At dawn we slept...in the cab on the way back from Olongapo

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Axis Fanboy Quiz:

Which King Tiger turret manufacturer mounted the replacement track sections on the turret?

I think Porsche would have been aghast at the visuals, and ruining his streamlined creation. So I will go with Henschel.

[T Rav]

My Tiger I doesn't do any of those cool things except look good on my bookshelf as long as I don't look too close.

I tried to build a motorized Tamiya Chieftain once when I was twelve but it was a disaster. I was way too young. You sound like a good grandpa, well done!

Ciao,
Trav

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Axis Fanboy Quiz:

Which King Tiger turret manufacturer mounted the replacement track sections on the turret?

I think Porsche would have been aghast at the visuals, and ruining his streamlined creation. So I will go with Henschel.

This is correct! They are esthetically not attractive but they are working tread links with a metal pin linking the two parts so they can bend.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Axis Fanboy Quiz:

Which King Tiger turret manufacturer mounted the replacement track sections on the turret?

I think Porsche would have been aghast at the visuals, and ruining his streamlined creation. So I will go with Henschel.

This is correct! They are esthetically not attractive but they are working tread links with a metal pin linking the two parts so they can bend.

And they lend a tiny bit more protection against a hit by a 17 pounder anti-tank round, if it happens to hit the tread section. No matter how thick the steel around you, you are still in a tin can partly filled with explosives.
You could probably find a fireworks bomb that could demonstrate this with your model - and your grandson will love it!

[Cap Mandrake]

Well...as if COVID-19 were not enough the HOA is back. The HOA changed management firms (from Earthstone to Powerstone...I'm not kidding...it must be some California law that HOA management firms have to reference geology somehow)..anyway, I got rid of Christine of England who was always busting my balls and now I have Jeniffer Matador DeJuevos as the new Architectural Compliance Officer. I'm still not kidding. That really is her title.

You know what has NOT changed. Gruppenfueher Braun is still in charge. It's got to be a least 10 or 15 years she has been in charge. I don't think there is even pay. She's just in it for the power rush. Some guy ran against her but he was tragically killed in a freak street weeping accident while monitoring irrigation runoff on Gruppenfeuher Braun's street.

Anyway, either the Gruppenfeuhrer detailed Senorita Matador DeJuevos onto my case or they all just think the same because now I have to appear before the board in January and pay a $250 fine for "NON COMPLIANCE". The letter doesn't specify so I call her up.

FAM: What is the problem?

Sra. Matador DeJuevos: Mr. Mandrake, we have sent you several action items.

FAM: Perhaps, but I did not read them because I am working 60 hrs a week trying to fight COVID for 9 months. Just tell me what the problem is.

Sra. Matador DeJuevos: But this is pattern. I have reviewed your files. [8|]

FAM: If this is a new issue then that information is pejorative an inadmissible. (I am getting pissed and purposely being an ass**** but she started it). Just tell me what to do, please.

Sra. Matador DeJuevos: Well there is a dead tree (I think she is talking about the pepper tree they had me slaughter...and action that quite possibly may have been the cause of its demise...by ra way..this is probably the 5th biggest pepper tree and tree number 27 in size..it seems completely chicken shit to me)

FAM: Ah that would be the one you guys instructed me to kill. What else?

Sra. Matador DeJuevos: Well, the front yard landscaping. There are weeds and plants turning yellow.

....so I am standing out front talking on the phone and it looks pretty damn good to me.

FAM: Yellow? Wait do you mean the dwarf fruit trees? Those are deciduous. That's what happens in the Fall.

After a few minutes of going back and forth I can tell she doesn't know shit about plants or landscape design but would be happy if I just scraped everything flat and rolled out artificial grass. I try to torture her as long as possible until she gives in and agrees to wave the fine and meeting if I send pictures and a back yard landscaping plan and a letter. I gave her a bunch of patriarchy crap too. Sending me a letter three days before Christmas. What a b****. [:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

I used to think postal workers were crazy but I totally get it now.

[RangerJoe]

Send her a landscaping plan with large genital statues that are painted with vivid, glow in-the-dark colors . . .

You might also want to check to make sure that you actually are in the HOA area. I remember reading about one man who checked and he was on the other side of the line. Apparently he and others were charged HOA fees even though they were not in the HOA. It did cost him $300k to win that court battle BUT he had not yet asked for payment of his legal fees.

Plus, a fine sounds like a criminal punishment which the HOA can NOT impose so that would be illegal. Just don't tell them that until it gets to court and then point that out to the judge.

[Cap Mandrake]

Frau Gruppenfeuhrer can order fines. You bet. You think that streetsweeping thing was really an accident?

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Frau Gruppenfeuhrer can order fines. You bet. You think that streetsweeping thing was really an accident?

Oh, how Clintonesque . . .[;)]

[Cap Mandrake]

All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (On a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

Stopped into the HOA office
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (Got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the Gruppenfeuhrer liked the cold (Gruppenfeuhrer liked the cold)
She knows I'm gonna stay (Knows she gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')

On such a winter's day

[:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Frau Gruppenfeuhrer can order fines. You bet. You think that streetsweeping thing was really an accident?

