Aussies v Aussies - Clubbing baby seals (no AOFFEN or Mark)

[jrcar]

Burma 14 Nov 1942
We have repulsed a 1000AV attack on Warzup, and are now digging in there nicely. Forces are thining out and concentrating back in the centre.

Central Burma is one large airbase well 4 actually. Mandalay is 6 Afld and 5.5 forts, with the others a step or two behind.

Toungoo is our major base, 7 Afld and 4.5 forts.

We are trying to push back the probing forces, the 18th Div threw back the 2nd Recon Regt near Imphal, and is now retiring back to the rail line in great shape.

We have about 8-9 Divisional equivlants in Burma now, with a 1000AV of that available to move around.

I'm tempted to push over the Chinese border...

We have about 300 Tojo and 100 Zero in the theatre, with about 120 bombers (another 50 are doing ASW).

Port Blair has about 50 G3M3 Nell and an Emily unit which covers the approaches nicely.

[jrcar]

Sumatra/Malaya
Sabang, Victoria Point and Geoarge town are the main airbases, with the former having an air strike group of Zero, G3M3 and Helen IIa (low naval). The later two only have ASW forces.

Sabang and Geoarge town are the only significant garrisons.

Andrew probes this way with his CV's trying to get into the coastal shipping...bastard!

On Malaya at 1 and 2 we are digging in the future defence of Malaya lines.

[jrcar]

14 Nov 1942 Oz SWPAC

This area is interlinked, so shown in one image.

Merauke is Key Terrain that is closing the sea line to Darwin, and the east DEI. It is a level 4 Afld and 4.6 Fort with 200 AV. We want to hold this as long as possible. To do this we need to keep Horn Is supressed, and Darwain in our hands/neutralised...

Darwin is 4 Afld and 3.6 forts with about 800 AV. We want to hold this as long as possible as it is a pre-requisite for any Allied actions in this part of the world.

Behind (and off screen) Samulaki and Timor are the next lines, they are well dug in (4-5)and have decent airfields 4-5. Samulaki is a key base with AKE and fuel, it stages aircraft as required.

Two large SCTF are being developed in this area.


Port Morseby is 3 Afld and 4.5 forts with about 250AV. It is supplied through Buna 1 port 2 Afld, 3 forts.

The key though is the grouping of three mega bases, Finshaven (2 Port, 6 Afld, 5.1 Fort), Umboi (2 Port, 8 Afld, 5.5 Fort) and Long Island (1 Port, 6 Afld, 4 fort). Form here we can dominate the approaches (we hope!) through the gap and onto Papua New Guinea.

Rabaul (7 Port, 9 Afld, 6 Fort) is the main base with reserve forces and lots of air.


The enemy are advancing up central Oz (Daly waters is their formost based, currently trashed), with large airbases, lots of units and fighters at Portland Roads, with the other northen town equally built up.

[jrcar]

14 Nov 1942 China
Haiphong is our main shipping point for fuel and resources from the DEI. It is a 9 Port, 6 afld and 4 fort. We have developed the afld nth of there on the border to intercept enemy transport aircraft (shown dotted line).

We have a fair thrust going in towards Kweilin with the aim of cutting the rail line. This has draw Andrews reinforcements, so we are going to move against the hex West of Changsha with about 2000 AV.

Both thrusts are getting a fair bit of air support. The Chinese airforce was decimated in the air and on the ground about 3-4 weeks ago and is offering no resistance at the moment. Andrew may deploy US fighters here... good as it will chew up Chinese supply

In the top right we are manouvering around Nanyang... but not getting very far at the moment.

[jrcar]

14 Nov 1942 Raiders Sink Convoy

Indicators and Warnings

Subs

Burma
We hit Akyab. Both sides resting and thinking.

DEI
SCTF are gathering for a strike.

