Newbie Allies vs. Experinced WitP

[Crackaces]

BTW) In light of GreyJoy's choice of avitars ... I have deicded to go with something slightly more pleasing to the eye ... [;)]

Besides I would let her win with those aces .. even if I had a better hand ...[:D]

In other news .. I just sent the turn back . we shall see what happends around Peearl Harbor where 2 more subamrines show up and I have 4 groups of ASW patroling .. our objective is to simply get some experince in while we set forward into a beans, bullets, and butts turn .. then teh DD's we have to rellocate to missions ..

[Crackaces]

************************************** 25 JUL 1942 *****************************************

The night begins with 30 Lilly's and 5 Sally's attacking Cox's Bazzar no damage and 1 less Lilly will be here tommorow ..

Night Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 30



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 6


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Night Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 4



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 6


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses



We strike back in the morning ... and then follow up in the afternoon 2 take down 2 Dinah's on teh gorund and shut down teh airfield from resuppyimg the IJA in China ..

Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 23
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
139WH-3 x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 9


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses



Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 23

Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4


No Allied losses

Afternoon Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 24
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
Wellington Ic x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 5


The KB and company hit PM again ...

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 84 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 28



No Japanese losses



Port hits 5

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 41 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
G4M1 Betty x 18



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged



Port hits 1

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G3M2 Nell x 26



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 11


Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 112 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59
B5N2 Kate x 45
D3A1 Val x 74



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


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


Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 7
Port hits 2


On the ground the bombardment continues to take teh raod to Paoshin ..


Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11516 troops, 161 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 905

Defending force 12494 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 461


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


Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
18th Division
55th Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion

Defending units:
88th Chinese Division
200th Chinese Division
22nd New Chinese Division
1st Burma Brigade
36th Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
NCAC

The Fanning on the Mahan take on I-18 ... flooding and engine damage ..

ASW attack near Lihue at 178,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-18, hits 3

Allied Ships
DD Fanning
DD Mahan


The the Mahan finds SS I-21!
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
DD Mahan

The I get lazy and do not use waypoints .. this costs a AKL ...

Submarine attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
xAKL Honomu, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage



xAKL Honomu is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 2 torpedoes at xAKL Honomu


That is 3 submarines patroling the Western shores of Pearl Harbor .. time to increase my ASW patrols for a couple of days ..

OK no more today .. more news tomorrow ..

[Crackaces]

Status Update:

NOPAC:

As everybody knows the PA at Kodiak withdrawls on 22 AUG 42 and VP-101 soon there after .. I withdrew the units and have started transfering the pilots to VP-61 training at SF. This means the newbies of this group will train for 7 more days and then go into the reserve .. while the trained guys being transfered from the reserve will station the aircraft at Adak. Quite a bit of clicking .. as we move AVD's to Adak.

CENPAC:

We now have the right BF's and support in place to build up Tarawa .. quite a mission since the IJNAAF were harassing the Gilberts with Nell's and Beatty's .. now I have over 200 fighters and 50 bombers the IJ have not attacked. Tabiteuea and Tarawa are well mined and thus bombardment will have some risks as well as subamrines patroling.

We continue to plant BF's on the Gilbert Islands .. next is Abemama -- A Navy DET first, SeaBees, Aviation Engineers, and a BF ..The eventual goal is to station the 7th USAAF with all airunits in the Gilberts by December '42 That means building up bases for the fighters while stationing bomber units on Tarawa and Tabitueuea.

Makin is the next target as it offers a fighter base to cover Tarawa ...

SOPAC:

Because of the Strategy SOPAC includes Pago Pago -> Luganville & Ndeini .. we built up Ndeni while centralizing the Marines on Luganville. If we invade teh Solomon's at all it will be SOPAC units to do the job.

SWPAC:

The Southwest Pacific Command is responsible for Oz and Oz only .. Here we have marshalled Southwest Pac forces and continue to build airbases. This command is responsible for taking Daily Waters while containing the IJ to Northern Oz.

