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

[PzB74]

Defensive victory!!
The Allied fleet has evacuated the troops from Palmyra and is heading out of the region.
- Our subs failed to hit anything and the fleet was already 14 hexes from Christmas Island; some bombers took of but RTB.

I will immediately rotate garrisons at Palmyra and complete the reinforcement of Christmas and Canton Islands.
- Need mines and some coastal guns.

No doubt both me and Andy learned from this; Andy did everything correct, but he would have needed a second wave of troops to
capture Palmyra. Performing an amph operation without naval supremacy is also a big gamble; sure he won't repeat it as long as the KB
isn't observed in the Indian Ocean... [;)]

The evacuation of Zone 3 is all but over, still got a few remnants that are being air lifted out.

Ok this turn saw a continued Allied air offensive in Burma; against Mandalay this time with multiple sweeps and bombing runs including a dozen B-17s.
From my side no action was planned but I had not noticed that my Tojos in Magwe set to CAP had a range of 6. This meant that a steady stream of CAP fighters
engaged the Allied fighters and bombers over Mandalay.

The Tojo's performed very well both against sweeps and bomber formations.
The biggest victory was against the poor Blenheims, a formation of 25 unescorted bombers was shredded - 23 shot down in one engagement.
The most costly actions was in the PM phase when some 45 Hurries swept Mandalay and found 12-19 Tojo's still in the hex.

In all we lost 18 Tojo's in A2A and 9 in ops losses. In return we shot down 34 bombers (2 B-17's) and 4 fighters.
The good news was that only a few pilots were KIA: 5. Another 6 were MIA. Fighting over Jap turf Allied pilot losses were undoubtedly higher.

My next decision is a tricky one;
- Should we make a stand south of Darwin or should we slowly prepare an evacuation of the continent?

Castor Troy is struggling to break through a Jap defense at Katherine in mid 43.
I'm not sure I can afford to but a full sized Army in this region and defending in open terrain against Panzer Andy is very dangerous and the risks
may be a lot bigger than the potential rewards. Forcing Andy to march a massive army towards Darwin is the plan for now; I will leave a rearguard at Alice Springs,
a small holding force at Tennant Creek and then pull back towards Katherine and await Andy's next move.

What I want to do now is to create a strong reserve at Rabaul, fortify the SRA and reinforce Malaya - Burma further.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 08, 42


Burma Theatre

[PzB74]

Need to reorganize the Fleet. Setting up dispositions as follows:

Kido Butai Carrier Fleet (Rabaul)
Akagi
Kaga
Shokaku
Zuikaku
Hiryu
Soryu
Chitose (CS)
Chiyoda (CS)
2 CA (Takao / Mogami)
1 CL
7 DD (2 x Akitsuki, 5 x Fubuki)

Mini KB Strike Fleet (Rabaul)
Junyo
Shoho
Ryuho
Nisshin (CS)
2 CA (Takao / Mogami)
1 CL
5 DD (Fubuki)

Escort Carrier Fleet (Rabaul)
Unyo
Chuyo
Taiyo
Mizuho (CS)
2 CA (Kinugasa)
1 CL
5 DD (Fubuki)

Training Carrier (Home Islands)
Hosho

Battle Cruiser Squadron (Carrier escorts) (Rabaul)
Kongo
Hiei
Haruna
Kirishima
2 CL
6 DD (3 Shiratsuyu, 3 Fubuki)

Battle Squadron (Rabaul)
Yamato
Musashi (when completed)
Nagato
Mutsu
2 CA
1 CL
5 DD (Shiratsuyu)

Bombardment Squadron (Singapore)
Yamashiro
Fuso
Ise
Hyuga
2 CA (Furutaka's)
1 CL
5 DD (3 Hatsuharu, 2 Fubuki)

First Cruiser Squadron (Rabaul)

4 CA
1 CL
7 DD

Second Cruiser Squadron (Java)
4 CA
1 CL
7 DD

Torpedo Squadron (Rabaul)

1 x Agano (when completed)
2 x Kitakami
6 x Kagero

Destroyer Squadrons I-X (Rabaul, Singapore, Marshalls)

