October 22, 1943 -
The Night Phase saw Utupua occupied by the small Kiwi force that landed there last turn. That was the highlite of the Night as USS Barb hit three mines consecutively at Georgetown and went down in pieces. That's the 9th sub that I've lost to mines. That's as many as I've lost to depth charges.
Daylight showed lots of Japanese subs sailing between Luganville, Ndeni and the eastern Solomons. My LBA was busy spotting and attempting to bomb the subs, but the DD ASW TF that I sent out didn't find any. The CAP over Luganville shot down a couple of Emilys, so my opponent knows quite clearly that I have a LOT of Fighters and other planes in that area.
In Burma the 2Es and Brit 4Es hit the Japanese troops to the east of Mandalay again, but the Allied 2Es couldn't find the target at Lashio, and the USAAF 4Es sat the day out as Rain covered Rangoon.
And in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again. I'm moving more and more troops along the northeastern roads – Supplies or not.
And more and more Allied Forces are moving into Southern Burma every day. I should be in a position to Assault Rangoon in a week or so.
Last Stand at San Diego (no Richard please)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
Forgetting the "little" things
October 23, 1943 -
The Night Phase saw a couple of Japanese subs get run over and attacked by a large number of USN Escorts in a TF on it's way to Ndeni. At least one of the subs went down. However, the US Invasion fleet didn't unload at Ndeni – once again the TF got to its target sooner than I expected and I didn't have a chance to change the setting to “unload”.
Daylight brought out even more massive Allied Bomber attacks on the Japanese Troops at Lashio. Unfortunately, the results weren't commensurate with the number of bombers involved. The USAAF 4Es in Burma hit the Air Base at Moulmein for a change – I don't want to give my opponent an opportunity to bring in hundreds of Fighters and Bombers in a Surprise Attack.
Off in Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again, causing reasonable casualties. The Mitchells at Luganville also went after the Japanese Troops at Ndeni again, but couldn't find the target.
Elsewhere, it looks like my opponent is starting to move troops up in China near Sian again. All of my troops in that area are well-fortified, but they are all very low on Supplies. That could be a real headache there. I guess that it is imperative that I grab Rangoon and Lashio sooner rather than later.
The Night Phase saw a couple of Japanese subs get run over and attacked by a large number of USN Escorts in a TF on it's way to Ndeni. At least one of the subs went down. However, the US Invasion fleet didn't unload at Ndeni – once again the TF got to its target sooner than I expected and I didn't have a chance to change the setting to “unload”.
Daylight brought out even more massive Allied Bomber attacks on the Japanese Troops at Lashio. Unfortunately, the results weren't commensurate with the number of bombers involved. The USAAF 4Es in Burma hit the Air Base at Moulmein for a change – I don't want to give my opponent an opportunity to bring in hundreds of Fighters and Bombers in a Surprise Attack.
Off in Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again, causing reasonable casualties. The Mitchells at Luganville also went after the Japanese Troops at Ndeni again, but couldn't find the target.
Elsewhere, it looks like my opponent is starting to move troops up in China near Sian again. All of my troops in that area are well-fortified, but they are all very low on Supplies. That could be a real headache there. I guess that it is imperative that I grab Rangoon and Lashio sooner rather than later.
Ndeni Invaded
October 24, 1943 -
The Night Phase started out with the US troops finally landing at Ndeni with no significant problems. Only one Gun shot from shore and the ships in the Invasion Fleet replied quite convincingly.
Then a series of ASW and Sub actions took place. First off a Japanese Sub near Ndeni tangled with the wrong USN DDs, was forced to the surface, and sunk. Then USS Aspro hit an xAKL with 2 torpedoes near Makassar, sinking it. Next more USN DDs in a big Surface Combat TF near Ndeni drove another Japanese Sub to the surface and then promptly sank it with Gunfire. Finally, USS Pickerel hit an E-Class with a torpedo at Medan, likely sinking it. Pickerel did get some damage from the other escorts in the Tanker TF, but it ought to make it back to Base.
Daylight brought out IJAAF Bombers and Fighters in China for the first time in quite a while. They bombed Liuchow and Hengyang. There is nothing I can do, other than to move forward in Burma and reestablish the Burma Road.
Allied Bombers then got into action as a Massive Attack by Allied 2Es and British 4Es did surprisingly little to the Japanese Troops at Lashio. I'm still waiting for the Chinese troops there to all get into the Black as far as Supplies go before I try an attack, so the Bombers will get Yet Another chance next turn.
And the USAAF 4Es in Burma hit the Air Base at Chiang Mai for the first time in a while. There wasn't any CAP, but I still want to keep those nearby Japanese Air Fields as Unready for Action as possible.
The USAAF 4Es in Northern Oz hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again, once again causing reasonable casualties. More Allied Forces are on the move so the 4Es have their days planned out for quite some time.