Eastern Command:

Burma is a very interesting place these days. We have assembled 2 Corps and now are staging forces on the Indian Burmese Border. We have functional airbases at Sinchar, Imphal, Dacca, Cornilla, and Ledo [Besides Chittagong and Calcutta] Kohima, Dimaphar, & Jorhat all all level 1 building to level 2. The stage is being set. The airwar is the most critical piece of this operation as we desire to interdict armored units moving to Mandalay ..

We have Cox's Bazzar up to level 2 soon to be level 3. It is way to risky to operate from Cox's Bazzar today but could be a part of a '44 operation. In the meantime we build the airbase and port ..

One disconcerting possibility is the defense of Colombo .. we simply do not have the force projection to interdict port blair and he can send long range aircraft to Ceylon ..

We are also chasing down AMC's roaming around the I.O. ... we shall see what the RN does this turn ..

China:

The goal here is to continue to keep the IJ busy as long as possible. We just reinforced another division at Bhamo to defend Paoshan. This part of China is crucial to keep the armored units tied up while the Indian Army supported by the Brits takes Sweebo .. I sense once this occurs the IJ will decend on Sweebo from all sides but it will be too late and retreat from Burma-China theater will be the only option to being cutoff.

Wenchow continues to be a stalemate but 3 more IJ units are on the way. 3 more units are also moving to Ichang with more units prepping for the attack. The strategy here is to simply keep the IJ busy. Moving units and supplies where I have submarines. So far we have tagged 3 xAK's ...[;)] Simply moving supplies he uses PC .. units/xAP's take DD's from other duites ... we are keeping the IJ thinking about ASW ...even for his naval operations supporting china ..

[Crackaces]

***************************************************** 26 JUL 42 *************************************

The night begins with intercepting a IJN AMC that is raiding shipping in the IO ...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Socotra at 23,18, Range 1,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Kongo Maru, Shell hits 22, heavy fires

Allied Ships
AMC Chitral
AMC Corfu
AMC Kanimbla



Poor visibility due to Thunderstorms with 96% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Thunderstorms and 96% moonlight: 2,000 yards

Given the damage I suspect This AMC is not going to make it home ..[;)] What is strange is that given all the damage the IJ was able to still outrun my AMC's [:-] [ahhh this game!]

Ok .. it looks like my ASW boys need a lot more patroling practice .. some of my crews need some seasoning ..I-27 launches 2 in the middle of the day and we cannot find anything!?!


Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DD Buchanan
DD Hammann
DD Lardner

SS I-27 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Buchanan

Ok .. at the home islands ... 4 Tankers in a convoy we get 2 hits .. but .... no kaboom ... [8|]


Sub attack near Wakkanai at 121,48

Japanese Ships
TK Juko Maru
TK Sanraku Maru
TK Nissho Maru
TK Kaijo Maru
PB Kanko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Cuttlefish


SS Cuttlefish launches 2 torpedoes at TK Juko Maru

The IJAAF come a calling in the daytime ..and The flak is horrendous at Akyab ..

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 28



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 16 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak


Port hits 1

We trade a port hit for a Lilly ..[:D]

We smack Myitkyina again ..

Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
139WH-3 x 8

Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 4


No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 33
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7
Wellington Ic x 26
B-25C Mitchell x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 19
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 28

Airbase hits 2


Afternoon Air attack on Myitkyina , at 64,42

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Hurricane IIb Trop x 7


No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5
Runway hits 23

Now the big news .. the commits to an invasion of Port Moesby .. none of our B-25's in Oz fly a naval attack ??? [&:]

Naval bombardment of Port Moresby at 98,130

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CA Kumano
CA Takao


Allied ground losses:
601 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 28
Port hits 19

Pre-Invasion action off Port Moresby (98,130)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

82 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Kuma
DD Isonami
xAK Konzan Maru
APD Hakaze
xAP Hakusan Maru
xAP Ussuri Maru
DD Shikinami

Japanese ground losses:
61 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
...............
Amphibious Assault at Port Moresby (98,130)

TF 478 troops unloading over beach at Port Moresby, 98,130

Japanese ground losses:
569 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)



