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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/17/2009 3:03:25 PM

Q-Ball

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Good thoughts guys on Airpower. And you might be right; it's possible that he can commit enough assets to get back control of the air. In fact the assets are at his disposal.

Refer back to my original objectives for FORAGER. The main objective is strategic, not tactical. If Cuttlefish commits enough airpower to win the tactical air battle, I win the strategic battle. I WANT the IJA to throw the kitchen sink at Burma. Because that will mean that fewer planes over REPRISAL, which figures to be a bloodbath all around, becuase both of us have lost so few ships and planes.

If I get ashore on Flores, Soemba, and Timor as planned, I will build a festering cauldron into which the Japanese will have to pour planes, pilots, and ships to keep me at bay. Cuttlefish will have no choice but to throw everything at this, because it is uncomfortably close to the Oil. I will suffer huge losses, but so will the Japanese. I will replace my losses, he won't. Any forward progress will threaten the Oil. Cut off the Oil from Japan, and the game is over. Burma is ultimately just a sideshow to all of this. So is Noumea, Central Pacific, and everything else for that matter.

Ultimately, the Allies have only 2 grand strategic objectives. Just 2!

1. Reduce/Destroy Japanese ability to ship OIL/Fuel to Home Islands, through capture/interdiction of Oil and Fuel facilities, or sinking of tankers
2. Open a strategic bombing campaign on Japan. This means capturing a suitable bombing platform within range of Japan, and being able to supply and protect it.

That's pretty much it for grand objectives. REPRISAL supports #1.

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Post #: 391

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/17/2009 7:07:26 PM

british exil

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quote:

Ultimately, the Allies have only 2 grand strategic objectives. Just 2!

1. Reduce/Destroy Japanese ability to ship OIL/Fuel to Home Islands, through capture/interdiction of Oil and Fuel facilities, or sinking of tankers
2. Open a strategic bombing campaign on Japan. This means capturing a suitable bombing platform within range of Japan, and being able to supply and protect it.

That's pretty much it for grand objectives. REPRISAL supports #1.

I've just added the game to my christmas wish list.
If I'd have known the game was so simple I wouldn't have wished for it. Dreading the day I have to read the manual and understand it all.
At least the AAR's give some insight what to do and not to do. Keep up the good work.

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Post #: 392

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/17/2009 7:30:37 PM

khyberbill

Posts: 1941
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quote:

I'm in November '42 and the Allies are unable to hold their own in the air war in Burma/India.

I had trouble for a long time as well. Finally, after the monsoon broke, I was able to get control in November 42 through a combination of bombing of airfields with B17/24/25/26s and Wellingtons at 10k and sweeps with Hurricanes at high altitudes. Bombing raids were sometimes escorted with P40E's. I say sometimes, because escorts seems to be hit or miss. Results were about 20 - 40 planes destroyed on the ground per day and both foes moved their airbases away from range of my Hurricanes. I dont have any combat reports left from those battles the below is a recent attack on Darwin. It took only two days of attacks to clear the airfield of planes. He had a mixture of Tojos and Zeros in Darwin and now will find it difficult to keep over 40 units supplied.

Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-25C Mitchell x 15
Mitchell II x 12
B-17E Fortress x 23
B-17F Fortress x 6
B-24D Liberator x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 33
B-26 Marauder x 11
B-26B Marauder x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 4 destroyed on ground
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 destroyed on ground
Ki-46-II Dinah: 5 destroyed on ground
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
B-25C Mitchell: 6 damaged

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

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Post #: 393

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 5:00:47 PM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, August 5 to 18th, 1942

My AAR was in danger of falling to Page 2! I have to update it a bit more often.

The last 2 weeks of game time have featured little action until recently. China has been quiet, and once I stopped the air war over Burma, it's been quiet there. The only action has been via submarine, where we have sunk a DD, a TK, and a couple AKs over the last 2 weeks. The war is about to change though, because of what happened on the 18th.

Fall of Noumea: The 17,000 Allied defenders at Noumea surrendered on August 18th. Units that surrendered included 41st Division (though I saved a cadre to rebuild it), Lark Force Bn, 1 Tank Bn, 1 Art Bn, 1 Base Force, and that French Unit. The 41st will fight another day, but it will take awhile to rebuild.

