Newbie Allies vs. Experinced WitP

[zuluhour]

I had not considered sending engineers to the CBI.......I built Dacca and Imphal from December 8th and started meager prep on Ledo in February......I bet I could have had four level 9 airfields in September with another 100 engineers which are presently enjoying leave in the Tropics!

[Crackaces]

************************************ 22 SEP 42 *************************************

The night comes and the Betty's visit Katha ..

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 damaged

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


Runway hits 1
.....................
--------------------------------------------

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

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


Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8



No Japanese losses



Despite all the damaged Betty's no ops losses and they keep coming ..

We give the 5th Divsion some excitment ..

Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 15
Hudson IIIa x 12
Wellington Ic x 30
P-40E Warhawk x 20
P-40K Warhawk x 18


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
353 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 19 (1 destroyed, 18 disabled)



The Salmon finds a large BB SAG ..

ASW attack near Mussau Island at 105,119

Japanese Ships
DD Arashi
BB Haruna
BB Kongo
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Kinugasa
CA Ashigara
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
DD Kasumi
DD Arare
DD Yukikaze
DD Asanagi
DD Minazuki
DD Akatsuki
DD Nenohi

Allied Ships
SS Salmon



Hmmm I wonder what the IJ are up to?

The SS Pollack is reported HIT She will need to come in for repairs ...

********************************************** 23 SEP 42 *************************************

As always the Betty's visit uninvited in the wee hours of the morning ..

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged


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

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
.......................

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 damaged
............

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged



18 Betty's that are broken into three formations .. I am just not seeing atrition from Ops losses ..

When the Morning comes the Zero's sweep Akyab at 21000 feet .. The RAF are waiting ..then the Escorted Lily's shutdown Akyab .

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 10 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 10
Hurricane IIc Trop x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed; Hurricane IIb Trop from No.135 Sqn RAF is written off


WO Pickard, F.J. of No.136 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 5
WO Pickard, F.J. of No.136 Sqn RAF attains ace status!!


WO Blackwell T. of No.607 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WO Newlands, I.D. of No.615 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WO Blackwell C. of No.146 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WO King, G.J. of No.615 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2
WCDR Cuthbert, M.C.H. of No.136 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 4

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

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 23
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 50

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 damaged

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 45


So Akyab is shutdown .. the IJNAAF lose 5 zeros .. and we gain an ACE ..

I anticipate mines .. and sweep ..

TF 52 encounters mine field at Abemama (136,130)

Allied Ships
AM Skylark

1 mine cleared

More later as we extract Naval resources from Makin, and begin to form up forces to drop off the support ..

[Crackaces]

******************************************* 24 SEP 42 ****************************************

The Betty's come calling and they're effective ..

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 damaged

ight Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8



Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged


Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 13


Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 6


The numbers have not changed .. basically 18 of the same guys every night ...

The Guardfish misses ..

ASW attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
APD Akikaze
xAK Seattle Maru
xAK Melbourne Maru
DD Shiranui
DMS W-5

Allied Ships
SS Guardfish

SS Guardfish launches 2 torpedoes at APD Akikaze

But the Grayling has a live one ..

Sub attack near Tokara Retto at 99,63

Japanese Ships
xAK Yuzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
AG Gyoun Maru
xAK Zuisyo Maru
SC CHa-12

Allied Ships
SS Grayling



We have some ASW action at Pearl ..

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-26

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham

SS I-26 is located by DD Conyngham
.....

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 178,109

Japanese Ships
SS I-26, hits 1

Allied Ships
DD Frazier

SS I-26 launches 2 torpedoes

Ok a little water got the IJN boys wet and they used up a couple of torps ..we got some ASW experience ...

The Trigger which is limping home is not doing so well ..

Temporary flotation repairs failing aboard SS Trigger

She has 45 floatation damage as of this turn

Ok more stuff is coming into the Burma theater and we have to start staging our forces in the Gilberts ...

[Crackaces]

************************************************ 25 SEP 1942 *********************************
The Betty's return .. we decide to put up some LRCAP over Katha and resist some ..