Destroyer Classes

7 x Yugumo (AA 121, ASW 4, torp 8)
8 x Shiratsuyu (AA 107, ASW 4, torp 8)
19 x Kagero (AA 121, ASW 2, torp 8)
3 x Hatsuharu (AA 107, ASW 4, torp 6)
29 x Fubuki (AA 106, ASW 4, torp 9)
9 x Asashio (AA 94, ASW 2, torp 8)
2 x Akitsuki (carrier escorts - AA 76, ASW 2, torp 4)

Total: 77 fleet destroyers

7 x Wakatake (second rate - AA 27, ASW 2, torp 4)
11 x Mutsuki (second rate - AA 74, ASW 2, torp 6)
5 x Momo (escort destroyers - AA 49, ASW 2, torp 4)
14 x Minekaze (second rate - AA 67, ASW 2, torp 2)
8 x Kamikaze (second rate - AA 69, ASW 2, torp 4)

Total: 45 second rate destroyers

Heavy Cruisers
1 x Tone (Carrier escort - AA 156, torp 12)
1 x Maya (AA 99, ASW 2, torp 16)
4 x Mogami (AA 150, torp 16)
4 x Myoko (AA 150, torp 16)
2 x Kinugasa (AA 93, torp 8)
2 x Furutaka (AA 93, torp 8)
4 x Takao (AA 156, ASW 2, torp 16)

Light Cruisers
1 x Yubari (Destroyer leader - AA 18, torp 4)
2x Tenryu (Destroyer leader - AA 36, torp 6)
3 x Sendai (Destroyer leader - AA 45, torp 8)
5 x Nagara (Destroyer leader - AA 30, torp 8)
3 x Kuma (Destroyer leader - AA 45, torp 8)
1 x Katori (escort / training cruiser - AA 61, torp 4)
2 x Kitakami (torpedo cruiser - AA 18, torp 40)

[seille]

Very good AAR. With all the nice screenshots and the good explanation new players can learn a lot from.

One wish: Could you give us a picture of your production ?
What is your oil/fuel/supply situation ? Which planes you focus at and so on.

One question:
What do you mean with Training Carrier (Hosho) / Training Cruiser (Katori) ?

[janh]

What would be Andy's next step if you draw his strong ground columns towards Darwin?  Besides that it would be a very interesting battle in the desert, with new opportunities to disable his armor and reduce his infantry, and make him burn his supplies in AUS (which would be a nice strategic side effect and delay further action),  he would end up with a huge force in Darwin if you pull out, or get thrown out.  From there be basically must ship them out.  And the next best route would lead to the DEI.  I doubt he would move them back and transfer them to India or CentPac from that port.  I would think he would open a offensive push through the DEI, that could nicely coordinate with the attacks in Burma and shake hands in Vietnam or so.  What do you expect?

[PzB74]

Hi Seille, welcome to the thread! [:)]

The Hosho is an old 1920 vintage carrier that was mostly used to train carrier pilots throughout the war.
It's not a first line carrier anymore and I keep it in the Home Islands to simulate the carrier pilot training process.
The Katori is and her sister were created as training cruisers to train men and officers. Their speed is very low (ca 18 knots) and
I use them mostly as escorts.

Can post a resource overview later on; posted a few not that long ago.

I'm focusing on production of the Tojo for the moment. The A6M2 Zero as well as main (naval) bomber types are also being produced in increased numbers.
Have stopped production of seveal ac types as number of ac in the pools became ca 10-15% of all operational units of that type.
- The biggest challenge is engines. If I want more 4 engined Emilys I find that I must produce 4 engines per produced air frame. This makes logistics difficult.

Most of Andy's troops in Oz are restricted to Australia and will not be able to leave the continent unless he pays political points for them.
All the troops we fight with in Oz are unrestricted units; this is the big advantage we give to Andy by fighting him here.
- I doubt Andy will invade anything requiring carrier support until mid 43 at earliest. That he will go through the DEI is a very possible scenario, especally if he wins
the battle in Burma.

The last couple of turns have been rather quiet.
Some bombing and sweeps in Burma and enemy units are moving towards Shwebo with one unit already in the base.

One success is the destruction of a tank battalion.
It moved into Cloncurry, met a large para unit and then one of our Tank regiments followed suit, closed the escape routes and forced it to surrender!