Finally, the IJN Naval Guard Unit at Ndeni tried a futile auto-bombardment attack against the USA Troops on the Island. That's one of those Silly Things that does nothing for the Game, other than to weaken defending troops. In any event, unless I get an Incredibly Bad dice roll next turn Ndeni ought to get captured.
The Night Phase started out with the US troops finally landing at Ndeni with no significant problems. Only one Gun shot from shore and the ships in the Invasion Fleet replied quite convincingly.
Then a series of ASW and Sub actions took place. First off a Japanese Sub near Ndeni tangled with the wrong USN DDs, was forced to the surface, and sunk. Then USS Aspro hit an xAKL with 2 torpedoes near Makassar, sinking it. Next more USN DDs in a big Surface Combat TF near Ndeni drove another Japanese Sub to the surface and then promptly sank it with Gunfire. Finally, USS Pickerel hit an E-Class with a torpedo at Medan, likely sinking it. Pickerel did get some damage from the other escorts in the Tanker TF, but it ought to make it back to Base.
Daylight brought out IJAAF Bombers and Fighters in China for the first time in quite a while. They bombed Liuchow and Hengyang. There is nothing I can do, other than to move forward in Burma and reestablish the Burma Road.
Allied Bombers then got into action as a Massive Attack by Allied 2Es and British 4Es did surprisingly little to the Japanese Troops at Lashio. I'm still waiting for the Chinese troops there to all get into the Black as far as Supplies go before I try an attack, so the Bombers will get Yet Another chance next turn.
And the USAAF 4Es in Burma hit the Air Base at Chiang Mai for the first time in a while. There wasn't any CAP, but I still want to keep those nearby Japanese Air Fields as Unready for Action as possible.
The USAAF 4Es in Northern Oz hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again, once again causing reasonable casualties. More Allied Forces are on the move so the 4Es have their days planned out for quite some time.
Finally, the IJN Naval Guard Unit at Ndeni tried a futile auto-bombardment attack against the USA Troops on the Island. That's one of those Silly Things that does nothing for the Game, other than to weaken defending troops. In any event, unless I get an Incredibly Bad dice roll next turn Ndeni ought to get captured.
Ndeni Captured
October 25, 1943 –
The Night Phase saw the invasion of Ndeni continue along uninterrupted.
Daylight brought Japanese Bombers and Fighters over Sian and the Chinese troops on the road to the southeast of the city. That's rough terrain so it's not an easy job for the IJAAF to hit those Chinese troops.
Off in Burma Allied Bombers went after the Japanese Troops at Lashio again. This time the Bomber Attacks were spread out and many of them didn't hit anything. But some did, so I'll take what I get. The USAAF 4Es in Burma didn't fly.
The USAAF 4Es in Northern Oz hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again causing more casualties. They aren't killing troops, but disabling hundreds each attack has a cumulative effect. The Air Base at Wyndham is no longer being repaired, so I suspect that things are very tough there right now for the Japanese.
At the end of the day Japanese Troops attempted an Artillery Bombardment against the Chinese Troops southeast of Sian. It definitely wasn't pretty for the Japanese as they didn't cause any Chinese casualties and suffered a fair number of counter-battery fire casualties themselves. Maybe this will discourage my opponent from trying to re-establish an Advance in China.
At Ndeni, the AI had the defending Japanese Naval Guard Unit try one last futile Artillery Bombardment – a Banzai charge would have been more useful. In any event, the US Army Assault achieved a 403:1 result and wiped out the Japanese Troops. I haven't been doing Air or Naval Bombardments of the base at Ndeni for quite some time so the Base wasn't messed up too badly. So since I landed a US Army Base Force along with the Assault Troops I was able to move in some P-47s and B-25s right away.
And in an almost equally important event – the Port at Ramree Island was maxed-out at Level 3 this turn. This means that it is even easier to move in Troops and Supplies for my Assaults in Southern Burma. Sure, Troops have to cross a Jungle Hex to get to the Road, but that's not a show-stopper by Burma standards. Now I'll get back to maxing out the Air Base at Ramree – it is already at Level 4 and I intend to move Bombers there soon.
The Night Phase saw the invasion of Ndeni continue along uninterrupted.
Daylight brought Japanese Bombers and Fighters over Sian and the Chinese troops on the road to the southeast of the city. That's rough terrain so it's not an easy job for the IJAAF to hit those Chinese troops.
Off in Burma Allied Bombers went after the Japanese Troops at Lashio again. This time the Bomber Attacks were spread out and many of them didn't hit anything. But some did, so I'll take what I get. The USAAF 4Es in Burma didn't fly.
The USAAF 4Es in Northern Oz hit the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again causing more casualties. They aren't killing troops, but disabling hundreds each attack has a cumulative effect. The Air Base at Wyndham is no longer being repaired, so I suspect that things are very tough there right now for the Japanese.
