BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

Yep, the land movement issue should be looked into. Appreciate the advice and input and will follow the thread on tech forum! [:)]

Lots of action today; enemy troops advance into "no mans land" in Zone 3.
By mistake Allied planes again hit our troops in Rockhampton.

The mangled movement upset my plans a bit and I have no choice but contract the defensive area.
Troops in Alice Springs also start falling back, when Cloncurry falls we may get cut of in due time.
- Tennant Creek will be the first defensive outpost.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 20, 42

ASW Attacks

A dud hit on a destroyer.
- Evacuation convoy from western Oz.

ASW attack near Exmouth at 49,130

Japanese Ships
DD Tatsukaze
xAP Horai Maru

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at DD Tatsukaze
DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tatsukaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Tatsukaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Tatsukaze attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

A furious meeting between sweeping Tojo's and P-38's.
3 Tojo's to 7 Lightnings shot down.

I noticed that the P-38's were at 39k feet. Asked Andy if we should limit fighters and bombers to
ca 30k feet.

Morning Air attack on 754th Tank Battalion, at 89,150
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 34

Allied aircraft
P-38F Lightning x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-38F Lightning: 3 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 25000 feet

CAP engaged:
8th FG/80th FS with P-38F Lightning (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 13 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 39000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 1 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again we hit enemy ground targets. More flak this turn.

Morning Air attack on 10th Light Horse Battalion, at 88,149
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 43
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 6 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 10th Light Horse Battalion ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 1st Motor Brigade, at 88,149
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 8 damaged

Allied ground losses:
62 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 17 (0 destroyed, 17 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 1st Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
Also attacking 255th Armoured Brigade ...
Also attacking 3rd Motor Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This lone attack against another stack was today's costly mission.
P-38's gunned down 10....

Morning Air attack on 3rd Army Tank Brigade, at 90,150
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 13

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 5 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
5 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 10000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd PS (P) with P-38E Lightning (7 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
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In Burma I shut down Lashio newly occupied by the Chinese.

Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 62
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 52

Aircraft Attacking:
29 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Somehow Andy again bombs our troops in Rockhampton, slowing down movement to a crawl and inflicting
heavy casualties. Grrr....

Morning Air attack on 33rd Division, at 95,152 (Rockhampton)
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V x 7
Hudson III (LR) x 10
Mitchell II x 3
Hudson III (LR) x 4
B-26 Marauder x 15
B-26B Marauder x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 6

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged
Hudson III (LR): 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Also attacking 16th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
Also attacking 16th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
Also attacking 144th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
Also attacking 144th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
Also attacking 16th Infantry Regiment ...
Also attacking 33rd Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 15th/C Division, at 93,147 (Bowen)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 4

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 3
B-17E Fortress x 40
B-17F Fortress x 14
LB-30 Liberator x 4
B-24D Liberator x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17D Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
52 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerous attacs on Bowen were our leaky CAP claimed some kills.
Just showing one such attack.

Morning Air attack on 9th Tank Regiment, at 93,147 (Bowen)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
A-29 Hudson x 3
B-18A Bolo x 7

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-29 Hudson: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 3 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-29 Hudson bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-18A Bolo bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

I had already left this base; Andy probably spotted this.


Ground combat at Emerald (91,151)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 70 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 4
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Emerald !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: op mode(-), shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Parachute Bn /225
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Situation in Zone 3

[PzB74]

Jap Intel! Isn't this a rare thing....

[PzB74]

Got some action coming up next turn! [:)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: PzB

My point of view is that this routine should be changed; strat moded troops should be very vulnerable to enemy air and ground attacks.
Ideally they should not be involved in ground fighting at all, the other troops in the hex should fight it out and if forced to retreat
even the strat moded troops should suffer this fate and losses.

I agree (and there are other areas of weakness in the land model as well) - but one note about para units: because of the nature of their dropping into/behind positions, they could destroy significant areas of rail. Maybe a para drop should be treated as stopping strat move?

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Lots of action today; enemy troops advance into "no mans land" in Zone 3.By mistake Allied planes again hit our troops in Rockhampton.