What finally tipped the scales was more Japanese reinforcements. Another division landed at Koumac and marched overland, which tipped the scales. The other thing were large bombardments by IJN BBs, including Yamato. I had considered an intervention, but Cuttlefish has consistently kept Kido Butai loitering around New Caledonia, which means any reinforcement/rescue would have meant a CV battle.

I am not unhappy with the result of this seige. It bought us 2 1/2 months of time, and kept KB tethered to Noumea. It pretty much halted offensive action until Noumea could be taken. In the meantime, Suva and Pago Pago are pretty much impregnible forces, such that Cuttlefish would be doing me a favor by attempting a landing.

What Next?: That's the big question. I don't know what the Japanese plans are now. Cuttlefish has 4 divisions on New Caledonia, but I don't think he has too many viable places right there to go. I have alot of planes in the Suva/Tonga region, including Divebombers, which figure to make any landing expensive.

KB and surface ships were seen moving off to the Northwest; I think a period of refit is probably in order for Kido Butai, given that it's been at sea constantly for 3 months. The last couple turns KB was loitering off Suva, just out of P-40 range, or I would have taken a shot with some DBs.

REPRISAL: In a separate note, I'll detail plans for REPRISAL, the most important Allied operation of 1942.

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Post #: 394

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 5:25:51 PM

Q-Ball

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OPERATION REPRISAL: The Allies Strike Back!

Gentlemen:

We have previously reviewed OPERATION FORAGER, the Fall 1942 British offensive into Burma. It is time, now that troops are being prepped, to review our plans for REPRISAL, the move into the Southern DEI.

Overall Plan: Our objective is to establish several airbases in the Southern DEI. We expect an extremely strong Japanese response, so landing on several places is necessary. Even if a counter-landing takes out one of our airbases, we will still have plenty to establish air control over the region, or at least to start bleeding the Japanese.

D-Day will be between 10/1/42 and 11/1/42, depending on the Japanese defenses. I am focusing on bases with ports, that can be built to large airbases. The primary landing will be at Koepang, where I expect the most resistance; I have detailed 3 divisions for this landing, which might be overkill, but better safe than sorry. We need Koepang to establish at least 1 instant airbase in the region.

Other troops will land on Soemba, Maumere, Lomblen; I expect these bases to be lightly defended or not defended at all. I need enough ground troops though to guard against counterattack. We wil land at least 12-15 engineering units total, to quickly build up bases, and get air units in play.

Total Forces: We are allocating alot of air assets, as well as most of our naval assets.

AIR: All 7 available Allied CVs will be in support (the USN CVs, plus Illustrious). We will have Hermes and at least 1 USN CVE in support as well.

Land Based Air will include P-38s and many 4Es; we have 6 DB units, plus a Marine TB unit, and more Wildcats. An RAF Albacore unit is also available. We will be more secure once we can turn this area into an anti-shipping platform.

SURFACE SHIPS: We have numerous Allied cruisers, most of the USN and RN cruisers. We have 6 RN BBs (basically all of them, save PoW), and 5 USN BBs are headed here to also support.

Japanese Defenses: We have been casually reconning Timor and the area of our attack. As you can see from the map, some places aren't even Japanese yet, so we do not expect heavy resistance there. Recon reports 3 units at Koepang; at least 1 has to be a base force, and I don't think there is a division there. Dili and Lautem are occupied by one unit apiece. Overall, defenses appear very light. If it stays that way, I may jump early.

I do expect, however, an extremely strong Japanese response. Cuttlefish has almost all his elite pilots, as he has lost only 120 Zeros in A2A since the start of the war. The IJN surface fleet, save a couple CLs, is intact. I expect that about 4-6 days after landing, the entire IJN will show up to contest.

If Kido Butai shows, and we have already captured Koepang, we will choose to fight. It will be late 1942 at that point, so reinforcements are on the horizon. Our CVs are fully upgraded, with TBMs and updated AA. The escorts have high AA values. We can provide additional support from LBA. All of these make a combat desirable.

If IJN BBs show, we will also fight. I expect to tactically lose a BB matchup, but I think we will come out ahead strategically. I plan to use the RN BBs first, because they are better night fighters and due to withdraw anyway. The Allies have more BBs coming in 1943, and the Japanese do not beyond Musashi.

