::Felix, Ferdinand and FRUPAC:: obvert (A) v Greyjoy (J)

[Ron Saueracker]

Bowmore 17[&o]

[PaxMondo]

Laphroaig

[&o][&o][&o]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Laphroaig

[&o][&o][&o]

This jostled a literary memory... wasn't that a character in some story I read? Or at least some name similar to "Laphroig", which could sound like "La Frog"....

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]August 29 - 31, 1942[/font]

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Not much going on, except in China of course.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Troops heading back to Sholapur and upgrading, taking replacements.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] There are a few islands in the Solomons and over near New Guinea that are still in Allied hands. I'm gong to try to invest them with small 10AV Aussie units with a few engineers and see what the response is like. I'll supply them with subs and move a few things with the special transport subs. There are also some up by Kaveing, and after these I'll try to put something there as well.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] The troops near Chikhiang hold again. If the report can be believed, the tanks took a bit of a loss. This place is churning out casualties pretty regularly. How long will it hold? [;)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SIGINT:[/font] This is interesting. I like that all of these extended areas look as if he wants to hold them with a fight.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]56th Division is located at Kalgoorlie(56,147).[/font]

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR August 30, 42
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Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31181 troops, 420 guns, 977 vehicles, Assault Value = 934

Defending force 38740 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 925

Japanese adjusted assault: 516

Allied adjusted defense: 763

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 97 (5 destroyed, 92 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
943 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 169 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 18 (4 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Assaulting units:
12th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
40th Division
18th Tank Regiment
19th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
9th Tank Regiment
39th Division
15th Tank Regiment
13th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
13th Army
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
86th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Guess what starts production tomorrow?!!! [:)][/font]

[JocMeister]

I had a bottle of Dalwhinnie not too long a go! [:)] Wasn´t one of my favorites. Way too much vanilla for my taste!

Oban on the other hand...always have a bottle in my cabinet. [:)]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]September 1 - 3, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The sub-laid mines at Kaveing have been found I don't think anything hit them, but an AMc today cleared a few.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] I noticed that there is a unit showing up through signals intel on the track toward Raipur. Interesting. Is he wandering in to try to get this base? I'll set recon and bombers tomorrow to both get better recon and hit it. It's over near the coast by Viz now.

The P-40K has started production, and all of them will go to fill out groups here first.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] The plan to invest small dot bases in the South Pacific has begun. I'l call this Operation Grapeshot. It's simply a tactic of annoyance and meant to test responses. He can easily push all of these little forces off of their respective islands, but there will be a lot of them! So if he doesn't notice right away, (and none of the bases show a DL as of yet a couple of days after the start of the op) then soon there will be ~10 bases invested with these little scout forces.

The Aussies have perfect units for this. The 10AV commando forces that appear with very good experience in 42. I've also got some NZ pioneer engineer units that can be sent in parts to add some building capability to the bases. I'd like to build a fort and then start on airfields here.

Rekata Bay is one of these open dots. Building that and getting a foothold would be huge. Even better, Musau Island and several around it are still Allied. I'll invest there with a sub transport of a full 10AV unit and some engineers ASAP. There is a map below.

At he very least this may distract from the progress in the Central Pacific, allowing a more speedy movements to begin over there, but also providing possible locations for forward PBY search bases that could really give good early warning capability.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] A big DA hits up near the mountains but only gets a 1:2. The Chinese take about 130+ disabled squads, but the IJA takes 500+. [:)]

Hopefully it'll be tough to get supply to move up here and this will simply be a big mess of IJA units that can't move forward and can't move back (without incurring SL penalties and more supply loss). The Chinese now have 400AV in the x3 hex behind the frontline and are digging in.