At the end of the day Japanese Troops attempted an Artillery Bombardment against the Chinese Troops southeast of Sian. It definitely wasn't pretty for the Japanese as they didn't cause any Chinese casualties and suffered a fair number of counter-battery fire casualties themselves. Maybe this will discourage my opponent from trying to re-establish an Advance in China.
At Ndeni, the AI had the defending Japanese Naval Guard Unit try one last futile Artillery Bombardment – a Banzai charge would have been more useful. In any event, the US Army Assault achieved a 403:1 result and wiped out the Japanese Troops. I haven't been doing Air or Naval Bombardments of the base at Ndeni for quite some time so the Base wasn't messed up too badly. So since I landed a US Army Base Force along with the Assault Troops I was able to move in some P-47s and B-25s right away.
And in an almost equally important event – the Port at Ramree Island was maxed-out at Level 3 this turn. This means that it is even easier to move in Troops and Supplies for my Assaults in Southern Burma. Sure, Troops have to cross a Jungle Hex to get to the Road, but that's not a show-stopper by Burma standards. Now I'll get back to maxing out the Air Base at Ramree – it is already at Level 4 and I intend to move Bombers there soon.
Lashed in Lashio
October 26, 1943 –
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought a renewed focus on Sian from IJAAF Bombing squadrons, along with the occasional High Alt Sweep by IJAAF Fighter planes. There's no way that I am going to send any Fighters to Sian, so my opponent can do what he wants there. (In theory I could send some P-38s into China and try some Air Ambushes, but I don't want to weaken my position in Burma at this time.)
Speaking of Burma, the Allied 2Es and Brit 4Es hit the Japanese Troops at Lashio again in large numbers, but as usual the results were nothing to write home about. The USAAF 4Es in Burma stayed home again.
Off in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es flew against the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again and once more caused decent casualties. I'm getting the feeling that I am reaching a point of diminishing returns, however in my Japanese pbems I have also been on the receiving end of focussed 4E attacks and have seen my LCUs get wiped out, so I keep on hoping that something similar will happen here.
Land Combat time came and the Japanese Troops on the road southeast of Sian fired off an Artillery Bombardment at the Chinese Troops that are dug in there. This time they Japanese caused a few Chinese casualties, but the Japanese still suffered more. However, more Japanese Troops are on the way to that battle, so things will get nastier soon. Therefore, I have decided to go into Guerrilla War mode and have ordered a number of Chinese Reserve LCUs to move out and attempt to cut the Japanese Supply lines. Sure, my opponent will bomb those troops when he notices what they are doing, but he can't bomb everywhere all the time.
Then it was the turn of Vinegar Joe's Chinese Troops to attempt an attack on Lashio. Remember, Lashio has been isolated and bombed regularly for months and months:
Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24029 troops, 215 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001
Defending force 6316 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 192
Allied adjusted assault: 769
Japanese adjusted defense: 787
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 5)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
575 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
736 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 105 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Assaulting units:
5th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
6th Chinese Corps
NCAC
X' Force
Defending units:
11th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
So despite having 4 times the troops, and being in full supply, those Chinese Troops just aren't up to the job. Now I'll have to send in some better LCUs, and my opponent has moved his troops away from the hex next to Mandalay and into the hex next to Lashio. It looks like it will take some time to recapture Lashio.
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought a renewed focus on Sian from IJAAF Bombing squadrons, along with the occasional High Alt Sweep by IJAAF Fighter planes. There's no way that I am going to send any Fighters to Sian, so my opponent can do what he wants there. (In theory I could send some P-38s into China and try some Air Ambushes, but I don't want to weaken my position in Burma at this time.)
Speaking of Burma, the Allied 2Es and Brit 4Es hit the Japanese Troops at Lashio again in large numbers, but as usual the results were nothing to write home about. The USAAF 4Es in Burma stayed home again.
Off in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es flew against the Japanese Troops at Wyndham again and once more caused decent casualties. I'm getting the feeling that I am reaching a point of diminishing returns, however in my Japanese pbems I have also been on the receiving end of focussed 4E attacks and have seen my LCUs get wiped out, so I keep on hoping that something similar will happen here.
Land Combat time came and the Japanese Troops on the road southeast of Sian fired off an Artillery Bombardment at the Chinese Troops that are dug in there. This time they Japanese caused a few Chinese casualties, but the Japanese still suffered more. However, more Japanese Troops are on the way to that battle, so things will get nastier soon. Therefore, I have decided to go into Guerrilla War mode and have ordered a number of Chinese Reserve LCUs to move out and attempt to cut the Japanese Supply lines. Sure, my opponent will bomb those troops when he notices what they are doing, but he can't bomb everywhere all the time.