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 10

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 5
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 damaged

No Allied losses

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 8

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6
P-40K Warhawk x 5
P-43A-1 Lancer x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses except for P-40E Warhawk from 51st FG/25th FS crashes on landing

2LT Smith, E.B. Jr. of 23rd FG/74th FS is credited with kill number 3
2LT Smith, E.B. Jr. of 23rd FG/74th FS is credited with kill number 4

We end up trading a P-40 for a Betty .. plus whatever ops losses this turn .. But the IJ have to think twice about their night raids .. it is not a freebie anymore ..

Two can play at this night bombing game .. and I decided to drop a few calling cards on Rangoon ..

Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 7
B-25C Mitchell x 5


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

.....................
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 5


No Allied losses except for Hudson IIIa from No.353 Sqn RAF crashes on landing

......................
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 2
......................
Night Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 5
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

Runway hits 3

Ok 3 Zeros for one Hudson .. 7 Runway hits , 3 airbase hits and a supply hit ..not going to hurt a level 7 base much . but it is going to change how the IJ defends ...

We sweep Daly Waters and kill 2 Oscars ..

Morning Air attack on Daly Waters , at 76,131

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses except for .. P-38F Lightning from 35th FG/39th FS is damaged on landing

CPT Christie H. of 35th FG/39th FS is credited with kill number 2
MAJ Atkins W. of 35th FG/39th FS is credited with kill number 3
MAJ Lynch, T.J. of 35th FG/39th FS is credited with kill number 6



and we find out what is at Milne Bay ..

Morning Air attack on 5th Naval Construction Battalion, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator 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



Progress in theGilbert's :
Abemama expands airfield to size 3

Soon all these bases will be at level 5 and able to hold 4E's .. along with fighter support ..

More later ..

[Crackaces]

********************************************** 26 SEP 42 *********************************

It's predictable .. invading something draws the attention of the KB ..

Afternoon Air attack on Makin , at 136,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
....................................
Afternoon Air attack on Makin , at 136,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 133



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

2LT Brown, H.W. of 15th FG/45th FS is credited with kill number 3
.............................................

Afternoon Air attack on Makin , at 136,125

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

No Japanese losses



Now we trade 3 P-40's for 1 IJNAAF Zero ..

This is a problem in a way .. I am loading up BF's and staging for reinforcing Makin and of course the KB are going to prevent that ..


We hit Nauru island ..

Morning Air attack on 52nd Naval Guard Unit, at 127,128 (Nauru Island)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

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


Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 56


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
495 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


BURMA:

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3



Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x P-43A-1 Lancer sweeping at 20000 feet


One more Oscar down ...

Morning Air attack on 41st Infantry Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 15
Hurricane IIb Trop x 26


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 5th Division ...
Also attacking 41st Infantry Regiment ...

Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 10
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16


No Allied losses

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



Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Blenheim I bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
75 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
Wellington Ic x 16


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
232 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 12


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged

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



Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 7000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Morning Air attack on 10th Tank Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
Wellington Ic x 16


Allied aircraft losses
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 25 (5 destroyed, 20 disabled)
......................
Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hurricane I Trop x 9
Vengeance I x 16


No Allied losses


Well the KB plan to raise hell out here in the Gilbert's .. I have lot's of Land Based Air and can exchange 1-3 for quite awhile .plus there are lots of submarines where the KB is patrolling ..In the meantime we have to stage our carriers ...12 IJN CV's vs 8 USN CV's and LBA ...[8D]

[Crackaces]

The diagram below demosntrates the situation in the Gilbert's. I believe the lack of developed bases in the Marshall's and Base Forces in the whole IJ OOB has forced the KB/MKB out to play in this big sandbox .. well ocean ... Clearly after the last air battle against my P40's the KB is still has a very strong fighter force. Actual numbers were closer to 8 P-40's shot down to one Zero.

The TF path is interesting. A perfect stop at long range launch sweep in the afternoon keeping the ranges from LBA only within the range of B-17's.