Ground combat at Cloncurry (84,142)

Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 2334 troops, 20 guns, 101 vehicles, Assault Value = 125

Defending force 140 troops, 3 guns, 68 vehicles, Assault Value = 25
Japanese adjusted assault: 157

Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 157 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 95 (95 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
Yokosuka Assault SNLF

Defending units:
192nd Tank Battalion

We also had numerous sub and asw attacks as 8-10 subs pursue the retreating Allied invasion force from Palmyra towards Pearl Harbour.
This turn we loose a sub to depth charges and no hits were reported. Suddenly Andy pops in with a Skype message.

[18:40:19] Andrew McPhie: I really hate your subs
[18:41:03] john.leknes: ..they didn't hit anything this turn?
[18:41:10] Andrew McPhie: Big E
[18:41:16] john.leknes: :O
[18:41:21] john.leknes: FOW...I saw nada!
[18:41:49] john.leknes: To be cheated for such a success isn't nice.
[18:42:22] Andrew McPhie: grrr

I feel a bit cheated! We finally torpedoed Lucky E and I didn't see it!!! Not fair....but it's a most welcome news! [8D]
Guess Andy assumed I observed the hit(s). Hm, wonder if it was 1 or 2 torps that hit. Our subs will continue to pursue all the way into PH.

[inqistor]

ORIGINAL: PzB

My next decision is a tricky one;
- Should we make a stand south of Darwin or should we slowly prepare an evacuation of the continent?

Considering, that Allies can do nothing to Japan air force in Australia for now, the longer Japan bombers harash land troops there, the better. What are their experience levels now, anyway?
Plus Andy is far too reckless with attacks there. Ultimately it would be foolish to stay too long, but while he attacks with unrestricted units (or Armored, which he surely make unrestricted in future), it is better to battle them in Australia, not on some islands.

The only question, I can not find answer, is where the heck are all those Allied planes? It reports 6000 sorties a day, 50% more, than Japan, and still I can not see, what are they actually doing. There is more Japan planes in China, Australia, and Burma. So where is this 1000-2000 Allied extra planes?
I actually wondered what was the purpose of Palmyra operation? Allies have no chance at this time, to keep island without mutually supporting bases. Heck, even, if Andy will manage to get an island, and put there planes, airfield will be shut down, after first sea bombardment.
And why are Allied Task Forces so large? It gives great disadvantage at combat. No wonder Andy lost most of his Carriers in other game.

BURMA:
Are those Allied Ships in Akyab (or maybe north of there)? Are Betties pilots sleeping? Where is Japan fleet?
How about Paoshan offensive first, or only crossroad from there? The number of Jungle hexes should be too high for supply, and retreat, thus effectively cutting Myitkyina area.

FLEET REORGANISATION:
Shouldn't Destroyers at Carrier escort duty be the one with BEST AA?
If Bombardment Squadron is in Singapore, I understand it will bombard Akyab. So it needs more AA (as there are lots of enemy planes in the area), and more torpedo tubes, as it will engage unloading fleets, and PT Boats.

ORIGINAL: janh

end up with a huge force in Darwin if you pull out, or get thrown out. From there be basically must ship them out. And the next best route would lead to the DEI.

True, but first ships must actually get there, and then, they must load troops, so it can only be made, by controlling airspace. Considering number of small bases on nearby islands, not gonna happen soon. 100 Fighters, and 25 Kates should close all movement for good.
So either long, really long, blooding air battle, or quick amphibious assault on all those islands. But control of those islands, makes loading at Darwin pointless then.


PS. Turn off Automatic Convoy to Palmyra. Who knows, maybe AI already send there 2 convoys already, with fuel, and supplies. Better safe, than sorry.
PPS. What is preparation of Palmyra units? I know, you wrote, that it is 100%, but you get negative modifier, because of preparation, in combat report.
PPPS. Is Jarvis Island still green? tsk...tsk...

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: inqistor

The only question, I can not find answer, is where the heck are all those Allied planes? It reports 6000 sorties a day, 50% more, than Japan, and still I can not see, what are they actually doing. There is more Japan planes in China, Australia, and Burma. So where is this 1000-2000 Allied extra planes?

Some thoughts...

