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Sorry for the delays in updating. Just got done with my son's last soccer tournament for the season and the weather was crap - lots of rain - made for two miserable days. Didn't feel like doing much after sitting in the rain for hours on Saturday and Sunday. But its better now...

Basically I had planned a large scale air raid on one of Mr Kane's Indian Airbases with massed fighter and bomber support.

My preparatory attacks went in fine and took the heavy losses I knew would happen to pave the way for the main strike. I tried to load the air groups with lower skill pilots for this part.

My main attack failed to launch [:@] Either due to weather or something else I don't know. I had changed all the of the HQs on the main strike to the same to help with coordination, but they never left the ground.

I am purposely not going into details here as I plan on using this again in a bit and the person who gave me the idea is also planning on using it in their game and I don't want to forewarn anyone incase his opponent is reading.

Once he gives me the all clear I can be more forthcoming. sorry..

I hope to make some better updates tonight (with updated pics). Including the results of Operation Sacrificial Lamb [X(]

By the way, I now have 3 size 30 R&D factories working on the Ki-100-I Tony and have already moved it up a month to 2/45. Once the other two repair up the Ki-100 should come a year early or more. I'm hoping to have it in late 43.

Current date is 10/1/42 but I want to start with a few successful operations from the past week...



On Sep 25th Operation Sacricial Lamb (part 2) took place. I have 70+ zeros at Buin and have been moving a lone SC closer and closer to the allied airfields at Tulagi and Lunga hoping to draw out an attack. One the second try it happened. Unfortunately the attack was larger than I thought but still a good showing despite losing a bunch of zeros - pilot losses will minimal.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vella Lavella at 110,133

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 58

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 42
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 11 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 16, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Unfortunately the escort was heavier than I counted on and my zeros were too busy with the Wildcats to pounce on the SBDs giving then a clean run against my 'bait' SC and sinking it.

Overall it was a moderately successful operation as I figured out his range setting on his bombers and managed to splash a bunch of Wildcats for once.

The next successful air operation happened up in Burma over Katha. Allied air has begun bombing Katha so I stuck some LR CAP over the base. The allies came out to play but forgot their escorts.. another good day in the air for the IJN and IJA.

Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 15

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 9 destroyed, 5 damaged

Runway hits 4

The screenshot below shows the true losses for the battle.

Burma front is relatively quiet except for air raids by allied medium and heavy bombers on Katha and Myitkyina. Every week or so I get a night raid on Magwe going for Oil or Airfields as well.

Enemy concentrations are as follows:

Kelemyo: 10 units - 40k troops, 278 Guns, 251 AFVs
Imphal: 3 units - 5.6k troops, 28 Guns, 42 AFVs
Chittagong: 5 units - 15k troops, 66 Guns, 127 AFVs
Cox's Bazar: 1 unit - 800 troops, 2 Guns, 0 AFVs
Akyab: 3 units - 15k troops, 86 Guns, 0 AFVs

Paoshan: 1 unit
Tsuyung: 5 units - 10k troops, 11 Guns, 0 AFVs
Kunming: 5 units - 20k troops, 105 Guns, 59 AFVs




I am thinking of doing a quick trip up the coast to Cox's bazar and invading that base and trapping the troops in Akyab and destroying them. I have enough fighters to support the landing and 200 bombers in the area as well. LR Bombers from Rangoon (Netties) will help keep the RN away as well while I unload.

Sub activity just increased in the area as 4 more I-boats arrive in Rangoon. I plan on trying to deliver some midget subs to Calcutta to get a shot at the damaged cruisers there.

I disbanded some damaged ships in Rabaul to lower their damage before moving them to Truk for further repairs and got caught by a large B-17 raid on the port. After what seemed like eternity the raids stopped but everything in the port was sunk. Major losses include CL Naka, two damage Subs, an AKE and 3 DDs. I should have known better. I was getting ready to move them to Truk but wanted a few points of system damage repaired and I waited too long.

Known Enemy Strengths

Port Moresby: 31 units - 37k troops, 620 Guns, 571 AFVs

Kokoda: 7 units: 32nd Inf Division, 2 Tank Destroyer Battalions (627th & 637th), 192nd Tank Battalion, 3 Field Artillery Battalions (134th, 145th and 209th)

Dobadura: 12 units: I Australian Corps, Americal Inf Div, 641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion, 3 Tank Battalions (762nd, 763rd and 754th), 2 Armoured Regiments (2/4th and 2/7th), 2 Medium Regiments (1st and 2nd), and 2 Field Regiments (21/22 and 13th).