The forces in front of Chikhiang continue to hold against a 1:1 DA on the 3rd. This is what I wrote to Nick commemorating these units. [:D]

[font="Trebuchet MS"]I’m designing a triple life-sized Chinese soldier wearing sandals with an M1 Springfield bolt-action WWI rifle held high over his head in triumph as he’s about to be run down by an IJA Type 89 tank, which will be placed on a public square in Chungking! [/font]

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 1, 42
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Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36955 troops, 359 guns, 735 vehicles, Assault Value = 1384

Defending force 44791 troops, 313 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1543

Japanese adjusted assault: 881

Allied adjusted defense: 1069

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
3476 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 513 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Guns lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
633 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 132 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th Division
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
16th Division
4th Tank Regiment
Guards Tank Division
23rd Army

Defending units:
14th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
18th Artillery Regiment

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 3, 42
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Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 34273 troops, 468 guns, 761 vehicles, Assault Value = 1037

Defending force 42819 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 929

Japanese adjusted assault: 646

Allied adjusted defense: 442

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1870 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 112 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
518 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Assaulting units:
39th Division
1st Tank Division
69th Division
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
13th Army
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
90th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
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[font="Trebuchet MS"]The bases selected will be the next to be invested, if possible, by sub transport. Imagine a Cat group at Musau! Not likely, but fun to consider. [/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]AAR[/font]

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It's been fun writing the AAR, but I had hoped for more, and haven't been able to do it justice lately. I did want to have some fictional elements continue, and now that the wedding is complete and things are back on track, I'd like to get back to that. More to come.

Nick asked about the title of the AAR in a recent email. I had fun choosing something, and wanted a certain focus for the game. I've read a lot recently about intel, deception, recon, special ops and coast watchers.

This is what I sent back to him:

Felix - a bit of a personal connection; I can imagine if I'd been in the war, I might be wearing this patch and hanging out the bubble of a Cat with a 40 pound 6 x 9 camera over the Marshalls somewhere.

http://www.wwiijeepparts.com/ForSaleStore/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=61

Ferdinand - I love this story, and recently read Eric Feldt's book.

https://www.navy.gov.au/media-room/publications/semaphore-may-2014
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Coastwatchers-Operation-Ferdinand-Pacific/dp/1495397912

FRUPAC - read a lot about these guys - probably the major reason the war turned as early as it did - Joseph Rochefort should be IMHO as well known as Nimitz or Halsey

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_HYPO

As much as I can, I'm trying to play the game with these areas in mind continually. Obviously through SIGINT, coast watcher reports, recon, but also with small actions in mind, little forays and feints, deception and smaller moves around the board, both meant to stick and some meant to assess enemy strength, tendencies and reactions. These will only increase as the Allies get stronger.

[LargeSlowTarget]

ORIGINAL: obvert

FRUPAC - read a lot about these guys - probably the major reason the war turned as early as it did - Joseph Rochefort should be IMHO as well known as Nimitz or Halsey.

+1

Following your AAR and have to chime in here - fully agree, Station HYPO aka FRUPAC and Rochefort deserve a "virtual monument" [;)]:

[HansBolter]

Couldn't agree more.

He certainly got a raw deal from Ernie King.

Can't help but wonder if King was sore over Nimitz's code breakers being right and his being wrong and took it out on Rochefort.

Loved Hal Holbrook's depiction of him in Midway.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

ORIGINAL: obvert

FRUPAC - read a lot about these guys - probably the major reason the war turned as early as it did - Joseph Rochefort should be IMHO as well known as Nimitz or Halsey.

+1

Following your AAR and have to chime in here - fully agree, Station HYPO aka FRUPAC and Rochefort deserve a "virtual monument" [;)]:

This is awesome!!! [&o][&o][&o]

Next game I start I'd love to add it into the database if I can. Even though SIGINT comes every turn, this just feels right!

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 4 - 6, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]SUBS: [/font] The subs are transiting to So Pac as they finish in Cent Pac. Lots of supply needs to get pushed around now again. A few S-boats and Dutch boats will stand guard in the Solomon Sea.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Many troops are now starting to prep for the amphibious invasion of South india and Ceylon. South India will be first, likely by the end of October, and then Celyon will follow if all goes well. Many units are transiting to Karachi to rest, fill out and prep. Others will stay forward to ensure there is no second offensive by the now quite large IJA contingent here in India. I'll continue to move around to keep him guessing though.