Then it was the turn of Vinegar Joe's Chinese Troops to attempt an attack on Lashio. Remember, Lashio has been isolated and bombed regularly for months and months:
Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)
Allied Deliberate attack
Attacking force 24029 troops, 215 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1001
Defending force 6316 troops, 131 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 192
Allied adjusted assault: 769
Japanese adjusted defense: 787
Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 5)
Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+)
Attacker:
Japanese ground losses:
575 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Allied ground losses:
736 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 105 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Assaulting units:
5th Chinese Corps
7th New Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps
6th Chinese Corps
NCAC
X' Force
Defending units:
11th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
So despite having 4 times the troops, and being in full supply, those Chinese Troops just aren't up to the job. Now I'll have to send in some better LCUs, and my opponent has moved his troops away from the hex next to Mandalay and into the hex next to Lashio. It looks like it will take some time to recapture Lashio.
A Bad Night for Subs
October 27, 1943 –
The Night Phase wasn't good for USN Subs. First off USS Sailfish hit a mine at Medan. Next, USS Triton was attacked by the PB Escorts in a Tanker TF off of Muntok and suffered enough damage to be sent back to Base. Then USS Skipjack finally sank a few hexes off of the coast of French Indo China. In Reality, the sub would have been grounded and abandoned since it was damaged at the coast. But the Game won't allow that.
Daylight brought a break in Japanese Air Attacks in China. Allied Air Attacks in Burma continued, with 2Es and Brit 4Es hitting the Japanese Troops that are west of Lashio fairly hard. The various Allied 2Es that tried to Attack the Japanese Troops in Lashio itself had little luck. And the USSAF 4Es in Burma didn't fly again.
Off in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es flew and hammered the Japanese Troops at Katherine for a change. I've got Troops advancing on Katherine and I want those Japanese LCUs to be softened up a bit. I'm also fighting Supply Wars and am moving more and more Transport Planes to North-Central Oz to provide Supplies for the upcoming Assaults.
Finally, the Japanese Troops on the Sian Road did another Artillery Bombardment against the Chinese Blocking Force and once again Japanese casualties were much higher than Chinese casualties. This will also eat up Supplies for the Japanese, so my opponent may, sooner rather than later, regret starting this.
The Night Phase wasn't good for USN Subs. First off USS Sailfish hit a mine at Medan. Next, USS Triton was attacked by the PB Escorts in a Tanker TF off of Muntok and suffered enough damage to be sent back to Base. Then USS Skipjack finally sank a few hexes off of the coast of French Indo China. In Reality, the sub would have been grounded and abandoned since it was damaged at the coast. But the Game won't allow that.
Daylight brought a break in Japanese Air Attacks in China. Allied Air Attacks in Burma continued, with 2Es and Brit 4Es hitting the Japanese Troops that are west of Lashio fairly hard. The various Allied 2Es that tried to Attack the Japanese Troops in Lashio itself had little luck. And the USSAF 4Es in Burma didn't fly again.
Off in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es flew and hammered the Japanese Troops at Katherine for a change. I've got Troops advancing on Katherine and I want those Japanese LCUs to be softened up a bit. I'm also fighting Supply Wars and am moving more and more Transport Planes to North-Central Oz to provide Supplies for the upcoming Assaults.
Finally, the Japanese Troops on the Sian Road did another Artillery Bombardment against the Chinese Blocking Force and once again Japanese casualties were much higher than Chinese casualties. This will also eat up Supplies for the Japanese, so my opponent may, sooner rather than later, regret starting this.
Georges
October 28, 1943 –
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought the IJAAF back over Sian where they bombed the Air Base. That’s fine; there is no way I can defend that Air Base so I won’t bother worrying. Chungking would be a different matter.
In Burma Allied some of the 2Es hit the Japanese Troops on the road to the west of Lashio while other 2E squadrons missed the Japanese Troops in Lashio itself. This is reminding me of the situation in Myitkyina – I might have to bring the Brit Dive Bombers back into action to be able to do anything at Lashio.
And none of the 4Es – USSAF or British – flew in Burma this turn.
After the last turn I noticed that the Air Base at Darwin was being repaired fairly quickly so I decided to send the Northern Australian 4E Force to hit the Air Base there. Here is what I found:
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 40
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 34
B-24J Liberator x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 13 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 14 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 67
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
261 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 26 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
66th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36740 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
So it looks as if my opponent was setting up to try a Surprise Attack on some of my advancing Forces.
My opponent grumped about his new, shiny Georges with their 4 20mm cannons not shooting down any 4Es, but the Japanese Air Defense came in scattered, those 4Es have very experienced crews, and anyway, those aren’t the same bombers that the Japanese fighters were encountering in 1942 so he can’t really expect them to go down like B-17Ds.
