Speedy vs Fabertong - time to smack back the Penguin

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Cookie - I hope so [:)]

Question - My US CV's 'VS' air groups are due to disband in 11 days time. What happens when I disband them do the other groups automatically resize on the CV? Do they have to be in port for this to happen?

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CentPac -

The buildup and wait continues at PH. In 2 more days tiem the transports will begin loading Marnies for the next target......until then it's all quiet.

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Australia -

All ships involved in the disastrous Port Hedland operation are now in Melborune and Sydney repairing and the troops resting and preparing for future objectives. It's likely that New Caledonia or New Guinea will be the next invasion targets.

CV Victorious is on her way to Cape Town and then to Australia to partake in these operations. Probably another couple of months away before kick-off.

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CBI -

All quiet in Burma.

In China I surrounded Japanese troops at Kanshien for about a week and shelled them a lot and attacked once (1000ish Japanese casualties vs 4000 Allied). Faber re-established a supply link to them and they have now withdrawn. Fine by me.

Chinese Troops have been successful in a series of attacks SW of Kukong (2000AV vs 500) and have pushed the Japanese back to Canton. 3 stubborn units remain. Losses have been heacvy due to Shock attacks though and it's doubtfull I'll push onto Canton and Japanese Forts......

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Submarine Warfare -

A mixed 9 days.....3 duds/misses.

SS Sawfish left AK Bandoeng Maru heavily damaged with a torpedo south of Torishima on the 11th.

SS KIX and SS O19 teamed up to sink the troop laden Aden Maru class AK Glasgow Maru over 2 days off Tavoy.

SS Swordfish sank PB Ayaha Maru off Puerto Princesa on the 10th.

SS Tuna blew up SC CHa-14 off Toyohara on the 9th.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The Holiday season means turn rates have been slower.....

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CBI -

All quiet here. Little to report.

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Australia -

All ships are repairing and upgrading in SE coast ports.

All troops from Western Aus are now on the east coast restign before preparign for future invasions.

From Northern Aus the troops are still withdrawing slowly towards Alice Springs.

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CentPac -

The next invasion is on...I'll keep you in suspense for now but the fleets are at sea under heavy CV cover. ETA for invasion 10-14 days [:)]

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Submarine Warfare -

A fairly poor week overall......7 duds/misses.

The only successes reported by SS KXVI blowing up PB Heiyo Maru off Groot Natoena on the 19th and by SS Pogy damaging the empty TK Teiyo Maru with a torpedo off Balikpapan.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

The Holiday season means turn rates have been slower.....

That ... plus WITE.[:)]

Nice to see you haven't completely forgotten AE. Think of the advantages to AE compared to WITE - no mud![;)] Plus no need to concern yourself with different railroad gauges.

Alfred

[nicwb]

And the monsoon is never quite as bad as that first Winter.

[Speedysteve]

Hi guys,

LOL.......That Blizzard is a killer for sure. Much better being the Allies in AE [;)]

Ok ok....I can't keep the suspense any longer! The next invasion will take place at Marcus Island! My forces are about 4 days out. There's only 1 enemy unit reported which from Recon looks like an Infantry Group. I should have enough to take the place espcially after the usual bombings and shellings!

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A quiet few days except my my subs:

1 dud/missed attack.

3 successes on the 28th though.

SS Nautilus left AK Kenzan Maru heavily damaged with a torpedo off Toyohara.

SS Flying Fish sank AKL Tamaki Maru with a torpedo off Daito Shoto.

SS Wahoo surfaced, evaded the escorts in daylight and sank AKL Shinmei Maru off Tanegashima! Brave b*gger!

[nicwb]

[quoteSS Wahoo surfaced, evaded the escorts in daylight and sank AKL Shinmei Maru off Tanegashima! Brave b*gger!][/quote]

Too true, in RL she was skippered by one of the most successful and aggressive of US sub commanders, Dudley Morton.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

A fairly quiet month with my Australian forces moving to SE Aus for R&R. In CentPac forces have been repairing at PH and preparing for the next invasion which will take place in a ferw days time.

March 1943 sees few new plane additions (new Hurri and Lib version). On the ground 24th Marine Rgt arrives. On sea CL Sante Fe arrives alogn with 5 x Fleet boat and a host of the first APA/AKA's! All AP/AK's can also upgrade to the Assault version and upgrades are available for Support ships as well.