15cm T96 Howitzer dropped into water during unload of 17th Medium FA Rgt
7.7mm T99 AAMG accidentally lost during unload of 17th Medium FA Rgt
15cm T96 Howitzer lost overboard during unload of 17th Medium FA Rgt
Motorized Support lost from landing craft during unload of 16th Army /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Div /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 2nd Div /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /4
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 2nd Div
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 38th Div /5
Type 95 Light Tank lost from landing craft during unload of 8th Tank Rgt

It looks like an unpreped invasion with this many causulties on the intial landing? Possibly just normal % casualties given the amount of troops landing .. 2 Inf divisions, a tank rgt, FA rgt, and a army HQ about 1K AV .. But my forces are just as disrupted from bombing and bomardment .. it will be interesting .... I am still wondering why my boys did not fly .. a little light rain I guess otherwise these forces are uncapped right now ..very bold move ...

[Crackaces]

Port Moesby:

A look at the Combat Report above and I am calculating that we are facing 1400 AV plus or minus the IJ's disruption from the landing .. we have 285 unsupplied AV behind level 3 forts .. halfway decent leadership .. my best hope I am thinking is to take another 1K IJ with the fall of PM.

I cannot see comitting forces yet, and breaking our current plans in the Marshalls ...

I should not be angry .... and it is a part of the game that my B-25's did not take a crack at those BB's ..[8|]

[Crackaces]

I replayed the combat turn again and I find out why the B-25's and B-26's did not attack ... it looks like it was cancelled due to" weather" [light rain was the actual reported weather for the IJ comabt turn]

It looks like I will have to adapt my strategy to the IJ's play. It is my opinion at this time that the IJ has no plans to entrench but firmly believes that offense is the best strategy until it is not possible anymore. Possibly because I am a weaker opponent and the IJ believes this should be able to continue much longer.

Given the situation and reinforcements [note 60 day variability] The environment right now suggests an IJN advantage well until June '43. This thought from the fact the IJ has no plans on giving me the KB and will be quite methodical in advancing into Oz. I think Townsville / Carnes is probaby nest on the agenda depending on losses @ PM.

Lots to think about .. . but as per the above strategy update ... we are about 4 - 6 months away from putting some real pressure in Burma not sure what the IJ has in store ..

Until then it is staging the US forces into their respective commands. It is a slow painstaking process limited in my view by ASW/Submarine interdiction.

Ok more later ..

[Crackaces]

******************************* 27 & 28 JULY 1942 ************************************

Though its one day turns we turrned around 2 turns quickly .. Lot's of events!

First one the 27th we meet up with another subamarine Patrolling Pearl Harbor ..

ASW attack near Lahaina at 183,106

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 4, on fire

Allied Ships
DD Case
DD Hughes
DD Fox


I have set subamrines with big "internal explosions" on fire before, and have them come back from Davy Jones Locker ...[;)] Nut our boys are getting good practice . the problem with lots of submarines close to a port . it is easy to marshal ASW resources and go hunting ..

The attack at Akayb gets the usual results .. one down by flak ..

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 4 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak



Our boys fly .. well one group ..

Morning Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,130

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-26 Marauder x 4


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Konzan Maru


Ok .. not much else to report for the 27th so we move on to the 28th ...


Sub attack near Fukue-jima at 100,59

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
BB Kirishima
CA Haguro
CS Mizuho
DD Shinonome
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
SS Flying Fish

SS Flying Fish launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Shoho

So 4 out .. 2 hit .. no kaboom [8|]

Around PH we run into another submarine!

Sub attack near Lihue at 178,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
DD Fanning
DD Mahan



SS I-21 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Fanning

Then the third encouter with I-27 ..

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 179,110

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
DD Hammann
DD Lardner

SS I-27 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hammann

In the air on the 28th we do very mediocre ..

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 26

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6

and we lose one on the sweep ..

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 30



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Port hits 1
Port fuel hits 1


Now the big news ...


Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21399 troops, 218 guns, 200 vehicles, Assault Value = 1066

Defending force 7942 troops, 49 guns, 27 vehicles, Assault Value = 282

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 1007

Allied adjusted defense: 107

Japanese assault odds: 9 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
784 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 109 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2728 casualties reported
Squads: 131 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 149 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 39 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 20 (18 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (19 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 10


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th/A Division
38th Division
2nd Division
8th Tank Regiment
4th/C Division
16th Army
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
Port Moresby Brigade
49th Australian Battalion
C Coy/NG Rifles
Sparrow Battalion
A Coy/NG Rifles
2/4 MG Battalion
Gull Battalion
55th British Brigade
Horn Isl Det.
15th RAAF Base Force

Japanese forces CAPTURE Port Moresby !!!

As predicted about 1400 vs. 285 and my forts did not do much compared to supply and morale ...[:(]

The IJ will continue to expand until they are smacked ..

[Crackaces]

**************************************** 29 JUL 1942 *********************************************

IN 98% moonlight the Brit's get an able target .. an AKE .. the story goes the USN can hit things but no kaboom the RN submarines with capable torps can't seem to hit anything!

Submarine attack near Darwin at 73,122

Japanese Ships
AKE Atlas Maru

Allied Ships
SS Trusty


The Kittyhawks at Cox's Bazzar try and defend Akyab .. the results are not in the Allies favor

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 29



Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk IA x 5

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed

We are now at 26 Lilly's down from as many as 54 attacking Akyab ..

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 30 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 damaged

We are losing the war of attrition at Bharmo ..


Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24649 troops, 286 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 779

Defending force 11282 troops, 30 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 311

Japanese adjusted assault: 476

Allied adjusted defense: 532

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
417 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
798 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
55th Division
15th Army
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion

Defending units:
36th Chinese Division
200th Chinese Division
22nd New Chinese Division
1st Burma Brigade
88th Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
NCAC

300 AV is about 3 days away ... will it be in time and will it be enough to stop the LYB's!

No DD ASW this turn! [:(] According to our sightings and Air ASW we have ASW TF's worth good commanders sharing the sea with subamrines but no contacts ...[8|] The real operational strategy here is to just get my DD crews some experince as they are still raw and the ASW bonus will start going away, while my TF's prepare for the next operations ...

Lots of logistics again this turn ..[;)]

[Crackaces]

Right now I am activating Canadian militia units and sending them to India to keep the peace, [meaning meeting garrison requirements] with the intent of organizing the Indian Army into something useful. In the meantime I just realized 200+ turns into this affair -- well .... since the beginning of this war I have left the 8th Indian brigade in the middle of Malaya! Now how to get the IJ to kill her so I can rebuild the unit to form up the 9th Indian Division . There is no scuttle button for the LCU's ..[;)]

The garrisoning of Indian cities is the real crux I believe to getting some organization of forces to attack Burma. It should be noted that no home rule exists for "restricted units and international borders" and thus we can organize without the thoughts of paying extra PP's. I just cannot load them up on ships, and send them off to invade something. Just as a note ... historically many decisions were made because the IJ decided to sink their KB in June of 1942 .. this lesson is well understood by the IJ player. Thus many things are "ahistorical" at this point. One, even in scenario #1 the IJ pose a clear and present danger to the Allies because of the existance of the KB. This is a much different problem than real life. Second, this provides the opportunity to use the forces differently. Third, and the real damper on things, is that the Indian forces withdraw historically. So the IJ could be beating on India's door and the 2nd Reece btn still withdraws to fight Rommel ...as does a lot of needed armor ..

Within that context I am still forming an army to interdict Burma. I have stated previously I can get the equalvalent of 2 Corps together. Given the IJA forces currently in Burma that should be enough to take Sweebo and set up a defense. Burma has to be enough of a thorn in the side of the IJ that it distracts them from the real push in '43.

What I suspect will happen is a big dance, with the IJ pushing toward Akayb & Cox's Bazzar while the Allies invade Sweebo and Mandalay ..

On an operational front my 70-80 pilots in inferior aircraft are not doing well against the Oscars in Burma. This is because he is sweeping agaisnt my CAP rather than me sweeping or hitting his escorts ...We might have to committ more fighters for a week or two to meet this threat ..or just abandon fighter resistance and leave the bombers to flak only ... I have to think about this ..

[zuluhour]

I have left the 8th Indian brigade in the middle of Malaya!

