the first day the bunker tactic and withdraw from the first line EVERY single plane! This strategy provided him the ability to get sooner than IRL some HUGE masses of heavy and medium bombers in 3 different theatres: between Cooktown and Cairns there are 250 b-17 that every day pound PM,Lae,Gili and Buna, forcing me to leave all these bases undefended ( i only left some kamikazi garrisons there). At lungaville 40 b-17 and 50 Hdsons are destroying every day Lunga and i had to evacuate every plane from there.
At Darwin the same
In India there are something like 800 planes i guess, spread over 7 bases.
I know that i cannot do much to avoid this situation at the moment. In March i was ready to do the "Belmont" operation, which was studied to be a remake of PzB's india Invasion but on a smaller scale ( a landing at Chandupur to cut the overcommitted Burma and extend my perimeter so to defend Rangoon and China ), but my opponent had some problems with the LCU movement and asked me for an agreement to be able to retreat his units from the pocket, so i abbandoned the option an went for java.
Now my only hopes are to throw asap all those chinese divisions to burma and try to push him back...but i know this is close to an Utopia because his forts will be high and the air is his dominion.

I will try to obtain an autovictory but i've already promised my opponent to be ready to go on even if an autovictory is achieved[8|]
time will tell

[Gen.Hoepner]

Well, after 4months of passion, spent watching his bombers destroying during nightime every industry,oil plant, airfield,port and whatever i had in their range, finally the Empire has organized a kind of "Op. Doolittle in reverse angle"[8D]
My brave pilots positioned themself at Mouleim diring nightime and from there they took off and bomb Akyab. 27 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground and many more were damaged! BANZAI!!!![:D][:D][:D] Ok, nothing that can really hurt him, but every bite is a step towards 4-1

Hanoi is doomed[:(]

The first 27 nells, 27 zeros and 9 hemilies are now positioned at Wake Island. Good

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 07/07/42

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Hanoi , at 36,37


Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 6
B-24D Liberator x 12


Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 6

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 5000 feet
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing at 5000 feet
6 x LB-30 Liberator bombing at 5000 feet

My industries are suffering a lot and i do not anything to protect them[:(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 29,34


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 4
Blenheim IV x 11
Wellington III x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 5


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim I: 2 damaged
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed
B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
115 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 13

Aircraft Attacking:
yes, ok...come come...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21 Sally x 40
Ki-49 Helen x 19

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 destroyed, 10 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 8 damaged
Hurricane II: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
Spitfire Vb: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged
Blenheim IV: 9 destroyed
Blenheim I: 3 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

Aircraft Attacking:
[8D][8D] Well, the bad news is that he's already got his spit[>:]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 30,29

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 25

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IF: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x G3M Nell bombing at 6000 feet

some more hits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Sining , at 44,23

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Ki-21 Sally x 106

Allied aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 87

Aircraft Attacking:
Ok, now he knows that there isn't a single base in china that can be safe for his planes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 21st Engineer Regiment, at 53,91


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 50


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported

Aircraft Attacking:


uffff[:(]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 13th Base Force, at 53,91


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 110[X(][X(]


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
202 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
15 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 5000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Gen.Hoepner]

Ok, now that it's 8 July 42 i want to draw some lines about the conditions of my war fleet.

Today i recieved a brand new CVE, the Chuyo, equipped with a type 21 radar. It's the first carrier with this equipment and i hope it will bring some more coordination to the future air missions.
The Zuikaku has finished its repairs at Shangai and she's now heading towards Truk to get her Air groups ( that have been left there) and re-join the KB force which is comming back from the Wake adventure.

So , at the moment, the Combined Fleet can put at sea the following carriers:

CVs

Shokaku ( sys 3)
Zuikaku ( sys 4)
Kaga ( sys 8)
Akagi ( sys 2 )
Soryu ( sys 6)
Hiryu ( sys 2)
Hiyo ( sys 6)
Junyo ( sys 5 )

CVLs

Zuiho ( sys 1 )
Soho ( sys 0)
Ryujo ( sys 4 )

CVEs

Chuyo ( sys 0 )
Hunjo ( sys 1 )
Tahio ( sys 4 )
Hosho ( sys 1 )

As you can see they are all in pretty good shape, altough they've been at operating since Dec 7 41.
Now i have to decide which of my main carriers will be disbanded in Japan and upgraded. In fact 5 of my carriers have a scheldued upgrade for July or August. I'd really need some more AA guns on them, but at the same time i do not want to stay without 5 of my beloved ships in these crucial days, where their power is still at its zenith.
I'd probably let the Soryu get the uppgrades, while the others will remain ready to fight.

For what concerns the BBs, all of my starting capital ships are afloat and in conditions to fight. Only the Kongo(sys 14) and the Haruna(sys 11) are taking some R&R at Singapore and Hiroshima.

Now that Wake has been conquered with the loss of only 6 planes and one DD, i have to decide where to redeploy my naval assets.
till now i've always sent everything i had in every operation, hoping that an overwhelming force would assure me the final achievement. This tactic has been usefull and fruitfull, but now that the allies are becomming stronger and stronger each day, i must be very cautious not to let undefended any branch of my perimeter. I know he's almost ready to counterattack and i do not want to be unprepared when that day will come!

So, the next scheldued operation will be Timor. But i know that i cannot let the entire Central/south pacific front without a fleet.
At the same time i have to worry about the northern front. Paramushiro Jima is in danger, 'cause Siska Island has already reached level 4 AF and is growing very very fast. Altough i dispatched the Guard Mixed brigade, 2 more base forces and some planes up there, i know that if he manage to launch a series of Air strikes with his heaviests i'll be in danger.
That's why i decided to divide my fleet as follow:

BBs Mutsu,Fuso,Hyuga ( an the Haruna when the R&R will be finished ), along with CAs Tone,Chokai,Myoko and Haguru , plus 7 DDs will be based at Tokyo and will be ready to come into action in the Aleutinas ( maybe a naval bombardment mission...)

BBs Nagato and Ise, along with CAs Chikuma,Takao,Agato and Maya will be based at truk, with some CLs and 20 DDs. They will guard the central/south Pac theatre. CV Kaga, CVLs Zuiho and Ryujo and CVE Tahio with a support force of 3 CAs and some DDs will remain at Truk, ready to come into action if the perimeter will be violated.

The rest of the war fleet will be transfered, Via Balikapan, in Java, where they will support the operations for Timor.

The conditions of my Carrier Air groups aren't fantastic. Altough my Kates and Vals suffered very few losses in these months, the fighter forces are all under 80% of their original strenght. I'll do my best to get the best replacements for this foundamental asset.


Now, dear readers, do you want me to give you some more infos? Just ask![:)]

[BlackVoid]

Just an idea. Try to bombard the AFs where allies mass bombers with BBs.
- launch night raid for a few days to supress
- put LR Cap over BBs
- bombard

[Gen.Hoepner]

I've done that untill i could. Nowdays the allies learnt to mass their bombers in bases like Lashio or Dacca. The only super base full of planes which is accessible by sea is Akyab, but cannot hold any groups at Rangoon to LRCAP my BBs 'cause he has too many heaviests that can bomb to dust my poor zeros and Akyab is so well defended by the sourrounding 6 bases the allies hold in the area that it will be a suicide mission for my BBs.
I cannot bomb Cairns or Cooktown where he holds his b-17s... it's quite depressing
The only base i can hope to bomb is Siska Island.