And I feel his pain in my two Japanese pbems on a regular basis too, so I empathize, but in this match I enjoy seeing the 4Es Rule the Skies. [:D]
Finally, off on the road southeast of Sian the Japanese Troops fired off another Artillery Bombardment, this time causing little damage to either side.
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought the IJAAF back over Sian where they bombed the Air Base. That’s fine; there is no way I can defend that Air Base so I won’t bother worrying. Chungking would be a different matter.
In Burma Allied some of the 2Es hit the Japanese Troops on the road to the west of Lashio while other 2E squadrons missed the Japanese Troops in Lashio itself. This is reminding me of the situation in Myitkyina – I might have to bring the Brit Dive Bombers back into action to be able to do anything at Lashio.
And none of the 4Es – USSAF or British – flew in Burma this turn.
After the last turn I noticed that the Air Base at Darwin was being repaired fairly quickly so I decided to send the Northern Australian 4E Force to hit the Air Base there. Here is what I found:
Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes
Japanese aircraft
N1K1-J George x 25
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 13
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 13
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 40
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-24D1 Liberator x 34
B-24J Liberator x 41
Japanese aircraft losses
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed
N1K1-J George: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 13 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 3 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed on ground
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed on ground
Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 14 damaged
B-24J Liberator: 4 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Airbase hits 27
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 67
Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D1 Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-24J Liberator bombing from 8000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
CAP engaged:
261 Ku S-2 with N1K1-J George (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 16 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 5000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
5th Sentai with Ki-45 KAIa Nick (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 26 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
66th Sentai with Ki-43-IIb Oscar (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 8000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes
78th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 9 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 36740 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
So it looks as if my opponent was setting up to try a Surprise Attack on some of my advancing Forces.
My opponent grumped about his new, shiny Georges with their 4 20mm cannons not shooting down any 4Es, but the Japanese Air Defense came in scattered, those 4Es have very experienced crews, and anyway, those aren’t the same bombers that the Japanese fighters were encountering in 1942 so he can’t really expect them to go down like B-17Ds.
And I feel his pain in my two Japanese pbems on a regular basis too, so I empathize, but in this match I enjoy seeing the 4Es Rule the Skies. [:D]
Finally, off on the road southeast of Sian the Japanese Troops fired off another Artillery Bombardment, this time causing little damage to either side.
October 28 Final Report
I finally got the Turn and it turned out that things worked out better at Darwin than I had thought:
End of Day Losses:
Tojo IIa – 1 A-to-A, 13 G, 1 Ops
Oscar IIb – 6 G, 1 Ops
George – 1 A-to-A, 2 G, 1 Ops
Nick Ia – 1 A-to-A, 1 G, 1 Ops
B-24D1 – 1 Ops
So the 4Es are heading back to Darwin, Weather Permitting.
Weather hasn't been Permitting off in Burma, so the Air Base at Rangoon is almost repaired again. I certainly hope that my 4Es don't take a 5th day off in a row in Burma.
SIGINT gave an interesting report – a Radio report at Sea in the Marshalls just north of Mili. I couldn't spot anything there, but my opponent has been hinting that I have crossed some Trip Wires, so this could be a response to my build-up in the Gilberts. In any event, I ordered my Supply TFs to pull out of the Gilberts for now until the situation becomes a bit clearer.
End of Day Losses:
Tojo IIa – 1 A-to-A, 13 G, 1 Ops
Oscar IIb – 6 G, 1 Ops
George – 1 A-to-A, 2 G, 1 Ops
Nick Ia – 1 A-to-A, 1 G, 1 Ops
B-24D1 – 1 Ops
So the 4Es are heading back to Darwin, Weather Permitting.
Weather hasn't been Permitting off in Burma, so the Air Base at Rangoon is almost repaired again. I certainly hope that my 4Es don't take a 5th day off in a row in Burma.
SIGINT gave an interesting report – a Radio report at Sea in the Marshalls just north of Mili. I couldn't spot anything there, but my opponent has been hinting that I have crossed some Trip Wires, so this could be a response to my build-up in the Gilberts. In any event, I ordered my Supply TFs to pull out of the Gilberts for now until the situation becomes a bit clearer.
More Fighters Caught on the Ground
October 29, 1943 -
The Night Phase saw USS Rasher chased and attacked by the Escorts in a Transport TF off of Choiseul Bay.
Daylight brought out IJAAF Bombers over Sian again. That is getting too tempting, so I have moved the Chinese Air Force in to try some intercepts and also to try some Strafing Attacks on Japanese Troops. This will cause my opponent to react, by which time I may well have some more “interesting” air capabilities in the Region.
Off in Burma the odds-and-ends Allied 2Es attempted to attack the Japanese Troops at Lashio again, but couldn't find the Target. The main 2E/Brit 4E attacks didn't fly. I've got Air Base Forces moving ever-so-slowly into Central Burma, so once they finally arrive I will move the Brit DBs back into action – it's going to be Myitkyina all over again.