There are plenty of IJ submarines with Glen's patroling here. Combined with the Mavis overflights the IJ has pretty good intel of the forces here. What the next move of the IJN I have no clue but I suspect it is to bombard Makin. We gather up the TF's in the area and head south into the arms of LBA safety, and wait out the KB. There is not the reosurces out here to keep a huge CV force for very long. I have already burned up 40K fuel with my operations. I cannot imagine the burn rate of every IJN carrier this far from home.

[Crackaces]

BURMA:

The situaiton is Burma is shown below. If you go back to the 22 SEP 42, only 5 days ago the situaiton has changed dramatically. We have dropped in at Bhamo making Myitkyma untenable, and the IJN have moved 7 units either back out of Myitkyma toward Bhamo or are moving units toward Myitkyma. I am not sure ... We have bases at long range from Rangoon that we are able now to raid at night forcing the IJNAAF to have CAP day and night. We have overwhleming numbers in both Army and Air units. ... the only problem is supply. But the liimited objectives are quite feasible.

The IJA are reinforcing Swebo rapidly with armor and now have 20K troops there .. that would be about 600AV. We continue to bomb and destroy AFV's. We can muster up 2K AV and superior armor in the form of Grant M3 tanks. Once Swebo is taken we will have a continuous river line seperating the forces.

Combining both situations Gilbert's/Marshall's and Burma, and the IJ are fighting a multiple front war. This is an overall strategic goal while the mean green industrial machine kicks in. Force the IJ to make decisions and push the bowl of jello where they are not. Overtime this burns up resources and most of all precious time where the IJ platforms are superior.

[Crackaces]

Here is what I suspect will happen this turn .. the KB will unload (meaning bringing the full force of the KB) on the airbase and port at Makin knocking them out of service for a month or so .. time enough to reload and do this again ..this was the MO for Tarawa that included LBA bombing everyday. The problem is .. there is a lot less LBA in the area and the IJ are streched thin.

An attack like this will be enough to keep the base from devleloping into something more threating and provide time for the IJ .. I will see how agressive the IJ get this turn.

In the meantime we push the bowl of jelly in a new place ...[;)]

[Crackaces]

The KB did not attack this turn. Rather they pulled further back? Maybe to get out of patrol arcs to show up as a surprise somewhere else?

********************************************** 27 SEP 42 ***************************************************

A dutch submarine is chased off a most juicy prize ...

ASW attack near Ponape at 122,115

Japanese Ships
DD Tanikaze
AV Kunikawa Maru
AO Toei Maru
AO Kokuyo Maru
AKE Tazima Maru
AKE Tamon Maru
DD Fuyo
DD Uzuki
DD Sazanami

Allied Ships
SS O23

SS O23 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Tanikaze

The Tambor also finds some Tankers but is also chased off by escorts ..

ASW attack near Tokara Retto at 100,63

Japanese Ships
DD Hasu
CL Kashima
PB Hakkaisan Maru
APD Yukaze
TK Okigawa Maru
TK Nihon Maru
TK Kiyo Maru
TK Kaizyo Maru
DD Yugure
PB Ikunta Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor
SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at DD Hasu
.......................................
ASW attack near Tokara Retto at 100,63

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima
PB Hakkaisan Maru
APD Yukaze
TK Okigawa Maru
TK Nihon Maru
TK Kiyo Maru
TK Kaizyo Maru
DD Hasu
DD Yugure
PB Ikunta Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor


BURMA:

The Betty's are replaced by Sally's ..

Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 8



Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 5


No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Runway hits 1
Night Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 4
P-40K Warhawk x 4


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses except for .. P-40E Warhawk from 23rd FG/74th FS crashes on landing

An airfield hit and a P-40 ... a freeroll in my book ..

As the morning breaks the IJNAAF prey upon the starving 55th Division ...

Morning Air attack on 55th British Brigade, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

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


Then the Good ol' USA goes to work ..

Where shall I begin?