One sortie = 1 plane making 1 flight. So, a plane doing search that flies twice a day counts as 2 sorties. The Allies have a lot more search than Japan, and also can/should use a lot of bombers on naval search. Plus dive bombers, float planes, etc. They might also be moving around supplies by transport planes.

So a lot o flights the opponent might never see.

EDIT: Do training flights count as sorties, too?

[PzB74]

Allied air force is getting more potent; it will be until 1Q 43 before numerous Liberator reinforcements start arriving though.
But number of P-38's will go up and make life more difficult. Still, defending from Darwin and the next 2 bases against Tennant Creek gives advantages.
(I don't think I can or will hold at Tennant Creek, to close to 3 potential Oz bases and a long way to fall back).

Andy got a lot of planes in India in bases I cannot reach with anything but recon planes.
Think he's training and building reserves.

At Akyab there are only small ships not worth a torpedo. The presence of 10-50 Allied fighters make any small sortie a potentially deadly one.
An offensive into mountains is a dead end venture, defensive modifiers make it possible for a Chink corps to hold up 3 Jap divisions.
Advancing into the flanks is also very dangerous when an attack by huge Allied forces into Mandalay is building up.

Most Allied ac in the forward bases in India and Burma are on the coastline. Andy is putting fightes here to CAP and sweep our forces.
If he place bombers here I will see it and bombard [:)] Battleships are also able to withstand anything but powerful naval bomber units.
- In the middle of the monsun weather also provide cover and I use LRCAP to give extra protection to our ships. So the bombardment force doesn't really
need the best AA escort destroyers, asw ability is more important actually but I haven't seen an enemy sub in the Allied ocean for months.

I don't use auto convoys, then they may end up like Andy's convoys [;)]
I just recently landed a Naval guard unit at Palmyra, it had 44 prep for Palmyra - all the rest of the units had 100% prep.
Even one poor leader or one unit with less than max prep will make a negative modifier pop up. So if you have a unit with 2 squads and a useless leader and no preps
in a base with 8 divisions you may still get 3 negative multipliers [8|]

There are many small dot bases in the Central Pacific I've not occupied; not had time and resources to do so.
Now I'm bringing in a para unit; together with 2 sea planes they can complete the occupation of the dot island empire!-)

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 11, 42

Sub Attacks

You launch 8 torps at a merchant and miss!! You imbecile...the cost of those fish will be deducted from you pay [:'(]

Submarine attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-154

Allied Ships
xAK Exhibitor

xAK Exhibitor is sighted by SS I-154
SS I-154 launches 8 torpedoes at xAK Exhibitor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is better; 4 fisht - 2 hits and a dud!

Submarine attack near Nadi at 130,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-168

Allied Ships
xAK Empire Baxter, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Empire Baxter is sighted by SS I-168
SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Empire Baxter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerous engagement with enemy fleet heading towards PH. One is hit hard but will live, another
hits a mine and sinks... This will be the last day before the ships reach safety.

ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 175,118
Japanese Ships
SS RO-64, hits 9

Allied Ships
DD Voyager
DD Bailey
DD Thanet

SS RO-64 is located by DD Voyager
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thanet attacking submerged sub ....
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Thanet attacking submerged sub ....
DD Thanet is out of ASW ammo
DD Thanet fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 223 encounters mine field at Pearl Harbor (180,107)

Japanese Ships
SS I-157, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-157, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
DD Monssen
DD Hull
DD Lang

SS I-157 is located by DD Monssen
I-157 bottoming out ....
DD Hull fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Lang fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Hull fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Hull fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Andy set a CAP trap at Akyab today to catch our bombers.
- That's why I don't want naval bombers around.

I _try_ not to do the same missions in dangerous places twice, so today I only sent a sweep!-)
We lost Tojo's both in A2A and ops losses, so not really worth it this time despite 50% heavier Allied losses.