Overall, I expect there to be much blood. As long as it is mutual bloodshed, that will benefit the Allies.

Logistics: The biggest problem right now is a lack of fuel. I have several tanker convoys going to/from Cape Town to get fuel. At present, I have 80,000 fuel at Port Hedland, and another 100,000 at Perth. I would like more in both places before starting, because with all those BBs and other ships I will burn a huge amount of fuel. I want to have 200,000 fuel stockpiled at Perth to get started. We're fine in supplies, with big piles at most bases along the Australian coast.

The other problem is transport shipping. I have detailed alot of troops to this, over 6 divisions equivalent, plus engineering troops. I am accumulating APs at Perth, but this is also taking some time. I anticipate needing at least 100 APs and 50 AKs before launching the invasion.

Map: See below for a map of the area. The thing I like most about a move here is that it really opens alot of possibilities once we get established. The Allies can advance over several different axis of attack (toward Java, Celebes, Ambon, etc), and it's tough for the Japanese to cover all of them. Yet, an advance in ANY of those directions would be bad for Japan. The possibilities are endless; the biggest challenge will be keeping this offensive fueled.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 5:43:02 PM

ny59giants

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Do you have sufficient aviation support and construction engineers to unload at Derby and/or Broome to build those bases up?? They would help you get LBA to and from the battlefield for any fighters with short legs.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 5:50:23 PM

witpqs

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Wow! Are the landings going to be simultaneous? How long do you expect it will take before you are ready to go?

Q-Ball going for the kill, calls "8-ball in the corner pocket!"

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 6:00:19 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Do you have sufficient aviation support and construction engineers to unload at Derby and/or Broome to build those bases up?? They would help you get LBA to and from the battlefield for any fighters with short legs.�

I have detailed 4 Australian Base Forces for this. I sent 2 of the big RAF Base Force units from India: The Brits have more than enough AV support, and have some to spare.

I have snuck in 2 units to Broome, and 1 more is on the way. I don't want to put more in, because CF might smell something is up if he observes a big buildup at Broome and Derby. He knows about Port Hedland, but that could be considered defensive (which it was initially).

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 6:01:08 PM

ComradeP

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Another question: what would the Japanese player realistically need to be able to stop such an invasion? Is that even possible considering what you're throwing at him?

It's still early in the war, and if this works you're pretty close to putting a serious dent in the amount of oil/fuel/resources he can extract from the DEI. This early in the war, such a blow could be devastating, especially if the IJN loses modern capital ships and carriers.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 6:39:38 PM

Swenslim

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That is why I recommend for all Japan players not to go farther than Solomons. With 4 divisions at Noumea it meen he has almost no troops in the rear area. Maybe 1 - 2 divisipns at Java and 1-2 at Marians and Truk. A

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 6:50:37 PM

FatR

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Swenslim

That is why I recommend for all Japan players not to go farther than Solomons. With 4 divisions at Noumea it meen he has almost no troops in the rear area. Maybe 1 - 2 divisipns at Java and 1-2 at Marians and Truk. A

He has plenty of time to extract troops from Noumea, though.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 7:13:46 PM

aprezto

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Very ambitious plan. Love it. My fear would be aircraft replacements, specifically fighters. He can basically swamp you with numbers. It may look like you have a lot, but ultimately only the P-38s are of good enough quality. Losses aren't as vicious as they were in WitP but reserves will be very important. If he gets air superiority things will get difficult. If he is allowed to bombard your bases, then you'll be in trouble.
Which is why I agree with your multiple-base targeted approach. I agree this will be very very bloody. As you say, if it is mutually bloody then that favours you. But you have to be ready to burn everything you bring, because he MUST do the same. This is a dagger pointed at his heart.

I just fear you are going a little early (then again, the chance to take and hold these places before he reinforces must be tantalising). It would be very nice indeed if he tried to take somewhere else in the South Pacific - well away from your intended invasions zones. Can't rely on your opponent though.

Last thought, this will become your main battle zone. US naval and air unit reinforcements have a very long way to come.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 8:14:26 PM

ny59giants

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quote:

I have snuck in 2 units to Broome, and 1 more is on the way. I don't want to put more in, because CF might smell something is up if he observes a big buildup at Broome and Derby. He knows about Port Hedland, but that could be considered defensive (which it was initially).