OZ

Pacific
The suspected Raiders identified two days ago strike near Marcus Is. We have KB heading this way, and we should catch them within two days and get our revenge... A Construction unit is lost.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Agrihan at 114,82, Range 10,000 Yards
 
Japanese Ships
      xAK Ryuko Maru, Shell hits 7, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      xAK Sinsyu Maru, Shell hits 17, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
      xAK Kosei Maru, Shell hits 28, and is sunk
      PB Heimei Maru, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
      PB Tsuneshima Maru, Shell hits 20, and is sunk
 
Allied Ships
      CA Vincennes
      DD Helm
      DD Patterson
      DD Wilson
 
Japanese ground losses:
      1772 casualties reported
         Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
         Non Combat: 47 destroyed, 84 disabled
         Engineers: 45 destroyed, 57 disabled
      Guns lost 13 (4 destroyed, 9 disabled)
      Vehicles lost 7 (5 destroyed, 2 disabled)
 

China
We are making good headway, and anextra third of a div has now turned up, so we should boot them out next turn.

Ground combat at 76,55 (near Kweilin)
 
Japanese Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 26079 troops, 223 guns, 41 vehicles, Assault Value = 972
 
Defending force 10091 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 329
 
Japanese adjusted assault: 625
 
Allied adjusted defense: 403
 
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
 
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:
 
Japanese ground losses:
      235 casualties reported
         Squads: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
 
 
Allied ground losses:
      717 casualties reported
         Squads: 3 destroyed, 82 disabled
         Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
         Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
 
 
Assaulting units:
    40th Division
    51st Recon Regiment
    6th Division
    1st Ind.Inf.Group
    2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
    104th/A Division
 
Defending units:
    60th Chinese Corps
 

[jrcar]

15 Nov 1942 Raiders tagged!

Indicators and Warnings

Subs

Burma
P-38 sweep an undefended base, but Tojo on CAP react that we, we loose 9! Tojo. Tightened up the settings.

We hit Akyab.

DEI

OZ
We switch fires from Daly Waters to the ground troops, inflicting resonable casulties.

Morning Air attack on 7th Australian Division, at 76,131 (Daly Waters)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 27
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 16
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21



Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
171 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Pacific

At long range we get the CA with 10 250kg bombs, that should slow it down and we should sink it next turn....

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Marcus Island at 118,79

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 26
B5N2 Kate x 18



No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CA Vincennes, Bomb hits 10, on fire
DD Wilson



Aircraft Attacking:
18 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 6000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

China

A win and a not so much of a win!

The first one is important as it clears the way now for kweilein.

The second we are just trying to clean up isolated units... not a big deal.

Ground combat at 76,55 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33071 troops, 276 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 961

Defending force 9588 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 267

Japanese adjusted assault: 578

Allied adjusted defense: 274

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
493 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1976 casualties reported
Squads: 90 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 123 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
1st Ind.Inf.Group
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
6th Division
40th Division
51st Recon Regiment
104th/A Division

Defending units:
60th Chinese Corps


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

Ground combat at 91,34 (near Paotow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3416 troops, 26 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 2568 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 105

Japanese adjusted assault: 75

Allied adjusted defense: 243

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Japanese ground losses:
269 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
36 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
11th Chinese Corps



After looking around at options I have increased heavy industry production in Sorebaya. This should make Java a good positive supply source for the DEI in the long run, even when this area becomes isolated.

The other options were Malaya/Indo China, which are likely to become over run before Sorebaya. Plus there is plenty of spare fuel and resources in the Java area.

[jrcar]

16 Nov 1942

Indicators and Warnings

Subs

Burma
Andrew sweeps Lashaio where I'm LRCAPing Chinese bases... it starts well...

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 36



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 14


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 2 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk III x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk III: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 28



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 57
P-38G Lightning x 25


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 6 destroyed

We trash Akyab.



DEI

OZ

Pacific
We hit the ground troops at Daly Waters

Afternoon Air attack on 19th Australian Battalion, at 76,131 (Daly Waters)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 10
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 11



Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

China

[jrcar]

17 Nov 1942

Indicators and Warnings

Subs

Burma
Andrew comes back to Lashaio again, sweeping with 50 P-38 and 50 Hurricane (against no opposition), then the bombers arrive in several waves, it ain't pretty this is the worst.

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 12
B-24D Liberator x 14
B-25C Mitchell x 21
B-26B Marauder x 12
P-40K Warhawk x 29


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-I Topsy: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-57-II Topsy: 5 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 36

DEI
Off Merauke our CL force detects a mine field, the DD's clear a lot, a minesweeper is on the way.

OZ
Our invansion forces are almost in position off Carnavon.