The mangled movement upset my plans a bit and I have no choice but contract the defensive area. Troops in Alice Springs also start falling back, when Cloncurry falls we may get cut of in due time. - Tennant Creek will be the first defensive outpost.

Just make sure you don't let Andy take the book entirely out of your hands, and try to shape the process yourself a bit. Otherwise you might be bottled up there easily. I would try to defend further out, and stretch the line a bit to generate battle space -- room for maneuvering, delaying actions and falling back, but most importantly to counterattack and make him pay for any mistake. I admit it may be tough, and expensive, but I think this is the time when Japan can still do so with getting a reasonable pay back, even with a chance to achieve more than just delaying the allied counterinvasions.

Anyway, I am surprised how ineffective the allied and japanese aerial attacks seem to be. From the experiences of other players in Burma I had expected Andy to come out worse, and your forces, after the failed attempt to withdraw from Rockhampton, now to be wasted quickly... But maybe the model isn't off much, only for certain parameter sets overestimating the impact.

What troop strengths and composition can you make out advancing in Sector three? What exactly is the situation on the ground in India?

[inqistor]

Are we actually gonna see some counterattacks in Australia? Those disabled Allied vehicles are nice, but 200 could be repaired in few weeks in large base, while, if you would attack those units, and force them to retreat, that should destroy those 200 vehicles. At this time, it probably put Allies back somewhere around six months of replacements.

ZEROs. Why Operational Losses are almost equal to AA? I have this kind of exchange only with Nates. Maybe they fly for too long distances, or pilots are too fatigued?

And lastly. Pearl Harbor. I know, that reported planes, are always far off, but what, if there are really only token air forces there? There is 260 (!!!) ships in port, and it is not even maximized yet (7(5)). How about another KB visit? I am guessing, that should net around 50 enemy ships. Tankers included. Maybe even some submarines. Plus PH is probably main hub for future invasions. Tankers + transports + probably some cargo on transports = setting Allies back another 3-6 months.

[Keifer]

I don't think the Strat move routines should be changed to allow a player to abandon a base via strat move at the last minute. Retreating in the face of a pursuing enemy, especially by rail, was one of the most difficult operations.

Waiting to rail out at the last minute seems "gamey" to me. I'd like the devs to leave it as is. (although allowing some units to rail out if their are enough troops in combat mode would be OK)

However, it should be clearly stated in the manual that strat movement is not allow "out" of a base occupied by the enemy.

Railing INTO a base with enemy troops should be fair game.

[PzB74]

Appreciate the input folks! [:)]

Be aware that I ordered troops in Rockhampton to rail out of town the same turn as enemy troops entered a hex nearby the town.
- The distance from entering one hex SE of Rockhampton and leaving NW of Rockhamtpon would be almost 50 miles. Rearguards and blown bridges and mined roads
would be sufficient to complete a well planned evacuation.

It is difficult to time an evacuation; I never know the exact number of miles a unit will travel. It depends on so many factors and when you have a mix of units
it's even harder. What I would have done in real life was to order the Rockhampton commander to delay the enemy as long as possible and then fall back without entering
combat if possible.

In reality the supply train would rail out of town while the armored units and rearguards slowly fell back while delaying the enemy.
With all the potential snags suffered while units following each other, halting and changing directions it's one of the most difficult things to succeed with.

A stand against Andy's 3000 armored vehicle panzer army could only end with one result; our inferior force would eventually be defeated, suffer large casualties
and then be pursued by 30 armored units right into Townsville before we're ready.

There will be ab so lu te ly no full scale counterattacks in Zone 3.
I'm merely fighting a holding action, inflicting as much delay and casualties I can on the Allies while at the same time risking as little as possible.
I need that Army to defend the Solomons, SRA, Central Pacific, Marianas, Phillippines, Malaya, Java, Sumatra and Burma.

Hopefully Andy has shipped in so many troops to Oz that his offensives elsewhere will be delayed or unsuccessfull.
- Fighting Andy's restricted units in Oz with our "released" troops in Oz is an altogether loosing proposition.
It's a hit and run raid unless all of Oz can't be occupied.