Now thats funny[:D] I have a refugee Chinese Corp bombed daily with over 25-50 ac. Its ony has 17 Chinamen left.[:D]

[ny59giants]

On an operational front my 70-80 pilots in inferior aircraft are not doing well against the Oscars in Burma. This is because he is sweeping agaisnt my CAP rather than me sweeping or hitting his escorts ...We might have to committ more fighters for a week or two to meet this threat ..or just abandon fighter resistance and leave the bombers to flak only ... I have to think about this ..

I see a few options here. One is what you said and not have any CAP over the base. Second is to go with overwhelming numbers of CAP and/or LRCAP over a base. With either inferior pilots/planes, then you need massive numbers to overcome. Finally, is to commit your Hurricanes to the air battles. They do well if their pilots are trained up against both the Oscar and Zero. Very well against the Oscar and about 1:1 vs Zero. Avoid going up against the soon to be arriving Tojo.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

On an operational front my 70-80 pilots in inferior aircraft are not doing well against the Oscars in Burma. This is because he is sweeping agaisnt my CAP rather than me sweeping or hitting his escorts ...We might have to committ more fighters for a week or two to meet this threat ..or just abandon fighter resistance and leave the bombers to flak only ... I have to think about this ..

I see a few options here. One is what you said and not have any CAP over the base. Second is to go with overwhelming numbers of CAP and/or LRCAP over a base. With either inferior pilots/planes, then you need massive numbers to overcome. Finally, is to commit your Hurricanes to the air battles. They do well if their pilots are trained up against both the Oscar and Zero. Very well against the Oscar and about 1:1 vs Zero. Avoid going up against the soon to be arriving Tojo.

We went with Hurricanes .. superior pilots .. and overwhelming numbers to 2nd band altitude .. can't keep this up because the BB SAG's will be coming to bombard ..

What a turn NY59giants! All that clicking to try and get the Indian Forces organized .. if I can concentrate 2K AV to Katha [the little dot base between Sweebo & Myitkyina] I think I can change the dynamics of the Burma theater for '43 ..moving to Sweebo to the South and Myitkyina to the North .. all supported by the 221 & 222 RAF ... along with the 10th USAAF ...

[Crackaces]

************************************* 30 JUL 42 *************************************

The air war got more interesting ...but first we got into an ASW match at PH ..


A new face shows up at Pearl Harbor SS I-16 .. she fires 2 torps and misses & we can't find her in 96% moonlight ..

Sub attack near Lihue at 179,106

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
DD Hughes
DD Fox
DD Case



SS I-16 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hughes

sooo the next day friends show up ..

ASW attack near Lihue at 179,106

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Lardner
DD Hammann

................


ASW attack near Lihue at 179,106

Japanese Ships
SS I-16, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Monssen
DD Lardner



3 different DD's empty their DC racks and get 2 hits in SS-16 ...[8|]


Akyab gets interesting ...

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 39
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 26



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 9
Kittyhawk IA x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 damaged

No Allied losses


Airbase hits 4
Runway hits 27


But in the afternoon the Zeros show up ..and we do not have the platforms in the air .


Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2
Kittyhawk IA x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 21000 feet *
..............................

Hmmmm that '*' means extended range and operations losses .. especally for zeros ..

At Bhamo we take a damaged bomber for no real results ..

Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 63,45 , near Bhamo

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 27
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged


However the ground combat took a turn ..


Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24350 troops, 286 guns, 169 vehicles, Assault Value = 752

Defending force 10026 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 217

Japanese adjusted assault: 505

Allied adjusted defense: 910

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
815 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
533 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
18th Division
55th Division
15th Army
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion

Defending units:
200th Chinese Division
22nd New Chinese Division
88th Chinese Division
36th Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
NCAC


Help is 40 miles away and will change the odds of this contest ..

At Wenchow troops are a coming ..

