Banzais Don't Make Victories - Anachro (A) vs John 3rd (J) BTS 5.7

[Anachro]

Forgot to mention John's email to me:

Your opponent is getting VERY frustrated in India. He may end up doing something rash and thoroughly impulsive.

The mind games..

[jwolf]

Always weird when someone writes of himself in the 3rd person. It seems very out of place except in very formal correspondence.

[GetAssista]

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Always weird when someone writes of himself in the 3rd person. It seems very out of place except in very formal correspondence.

Maybe John is only a messenger for the real opponent hiding in the shadows. Like Yamamoto spirit[:)]

[jwolf]

Heh. Well I admit I didn't think of that. [:)]

[CaptBeefheart]

"George likes his chicken spicy." [Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jimmy]

Cheers,
CB

[Anachro]

July 13 1942

India
In India, are forces attack the 4th and 5th Divisions and while the rolls aren't too great, the enemy suffer more casualties. The British division will arrive tomorrow. The chase is on. At Vizagapatnam, John managed to lang the part of the 21st Division on the hex and saves it from falling to my tanks during the turn. With 3 forts, a divisions and other defenders, plus the potential for constant bombardments on the hex against my forces, I have decided to retreat and get out of Dodge before havoc occurs. The British division is stratting elsewhere, my tanks will run away. All in all, I think this is a successful op that will draw off a good potion of John's air force (heavily bombing the area) for awhile and has already forced him to commit a division he'd probably rather use elsewhere.

Tomorrow, however, we set ~35 torpedo bombers and 10 dive bombers to fly and see if we can hit some of his capital ships operating near Viza.

Ground combat at 54,32 (near Asansol)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13933 troops, 233 guns, 462 vehicles, Assault Value = 528

Defending force 20992 troops, 206 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 495

Allied adjusted assault: 101

Japanese adjusted defense: 982

Allied assault odds: 1 to 9

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
848 casualties reported
Squads: 59 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 13 (1 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 36 (8 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Assaulting units:
150th RAC Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Australian Division
7th Armoured Brigade

Defending units:
4th Division
5th Division

Ground combat at Vizagapatnam (42,37)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3660 troops, 18 guns, 479 vehicles, Assault Value = 345

Defending force 8134 troops, 112 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 153

Allied adjusted assault: 30

Japanese adjusted defense: 77

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
42nd Cavalry Regiment
50th Tank Brigade
16th Light Cavalry Regiment
43rd Cavalry Regiment
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
3rd Cavalry Regiment

Defending units:
18th Naval Guard Unit
14th Naval Guard Unit
49th JNAF AF Unit
79th Garrison Battalion
21st Div /1
23rd AA Regiment
22nd Air Flotilla
21st Fld AA Gun Co

Australia
John's small carriers re-appear due to getting 3/3 on my fleet last turn. He probably has no idea they are carriers. BBFanboy was right about John possible doubling-back. I move my carriers north-east towards Carnarvon next turn, figuring that John will move to hit my land units with his bombers in order to slow them down if he can't find my ships.

[Anachro]

July 14 1942

Why? Why do my dive bombers keep missing? They are well-trained, well-led, have no fatigue, and yet they can't hit any of their targets! A number of them get through the enemy carrier CAP (the carriers did move down towards Carnarvon), but only manage to land a measly 3 hits on the CVE Taiyo. What the heck is wrong with my pilots!? The British carriers take a torpedo each, but are fine for the most part. My carriers will move down to Geraldton to take advantage of LRCAP before retiring to the south. We're done here in Australia and Allied high command is thoroughly disgusted with their carrier units.

The carriers will go home, will repair, will train, and BETTER SINK A CARRIER THE NEXT TIME IN OPERATION OF SPRUANCE WILL BE CANNED!