The USAAF 4Es took off this turn, probably because their target was the Air Base at Rangoon, and hammered the Air Field quite well. The Fortifications are probably already quite strong at Rangoon, but I still don't want to give them any opportunity to become stronger. In the meanwhile, more Allied Troops march closer to Rangoon.
Off in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Air Base at Darwin again. This time there was no CAP. The Base was hit hard and 2 Georges and 4 Tojos were destroyed on the Ground. Afterwards I noticed what appeared to be a Japanese Barge TF at Darwin so I ordered some B-25s to fly at 100 feet to see if I can shoot them up. I've also got a submarine on the way. If the Barge TF doesn't have an escort there is a chance that the sub will go to the surface to Shoot Up the Barges.
Finally, the Japanese Troops on the road southeast of Sian fired off another Artillery Bombardment. Once again the Japanese casualties were twice the Chinese casualties, so I'm satisfied.
The Night Phase saw USS Rasher chased and attacked by the Escorts in a Transport TF off of Choiseul Bay.
Daylight brought out IJAAF Bombers over Sian again. That is getting too tempting, so I have moved the Chinese Air Force in to try some intercepts and also to try some Strafing Attacks on Japanese Troops. This will cause my opponent to react, by which time I may well have some more “interesting” air capabilities in the Region.
Off in Burma the odds-and-ends Allied 2Es attempted to attack the Japanese Troops at Lashio again, but couldn't find the Target. The main 2E/Brit 4E attacks didn't fly. I've got Air Base Forces moving ever-so-slowly into Central Burma, so once they finally arrive I will move the Brit DBs back into action – it's going to be Myitkyina all over again.
The USAAF 4Es took off this turn, probably because their target was the Air Base at Rangoon, and hammered the Air Field quite well. The Fortifications are probably already quite strong at Rangoon, but I still don't want to give them any opportunity to become stronger. In the meanwhile, more Allied Troops march closer to Rangoon.
Off in Northern Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Air Base at Darwin again. This time there was no CAP. The Base was hit hard and 2 Georges and 4 Tojos were destroyed on the Ground. Afterwards I noticed what appeared to be a Japanese Barge TF at Darwin so I ordered some B-25s to fly at 100 feet to see if I can shoot them up. I've also got a submarine on the way. If the Barge TF doesn't have an escort there is a chance that the sub will go to the surface to Shoot Up the Barges.
Finally, the Japanese Troops on the road southeast of Sian fired off another Artillery Bombardment. Once again the Japanese casualties were twice the Chinese casualties, so I'm satisfied.
Surprise over Sian
October 30, 1943 –
This was not a good Night Phase for Allied submarines. First off USS Balao shot at a PB in a TF north of Truk but missed. The TF contains CM Tokiwa, which means that some base was mined or will soon be mined.
The HMS Tally Ho and USS Billfish ran into mines at Medan. I knew that Medan had mines, but I can't remember if I had those subs heading there deliberately, or if the AI had them sail into Medan on their way somewhere else. In any event, the result is the same and both subs are limping home on fire.
Daylight brought a turn of luck as the Chinese Air Force caught the IJAAF by Surprise over Sian. First up were some Helens that came in unescorted:
Morning Air attack on 76th Chinese Corps, at 84,42 , near Sian
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 21
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-66 Vanguard x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
No Allied losses
Next an escorted attack flew in:
Morning Air attack on 76th Chinese Corps, at 84,42 , near Sian
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 30
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 9
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 39
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-66 Vanguard x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 3 destroyed
The CAF will now sit back and wait for some assistance from their Allies.
The Air War in Burma saw lots of Bad Weather again. The Air Attacks on the Japanese Troops in Lashio and just to the west of Lashio were scattered due to bad weather. Only the USAAF 2Es that were set to Strafe caused any casualties. The USAAF 4Es in Burma stayed home again.
Off in Northern Australia the USAAF 4Es took a break from dropping Bombs to drop Mines in the Harbour at Darwin. Then the Mitchell Squadron that had been sent to Strafe Barges in Darwin was surprised to find the following:
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAKL Jouban Maru, Shell hits 4
xAK Minryo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Kofuku Maru
xAKL Higari Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hasuna Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
If I knew there were Freighters instead of Barges I would have sent more Bombers. I'll also have to send a Sub back to Patrol Darwin Harbour.
This was not a good Night Phase for Allied submarines. First off USS Balao shot at a PB in a TF north of Truk but missed. The TF contains CM Tokiwa, which means that some base was mined or will soon be mined.
The HMS Tally Ho and USS Billfish ran into mines at Medan. I knew that Medan had mines, but I can't remember if I had those subs heading there deliberately, or if the AI had them sail into Medan on their way somewhere else. In any event, the result is the same and both subs are limping home on fire.