Ono Bay: [dot base] 1 unit: Australian Brigade (Unknown)

Lunga: at least 1 group of Wildcats and 1 group SBDs




To counter the strengths at Kokoda and Dobadura I have 1 Inf Division at each behind level 2 forts.

I have a Base Force at Munda (dot base) working on improving the port to level 1 so I can bring in more men and supplies easier. I want to build it up to a level 2 Airfield to support fighters and possible Vals or Kates. Problem is Munda is withing the range of Lunga's SBDs so its dicey moving stuff there. Been airlifting and Fast Transports. Until I get fuel there I cannot use Barges.

Lae is a level 2 airfield with a beat up Nick unit there. I tried to convert them to something else with a higher production rate but my choices are very limited. I may have to convert to Nates and then to something better like Tojos.

The front in China is slow - with daily artillery blasts at Changteh but not much else as I await troops moving. I have a large number of troops moving west along the rail / road towards Kweilin which should help open the road and take the base.

Enemy Strength at Changteh
4 Chinese Corps (20th, 37th, 75th and 99th)
5 Artillery Regiments (1st, 7th, 18th, 20th and 22nd)
2 Heavy Mortal Regiments (3rd and 4th)
3 HQs (6th War Area, 33rd Group and 19th Group)
41st AA Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

My artillery attacks are causing 200-400 casualties on a daily basis. I have some more troops moving here to begin to push them out.

Just to start this off I am in no mind to quit just getting frustrated. Perhaps its my lack of playing opponents - only ever played one other person for any length of time - and Mr Kane is very different from my former opponent. It seems the allies have no shortage of fighter units. I know the air war has been light so he has plenty of aircraft, but I'm talking number of units.

Solomons: Has at least 150+ fighters here split between P-39s (I think) and Marine Wildcats with a P-38 unit for good measure.

Burma: At least 200+ fighters consisting of 5-6 units of P-40s plus 1 P-38 group.

Everywhere I look he outnumbers me in fighters roughly 2:1. Having very little experience in the 'midwar' area do the allies truly have overwhelming number of fighter units? Or am I running into restricted units from OZ and India that make everything appear bigger? Or is it simply the fact that all of his units are in combat and I have a bunch in training? Don't want to seem like whining, but am just a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to get anywhere in the air war even in Oct 42...

Also, I tried to change the HQ of some Kurile islands from 4th Fleet and am not able to add them to the same HQ as Japan to facilitate moving restricted air groups here. Am I missing something?

Aircraft R&D:

I will have the A6M5c Zero in Nov 42. Sometime in the first few days the date will flip to 11/42 and I will have 5 size 30 factories ready to churn out Fighters. The decision now is whether to go for the A6M8 for defensive fighter or produce A6M5c until the A7 Sam comes along? I believe the Sam is better in all regards over the A6M8 except SR2 vs SR1. I am leaning towards skipping the A6M8 and produce a few hundred A6M5c for use in 43 until Sam comes.

My Ki-100-I Tony Research is going good (5 size 30 factories) churning away. I expect to have the Tony around 8/43 or so. That will be a huge boon for my fighters. In poor planning I didn't realize I would get the Tony this early and have wasted resources on the Ki-44-IIc Tojo which I will have 1-2 months earlier. I have stopped all R&D on the Tojo and need to move the 2 remaining R&D factories over to something late war - 1 already moved one to the Shinden.

The K-49-IIb Helen will also become available in late Nov 42 - this will upgrade my 2E bombers to a decent model with armor - a big improvement over the Sally Line.

Judy & Jill research is coming along with several Judy R&D factories nearly repaired.

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Just to start this off I am in no mind to quit just getting frustrated. Perhaps its my lack of playing opponents - only ever played one other person for any length of time - and Mr Kane is very different from my former opponent. It seems the allies have no shortage of fighter units. I know the air war has been light so he has plenty of aircraft, but I'm talking number of units.

Solomons: Has at least 150+ fighters here split between P-39s (I think) and Marine Wildcats with a P-38 unit for good measure.