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Geraldton at 41,138

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 77 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 42

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 24
F4F-3 Wildcat x 41
F4F-4 Wildcat x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 destroyed, 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 19 destroyed, 4 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Illustrious, Torpedo hits 1
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 1
CV Hornet
CV Yorktown

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 44,132

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 74 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 29 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 59
A6M2-N Rufe x 10
F1M2 Pete x 6

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 11
F4F-4 Wildcat x 50
SBD-2 Dauntless x 38
SBD-3 Dauntless x 47

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed
F1M2 Pete: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed
SBD-2 Dauntless: 5 destroyed, 8 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 11 destroyed, 10 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiyo
CB Fuji
CVE Taiyo, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CV Junyo
CB Aino
CVE Ibuki
CB Kita, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CVL Nisshin

Elsewhere, the British ID links up with the Australians across the river, running into the 5th ID (the 4th ID moved last turn). Good results, we attack again tomorrow. Japanese troops bombard Asanol again and suffer.

Ground combat at Asansol (53,34)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 52242 troops, 442 guns, 187 vehicles, Assault Value = 1625

Defending force 45350 troops, 664 guns, 452 vehicles, Assault Value = 1317

Japanese ground losses:
489 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 13 (4 destroyed, 9 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
56th Division
18th Division
67th Division
14th Army

Defending units:
46th Indian Brigade
Sarawak Force
16th Australian Brigade
44th Indian Brigade
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Division
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
87th Mountain Regiment
36th Indian Brigade
2/2nd Hy AA Regiment
222 Group Base Force
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Peshawar Base Force
6th Medium Regiment
77th Heavy AA Regiment
3rd ISF Base Force

Ground combat at 54,32 (near Asansol)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 28695 troops, 494 guns, 684 vehicles, Assault Value = 939

Defending force 13800 troops, 114 guns, 56 vehicles, Assault Value = 448

Allied adjusted assault: 238

Japanese adjusted defense: 290

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
3057 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 256 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Guns lost 36 (3 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
222 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 17 (12 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 62 (6 destroyed, 56 disabled)

Assaulting units:
193rd Tank Battalion
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
7th Australian Division
70th British Division

Defending units:
5th Division

[Canoerebel]

I had the same trouble in my game with John III. It happened nearly all the time, even when my pilots were experienced and well-trained late in the war. Reading through John's AAR after my game with him concluded, he often wondered why my SBDs were so bad.

It's no comfort to you, but seeing another player experience it is some comfort to me.

P.S. Someday, I'll tell John that he failed to learn Lesson 2 of 3 from his game with me: Don't steam your carriers around blindly with no detection on enemy carriers and no clue as to where they might be or aren't.

He's an inveterate raider, and he gets away with it pretty often (or did in my game with him), but it's going to nail his rear end far too often. You may well be the one to administer the decisive lesson that finally makes him understand the peril of his ways.

[apbarog]

Weather can have a major effect on bombing accuracy. Your SBD attacks were in moderate and heavy rain. This opinion is from many examples in my games, not from something I've read in rules or patch notes.

[ny59giants]

Please post at least one screenshot of your SBD air groups from the CVs that were attacking off western Australia, please.

[Anachro]

So in previous games/PBEMs my common altitude setting for strike packages was 10k, but I was convinced in preparation for this game (through reading other threads here on the forums) that 13k was a good setting for putting your airgroups at. So my strike package usually has the fighters and bombers all set to 13k. Below you can see the settings and pilots' training levels. Perhaps I should go back to my old 10k setting?

[ny59giants]

SBD groups - I see decent, but not great experience posted here. One thing I DO see is your pilots are almost all rookies without any missions. I've seen good LB groups need some missions done before they can hit the AF.

Without the opportunity to attack enemy ships, I would think you need to max out on 3 different skills to raise the experience levels up (NavB, NavS, GrdB). From my experience you need two high experience skills like NavB and NavS for DBs. If you cannot use them someplace to get actual experience, then build up a third skill.

For fighters, I do both Air and Straf to high 60s. Then, rest until Morale in near 99. Set for CAP at 80 or 90% with 10 to 20% Rest. Their overall experience levels will go up.