I also bombed the Indian divisions moving towards Shwebo.
In Shwebo there is an arty unit, it railed in by mistake. Was going to Mandalay and ended up in a hell hole.
I want Andy to capture Shwebo in order to kick him out again and rout his Indian army.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Hurricane IIc Trop x 13
P-40E Warhawk x 3
P-40K Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
Hurricane IIc Trop: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Comilla , at 56,39
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 30,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 32

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 2

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

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

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000
Raid is overhe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 46th Indian Brigade, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

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

Also attacking 39th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 39th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 46th Indian Brigade ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 17th Indian Division, at 60,44
Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 53
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 28
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
293 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled

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

Also attacking 14th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 14th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 14th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 14th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 5th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 17th Indian Division ...
Also attacking 14th Indian Division ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 31st Field AA Battalion, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 1

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 30
Hudson IIIa x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 14

No Japanese losses

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

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 31st Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 31st Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 48th Field Artillery Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hudson IIIa x 9

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground Combat

Sigh, the Chink Army still hanging around in Nanning is powerful and it will take a month
to get rid of them. Kweiling is less well defended and I should be able to chase them out soon.

Ground combat at Nanning (72,55)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 10287 troops, 80 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 371
Defending force 14959 troops, 120 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 531

Japanese adjusted assault: 257

Allied adjusted defense: 719
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
643 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
66th Infantry Regiment
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
51st Recon Regiment

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
9th Chinese Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12481 troops, 104 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 493
Defending force 6879 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 271

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

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division

Defending units:
63rd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[aprezto]

ORIGINAL: PzB
I just recently landed a Naval guard unit at Palmyra, it had 44 prep for Palmyra - all the rest of the units had 100% prep.
Even one poor leader or one unit with less than max prep will make a negative modifier pop up. So if you have a unit with 2 squads and a useless leader and no preps
in a base with 8 divisions you may still get 3 negative multipliers [8|]

I have wondered on this.

Do the negative modifiers indicate that there have been negative modifiers attributed to those units only (that are guilty), or because they are guilty, to ALL units in the battle.

Seems crazy for it to mean the later.

[PzB74]

Hm, I presume the former Al but we can ask Andy about it!

Battles in Zone 3 are quickly ending; It will take Andy a good month to get a larger Army ready to march against Tennant Creek.
Plan is that it will be 1943 before Darwin becomes threatened.

In the Line Islands reserves have been brought in. The troops on Palmyra suffered few KIA's. Most units are repairing and returning to 90% of max strength.
No room on Palmyra for more troops, so will place most in Canton and Christmas Islands and mine the bases. The Line Islands is a very valuable outpost and it reduce the required
operating radius for our subs in the Central Pacific by 50%. If Andy bypasses the Line Islands he must hit the Gilberts from the direction of Suva or move against the Marianas via Wake Island. These options leaves him without a major base for thousands of miles (PH and Suva respectively).

The more difficult a Cent Pac advance becomes, the more likely a trust through the SRA becomes.
- It's important not to put all ones egg in a single basket. By the time Japan loose carrier supremacy we should consider shrinking the outer perimeter.
That's better than loosing lots of good troops.

Tomorrow I've ordered a max effort in Burma. It's a bit risky, so I go all in; over 200 fighters have been put on LRCAP over Shwebo.
Mostly Tojo's but an influx of Oscars and Zeros will also be present to draw fire. I've placed the fighters at altitudes between 14 and 30k feet to deal with both bombers
and fighters. If Andy makes a max out bombing offensive it will hurt....


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 12, 42

Surface Combat

4 small damaged barges are sunk at Cairns.
- They accumulate damage when out of fuel, and with a max range of 2 hexes they can hardly be used for anything.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Cairns at 92,140, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
LB-149, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-152, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-155, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
LB-156, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Allied Ships
DD Gwin
DD Russell
DD Helm
DD McCall
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Our main effort today was against Shwebo and the enemy unit there.
Was a bit nervous when 45 unescorted Sally's went in; fortunately only a small leaky CAP made up
from Hurries was present. I think Andy CAP'ed the larger formation to the north which we bombed last turn.

38 4E's bombed Shwebo today; so the number of heavy bombers in India is increasing.
- Guess Andy has been switching them from Oz.