Amphibious Assault at Wenchow (89,58)

TF 571 troops unloading over beach at Wenchow, 89,58

One last air war contest .. we smack the 30th division at Port Moresby .. a little funny 15 zeros were damaged in the animation ..[:D]

Morning Air attack on 38th Division, at 98,130 (Port Moresby)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

[Crackaces]

**************************************** 31 JUL 1942 *********************************

First, the IJ insist on interdicting shipping by parking submarines in front of ports. I insist on ASW patrols.

ASW attack near Trincomalee at 32,48

Japanese Ships
SS I-124, hits 11

Allied Ships
DD Foxhound

SS I-124 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Foxhound

Three of these hits were "critical" [engine and hull penetration] with numerious near misses .. no sinking sound although...at teh very least she is a cripple ..

Now the highlight and one sign the air war tide might be starting to turn ...well at least until next month when the Tojo's show up ..[;)]

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 33 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 6
Hurricane IIc Trop x 6
Kittyhawk IA x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed

No Allied losses


So just over half of the Zero squadron is destroyed with no losses!

Then the Lily's/Oscars came a callin'

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 35
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 25

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4
Kittyhawk IA x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed
Kittyhawk IA: 1 destroyed

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4


So grand total:

9 Zeros
2 Oscars
2 Lily's

2 Allied Fighters ..

This does not include operational losses ..

A good day for the Allies ..
SLDR Greenhalgh, W.J. of No.14 Sqn RNZAF is credited with kill number 2

WO Farley S. of No.146 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WO Farley S. of No.146 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 3

FO Abbott U. of No.146 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

PO Davies V. of No.146 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

WCDR Reid M. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

GCPT Jones, C.A.T. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

SLDR Sinclair, G.L. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 3
SLDR Sinclair, G.L. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 4

WCDR Gartrell, E.C. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WCDR Gartrell, E.C. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 3
WCDR Gartrell, E.C. of No.79 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 4

Along with 4 first kills ..

In other news we disabled one support squad at Bhamo [8|]

Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 63,45 , near Bhamo

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

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


Ok he is going to get serious about Wenchow ..

13th Army is planning for an attack on Wenchow.

Nothing we really can do about this in mid '42 .. except we can focus in other areas and keep the IJ busy ..

More later ..

[ny59giants]

Where are your two Command HQs in India located?? One should probably be at Calcutta, but the other should be at either Dimapur, Kohima, or Imphal to pull in extra supplies for your adventure at Katha (the Command HQ here should be prepping for Katha - gives 90% extra to attack values).

You are in the middle of "Monsoon" season in India/Burma. Expect poor weather for air operations. Use you limited transport planes to get supplies to the troops advancing towards Katha.

Except for the Gilbert Islands, you SeaBees should be headed for India to build up those bases on the border to help with supply flow. I would have about 10 SB headed to or in India over the next few months.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Where are your two Command HQs in India located?? One should probably be at Calcutta, but the other should be at either Dimapur, Kohima, or Imphal to pull in extra supplies for your adventure at Katha (the Command HQ here should be prepping for Katha - gives 90% extra to attack values).

You are in the middle of "Monsoon" season in India/Burma. Expect poor weather for air operations. Use you limited transport planes to get supplies to the troops advancing towards Katha.

Except for the Gilbert Islands, you SeaBees should be headed for India to build up those bases on the border to help with supply flow. I would have about 10 SB headed to or in India over the next few months.

I have four SeaBees there now . and I have rebuilt British and Indian engineer units .. They are building up Sinchiar at a pretty good rate ..

I might have "misunderestimated" how many Seabees I would need. Because I have sent SeaBees to Oz to build up Tennent Creek, Charter Downs, etc ..but the next 4 will go to India ..as you suggest ..

We shall see how this pans out .. I might have really under did the engineer thing [:(]

I have an HQ at Impahl and they are busy drawing supplies [;)] Dimapur & Kohima are building up ...level 2 right now ..

in other news I just noticed I lost a pilot ..

Damaged Hurricane IIb Trop from No.146 Sqn RAF shot down on way home, pilot reported killed much sadnezz ...

[Crackaces]

Just following up on airwar as of Aug 1942 I do not know how 2.5K of reported airframe losses fits into the overall attrition rate given Scenario #1. I suspect this is a sustanable rate for the IJ. That is about 10 reported aircraft losses per turn [10.51]. Still we had a good day today because we got at least 9 and a reported 14 Ij pilots in A2A .. that is not sustainable.