Bombers hit the units moving toward Raipur on the 5th, and found it to be an AA unit. Interesting. Maybe he's moving that out ahead before a main thrust? I can't think of any other reason for it to be there. On the 6th bombers hit a unit that turned out to be elements of the 1st Raiding Rgt para troops near Patna. Got a good shot on them, but it seems to be just the support troops. Hmm. Not sure what to make of that.

Also hit Chittagong and Trincomalee with 5 LR LB-30 Liberators. Nothing in the ports unfortunately.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] Started bombing Tarawa, which has been going well. The naval guard there began taking destroyed squads right away, which makes me think it's had disabled squads since the bombardment a month ago.

More bases around the So Pac area have been invested. Supply starts to move in. Cats will begin flying in small fragments of engineers.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] Amazingly, the hex holds. [&o]

Three successive DAs, but the two IJA divisions and one tank division here are down to around 700AV now. The last one went back to a 1:3. Wow. [X(]
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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 4, 42
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Morning Air attack on 34th Field AA Battalion, at 44,36 , near Vizagapatnam

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

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

Allied aircraft
SB-III x 11
Wellington Ic x 13
P-39D Airacobra x 17

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x SB-III bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 100 kg GP Bomb
13 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32726 troops, 467 guns, 761 vehicles, Assault Value = 872

Defending force 35824 troops, 191 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 804

Japanese adjusted assault: 714

Allied adjusted defense: 571

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
609 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
845 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Division
39th Division
69th Division
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
13th Army
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion

Defending units:
90th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 5, 42
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Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
120 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Ground Attack: 1 x 1000 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on Trincomalee , at 31,47

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
LB-30 Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 9000 feet
Port Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

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

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
135 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32163 troops, 467 guns, 761 vehicles, Assault Value = 814

Defending force 41671 troops, 228 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 956

Japanese adjusted assault: 436

Allied adjusted defense: 580

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1146 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled

Allied ground losses:
827 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 6, 42
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Morning Air attack on 1st Raiding Regiment, at 55,33 , near Rajshashi

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disable

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Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20158 troops, 362 guns, 737 vehicles, Assault Value = 740

Defending force 40923 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 876

Japanese adjusted assault: 369

Allied adjusted defense: 1252

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1156 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Vehicles lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
515 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 61 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 10 (3 destroyed, 7 disabled)

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Odd. [/font]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]CURRENT OPERATIONS[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OPERATION PARAPET: FEB 42 - OCT 42 [/font]

This has been about the protection and solidification of defensive positions in the North Pacific. This operation will be complete at the end of October when winter begins. The investment and building of infrastructure and forts has gone well, and only a few more islands need a small infantry unit to get some level of defensive capability.

While this is not meant to absolutely protect the area from a large scale invasion, it's certainly designed to slow advances and provide three solid fortresses to continue fighting around should the Japanese make a move up here before winter. If they do these bases will be prioritized for men and supplies.

Adak: ~ 300AV and level 6 forts.
Dutch Harbor: ~600AV and level 7 forts.
Kodiak: ~250AV and level 5 forts.

Kodiak is close enough to fly more in from the mainland should the Japanese advance here. I'm beginning to feel more comfortable in the area, but preparations continue and only winter will bring an assurance that no further moves will head this direction.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OPERATION CHARIOT: MAY 42 - SEPT 42 [/font]

This op was initiated to push into Central India with the hope of gaining ground and good bases to build around for the final combined operations that will try to get the IJA out of India in the later autumn. The focus changed shortly after starting this when a sweep over Delhi went the Allies' way and I was able to follow up with raids on Lucknow and Cawnpore. Nick chose to evacuate the area, and the Allies moved in with force, then extended to Allahabad and Benares.

The next push was intended to happen on both flanks at Hyderabad and through para-drops on unoccupied bases in NE India. The Hyderabad campaign went poorly after the IJA heavily reinforced, and I've suspended para-drops in the NE until P-38Fs have a decent pool and a few units are upgraded to P-40K. I'll still hit here, but it has to be in conjunction with another move or the Japanese can concentrate too heavily.