Morning Air attack on 3rd Carabiniers Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 45

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (2 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (5 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd USMC Tank Battalion, at 84,142 (Cloncurry)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 21 (1 destroyed, 20 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 5000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 4th Aus Cav Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
Also attacking 4th Aus Cav Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd USMC Tank Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Carabiniers Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
1 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Carabiniers Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 66
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 29 (1 destroyed, 28 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
31 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
35 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 31st Field AA Battalion, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 26 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 30
Hudson IIIa x 27

Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IIIa: 1 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
15 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
12 x Hudson IIIa bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 56th Recon Regiment ...
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 56th Recon Regiment ...
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 31st Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Also attacking 31st Field AA Battalion ...
Also attacking 48th Field Artillery Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 56th Recon Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Blenheim IV bombing from 10000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 48th Field Artillery Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 7
B-17E Fortress x 4

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x Liberator II bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 31st Field AA Battalion ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 48th Field Artillery Regiment, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 45 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 6

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Also attacking 56th Recon Regiment ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 31st Field AA Battalion, at 59,45 (Shwebo)
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Shwebo , at 59,45
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 33,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 14
P-38F Lightning x 7

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Things are settling in Zone 3. I couldn't airlift all troops from Cloncurry and the rearguard
fought hard against 3 tank brigades before being kicked out.

Normanton was successfully evacuated and the motor brigade met no opposition there.
In Cairns only the radio operators from the base force unit was left.. :p
Our only presence in Zone 3 is now a few dot bases and the little base north of Cairns.

The Carabiniers regiment in Shwebo could not throw out small garrison out after being pounded from the air.

Ground combat at Cairns (92,140)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 765 troops, 3 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 63
Defending force 12 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Allied adjusted assault: 54
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 54 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Cairns !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

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

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

Assaulting units:
754th Tank Battalion

Defending units:
Yokosuka Assault SNLF /2
47th JNAF AF Unit /1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Cloncurry (84,142)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4109 troops, 16 guns, 417 vehicles, Assault Value = 500
Defending force 1104 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 30

Allied adjusted assault: 264
Japanese adjusted defense: 24

Allied assault odds: 11 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Cloncurry !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender:
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
517 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 43 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units pursuing 1

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Army Tank Brigade
194th Tank Battalion
2nd USMC Tank Battalion
4th Aus Cav Brigade
1st Motor Brigade

Defending units:
Yokosuka Assault SNLF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)
Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 355 troops, 0 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 23
Defending force 1060 troops, 70 guns, 30 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Allied adjusted assault: 1

Japanese adjusted defense: 9
Allied assault odds: 1 to 9 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment

Defending units:
56th Recon Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
31st Field AA Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Normanton (86,138)

Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 2328 troops, 26 guns, 245 vehicles, Assault Value = 168
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 266
Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 266 to 1 (fort level 3)
Allied forces CAPTURE Normanton !!!

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

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

Assaulting units:
7th Armoured Brigade
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burma

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 13, 42

Bombardments

First bombardment with the new patch; base was hit hard - ships cycled through different ranges and guns.
Casualties on the ground were relatively slight. 152 (23 after) fires and heavy port damage were reported in Akyab after the bombardment.

Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
BB Haruna
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
DD Katsutade
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Arashi
DD Isokaze
DD Oyashio

Allied ground losses:
63 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 4 (1 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 21 (14 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Manpower hits 2
Fires 152
Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 68
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

BB Yamashiro firing at Akyab
BB Fuso firing at 1st Indian Light AA Regiment
BB Haruna firing at 1st Indian Light AA Regiment
CL Abukuma firing at 111th RN Base Force
111th RN Base Force firing at CL Abukuma
CL Kinu firing at 111th RN Base Force
DD Katsutade firing at Akyab
DD Shiratsuyu firing at Akyab
DD Arashi firing at 111th RN Base Force
111th RN Base Force firing at DD Arashi
DD Isokaze firing at 111th RN Base Force
111th RN Base Force firing at DD Isokaze
DD Oyashio firing at 94th Coast AA Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

No Allied attacks on Shwebo or anywhere else in Burma, so our CAP trap didn't work.
Our only raid was almost a disaster; the 36 Zero's in the same base as the bombers with the same altitude and an exact
target given failed to fly and the bombers went on their own. Hurries over the target cost us 3 bombers, but it could have been
a lot more....