Andy is probably the person who knows the most of land combat in AE, being responsible for upgrading this aspect of the game from WitP and programming the AI.
If Andy makes mistakes I will do my best to strike back and punish him; like I did in Lashio this turn.

I'm well know for doing a lot of crazy stuff, taking big risks and being a gambled.
However, I'm also a realist that has played Uncommon Valor, WitP and AE for over 6 years.
- I know a rat and a loosing proposition when I see one [;)]

-------------------------------------------------------------------
The para counterattack on Lashio was a success!
- One large Chinese Corps cut off.

Chittagong bomarded successfully!

More than 90 armored vehicles damaged in a single air attack in Zone 3!
- Troops are now out of Rockhampton.

The Zero's often operate from smaller bases, fly long distances and transfer from locations like the Home Islands and all the way
to Rabaul and Oz. Ops losses soar....

I know Pearl is tempting, but it's also extremely risky.
Sinking 100 transports and minor ships isn't really worth risking the KB for. Even loosing 30-40% of its strike ac would be a dismal
failure unless I sink 1-2 enemy carriers; which is very unlikely. I have gambled and lost 1 CV and 2 CVL's in an attempt to destroy
the remaining US carriers and can risk no more.

Air strikes are rather realistic; you damage a lot but destroy less. Only total write offs are destroyed, and as long as the enemy own the ground
the effects are limited. I think today's strikes hurt though.

Ca 50 enemy LCU's and ca 3000 armored vehicles are advancing on us in Zone 3.
I can muster some 80k troops in the sector and I need almost all my combat troops to engage one of Andy's flanks, thus leaving the other exposed.
Only around Townsville with full sea and air support and good defensive terrain can we make a stand.

If a para attack on a rail line destroyed it the troops railing nearby would abort the move altogether and even when the railroad had been fixed
the troops would have to march to the nearest base to re-embark. Hundreds of single para squad drops could be made, so this would be rather over dramatic.
- Being able to bomb and disrupt the railnetwork and rolling stock would be better me thinks, but the ground combat engine isn't this complex...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 21, 42

Bombardments

Somehow the escorts were also set to bombard. One destroyer moderately damaged.
Enemy ac losses not so high, but Andy just can't use this base as a forward AF, same with Akyab and Cox Bazar.

Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
Kittyhawk IA: 2 destroyed on ground

149 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 5
BB Fuso
BB Haruna
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
DD Kisaragi
DD Mutsuki
DD Yugiri
DD Sagiri
DD Natsugumo, Shell hits 5, on fire
DD Arashio
DD Oshio

Allied ground losses:
334 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 48 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Airbase hits 39
Airbase supply hits 13
Runway hits 387
Port hits 1
Port supply hits 1

BB Yamashiro firing at Chittagong Fortress
BB Fuso firing at Chittagong
BB Haruna firing at Chittagong
CL Abukuma firing at Chittagong Fortress
CL Kinu firing at Chittagong
DD Kisaragi firing at Chittagong
DD Mutsuki firing at Chittagong
DD Yugiri firing at Chittagong
DD Sagiri firing at Chittagong
DD Natsugumo firing at Chittagong Fortress
DD Arashio firing at Chittagong
DD Oshio firing at Chittagong
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Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 48
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 9
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 10 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 4 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Heavy Industry hits 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on AVG Ground Echelon , at 62,46 (Lashio)
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
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Morning Air attack on 2nd USMC Tank Battalion, at 88,148
Weather in hex: Clear sky

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 3 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 8 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 95 (4 destroyed, 91 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 194th Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on AVG Ground Echelon , at 62,46 (Lashio)
Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 29
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 67

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 194th Tank Battalion, at 88,148
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 5 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 66th Chinese Corps, at 61,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 33
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
98 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
33 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 210 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14
Defending force 180 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 13
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 13 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!

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

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

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Raiding Rgt /225

Defending units:
AVG Ground Echelon
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Intel

[PzB74]

What a turn!!!

2 turns ago I spotted a large TF heading north towards Carnarvon on the NW coast of OZ.
- Thought it could be an amph landing attempt and the Fast Reaction Cruiser Force from Soerabaja under R.Adm Tanaka was already enroute.

