Spanking Lowpe (NJP72 vs Lowpe (A))

[Lowpe]

Jugs devastate the Cam Ranh Bay defenders....and look at Kwangchowan (it even has industry there).

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[Lowpe]

Haiphong raid, why did he leave two E's there?

Morning Air attack on Haiphong , at 68,57

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 12

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
E Shirakami, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AKE Kato Maru, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Kasasagi, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Port hits 19
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Port Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[Lowpe]

Another pic of glorious destruction. Once again, the sub transported Marine Raiders grab another base at Kwangchowan.

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[Lowpe]

True believers! We have a shipyard! And a big port!!

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[Lowpe]

Our subs sink two:

TK Amatsu Maru is reported to have been sunk near Balikpapan on Sep 20, 1943
xAK Konzan Maru is reported to have been sunk near Balikpapan on Sep 20, 1943

[RangerJoe]

True believers! We have a shipyard! And a big port!!

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Congratulations!

[Lowpe]

Enjoy:

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[RangerJoe]

You might want to check on things but I don't think that manpower affects Allied reinforcements/replacements at all. I think that it is only for the Japanese side.

[Lowpe]

Some general thoughts on tactics and strategies:

Like always, I am more concerned about cutting off and isolating IJ land forces, rather than destroying units or taking bypassed bases unless they are very strategic. Saigon was strategic for the shipyard, large port, and rail connection up the Vietnam coastline (which is also strategic and needs to be cleared). Speed forward is the major priority.

But generally, what is behind me is not much of a concern. Japan has shown no ability to use bypassed bases as a threat or at least is easily countered. For now.

I am worried about getting troops forward into China and supplies. I think fuel might be a lesser concern, something I have to watch and manage but not crippling. Pakhoi is on stockpile, there is about 60+ amphibious ships unloading there...

Saigon is destroyed...but I will rebuild the shipyard and manpower.

I think the 25th Indian will reset their movement across the river north of Ayuthia (BKK) and I will exert some airpower there. More important to keep destroying IJ fighters and once they are gone, the bombers can have free reign. I am not in a hurry there even if it helps establish the magic highway. For now we can use our plentiful LSTs at small ports, and some larger ships at the size 2 ports to get the supply flowing.

Foochow to Tokyo is 28 hexes, normal range for the B29...and I hope to be at Ningpo by the time they start arriving if not further. Ningpo to Ominato is normal range for the B29 -- all of Honshu.

[Lowpe]

You might want to check on things but I don't think that manpower affects Allied reinforcements/replacements at all. I think that it is only for the Japanese side.

I just assumed it did. Good catch, Rngr! Will do.

[RangerJoe]

Ground combat at Miri (64,87)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 672 troops, 68 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 541

Defending force 20224 troops, 145 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 461

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Australian Division
4th Marine Div /2
168th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
16th Nav Gd /2
38th Division
21st Infantry Rgt /1
21st JAAF AF Bn
7th Field Construction Battalion
22nd Port Unit
4th JNAF Coy
13th JNAF AF Unit
21th JNAF AF Unit
32nd Field AA Battalion
90th JAAF AF Bn

We have been there for at least a month, the 4th Marine by mistake ( ), with frequent but not everyday aerial/naval bombardments and everyday artillery bombardments.

I have never seen CD guns at a non friendly base deter normal base operations or ships transiting. They would absorb any naval bombardment and cause counter battery fire. I am not even sure what would happen if I put a minefield there, and Japan put a minesweeper there...anyone have knowledge on this situation?

I was thinking about this and you may be correct about the CD guns. But if you were interested in capturing the base for forward oil and fuel, the CD guns already being there would help to defend the port. But the CD guns should be heavier than most of the other Allied artillery except for the 155mm pieces so they should help in the attack on the ground units as well. Of course, then you would also need some AAA there as well.

But if you do want to reduce the defenses, consider bring in some pure armored units to destroy the forts at any attacking odds. By now, the Japanese should be worn down and the armor should be effective enough with support from other units bombarding.

[Lowpe]

Ground combat at Miri (64,87)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 672 troops, 68 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 541

Defending force 20224 troops, 145 guns, 45 vehicles, Assault Value = 461

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
8th Australian Division
4th Marine Div /2
168th Field Artillery Battalion
181st Field Artillery Battalion
226th Field Artillery Battalion
98th Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
16th Nav Gd /2
38th Division
21st Infantry Rgt /1
21st JAAF AF Bn
7th Field Construction Battalion
22nd Port Unit
4th JNAF Coy
13th JNAF AF Unit
21th JNAF AF Unit
32nd Field AA Battalion
90th JAAF AF Bn

We have been there for at least a month, the 4th Marine by mistake ( ), with frequent but not everyday aerial/naval bombardments and everyday artillery bombardments.

I have never seen CD guns at a non friendly base deter normal base operations or ships transiting. They would absorb any naval bombardment and cause counter battery fire. I am not even sure what would happen if I put a minefield there, and Japan put a minesweeper there...anyone have knowledge on this situation?