We hit Daly Waters.

Morning Air attack on Daly Waters , at 76,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 110 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 36 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 15
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 21



Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 1


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
89 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 29

Pacific
Our CV's have scoured the area now where the raiding TF was, can't find a thing! So they are heading back to Truk.

China
We are moving to cut the rail line.

[jrcar]

18 Nov 1942

Indicators and Warnings

Subs

Burma
We find that the 46th Indian Bde is by itself in the Jungle near Akyab... if I can get a div to it...

On the China border he has detected my troop building up and is pulling back, this is good as if we can get into the mountains to dig in that border will be much more secure.

DEI

OZ
P38 lightly contest our air attacks on Daly Waters, am going to sweep with Zero next turn...

Pacific

China

[jrcar]

19 Nov 1942


Indicators and Warnings
several strong SCTF are detected moving East from Brisbane towards New Caledonia. Our CV's are out of position, we have a single 40 strong Betty unit.

UK CV force detected moving Sth from Ceylon.

Subs

Burma

DEI
Mines cleared at Merauke.

OZ
The sweeps find no P-38. so the airfield at Daly waters is hit against no opposition.

Mini KB hits Carnavan in support of the invasion next turn.

Afternoon Air attack on Carnavon RAN Base Force, at 49,133 (Carnarvon)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16
B5N1 Kate x 10
B5N2 Kate x 32
D3A1 Val x 12



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled


Pacific

China

[jrcar]

Air Development.

In the last 10 turns we have had:

A6M5 accelerated twice.
Tojo IIC twice
George twice
Frank twice

Early 43 is looking good!

I'm not sure of the benefit of the A6M5 over the A6M3a, I prefer the range of the later.

Here is a screen shot of upgrades.

[jrcar]

SWPAC Battle Plan

I've carefully moved forces into place... here is the plan.

Situation
See map

We are struggling to inflict air casulties on the enemy. In particular their fighter strength is growing. We have been looking for a place where we can mass and achieve an overkill.

Several northern Australian bases fit this bill, the most northen being Portland Roads, which has the advantage of being off the rail line. Over recent days aircraft numbers are dropping, and now I believe we can achieve a positive force ratio and achieve significant damage.

Mission
Destroy enemy fighters at Portland Roads.

Execution
Day 1 (20 Nov 1942) 120 A6M3/a fighters will sweep, followed by 140 Betty escorted by 80 A6M2. During this time naval force will move into position.

Day 2 Assuming a good kill damage/ratio on day one a CL SCTF will sweep in to take out the PT boats, and a CA TF should be a hex behind and will then hit the base. These force may retire towards Rabaul.

Endstate
40-60 enemy fighters destroyed.
Upto 30 friendly air losses.
No damage to the CA's.


This may also get him to reconsider his move on New Caledonia...


Well thats the plan!

[jrcar]

20 Nov 1942

Well the cunning plan was ruined by weather. So next turn the bombardment TF will go in regardless...

Indicators and Warnings
Lots of enemy shippinfg detected heading to Noumea. Our CV's are well out of position as they were chasing the raiding force. We will be unable to intercept.

Subs

Burma

DEI

OZ
We land at Carnarvon. It will fall easily.

Another day at Daly Waters.

Morning Air attack on Daly Waters , at 76,131

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 39 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 20
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 24



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 2 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 27

Pacific
Thick clouds ground all air actions Enemy fighter numbers appear to be decreasing in Nth Oz.

China
Bombing and moving around a bit. We have curt the rail line one hex out fron Changsha in force.

[jrcar]

21 Nov 1942 Moderate Success! Allies invade Noumea!


Indicators and Warnings
The landings on Noumea are happening quicker than expected

Subs
We make several attacks near Noumea, but no hits, and a bit of damage to our subs. More are being vectored in.

Burma

DEI

OZ
The CL force comes in, takes a torp hit (40 float), gets no PT's but clears the way nicely for the CA's...

Night Naval bombardment of Portland Roads at 91,132

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 59 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 3 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 8 damaged
Catalina I: 28 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Kumano
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CA Maya


Allied ground losses:
501 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 83 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (3 destroyed, 3 disabled)


Airbase hits 30
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 93

Our Sweeps get some more...