Last turn the convoy passed Carnarvon as Raizo headed into Carnarvon; I then understood that this could be an "Andy" convoy!-)
- Put on an intercept Raizo didn't fail and caught the enemy convoy made up of 16 ships; 1 armored merchant cruiser, 1 aircraft transport and the rest fast
transports and troop ships. No doubt these ships have carried major reinforcements to Oz.

Raizo made short process; not all ship's have sunk yet but all but 1 is in a sinking state.
The AMC was hit by a torp from 19k feet, quite a feet, and sank rapidly.

Andy must look better after his ships and convoys and not only his ground grunts! [:-]

In the air we pummeled allied ground troops in Burma and Oz meeting little opposition.
In China industries in Changsa were hit again, this time meeting some Tropical Hurries transferred from China, no doubt the remnant
Sqd from Lashio.

Finally Allied troops occupied abandoned Rockhampton.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 22, 42

Surface Combat

Day Time Surface Combat, near Exmouth at 48,126, Range 19,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao
CL Naka, Shell hits 1
CL Natori, Shell hits 1
DD Murasame, Shell hits 1
DD Yayoi
DD Uzuki, Shell hits 1
DD Tatsukaze

Allied Ships
xAP Largs Bay, Shell hits 22, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Malda, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
xAP Tairea, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Khedive Ismail, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Itola, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Cornish City, Shell hits 8, on fire
xAK Lulworth Hill, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Madras City, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tweedbank, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Munlock, Shell hits 14, and is sunk
xAK Nicholas van Vonn, Shell hits 4, on fire
xAK Dagfred, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ima, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Troja, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
AMC Manoora, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AKV Athene, Shell hits 27, and is sunk

Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions: 20,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 21,000 yards...
Range closes to 19,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 19,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 19,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo crosses the 'T'
CA Takao engages AMC Manoora at 19,000 yards
CL Natori engages AMC Manoora at 19,000 yards
CL Naka engages AMC Manoora at 19,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages AMC Manoora at 19,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Troja at 19,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAK Munlock at 19,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAK Madras City at 19,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 19,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAK Itola at 19,000 yards
Range closes to 17,000 yards
CA Takao engages AMC Manoora at 17,000 yards
CL Natori engages AMC Manoora at 17,000 yards
CL Naka engages AMC Manoora at 17,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages AMC Manoora at 17,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Malda at 17,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages AMC Manoora at 17,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 17,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages AKV Athene at 15,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAK Munlock at 15,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAP Malda at 15,000 yards
AMC Manoora engages DD Yayoi at 15,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Madras City at 15,000 yards
Range closes to 13,000 yards
CA Takao engages AKV Athene at 13,000 yards
CL Naka engages AKV Athene at 13,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages AKV Athene at 13,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages AKV Athene at 13,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages AKV Athene at 13,000 yards
DD Murasame engages AKV Athene at 13,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Dagfred at 13,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 13,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Madras City at 13,000 yards
Range closes to 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages AKV Athene at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAP Malda at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Largs Bay at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Troja at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Ima at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Munlock at 11,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Tweedbank at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Cornish City at 11,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Itola at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Takao engages AKV Athene at 9,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAP Khedive Ismail at 9,000 yards
CL Naka engages AKV Athene at 9,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Troja at 9,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Largs Bay at 9,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Troja at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages AKV Athene at 9,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Dagfred at 9,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Munlock at 9,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Tweedbank at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages AKV Athene at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Khedive Ismail at 11,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAP Tairea at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Malda at 11,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Largs Bay at 11,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Troja at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages AKV Athene at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Munlock at 11,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 11,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAK Itola at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Takao engages AKV Athene at 7,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Tairea at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAP Malda at 7,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages AKV Athene at 7,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Troja at 7,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Ima at 7,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Dagfred at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 7,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Munlock at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 7,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Itola at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages AKV Athene at 8,000 yards
CL Natori engages AKV Athene at 8,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Tairea at 8,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Malda at 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages AKV Athene at 8,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Dagfred at 8,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Munlock at 8,000 yards
xAK Tweedbank sunk by CA Takao at 8,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Madras City at 8,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 8,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Cornish City at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 10,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAP Khedive Ismail at 10,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAP Tairea at 10,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages AKV Athene at 10,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAP Largs Bay at 10,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Troja at 10,000 yards
DD Murasame engages AKV Athene at 10,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Madras City at 10,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 10,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Itola at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
AKV Athene sunk by CA Takao at 7,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAP Largs Bay at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Ima at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 7,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Madras City at 7,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 7,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Itola at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 6,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Khedive Ismail at 6,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAP Largs Bay at 6,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAP Malda at 6,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAP Largs Bay at 6,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Troja at 6,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Largs Bay at 6,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAP Largs Bay at 6,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 6,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Madras City at 6,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 6,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Cornish City at 6,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Itola at 6,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Tairea at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAP Largs Bay at 5,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAP Largs Bay at 5,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Troja at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Ima at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Madras City at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Cornish City at 5,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Itola at 5,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAP Largs Bay at 5,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAP Largs Bay at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Malda at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Largs Bay at 5,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAK Troja at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Ima at 5,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Dagfred at 5,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Munlock at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Cornish City at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAP Largs Bay at 4,000 yards
xAP Largs Bay sunk by CL Natori at 4,000 yards
xAP Malda sunk by CL Naka at 4,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Cornish City at 4,000 yards
DD Murasame engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 4,000 yards
DD Uzuki engages xAK Itola at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Khedive Ismail at 5,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAP Tairea at 5,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAK Troja at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Troja at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Dagfred at 5,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 5,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Madras City at 5,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAK Lulworth Hill at 5,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Cornish City at 5,000 yards
Tanaka, Raizo orders Japanese TF to disengage
Range closes to 4,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAP Tairea at 4,000 yards
CL Naka engages xAK Troja at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Takao engages xAK Troja at 8,000 yards
CL Natori engages xAK Troja at 8,000 yards
xAK Troja sunk by CL Naka at 8,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Nicholas van Vonn at 8,000 yards
DD Tatsukaze engages xAK Madras City at 8,000 yards
DD Yayoi engages xAK Itola at 8,000 yards
Task forces break off...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 21