Burma: At least 200+ fighters consisting of 5-6 units of P-40s plus 1 P-38 group.

Everywhere I look he outnumbers me in fighters roughly 2:1. Having very little experience in the 'midwar' area do the allies truly have overwhelming number of fighter units? Or am I running into restricted units from OZ and India that make everything appear bigger? Or is it simply the fact that all of his units are in combat and I have a bunch in training? Don't want to seem like whining, but am just a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to get anywhere in the air war even in Oct 42...

By October '42 a lot will depend on how PP were spent and where he chooses to put those units. Assuming that restricted units are staying where they belong, certainly units with the reach could add their weight but the Solomons would be out of range. Burma is part in range part out. But I think the real issue is the choices he has made about deployments and buy-outs.

Also, I tried to change the HQ of some Kurile islands from 4th Fleet and am not able to add them to the same HQ as Japan to facilitate moving restricted air groups here. Am I missing something?

IIRC, when changing the HQ of a base, the available choices are limited to the HQs which LCU at the base report to. So AFAIK you must have an LCU (at least one) at the base which reports to the HQ you wish to make the base report to.

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Just to start this off I am in no mind to quit just getting frustrated. Perhaps its my lack of playing opponents - only ever played one other person for any length of time - and Mr Kane is very different from my former opponent. It seems the allies have no shortage of fighter units. I know the air war has been light so he has plenty of aircraft, but I'm talking number of units.

Solomons: Has at least 150+ fighters here split between P-39s (I think) and Marine Wildcats with a P-38 unit for good measure.

Burma: At least 200+ fighters consisting of 5-6 units of P-40s plus 1 P-38 group.

Everywhere I look he outnumbers me in fighters roughly 2:1. Having very little experience in the 'midwar' area do the allies truly have overwhelming number of fighter units? Or am I running into restricted units from OZ and India that make everything appear bigger? Or is it simply the fact that all of his units are in combat and I have a bunch in training? Don't want to seem like whining, but am just a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to get anywhere in the air war even in Oct 42...

By October '42 a lot will depend on how PP were spent and where he chooses to put those units. Assuming that restricted units are staying where they belong, certainly units with the reach could add their weight but the Solomons would be out of range. Burma is part in range part out. But I think the real issue is the choices he has made about deployments and buy-outs.

Also, I tried to change the HQ of some Kurile islands from 4th Fleet and am not able to add them to the same HQ as Japan to facilitate moving restricted air groups here. Am I missing something?

IIRC, when changing the HQ of a base, the available choices are limited to the HQs which LCU at the base report to. So AFAIK you must have an LCU (at least one) at the base which reports to the HQ you wish to make the base report to.

So basically if he stuck all of his 'bought out' units in the Solomons and Burma he can have that many - but that would mean he is weak elsewhere correct ? Like Western OZ.. North Pacific.. I have no idea of the Allied Order of Battle and it is hurting me.

Certainly not all his fighters. But I presume those are spots where his strength - better units - are concentrated. As for where he is weak and how weak and what you can do about it...

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Just to start this off I am in no mind to quit just getting frustrated. Perhaps its my lack of playing opponents - only ever played one other person for any length of time - and Mr Kane is very different from my former opponent. It seems the allies have no shortage of fighter units. I know the air war has been light so he has plenty of aircraft, but I'm talking number of units.

Solomons: Has at least 150+ fighters here split between P-39s (I think) and Marine Wildcats with a P-38 unit for good measure.

Burma: At least 200+ fighters consisting of 5-6 units of P-40s plus 1 P-38 group.

Everywhere I look he outnumbers me in fighters roughly 2:1. Having very little experience in the 'midwar' area do the allies truly have overwhelming number of fighter units? Or am I running into restricted units from OZ and India that make everything appear bigger? Or is it simply the fact that all of his units are in combat and I have a bunch in training? Don't want to seem like whining, but am just a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to get anywhere in the air war even in Oct 42...

Also, I tried to change the HQ of some Kurile islands from 4th Fleet and am not able to add them to the same HQ as Japan to facilitate moving restricted air groups here. Am I missing something?