We turn loose 68 bombers at long range on Maloelap that is the home of a Zero Sentai ..

Morning Air attack on Maloelap , at 136,117

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9



Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 11
B-17E Fortress x 56


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 7 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

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

Airbase hits 24
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 80

80 runway hits will keep the base down for a few days .. [;)]

Now the Land of Oz ..

First we sweep Port Moresby ..

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 44 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses except for ... Damaged P-38F Lightning from 35th FG/39th FS shot down on way home

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 21000 feet

2 Zero's for 1 P-38 ... hopefully the pilot comes back ..

A second sweep finds more Zero's over the airspace ..
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 3


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 21000 feet


So 3 for 1 thus far ..

Then the bombers come ...

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 11
B-17F Fortress x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

Three more Zero's out of the inventory for 6 total ..

I send some B-26's in low to smack some ships ..

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 37 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9
B-26 Marauder x 36


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 7 damaged


B-26 Marauder from 22nd BG/19th BS is written off
B-26 Marauder from 22nd BG/408th BS is written off

Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1

Not good trade here .. no ships attacked and the port barely damaged ..[:(]

And some Hudson's come in and really do nothing ..

Afternoon Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1

Allied aircraft
Hudson III (LR) x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged


We demonstrate a little bit of airpower today with much more to come [;)]

[Crackaces]

If you look at the map and account for potential air bases in the Marshall's there is Milli (2) Allinglaplap (2) the rest are either (1) or (0) .. meaning huge effort to build them up into anything meaningful. Simple LRCAP takes a level 2 base ... Certainly Milli and Allinglaplap represent small potential 4E bases ..some of the (1) bases have potential as 2E bases .. but in the end once I boot the IJ out of here they will be ghost towns ...[8D]

But this makes for interesting strategy decisions because the IJ cannot build interlocking level 7 bases that bring the huge air battles to bear .. instead the Allies can isolate and take each island one at a time with the only support being the KB. here we have 5 potential level 5 bases in range. This leads to the fact that the supply lines are quite exposed out here for the IJN ..

More and more I am liking my strategy of building up bases in Santa Cruz, New Herbredes, and New Caladonia Islands but not advancing into an attrition pit and into the Solomon's ... thus far I have postponed that match ..But I am thinking the Marshall's will be a naval fight for sure ..

[Crackaces]

The theme for late 42 is preparing for '43 ... A look at the Stategic Map below and one can visualize how an indirect assult through the Marashal's and threating the Marianas has an effect on the Solomon's without having to slug it out where the IJ have advanatages. My Goal for 43 is to seize the Marshal's .. Milli is at the top of my list ..preparing for this adventure ..

In Burma we have to consolidate our gains and build ....

[Crackaces]

***************************** 28 SEP 42 *******************************************

The Tambor is hard at work again .. and duds ..

Sub attack near Amami Oshima at 99,64

Japanese Ships
PB Fumi Maru
xAK Yamahagi Maru
PB Kiko Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tambor

SS Tambor launches 2 torpedoes at PB Fumi Maru


BURMA:

We sweep Meiktila and take out a Oscar..

Morning Air attack on Meiktila , at 58,47

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
P-43A-1 Lancer x 12


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Now the bombers do thier thing on Swebo ..

Morning Air attack on 1st Tank Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 32
Hudson IIIa x 12
Wellington Ic x 16
B-25C Mitchell x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)
................
Morning Air attack on 10th Tank Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 7
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16


No Allied losses

...................
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Blenheim IV x 15
Hurricane IIb Trop x 15
139WH-3 x 9


No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
101 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disa


Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

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


Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
Hudson IIIa x 12
Wellington Ic x 16


Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 damaged
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged
Wellington Ic: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
84 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
.....................
Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

.................
Morning Air attack on 74th Infantry Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes


Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 16


No Allied losses

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




So 1% troops and 10% of the AFV's destroyed/disabled ..