You could expand the facilities at each, but halt them just before they hit the next level. Thus, once this operation is sprung, they will go up a level in a matter of a few days.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/20/2009 8:49:00 PM

ckammp

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Operation REPRISAL seems a strong, well thought-out plan. I do, however, have a few nagging questions:

1) With so many ships involved, how do you plan on keeping surprise? CF will surely have subs patroling all around Australia, in addition to patrol planes.

2) The Japanese defenses are weak now, but there's still 6 weeks until D-Day; if detected, is there a level of defense which will cause you to postpone/change individual targets?

3) Do you still plan to use SEARCHLIGHT? Or do you have another diversion planned?

4) By sending all CVs and BBs to REPRISAL, you're leaving everywhere else wide open. If CF launches an attack (either raid or invasion) in SoPac, CentPac, or Aleutians, how will you respond?

Sorry if this post seems negative, I really do hope REPRISAL works; I just fear it is too much, too soon.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/21/2009 12:32:07 AM

princep01

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Q-Ball, do not tarry.
You have allocated sufficient force to ensure initial success and have planned follow on activities to bolster their chances for a sustained offensive. You have realistically calculated the enemies likely reaction. You have ensured operational security and planned for a recon effort that will not overly alarm even the most cautious player. Logistics will be in place and adequate lift capacity will be available for the insertion, follow up and logistics. Light repair facilities are immediately available. You have devised two credible diversionary attacks to confuse and bring consternation upon your enemy.
To tarry is to allow the enemy more "digging" time and time to allocate reinforcements to the area. Prudence is no vice, however, indecision is. You have been prudent. Now, strike swifty and wrest the theater strategic offensive from the grasp of the usurper. Good luck.

As to the craven warnings, low mummerings and worrisome commentary of the faint of heart, I say....a humbug on their house. Strike! Strike! Strike!

As to Admiral ckammp's cousel.....be advised that his last evaluation has been leaked to the public. It is follows:

C. Kammp, Rear Admiral
nav 49; air 42; land 28
Competent administrator, overly cautious
Best position: Rear Area training facility

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/21/2009 1:39:38 AM

krupp_88mm

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lol PWND!

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/21/2009 2:27:19 AM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ckammp

Operation REPRISAL seems a strong, well thought-out plan. I�do, however,�have a few nagging questions:

1) With so many ships involved, how do you plan on keeping surprise? CF will surely have subs patroling all around Australia, in addition to patrol planes.

Can't predict Sub Activity; we'll just have to hope he doesn't see it. He knows I have some strength around Perth, but as far as he knows it's just 1 RN CV.

quote:

2) The Japanese defenses are weak now, but there's still 6 weeks until D-Day; if detected, is there a level of defense which will cause you to postpone/change individual targets?

The only way we would consider cancelling is if he puts 2 Divisions at Koepang. Even then, we'll probably still go ahead and land on Soemba and Flores. I can't foresee him putting that kind of force at Koepang, unless he REALLY suspects something.

quote:

3) Do you still plan to use SEARCHLIGHT? Or do you have another diversion planned?

I'll probably still do it, though I don't think it's necessary. We'll see.

quote:

4) By sending all CVs and BBs to REPRISAL, you're leaving everywhere else wide open. If CF launches an attack (either raid or invasion) in SoPac, CentPac, or Aleutians, how will�you respond?

Well, it's impossible to attack using CVs without causing this problem. The only way to prevent him from attacking where the CVs aren't is to not deploy them at all, which of course isn't acceptable. I have enough Marine DBs that any landing in the SW Pacific won't be cheap.

The biggest problem with getting all that force on Koepang, other than fuel stocks, is available shipping. I am accumulating alot of APs, but I fear I still won't have enough. And I am worried about those slow Allied unload rates.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 12:28:05 AM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, August 19 to 22nd, 1942

The strangest thing happened on August 22nd; NOTHING. The Combat Report was BLANK. Not a shot was fired anywhere in the Pacific. I must have played 1000s of turns in WITP and AE, and I have never seen that before! Strange!