Aircraft R&D:

I will have the A6M5c Zero in Nov 42. Sometime in the first few days the date will flip to 11/42 and I will have 5 size 30 factories ready to churn out Fighters. The decision now is whether to go for the A6M8 for defensive fighter or produce A6M5c until the A7 Sam comes along? I believe the Sam is better in all regards over the A6M8 except SR2 vs SR1. I am leaning towards skipping the A6M8 and produce a few hundred A6M5c for use in 43 until Sam comes.

My Ki-100-I Tony Research is going good (5 size 30 factories) churning away. I expect to have the Tony around 8/43 or so. That will be a huge boon for my fighters. In poor planning I didn't realize I would get the Tony this early and have wasted resources on the Ki-44-IIc Tojo which I will have 1-2 months earlier. I have stopped all R&D on the Tojo and need to move the 2 remaining R&D factories over to something late war - 1 already moved one to the Shinden.

The K-49-IIb Helen will also become available in late Nov 42 - this will upgrade my 2E bombers to a decent model with armor - a big improvement over the Sally Line.

Judy & Jill research is coming along with several Judy R&D factories nearly repaired.

MrKane is a pro player. He completely understands the Japanese OOB, their capabilities and limitations. He spends about 1/3rd of his time organizing, training and maximizing his fighter units whichever side he plays.

You have a one of a kind opportunity to learn from a master how to play the Allied side.

Take a beating, do your best and gain invaluable experience.

Keep excellent notes or a good AAR and you can replicate much of it when you play the other side.

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

MrKane is a pro player. He completely understands the Japanese OOB, their capabilities and limitations. He spends about 1/3rd of his time organizing, training and maximizing his fighter units whichever side he plays.

You have a one of a kind opportunity to learn from a master how to play the Allied side.

Take a beating, do your best and gain invaluable experience.

Keep excellent notes or a good AAR and you can replicate much of it when you play the other side.

I have no doubt he is pro player - I didn't know his name until I started this game and everyone says he is top notch so I have no delusions about winning in any fashion.

I already have a bunch of notes - just need to coordinate them and get them organized for my next game.

Play the other side ??? What sort of blasphemy are you speaking kind sir? I believe there is only one side to this game and I'm playing it now [Jap fanboy for life] Although playing once or twice as the allies would provide useful information on their Order of Battle and capabilities... maybe one day when I'm retired I can play more than one game at a time... one can wish right?

ORIGINAL: Xargun

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

MrKane is a pro player. He completely understands the Japanese OOB, their capabilities and limitations. He spends about 1/3rd of his time organizing, training and maximizing his fighter units whichever side he plays.

You have a one of a kind opportunity to learn from a master how to play the Allied side.

Take a beating, do your best and gain invaluable experience.

Keep excellent notes or a good AAR and you can replicate much of it when you play the other side.

I have no doubt he is pro player - I didn't know his name until I started this game and everyone says he is top notch so I have no delusions about winning in any fashion.

I already have a bunch of notes - just need to coordinate them and get them organized for my next game.

Play the other side ??? What sort of blasphemy are you speaking kind sir? I believe there is only one side to this game and I'm playing it now [Jap fanboy for life] Although playing once or twice as the allies would provide useful information on their Order of Battle and capabilities... maybe one day when I'm retired I can play more than one game at a time... one can wish right?

I started a game as the Japanese and gave up at 21 turns. Not because of any disaster, just because there is so much work to do. The allies have a lot of moving parts but do not have to deal with an economy and production model.

The Tojo IIc provides a decent return thru 44 and in spots even in 45.

It has an insane rate of climb, and when some are present in a low layered defensive cap they really augment the other fighters present.

Mr.Kane understands the weakness of the Allied air pools and he is taking steps to counter that. I can't remember your fighter planes and builds, etc., but the standard tactic with Mr. Kane would be to rush the Frank A, Jack George and sweep, sweep sweep the Allies. Any trade off below 2-1 to 3-1 (depending upon the Allied fighters lost is beneficial. Early in 42 MrKane will sweep with Nicks heavily. He will use his best pilots, rested and morale good with great leaders...

Unless you have hr against it, you can resize your navy squadrons to be much larger. PDU on you can convert a ton of light bomber units to fighter bombers.

It is a ruthless war of attrition, but if you sit back and give time to the Allies to develop deep pools of planes, and pilots, it will be hard to come back from. You need to use everything at your disposal to whittle down the Allied plane pools.