Daylight brought a turn of luck as the Chinese Air Force caught the IJAAF by Surprise over Sian. First up were some Helens that came in unescorted:
Morning Air attack on 76th Chinese Corps, at 84,42 , near Sian
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-49-Ia Helen x 21
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-66 Vanguard x 17
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-49-Ia Helen: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
No Allied losses
Next an escorted attack flew in:
Morning Air attack on 76th Chinese Corps, at 84,42 , near Sian
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 30
Ki-43-IIb Oscar x 9
Ki-49-IIa Helen x 39
Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 11
P-66 Vanguard x 14
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 5 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-IIb Oscar: 2 destroyed
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-66 Vanguard: 3 destroyed
The CAF will now sit back and wait for some assistance from their Allies.
The Air War in Burma saw lots of Bad Weather again. The Air Attacks on the Japanese Troops in Lashio and just to the west of Lashio were scattered due to bad weather. Only the USAAF 2Es that were set to Strafe caused any casualties. The USAAF 4Es in Burma stayed home again.
Off in Northern Australia the USAAF 4Es took a break from dropping Bombs to drop Mines in the Harbour at Darwin. Then the Mitchell Squadron that had been sent to Strafe Barges in Darwin was surprised to find the following:
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124
Weather in hex: Heavy cloud
Raid detected at 71 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-25D1 Mitchell x 7
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
xAKL Jouban Maru, Shell hits 4
xAK Minryo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAKL Kofuku Maru
xAKL Higari Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hasuna Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-25D1 Mitchell bombing and strafing from low level
Naval Attack: 6 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
If I knew there were Freighters instead of Barges I would have sent more Bombers. I'll also have to send a Sub back to Patrol Darwin Harbour.
October 30 Follow-up
October 30, 1943 - Final Report:
The End-of-Day results were quite nice:
Air Losses:
Ki-49-Ia Helen - 13 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Ki-21-IIc Sally - 10 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Ki-49-IIa Helen - 5 A-to-A, 3 Ops
Ki-43-IIb Oscar - 6 A-to-A, 1 Ops
P-66 Vanguard - 6 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Those Chinese pilots did quite well for themselves. This also shows what the Air Model does when Fighters are in Escort Mode...
BTW - The Big E finally reached a large enough Dry Dock and is now in Repairs. We will see it again in around 2 1/2 months.
The End-of-Day results were quite nice:
Air Losses:
Ki-49-Ia Helen - 13 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Ki-21-IIc Sally - 10 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Ki-49-IIa Helen - 5 A-to-A, 3 Ops
Ki-43-IIb Oscar - 6 A-to-A, 1 Ops
P-66 Vanguard - 6 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Those Chinese pilots did quite well for themselves. This also shows what the Air Model does when Fighters are in Escort Mode...
BTW - The Big E finally reached a large enough Dry Dock and is now in Repairs. We will see it again in around 2 1/2 months.
Cat and Mouse in China
October 31, 1943 –
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought lots of Bad Weather Everywhere.
Air Action started in China where Oscar IIs swept the skies over Ichang, followed by Japanese bombers which attacked the Air Base. The Chinese Air Units that had been there were already gone so the attacks did nothing of importance.
In Burma the Allied 2Es and Brit 4Es hit the Japanese Troops to the west of Lashio with reasonable results. The Allied 2E attacks on the Japanese Troops in Lashio accomplished nothing, despite being flown at lower altitudes than usual. And the USAAF 4Es in Burma flew and attacked the Air Base at Rangoon, causing good damage.
Off in Northern Oz no Allied Attack Missions flew.
Below is the Intel chart for November 1, 1943. I’ll post key maps in subsequent posts.
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought lots of Bad Weather Everywhere.
Air Action started in China where Oscar IIs swept the skies over Ichang, followed by Japanese bombers which attacked the Air Base. The Chinese Air Units that had been there were already gone so the attacks did nothing of importance.
In Burma the Allied 2Es and Brit 4Es hit the Japanese Troops to the west of Lashio with reasonable results. The Allied 2E attacks on the Japanese Troops in Lashio accomplished nothing, despite being flown at lower altitudes than usual. And the USAAF 4Es in Burma flew and attacked the Air Base at Rangoon, causing good damage.
Off in Northern Oz no Allied Attack Missions flew.
Below is the Intel chart for November 1, 1943. I’ll post key maps in subsequent posts.
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Nov 1 1943 - Burma
Here's the situation in Burma:
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Nov 1 1943 - Northern Oz
Here's the situation in Northern Australia
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Nov 1 1943 - South Pacific
Here's the situation in the South Pacific:
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Nov 1 1943 - Gilberts
Here's the situation in the Gilberts:
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Nov 1 1943 - Northern China
Here's the situation in Northern China:
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Nov 1 1943 - Southern China
Here's the situation in Southern China:
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Port Attack on Darwin
November 1, 2012
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought lots of Bad Weather, cancelling some Air Missions while scattering the rest.