Japanese Movements: Several transports have been observed at Noumea, but no Japanese warships; last I saw, they all sailed to the North, probably to make some repairs after sailing around for 3 months straight.

My CVs are headed to Australia, otherwise I might do something about that. I am going to send a cruiser TF to Noumea to see if CF is covering those transports. I suspect they are lifting troops from Noumea, but to where?

Logistics: The biggest problem with REPRISAL, the invasion of the DEI, is fuel. I am accumulating ships at Perth, but as I do that, the fuel stocks are dwindling. I am also moving fuel forward to Port Hedland, where I am past 90K in fuel. Perth is down to 40K. I will need more than that to get started, thankfully about 100K is already on the way from Cape Town.

Snore in the Pacific: I have read alot of AARs, and not seen this much inactivity. Are CF and me both chicken? I for one plan to make an attrition war out of it in the DEI.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 12:36:06 AM

Canoerebel

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Am I correct in surmising that you skipped playing the combat replay and, instead, just looked at the combat report text file? I've had multiple occasions where the combat report and SigInt .txt files were blank, for reasons unknown. But had you replayed the actual turn file you would have seen the usual amount of activity.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 1:18:19 AM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Am I correct in surmising that you skipped playing the combat replay and, instead, just looked at the combat report text file?� I've had multiple occasions where the combat report and SigInt .txt files were blank, for reasons unknown.� But had you replayed the actual turn file you would have seen the usual amount of activity.

Nope, Cuttlefish and I saw the exact same thing: Blank. Nothing. Not a shot fired. I ordered some bombing just to break it up on the 23rd, but basically NOTHING is going on.

Should I be attacking something? I have thought about this and my play style. My other PBEM game is a non-stop bloodbath into which I am wading full-force. Generally, I seek fights where fighting is to my advantage, and shun fighting when I think it won't be. I would play a game of attrition, but the only place I can, Burma, Cuttlefish's airplanes won't come out and play. Eventually, it seemed futile to just crater airfields, particularly since it was costing me planes.

FORAGER will force him to come out, and REPRISAL will for sure. I think REPRISAL will trigger a non-stop bloodbath, particularly since both of us are almost 100% strong.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 1:24:20 AM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

Should I be attacking something? I have thought about this and my play style.

My two cents: you have known where the KB was for over two solid months. Some fast bombardment runs in other places might have been in order.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 1:55:53 AM

Xxzard

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Bombardment is meaningless other than as a surprise/distraction. You might destroy a few airplanes, maybe a ship or two, though in front line areas those aren't going to be crucial ships. It expends a good bit of fuel, puts irreplaceable ships in danger, and accomplishes rather little. Though it will distract your opponent.

If you really wanted to annoy and do damage, try to intercept shipping.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 2:20:43 AM

Menser

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Great plan on Reprisal,
Just need to wait a little for the fuel, but don't cancel Searchlight. Cuttlefish seems to be keeping the KB as a fleet in being, and it cannot be everywhere at once. Using Searchlight as a diversion launched 1/2 or 1 week before Reprisal initiates will help guarantee landing success if it pulls that fleet in being to the Marshalls, giving you some breathing room in the Timor area. You will need it if He has reinforced any of the target bases with a strong garrison and that time will let you shift your available assets if needed (You do have a small Reserve in case, Right? ... I didn't see one in the plans). He might be basing the KB at Truck, if none of his CV should need serious repair time, and Truck is not all that far from your landing objectives (about 3 days at cruising speed, less at Full). If he sees what you're up to right away that could be, as one British Commander put it at the wrong time, "a bit sticky".

Is the proposed operation likely to succeed? What might the consequences of failure? Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of material and supplies? ~ Chester W. Nimitz

< Message edited by Menser -- 12/23/2009 3:21:19 AM >

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Post #: 413

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 4:44:11 AM

Q-Ball

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I have to agree with Xxzard on bombardments. They don't do alot of damage. It would be a good way to find out where the bases with torpedo-armed Bettys are, but that's called finding out the hard way. The most obvious targets, like the Marshalls, Java, etc, are ones that I know have an Air HQ and possibly Nettys. No thanks.

I have a fast run heading to Noumea though to get surface ships. THAT is a good use of raiders. I might try mid-ocean intercepts at some point.