Morning Air attack on 66th Chinese/C Corps, at 61,45

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 50

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 7000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.113 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (16 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(16 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
16 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 30000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 66th Chinese/A Corps ...
Also attacking 66th Chinese/B Corps ...
Also attacking 66th Chinese/C Corps ...
Also attacking 66th Chinese/A Corps ...
Also attacking 66th Chinese/B Corps ...
Also attacking 66th Chinese/C Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Last turn there were 2 Chink units in Kweilin and nothing nearby, this turn when we attacked 2 more Corps had railed in.
Use strat movement for behind the line movements my a$$!

Ground combat at Kweilin (76,54)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13037 troops, 104 guns, 132 vehicles, Assault Value = 491

Defending force 22844 troops, 108 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 961
Japanese adjusted assault: 169

Allied adjusted defense: 865
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 5 (fort level 3)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), op mode(-), preparation(-)
experience(-)
Attacker: supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
786 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 41 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Vehicles lost 37 (1 destroyed, 36 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
452 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division

Defending units:
63rd Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Judy D4Y1-C Naval recon

Look at this little beauty; a naval recon plane! We started producing it this month - 10/42.
Problem is that there are no navy recon units and I can't find any units that upgrade to it.
- I want it on my carriers!!!

Anyone know how to deploy this puppy?

[castor troy]

Manpower hits and fires at Akyab? With naval bombardment? [X(]

Besides the fact that I´ve never seen manpower being hit with naval bombardments, since when has been manpower at Akyab?[&:]

[PzB74]

No idea...to me it looks like bombardments now work like strat bombing by 4Es.

Quiet on most fronts this turn; paras start claiming the Dot Island Empire near the Line Islands!-)
- This gave me an idea; what if we claimed some of those islands SSW of the Line Island. Could put some search and strike planes there and together with a surface group and couple of light carriers at Canton we got the potential to find and intercept any convoys sailing from PH-WC and south. Nothing major, just a small effort to make it even more difficult to run convoys in the area.

In Burma the enemy "stack" has not entered Shwebo. I have delayed the Army to wait for Andy as I think it may be a trap.
With the substantial reinforcements coming into the theatre I decided on offensive Samurai action! [:D]
- The powerful Army will enter Shwebo next turn, ejec the enemy Carabiniers regiment and rout the Indian Army.
If Andy use this as an opportunity to attack through the jungle we have rail lines and time to reorganize.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Oct 14, 42

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on 31st Chinese Corps, at 72,55 (Nanning)
Weather in hex: Partial cloud

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

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 25
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Ki-48-IIa Lily x 12
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 12

No Japanese losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
12 x Ki-48-IIa Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-49-IIa Helen bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 64th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 52nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 9th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 31st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 64th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 31st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 64th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 52nd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 31st Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 64th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 31st Chinese Corps ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Jarvis Island (170,144)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 3
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Jarvis Island !!!

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

Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kitakami - AA & Kaiten Cruisers

Have you seen what the Kitakami torpedo cruisers upgrade to in late war?
Combined AA (705 AA) and Kaiten (x8)

They will also have deptch charges and multiple radar sets!

Interesting little JFB gadget; must preserve one of these and test [8D]

[LoBaron]

PzB, the Zero´s that didn´t escort, do they have the same HQ as the Sallies?
Also Sallies and Zeroes have quite a high cruise speed difference which could interfere. (Edit: at least if they are A6M2´s)

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Judy D4Y1-C Naval recon

Look at this little beauty; a naval recon plane! We started producing it this month - 10/42.
Problem is that there are no navy recon units and I can't find any units that upgrade to it.
- I want it on my carriers!!!

Anyone know how to deploy this puppy?

Two groups are delayed and 8 groups will potentially upgrade to it (many of them delayed too)... similar for the D4Y2-C

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: PzB
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kitakami - AA & Kaiten Cruisers

Have you seen what the Kitakami torpedo cruisers upgrade to in late war?
Combined AA (705 AA) and Kaiten (x8)

They will also have deptch charges and multiple radar sets!

Interesting little JFB gadget; must preserve one of these and test [8D]

wow, a higher AA value than Atlanta CLAAs got in mid war. The AA value isn´t telling the whole truth though, most of the AA value is obviously coming from the 25mm guns and these shouldn´t be that effective, at least according to what we were told by the devs so far.