CHINA:

The IJAAF strike at the forces occupying Kweiteh:

Morning Air attack on 48th Chinese Corps, at 90,46 (Kweiteh)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
129 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


OZ;

Afternoon Air attack on 55th British Brigade, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
21 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


With luck 10 strikes at Swebo will reduce the defense down 10%. I am most concerned about the fort level here ..

[Crackaces]

Anticipating this turn I thought I would update the thread on IJ air losses. Although the Zero is at the top of the list .. the 2E bombers Lily's, Nell's Betty's all are at the top of the list. FOW reports about 3K aircraft frames distroyed. Let's just take the Lily's at 346 airframes. 346/296 is about 1 1/4 airframes per day. Overall we have 2930/296 or 9.89 airframes per day. I am not sure how many airframes the IJ can produce but I have to think even with FOG -- we have driven production into negative territory.

Supply has to be an issue also ...

[Crackaces]

I am thinking of moving two ol' BB's still on Drydock at PH to Los Angeles. The problem is they are at 75% Flooding and I am not sure how much repairs these ships need before they have a chance of making the voyage? Any ideas from my lurkers? They will cover 2 hexes per turn and make the voyage in a month ..


**************************************** 29 SEP 42 *****************************

The Dutch Subamarine forces have the only live torps and they can't seem to shoot at all ..

ASW attack near Mussau Island at 104,119

Japanese Ships
xAK Nisso Maru
E Kamo
E Kiji
E Hayabusa

Allied Ships
SS KVIII



BURMA:

The airwar is all IJ today .. my planes cancelled their flights [:(]

Morning Air attack on 26th Indian Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 21
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
...............
Morning Air attack on 2nd British Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
...............
Morning Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 21



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
...................
Morning Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 58,45 , near Mandalay

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 6
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 31

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 2


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
55 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 2 damaged

No Allied losses


Allied ground losses:
23 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 5000 feet *

So .. 2 Lily's downed maybe 6 or so damaged .. 2 damaged Sally's .. and 300 dead Allied ground pounders .. Hopefully tomorrow we can put up a better fight ..

OZ:

Morning Air attack on 49th Australian Battalion, at 101,133 (Milne Bay)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 19
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 damaged

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


The poor 49th Bn starving is also getting smacked ...

IN other news Daly Waters is occupied by the Allies

China:


Morning Air attack on 59th Chinese Corps, at 83,48 (Ichang)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 24

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
80 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

..................
Morning Air attack on 90th Chinese Corps, at 90,46 (Kweiteh)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 13


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 2 damaged


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


I think this bombing means that the IJA are going to press the advance soon .. but my foray has given me 4 months of tying up IJA efforts and teh IJ are divierting troops and supplies into China. While we push the big bowl of jello in other places ..

In other news .. The KB was discovered Patrolling off Kusaie Island along with BB SAG's and support .. I believe the IJN are going to stick around looking for trouble ... certianly this area is saturated with submarines ..

[DOCUP]

I wouldn't try sending those ships to EC yet.  Get the flooding down.  At some point your going to lose ur pumps or something.  You also got to contend with subs.
 
my 2 cents

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

I wouldn't try sending those ships to EC yet.  Get the flooding down.  At some point your going to lose ur pumps or something.  You also got to contend with subs.

my 2 cents

Ya .. I figured that but these two bemouths are occupying precious space I need for quick fix ups resulting from scraps .. I sense wil increase in the Gilberts .. Ok I will give it another month or so ... progress is very very slow at PH ..

[DOCUP]

Is that 75% major damage of minor
 

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Is that 75% major damage of minor

Its all major .. the "minor" damage on both ships have been taken care of on the dock .. now they occupy the shipyards with 75% major flooding and no progress in repairs for a month!

[DOCUP]

hmm try getting one out and see how it goes.  remember use cruise speed.

[Crackaces]

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

hmm try getting one out and see how it goes.  remember use cruise speed.

That is sort of my thought . if they sink they sink . but I thought I would first seek some input .. I have all day today before the turn comes back and 3 days for the ships to come out of the 'yards .. till then that is the plan escorted by 2 KV's ..[8D]