Cathartes
Posts: 2155
Joined: 1/5/2001 Status: offline
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April 3, 1944 As promised we brought our maps this time. SEAC is where the action is. One of the largest and most decisive air battle of the war occurred over Tavoy. A convoy of AKs and APs carrying a British brigade was escorted by a large surface TF and British carriers. The carriers retired their escort duties and moved on, while the surface TF bombarded Tavoy. After this two large Japanese air strikes materialized. The first one is highlighted below on the map, and the second one flew from Victoria Point. The CV Unryu and at least three other fleet carriers were involved in this strike and they ran smack into some of the most experienced pilots in the theater. The second strike from Victoria Point brought 21 Georges, 18 P1Y Frances, and 19 KAIb Tonys. The results were similar, and all told, 190 Japanese aircraft were destroyed over Tavoy. The background for this air battle is the tense ground campaign going on around the Siam/Burma border country. Tavoy has been invaded, and the Japanese have responded with a massive force, including several divisions, coming from Bangkok and Moulmein. Other Japanese units appear to be inbound based on intel. The invasion of Tavoy has been ongoing for the last couple of weeks and has diverted a number of powerful Japanese units that would otherwise be available in Moulmein or along the Bangkok-Moulmein road network. This has opened up some holes for further Allied attacks. Moulmein was invaded several days ago, and Rahaeng was assaulted by paratroopers a day or two later. Currently, the Allies enjoy a level 9 airbase in Rangoon, and maintain air superiority all the way to Bangkok. A. After a naval bombardment, and the delivery of a seasoned British Brigade, the Japanese attack and achieve 0-1 odds. Just the day before they had attacked and achieved 3-1 odds. It’s unclear when and what additional Japanese units will arrive in this hex. The unadjusted AV for the Japanese is 1777 while the Allies have an unadjusted 526. Reports indicate that not all the Japanese attacked this turn as the maximum assault was only 413 and the adjusted assault was 38. B. Several more units join the main Allied force in Moulmein, and are forced to shock attack in the process. The Allies get punched in the nose as expected, but with the forces in place our boys can bombard daily and inflict 700-800 casualties per day and can expect to destroying or disable 10-20 guns per day. Moulmein is a level 7 fort, and there are 27 units and 2000 AV behind the ramparts. C. The Indian paratrooper brigade dropped on Rahaeng and no one was home. The Allies pile in the troops and have thus far endured two Japanese shock attacks. More Japanese units will probably cross the river from Pisanuloke in succeeding days and be forced to shock attack. A Japanese airborne unit has subsequently dropped on Rahaeng as troops cross the river. D. Just for reference our intel has included the site of the first carrier vs carrier battle of the war, which occurred on March 23, 1944. Two British CV TFs reacted to a large assembly of Japanese CVs. Intel figured at least 6-8 enemy fleet carriers based on the fact that about 200 Zeros were encountered in the ensuing srikes. The British TF captains disobeyed orders and strayed from beneath LB CAP. FAA corsairs fought valiantly and downed dozens of enemy Zekes, but ultimately there numbers were too few to stem the onslaught. The BC Renown, CV Indomitable, and CVL Hermes were all sunk. One CL is moderately damaged, but escapes. At least 60 Zekes/Zeroes are shot down, and about 120 IJA fighters and bombers are also destroyed from earlier raids that thinned out our CAP. The British CVs responded with a large raid of FAA TBFs--unescorted. 175 Zekes on CAP destroy them all. Not a single Japanese CV is touched. Chimaera-san may be able to give more details from his perspective: a great victory for him.
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