Ocean of (Allied) Blood.

[bigred]

Long time since I have seen so many in one place.

[bigred]

  The daily actions have been intense.  Turn production is slowing down as both players want to cut mistakes to the bone.  The arrival of an american base force at Akyab w/ radar seems to have a positive effect on the air war.  I dont know the effect of Observor corp, but i seem to be doing better lately w/ CAP.

On the other hand British Air command has been literally overwhelmed by the enemy fighters and the kates and vals have broken thru into the transport fleets. 

Some of these sunk ships come from the KBair/surface raid at Port Headland. Sad to see the Charlston go down...my fault to hurry a turn.

I would chalk htese past few days as a partial failure. I was unable to mount any invasion of DEI but did land some units around ramree island and akyab.

[bigred]

2-19-43:  Today I found magwe w/ level 5 forts.  I will need about 3000 av to deal with this.  I brought 1500.  Dont feel too good about all combat results.

Lost 3 fast transport clemsons at ndeni.
Lost about 40 dc3s in an abortive air drop at magwe.
Lost a good bit of ground troops getting shot up(mostly indian 15th corp).
Did kill some vals off of little andaman. 
IJAAF seems to be as shot up as my Bengal air force.  Bad news is it only will get worse for both of us.
I hurried my attack at Magwe because I can see the reinforcements coming up the road.

I am tired of being outplayed by FatR.

[bigred]

Magwe attack:

[topeverest]

That sounds like desperation!

When things dont go your way, you need to carefully understand why it happened the way it did, and make sure you dont make the same decisions that led to the defeat. Remember it is not the total force that matters, only the force at the point of contact with the enemy. As an outsider it appears you brought a knife to a couple gunfights. Think overkill in all major efforts, unless you are gifted at deception.

I havent read all your AAR, can you skinny the strategic summary of who owns what and simple tactical? Perhaps I can provide a different point of view?

[bigred]

2-23-43: Japs have brought up  2 extra divsions into the hex.  Not sure the new IJA units (5th and 18th div)participated in this attack.  

[bigred]

IJA armored spearhead w/ art units arrives at Kweilin.  

[bigred]

I havent read all your AAR, can you skinny the strategic summary of who owns what and simple tactical? Perhaps I can provide a different point of view?

Thanks for the comment Topeverest.

This is senario RA70. NO RULES. Basic senario 1 w/ increase in IJN forces: improved IJN naval air/sea forces at the expense of any beginning resource/oil/fuel reserves.

Beginning allied CV fleet is sunk at loss of one jap cvl.
IJ control of DEI, NG, Marshalls w/ all of Hawiian islands controlled except Pearl.

Allies control Adak, Xmas, Baker, Pago, Suva, Santacruz,Nouma, Aus to what u see above in Burma.
China is cut off but holding on w/ heavy press by Reinforced IJA China army w/ reserves from Kwangtung.

Because of early CV losses Japan has the ability to enter the bay of Bengal w/ amphib forces into mid 43 and land in my rear w/ his reserve divisions. This has caused me to be conservative about my commitment into Burma. At the same time I feel the pinch from the jap china offensive and felt I needed to do something.

So I developed a 2 prong naval move. I knew the KB was at Singers. So I figured one or the other naval move would work based on fact that the KB would stay together because I now have 1xCV, 1xCVL and 7 CVEs and the fact that if he splits the KB my land based Air is now capable of penetration..

I needed to cut the western China supply for the Attack rolling thru Kunming. So the need to move into the Irrawaddy plain. Supply is an issue in Burma so one naval move was designed to land on Ramree and Akyab.

The other naval move was to threaten the lower DEI near Aus around Kopang. I figured based on current situation FatR can stop one of my moves but not both. I was correct. Akyab has 50000supply and Ramree is being developed.

You are semi correct about bringing a knife to a gun fight. In my defense I have been told I am a cat w/ nine lives(used about 7 of them)so I will work it out. I must point out that the Japs can put a 2 division amphib force into Akyab if he wants to and I have to plan for that counter move since I have no CV Cover.

Also the China situation is dire and sometimes we must go w/ what we got available. When I started the move into Magwe FatR had 600AV and I sent 1500AV. I did not know he had a level 5 fort.
I could have sent more but I am concerned to leave India stripped in case FatR should decide to land in my rear as I do not have the navy to stop him. Then again, if he does land in India I now have the forces available to move into DEI, and he now knows this also. So I am playing a chess game and showing some of my hand...

A failure has occurred in my ability to start a reopening of the Burma road. On the flip side I have gained some good bases w/ alot of supply. My regret is that I could have used the jungle to cover my move into Akyab. But I needed to move quick to help the china situation, and the KB moved out of position of the coast of Aus, which made my decision process easier...so maybe a catch 22.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: bigred

I havent read all your AAR, can you skinny the strategic summary of who owns what and simple tactical?  Perhaps I can provide a different point of view?

??

[janh]

ORIGINAL: bigred
So I developed a 2 prong naval move. I knew the KB was at Singers. So I figured one or the other naval move would work based on fact that the KB would stay together because I now have 1xCV, 1xCVL and 7 CVEs and the fact that if he splits the KB my land based Air is now capable of penetration..