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Points:

Allies: +491 points
Japanese: +342 points


Bases:

Allies: +1 (+151 points)
Japanese: 0 (+152 points)


Planes:

Allies: +136 lost
Japanese: +147 lost


Troops:

Allies: +54 lost
Japanese: +83 lost


Ships:

Allies: 0 lost!
Japanese: +18 lost (+125 points. Mainly sub losses).

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Sub Kills:

Similar success rate to last month. 16 out of 31 attacks were successful.

Dutch Boats:

PB - 4 (1 mine) (+1)
AK - 26 (+1)
TK - 4
CM - 3
DD - 4
TB - 1
DMS - 3
E - 1
APD - 1
ACM - 1

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British Boats:

DD - 1 (1 mine)
AK - 3 (1 mine)
SC - 1
PB - 1
TK - 1
AO - 1

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Fleet Boats:

AK - 63 (+5)
SC - 4 (+1)
AP - 2
PB - 9
TK - 4
CM - 3 (+1)
ACM - 2 (+1)
E - 1
APD - 1
DD - 2
CL - 1 (Kashima)

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S-Boats:

AK - 13
AP - 2 (+1)
CM - 1
PB - 3
DMS - 1
SC - 2
TK - 1

Total = 171 ships = 45.6% of reported ships sunk total.

[ckammp]

re: Australia

While the campaign to liberate Port Hedland did not yield the expected results, I am curious about your decision to stop bombing the base with 4e bombers. Were you seeing too many plane losses without much apparent gain, or are you just totally focused on other strategic areas?

[Speedysteve]

Good question ckammp.
 
I'm still bombing Port Hedland for now with 4E from Geraldton and Carnarvon to keep the AF closed. The only reason I'm doing that is because I'm buidling up Exmouth with ENG, BF, CD units and supplies. Once that's donw the Bombers will head to SE Aus as well.
 
Main reason for not keeping it closed after then is what's the point? The 4E are a finite resource (still have about 20 x B17 in the pool) and Port Hedland can be open and not cause me any trouble.
 
The 4E will then be used in future operations from Aus elsewhere.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

CentPac -

The next invasion in CentPac is well on. From 5th March the USN has ruled the seas around Marcus Island sinking an ACM and a small Minlelayer off Marcus Island.

Only 1 LCU occupys the atoll - 61st Infantry Group. I easily expect to take this place. It's been bombed heavily for 3 days, another day of bombing to come and then the troops of 3rd USMC Division go ashore under the heavy guns of BB Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia and New Mexico.

There's been no Japanese interference so far which is hardly suprising with Marcus Island being in the middle of nowhere and the Japanese CV Fleet heavily depleted.

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CBI -

Fairly quiet here other than small attacks by Chinese forces south of Kanshien making some inroads into Japanese positions and causing 2000 casualties.

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Australia -

Ships are still repairing and upgrading in ports (another 20ish days to go) as troops from northern Aus just passed Daly Waters. heading south.

CV Victorious has arrived at Cape Town and has entered the Shipyard for 75 days work to increase her hangar space upto 54 planes.

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Submarine Warfare -

A mixed start to the month.

5 duds/misses.

The first success of the month was reported by SS S-37 as she reported sinking AK Konsan Maru with 2 torpedoes as she approached Port Hedland.

SS Wahoo blew up AK Miho Maru with 3 torpedoes north of Okinawa on the 6th.

SS KXVI damaged the large oil laden TK Ogura Maru #2 in the middle of the South China Sea with a torpedo. It's hopeful she won't make port.

SS Greenling blew up AKL Daigen Maru SW of Honshu.

[castor troy]

Don´t you have to withdraw Victorious soon again? IIRC I had her coming in, looked at the upgrade and noticed that I won´t be able to use her for a longer operation as she has to be withdrawn soon after the upgrade was done. I´m in March 44 now and had another Brit CV (or was it Victorious again?) arrive to undergo the 75 day upgrade but this time the carrier will stay in the Pacific, so I decided it would be worth it as this ship then fields quite some Corsairs.

[Speedysteve]

Yup she'll have about 6 weeks of service before withdrawal. I aim to use her in one opp before moving her to Sydney for Churchill....

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The game slowly moves on.....the main focus has been around Marcus Island and it's capture. All quiet in Australia (except bombing of Port Hedland to keep it closed for now) and CBI.