Allied aircraft
I-16-III x 3
Hurricane IIc Trop x 7

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

Allied aircraft losses
I-16-III: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 20000 feet

CAP engaged:
11th FG/42nd FS CAF with I-16-III (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 7 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Changsha , at 82,52
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 10
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 3
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged

Light Industry hits 2
Heavy Industry hits 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Australian Brigade, at 89,148
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 10 damaged

Allied ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 6 (0 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 4th War Area , at 74,55 (Liuchow)
Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 16 damaged
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on AVG Ground Echelon , at 62,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 25

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
57 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 48th Light AA Regiment, at 89,148
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 7 damaged

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (0 destroyed, 8 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 66th Chinese Corps, at 61,46
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 33
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Australian Brigade, at 89,148
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 44 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 1 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
36 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Look at that force; some 10 divisions of troops and more, almost 4k assault value.
Anyone still in favor of a counterattack?

Ground combat at Rockhampton (95,152)
Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13737 troops, 505 guns, 538 vehicles, Assault Value = 3829
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 390
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 390 to 1 (fort level 4)
Allied forces CAPTURE Rockhampton !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:

Assaulting units:
41st Infantry Division
8th Australian Division
4th Australian Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
5th Australian Division
40th Infantry Division
2nd Australian Division
Americal Infantry Division
13th Australian Brigade
1st Australian Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
27th Infantry Division
2nd Marine Regiment
6th Aus Cav Brigade
21/22 Field Regiment
Australia Command
2/9th Field Regiment
I Australian Corps
30th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
4th Australian Lt AA Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
2/3rd Light AA Regiment
226th Field Artillery Battalion
2/16th Field Regiment
208th Coast AA Regiment
II Australian Corps
32nd Australian Lt AA Regiment
223 Group RAF
1st Australian Army
108th Tank Attack Regiment
96th Coast AA Regiment
I US Amphib Corps
2/13th Field Regiment
249th Field Artillery Battalion
8th Medium Regiment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Death of a Convoy

[bklooste]

He must have nothing protecting the rest of Oz ... Is a raid to damage some HI worth it  ? Id say no because he can rail in and the stuff Australia builds is not that great anyway - but curious what others think on exploiting such a string concentration ? 