[Anachro]

July 15 1942

Carriers appear off Midway. I had a transport convoy heading there. Luckily, it's unspotted and will full speed east the next turn. In India, the 5th Division holds and we will try one more attack before retiring tomorrow. At Viza, most of my tank units get out, but the tank brigade is a little bit slower and remains behind to be attacked by John's considerable forces (suddenly 900 AV there). All units will retire to retrench behind defenses. At Asanol, John does another bombardment and suffers considerable casualties for doing do. In Australia, Australian tanks further push back the beleaguered Japanese brigade.

Ground combat at Vizagapatnam (42,37)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 32689 troops, 286 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 990

Defending force 2230 troops, 18 guns, 220 vehicles, Assault Value = 120

Japanese adjusted assault: 835

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 835 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), preparation(-)
experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
264 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
824 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 39 destroyed, 42 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 24 (24 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 178 (116 destroyed, 62 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
14th Naval Guard Unit
18th Naval Guard Unit
48th Division
16th Division
79th Garrison Battalion
49th JNAF AF Unit
22nd Air Flotilla
23rd AA Regiment
21st Fld AA Gun Co

Defending units:
50th Tank Brigade


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Ground combat at Asansol (53,34)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 52046 troops, 442 guns, 187 vehicles, Assault Value = 1603

Defending force 45345 troops, 664 guns, 452 vehicles, Assault Value = 1317

Japanese ground losses:
1412 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 79 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 15 (3 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
Imperial Guards Division
56th Division
18th Division
67th Division
14th Army

Defending units:
46th Indian Brigade
16th Australian Brigade
Sarawak Force
147th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
53rd (Sep) Infantry Regiment
44th Indian Brigade
87th Mountain Regiment
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Division
36th Indian Brigade
77th Heavy AA Regiment
222 Group Base Force
6th Medium Regiment
2nd Peshawar Base Force
2/2nd Hy AA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd ISF Base Force


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

Ground combat at 54,32 (near Asansol)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 28165 troops, 483 guns, 678 vehicles, Assault Value = 855

Defending force 11506 troops, 113 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 208

Allied adjusted assault: 49

Japanese adjusted defense: 65

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)
Attacker: disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1437 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 102 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
233 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 39 (36 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (8 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
641st Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion
7th Armoured Brigade
150th RAC Regiment
193rd Tank Battalion
7th Australian Division
70th British Division

Defending units:
5th Division


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Ground combat at 49,132 (near Carnarvon)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1116 troops, 0 guns, 74 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Defending force 1637 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 48

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 48 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
567 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
2/7th Armoured Regiment

Defending units:
65th Bde /1

My carriers do not see any action next turn. I thought John might move up considering the torpedo hits I took, but his air force was somewhat devastated. He moves back and his CVs appear to be heading for Darwin. I have a few subs nearby that will try to hit them next turn. My carriers will refuel and then begin the long Journey to Pearl after doing some refits at Sydney.

[Anachro]

I think my chances are pretty good north of Calcutta. Asanol seems to hold strong and it will be difficult for John to take it. Jamshedpur is a jungle hex approaching level 5 forts. Ranchi is approaching level 4 forts. 2 of John's divisions are in rough shape, He has 4 on Asanol and looks like 2 or 3 around Jamshedpur. 2 Divisions have been forced to head to Viza. I'm happy at the moment to hold on for now.

[ny59giants]

Posted this in John's AAR, but want you to have info.

Let me bring the facts from Editor on the inability to penetrate the G.6 CVL with some bombs.

Belt - Deck - Tower:

G.6 CLV = 140 - 60 - 100
G.6 CV (conversion) = 140 - 60 - 25

Shokaku CVs = 165 - 60 - 25

Akagi Class = 250 - 57 - 25


Indomitable Class = 112 - 75 - 0

Lexington Class = 128 - 50 -50

Yorktown = 100 - 37 - 100

Bombs:
1000 lb SAP = 117mm (penetration)
1000 lb GP = 58mm
500 lb GP = 37mm

250kg SAP = 71mm
800kg SAP = 174mm

*Note*
When you look at the armored deck value (75) of the Brit CV you see the 250kg (71) is not enough to penetrate.