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CentPac -

Troops went ashore on the 10th March. They initially met heavy fire and many of the tanks of 640th Tank Destroyer Bn floundered before getting ashore. 2 days were then spent gathering strength and supplies. An all out assault was launched on 13th March and overwhelmed the 61st Infantry Group which suffered over 5000 casualties to 237 American.

The only other Japanese interference in this whole operation has been by a plethora of submarines. A reported 3-4 have been sunk by the heavy Allied escort presence. However, the 15th March saw a major success for the Japanese. SS I-37 patrolling SW off Marcus Island located my CV force and fired 6 torpedoes at Wasp! 2 hit home, the 2nd of which detonated many bombs in the belly of the ship which quickly left the ship settling deep by the bow. Efforts were made but she slipped beneath the waves 2 hours later [:(]

My CV's had deviated from Marcus on the 13th to scout for enemy ships NW of Marcus Island. Scouts located 2 convoys and a reported 15 enemy Freighters and small escorts were sunk NE of Iwo Jima.

For now we remain on station as the remaining supplies are unloaded. The troops will then be embarked and all ships will head back to PH.

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Submarine Warfare -

6 Misses/Duds.

On the 10th SS Wahoo sank AK Kisaragi Maru with 2 torpedoes north of Okinawa.

SS Sawfish blew up PB Busho Maru with 2 torpedoes near Chichi-Jima on the 11th.

SS Silversides obliterated AK Tyuwa Maru with 3 torpedoes near Aogashima.

SS Nautilus claimed PB Choyo Maru #2 sunk off Toyohaera on the 15th.

SS Kingfish heavily damaged AO Nippon Maru east of Balikpapan on the 16th.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Fairly quiet in most theatres with status quo in CBI. In Aus my northern Aus forces are just about reaching railheads where they can move to eastern Aus for a month or so of R&R. A Japanese supply convoy was attacked off Port Hedland by SBD/TBF's from Exmouth on 19th March.. Only 1 of 7 reported AK's survived limping off with heavy damage.

Other than a string of sub successes the only other action to note was the interception of a small Japanese supply convoy off Noumea by 6 x Allied DD which netted 4 x AK and a PB damaged.

At Marcus Island. All invasion troops are now re-embarked and are heading back to PH under the cover of my CV's before a period of rest and reinforcment before the biggest invasion of the war! Target undecided but has to be in the Mariana's or Bonin's etc.

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Submarine Warfare -

A relatively successful period. 4 missed/dud attacks.

SS Triton started off the period by sinking TK Kyoie Maru with 2 torpedoes off Ishigaki.

SS Kingfish had an active time reportedly sinking the Kagero Class DD Maikaze off Balikpapan.

SS Blackfish blew up PB Eifuku Maru off Madjene.

SS Hake heavily damaged AK Chile Maru near Okinawa.

SS Salmon sank AK Nitimei Maru with 2 torpedoes off Kushiro.

SS Grenadier sank AK Ada Maru off Hamamatsu.

SS Kingfish sank PB Kohuku Maru off Balikpapan 3 days after sinking Maikaze.

SS Seadragon sank AK Hokutatsu Maru with 2 torpedoes off Lingayen on the 23rd.

SS KIX tracked down SS I-153 (damaged 3 days earlier by KV's off Columbo) and put her under for good with 2 torpedo hits south of Trincomalee!

Quite an 8 day period!

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Hi all,

Fairly quiet in most theatres with status quo in CBI. In Aus my northern Aus forces are just about reaching railheads where they can move to eastern Aus for a month or so of R&R. A Japanese supply convoy was attacked off Port Hedland by SBD/TBF's from Exmouth on 19th March.. Only 1 of 7 reported AK's survived limping off with heavy damage.

Other than a string of sub successes the only other action to note was the interception of a small Japanese supply convoy off Noumea by 6 x Allied DD which netted 4 x AK and a PB damaged.

At Marcus Island. All invasion troops are now re-embarked and are heading back to PH under the cover of my CV's before a period of rest and reinforcment before the biggest invasion of the war! Target undecided but has to be in the Mariana's or Bonin's etc.

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Submarine Warfare -

A relatively successful period. 4 missed/dud attacks.

SS Triton started off the period by sinking TK Kyoie Maru with 2 torpedoes off Ishigaki.

SS Kingfish had an active time reportedly sinking the Kagero Class DD Maikaze off Balikpapan.

SS Blackfish blew up PB Eifuku Maru off Madjene.

SS Hake heavily damaged AK Chile Maru near Okinawa.