[PzB74]

Must check the Air HQs; moved some Sally's in from another theatre.
The strange thing is that bombers usually don't have a problem following each other, fighters following bombers is uber difficult in AE though.
- I know this is an example of Navy fighters and Army bombers but the Zero's have a better range than the Oscar; group size is also bigger than the Oscar unit I got in theatre.
Been upgrading most Oscars to Tojo's, only got 2 units left in Burma. Will have some Oscar escort with same altitude setting as the Army bombers in other hexes, in case the "organic" escort doesn't show up there's a chance that the "backups" will....think we need to become this paranoid to avoid getting our pilots slaughtered.

Hm, if that Yokosuka group that upgrades to the Uber Judy recon is on map I'l update, resize and get it on a carrier.
If max range with drop tanks is 22 hexes this can prove most usefull! [:)]

67x25mm; that would provide a lot of close range flak.
The 4 12.7cm AA guns would be the long range artillery.
No medium sized flak artillery though, so such a ship would be better at defending itself than escoring other vessels.
- Need to look up the accuracy and range of the Kaitens compared to the long lance. Wonder how efficient they will be. If we can judge from how they duped the midget subs in AE and Okha's in WitP they'll be worth fine little [8|] I'm actually unsure whether to upgrade the Kitakami's at all or keep their 2x20 torp mounts and use them as torpedo cruiser leaders.

[PzB74]

Jap engineers need a lot of time to build bases, so construction work on the Prosperity Line has started! [;)]
To begin with 1 Eng or construction unit is put in place, then I add a naval garrion and base force and eventually and Air HQ.
In this case a range 5 Air HQ at Endeh will be perfecto. When it is time for mining I find an ACM, disband it in port and let the minelayers drop their eggs.
- All in all an expensive and time consuming process.

[PzB74]

Wiki article:

As a Kaiten carrier
From 14 August 1944 Kitakami was repaired and modified at Sasebo into a Kaiten human torpedo carrier with a capacity for eight Kaitens. A 20-ton crane, formerly from the seaplane carrier Chitose, was fitted to raise and lower the Kaiten into the water. The stern was remodeled into an overhanging ramp configuration and the aft turbines were removed as well, and the space used to hold spare parts & repair equipment. The removal of these turbines reduced Kitakami's top speed from 36 to 23 knots. All of Kitakami's armaments were removed and replaced by two Type 89 127-mm AA guns and 67 Type 96 25-mm (12x3 and 31x1) AA barrels, two Type 13 air-search and one Type 22 surface-search radars. Two depth charge launching rails were installed at the stern and two depth charge throwers were also installed. The refit was completed on 20 January 1945, and Kitakami was assigned directly to the Combined Fleet.

On 19 March 1945, American Task Force 58 aircraft carriers USS Essex (CV-9), USS Intrepid (CV-11), USS Hornet (CV-12), USS Wasp (CV-18), USS Hancock (CV-19), USS Bennington (CV-20) and the USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) made the first carrier attack of the war on Kure Arsenal. More than 240 aircraft (SB2C Helldivers, F4U Corsairs and F6F Hellcats) attacked the battleships Hyuga, Ise, Yamato, Haruna, aircraft carriers Amagi, Katsuragi, Ryuho, Kaiyo and other ships. Kitakami sustained no damage.

In July 1945, an additional twenty seven single mount Type 96 25-mm AA guns were fitted to Kitakami. However, on 24 July 1945 about 200 aircraft Task Force 38's USS Essex (CV-9), USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), USS Randolph (CV-15), USS Hancock (CV-19), USS Monterey (CVL-26) and USS Bataan (CVL-29) again attacked the Kure area. Kitakami was damaged by strafing and thirty-two crewmen were killed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I didn't notice that the Kitakami's speed had been reduced to 21 knots..this isn't good.
In this article speed is set to 23, what should be correct?

The Kaitens aboard subs claimed 2 kills..(Japs claim more)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiten The Kaiten cruisers never went into action. In AE it will be a doomsday project to engage them in combat with a speed of 21 knots.
...One way tickets.

Found some pictures of a model and rl:

[FatR]

Kaitens have less accuracy than almost any other torpedo in the game and 50% dud rate, but do enormous damage (almost 3.5 times of Long Lance). But I'm afraid, unless you catch the enemy ships unloading, this isn't going to matter.