Morning Air attack on Portland Roads , at 91,132

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 47 NM, estimated altitude 32,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 81
A6M3a Zero x 43



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 9


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Then our bombers go in, and don't do as much damage as expected.

Morning Air attack on Portland Roads , at 91,132

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 79
G4M1 Betty x 117



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 2 destroyed on ground
F-4 Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground


Allied ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 13
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28


We take Carnarvon destroying the unit that was there. We will pack up and go home.

Pacific
Off Noumea 4-5 CVE/CV are detected. He bombards:

Night Naval bombardment of Noumea at 115,160

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
CA San Francisco
CA Minneapolis
CL St. Louis
CL Detroit
CL Raleigh

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)



Light Industry hits 1
Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 16
Port hits 3
Port supply hits 2

Lots of CA/CLAA/CL are here as well. This is the combat at the end. Good numbers of engineers but little in the way of baseforces.

Ground combat at Noumea (115,160)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1721 troops, 28 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 82

Defending force 25186 troops, 478 guns, 645 vehicles, Assault Value = 1048

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
9th Infantry Rgt /1
10th JNAF AF Unit
5th Air Div /1

Defending units:
637th TD Bn /1
1st USMC Tank Bn /1
1st Marine Div /1
754th Tank Bn /1
102nd Combat Engr Rgt /1
2/1 AIF Pioneer Bn /1
2/2 AIF Pioneer Bn /1
41st Infantry Div /9
6th USN SeaBees /1
I US Amphib Corps /1
147th FA Rgt /1
148th FA Bn /1
175th USAAF Base Force /3
205th FA Bn /1
131st FA Bn /1
5th USN SeaBees /1
7th USN SeaBees /1

China




It is very annoying our CV's are out of position, it will take about a week to concetrate fully fueled and armed. The plan at the moment is to strike Noumea, then isolate the forces there as long as possible... If we can keep those two div trapped there for the moment it would be good.

[modrow]

Jrcar,

just a little posititve feedback from a regular reader - I just love this AAR, it is most instructive. Thanks for sharing your game !

Hartwig

[jrcar]

Thanks Hartwig, appreciate the feedback.

We have been doing a lot of turns, got four done in one day. Not a lot is happening so I'll update direct to now as things are about to get even more interesting!

22-28 Nov 1942

Indicators and Warnings
About 20 units now on New Caledonia.

Burma border is thickening up as both sides probe.

Nth Oz drawing down on the coast.

Subs
Lots of attacks but almost no hits.

Around Noumea we launched about 10-15 attacks but only one succeded.. we got a torp hit on a CV (reported as Yourktown but probably Wasp). She will go into the yards but made it back to Brisbane.

Burma
Both sides sweeping attimes. Only real battle occuerd when we swapped about 1:1 for P-38 over Toungoo. All our squadrons are rested and at full strength, just moving them around.

Last turn a CA TF hit Coxs Bazaar, is a twist of fate I forgot to uncheck "do not retire" and he had all his Naval strike aircraft on "training"! So we got away with it...

Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-38G Lightning: 1 destroyed on ground
P-38F Lightning: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya
CA Chokai
CA Atago


Allied ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Airbase hits 28
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 34
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 6

I've tried to push across the border into China but have been halted... just. But now we are in the mountains too so he won't be coming this way.

Overall we are in stalemate here.

DEI
Sabang is now a level 4 airfield and while he has probed a few times with his CV forces he has been detecetd and pulled back each time... I want to ambush with mini KB...

Industry on Java is repairing nicely, it should become a very nice supply source soon.

I'm cycling through upgrading bomber units to Helen II and fighters out of Oscar 1.

OZ
North Oz is all ours. In the central nth we continue to bomb Daly Waters, every now and then a few P-38 show up and we loose an aircraft or two, and take a P-38 out every now and then.

We just took Horn Island.

We have trashed Portland Roads and he has pulled back air units. We now dominate the NE coast of Oz.



Pacific
In the pacific he has landed in force on New Caledonia. The airfield at Noumea is still level 3, there are about 80 fighters and 100 bombers... so is heavily over stacked.

KB (8 CV in two TF, lead by an ASW TF) is now about 14 Hex NE of Noumea after passing safely through a massive sub screen (we have about 100 aircraft at Lunga/Tulagi doing ASW which helped).