SS Salmon sank AK Nitimei Maru with 2 torpedoes off Kushiro.

SS Grenadier sank AK Ada Maru off Hamamatsu.

SS Kingfish sank PB Kohuku Maru off Balikpapan 3 days after sinking Maikaze.

SS Seadragon sank AK Hokutatsu Maru with 2 torpedoes off Lingayen on the 23rd.

SS KIX tracked down SS I-153 (damaged 3 days earlier by KV's off Columbo) and put her under for good with 2 torpedo hits south of Trincomalee!

Quite an 8 day period!

Thanks for the update. Looking to when this one gets interesting. Keep posting.

[Speedysteve]

Interesting?!? This one? You must mean a different game?[:'(]

[Mynok]

The penguin still roams.....he must be quite busy.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Mynok - Don't see Faber on here often nowadays but will still chug out turns...I'm looking forward to using my new Hellcats soon [:)]

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General update -

The Sitzkreig ensues with all quiet in CBI and Australia (forces still heading to the east coast from North/Central Australia.)

Marcus Island forces are east of Wake Island heading towards PH. When they reach there quite a few ships (CV/BB) will head back to WC for upgrades (CV) and major overhauls (BB). The damaged CV Yorktown is still in PH repairing - ETA 200 days.

I'm conducting recon by PB4Y from Marcus Island on the Bonin's and Mariana's to decide which target to prepare for.

It will realistically be at least 3 or so months before I go ahead with this invasion as forces prepare, Hellcats and new Essex Class CV's arrive in theatre.

In the meantime I may conduct raids with my active CV's and I'll be launching other offensvies in SoPac/Australia in the next few months as well.

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Submarine Warfare -

6 dud/missed attacks.

SS Runner reported sinking a key ship the small TK Fujisan Maru with a torpedo south of Mindanao on the 26th.

SS Blackfish reported sinking the oil laden AK Kano Maru with 2 torpedoes south of Jolo.

SS Gar blew up the small SC CHa-3 off Wakkanai.

On the other side SS I-176 moderately damaged the empty AP Tilawa with a torpedo near Carnarvon. She's safely in port now repairing.

SS RO-34 broke DD Carmick in two SE of Attu Island.

SS I-156 did well in blowing up the fuel laden TK Norfold in 2 attacks NW of Columbo.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The highlight for this month was the smooth capture of Marcus Island. The only Japanese interference was by Submarines which achieved little other than sinking CV Wasp......

April 1943 sees upgrades for some CVE/BB/CA/CL etc. Shipping reinforcements are limited to 70ish Transport, Escort and Auxilliary ships along with CVE Barnes and 5 x SS. Few important LCU's this month. In the air Hellcat's start to arrive (130 p/m) along with Beauforts and new Wellies for the British.

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Points:

Allies: +611 points
Japanese: +769 points


Bases:

Allies: +1 (+74 points)
Japanese: -1 (+63 points)


Planes:

Allies: +201 lost
Japanese: +121 lost


Troops:

Allies: +157 lost
Japanese: +92 lost


Ships:

Allies: + 5 ships (+348 points. Wasp mainly.)
Japanese: +52 ships (+331 points. Probably 20ish by CV's near Iwo Jima and 12 more due to Noumea interception and off Port Hedland by SBD/TBF. The rest by subs.)

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Sub Kills:

Decent success rate this month. 21 of 42 attacks were successful.

Dutch Boats:

PB - 4 (1 mine)
AK - 26
TK - 4
CM - 3
DD - 4
TB - 1
DMS - 3
E - 1
APD - 1
ACM - 1

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British Boats:

DD - 1 (1 mine)
AK - 3 (1 mine)
SC - 1
PB - 1
TK - 1
AO - 1

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Fleet Boats:

AK - 71 (+8)
SC - 5 (+1)
AP - 2
PB - 11 (+2)
TK - 6 (+2)
CM - 3
ACM - 2
E - 1
APD - 1
DD - 3 (+1)
CL - 1 (Kashima)

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S-Boats:

AK - 14 (+1)
AP - 2
CM - 1
PB - 3
DMS - 1
SC - 2
TK - 1

Total = 186 ships = 43.6% of reported ships sunk total.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

How on earth do I get the VB units on my CV's to resize? I've withdrawn the VS sqn off Yorktown in this instance (she's repairing at PH) and clicked on the re-size text at the top left and entered a size of 36 in the VB sqn. I've tried this for 3 turns in a row but it never resizes?[&:]