The other move will be part of the future operation to win back the SW seaboard of India both with para-forces and through minor amphib operations. More on that soon. Altogether, though, Chariot has been very successful and there are sets of new level 9 bases on both flanks to use for the next push forward.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OPERATION PALISADE: MAY 42 - SEPT 42 [/font]

Palisade has been about the South Pacific bases of New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. These bases were virtually untouched in May though in Allied hands. During the past months forces have moved in to defend, guid and now begin to extend the forces in the So Pac area toward the North.

Noumea is building toward its max potential in the next month, Luganville is a working hub, and Vanua Lava, Vanikoro and Ndeni are all building Allied bases helping to support the next ops.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OPERATION CATAPULT: MAY 42 - SEPT 42 [/font]

The use of fast transport to invest dot bases in the Gilberts for a foothold in the Central Pacific will be complete with the acquisition of Tarawa, hopefully on 7 September. I've set orders for a para-drop on the base after a third day of bombing the naval guard unit there. Small ships will continue to fill up these areas with men and supplies, most units brought n over several trips in case of an ambush.

I'm sending in about 40 more xAKL to So Pac and Cent Pac that have been sitting in NZ. Some of these have troop hauling capabilities and all are cheap and will have to substitute for LSTs until they become available. PT boats are the only continuous naval presence and only a few fighter and bomber units are here to harass anything coming near and provide some small protection to boats moving men and supplies in. Hopefully this op will finish as I watch the next turn in a few minutes. [:)]

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]OPERATION GRAPESHOT: [/font]

Grapeshot has just begun, and I have no idea how it's going to go. About 15 bases still in allied hands have been invested and are being supplied by subs and PBY. The goal is to firstly keep them in Allied hands with small infantry units in place. Secondly to build active airbases for search and exploration of the New Guinea and New Britain areas. Thirdly it is to assess the level of interest in the area on the part of the Japanese and how if at all they will react.

Rekata Bay, Goodenough island, Kiriwina island, and Mussau and Emirau Islands will be focuses for an extended investment and building program. I doubt he'll let me do this as easily as the Central Pacific build-up, but who knows?

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]Sept 7 - 10, 1942[/font]

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[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]INDIA: [/font] Things have quieted down in India. Just now preparing for later moves on both sides of the continent.

I've been spotting small units moving and targeting them with MB around India. This feels good at least. Soon Mangalore on the West coast will be invaded by paras.

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]Pacific: [/font] After a few days of bombing from the air Tarawa is taken by paratroops!! This is the way to get atolls. [:)]

Solidification of the Gilberts and extension toward Ocean Island, Nauru and Makin will continue for the next few months. I'm not in a hurry here, and want to make sure forces get in place to build these bases and create a real hub of airfields and ports to use for moving ahead.

Nick is paying attention now to the troops on Islands in the Solomon Sea. Only a few bases are shut down though, and plenty of others are growing in troops and beginning to build fields and forts. Shhhhh!

[font="Microsoft Sans Serif"]CHINA: [/font] I've begun to let all units withdraw from the hex near Chikhiang. The combination of bombing, arty bombardments and a flurry of DAs over the past weeks have finally put the Chinese troops into a position from which I don't think they can recover. This is the perfect opportunity to get out, as the most recent DA did significant damage to the Chinese, but because of the 1:2 result most likely means the IJA will have to wait a day until going again. I've started the troops moving, all in reserve mode, and hopefully they can get out in two days.

It's been several months holding here, and the Chinese troops have withstood everything the Japanese could give and held. If the retreat goes well it will force the Japanese to consider crossing the river. Fresh units are moving in to defend the river and nearby hexes.

The bombing against the troops near Kweiyang intensifies and it's not looking good to hold here. The latest attack is only a 1:2, but bombing can take 40-60 disablements a day away from the defenders. I'll hold until they collapse, and units are also moving to fill nearby hexes and dig in in preparation.

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 8, 42
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Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 288 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 20

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 18

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 18 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tarawa !!!