[janh]

ORIGINAL: bklooste
He must have nothing protecting the rest of Oz ... Is a raid to damage some HI worth it  ? Id say no because he can rail in and the stuff Australia builds is not that great anyway - but curious what others think on exploiting such a string concentration ? 

Well, indeed speaks against Andy being presently spending much attention to western AUS coast and vicinity. But also could have been just an oversight because he has hundreds of stacks there...

This interdiction is surely well worth it, even risking a few CA or CL, or a CVL. It hopefully will force him now to divert a few BB, or CA/CL/CV/CVL to this theater to prevent such from happening again. Same for deep CentPac and US West coast, if he doesn't have his whole USN already waiting around that area. There more units he needs to dispatch for escort and covering duty, the less he will have available for offensive tasks. Ideally, each of PzB's CA would bind a couple of his capital ships and a few LBA squadrons. Or else he probably ought to become more aggressive in attacking shipping lanes.

Once Japan is squeezed in by Allied invasions of the DEI, or New Guinea and the Solomons, or through Marinas, Marshalls etc it is in my opinion too late in the game for the former to win anything major. Japanese LCU and LBA would be spread out like butter over the whole theater, while Allied players can concentrate much or all of its forces for a single strike (or a few selected targets). But due to its inferiority, Japan needs to do the opposite: concentrate on centers of gravity, while the allied are spread out. However, this requires initiative. Once Japanese is on the defense and forced to react, the US numerical superiority means it only requires a mathematician to win AE. If Japan want's to have an active role in shaping its history, then this must happen very aggressively, boldly and sometimes in well planned and conceived manner, and sometimes just sponteously -- but happen until end of 1942, or maybe mid 1943.

PzB, maybe could can give me a few more hints on the ground combat model. From literature or military doctrine I am kind of used to the 3:1 rule, i.e. Andy ought to have at least three times larger AV value then your defending forces when entrenched. So apparently you may not be well dig in anymore, but you have a total of about 3000AV to his 4000AV total in sector 3. Did I understand your guess right? What is the error bar on the intel? Now that is roughly 1:1 in strength, and you have the advantage of defender, interior lines, close supply lines, and air superiority. Likely even troop experience levels.

So I would guess Andy shouldn't be able to make any quick headway against that, and you should get plenty of chances for aggressive counterstrokes a la Mannstein (offensive defense)? How much forces do you think it would take to hold his 4000 AV at bay, what combination of forces would that be and what forces could you disengage and redeploy?

Also it appears Andy is moving his army in a few big stacks, with lots of open space in between. Can't you delay one of these stacks with putting a small holding force in its way, while routing two strong columns around its flanks and cut his stacks off? This "pack movement" ought to be easy pray for strong mechanized counterattacks?? That would be basically what Rommel did with the British several times in Africa, or the Germans in Russia.

[PzB74]

No time for a detailed update today, here are some highlights:
1. A2A battles over China; we loose some ac due to poor dispositions (forgot to reset altitudes)
2. Heavy air strikes against Allied units in Burma and in Oz Zone 3.
3. We sink an AM in a convoy NNW of Pearl

Some of the cripples after the convoy slaughter are spotted close to Carnarvon but again our Betties refuse to fly.
Little activity from Andy, guess he's massing for something. That's the usual answer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have ca 2500 AV in combat units in Zone 3, some more in support and engineer units. Andy can easily muster 5000 and outnumber is even more in tanks.
The large transport convoys indicates that more troops may have been shipped in. Andy indicated that he's a bit paranoid and still defending Adelaide.

The biggest challenge in a stand in Zone 3 is that the flanks are long and not possible to hold.
A stalemate can be reached for some time, but when all the flanking bases fall and Andy rail in aviation support we are in trouble.
For a few weeks we can retain air superiority over Townsville but when Cloncurry falls and Winton and Rockhampton becomes operational a large force of enemy fighters will
start sweeping our CAP. When our navy has to withdraw to refuel or from the risk of enemy LBA we have to make sure we take our troops with us.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 23, 42

[Mynok]

Yeah,  you've got the picture I saw in area 3. You can probably hold the Townsville pocket for a bit due to good defensive terrain, but he'll isolate you then pound you do death in the air. Hope you have those transports ready for a Dunkirk.