I was thinking about this and you may be correct about the CD guns. But if you were interested in capturing the base for forward oil and fuel, the CD guns already being there would help to defend the port. But the CD guns should be heavier than most of the other Allied artillery except for the 155mm pieces so they should help in the attack on the ground units as well. Of course, then you would also need some AAA there as well.

But if you do want to reduce the defenses, consider bring in some pure armored units to destroy the forts at any attacking odds. By now, the Japanese should be worn down and the armor should be effective enough with support from other units bombarding.

I would like to evacuate the 4th Marines, but other than that....I am perfectly fine with just letting the base sit with daily bombardments and bombing missions. I don't need it and I need tanks in China.

[RangerJoe]

Well, capturing Miri would help to close off that route of escape with LBA for CAP as well as fuel for a high speed dash. You would also then force those units to either suck supplies from elsewhere or wither on the vine without an easy way for the Japanese to pull them out for rebuilding elsewhere. Those enemy units could also be used to increase the experience and skills of bomber pilots as well in an Operational Training Unit type with live targets.

On the other hand, for you it could be a source of fuel for your fleets going to and from SE Asia, also fuel and oil could then be shipped to the mainland if needed there. Otherwise empty tankers on the return could haul oil to Australia for use there as well.

But yes, armored forces for mainland Asia, especially in open terrain, is the optimal use. But if you have another one coming in that could use some training . . .

[Lowpe]

Miri would help with the fuel situation, but I do have Tarakan and Medan which is quite a bit of fuel, almost 3k a day. Rangoon and Magwe are close by which is another almost 3k fuel a day so the situation is far from dire. Getting that fuel to Indochina (across the Gulf of Siam) starts today.

AAA does not fire at Miri...so no supplies, he can't really base fighter CAP there either or except for sub delivered supplies and I suspect it would take a lot because the supply would go the to the troops primarily at first.

Soc Trang advances to a size 8 runway tomorrow, Saigon is only a 5 so that is some healthy runways to launch naval strikes from, while Borneo features multiple size 4, 5,6,&7 air fields. Soon Groote will expand to size 2 too...plus we are marching down the Malaya to Singapore threatening them. Will base Corsairs and Jugs to clear the skies there. Plus our assault bomber and Australian torpedo bombers have really good range to close down the South China Sea with a slug of CVEs in the middle.

I don't believe in slowing down the assault to train up LCUs for ground experience...the spearhead must push forward. Always forward.

[Lowpe]

Sept 22, 1943

A quiet day...probably shot down a dozen Oscars over Ayuthia. Bombed lots of Japanese positions for next to no loss.

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[Lowpe]

Interesting to see how another JFB plays this....Japan is doing things I would never do. I think I made the right decision in resetting the 25th Indian's movement above Ayuthia. Swept there getting 15 Oscars.

Japan is retreating back towards Vinh. How he can win that footrace is beyond me...but I am happy with his decision. I also forget that Japan is operating from poor recon/intel picture. As Japan, I often use naval search patterns over land to help detect enemy ground units and commanders discretion on some recon squadrons to counter Japan's poor intel.

Only 2k more troops and 10k supply left to unload at Pakhoi. Will have to fly support troops into Kwangchowan as it is a nice port and airfield.

KB not spotted.

Tank Destroyers racing to Wuchow followed by GIs....doubt they get there in time. 16AV holding the base, and flying in more troops is not an option with Canton 2 hexes away.

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[Lowpe]

Another decent day in the air....

Singers, Bangkok, and Hong Kong all show 150 to 240 fighters. Our sweepers for Hong Kong transferred in and will probably rest a day or two before starting that offensive.

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[Lowpe]

This is a PDU off game....I felt that this favors the Allies, primarily because of the advantage in night campaigns, but also because PDU off really benefits the offensive player. Keeping your opponent reacting to you, flying from damaged runways, force them to fly LRCAP, etc....are all great tactics to further leverage that advantage.You end up getting great mismatches like Jugs versus Oscar III which fuels explosive experience gains for Allied pilots that further tip the air war advantage to the Allies. It is a holistic approach to winning the air war with the main event yet to come (strategic bombing).

Really like using the 1000# for infrastructure attacks.

Miri reduction:

Morning Air attack on Miri , at 64,87

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
FM-1 Wildcat x 16
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[Lowpe]

We are bombing all over the place, to inflict runway or port damage, and for supply destruction. Almost all of them are milk runs against minimal AAA.

Morning Air attack on Ubon , at 62,63

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D1 Liberator x 3
PB4Y-1 Liberator x 9

Allied aircraft losses
PB4Y-1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 40

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x PB4Y-1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 7000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

[BBfanboy]

Your search keeps showing IJN CVEs and sometimes CVLs but KB stays out of the picture. I wonder if it is back at Japan, trying to upgrade fighters to Sams. Not sure what the timeline for producing that many Sams would be.
He does seem to be tentative in some of his decisions about what to do with troops and ships trapped in SE Asia - starting them moving in a direction to escape and then canceling after a few losses. So his forces are that much weaker and lower on supply/fuel when they try again.