The Italian Job (2) - Comments from the Allies

[String]

Well I personally would suggest continuing keeping big Op's secret, while perhaps giving hints of them. The element of surprise is always good when reading an AAR [:)] I was up to this point thinking that you were going for PM or Gili Gili instead of Fiji.

[mc3744]

Hey String [:)]

Thanks, I'll think about it.

[mc3744]

November 2nd, 1942

IBC
Moving Chinese divisions to garrison the main coastal bases.
According to the combat reports the heavies are inflicting severe losses with the ground attacks. Between 500 and 1.000 men per turn.

AUSTRALIA – NZ – NG
Bombings over Daly are hitting hard as well.
Lots of troops movements.

PACIFIC
Not so quiet any longer. [;)]
Nandi was garrisoned by a puny Base Force, not many chances against my invasion force.
Avoiding a second naval bombardment I found the airfield 100% operational, Coronado’s and P-38’s are already on station.
One more squadron has been upgraded to P-38. One NZ Kitty squadron has been reassigned and is on its way towards Noumea. Thanks Andy [:)]
With Fiji firmly in Allied hands the Pacific scenario changes quite significantly.
Considering NG, Guadalcanal, and CENPAC I now have at least four possible avenues of counter attack.
It looks like GH will have problems achieving a 3:1 by the end of the year. Although there’s the Chungking variable. Still the 4:1 is now beyond reach …. I think! [:'(]

I noticed that the P-38 replacement/production rate has increased from 75 to 100. Well, I’m surely not complaining.

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

The pool situation of the most used Allied planes.

[mc3744]

November 3rd, 1942

IBC
GH is preparing to finish off Chungking. Air attacks are stronger than ever and he has resumed the land bombardment. I’m sure he’ll soon attack. Over 400k Japanese troops are now in Chunking. [:(]

AUSTRALIA – NG – NZ
Troops redistribution throughout Australia, SOPAC and CENPAC continues.
Dutch fighter pilots experience keeps rising. One squadron is now at 83 exp.

PACIFIC
Moving to Suva to finish the job.
Phase II is under way. The 37th US Div is landing in Tongarapu. The first shock attack failed, but only 2.000 troops had unloaded in the morning. In a couple of days the problem will be over.

It is time to decide what to do next. I’ve been concentrating too much on this operation. I was expecting it to turn out into another disaster and I did not think further ahead, I had gotten so used to failure! [8|]
It’s not like I’m winning the war, but the tide seems to be shifting a bit. Conquering a major base in the Pacific with no losses at all is quite a good result. Especially in ’42. [:)]
However the Japs are still strong enough to cause serious problems on the offensive too. The good thing is that if he attacks somewhere, he leaves exposed at least another two objectives and I now have enough troops, planes and ships to hit in multiple locations without the need for much warning.
Still I’m trying to guess his next move, beside finishing off China of course.
I wish he’d try for Ceylon or India but I doubt he’ll be so crazy.
Right now I don’t feel I have any important weak spot. But GH is soooo good at discovering new ones!

[mc3744]

November 4th, 1942

IBC
The LBs keep hitting the troops on both sides: his Burma units and my Chinese ones.
My fighter air force is in terrific shape, all fighter squadrons but for two are at 80+ exp. I think that I can even take on a DS, should he decides to come.

AUSTRALIA – NG – NZ
I’m evaluating the situation. Meanwhile I bomb Daly. [:D]

PACIFIC
I forgot the TF landing at Tongarapu on “Do Not Unload”. For some reason it did unload two days ago some troops anyway but then it stopped. It shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
17th BG squadron in SF is now equipped with B-24D as well as the 22nd BG in PH. Now all US bomber squadrons are flying 4E bombers, but for one squadron of (64) B-25 on ASW and Naval duties.

I’m torn on the superstition thing. [8|]
Should I go back discussing my plans in advance and risk therefore to be struck by the evil curse once again?
Would you guys find a description ex-post of the important operations as worth reading?
I need your feed-back here, please. [&o]

[mc3744]

November 11th, 1942

IBC
Bombing the hell out of his troops in Burma. He is of course returning the favor in China.

AUSTRALIA
Ground attacks over Daly are paying off nicely.