The next step for the IJ? I suspect that IJN will bombard Cox's Bazzar after a couple of night raids by Lily's .. In Oz I suspect he will invade Cookstown and continue expansion until time runs out ...

[kfsgo]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

Just following up on airwar as of Aug 1942 I do not know how 2.5K of reported airframe losses fits into the overall attrition rate given Scenario #1. I suspect this is a sustanable rate for the IJ. That is about 10 reported aircraft losses per turn [10.51]. Still we had a good day today because we got at least 9 and a reported 14 Ij pilots in A2A .. that is not sustainable.

The next step for the IJ? I suspect that IJN will bombard Cox's Bazzar after a couple of night raids by Lily's .. In Oz I suspect he will invade Cookstown and continue expansion until time runs out ...

Airframe production in #1 shouldn't be less than #2 - if anything it should probably be greater, given a reduced need/ability to spend HI points on pilot training/shipbuilding. Pilots are the limiting factor - replacement rates are very low through 1942 and don't pick up until 1943. Compare monthly pilot graduations:



Your aerial mission through 1942 is to kill pilots. The aircraft themselves matter essentially not at all except insofar as they're able to prevent you from doing that. So - if you're forcing the Japanese to fight over your territory, or contested territory (or, alternatively, if the Japanese are daft enough to do so continuously without any prompting) you're fine - take the exchange. If you're not...not so much.

[Crackaces]

Your aerial mission through 1942 is to kill pilots. The aircraft themselves matter essentially not at all except insofar as they're able to prevent you from doing that. So - if you're forcing the Japanese to fight over your territory, or contested territory (or, alternatively, if the Japanese are daft enough to do so continuously without any prompting) you're fine - take the exchange. If you're not...not so much.

Ok we are fighting over my portion of Burma/India so the pilot losses have to be higher ...keep downing airframes to get the pilots ..got it ..[8D]

So far all the contests in '42 have been over my terrority.

You bring up a good point in that continued expansion means continued pilot losses over enemy held territory another reason for teh transition to defense . but this is not going to happen in this game until mid '43 I suspect.

Ok great information kssgo!

[Crackaces]

****************************************** 01 AUG 42 *****************************************

The begins .. as expected the Sally's show up and we host them for tea [8D]

Night Air attack on Cox's Bazar , at 54,43

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 28 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Now it's time to pull these groups out as the SAG will be coming to bomabard soon ..


The situation as Bhamo is getting more desperate ... fist because it is moutain our bombing is ineffective ..

Morning Air attack on 55th Division, at 63,45 , near Bhamo

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 21
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
B-25C Mitchell x 12


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



So the ground combat is not going well they have 1:1


Ground combat at 63,45 (near Bhamo)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23961 troops, 286 guns, 169 vehicles, Assault Value = 727

Defending force 12379 troops, 40 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 335

Japanese adjusted assault: 531

Allied adjusted defense: 331

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
936 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 77 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
18th Division
55th Division
15th Army
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion

Defending units:
88th Chinese Division
200th Chinese Division
22nd New Chinese Division
36th Chinese Division
96th Chinese Division
2nd Reserve Division
NCAC


It will not be long before these troops are heading rearward ....[8|]

On the Submarine side we got some licks in this turn and now we have achieved 50 xAK's sunk by submarines ..

Submarine attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Taito Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Drum



xAK Taito Maru is sighted by SS Drum
SS Drum attacking on the surface

........................

Submarine attack near Woleai at 101,99

Japanese Ships
xAK Aki Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXVIII



This replay was the most interesting contrast between teh USN and Dutch ... the USN are hitting their targets but obvioisly no kaboom .... the Dutch have good torps if they hit but are missing targets. In this case 8 torps fired one hit ..

In other news .. as I suspected teh IJ will secure the Solomons and Milne Bay is now the IJ's

Amphibious Assault at Milne Bay (101,133)

TF 414 troops unloading over beach at Milne Bay, 101,133

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Ok more later .. I have the turn ..