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

Assaulting units:
3rd USMC Parachute Bn /1

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 9, 42
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Morning Air attack on 1st Raiding Regiment, at 55,32 , near Patna

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 15

No Allied losses

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

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Wellington Ic bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Morning Air attack on 88th Naval Guard Unit, at 130,130 (Ocean Island)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
116 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb

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Ground combat at 78,51 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26121 troops, 421 guns, 1261 vehicles, Assault Value = 956

Defending force 40364 troops, 210 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 827

Japanese adjusted assault: 793

Allied adjusted defense: 823

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
251 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 42 (3 destroyed, 39 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2533 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 245 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Assaulting units:
17th Tank Regiment
15th Tank Regiment
1st Tank Division
9th Tank Regiment
12th Tank Regiment
3rd Tank Regiment
6th Division
23rd Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
13th Army
Tonei Hvy Gun Regiment
4th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
1st Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
12th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
13th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
20th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
90th Chinese Corps
37th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
50th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps

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AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Sept 9, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 72,49 (near Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30478 troops, 439 guns, 1184 vehicles, Assault Value = 1240

Defending force 43578 troops, 310 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1427

Japanese adjusted assault: 874

Allied adjusted defense: 1709

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
994 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 126 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 37 (2 destroyed, 35 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1516 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 175 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 22 (1 destroyed, 21 disabled)

Assaulting units:
7th Ind.Tank Brigade
16th Division
4th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Division
Guards Tank Division
23rd Army
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
66th Chinese Corps
57th AT Gun Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

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[font="Trebuchet MS"]Nauru is the only built up base nearby from which air strikes can launch, so these areas look vulnerable still in the Southern Marshalls unless an IJN presence moves in. [/font]

[Lokasenna]

So....when's the op against Nauru? [;)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

So....when's the op against Nauru? [;)]

I'm sending in a bombardment to see what is actually there ,and troop are prepped already. Whatever I do it'll be without CVs, so that means I need to bombard, get some bombing from the air happening, and make sure troops there are worn down before sending in my guys. It is an atoll after all, so I'm going to be a bit careful.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

So....when's the op against Nauru? [;)]

I'm sending in a bombardment to see what is actually there ,and troop are prepped already. Whatever I do it'll be without CVs, so that means I need to bombard, get some bombing from the air happening, and make sure troops there are worn down before sending in my guys. It is an atoll after all, so I'm going to be a bit careful.

I was about to say "No, it's not", and then I checked in the game. It sure is. It doesn't seem like it should be - it's a pretty big island.

Ocean Island on the other hand isn't an atoll, yet is smaller.

[ny59giants]

I would would put Merauke and the other dot bases between Horn Island and Darwin on the menu. They may need to wait until '43, but they put the whole eastern SRA at risk once Corsairs and the 2nd generation of B-24s come out in 2/43.

In the USA, you will soon need to find a permanently restricted bomber group to start LowN pilot training. I love my American attack bombers (B-25D1s) being able to reach out 11 hexes or more.

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I would would put Merauke and the other dot bases between Horn Island and Darwin on the menu. They may need to wait until '43, but they put the whole eastern SRA at risk once Corsairs and the 2nd generation of B-24s come out in 2/43.

In the USA, you will soon need to find a permanently restricted bomber group to start LowN pilot training. I love my American attack bombers (B-25D1s) being able to reach out 11 hexes or more.

I use low Naval for all mediums at all times when attacking shipping. No matter the smaller bomb load for non attack bombers. They have a better chance to hit.

[Lokasenna]

So, per Jocke's AAR.... what are your VPs at?!? Inquiring minds want to know.

[obvert]

In VP terms we've gone per the 10k threshold on the way to 11k. I'd hoped to be at least around 11-12k by the turn of the year, so I think I,m on track for that. Let me know what you think for this in September. He's still got a lot in India bases VPs, and although some ships might get into it next turn (!!) [:)] lately I've not been bleeding points from the navy or merchants. In the air I've tended to pick up ground in the minor battle and lose it in the major ones, but the ratio is still moving in the Allied direction thanks to frequent usage on the Japanese side and lots of ops losses in particular.

This will also let you know how far I need to catch up! Been a busy week.