I think this CVx force should still stay far away from his lines. It is at best suited for defensive ops, under dire circumstances, or for quick and "safe" raids. But else, you might really want to get at least a few new US CVs to back this up. For the next clash with KB and MiniKB, you should better be able to gather excessive forces. Keep also in mind FatR will have excellent pilots by now...

[bigred]

As I was working 2-23-43 I noted a 55000 strong force at Mandalay.I suspect I may be dealing with a far larger force than I thought.  FatR has moved a division behind my Magwe corp from mandaley I suspect to trap me in Magwe.  I fast moved my armor out of Magwe to stop this threat.  Looks like 2 division in Magwe, one in mandaley on the move and another behind my Magwe force. 

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: janh

ORIGINAL: bigred
So I developed a 2 prong naval move. I knew the KB was at Singers. So I figured one or the other naval move would work based on fact that the KB would stay together because I now have 1xCV, 1xCVL and 7 CVEs and the fact that if he splits the KB my land based Air is now capable of penetration..

I think this CVx force should still stay far away from his lines. It is at best suited for defensive ops, under dire circumstances, or for quick and "safe" raids. But else, you might really want to get at least a few new US CVs to back this up. For the next clash with KB and MiniKB, you should better be able to gather excessive forces. Keep also in mind FatR will have excellent pilots by now...

I do fear a straight up fight between my current CV force and the KB, but I cant rule that option out.

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: topeverest

I havent read all your AAR, can you skinny the strategic summary of who owns what and simple tactical?  Perhaps I can provide a different point of view?

??

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: bigred

I got a look at device mines and noted the increase in power for the mk 12 mine which just became available.
Device #119 - Type 4 Mine
Device #120 - Type 88 Mine - IJN sub laid mine
Device #121 - Type 93 Mine - IJN ship laid mine
Device #122 - Type 3 Mine
Device #123 - Mk 6 Mine
Device #124 - Mk 10 Mine - US sub laid mine
Device #125 - Mk 12 Mine - US sub laid mine
Device #126 - Mk 16 Mine - US ship laid mine
Device #127 - Mk 18 Mine
Device #128 - Mk XVII Mine - Brit ship laid mine
Device #129 - VH2 Mine - Dutch sub/ship laid mine
Device #130 - Mk 13 Mine - US/Allied air dropped mine




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

MK12 is a serious ship killer. Just as effective as the long lance. Be careful, only a few American subs can carry it and some of these subs can't carry when they upgrade. You might want to check and hold the upgrades for these subs back. You will eventually run out of the Mk10 and all those subs can be upgraded without effect.

[bigred]

Good info--thanks CRS.

In other news from the Burma front. Indeed the japs are trying hard to trap the 15th Corp at Magwe. look at his air losses this turn. I used my p39s at 100ft and they got hammered. I may need to quit using them on the front line.

[bigred]

I am in trouble at Magwe.  FatR conducted a shock attack w/ alot of damage. 

[bigred]

To the NW 46 miles the allies have been pushed out of the supporting hex.

[bigred]

26feb43:

Hard times in CBI. IJA armor wacked my armor relief column into Magwe from NW last turn.  15th indian corp w/ 2 divisions completely cut off inside Magwe.

Failed to provide CAP over Calcutta, FatR will enjoy this turn.  But still just a scratch on the paint.  He sunk one xAP.

China is a supply problem. 

On the bright side western allies are bringing so much ships and units I have a hard time keeping up.

FatR is a dangerous opponent.  He really surprised me w/ the units in Burma.

[bigred]

FatR brought down 2 surface tfs around Ndendi.  I thought i was prepared w/ mines, PTs, a surface cruiser tf, and a BB, ca, and 4dds w/ a landing craft group.  South Dakota was sunk in the action.  In a private email from FatR he questioned my use of the BB in the landing craft group.  I would have thought I would get a better outcome. the Kinugasa is not reported in the daylight battle, I suspect her sunk.

--------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 120,143, Range 1,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa, Shell hits 24, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Natori
DD Shigure
DD Uranami, Shell hits 1
DD Amagiri
DD Ushio
DD Kuretake

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 5, and is sunk
CA Wichita, Shell hits 1
CL Concord
CL Honolulu
CL Montpelier, Torpedo hits 1
DD Laffey
DD Woodworth
DD Caldwell
DD Downes, Shell hits 2, on fire
SC-741
LST-447
LST-448
LCI-62
LCI-63
------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Ndeni at 119,142, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Shell hits 3
CL Natori, Shell hits 4
DD Shigure, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Uranami, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Amagiri
DD Ushio, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
CL Helena, Shell hits 1
DD Conway, Shell hits 1
DD Cony
DD Jenkins
DD LaVallette
DD Taylor
------------------------------------------------------------------

[janh]

Indeed the BB and the CA would have better served in the covering surface combat TF.  I usually only put DD/DE or other escorts in transport TFs, and perhaps a CL.  The only exception is as allied player to protect high-seas convoys from raiders.  But from what FatR wrote in his AAR, South Dakota had a really unlucky day.  It not necessarily should have come that badly.  What was the weather in the hex?  Engaging at 1000y was probably the IJN commanders best dream: night of the Long Lances...