Ocean of (Allied) Blood.

[bigred]

Indian army advances on Swebo.  Seems all IJAAF moved to china to solve a BIG problem. Imp Guards was last seen on the road to Kunming.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: bigred

The allies get alot of air laid sea mines...My what a nasty surprise for the IJN!!!

Not as much as you might think.

It used to be that the planes laying the Mk 13 could not be intercepted but to balance that Japan was immediately notified of any newly air sown minefields. The latest beta allows Japan to actually intercept the minelayers. No word on whether the immediate notification is still given. See Andy Mac's AAR, second last page.

Alfred

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

ORIGINAL: bigred

The allies get alot of air laid sea mines...My what a nasty surprise for the IJN!!!

Not as much as you might think.

It used to be that the planes laying the Mk 13 could not be intercepted but to balance that Japan was immediately notified of any newly air sown minefields. The latest beta allows Japan to actually intercept the minelayers. No word on whether the immediate notification is still given. See Andy Mac's AAR, second last page.

Alfred

tm.asp?m=2324055&mpage=51&key=
Thanks Alfred. Andy Mac Burma attack seems to be alot of lessons learned that can help me.

[bigred]

From Andy Mac's AAR post 1355.

aprezto:
4 ship SCTFs of Fletchers with good captains and a good TF leader are very very effective against anything he sends at you other than his heavy cruisers. The 5" upgraded naval rifles with radar have great penetration and will knock hell out of CA Aoba class ships and less, they are very fast and able to dodge the worst of the long lances. They have functioning torps now themselves against the BBs in bombardment runs. And they are very hard to hit during the day by his naval bombers.
They will soak up torp salvos before they get to the targets.
The only targets they can't handle that way are the heavy cruisers - above Aoba. These are nimble, very experienced and very hard hitting. I found they could put too many 8 inch rounds on the DDs and even the advanced 5" round still bounced.

Locate them in the slots down which he advances to attack you beachheads. Use 2 TFs of 4 DDs and 2 of PTs on each of these egresses with patrol orders and 2-3 hex react orders. That way he is lit up when he gets to Waingapoe and your less nimble but heavier hitters can make up for their lack of training. They may also turn some of the TFs around due to lack of ammo or damage, such that those that battle through are not able to fight for long and there aren't as many waves.

I also find 4 ships DD TFs very good as naval bomber targets in a 'spread out the weight' role. There is no doubt you'll lose quite a number, but they are very nimble agianst torpedo attacks, which are his best weapon. His divebombers are the problem with this tactic - but still definately worth it to stop him targetting your main invasion, bombardment and carrier fleets. Remember also to use follow orders of these little TFs by the bigger ones so that the small TFs are likely to be hit first.

I had the same experience using one Cl(concord) and 3 DDs against the Betties defending Hawaii...Results so good the air HQs ran out of torp supply(u can tell when the betties use bombs). Of course FatR did sink alot of my Heavies. After I realized the effect of cl/dd TFs I placed Arliegh Burke in command and sent them back in for more action around Pearl.

[bigred]

ORIGINAL:  bigred

2-1-43: IJN Surface TF spotted moving toward Cocos Island.  I would bet this is the 1st combat excursion of those new jap battlecruisers present in RA70 senario.

When I spotted these IJN TFs I moved 2 b26 sqns w/ 60+ low nav to coco(af3) and set to range 7 w/10% search. I noted on the next turn the IJN TFs at range 7/8 from Coco. I deployed 6x pt boats into the sea area and raised the range limit on the b26 to 11 hexes to maybe confuse the IJN on the return leg as to the range of my b26. I suspect Stanislav has kept the KB at singers incase I try to resupply Lil Andaman. I have been waiting 2 days for the turn.

[bigred]

Seems FatR brought some type of KB to Coco.  My buffalos got butched by 75x a6m5s...and only 5 b26s flew and all failed to penetrate cap.    Reason for buffalo was no other allied fighter had the range to reach Coco from N Aus.
Somewhat depressed.

[bigred]

My PT boats did a good job , I think.  Helped stall a IJN bombardment. Also got a look at a large nasty jap Amphib TF. I wish I could ID those jap AKs.

[bigred]

This SP took awhile to produce and gives a good view of enemy strenght/positions from the allies POV.

just north of Magwa the 15th Indian corp is making(I hope) a cross river shock attack this turn into 3 Jap armored regiments.  Not sure the attack will win.  I dropped most 4e plus a p39 sqn into a 6000ft daylight ground strike to support the attack(I forgot to assign Recon).  I had 2 motorized brigades complete the cross river move and one made it to Magwa and will conduct a bombardment this turn to collect intel.  Asignet indicates one infantry regiment located at magwa.  Posibility no combat units are in mandaly since the armor moved into open terrain.  FatR did me a big favor bringing those AR units out into the open w/out any AAA.