PACIFIC
A very happy situation has developed. [:)]
When my US division captured Tongarapu, it did not manage to eliminate the defenders. They are still on the island although I own the base. They’ll make for perfect live targets!
I’m moving Seabees in to quickly build up the airfield, I’ll then use it as a training base. A couple of squadrons of DB and PA to make his life miserable if he tries to evacuate those units by subs. And Fiji nearby to rotate the air squadrons. Fiji will be the new Pacific HUB.

Anybody on the disclosure/not disclosure?
I know it sounds stupid, but on one side I’m worried GH will interpret it wrongly when he’ll read the AAR, on the other I still feel like it has been somehow the curse dispelling effect and I’m reluctant to go back to the previous system (which I enjoy more).
C’mon, would someone push me one way or another! Anybody out there? Please, I can't decide [:(]

[String]

Well, you already know my opinion, don't tell us anything before it happens (hints are ok) [:D]

[Andy Mac]

Build suspense then blind us with brilliance [:D][:D]

[Tom Hunter]

I like well written summaries of coming operations. It helps build up suspense and makes for a more interesting read.

I understand that some things did not go very well for you in the opening of the game but now the war is much more in balance. There may be some hard knocks in your future, but your not going to see any more huge country destroying offensives.

[TAIL GUNNER]

I liked the surprise version of your Fiji conquest....[8D]
Since I read both yours and your enemy's AAR I really enjoyed the suspense from both sides!

Better than any novel....[&o]

[mc3744]

November 12th, 1942

Thanks guys for the feedback so far. [&o]
Apparently the suspense has been appreciated. [:)]
I’m going to go for a mixed approach: some details, some general information and – once in a while - a bit of disinformation to keep you guessing a bit. [;)]
Probably the further we go the more difficult it will be to ‘fake’ operations because the avenues of approach will reduce more and more as GH dugs in deeper everywhere and brute force will be the only way to go. Announced or unannounced.

Please allow me one more ‘OT’ note.
I very well understand that the capture of Fiji is not a milestone to victory, still it has significantly raised my morale. It’s been a long and tough ride for almost one WitP’s year and some 6-8 months of real life (I don’t even remember when we started!).
I’ve invested an awful lot of time in this game and AAR (as most of my friends and relatives keep accusing me of [8|]), a little bit of fun was really becoming a necessity. Fiji has provided the long awaited relief.
I still have serious concerns about the fun factor of the FCD in air battles, I keep thinking it alters the game too much.
But the game will go on.

And now back to business.

IBC
I’m no longer flying supplies to Chungking, they don’t make such a big difference and I don’t believe the city will hold much longer anyway. It may be over by the end of the year. Also most of the units there have been reassigned to Southeast Asia HQ (once again, thanks Andy! [&o]), hence I’ll loose on one front but I’ll gain on another. And I have other plans for those (98) B-17’s. [;)]
A serious attempt to gain more ground in the area should be attempted before he can divert all his air power from China. I now have plenty of ships, planes and troops to do some serious damage.
I see four main possibilities.
1) Land attack, as in history, just a couple of years earlier. It’s safe but allows GH all the time he needs to react. Still my air superiority over Burma may prove a winning factor.
2) Island jumping. Faster, but the risks are much higher.
3) Western Sumatra. He won’t probably expect it and I may be able to land lots of troops and supplies before a serious reaction. Western bases are not developed, only those overlooking the Sumatra-Malaya entrance.
4) A combination of the above.

AUSTRALIA
Bombing Daly to give a chance to the Australian HQ divisions.
“Fishing in the Pond II”. The operation has been developing for the past two weeks [;)]. I sent a mix of decoys, real air cargos … and – once again – carriers in the Indian Pond [X(]. I’m really scared.

PACIFIC
Here it’s ‘easy’.
It’ll be island jumping in every possible direction. Wherever he is not strong I’ll land and build up. No need to endanger the carriers. I’ll use LBA’s and AP’s at full speed.
I’m getting dozens of Seabees, I never thought I would have been getting so many. They can really make a difference in the Pacific.

[String]

Keep those boys in Chungking supplied, send in as many planes as you can. Chungking is urban terrain, which means 4x bonus to your defenders, which basically means your AP's count quadrouple there. And double that for what the japs need to get 2 to 1 odds. [:D]

[mc3744]

A couple of quick updates before going to sleep [;)]

The last two dates were wrong, today's turn was November 10th, I confused month with day. [:'(]

Chungking held the first Jap attack better than expected (actually Speedy just suggested it may [8D]). Disruption remained low and his losses - according to the combat report - have been approx 14k! vs. only 3k of mine.