As a goal you will want to have made say 4000 Frank A by June of 1944...and used 3000 of them against Corsairs, Lightnings and Jugs. Roughly.

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Just to start this off I am in no mind to quit just getting frustrated. Perhaps its my lack of playing opponents - only ever played one other person for any length of time - and Mr Kane is very different from my former opponent. It seems the allies have no shortage of fighter units. I know the air war has been light so he has plenty of aircraft, but I'm talking number of units.

Solomons: Has at least 150+ fighters here split between P-39s (I think) and Marine Wildcats with a P-38 unit for good measure.

Burma: At least 200+ fighters consisting of 5-6 units of P-40s plus 1 P-38 group.

Everywhere I look he outnumbers me in fighters roughly 2:1. Having very little experience in the 'midwar' area do the allies truly have overwhelming number of fighter units? Or am I running into restricted units from OZ and India that make everything appear bigger? Or is it simply the fact that all of his units are in combat and I have a bunch in training? Don't want to seem like whining, but am just a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to get anywhere in the air war even in Oct 42...

Also, I tried to change the HQ of some Kurile islands from 4th Fleet and am not able to add them to the same HQ as Japan to facilitate moving restricted air groups here. Am I missing something?

Aircraft R&D:

I will have the A6M5c Zero in Nov 42. Sometime in the first few days the date will flip to 11/42 and I will have 5 size 30 factories ready to churn out Fighters. The decision now is whether to go for the A6M8 for defensive fighter or produce A6M5c until the A7 Sam comes along? I believe the Sam is better in all regards over the A6M8 except SR2 vs SR1. I am leaning towards skipping the A6M8 and produce a few hundred A6M5c for use in 43 until Sam comes.

My Ki-100-I Tony Research is going good (5 size 30 factories) churning away. I expect to have the Tony around 8/43 or so. That will be a huge boon for my fighters. In poor planning I didn't realize I would get the Tony this early and have wasted resources on the Ki-44-IIc Tojo which I will have 1-2 months earlier. I have stopped all R&D on the Tojo and need to move the 2 remaining R&D factories over to something late war - 1 already moved one to the Shinden.

The K-49-IIb Helen will also become available in late Nov 42 - this will upgrade my 2E bombers to a decent model with armor - a big improvement over the Sally Line.

Judy & Jill research is coming along with several Judy R&D factories nearly repaired.

The Tojo is not a waste, ever, unless you put more than 5 size 30 factories into it. The early model is the best plane in the Pacific (other than the P38) in mid 42 and the IIc is a good compliment to Frank with its climb rate and SR.

The dislike of the Tojo began when everyone was flying their CAP and Sweeps at absurd altitudes, which negates the Tojos best attribute (its climb).

I would skip the A6M8 at this point with the difficulties that you are having. Achieving and maintaining air superiority through the middle of 1943 is the reason to go for the M8. You are better served trying to get the Sam and other later war models pulled forward in 1944. Auto-victory is probably not in the cards, so you will have to play the long game and hold out as best that you can.

A strong nightfighter program would be very helpful: both to reduce the effectiveness of allied 4Es at night and do some night-bombing of your own to stretch out allied fighter pools in the later war. I really like the radar-equipped Francis in this role. It has a start date of 11/44 in stock, but its radar comes online in 6/44, so moving it up 5 months would be very helpful to you in 1944 if you have the nightfighter mix to support it.

You need to convert fighter squadrons over to nightfighters even in PDU:on, if I understand correctly (I don't play PDU:on, so maybe Lowpe can correct me if I am wrong) so you must research a variety of nightfighters to convert each squadron: Irving, Dinah, A6M5d, Nick nightfigher, and so forth.

It can be frustrating to play a good opponent, but keep in mind that Mr. Kane has years of experience in PBEM, and has completed several games. He is probably the most experienced player in the pool at this point. So, use the game as a learning experience. Make note of every mistake that you make and every effective tactic that Mr. Kane uses and use these same tactics the next time that you play. Also, keep in mind, that playing Japan is simply harder, on every level, than playing the allies. There is not much room for error and no time to learn the intricacies of the game. You must begin strong, knowleable in every aspect of the game engine, preserve forces, destroy enemy forces, and advance rapidly before the clock expires. Playing Japan is unforgiving, and recovering from errors is much harder. An allied player can make 2 or 3 major errors and still recover to win. A Japanese player cannot.