Around Kunming the IJA did clear the hex  on the way to Chunking.  15th army is split w/ 4 divisions forward and one at Kunming...I must note that Stilwell is still operating south of Kunming and I look forward to seeing the jap 15th army move on to the east(w/out supply)

On the east side of the map I have stalled the 69unit jap army. I am not sure I can hold all these position..definately have spent alot of brain power to try to stop FatR.

[bigred]

The KB has withdrawn from Cocos area.  I was surprised to see the KB around Coco and FatR did sink one ak and almost nailed a Trans TF.  Got lucky.  KB seems to be moving NW on the west side of Sumatra.  I sent a pt boat surprise  to try to engage the KB on this move, should be interesting. I question FatR decision to place the KB in Coco area. Coco Seems too far out of a good defensive position for response to allied shipping moves..
And strategically speaking, the KB seems to be tied to the Bay of Bengal defense(which is ok w/me).

[bigred]

73rd motor brigade recon by fire at Magwa shows a defense of one brigade, one regiment and many support units...I suspect the download from FatR was corrupted. If I download it again I can get a better pic.

[bigred]

Battle on the plains of the irrawaddy north of Magwa was disappointing as my units did not make a shock attack, but the japs did make a scock attack and I had the 268th MB on defense incase..  

[bigred]

The war did kick off as 30 4e's did hit the jap armor.  Seems we also ground into each other fighter wise. Not shown is a p39 sweep at 100 ft which seemed to dish out as much as it recieved.

[bigred]

No plan survives initial contact.  I got my transports to ramree island and they will not unload.  I figure the lack of naval support on a 0 port is the reason.  I just lost a day of unloading and the KB should be about 2 days away now.  I thought I had a good plan...may get caught. I sense I did not develop this situation as well I as I would like but when I saw the KB move to Coco I had to move quickly which is why my fleet is strung out.

[bigred]

Japs know I am coming w/ cv/trans near Perth.  FatR put a torp into a cve this turn and an AO last turn both of which are real pissers...plan was to get the kb to run north and then have to quickly turn back to the south to catch me invading DEI. Nips have sub recon all over western AUS.  Suspect I was lazy to move my troops  , I saw enemy recon all coastal bases in AUS last month and I should have moved inland.

[bigred]

IJN SCTF turns the corner into Bof Bengal.  Large allied trans fleet at Akyab.  Will I go to port or Run?

[bigred]

Not sure the IJA will stand up to my army at magwe. Also suspect the bombardment by my ground artillery has disrupted Enemy Air operations based at Magwe.

Also I dont see the IJA 40th infbde. I would bet it has moved to the east to cover the gap between Magwe and Mandalay

[janh]

Seems like FatR is throwing the kitchen sink at you... but your luck might not last long.  What is your LBA situation in Burma, and what is the bigger picture at the moment?  Did you receive any CV reinforcements yet?

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: janh

Seems like FatR is throwing the kitchen sink at you... but your luck might not last long.  What is your LBA situation in Burma, and what is the bigger picture at the moment? 

Too me it seems FatR has been throwing the sink for a long time[8D]!!! I am grateful he allowed me to take over and play this game. He is a fantastic mentor, a REAL JFB who knows his details but will cut my nuts gamewise. I thrive on the competition.
With this no rules game I wish for the idea of the russians active from game beginning to force the IJA to respect the manchurian front.
[:D] More like real life...


LBA Burma-seems to be on the upswing. Past three turns have seen not a complete domination but more of a 2-1 kill ratio of planes. Air activity is heavy w/ the IJAAF trying to shut down my supply/amphib reinforcemnts on the burma coast. This was expected so I positioned a majority of ftr cover into this area of the front.
Ship wise IJAAF is sinking about 4 xAKs per day.
Ftr strengh seems fine w/ about 25% below max capacty. My 4e are about 70% so I have switched to night port mining of Rangoon. Have about 40x 4e in the threatre.

Big picture is China is crumbling under pressure. I needed to do something to relieve this pressure. I understand the ooda loop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop) decision process. My inexperience has caused me to hesitate until I have the fire power to stay out of trouble(specifically the 42/43 inf squads). I feel I have this power of action now in Burma theatre.

This Burma move has done 2 things. First it threatens the supply line of all IJA operating in the Kunming region of China. Second is I have forced FatR to react to my maneuvering. Hopefully this is a possible shift of initiative.

[bigred]

what is the bigger picture at the moment?

Currently NOPAC is retaking unopposed Aleutians.   

SoPac is working on Ndeni buildup.

All else is static.

I dont think FatR will get an Auto Victory even if China falls. But 10 extra divisions in Burma/Maya would be bad.

[bigred]

Did you receive any CV reinforcements yet?