Next turn I'll sweep from about 9 hex out, then come in and hit the airfield.

In the Nth Pacific Andrew is inching forward.

China
I'm sending in the strategic reserve to take Nanning in the south. Keeping presure on in a few areas, just bought out a div from Manchuria and should soon have a 4000AV attack force to head towards Sian...


In the home islands fuel and resources are building nicely. Oil is slowly dropping and supply remains about constant (through careful management of pulling out supply).

We need to move more fuel to the Pacific. Supply is just OK everywhere, more would be very nice.


While Andrew continues to only attack in one place at a time it is reasonably easy to counter.

As we have sunk around 30 decent sized TK/AO of his this may be limiting his ability to conduct operations.

[jrcar]

Here is the map around New Caledonia. From this position we can go either way... including striking at the main land.

[ny59giants]

R&D - Are you using an older Beta?? There was a bug in one that allowed R&D to count factories that were not totally repaired towards the magical 100 developmental points. I haven't seen that many factories advance that quickly before. I have both Frank and George with over 150 factories assigned to R&D, but only 60 of each are fully repaired in Feb 43.

Oil vs Fuel stockpiles - I go against conventional wisdom and want to build up my fuel stockpiles vs my oil. Why?? If I get close enough to Japan as Allies, my first strategic target will be the refineries. In old WITP, oil was more important than fuel to run the economy.

A2A - Have you found a place to attrition the Allied air force?? As a player of both sides, I find the need for Japan to push in a area that the Allies must use their air force to defend. I think my lack of this will hurt me soon.

[jrcar]

Beta P8 of 14 Apr, H'mm I was getting a bit suspisious, we have a lot of factories on some aircraft though (Frank is 109 repaired 468 repairing, George 157 Repaired 337 repairing)... I'll suggest we upgrade to be sure.

I'm seeking 6 months supply of all of them as the target/. Oil takes longer to load so it is quicker to load fuel, but I think there is efficiencies to be gained with Oil...

That is what we are seeking to do, CAP traps in Burma, and the raid on Nth Australia... and now Noumea (very keen to trash the place for this reason!).

Cheers

Rob

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

R&D - Are you using an older Beta?? There was a bug in one that allowed R&D to count factories that were not totally repaired towards the magical 100 developmental points. I haven't seen that many factories advance that quickly before. I have both Frank and George with over 150 factories assigned to R&D, but only 60 of each are fully repaired in Feb 43.

Oil vs Fuel stockpiles - I go against conventional wisdom and want to build up my fuel stockpiles vs my oil. Why?? If I get close enough to Japan as Allies, my first strategic target will be the refineries. In old WITP, oil was more important than fuel to run the economy.

A2A - Have you found a place to attrition the Allied air force?? As a player of both sides, I find the need for Japan to push in a area that the Allies must use their air force to defend. I think my lack of this will hurt me soon.

[jrcar]

29 Nov 1942 Air battles.


Indicators and Warnings
Only P40E are found over Noumea. The K may all be in Burma?

Subs
KB threads its way through over 20 enemy subs without a single attack. Not sure how long that luck will stay.

Our subs attack the CA Tf heading to Brisbane, but get depth charged for their troubles.

Burma

Our TF bombards and then retires:

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 9 damaged
A-24 Banshee: 9 damaged
A-20A1 Havoc: 8 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Atago
DD Yunagi
DD Hatsushima
DD Yamakaze
DD Natsugumo
DD Asashio


Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 14
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 7

B-25 launch against ships in Rangoon, not a pretty sight.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 12



Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Oridono Maru
xAK Genzan Maru
xAK Muroran Maru




DEI

OZ

Pacific
A series of sweeps from KB sees both sides loose about the same.

Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 14 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 67


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 4 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 54


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Noumea , at 115,160

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 13



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 41


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 6 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

More fighters are flow out and KB will close to range 7 to hit the airfields.

B-24D attack KB at long range.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Belep Islands at 111,152

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 48 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 14
A6M3a Zero x 63



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 4


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Soryu

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Belep Islands at 111,152

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 14
A6M3a Zero x 41



Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 6 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 destroyed by flak

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga

China


The picture shows you can just about walk on subs in the area to get to where you want to go...