In Burma 2Es hit the Japanese troops that are to the west of Lashio, British 4Es hit the Japanese troops in Rangoon, and USAAF 4Es hit the Japanese troops in Lashio that the Allied 2Es can't seem to find.
In Northern Oz USAAF 4Es pounded the Port at Darwin, sinking an xAK that was in Port and hammering the Facilities.
There was no Action in China.
So otherwise, my Forces continue to move forward and build up Forward Bases. I should be in a position to Assault Rangoon in another week once the next Allied Division arrives to join the current besiegers.
There was no Night Action.
Daylight brought lots of Bad Weather, cancelling some Air Missions while scattering the rest.
In Burma 2Es hit the Japanese troops that are to the west of Lashio, British 4Es hit the Japanese troops in Rangoon, and USAAF 4Es hit the Japanese troops in Lashio that the Allied 2Es can't seem to find.
In Northern Oz USAAF 4Es pounded the Port at Darwin, sinking an xAK that was in Port and hammering the Facilities.
There was no Action in China.
So otherwise, my Forces continue to move forward and build up Forward Bases. I should be in a position to Assault Rangoon in another week once the next Allied Division arrives to join the current besiegers.
Hit in the Jungle, miss in the town
November 2, 1943 -
The Night Phase saw USS Harder shoot at and miss an E-class in a sizable Japanese Transport TF. Just to the east of Kavieng. The escorts in the TF drove off Harder but only caused minor damage to the sub.
Daylight saw Allied 2Es hit the Japanese troops that are to the west of Lashio, and miss the Japanese troops that are in Lashio. So I am giving up on using 2Es against those troops in Lashio and have ordered all of them to go after those troops out on the road instead.
The British 4Es hit the Japanese troops at Rangoon again while the USAAF 4Es hit the Air Base at Moulmein. More and more Japanese troops are showing up at Moulmein so the Allied advance in southern Burma is likely to be very long and tough. Never-the-less, I intend to continue to press on ever so slowly.
Off in northern Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Air Base at Wyndham again. I want to make certain that my opponent doesn't get tempted to try to use it again while I have all sort of Armoured units on the roads in the northeast. The first Allied Unit reached Katherine this turn, so I've ordered the 4Es to hit the ground troops there in support.
At the end of the day a Japanese sub shot at and missed a DE in a small USN Amphibious TF in the Gilberts. I'm moving a SeaBee unit to an unoccupied dot base that is still in Allied hands. I like to build up lots of bases around my main bases, and since I have Engineers coming out of the woodwork I am able to do that with ease. This also keeps my opponent edgy because he keeps on seeing useful bases popping up two and three at a time from dot bases.
Finally, the Japanese column facing the Chinese troops to the southeast of Sian attempted an Artillery Bombardment this turn. Both sides took minor casualties with the Japanese still receiving more. My opponent is now starting to notice the mass advance of Chinese troops all over the northeast of China, so that will keep him busy too.
The Night Phase saw USS Harder shoot at and miss an E-class in a sizable Japanese Transport TF. Just to the east of Kavieng. The escorts in the TF drove off Harder but only caused minor damage to the sub.
Daylight saw Allied 2Es hit the Japanese troops that are to the west of Lashio, and miss the Japanese troops that are in Lashio. So I am giving up on using 2Es against those troops in Lashio and have ordered all of them to go after those troops out on the road instead.
The British 4Es hit the Japanese troops at Rangoon again while the USAAF 4Es hit the Air Base at Moulmein. More and more Japanese troops are showing up at Moulmein so the Allied advance in southern Burma is likely to be very long and tough. Never-the-less, I intend to continue to press on ever so slowly.
Off in northern Oz the USAAF 4Es hit the Air Base at Wyndham again. I want to make certain that my opponent doesn't get tempted to try to use it again while I have all sort of Armoured units on the roads in the northeast. The first Allied Unit reached Katherine this turn, so I've ordered the 4Es to hit the ground troops there in support.
At the end of the day a Japanese sub shot at and missed a DE in a small USN Amphibious TF in the Gilberts. I'm moving a SeaBee unit to an unoccupied dot base that is still in Allied hands. I like to build up lots of bases around my main bases, and since I have Engineers coming out of the woodwork I am able to do that with ease. This also keeps my opponent edgy because he keeps on seeing useful bases popping up two and three at a time from dot bases.
Finally, the Japanese column facing the Chinese troops to the southeast of Sian attempted an Artillery Bombardment this turn. Both sides took minor casualties with the Japanese still receiving more. My opponent is now starting to notice the mass advance of Chinese troops all over the northeast of China, so that will keep him busy too.