As the Japanese, Mr. Kane goes right into the Tojo and uses Oscar very little and only as a fighter bomber. He accelerates Frank and the A6M line heavily to try to maintain air superiority through 1943, which he often achieves. He goes for the early-to-mid war strategy that I outlined when you started. He tends to win auto-victories, but he does deplete the Japanese supply pool and economy in the process, so it is a gamble. Everything with Japan is a gamble.

A quick update with my latest 'good' event. I will do better updates of the whole war this weekend.

The Royal Navy is in the Indian Ocean now hanging out near Calcutta. I spotted several BBs and if I believe recon at least 3 CVs. I believe they are there to escort all the damaged ships from Calcutta to the repair yards in Ceylon.

Some RN BBs got a little too far away from their overwhelming CAP...



Lost some Betties to the small CAP but it was worth it...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Diamond Harbour at 52,38

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 28

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed, 10 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Torpedo hits 2
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Resolution
BB Ramillies

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

Well I snuck my baby KB up into the Bay of Bengal to intercept the retreating Capital ships I spotted near Calcutta. Good news is I intercepted them... bad news is their escort was way more than I bargained for. Enemy CVs were spotted and combat ensued. I saw 2 CVs and figured they were the Brits like I thought... I was very wrong...


First strike was mine...



Unfortunately only part of my bombers flew and they did poorly despite my zeros doing an excellent job of keeping the Wildcats off of them.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Vizagapatnam at 42,44

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 36

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 2
F4F-3A Wildcat x 14
F4F-4 Wildcat x 55

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 6 destroyed, 6 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 16 destroyed, 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
BB North Carolina, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
CV Hornet
CV Enterprise
CA Chester

At first I thought "oh marine fighters on the Brit CVs". I will find out shortly how wrong I was. During the attack phase, I made several attack runs against the Enterprise and Hornet, but no hits on them. One bomb and 2 Torpedos reportedly hit the North Carolina - which is currently reported as sunk - though I doubt it.
Against only 2 CVs my baby KB had a decent chance, but then the allied (I should say American) attack came in and I sat here in shock and awe...

Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 39,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 8
Swordfish I x 12
F4F-3A Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 86
SBD-2 Dauntless x 17
SBD-3 Dauntless x 153
TBF-1 Avenger x 30

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged
TBF-1 Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CVE Hosho, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Maya, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Ise, Bomb hits 9, on fire
CV Hiyo, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CV Junyo, Bomb hits 1
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 9, on fire
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
DD Kazegumo
CA Mikuma, Bomb hits 2, on fire

My CAP did another excellent job against the incoming attack but were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. When I saw the wave come in I was like "OMG I just lost the mini KB". I simply hit the done button afraid to watch. The resulting damage was not nearly as bad as I would have thought - my ships deftly avoided all torpedoes which would had vastly changed the outcome.

I only got a single strike, but the allies were not done. They clearly have multiple CV TFs but luckily their additional strikes came in without escort and my zeros chewed them up.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 39,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 27 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 45

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 6 destroyed

Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 39,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo


Morning Air attack on TF, near Madras at 39,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 22 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39

Allied aircraft
TBF-1 Avenger x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBF-1 Avenger: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Junyo - they landed a torpedo hit but it failed to explode !!

DeathStar in the IO ... ouch.

This is typical Mr. Kane in that he will consolidate his forces and he will go for an unassuming axis of advance.

I would guess it is going to be via Burma/North DEI and then maybe to HK/Formosa ... original and dangerous to you if he can he can claim the China Sea ...

My baby KB is now split into two CV TFs - one heavily damaged and one not. Enjoy my misery [:D]



This is the 'escort' TF and the worst hit. Some of the air groups from Taiyo and Hosho landed at Port Blair already and I will attempt to salvage as much as I can. Taiyo is finished and I at first I thought about scuttling her to save VPs - but maybe I will put her in a TF by herself and leave her be to draw off tomorrow's air strikes. She is dead anyways so she might as well attempt to save the rest.

CVE Hosho may make it to port providing the Allies don't get her and flooding doesn't get too bad.
CV Hiyo is in decent shape (considering) and should make it to port if she can avoid the allies.

Ouch!