The 1000 lb GP value is 58, so unable to penetrate the deck of the G.6 (60).

Am, I wrong here?

[Anachro]

From my experience in the previous battles, no GP bombs penetrated the G.6's and even SAP bombs had a number fail to penetrate.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: apbarog

Weather can have a major effect on bombing accuracy. Your SBD attacks were in moderate and heavy rain. This opinion is from many examples in my games, not from something I've read in rules or patch notes.

I think the answer is in the fighter numbers. John had 75 aircraft on CAP (including FPs) while the escorting fighters were only 50. That left a third of his fighters free to harass the SBDs, which severely degrades their accuracy.

[Anachro]

@BBfanboy I've had similar battles in the past where his CAP slightly outnumbered my escorts, resulting in my bombers taking attrition. However, in those battles their results nonetheless far better than what has been shown so far. Of course, not as good as they would be if I had sufficient CAP. I'd like to devote more to escort duty in my settings, but last CV battle I set it to 30% CAP vs escort duty and not only did he manage to get through and deliver two torpedoes, but I didn't have sufficient escorts as you say. This, against 2 semi-CVs, 2 CVEs, and a CVL. For now, the CVs will go home and train, train, train (and refit).

July 16 1942

In India, the battle rages. In many air battles, we come off slighly better in sweeps over Vizagaatnam and in CAP defense covering the 70th British ID and 7th Australian ID. The situation seems stable for now in the fortified hexes around Calcutta. Asanol holds strong, as do Ranchi and Jamshedpur with their decent forts and jungle defensive modifiers. John is massive AVs and a what appears to be 2-3 divisions around Ranchi and Jamshedpur, but they will have their work cut out for them. Asanol will also be a decently tough nut to crack, but sigint states that John is bringing heavy artillery to Calcutta.

The real news is up north where the 70th British ID and 7th Australian ID have done wonders, causing decent attrition to the Japanese 4th and 5th IDs, which will need to retreat and recover. This relieves pressure in my northern flanks and will allow me the breathing room to divert forces to reinforce my other flanks at Jamshedpur and Ranchi. Meanwhile, the 2nd British Division has arrived at Karachi and will join the fray shortly.

At Vizagapatnam, my forces are either strat moving this turn or will strat move the next turn and will move to Bezwada, which has 3 forts and the advantage of not being a coastal hex and therefore not subject to bombardment. John seems to be moving a division that direction, but it's not clear just how far it will go.



Elsewhere, my carriers are safe and out of sight south of Perth; they will make their way to Sydney. My other carriers that were previously in the South Pacific are safe and on their way to Pearl Harbor, avoiding lines of subs that John has setup to catch them. CV Indomitable is at Pearl. I'm looking forward to upgrading my carriers as all the action they've been called to conduct has come at the expense of timely upgrades. I'm also very much looking forward to re-organizing my fleets, which will happen when the carriers currently in Australia reach Pearl.

In the mean time, we will focus mostly on getting our supply convoys up to a better speed than they've been at.

[Anachro]

I'm finally starting to cause attrition on John's subs. Float planes are getting delivered to the majority of my bases along my shipping hubs. ASW is in place, particularly heavy at Karachi where 4-5 roving ASW task forces have been highly successful against 4-5 Japanese subs loitering around there.



Over the past month, the VP ratio has fallen from 2.57:1 to 2.46:1. Not great, but should be sufficient to avoid auto-victory if we continue in this manner.

[BBfanboy]

When your ASW TFs damage a sub, do you send them searching the retreat path for the sub or keep them around the base they are protecting? Trying to weigh the benefits of follow-up vs. the risk of leaving the base approaches unpatrolled.