[PzB74]

Yep! A bit of a stand off now as both sides reorganize.
- No ac in Townsville yet but Andy has moved PT boats in. No doubt he's expecting the Tokyo Express.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sep 24, 42

Air Combat

We bomb Allied units in Zone 3 heavily, inflicting heavy casualties.
We also bomb industries in China and the cut of Chinese corps in Burma.

Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 87,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 27
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-IIa Lily: 7 damaged
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 12 damaged


Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 32 (2 destroyed, 30 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
36 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Australian Brigade, at 89,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 58

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 27 damaged

Allied ground losses:
210 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd PS (P) with P-38E Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd Australian Army ...
Also attacking 3rd Australian Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Australian Brigade, at 89,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 23 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 33
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 26
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 29

Allied aircraft
P-38E Lightning x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied ground losses:
69 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 6000 feet

CAP engaged:
3rd PS (P) with P-38E Lightning (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 27000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 192nd Tank Battalion, at 87,147
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-49-Ia Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I gave up getting the Betties to finish the slaughtered convoy; some Zero's took the job!

Morning Air attack on TF, near Carnarvon at 48,131
Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Lulworth Hill, Shell hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Cornish City, Shell hits 2, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x A6M2 Zero bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Our counterattack succeeds and we route the Chink corps into the jungle.
One of the best Chinese corps I've seen this, was a good feeling to send it reeling.

Ground combat at 61,46
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27481 troops, 232 guns, 234 vehicles, Assault Value = 1026
Defending force 13459 troops, 102 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 641

Japanese adjusted assault: 525
Allied adjusted defense: 166

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
573 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3549 casualties reported
Squads: 69 destroyed, 95 disabled
Non Combat: 107 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Division
Imperial Guards Division
7th Ind.Tank Brigade

Defending units:
66th Chinese Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Para's pick up Winton; we abandoned it 3 days ago.

Ground combat at Winton (86,147)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 90 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 5
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Winton !!!

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

Assaulting units:
2nd USMC Parachute Bn /226
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[bklooste]

We have ca 2500 AV in combat units in Zone 3, some more in support and engineer units. Andy can easily muster 5000 and outnumber is even more in tanks.

Comments

Normally Australia has about 2000-2500AV which is mostly composed of Milita . The tanks are improvised vehicles and are crap eg cars with a MG and some plate welded on . If he has 5000 AV he must have sucked all of OZ dry of Oz troops + use outside troops .

I note the following ( prob) non Oz units
41st Infantry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Division
Americal Infantry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
27th Infantry Division
2nd Marine Regiment
30th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
I US Amphib Corps

This concentration must lead to some opportunities somewhere...

[bklooste]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Yeah,  you've got the picture I saw in area 3. You can probably hold the Townsville pocket for a bit due to good defensive terrain, but he'll isolate you then pound you do death in the air. Hope you have those transports ready for a Dunkirk.

Is it possible to get to Gloncurry /Normanton ? It would be partially covered from Tennant Creek and the distances give him less fighter cover. It also make evacuation easier. Im sure there will be surprises when you evacuate from the east at least a lot of subs.

[janh]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

We have ca 2500 AV in combat units in Zone 3, some more in support and engineer units. Andy can easily muster 5000 and outnumber is even more in tanks.

Comments

Normally Australia has about 2000-2500AV which is mostly composed of Milita . The tanks are improvised vehicles and are crap eg cars with a MG and some plate welded on . If he has 5000 AV he must have sucked all of OZ dry of Oz troops + use outside troops .

I note the following ( prob) non Oz units
41st Infantry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Division
Americal Infantry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
27th Infantry Division
2nd Marine Regiment
30th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
I US Amphib Corps

This concentration must lead to some opportunities somewhere...