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RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 4:15:16 PM

Chickenboy

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Q-ball,

I agree with you in general about bombardments being much less effective than under vanila WiTP when they were unholy terror weapons capable of causing tens of thousands of casualties day after day after day. However, with recon pre-registration of targets, large scale bombardment can be quite devastating.

Case in point:

NO USSHENRICO OR CRIMGUY...
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In a PBEM as IJN (January, 1942), I invaded Balikpapan with 4 SNLF units. I had two SCTFs nearby for cover-one had 2x BBs and multiple CAs, the other 4xBBs and multiple CAs and CLs. Hey, no sense messing about.

The initial Balikpapan invasion was a kind of shoestring affair. The invasion TF consisted of a large number of DMS (lots of mines there), PBs and xAKs. Shore-based CD artillery caused havoc with the initial landing force on day one. Lots of medium caliber CD hits on PBs and DMSs. I lost a combined total of 4 of these with another 4 badly chewed up. The interference was such that only one of the SNLFs was able to land with supplies. Thankfully, the PBs and DMS were able to clear a large number of mines, enabling my SCTFs to intervene.

On day 2, I ordered both the SCTFs to bombard the target hex and withdraw. The 4xBB bombardment caused 450+ casualties. The second 250+. Both SCTFs withdrew and the unloading commenced UNOPPOSED. I think that the combined causuaties were near 100% of the garrison force. No more CD fire, no more interference with supply unloading. The landed SNLFs then easily swept away the opposition and captured the port and facilities largely intact.

Overwhelming bombardment with large caliber guns still works as part of this balanced combined arms breakfast.

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Post #: 415

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 7:24:12 PM

radar

Posts: 337
Joined: 11/17/2007
From: Dayton, Ohio
Status: offline

Snore in the Pacific: I have read alot of AARs, and not seen this much inactivity. Are CF and me both chicken?

I for one enjoy the careful and considered strategy you have employed in this game. What attracted me to WiTP was the closeness to the historical war and to see that displayed in a PBEM match is fun to read.

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Post #: 416

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 8:31:59 PM

Q-Ball

Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
Status: offline

Combat Report, Aug 23 to 26, 1942

Again, little happens these days, other than some favorable sub activity for me; 2 small TKs sunk off Medan by Dutch subs, a large AK heavily damaged off New Caledonia and maybe sunk, plus another xAK probably sunk.

Forager: The jump-off date for Forager is set at September 10, or about 2 weeks of game time. September is the last month of Monsoon, and it will take about 20 days for troops to march through the jungle into position. In fact, there is a good chance that CF won't even notice movement until they move a hex.

Kalemyo's supply difficulties are being taken care of via airlift. Those Skytrains are really valuable! They basically repaired the Chinese at Paoshan, who are now moving into position for FORAGER. Now, they are keeping 3 divisions supplied at Kalemyo. I think I am going to need that airstrip at Warazup.

Temptation: The USN CVs will arrive in Perth in about 5 days. Occasionally, I have spotted Baby KB off the Australian coast. What should I do if I observe them again, in a position to be reached by my CVs?

I have no doubt that 7 Allied CVs would completely crush Baby KB and sink all of them. This would be a victory. It would be at a high cost, however, in intelligence; once he sees the US Fleet in that position, Cuttlefish will KNOW something is up. Kido Butai will likely be in the area shortly thereafter. Sinking CVLs, though, is a good thing. So tempting that would be.......what would you guys do?

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Post #: 417

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 8:36:13 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you can clobber a handful of Japanese CVEs, go get 'em.

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Post #: 418

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 8:43:15 PM

aprezto

Posts: 824
Joined: 1/29/2009
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.� If you can clobber a handful of Japanese CVEs, go get 'em.

Agreed - this would be a massive strategic and tactical victory. Only you will know if that means you must scrub your op.

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Post #: 419

RE: Logistics in Burma-India - 12/23/2009 9:27:43 PM

Smeulders

Posts: 1879
Joined: 8/9/2009
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After the previous combat between the mini KB and the British, he'll figure that you brought in the Americans to fight mini KB. He might be a bit suspicious of the move, and maybe he'll move KB closer to counter any follow-up actions, but I doubt it'll tip him off as to your offensive.

(in reply to aprezto)

Post #: 420