The Tongarapu garrison just committed seppuku shock attacking my division. [X(] I guess no more training field. [:(]

[BLurking]

String is right, keep supplying that base! Remember, if he has replacements on, they'll come from his pool - less Japanese to fight elsewhere in the world. Your replacement come from the Chinese pool, and don't effect your other operations. I'd even consider airlifting in some SE Asia reinforcements - you'll get them back later anyway. Even some LBA ground strikes will cost you some, but will heavily disrupt his most powerful unit.

Damn the torpedoes - full speed ahead...

Oh, and be sure to bombard with any low experience Chinese units you've got - you probably won't inflict any casualties (and may even suffer some), but they'll gain experience - which is another combat plus modifier.

You can take him here. Good luck.

[Andy Mac]

Keep flying in supplies keep those troops going.

Also watch bombarding.

It counts as an attack so you dont get a defensive bonus if you bombard with a unit at the same time as he attacks.

You can do it for a while butr you need to judge when to stop you do not want him to shock attack while your army is bombarding.

(I know this is true for forts not sure about urban bonus)

Andy

[String]

Also, bombarding does use up supplies. I'd suggest against bombarding. just sit tight and try to keep your forces supplied. Also a nice map of china with the current situation would be nice, I have a few ideas but i can't suggest anything without seeing the situation

[Speedysteve]

Glad to see Chungking held the first assault MC [:)]

As others have mentioned I would keep trying to supply it. Every bit helps.

I assume you are still building fortifications there? If so, how much % do they increase each turn?

What LCU's do you have for an offensive in Burma? Maybe it's worth pushing hard here to attempt to divert his attention from Chungking? Your air can provide an umbrella on land where KB can't influence things....

Just my 2p.

Regards,

Steven

[mc3744]

November 16th, 1942

Sorry guys to keep you waiting and – as usual – thanks for your suggestions. [:)]

CHINA
I’ve been following your advice and I keep supplying Chungking.
I will not bombard for two main reasons: a) it burns supplies, b) I don’t need to improve the units experience, they are all 65+, several 75+.
I think only the normal and shock attacks negate forts bonus.
No way to build forts, the base is constantly damaged, therefore I’m only repairing.
As requested the map showing all my remaining strongholds.

INDIA-BURMA
I agree that I’ve been sitting idle long enough.
India is now safe from a seaborne invasion. Thanks to the air force and to the Chinese divisions providing a very useful garrison force.
Since a few days several units have been mobilized for a major joint operation. Due to the various combined efforts it’ll take a while to get to the ‘live’ action.
So far approximately (5) HQ + (6) divisions + (5) infantry Bde + (3) engineer units + (5) Art + (3) tank Bde are participating in the joint operation. I still have to come up with a name, I'm not very good at that. [;)]

AUSTRALIA - NG
No news, but for fighters back on station in Daly.
It seems he is not appreciating my bombings. [:D]

SOPAC
Units are concentrating in Noumea and Fiji.
Air training over Suva is proceeding well, as long as it lasts: I’m sure he is moving his two units for a kamikaze attack in Nandi.
SOPAC is now equipped with a very strong air force, both offensive and defensive.
The Allies force power is eventually starting to show, I may be low on some air replacements, but I sure have enough units, ships and air squadrons to get some work done.
A new beauty is now in SF. [:D]

CENPAC
Thanks to several Canadian air unit arrivals I’m now putting fighters and TB’s into every CENPAC atoll. Most bases would not be able to withstand the DS (in the air), but it’ll be enough to fend off any approaching minor force.
Also CW air units are Kitty’s based and I have a pool with 300, no risk of running short. [;)]

[mc3744]

November 18th, 1942

PACIFIC
Nandi has reached port size (3), I’ll now build up the airfield from (4) to (6).
The conquest of the Fiji has substantially altered the balance in the Pacific. Without the Fiji I couldn’t have started an island jumping strategy, several lost atolls are now all within air and fast ships range.

In the picture the first Vengeance’s I in action over Suva. I had never seen them before (thanks TheELF! [&o])

[String]

Why, operation towelsweep ofcourse[:D]. Push him out of burma and bomb indo china back into stoneage.