Oh, how Clintonesque . . .[;)]

Same pantsuits too.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Frau Gruppenfeuhrer can order fines. You bet. You think that streetsweeping thing was really an accident?

Oh, how Clintonesque . . .[;)]

Same pantsuits too.

With the same brown stain on the bottom?

[Cap Mandrake]

Oh, Jeez [:)]

Careful there, amigo.

[Cap Mandrake]

*********************June 15, 1943(e)******************

Central Pacific: One of the Sardine-on-a-hook convoys gets itself spotted near Truk as planned. The carriers are lurking to the South. I deliberately turned off the Northern arc of the carrier search A/C so they would not be spotted by the troops on Truk, but a TBF on ASW duty flew over two IJN subs just one hex north of the carriers. Probably, they will warn Yamamoto of a TBF to far North and the Japs will infer the presence of carriers. We have good intel on the IJN main carrier groups on NW New Guinea with 325 fighters and 500 bombers.I decide to move back toward New Britain as the surprise is probably lost.

ASW attack near Truk at 111,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-4, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Stronghold
LCI-62
LCI-24
xAK West Shipper
xAK Lowana
xAK Goulburn

[Cap Mandrake]

A singlet AK trying to reach Mindanao is sunk by Vals near the Marinaras. The could be flying from Padang (not to be confused with Sinabang, the other Padang, Sabang, Da Nang, Panay, Tavoy, Palawan, Ichang, Ninwang, Sinyang, Wuchang, Kwiyang, Billabong or Bang Bang the Chicom sexpot spy).

Morning Air attack on TF, near Agrihan at 109,85

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AK Cabell, Bomb hits 13, and is sunk

They have no fighter escort which is interesting.

[Cap Mandrake]

Luzon: The poor suffering lads on Luzon. Lots of this.

Morning Air attack on Manila Bay Defenses , at 78,77 (Bataan)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 53
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 18 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 damaged

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

[Cap Mandrake]

An then a big attack. The good news. They are getting easier to supply. [:)]

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28537 troops, 406 guns, 154 vehicles, Assault Value = 702

Defending force 42492 troops, 466 guns, 307 vehicles, Assault Value = 456

Japanese adjusted assault: 410

Allied adjusted defense: 641

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
562 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 24 (5 destroyed, 19 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1753 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 42 disabled
Non Combat: 46 destroyed, 58 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 11 (4 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
28th Division
16th Division
25th Army
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion
1st Art.Mortar Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
35th Avn Sup
91st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry/C Division
31st Infantry Regiment
4th Constabulary Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
71st PA Infantry Division
11th PA Infantry/B Division
57th PS Infantry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
103rd PA Infantry Regiment
2nd Constabulary Regiment
632nd Tank Destroyer Battalion
51st PA Infantry Division
762nd Tank Battalion
4th Marine Regiment
182nd Infantry Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st Constabulary Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
3rd Marine/A Div /2
54th British Brigade
81st PA Infantry Div /1
II Corps
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment
I/Prov'nl SPM Grp
!/23rd PS FA Battalion
II/Prov'nl SPM Grp
637th Tank Destroyer Battalion
4th PAAC Avn Sup
24th PS FA Regiment
165th Field Artillery Battalion
Clark Field AAF Base Force
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
501st Coast AA Regiment
1st USMC AA Battalion
11th PA Infantry/A Division
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
Bataan USN Base Force
11th PAAC Avn Sup
Far East USAAF
2nd PA Infantry Regiment
US Forces Far East
627th Tank Destroyer Battalion
102nd PA Infantry Regiment
Manila Bay Defenses
27th Avn Sup /2

[Cap Mandrake]

Sumatra: RN bombardment of Langsa. Not very satisfying.

Night Naval bombardment of Langsa at 46,74

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Shropshire
CL Hobart
CL De Ruyter
CL Sumatra
DD Rotherham
DD Relentless
DD Redoubt
DD Racehorse
DD Norman
DD Napier
DD Warramunga
DD Smith
DD Meade

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

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 31
Port hits 17
Port fuel hits 4
Port supply hits 3

[Cap Mandrake]

This isn't very good either. Tojos flying LRCAP from Malaysia most likely catch our dive bombers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Ichiki Det. , at 46,74 (Langsa)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
Martlet IV x 5
Vengeance I x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 6 destroyed
Martlet IV: 1 destroyed
Vengeance I: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Luzon: Teh poor suffering lads on Luzon. Lots of this.

Morning Air attack on Manila Bay Defenses , at 78,77 (Bataan)

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 106 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIb Sally x 53
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 27
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 30
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 3
Ki-51 Sonia x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 18 damaged
Ki-21-IIb Sally: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 4 damaged

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

Does the "Heavy Rain" refer to the bombs are does it mean that is is raining heavy as well? [&:]