I agree, it would be bad to give Andy the playbook, let the forces be pocketed and just react to his strikes at will. I just have a bad feeling about that, and I do not really see any fruits from that. Hopefully it was no mistake to abandon Rockhampton and the western base without a major fight. I assume the biggest threat in AUS is the US LBA, but presently PzB's air is doing well against it. I would still favor aggressive countermoves, of not even a counter-invasion further south his the west AUS coast. But maybe someone can enlighten me about the ground combat model of this game, what you can do and what you can't. From Seydlitz first Russian Campaign AAR I would come to believe if you left ~1000-1500 AV in defensive positions to delay or hold off Andy's advance, that should be able to buy 2 months or so. Would also sound very realistic to me given Andy has no air superiority.

Can someone summarize what major LCU units the US and its allies ought to have in reach of AUS presently, i.e. in AUS, Centpac or the US westcoast? I definitely miss the 1 MAR DIV, right? How about other US divisions, brigades or other forces capable of offensive work?
Andy must definitely have a weak spot somewhere now! He cannot advance with a huge army in AUS and an army in Burma (how far is he there by now?) without have reduced other areas substantially. I suppose the no-show of USN forces, particularly CV's, in the Sector 3 theater means they are somewhere between AUS and Pearl, probably covering or waiting for KB?

[Speedysteve]

Hi guys,

I'm not 100% accurate on all of the units the US will have by this time but I can say this the above is a fraction of what Andy has at his disposal.

Edited: Here's the list of units the US have at their disposal not in Aus at this moment....and this is just what's available up until the end of June! As you can see quite a force so I think you can count out any massive Japanese invasion elsewhere [;)] PErsonally I love it if the Japanese player invades Australia since it allows mass tieing down of them by the restricted Aussie divisions that when trained and equipped are very potent. On the flip side though I know it's important for the Japanese player to delay SRA invasions and taking northern Aus aids that!

102nd (Sep) Inf Rgt
147th (Sep) Inf Rgt
37th USA Division
25th USA Division
24th USA Division
201st (Sep) Inf Rgt
24th (Sep) Inf Rgt
32nd USA Division
4th (Sep) Inf Rgt
53rd (Sep) Inf Rgt
58th (Sep) Inf Rgt
87th Mountain Rgt

1st Marine Division
2nd Marine Division
3rd Marine Division (by end of Sept)

[Speedysteve]

Also guys by this time in 1942 the Aussie divisions will have trained and upgraded their equipment. So you can probably forget counting on them being Militia divisons with improvised ARM. They will probably be filled out with trained men and Stuarts/Grants etc. Theu have several ARM Rgt's and the 1st and 3rd Motor Bde's are especially decent formations when filled out.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: bklooste

We have ca 2500 AV in combat units in Zone 3, some more in support and engineer units. Andy can easily muster 5000 and outnumber is even more in tanks.

Comments

Normally Australia has about 2000-2500AV which is mostly composed of Milita . The tanks are improvised vehicles and are crap eg cars with a MG and some plate welded on . If he has 5000 AV he must have sucked all of OZ dry of Oz troops + use outside troops .

I note the following ( prob) non Oz units
41st Infantry Division
138th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Division
Americal Infantry Division
102nd Combat Engineer Regiment
27th Infantry Division
2nd Marine Regiment
30th Field Artillery Regiment
1st Medium Regiment
2nd Medium Regiment
I US Amphib Corps

This concentration must lead to some opportunities somewhere...

No at this point, all Australian tank units should be fielding matildas or Lee/grants and all of the provisional vehicles replaced. Oz has some pretty powerful tank and tank equipped units including 7 armor units (four of them containing about 40 lee/grants-matildas and 18 stuarts), three cavalry brigades, (slow but powerful with infantry mixed with about 40 light and medium tanks, and two motorized brigades (The best Allied units in the game in early 1942) with excellent tank units as well as infantry. Not to mention any American mobile units that he might have moved in.

In my game I brought two tank brigades from India in as well giving me a mobile (Panzer Armee OZ) force with about 800 AV. Capable of running over any Japanese division. Japanese infantry squads have virtually no AT values in 1942 and Japanese tanks are worse vs Allied armor. A regiment of lee/grants should easily defeat any lone Japanese tank regiment.